The words we say....

 My heart has been troubled since I heard it.  A comment was made to a family member that should not have been said - even in jest.  It was crude, rude, and unnecessary, in spite of how they feel about that person.  And the worst part?  I feel it knocked down what they believe they are.... a Christian.  So, yes, I am troubled, and if I have an opportunity, I may say something to them.   Anyway, it has been on my mind since I was told about it, and again later in the day I heard about it again, and I noticed a comment made this morning about it.  People can be cruel, even unintentionally, at times. I know I have done it, or at least thought it, at times.  And I'm sure you have too.  You've had words directed at you or your spouse that should not have been said because it was not spoken in love.  Yes, I may say things about hubby.... but I live with him.  You don't.   I may even agree with your comments. But you have no right to say them to him.  Nor do I have any right to make comments about anyone else's spouse - unless it is uplifting and encouraging.  Does that make sense?  Nor should I say some things about hubby, so I'm just as guilty.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV):  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

The sad part is that it is more of a reflection on the person who said such things than the one whom it was directed at.....and that breaks my heart.

Today is Sunday and we'll be going to church.  I think I mentioned the other day that hubby and I are again discussing going to another church.  I feel, personally, that it is hard to feel connected to the church we are going to - and I have tried to be involved in different areas.  But, and I think it has a lot to what I was raised in - I just can't get used to the jumping up and down, the extremely loud music (so much so that my watch will tell me I am in a 'loud environment') that seems sometimes to go on and on (we sang the chorus 3 times - stop!!) and microphones on full blast - even for prayer!  We are not at a concert; we are in church.  And yes, we can make noise worshipping and praising the Lord; make a joyful noise unto the Lord, the Bible says.  We can do that - but does it have to be at decibel 10?  My youngest son joined us a year ago for church - and even he said it was too loud for him - and he goes to concerts!  My God is not hard-of-hearing!!

We love our pastors, we love the people there.  The messages are great, as a rule.  But sometimes, there is just nothing there.  So is it us?  Or is it the church?  A friend of ours said he couldn't go last week so he watched online and I found it interesting that he said it was disappointing for an Easter service, that it was boring, even the message.  We didn't go nor watch our church as we had the brunch and we watched Jentezen Franklin.  I just don't know what to do.  Hubby and I discussed it the other day and we both feel the same way.... and until we make a decision to go elsewhere and see what the church is like.... we need to still be in church.  There is a fairly new church I saw recently that is small - which I think we both would like - and although I haven't watched a service online yet, I have gone through their beliefs and read what the church was about.  I have mentioned it to hubby but he hasn't responded much about it yet.   Ok - enough of my thought rambling on that.  Bottom line, because our church is so loud, I don't feel comfortable about inviting people to it.  We don't hang out with 'that type of people' who like everything LOUD.  We've gone there three years now and it hasn't changed.  It's been loud from day one but a friend told me it was 'Holy Spirit' filled.  Well, if the Holy Spirit is there, I want to be there.... but.... then I question my own Christianity as most times I feel nothing but the vibes of the music beating against me.  Does that make sense?  Am I not filled with the Holy Spirit?  It has caused me to question my own relationship with God.  Have we put too much 'stock' in what our friend said?  She is perfectly happy with the loudness and all.  I just can't 'feel' it.  Is it just me?  Us?

The sad part?  Because of COVID restrictions in the past, we have gotten so used to watching church online and enjoy the fact I can sit in my pajamas and watch church.  I still sing along with the songs; I still worship and pray; I still have my quiet time with God.  And I had my coffee and could sit and crochet during the commercial.  To 'go' to church I have to get up, shower, get dressed, put make-up on, do something with my hair....... I have to put forth effort.  It became the 'norm' for so many people.  Us included.  I miss it, to tell the truth.  But I also love being with other people.  I miss our 'old' church that was always growing and thriving and had great songs and great messages...... before the pulpit committee brought in a couple pastors who destroyed the body and many saints left the church and went elsewhere.  It took awhile before we took that step, but God kept telling me we were to leave and I just didn't want to leave our friends.  We finally did.  But with our move out here, we needed to find still another place...and we haven't found that place we could call our 'church home yet'..... ok - enough of this.

