Trying a 'new thing'

 Been seeing this 'Oats Overnight' ad for some time now and finally 'bought into it'.  Yep, I did. Got my order yesterday and hubby and I (see, I DO share.  Sometimes.) followed instructions and fixed our first take on Oats Overnight.  When hubby brought my tea in this morning, he brought my bottle of Oats Overnight.  I chose the Cinnamon bun one, I think.  Anyway, it's like 'drinking oatmeal'.  Just like it should be.  It's actually very good, and for people 'on the go' (which we obviously are not), it's perfect.  And for people like us, who can't decide what to have for breakfast, it's perfect.  We both fluctuate from protein shakes (Oats Overnight has 20 grams of protein in them, which is why I bought in the first place), to cereal, to frying eggs, or just toast with peanut butter on it.  If I choose to have one, deciding the night before as a rule, I can grab a certain flavor, add 8 ounces of milk, shake it up, and put in the refrigerator until morning when I'm ready for it.  Or, I can heat it up in the microwave and drink it hot.  Or, I can add just 5 ounces of milk (instead of 8) and eat it with a spoon.  Win/win, right?  Time will tell if it is worth it.

Yes, I could continue to buy the packets of steel oats like I usually do.  2 and a half minutes in the microwave and it's hot oats ready to eat.  But this is different.  I think I like it.  I just finished mine, and my tummy is full, I feel a bit more awake, and I can just move on with my day.  Albeit I only have about 15 minutes left before worktime.  If my family wants to try it, let me know; happy to give you a couple packets to try.

I didn't take any medication last night before bed and I slept very well.  Still a little coughing this morning, but overall, I am feeling much better.  What may be helping as well is that I haven't been eating snacks (aka junk food) and chocolate.  A couple things I chose to eliminate for my fast.  If it makes me feel this good, why do I want to go back to eating like I was?  Something to think about.

Drove over to my daughter's yesterday and fed the cats, watered the plants, picked up my dishes that she said were there.... and sat them down somewhere around the door when I shut and locked it - and walked off without them.  I think they are planning on coming back tomorrow so I may run back over today and see what I did with the dishes, and pick up my puzzle pad, which I totally forgot about.  Sometimes the mind is in completely different place than where I am.  Are you like that?  You are so focused on what you are doing (so that you don't forget anything), that anything else just misses the thought. Hmmm.  

Yesterday was busy and it will be another busy day.  I'm trying to get more organized in my work, and I'm not getting very far. This new board is getting me crazy.  So much to do for it to get set up and a lot of it I'm not sure how to do it.  One is setting up the new powerpoint slides.  Thank goodness one of the other leaders created the Teams folder where we have the meetings from so that I don't have to figure that out!  I really do need to learn powerpoint, teams, and other programs so that I can be more efficient. Obviously, I'm not going to get to retire anytime soon.  How do I know this?  Because I made a comment to hubby the other day about retiring and his comment to me?  "Don't start this again!  And I'll leave that there.  My boss will retire August 1.  I won't have the same privileges I am enjoying now.  I will HAVE to learn new things, and at 76, I don't want to!

Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.

How has that scripture been working out for you thus far this year?  I've managed to have several moments that I have just sat back and was still.  Honestly, didn't necessarily think of this verse, but paused to whisper a short prayer, or just sit and be still.  Sometimes a name will come to me at different times and for reasons known - or unknown - to me, I feel a need to whisper a prayer for that person.

I pray for miracles.  I still believe in miracles and I don't understand why they just can't happen when I ask for them - but God knows the length of time needed to perform - or not to perform - each miracle. My heart grieves over some delays in miracles, for I see suffering and pain - and I want it to be removed. But is that what God wants?  

Perhaps hubby and I got these colds so that we will truly step back and rest and 'be still'.  Which is what we did last weekend at the hotel.  We do try to do 'retreats' a couple times a year, and obviously I needed (maybe hubby did too!)to just step back and rest.  I think it did us both good.  I would have loved a few more days, but trying to watch my PTO time to make sure I have time available for Jailbreak Getaway - which we are still trying to figure out.  With the great-granddaughter in school now, and dance, and, and, and,.... sigh... the list goes on... we are trying to work around her schedule.  Jailbreak may go by the wayside in a few years..... but it has been fun and I loved getting away with my girls. Not going to think about that now.

