Will I have time today?

 Hubby has his Bible study this morning at which he is gone a couple hours this morning.  As I have mentioned before, I love the quiet of the house and the time I have alone, albeit I am working.  But, like last Saturday, unless I have critical work I need to get done, I plan to 'attack' the top of the freezer and hopefully the refrigerator as well, and get both cleaned off and straightened up.  I hate that I feel I need to sneak around and clean, but he fusses at me so much or watches me (which annoys me) and asks questions (which annoys me more), so it's easier to do it while he's gone. Hey- at least it gets done, right?  He told me yesterday our 'house cleaners' are to be here Thursday.  Now the last two months I let them skip this room as I had Christmas things all over it.  I have two days to clear off the bed, remove the Christmas quilt and put another comforter on it, and get the boxes on the floor moved out.  I can do it.  Not a problem, right? And I don't necessarily need hubby gone to do this room - he knows better than come in here except to get his clothes (his closet is in here, but the rest of the room is MINE).

I fixed chicken vegetable soup yesterday for lunch - and dinner.  Made enough that I took some over to Ms. Vicky in a small crockpot and even a bowl over to Ms. Diane.  We finished it up last night - and 30 minutes later hubby was telling me MY soup made him (in my words) 'run quickly' (and then basically it's my fault for giving him vegetables twice).  LOL  Whatever.  He does have a sensitive gut... me, I can eat just about anything.  I hope I never regret making that comment!

Work kept me busy yesterday... I did get to mark several things off my list of things to do.  For work, anyway.  After dinner it was to watch the news and then read... only my eyes were bothering me last night and I was so sleepy I couldn't stay awake.  So I ended up knitting instead of reading. Until my sister called and then we chatted for a short while.  It would have been longer, but I stayed on the couch so we cut it short cause I wasn't talking much.  (wonder why)  And then of course I got the comments and questions.  Oh well.  Some things will never change.

Philippians 2:14-16 (NKJV):  "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain."

That is a scripture that I have to work on a lot.  As you know, I seem to do a lot of 'complaining' at times... not that I mean to... but sometimes it gets to be more than just 'sharing' - in spite of what I may think.  I try not to complain... and try not to argue.... but I let life get in my way a lot of times and it doesn't take long to find a sympathetic soul who asks the right questions to get me talking and blah blah blah.  You do it too, you know!  Maybe not so obvious to yourself.... but I don't want to be known as a complainer, nor a disagree-er (is there such a word?).  I want to love and be loved.  I want to help others, exhort others, encourage others, help them choose rightly.  I want them to know they are loved by God, even when I find it difficult to love them. Make sense?

And it isn't just complaining to others... how often do we make comments to ourselves and complain about others?  Just perhaps a comment or two.  "What an idiot!" "Doesn't have a lick of sense."  Isn't that still complaining, same as "They didn't do what I told them to do!"  "I should have done this instead of that; I know better; what's wrong with me?"  "I'm so stupid; what am I doing?"  Yeah - we capture a lot, don't we?  

So how can we improve on that?  When those 'down' thoughts come to mind - whether about ourselves or others - how about if we catch ourselves and decide instead to say something positive?  You know positive words, right?  Praise them for what is done right!  Praise yourself that you finished a day's work; a special project.  (Yay me, I got the laundry counter done - and it looks great! Good job!)  It is the words that come out of our mouths that either build up or tear down - whether it be others or ourselves,

And, if you think about it, the words we speak and the things we think about others and about ourselves, shape us.  It becomes our 'attitude' and how the world looks at us.  Do they think one is a 'grumpy old man' (we all know them!) because all they do is complain and gripe about things?   Do they suggest one is a 'mean old woman' because she insists things be done her way or not at all?   We all tend to put labels on others and even on ourselves.

Lord, keep us humble, and not think more highly of ourselves than we are.  You made us in Your image. You gave us choices.  Help us to choose rightly.  Guide our decisions; guide our words; that we build up and not tear down.  May we allow You to speak through us to others and choose rightly.  It's the little things that bring joy to the heart of our Heavenly Father.  Pause and say a kind word as your spouse or child walks by you.  It may shock them; or it may make their day.