We've been invited over for dinner at our daughter's today for carne asada.  It's always so good and it's a treat for us.  Looking forward to it.  But, I will need to cook lunch for us; I thawed out salmon yesterday and I need to get it cooked - so guess what is for lunch today!  I think it's called 'brewpub mustard salmon' or something like that.  LOL  

So with my thoughts all over the place this morning I think I will hush.  I will leave you with this - something we have all said at one time or another.....

"If you can't say something nice about someone, then keep your mouth shut."   You have no idea what they are going through.  You don't know what the root of the issues are.  You are not walking in their shoes.  Regardless of our thoughts about them, we are not them.  Keep our thoughts and comments to ourselves.  Right or wrong, be quiet.  Remember the saying I mentioned the other day?  It's better to be thought a fool, than speak and remove all doubt.

Think on these things.

Blessings!

I want a nap....

and it's only 7AM!  Which means I need to get moving and complete this blog (you'd miss it if I didn't write, right?) before getting ready to head over to a great-granddaughter's last soccer game.  And then, I have my Needles of Hope today and need to move on to that location, which means hubby and I both will be driving today to the game.  Oh well.  

We stayed up until nearly 10PM (Gasp!) last night watching movies.  Let me rephrase that.  I stayed up to watch the entire movies... hubby slept through the second one; he said it was boring - I loved it.  Go figure, huh?  The commoner met her prince and they fell in love.  A girl's dream of being loved and cherished.  sigh.

But I didn't want to get up this morning and finally did about 5:30AM I think... and I've not stayed focused and getting accomplished what I wanted to - or as I usually do.  I like the mornings when I have nothing going on and I can stay in here as long as I want.  But sometimes even then, I can't.  It's my hiding place at times so that I don't have to face the real world.

My male boss called me yesterday and updated me on some things going on in his area... I just know with him being moved to 'president' of this other board that I will have a work load increase.  I told him I have resigned myself to the fact I may have to do the minutes and scheduling of all those board meetings.  I really feel that he needs his very own executive assistant and as much as I like him personally, I am more than willing to pass him off.  My bigger fear is that someone further up will decide that he needs me full time and will remove me from my favorite boss.  That would devastate me.  And there would be nothing I could do about it.  They don't ask us; they just reassign us.  Praying that doesn't happen.

I Timothy 6:10 (NIV):  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Ah, I think we all have heard the first part of that scripture many times over the years.  You know, 'for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...'.  It usually comes out when someone is always seeking ways to make more money all the time, giving up things that are important, like relationships, so that they can make or have more money.  One cannot serve God and money - you have heard that scripture too, haven't you?

(a whole bunch of erasing just happened!!)

I'm trying not to write things that I shouldn't say.... sigh.... Yeah, I probably spend too much money on frivilous things and I often just buy things and give to others because I heard there was a need, and I do believe that God blesses us when we bless others.  But I don't think I look at money as something I need MORE of, unless I can give away more of it.  Hubby often will ask me about donating money to various causes and although they are good causes, I frequently say no.  Then I have to explain why.  Once you give to a charity, they are constantly sending you 'we need, please send' emails.  There are two that I am willing to give to; three if you count the church.  I frequently tell hubby that if he has extra money he wants to donate, give it to God for He can do more with it than padding another executive's salary who is running a charity.  Salvation Army is one who doesn't pay their executives with high salaries.  Google it and you'll see.  So at times I do send them a donation for it goes to the people it is for.  

And with that, I need to get off here and start getting ready to head off to the soccer game.  I'm rambling way too much.  

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Maybe I should change my routine...