We get to have dinner with my oldest son at the VFW this Friday, providing he is going, and I'm assuming he is.  Spaghetti night.  But, I have a question.  We have given up meat and bread until January 25th.  Will the sauce have meat in it?  It usually does.   I'm wondering if they could pull a small bit of spaghetti off to the side and maybe have marinara sauce for it - or just plain spaghetti and we can just put parmesan cheese on it.   And if they can't, that's fine. We can eat salad.  The purpose in coming isn't the meal.... it's the time spent with my son.  Just a thought, not to be difficult.  We don't have to eat at all.  Yes, we are eating pasta.

And with that, it's time to get on the work computer so off here I am.  Hope that you have an amazing day and may it be all that you want it to be.

Blessings!

That darn cough syrup!

 I took Robitussin DM last night - and when I have taken it previously, yes, it helped me sleep, but seriously?  I slept well; had to get up a time or two due to the amount of water I drink.... and my last time of getting up in the wee hours of the morning..... I slammed my 4 toes on the right foot against the wall as I passed by my dresser.  I thought I was far enough away from the wall as I turned, but alas, was not.  My middle toe took the brunt of the 'wall touch', and has already turned blue.  I don't think any are broken, but daggone, they hurt! I have taped my 3 toes together and it has helped some, but is still painful.  No running for me.  Not that I run anyway, but it sounds like a good excuse.

LOL  Now I'm laughing.  After I finished that paragraph, I get a text - I open it and it reads: "We miss you, Nxxx! Wherever your day takes you, your Mountainside Fitness membership works at all 25 locations. Hope to see you in the gym soon!"

Hubby and I were just talking about that this morning - not 30 minutes ago!  Are we being tracked? LOL

Anyway - back to the cough syrup.  I got up about 4:30AM as usual.  I read my Bible, read in a couple of my devotionals, then closed my eyes to pray.  Yeah, big mistake today.  Snuggled in my chair, nice and warm, eyes closed, quiet all around me..... I fell asleep.  I didn't wake up until 7:30AM!!  I probably slept two more hours!  Needless to say, I have been moving rapidly sense - got on the work computer, getting things done.  And I slept deep!  I think I will need to bypass the Robitussin DM except on weekends.  And, of course, that means I didn't get on my computer at all this morning.  

But here I am. I knew that you would be looking, and I didn't want to disappoint, so am taking a few minutes to write a few lines..... about what, I'm not sure... my rambling mind has not engaged.

Hubby is back to meeting with his friend tonight for Bible study.  Grateful for a break.  My Christmas trees are still up; I do need to start taking them down and putting them away.  Don't want his help; it takes longer for me to explain than it does for me to do it myself.  You know what I'm talking about.  Wonder why your spouse doesn't ask for your help?  Yeah....  

Daughter is in New Mexico so I will run over today to feed the cats, bring in the mail, and water plants, but hopefully can scoot over there during a break in work.  Then I can start on the house when hubby leaves.  I'd like to have it all done before he gets back home.  "I think I can...I think I can..."  Some things need to just be a certain way and I want it to be MY way so leave me alone.  Most people run when they see a project starting; they don't want any part of it.  Not my hubby.  He wants to be involved (as long as it isn't manual labor) - he wants to 'do it with me' and 'help me' .... and it drives me insane.  Am I alone with this mindset?  (erase, erase)

I have much to get done for work so need to get off - but at least I have given you something to read this morning. :-)

Blessings!

Home; there is no place like....

 Home.  It felt good coming home from the hotel yesterday, although it is back to the same four walls I stare at all the time.  Not unlike most people, right?  It did feel good getting away for a couple days.  I slept - a lot - and read - and slept some more.  Getting home we unpacked some, then I headed to the grocery to get a few things.  Came home, put them away; cut up some meat and put in freezer (it actually felt GOOD to be doing something!) and then settled down on the couch for the rest of the day.  Hubby was watching the football game, but by halftime, we agreed to watch our church's online service. 