Make time to do something you have put off doing.  Send that email.  Write that note. Fold those clothes. Set out food for dinner to thaw from the freezer.  Why not YOU plan to make that meal and surprise your family. (who said it had to be the woman of the house to do all the cooking?)

I'm going to try and make time to get the refrigerator and freezer tops cleaned off this morning... depends on my work... but surely I can sneak away and check the computer periodically, right?  Got to put the extra shelf together first. 

What can you do today that you need to make time for?  Why not find that one little thing you keep putting off... and just do it.  If you are like me, you have to write those things down cause you keep 'forgetting' about it until you don't have the time to do it... then it goes on the backburner again.

Let's be intentional today!  Make the time!

Blessings!

On the agenda today....

 I haven't completed everything I had on my list to do this weekend so I've started a new list to work on this week.  Oh joy.  I still have a list.  I like starting with a clean slate, but when you slack off and don't get everything done, that has to go on the next list, right?  So, yeah, I still have some things to start with.  And, as the week goes, so will my list grow.  And that's ok... gives me something to do, right?  I need to send off the donations made for my boss - she had chosen the Leukemia Foundation and the Alzheimer's foundation for the monies - I think we got nearly $600 from her peers.  ow I need to send it on.  I need to send the board an email to confirm they plan to attend the retreat next month.  We are finally in contract stage and I'm grateful I don't have to sign it.

Today I'm thinking also of a grateful list, besides my 'to do' list.  Why grateful?  Because I hear it raining outside and I don't have to rush about and get dressed and drive umpteen miles to work.  Here I sit, still in my pajamas, with a cup of coffee by my side, and I still have about one more hour of quiet.  Of being hidden here in the room.  Have I ever shared that I love my quiet mornings before the busy day starts?  

I love this time of reading my Bible, writing in my journal, reading a couple other things, and then writing in here.  This is not always my 'last' thing to do, but many mornings it is.  Sometimes I just have to do other things before I can get some 'material' to put in here.  Bored yet?

Church went well yesterday; and the church honored hubby for it being his last Sunday to preach.  I feel it is a wise decision and I know there will be times he will regret it, but I'm grateful he chose to do it.  He's done preaching now.  Some time we just have to say 'enough'.  He really struggled with this last message and our styles are so different.  I try not to criticize even in my mind... it's just different.  Of course everyone who stops to shake his hand always tells him what a great message and they took great notes.  It does boost his ego, which is why he will miss it.  

I have no idea who this man was that attended yesterday, but after he shook Tom's hand he stopped and talked with me a moment, then left.  Then he came back and pressed some money in my hand and said for us to go out to eat.  I've learned over the years when this happens to just say "thank you".  He asked when we'd be back to speak (meaning me, since hubby has now quit) and I told him we'd be back up in March. He nodded and walked away.  Interesting, well-dressed (even in a suit and tie!) man.  A retired minister, perhaps?

Bible study was interesting last night ....  it's a style I'm not used to, but it was good.  I didn't get over to see Ms. Amy... after lunch I took about a 30 minute nap and then just relaxed until time to go.  I really do need to call her; and I need to drive her car - but not going to when it's raining.  Will try to get over there this next weekend, but I do need to call her to find out what is going on.  She was planning on moving to Florida soon... need to find out what her plans are.

Have you ever blessed your children?  Do they know they are blessed?  Mark Batterson wrote a book called Double Blessing which is really good.  The first time I read it I realized that I never received a blessing from my parents.  Today it has come back to mind because as I read in Genesis this morning (I started over at the beginning of my Bible on January 1) about Jacob (Israel) blessing Joseph's children - Manasseh and Ephraim - and Jacob put his right hand on the youngest and his left hand on the oldest (instead of the other way around), and gave a bigger blessing to the youngest.  Why did he do that?  If you recall that story, when Isaac (Jacob and Esau's father) was dying and it was time for Isaac to die, it was time for him to pass his blessing on to his oldest son Esau for the bigger blessing, and to his youngest son Jacob a smaller blessing.  