 Hubby and I went yesterday after work to get our nails done - him his feet and me my nails.  Then we stopped at Arby's for 'dinner' and then on to the gym so that he could get his 30 minutes in on the bike.  I decided to ride a bike as well since I had to wait on him and just didn't feel like 'walking' on the treadmill.  These new machines are confusing for me at times and I just didn't feel like dealing with it.  Anyway, I did ride 5 miles on the bike (30 minutes) and then we came back home.  I felt fine, more relaxed, actually.  I read for a bit while hubby played on his phone - but then I couldn't stop yawning - so started getting ready for bed at 8PM!  In my defense, as I've shared this week, I've been waking early and frequently during the night so I was pretty tired.  Plus, work has been extremely busy  By 8:30PM I was in bed and although I did wake a few times to walk down the hall due to the amount of water I drank in the evening, I slept deep and I slept sound.  And, I still didn't want to wake up this morning, but knew I needed to get up.  At least I feel more rested this morning than I have all week.

I sure hope, being Friday, that work will lighten up today.  Yesterday was extremely busy.  Sigh.  Our Colorado director had me in a meeting yesterday; passing on the dates, etc. for their board meeting that my male boss is taking over.  And with the light conversation I had with my boss yesterday after that meeting, the person who wanted to take over as 'board manager' and handle all three of the boards my boss will be president of.... sigh..... another leader wants her so he may not get her.  Which means, yeah, I will get to do the three boards.  I've decided to quit whining about it and just 'suck it up, buttercup' and do it if required.  They really aren't that bad; I enjoy sitting in on the meetings and hear what is going on - I just don't like having to type out minutes.  But I may have found a way around it in completing them so will see if what I did this time flies.  If it does, then it's all good.  Deep breath.  

What is 'scary' is that at the end of this month, for two months, I will be covering for another executive assistant (have I already mentioned this?) who will be out on leave for a back surgery.  She sent me a notice the other day... I did not know she did board meetings for the doctors.  And I thought I would only be covering the person she supports - the main one - but no, I also get her 7-8 doctors she supports as well and the board meeting that is in the middle of May.  I am just overjoyed, you know I am.  

I.Can.Do.This.  With God's help, on whom I lean, on whom I request help, I am confident that I will be able to complete each task and I pray for a good attitude and the ability to understand what they want and need and be able to complete it all.  After all, this is my scripture....

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV):  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And what that means is that when I reach out and ask Him to help me, He will enable me to understand what I need to understand, to accomplish all that I need to accomplish, and complete each and every task assigned to me.  Yeah, He is that good.  I could never complete a thing in my own strength, I'm just not that good at it, but because of Jesus, and because I lean on Him and seek His face, and ask for His help, He always provides all that I need.

Do you not know that He longs to do that for you as well?  All you have to do is seek Him, and you will find Him.  He is waiting for you to acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.  I beg you to not delay in seeking Him for you never know what the day will bring and you need Him to help you.

I am lost with Jesus.  Those are not just words, I know I am lost without Him.  Oh yeah, I still have to go through the consequences of my wrong words or my wrong actions, but He walks me through the fires and doesn't leave me in them.  He is a good God, a good, good Father.

Take some time this morning and think about your relationship with Him.  Does it need refreshing, refining?  Perhaps you need to just pause and ask Him to be your Lord.  It's easy to do.  He's waiting for you.  He's listening to your heart.

Seek Him, for He is waiting on you.

Blessings!

Up early once again....

 I'm beginning to wonder if my body is telling me it has enough sleep - although I am still sleepy when I finally give up and get up.  We went to bed about 8:45PM last night - which is around our usual time of 8:30PM.  I go to bed that early because 4AM comes early and I figure 7.5 hours sleep is good for me.  Right?  Sometimes I can't go right to sleep; sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and toss and turn for a bit; sometimes I wake up early.  This week has been waking up early.  It was 2:48AM this morning.  I laid in bed and toss and turned about until 3:15AM and decided 'this is stupid; just get up!' - my mind would not shut off.  So I got up, came in here and got curled up in my chair thinking perhaps I could go back to sleep.  Nope.  That wasn't happening either.  So I begin my reading for the day.  Hubby brought my coffee in around 5-ish I think; yeah, he slept.  