Glad we did - it was a good one.  The title was H3 - Holy Healthy Habits.  It really was a great service, but to be honest, I think I fell asleep the last ten minutes of it.  I was comfortable, warm, and snuggled on the couch.  After that we watched Jentezen Franklin, whom we have not watched in months.  He was talking about starting the 21 day fast.  In fact, I think that is where I first heard of doing a 21 day fast the first of the year - many, many years ago.  It was a good message and yes, I did stay awake for all of that one. It reinforced some things about this fast to me, and clarified some things as well.  And it helped me make some decisions on what to fast.  We did start the fast yesterday, and although we really hadn't clarified WHAT we were fasting from, we both agree on what we are fasting FOR.  One of the items I'm 'giving up' on this fast is coffee.  Yes, I decided to give up my rich, decadent, coffee.  Hot coffee in the morning, iced coffee whenever.  BUT, with that said, I'm drinking TEA.  I could just drink hot water in the mornings, but it is nice to add flavor to it, and I don't use sugar so it is all tea.  Glad I got a tea canister of tea for Christmas for I am going to be using a lot of it!

I didn't want to get up this morning.  Two days of staying in bed until I wanted to get up kinda has spoiled me.  So I did get up a little after 5AM and came in here and tried to doze.  I've done my reading and tried to doze.  I've done some prayers and tried to doze... and here I am and this will take me right up to time to get on the work computer.  I may have to take a shower to get totally awake.  Or not.  I just don't want to become alert!  I liked the slow, quiet, passive pace of the weekend.  But alas, it is over and I have much to get done.

Daniel 10:2 (NIV):  At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food, no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks was over. 

Side note - it was on the 24th day that Daniel received an answer to his prayers.  But from this is where we get the 21 day fast.  I ate no choice food, no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks was over.

(NIV) No choice food. In the NLT version it says 'no rich food'.  (ESV) I ate no delicacies.   Other versions say it other ways.  

Pastor Jentezen explained that his take was no sweets or breads (like pastries?).  But the other is fairly clear - no meats.  Now hubby and I fight over this one all the time.  He has this hang up about getting protein.  And I reminded him that on every fast we have ever done, whoever was leading it, he would run to them and say "I have to have protein, can I drink a protein shake?" and the answer is always 'yes'.  I scoffed at him then, for the one-day fasts and even three-day fasts I have done I just didn't eat anything.  To me it just wasn't a big deal.  But with Pastor Jentezen's comment - if you need protein, pour some protein powder in a cup and drink it! it made sense.  

With that explanation, I know I will be able to give up meat. Now in all honesty, because we were still flipping around on what to 'give up' on this fast, I did eat two pieces of beef jerky. And I fixed chicken noodle soup for lunch - and you know how much chicken is in a can of soup shared.  But now that I am more clear on what I choose to give up for this 21 day fast - and wrote it down in case I waver on clarity - I am giving up for three weeks coffee (that could be the hardest, even though I'm drinking tea), meats, all sweets and pastries, and bread.  And you know how hard it will be for me to give up bread.  I've been throwing my breads in the freezer for a 'later date'.  If I give up my coffee and bread, you know this is serious.  I'm sure that there will be 'other foods' that I will drop by the wayside along the way - just because I am making the choice to give them up at that time.

Let's pause here for a moment.  IF you choice to do a fast with me, to pray for your children, your finances, your health, whatever is on your heart - what do you feel would be the hardest to give up?  Would you give it up for 21 days to pray for your child(ren) to .............  whatever you choose to put in there.

I won't say that I 'enjoy' fasting, but I do feel that I felt more in tuned to God when I did fast frequently.  I may need to reflect on what changed in me that caused me to stop that.  Hurt, discouragement, things the devils throws at one to get them to quit.  Seems to have worked in my case.  But God can heal broken hearts, even shattered and broken hearts like mine.  I give Him all the pieces, and ask that He take each one and put it back together again.  And if He will do it for me - and I have the faith that He can and will - He will do it for you.  All you need to do is ask - and give Him all the pieces.