Only a lot had happened over the years.  Remember the story?  Esau came in from hunting very hungry, and Jacob was the one in the kitchen cooking up the red stew.  Esau was so famished that he gave up his birthright to Jacob - for a bowl of red stew!  He didn't care about the birthright!  So when Isaac was dying - and blind - Rebekkah, Jacob and Esau's mother, helped Jacob dress like Esau, complete with putting lamb skin on his hands and neck so that when Isaac felt and smelled Jacob, he would think it was Esau, who was quite hairy.  And it worked.  Jacob brought in stew to his father, said he was Esau, and after confirming the best he could, although Isaac did say it was Jacob's voice he heard, but the 'skin' and smell (he wore his brother's clothes too) it had to be Esau in his mind.  So Isaac gave the greater blessing to Jacob.  As Jacob left the tent, Esau came in with the stew and asked for his father's blessing.  To Isaac's dismay, he realized he had given the blessing to the younger son!  Esau cried and begged for a blessing... and Isaac did give him one, but in the blessing it was told that Esau, the oldest, would serve the younger, Jacob.  By the way, Jacob's name means 'deceiver'.  

Anyway - when it was time for Jacob - now known as Israel - to pass away while they were in Egypt, he crossed his arms and blessed the younger over the older.  That didn't make Joseph very happy, for he wanted his oldest son to receive Israel's blessing of greatness... but it was not to be so.

It's a great story in the book of Genesis - pick up your Bible and read it.  It is the beginning of the nation of Israel.

If you were to sit down and write out a blessing for your children to be given to them when you die, what would you write?  No, I haven't done that yet, but I would like to.  Usually the blessings are passed down by the male line, but I think, in my case, that I can do it.  As I think about it, I probably should get that on my list of things to do.... so that I don't forget.... for I do want to leave my children with blessings when I die.  And the fact is, no one knows when one may pass away as it is God's decision.  Not man's, nor your own.  God can keep us alive no matter what we do to our bodies... or He may allow us to leave this earth.  One thing for sure I will want my children to know is that I love each one dearly. I don't have favorites (as far as they are concerned) :-)  but I want them to know they are dearly loved.  I may have nothing material to pass on to them of any value, but I at least can let them know they are loved.

Life is short.  Be ready to pass away.  Life also goes on.  Be prepared.  Love your children and grandchildren, and let them know they are loved.  

Blessings!

I got 'er done! WhooHoo!

 As soon as hubby left yesterday morning, I jumped up, got dressed, and started cleaning the laundry room counter.  It.Felt.So.Good to do something on my own.  I know, I'm weird.  I did discover one thing... I bought two shelving pieces, and only needed one.  But that's ok.  I have another project in mind (cleaning off the top of the refrigerator and freezer in the laundry room) and can put the shelving up there to stack things better (plus get rid of of a lot of 'stuff' that has ended up there).  After I finished that, and hubby still wasn't home, I started juicing oranges I had gotten earlier in the week.  Decided to juice for my neighbors as well.  Ended up going out and picking more oranges and grapefruit.  Brought them back in and juiced up more oranges, cut up some grapefruit for snacks.  I still have a bag of lemons to juice that I just haven't gotten to yet.  I will freeze that juice.  

Hubby came home as I finished up juicing and cutting up the fruit.  I decided to clean out the pantry as well... and yes, what I expected, happened.  Hubby had to watch me for awhile before he finally walked away to get on his computer.  Drives me crazy.  I did rearrange the pantry, threw away a lot of expired things, and took out two bags of trash.  Got it done, called Ms. Vicky next door to see if she wanted fresh orange juice - she did not.  She had just juiced up a big pitcher of grapefruit juice and didn't want the orange juice.  No problem.  

I called Ms. Diane and yes, she wanted the juice.  Then she mentioned she hadn't had breakfast (which, as I shared before, she doesn't always eat - sometimes nearly all day, and she's a diabetic and has lost about 45 pounds this past year because of it).... so I told her to take her time and raise the garage door and I'll come over and visit for a bit.  I hurriedly made her french toast and scrambled an egg, grabbed the juice, and by that time the garage door was open so I took it all over.  Took over some cut up grapefruit and sliced oranges too.  She.ate.every.bite. of the hot food I took her.  She is such a hoot.  I love visiting with her cause when I mentioned I like something I get a "I do too!"  And she may, but I find it amusing that she likes everything I do.  I mentioned I liked cooking and she goes "I do too!" so I told her that I would think of something and perhaps bring it over and she and I can 'make it together' (so that I can make sure she can participate but not fall in the process) and she was thrilled.  