We've tried going to bed later, but my mind still wakes up early.  I really do not need to get up at 4AM now since I don't drive in to the office; I'm sure I have mentioned this before.  I can pretty much get my reading and all done within two hours ... three hours is just a cushion in case I fall asleep.  But my body and mind will not allow me to sleep much past 4AM except on occasion.  Oh well.  It is what it is, right? I think if I slept in here I'd probably sleep later.... but heaven forbid that should happen.  We both would sleep better ... but ...

I have got to change my diet and my 'routine'.  I saw a photo of myself someone took recently of my backside...  oh my.  Sitting all day has not been nice to my backside.  And that is with exercising at least twice a week!  I need to start walking more - whether I want to or not.  Hubby is wanting to walk with me sometimes - but he is slow - and I worry he will fall and I can't catch him.... but, I am much stronger than I was a year ago.  For his birthday later this month I did buy him a couple walking sticks.  He had only asked for one, but they come in twos.  They are in this huge box (seriously!) - they came in a box that is about 6" x 36" x 24" (roughly)... and they take up about 6-8 inches of space.  I've left them in the box until his birthday.  Hopefully that will help him walk more steady.  We have this old man who walks every day for miles - I kid you not - this guy is very thin, tanned (of course), and wears only (usually) very very short shorts.  And he walks around the neighborhood using these sticks. And he walks fast.  Oh - he now has knee supports on his legs.  And he does this for hours. Doesn't stop to talk, just keeps walking very fast. Interesting to watch.  Even in the cooler months he doesn't have much in clothes on.  I'm still wearing long pants!!  Hubby has changed to his shorts for daily wear.  I'm not there yet.

I need to get moving and get things picked up and put away; our house cleaners will be here around 10AM. I must admit it is nice to get the house deep cleaned monthly.  Can't get hubby to do it and he won't let me.  Yes, I said 'let me'.  He and I fight every time I try to do something because he feels guilty he isn't doing his part.  Of course I need to 'deep clean' my closet and my desk and my dresser and haven't gotten to those either so I can't cast stones on who isn't deep cleaning.  But at least our house smells better when they are done.  It smells clean.

Romans 5:8 (NLT):  God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

That scripture always makes me feel grateful.  I was deep in sin when the Holy Spirit drew my heart to Him and I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  The reality is that Jesus was sacrificed for us while we were still in sin.  But the grace we receive when we ask for forgiveness is worth the giving up of all the things that brought us down low.  Jesus is the Truth, and the Way to God.  No one can go to the Father without going through Jesus first.  You have to accept and know Jesus, before you can get before God.  Does that make sense?  

Jesus showed us the way to live a sinless life.  I fall every day, I'm afraid, and have to confess and repent daily.  And daily I ask for help to live a life worthy to be called His child.  It isn't that His 'rules' are so strict - they really aren't.  It's just my attitude and actions sometimes get in the way of how I should think and behave.  Yeah, sometimes I have a bad attitude, or attitude 'issues'.  And you know you do as well!  But when I acknowledge them and confess them and ask forgiveness, He is always faithful and just and forgives me and remembers them no more.

Work has still be pretty hectic and busy, but it is slowing down, and I hope it continues so today.  I have two big meetings I've been working on the past two days and hope to get them done today.  

I 'had' to make some 'white girl salsa' yesterday.  I have a garden here in the house - I think I told you I bought one of those plant things with the light - I forget what it's called - hydro something or other. Anyway, my cilantro had grown about 6 inches higher than the light.  So I cut a bunch of it (still have a lot of cilantro and basil growing all over the place!) and made white girl salsa.  It's about half gone already.  It's just the blend of the food for there are no spices in it.  But just imagine if we added a bit of jalapeno to it - wonder what it would do to the flavor.  Hmmmm.  I need to figure out what to do with all this basil - need to make something that I can use it in.  I didn't expect it to grow all over the place like this.  I had/have chives too, but I cut those back last night and put in the dish I was making.  I like my little garden.  I usually buy a bunch of cilantro and use maybe 1/4 of it and end up throwing the rest away.  At least this way I can use what I need and not throw it away.  I just need someone to help me use what is growing!  Or make more dishes using them!