And with that - it's time to get on the work computer in a minute of so.  I pray that all the meetings I need to schedule will be completed easily, and I will get everything done by end of day.  Go God. :-)  Knowing I can do this, and believing that He will answer, I pray you receive all that you need for today.

Blessings!

A good stay, ready to go home.

 I started - and finished - Stop in the Name of God by Charlie Kirk this weekend.  If you have the opportunity to read it, do so.  It is a very good book and gives you a lot of think about.  I admit, the first few chapters felt like they were somewhat over my head, but I pursued in the book and I am glad I did.  He felt the same way I did about spending specific time away with God.  Hence, this weekend.  Yes, I wanted to get out of the house, and for those who don't understand my desires, it is easier to just say 'see different four walls.  But for those who know me, know that I treasure these times when we can get alone, be silent, and just spend unlimited time with God and be still.  I'm glad I already put in place what he refers to - giving God my total attention.  With Charlie, though, he talked about honoring the Sabbath, or Sabbat, which is Saturday.  As often as he could, he would turn off his phone at sundown Friday night and leave it off until sundown Saturday night.  That time, in biblical times and now, is considered the Sabbath. During that time he spent quality time with God, with family, no TV, no work, no texts nor calls.   Could we do that?

I found the book interesting and encouraging, and wanting to be a godly woman, I want to make more of an effort to give God His Sabbath.  Not sure how I can do it.  But, anyway, Charlie said that when he couldn't do it on the Friday night to Saturday evening, he would choose another day during the week where he would turn off his phone (literally!), place it in a drawer and take his focus off things around him and focus on God and family.  Could you do that?  Could I do that?

Something to consider as I enter tis new year fast that starts today. I am still having trouble thinking specifically as to what I will 'give up' for 21 days.  I decided for one, to give up coffee.  Don't be so shocked; I have switched to tea.  It's still hard to give up coffee as I like the taste of it, but I am drinking tea.  Breakfast downstairs (still at hotel, leaving today) I had to make choices.  Now I don't need people dissecting what I chose to eat and what I chose to skip.  I had a cheese omelet.  Really good crisp bacon.  I skipped the cajun potatoes and french toast.  Tempted, on the toast, but skipped it.  Bread is one of my big addictions, as you know. Could I give up bread?  I got a small bowl of oatmeal and poured whole milk on it.  (and nearly gagged; I think the milk was spoiled so in the trash that went!)  I got a small scoop of vanilla yogurt and added granola.  And tea with lukewarm water.  Yeah, breakfast starts at 7:30AM - we were there at 7:40AM - how in the world could the hot water be lukewarm in ten minutes?  I have pretty much decided that as I eat, as I prepare food, that I will let God direct me on what I need to give up each time.  I may not be consistent; I may be consistent (i.e., the bread) - but God knows my heart and knows that I choose Him about all food and all things.  Hoping to lean more into fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.

This cold is really kicking our butts.  Still taking all the meds I brought with us.  Will add some that I forgot to bring once we get back home.  It's been a week now; that's long enough.  We moved our hosting of our bible study to the 14th from the 7th.  Just told the group we have colds and are not over them yet.  They agreed to start back on the 14th at our house.  Gives me time also to get the trees down and put away.  

We check out today and I think I'm ready to go home.  It's been a good weekend, a good getaway, but it is never like I want it to be.  Doing my 'quiet time' with someone in the room sometimes feels awkward, although he isn't watching me, hubby is there.  And I am there while he is doing his, although he has his back to me.  I'm just more conscious he is 'there'.  For now, he is sitting on the couch with me and I'm kinda turned into the corner to almost face him, so that he can't see what I'm writing.  He did ask me (again) if I was journaling in my computer instead of a paper journal, and I just responded "I sometimes do both' and left it at that.  I don't need him to go on here and do reading.  Or maybe I need to 'get over that' as well.

And with that, I think I'm going to close and get off here. I know I haven't been writing much, but, what is there to write.