I guess it is pretty hard to be alone when you get old enough you have to use a walker.  Sometimes you just don't want to bother with things.  Which is why she doesn't eat much.  Oh - and she again said "Now I can tell Cindy (her daughter) that I ate breakfast and not lie to her)"  LOL  Cindy called while I was there and she told Cindy that 'her wonderful neighbor across the street brought her french toast and scrambled eggs and orange juice.  She was eating the orange slices by the time I left.

Hubby and I attended a granddaughter's ribbon-cutting ceremony last night at a retail type store in Glendale.  It was very nice and I am so proud of her.  I never have enough confidence in the things I make to do something like that.  I always feel I can do better, no matter what it is. 

Hubby and I also made the decision yesterday afternoon (after the veggies and fruits has given hubby diarrhea for the past three days) that we probably needed to modify our fast for his sake.  The opportunity came last night when we went out to a Mexican restaurant with family.  We didn't do too bad... and discussed our 'breaking the fast versus modifying the fast' from here on.  We have decided to continue our fast with the fruits and vegetables, but add in fish or chicken.  In fact, going back to my BBCD - no beef, no breads, no chocolate, no desserts.  It gives his body a bit more substance and fills it up with more than just fruits and vegetables.

I need to check in with Ms. Amy this afternoon. And I have the Bible study tonight at 4PM.  I have no idea where I put my folder, which means I also have not done my 'homework'.  Oops.  Slacker.  I will need to find it when we get home from church, which, today, is up at Pioneer Village as hubby is to speak today.  It will be his last time there.

I saw an email this morning from our RV Park here in town and they asked me to pick a Sunday in each month - November - March to get on the schedule for next year.  I'm the first one they asked, so I have my choice.  I told them I'd check the calendar later today and make the decision.  

John 8:31-32 (NKJV):  "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Jesus wasn't just saying that to the Jews, He is saying it to us today.  If we live by His word, if we choose to believe what His word says, which is the Bible, and we choose to follow Him, we are truly His disciples and through His Word, the truth shall live in us and we shall be be free.  Does that make sense?

Do you even realize how much free-er you will feel if you follow Jesus?  The chains will fall off, you will not be burdened with guilt or shame; He releases that chain from you when you confess it to Him and let Him remove it.

Do you even realize how much Jesus loves you and desires to bless you so abundantly ... and the only thing you need to do is give your life to Him.  Choose Jesus to serve.  Choose the Bible and follow it's Word, which is the Word of God Himself, breathed by the Holy Spirit into others to write.  Whew!  It is so full of good stuff!

Yeah, we read about about the struggles, about the bad stuff too!  Who hasn't heard about David and Bathsheba?  But we also read in Psalm 51 ...

Psalm 51:1-4 (NKJV):  "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight - that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge."

and God forgave him.

Psalm 51:17 (NKJV):  "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise."

It is so easy to come to God and ask forgiveness.  He forgives, and welcomes us with open arms.  It doesn't mean that we don't suffer the consequences of our sin, but we have Him to walk through it with us.  It is so easy to follow Jesus and walk with Him.  You want to do good and right, correct?  Come to Jesus and ask for His help in following Him.  It is a step you will never regret.  He will help you find the Way, He will help you find Him. Choose Jesus.

I heard there was to be a lot of rain starting last night through Tuesday - I haven't checked outside - but haven't heard it raining either.  Hold off, I ask!  At least until we are back home from church! :-)

Blessings!

 

I may get two hours alone this morning.....

 and I'm excited and busy planning in my mind (actually, I have for a couple days), what I can do in that two hours.  You know how hubby fusses at me and gets in the way when I clean anything.  Today I want to 'attack' the laundry room; specifically the counter in the laundry room.  It has become buried under spice racks, paper and plastic bags, crock pots, bins, and honestly, I'm not sure what all is there!  But it has bugged me for some time; I want to have space on it - it looks absolutely horrible, although no one sees it unless they come in through the garage.  Which is how we go in and out most days.