Guess that is about all I have for today....  my mind keeps wandering so guess I'll close this off.  Hope you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

What is it with the early :18?

 I know I heard it.  It woke me up.  I glanced at the clock.  3:18AM.  What was it I heard?  Clearly, I had heard a 'boing'.  You know the sound of the spring that we put on the floor so that when the door goes back it doesn't slam into the wall?  If you flip it with your finger it goes 'boing'.  At least I think it does.  That is what I heard and I instantly knew it was that spring.  I didn't hear it again. I didn't hear any other noises. What - and why - in the world would I hear a 'boing' except to wake me up?  At 3:18AM!  Of course then I started thinking about things, praying over my children, and boom - it was time to get up and I certainly wasn't ready to get up - I was still sleepy, and I tried to go back to sleep in here and may have for a little bit - and of course now I'm getting short on time.  I'm beginning to wonder what is going on in my mind that I am waking up in the middle of the night with these things happening.

Yesterday was another busy day with scheduling meetings at work.  I think I would be bored out of my mind if I wasn't working and keeping my mind busy.  NOT.  I'd have a book in my hand to read most of the time. LOL  So many things I want to do.... so much life I want to live... but, gotta have money to do it so guess I'll keep working!

Scheduled hubby and I nail appointments for tomorrow night.  He wants to keep up on his pedicures as his feet look and feel so much better he says.  His toenails aren't snagging on his socks (I hate that when it happens!!).  I told him either I had to get mine filled in (you know, the fake nail fill in) or I would start pulling them off!  I'm thinking, though, that after this time I will let them come off and just go to polish.  I'm too cheap to keep paying these prices and since Easter is over and I don't have anyone to see, I don't need lovely nails. :-)  Besides, these fake nails don't let me 'feel' things like I can when I just have my real nails.  I know, you don't understand - unless you have had the fake nails.  They just look nice.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT):  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who perfects and initiates our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.

There is one line of that scripture that I often think about, and often pray.  I don't think of it in this version, the NLT, but the NKJV.  The part I like to pray?  'the champion who perfects and initiates our faith.'  In the NKJV it says it this way 'the author and perfector of our faith'.   Why do I prefer it?  Because Jesus is the author of our lives.  Yes, God created us, but Jesus was there, as well as the Holy Spirit.  (see Genesis 1:1)  All three of the Trinity was involved in our creation.

But my faith?  Jesus is that author.  He is the reason I believe what I believe, and He perfects it and makes it perfect.  Everything I believe is because I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and my Savior.  How I wish everyone did as well.  This world would be a much better place, to be sure!

Could you imagine a world where everyone was kind and loving and giving, without any regard for themselves?   What can we do here and now to make it such a place for others?  Sometimes we need to evaluate our own attitudes and actions.  Are they pleasing to Jesus?  Do our words bring hope and encouragement?  Do we build people up or tear people down?

True, we may not 'like' certain people, but it does not give you permission to treat them with disrespect. There are people I don't care for, but I try (and sometimes it is difficult) to overlook their personality traits that I don't care for and treat them well.  It isn't easy, is it?  

Sometimes it is better to keep the mouth shut and let them think I'm a fool, than it is to open my mouth and remove all doubt.  Right?  (Yeah, I 'stole' that comment)

And... it's time for me to get on the work computer so got to get off here.  Hope that you have an amazing day.  Maybe try not to talk so much?  :-)

Blessings!

  

In the middle of the night... like 1:45AM..

 Actually, I awoke at 1:18AM and did a little trek down the hall, determined not to allow my mind to think; determined to keep my eyes closed as much as possible; determined to go back to sleep once I hit the bed.  

It didn't happen.  Thoughts kept coming to mind that I couldn't shut off.  They want to 'honor' administrative professionals on linked in (my company) and sent us a form to fill in our name, title, and department.  Well, I support Health Services, Network Development, Provider Contracting, and Government Operations..... so I put them all.  Hit submit.  Didn't think any more about it until that time frame beginning with 1:18AM and when I finally made myself get up at 4:22AM.  Yes, I had tried to go to sleep and I hope I dozed some in all that thinking.   Why was I thinking about the departments I support during the night?  I didn't put 4 letters in front of it - PHSO - and then I wondered if people would think I was in the departments of the entire organization, which is quite large.  Trying to figure out how I could retract it, when it was submitted like a survey... I have no idea... but it was on my mind last night. 