My youngest son and wife headed to North Carolina this morning and then to Florida to go to Disney World this week with her sister and family.  

My daughter and hubby, along with their daughter in law and granddaughter (who flew in for a wedding this weekend), have text'd that they are on the road heading to New Mexico.  I think they will be there also a week.

I haven't heard from my oldest son, which is really not unusual, but I do check his blog every day, hoping for updates.  At least he is still here in town. :-)

And I'm back to work tomorrow.  Yahoo.  But I also realize that I complain a lot about that.  Maybe that should be something I pray about, that I would quit complaining.  As for what else I am praying for specifically this 21 days, well, I am not going to list. Those thoughts are between God and I.

Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.

I think I am going to use it for this 21 days as my focus.

Be Still.  Listen.  He just might have a word for you.

Blessings!

We were found!

 We checked in to a hotel not far from home yesterday afternoon.  Decided to grab something for dinner early so that we were not out after dark. (I don't like to drive in unfamiliar areas after dark)  We decided on Cracker Barrel, which was just down the road.  We had ordered our food, and had started eating, when a lady walked over to us - my friend Linda!  She and Mike decided to have dinner there last night as well, so we invited them to sit with us and we had a great time visiting with them.  This is the second or third time that they have walked in on us (or we on them) when out to eat.  We laugh and say there are trackers on our cars to find out where we are at.  

After eating, we headed back to the hotel and settled in.  I think I actually slept some more on the couch.  Breakfast was really good this morning.  Scrambled eggs, link sausage, and biscuits and gravy.  Oh yeah. And the gravy was good as well.  Also there was oatmeal and waffles and other stuff but I wasn't interested.  Right now I have a cold glass of orange juice on my right and a good cup of dark coffee on my left - and a full belly in the middle. And I feel like I could take another nap - and just might in a bit.

The bed slept pretty well last night, but I was awake - wide awake - at 2AM.  By 3AM, and still coughing, I finally got up and laid on the couch - and went back to sleep until 6AM.  I finally turned on the light, once I could tell hubby was awake.  He didn't even know when I had gotten up - which is a good thing. Don't talk to me in the middle of the night and don't ask me 'why are you getting up?' right?

There is nothing planned for today other than reading our Bibles, any books we brought with us, and I hope (near complete) silence.  It is when we are still and quiet, that we can hear God speak, and that is what I am wanting this weekend.  I need to work through some things. And I need some answers.  I brought a journal with me to write in, and will begin soon to write my questions, my thoughts, and whatever else I feel needs to be written. If anything.  This is when hubby, who thinks I journal in my computer (well, this is basically a journal, is it not?), doesn't totally get it when I start writing in my paper journals - and I got new ones for Christmas too.

Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.

That will always be one of my favorite verses.  And now, I am going to stop and be still.

Blessings upon your day.

Praying for you.

Finally, a breakthrough!

 I can't tell you how much medication I have taken over the past few days, hoping to get some relief from this sneezing, coughing, and sniffling - but I think I have finally hit payload.  Took Musinex DM this morning - and it's been a couple hours - and I think it is drying up my nose and chest, finally!  I've been taking other Musinex DM for the past two days; perhaps this one is the best?  I don't know, but grateful I am getting some relief.  I think hubby is as well.  We both have been laying around and sleeping almost constantly the past few days.  I was in bed by 7PM last night didn't get up until nearly 6AM this morning - and only then because I am scheduled to work today.  I am taking off at 1PM today still - hubby and I are going to a hotel for the weekend.  I just need to get out of this enclosed house and have a bit more breathing room.  Or perhaps that is more breathing room.  I almost cancelled it, we were feeling so bad, but decided just the change of scenery may help us feel better.  Plus we get a free breakfast tomorrow and Sunday.  Looking forward to more laying around (that's all I've done for 3 days now!) and resting. Obviously my body needed it.

We had our ribs, coleslaw and black-eyed peas yesterday - but neither of us ate much.  Guess what is for lunch!  