So this last week I searched for shelving that I can set on the counter and somehow straighten it up.  I bought two of them, and they arrived the other day (hubby wasn't home so I hid them in here). I put one of them together yesterday while hubby was gone for a little while.  I wanted to see how it went together and I figured it out. All by myself.  Imagine that.  It really wasn't hard, thank goodness.  

Hubby has 'men's crew' this morning, which is the men's breakfast at church.  I will only have a couple hours, so I will need to work quickly.  He will leave in about a half hour.  As soon as he is gone, I plan to pull out the card table and move everything over that I can to it, and get a section of the counter cleared so that I can start going through things.  Sneaky, yes, but I am excited just to have that time to myself that I can do it without interruptions!  I know you don't understand it.  I enjoy cleaning things.  I enjoy putting things in their place.  I'm just not always 'allowed to', and definitely not without interruptions when I am allowed to.  So I have to do it when hubby is gone... and then of course he gets upset that I did it without him checking on me.  It's worth it.  I feel I have accomplished something and a task is cleaned.  There are a few more things I'd like to do, but I have to stretch them out and watch for the times that I can.

You think I'm nuts, don't you?!  And that's ok.  Until you walk in my shoes, do not comment.

I didn't sleep real well last night, and I'm not sure why.  I awoke around 3:10AM and the words, "Holy Spirit, come and fill us; come and fill me" kept running through my mind.  I also prayed for my boys, for I never know what they are up to.  I dozed and when I was awaking again, it was the song "You can have it all, God, you can have it all" was running through my mind.  It's all His anyway.... but interesting that it came to my mind in the middle of the night.  I finally got up around 5AM, knowing that I would be spending my time in here alone for a couple hours.  I love - and live for - these few hours in the mornings that I get to spend with God.

I'm still pondering if I am to teach a class at this time.  I did talk to hubby the other night about having a small group on Monday evenings... we can have about 3 couples - or at the most, 8 people come.  I have actually been thinking of what I could teach.   I had given up the thought of discipleship as I had ordered a book in November - and it never arrived.  Interestingly, it arrived yesterday, I kid you not.  I have no idea why I hadn't gotten it before now, but it came yesterday.  I'm still praying if I am to teach it, or Experiencing God or Seeking Him or any other class that I have done before.  Or perhaps God has something else for me to teach.  I'm throwing out a fleece or two to see if I am to teach at this time or just not teach.  It is something I enjoy doing, and I know what each of those classes did to help me in my walk with Jesus.

I had a cousin pass away Thursday evening of heart issues.  That 'issue' seems to run in my family as well, as all my brothers have/had heart issues.  This cousin lives in Tennessee.  I don't know him very well as he was about 4 years older than me.  It just brings the reality that life is truly 'short'.... for all of us.  The more I age, the more I realize that I am at the end of my life, and God can take me Home with Him at any time.  

I know I am ready to go be with Him, but the question for many of you would be.... "If my life was taken today..... would I be in Heaven, or Hell?"  Some people believe that 'once saved always saved' - and that is not true.  Repentance is a daily thing.  I don't want anything to keep me from being with Jesus.  With those I love who are in Heaven.  Remember months ago I wrote about 'rapid repentance'.  Sometimes that means frequently.  When was the last time you repented?

If you should die today... what would be the legacy you would leave for your children, your family, your friends?  What words would they have to say about you?   Do they know where you would be going?  It's not a joke.... you will go to either heaven or hell.  Just because you go to church; just because you accepted Jesus as Lord in your youth, it doesn't mean you are still a Christian.  Repentance always plays a part when you seek Jesus.  Remember the thief on the cross?  He sought Jesus' forgiveness, and got it, and Jesus told him that he would be going to Heaven.  But we are not always 'lucky' enough to have those few minutes to make that decision.  You need to make that decision now.