Including about 1:45AM when it sounded like we were getting a downpour outside.  I laid there for awhile, listening to it, and realized it sounded more like on hubby's side than mine.  So I got up, came in here, and .... no sound of rain.  So I go to the back of the house.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), our windows have sun screens on them and they are hard to see through. I couldn't see what the noise was so I finally went to the side of the patio door that did NOT have the screen on it - saw the back porch area was DRY.  I figured out what it was, and finally was able to get a view of it - one of the sprinkler heads (same one from a few months ago actually) had burst and water was shooting up against the eaves of the house and into a big puddle in the yard.  Nothing we could do about it, so back to bed I went, and listened to it for about five minutes before it finally shut off.  Told hubby about it when he came in this morning, and of course he started grumbling as he knows nothing about those and it isn't our responsibility anyway, but the landscaper has to come out today and fix it or water is wasted until their scheduled time on Thursday to do the yard (as shabby as they do it.  I don't have good things to say about the landscaper crew... my tree still looks like crap, as does the yard).  Hubby and I fight about the HOA and the landscaper all the time. They both are a big disappointment.  Yes, I know, hubby is president of the HOA.  I STILL don't like it, plus he went against me after I told him NO, you are not to be president.  

Our trainer noticed yesterday as he worked out with hubby that hubby's knee was swollen, the one he had the shunt put in a few years back.  He called the doctor's office and was able to get an appointment for this morning for the doctor to check it.  It was more swollen last night, but not overly so.  That knee had been giving him bouts of pain the past few weeks and he had an appointment already scheduled for later this month anyway.  Will find out what is going on - I hope - today.  Probably will require another CT scan and other things.  He's been grumbling already that every week he has some kind of doctor appointment.  Well, it happens as we age, doesn't it.  sigh  I don't want to get old!

As far as our Monday evening class.... I sent a text to our two attendees yesterday and a few hours later they both responded.  The man had been in an accident after our first lesson and has had head, neck and back problems since.  A young girl had been texting and he was at a stop sign and she rammed him hard enough the car was totaled.  The woman said she has too much going on, two SIL very ill, one with cancer, the other having heart surgery today.  Both apologized for not letting us know they weren't coming and asked if we could put off for a few months.  I agreed (I am so over teaching a class at this point) and told them to take all the time they needed.  I'm thinking maybe September if they still want to do the class, since we had gotten started on it.  It's do-able, but hard to do with just a couple people to get the interaction in class.   I'm good with 'taking a break'.  

John 3:16 (NLT):  For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Regardless of what translation we learned that verse in, the message is still the same.  God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son up to die on the cross.  Why?  So that we who believe in Him will die only an earthly death... (unless He comes back before then!) and then live with Him eternally in Heaven.  Life would never get better than that.  Just think about it.  The trials and tribulations you go through here on earth will no longer phase you.  You are with Jesus, and it's all about Him.  All you can do is worship.  Remember, the elders take their crowns off and put them at the feet of Jesus.  And worship.  When you see Jesus, all you want to do is worship.  When you know Jesus, all you want to do is worship.

Worship is a good thing, when you worship the One who is FOR you, and not against you.  Think about that.  (sorry - got to leave you with that thought - time for me to get to work!)  Life goes better with Jesus.  Hold THAT thought!

Blessings!

Back to 'normal', whatever that is...