January 2nd, 2026.  Where did last year go?  I think many of commented throughout 2025 that the year seemed to be flying by.  I think some of it is that I am moving slower than usual.  Same number of hours in each day, same number of days in a week, a month, etc.  But I just didn't get accomplished all that I had hoped to last year.  I'm hoping this year will be much better.  Slow down, world, I want to get off!  Right?

Didn't hear much from my kids yesterday but assume they made it through the day ok.

Back at work today, and I have already gotten permission to take off at 1PM for the day.  The advantage of being salaried.  I work six hours and can get credit for eight.  I don't ask often, so didn't mind asking this time.  Check in time at the hotel is 3PM - and although only 15 minutes or so away - a change of scenery is going to help a lot - even if we just lay around until noon on Sunday.

I had a very nice MVP card (most valuable person) in my inbox this morning from a co-worker in another department.  Good thing Sue gets a copy of these as well.  It sure makes me 'look good'!   I need to send some of these out today as well to my co-workers.

Resolutions or goals - did you make any?  I did not.  Nor do I really plan to.  I guess I'm just not 'with it' this year.  At least on resolutions or goals.

Brett is back to work today - lol - and one thing I noticed in checking timecards is that my delegation had expired. So he completed a new delegation, giving me approval for 8 years to approve his people's timecards.  I asked him did he really expect me to be around 8 more years!  One of his senior managers can't figure out how to fix it - lost her delegation as well.  I can't put myself as delegation; she has to do it - or do her own timecards. Guess she will figure it out - again.  Ugh - it is getting complicated, it seems.

Guess I need to get off here and help my bosses get something done.  Hope that 2026 is starting out to be a great year for you.  Think positive - and you will get through the year with flying colors!  Yes, I'm talking to myself as well.

Blessings  to you for 2026!

Cough Cough Sneeze Sneeze....sigh

 will this ever stop?  Hubby and I are both miserable with this cold we have 'caught'.  I spent spent nearly $200 on various Musinex, Robitussin, and various cough packages.  I'm exhausted and when we went to bed last night at around 8:30PM - yep, did not stay up to watch the ball fall - we slept in separate rooms.    Let me back up.  Hubby felt bad enough he curled up in his 'blanket' in his recliner and didn't move from it around 11AM.  I had to work, but shut down about 2:30PM as I just couldn't sit there any more.  I laid on the couch, covered up in afghans, and slept most of the evening.  Got up and we came to bed - and I was awake off and on during the night, but didn't get my butt out of bed until 6AM this morning - I just didn't want to get up.

I am fixing ribs, but don't need to cook until 10 or so - we aren't going anywhere anyway.  I'll take some over to my daughter's since she can't cook.  But other than that, we are staying home.  I figure the more rest I get, the better and sooner I will feel.  I hope so, anyway.  I can't remember when I've laid around as much as I have already.  I just want to get better.

January 1, 2026.  For some reason this day doesn't hold as much excitement as it has in the past.  Could it be that we've dealt with so much sickness in our family this year that it's just another day?  Could it be that I just don't feel energetic due to this cold, that it is just another day?    Grateful I have the day off work; grateful I could stay in bed until 6AM just because I didn't want to get up.  But up I am. Have my coffee, taken my Musinex day pills.  Those things are horse pills, but if they will work, I'll take them.  Ugh. Every time I cough, my throat goes raw.  

I can remember back to New Years Days of years past, and the fun of family gathering together, me fixing tons (literally, it seemed!) of ribs.  Fixing coleslaw.  Heating up black-eyed peas.  I bought a small head of cabbage, but don't know that it will make itself into anything.  I'm just not 'feeling' creative today.  At least with the ribs I can just sear and then roll in BBQ sauce and put in the oven.

Reminds me, my little sister called me yesterday to ask how I made my ribs.  I don't know about her.  She has called me frequently the past few months, wanting to know how to cook things. She says she tells her hubby that he should have married me, because I'm the cook int he family.  But I enjoy cooking, and obviously, she does not.  But I supply her with recipes and cookbooks as she asks.  It's not hard to follow a recipe - which is how I learn to make things.  Ribs, though, that was me. :-)  Mama always fixed a ham on New Years Day.