What will you choose?  To live life as you are now... and leave that legacy to your family.... or choose Jesus and leave a legacy of knowing where you will be going; and having peace, joy, love in your life? Something to think about, yes?  

Hubby is leaving and I am wanting to get dressed and get busy while I can.  Give some thought to Jesus.  Who is He to you?

To me, He is Lord of all.  Everything I have is His.  I can take none of it with me.  I surrender all to Him.  Do you?

Blessings!

Sometimes I stir the pot....

 Yeah... sometimes I do that.  Not intentionally, but I do.  I mentioned yesterday that I had invited my little sister to fly out here and go to the conference with me the end of February.  She wants to come; but she also told me when I extended the invitation, that her hubby would yell at her.  And, I guess he did.  He told her 'NO'.  Now mind you... he checked airfare and gave her a ridiculous figure that the cost would be (I had already checked and found flights half of the figure he gave).... he screamed at her that they can't make it just on their social security checks for even for one month - and yet, with the money he squandered from his sister.... he is looking to buy an antique corvette for $21K as an 'investment'.  I hate to say it the way my mind came up with... so I'll be nice... I think that is pretty stupid.  He would store it in the garage.  You have to pay insurance on it and that would be quite high.  An investment?  Seriously?  Just because his cousins do it (because they have a lot of money) he wants to be like them.  Which is what got them in this predicament in the first place!  His cousin built houses; another flipped houses after remodeling them.  He thought he was smart enough to do it as well.  He couldn't.  He failed. He spent all the money.  

Anyway... long story short (since I got sidetracked)... he told her NO.  Other things came out and as my sister told me about it, I shared my thoughts.  It isn't about the money.  He doesn't want her to leave him alone. (sound familiar?)  He had commented in his rage at her for even thinking about it, that he and his cousin had been commenting about someone else in the park where they are staying, has let his wife travel to different places and left him alone 'far too much'.  He is afraid his cousin will comment about him letting my sister leave him alone!  Seriously!  It doesn't have to do with money.  He just doesn't want her to leave.  

So with that; I gave the invitation and now I am stepping out of the picture.  If she can come out for the conference, great!  If she cannot, that's fine too.  I registered us both yesterday in case she can.... and then I booked a hotel room.... and I can stay there alone, cause I.am.worth.it.  I'd love to make it a weekend alone, but am not pushing it.  Just to have a morning alone with God with no interruptions would be awesome.  If my sister is there, that's fine.  IF not, it's my time alone.  Whoo hoo!

I will admit that my hubby isn't real thrilled with me leaving him alone for me to attend this conference, but he also knows how important it is for me to get out with other women and get filled with what God has for me to hear.  I am so looking forward to it.  What caught my heart as I pondered whether or not I would go was the advertisement for it....

"On a dusty road, filled with people and donkeys traveling to and from.....someone was on a mission. Fully committed to their own direction....but something happened.

An encounter.

One where the only response could be..... This.Changes.Everything.

Today we all traverse a similar road, whether rocky or dusty, cluttered or smooth. We believe an encounter is coming for you, for those in our community and our world.

This.Changes.Everything."

I am looking for an encounter with Jesus that changes everything, aren't you?  

That is something I pray almost daily for my children - that they would encounter Jesus in such a way that they cannot deny that He is Lord of all.  There is a song that the chorus is running through my head this morning....

"You can have it all, God, You can have it all.  You can have it all, God, You can have it all."

What does that even mean?  How can a chorus in a song grab my heat in such a way that it stays with me?  

Because everything IS all His.  My children are His.  My grandchildren are His.  My great-grandchildren are His.  Our home is His.  Our finances are His.  My job is His. My hubby is His.  

I.am.His.

Want to be successful in your job?  Want to be successful in your new venture?  Give it to God and watch what He can do with it!  Sure, you may be able to 'get by' on your own, but if you want real success, giving it to Jesus is the ONLY way to be truly successful and allow Him to make the decisions for what is done.  When He owns it all, it's all good.

Open hands, open heart, committed to the One who blesses abundantly.  

I relinquish control of everything to Him.  He can manage it much better than I can.  