 I'm back to work today.  I did jump on Friday afternoon and cleared messages - there were over 100 messages for me to check.... and last time I checked this weekend, I had 94, I think it was.  Oh well, will figure it out when I sign on this morning.  Definitely not going to stress out about it.  I think it is 'timecard Monday' as well, but since all are salaried, it should not be a problem.   I am often amused when hubby will make a comment, like he did last night, that he really enjoys me being around him (instead of back here in my room working or in the kitchen cooking, is what I'm thinking)... and yet, he still refuses to give me 'permission' to retire.  Not that I need it, but it makes me sad that I don't have his support, in spite of what he says.  I know that financially it would be tight, but I'm willing to make it work.  Oh well, when it is in God's timing, it will happen.  I do like to spend money as I want, so there is that, too.

Yesterday was a good day.  We got up, had our quiet time alone.  Then we joined to watch the Easter service from Free Chapel.  You really ought to watch it - it's a drama and so good.  It's what Easter is all about.  Pastor Jentezen came on in the middle of it and spoke, then it reverted back to the drama.  It was very good.  We quickly got ready and grabbed the eggs and headed over to my daughter's.  We enjoyed the brunch and then watched a silly dinosaur cartoon on Netflik because the great granddaughter loves dinosaurs - it was called 'Bad Dinosaurs' and I think it was because the 3 babies were always getting into trouble and there was a lot of farting going on.  LOL  We left about 2:30-ish and headed home.  I didn't want to watch TV so grabbed the book I was reading - and hubby didn't quabble, but grabbed his book (alternating with his phone) and we both read.  I finished my book last night.  I got a lot out of it.  Bed about our usual time, but I found I couldn't get right to sleep (I did take a quick nap when I got home).  I got up about 3:45AM this morning and tried to go back to sleep in here, but could not.  I'm always listening for hubby to shuffle down the hall.

I don't know if we will be having a class tonight or not.  We both text'd and called the two people who are in the class, and neither answered their phone nor responded to texts - and didn't show up last week either.  I will try to get ahold of both again today.  If they don't want to do it - that's fine - I'm over the desire to teach.  It's just not the same when it's at home versus at the church.  The atmosphere is different.  And I'm not used to hubby being in one of my classes - which really isn't a big deal.  It's just not the same atmosphere - does that make sense?  At church they always wanted to learn.... it's like here at home it is too casual and well, it's different.  If they choose to continue, we will.  But if they choose not to - well, I'm done as well.  And I'm ok with it.

Today is April Fool's Day... April 1st.  I remember when years ago and we were in the office, we secretaries (as we were called then - and proud of it) would write down the telephone number of the zoo and the name we would use was something like Ted E. Bear and that he had something to discuss.  When our boss fell for it, and called, the zoo of course answered and told them April Fool!  and our bosses would always get a big laugh out of it.  

Of course as kids we would always do the 'your shoe is untied' to someone, making them look down, and then we'd go April Fool!  and other similar silly things.  What are some of the things you did as a child - or still do - to 'April Fool' someone?  The thought of green food coloring in the egg whites come to mind as well, although I don't recall ever doing that.  I don't 'play the game' anymore... guess I have gotten too old in my thinking.  What about you?

Luke 24:45 (NET):  Then He opened their minds so that they could understand the scriptures.

A simple scripture, is it not?  And yet, it is something that I pray frequently, that God would open my mind so that I could understand what the scripture could mean.  We all should pray before we read the scripture so that we can understand it, after all, it is our Words of Life to follow.  I have these words written out that I frequently read (I don't always read it although I know I should) before I start my Bible reading:

Lord, I ask you to open my eyes and enhance my understanding so that I can grasp what you want me to learn today. I also ask You to enable me, by Your Spirit, to apply the truths I learn to my daily life, and be guided moment by moment by Your Word.  I thank You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Word brings life - and not only 'life', but ABUNDANT life.  I want to live life to the fullest, don't you?  To do that, I need to read the Word, study the Word, 'eat' the Word and 'digest' the Word, let the Word infiltrate every part of my being.  I want to live the abundant life that I can live in Christ.  My prayer is that you do as well.  Never stop reading His Word, it brings life.  Never stop seeking Him.  Jesus is the Life-Giver.

Easter is over.  The tomb is empty.  Jesus appears several times over the next 40 days to His disciples and others.  As you seek Him, I pray He reveals Himself to you.

Blessings!