The 'poor man's lunch' it is called.  In Tennessee, for those who know the tradition, it is pork (pork chops, ham, pork ribs, etc - anything pork), cabbage (mama sometimes would fix cooked cabbage and pork chops together) (don't know how to cook cabbage and it just doesn't appeal to me), and black-eyed peas.  I buy the cans; I'm lazy.  But I remember a few years back I had run into an old friend at Sprouts and she was planning a traditional New Years Dinner - and was buying a huge bag of black-eyed peas to cook 'from scratch'.  Naw, I'll do the can. I'm about the only one who will eat it anyway.  But, if you will eat pork, cabbage, and black-eyed peas on New Years Day (the traditional poor man's lunch), it is supposed to bring you good luck in the coming year.  No, I don't believe in 'luck'; I do this to carry on my mama's tradition.  I hope my children will do the same.  And can't forget the coin in the coleslaw - it is to bring good luck as well. 

Traditions - some are good, some are silly, and some make no sense at all.  But for me, it is trying to carry on the memory of things my mama did.  I miss her so much.  So many times I have wished to call her and just cry, and she always understood.  Didn't need words.  After I finished my crying or 'belly-aching', she would just say, "well, just pray for them, they need it."

I miss that relationship with my children, and yet, I know why.  Nothing I can do about that .... but pray.

Speaking of, I am trying to think of how I can change up my quiet time in the mornings.  My time is limited, as you know, but I do have time to do some things.  I may eliminate writing in here every day - you don't need to hear my daily whining anyway, do you?  

My fast will begin on Sunday.  I want to do the Daniel Fast - just fruit and vegetables and water.  For 21 days.  I want to cleanse my body of all the processed food I've put in it - that is making me sick.  You didn't know that processed food can do that?  Sure it can!  It is always better to eat fresh fruit and vegetables (or frozen, it is almost like fresh).  I try to think how Daniel would have eaten the fruit and vegetables in his day.  It troubles my heart when I read the books on the 'Daniel Fast' and they have created these wonderful dishes of how to cook fruits and vegetables and adding all this 'stuff' to it... that is NOT a true Daniel Fast.  And I believe that God will honor whatever I choose to do.  I want to put Him first in 2026.  Not food.  Not me. Not the things that bring me joy or the things that trouble my heart.  Jesus only.

1 Corinthians 5:16 (NIV):  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!

Think about it.  Many times we put off starting a new diet until the 'new year' (or month, or week, etc.) because we want to start with a 'home base'.  Why not give your life up to Jesus and start today - January 1, 2026 with living for Him.

It isn't hard.  Yes, most of us (me definitely included) struggle at times, but Jesus always offers us grace.  He is our best friend; the One who is always with us, always ready to pick us up and help us. He heals us; He restores us.  He takes the pain that we carry so deep within us that it has become a part of our life and we don't even recognize it anymore - but He knows it is there, and He will bring healing and wholeness to us.  

And all we have to do is ask Him for it.  We may not get healing of the body as we ask, but He gives us so much more!  He gives us healing of the soul.  And, in many cases, the Lord knows much better what it is that we need.

Today, I surrender all my family members to Him and ask Him to protect them, heal them, walk with them, and draw them near to Him.  I pray this is the year they will surrender their lives to the only One who can save them.  A mother's greatest joy is knowing her children walk with the Lord.  Not by the world's standards, but by His.

I wish you a blessed New Years Day.  I pray that 2026 will be a year of blessings for you.  Never turn away those who want to help you. And always be ready to give a hand to those who need you to help. Jesus says to 'give, and it will be given to you as well'.  I have seen His hand work time and again.  You want to know why I follow Jesus?  Because He is the only One who can save me from myself; the only One who loves me when I feel I am unloved.  The only One who forgives with grace, and sets me free from my past, from my present, and from my future.  Jesus is my life.  I pray you will make Him yours. 

He isn't there to just help you out of a jam you got yourself in to.  But He will walk with you to find your way out.  How bad do you want His help?  Just ask Him.  He's waiting.

Blessings!