Are  you still being tight-fisted?  Or are you willing to release it to Him for all the blessings He is holding for you?  I choose...

Blessings!

A prayer answered....

 Yesterday was a good day.  I had a nice lunch with my 'old' friend and a good conversation.  We have agreed we need to meet more often than just whenever we think about it.  So I have already scheduled a date in February and we have it on our calendars.  Friends are also important.  I'm glad her husband saw to it that she would be taken care of when he passed.  And she is.  She misses him, of course, but financially, he left her in a good place.  And that is a good thing.

Yesterday afternoon my youngest called and said his daughter was coming over, and later he called that they had reconciled.  How grateful I am to God that He heard my prayers for this child and for this reconciliation, and He answered that prayer!  All praise to Him alone.  I am sad she is moving further away, but she is making her own choices.  I struggled with it at first... but then God reminded me I have another granddaughter who lives in another city.... they all live their own lives.  I just need to make more of an effort to go see them.  It's just harder with hubby being a bit 'reckless' in his driving and won't - as a rule - let me drive.  I'm anticipating a drive to Tucson in a few weeks (I'm hoping).  

A friend at work told me about a women's conference at her church the end of February - and I really want to go.  It's an hour's drive away and on a Friday evening.... and I wasn't sure hubby would let me.  But I boldly told him last night about it, and I really wanted to go.  I would take off work early and drive there in daylight.  It's from 5PM - 9PM... and I will just rent a room at a nearby hotel and stay there and then return home the next morning.  Win Win - right?  And get this - he is all for me going as long as I don't drive back home late at night.  I will register today for the session.  

I did go one step further.  I invited my little sister to fly out here on that Thursday, go to the conference with me on that Friday, we would stay at the hotel and come back home on Saturday, and she can fly out on Sunday.  It's much cheaper than the Wild Women of God conference she wanted to go to... will see if her husband will buy a ticket for her to come out.  He may not, because she has threatened many times to leave him and come out here to live.  Even if she doesn't come, I am going to the conference.  It gives me something to look forward to.  And if I have a night alone and a morning alone, my wish will come true. 

Matthew 17:14-21 (NKJV):  "And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him."

Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

There area lot of things that will not happen unless we pray and fast for them.  That little word 'However' in that last sentence is the key that unlocks the statement 'nothing will be impossible for you'.  Jesus told the disciples they needed faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed.   Remember when, after John the Baptist baptized Jesus that He went up the mountain for forty days and forty nights and fasted and prayed?  

If Jesus thought He could just pray and it be done without fasting, why would He have fasted like He did?  I've never completed a 40 day fast in any form.  Well, maybe I have, but it would have been just doing without dessert or something like that.  I do love my food.  The most I have gone without food is three days, and I was easily able to do it because God told me to do it.

Those three days are still vivid in my mind, although they were several years ago.  I remember... God told me one day as I prayed to go on a 3 day fast to pray for others who were going on a trip to a conference.  In fact, I was to go to that very conference, but He told me to stay home and pray for them.  So I obeyed.  I told hubby and he didn't give me any grief.  I cooked him his meals and sat with him as he ate with no problems at all.  I did not grow weary in my fast; I did not have hunger pains.  I spent much more time in prayer those three days.  And what an experience those that went to the conference had!  But I wasn't jealous; I had my own great experience.  I was obedient to God's Word to me at that time and because I obeyed, He gave me my own experience with Him.  

One may think it is easy to fast and pray, but it is not.  Even if it is just giving up desserts for a specific time - fasting is not dieting.  It is spending more time in prayer; more time seeking God for an answer to what is on our heart.  Which is probably perhaps a reason - even though I have prayed and fasted 'some' - that some of my prayers have not been answered.  I keep praying - and I am praying even through this fast for these things to happen; but they all have to be in God's timing.

I pray for my children's salvation.  Oh that they would turn to Jesus and let Him lead them!  Oh the life they could have!

I pray for my grandchildren's salvation and reconciliations.  O that they would feel the stirring in their heart to know Him as Lord.  That they would let go of the past and reach for the future of all that God has for them when they seek Him!

I pray for my great-grandchildren, that their parents would teach them of Jesus, that they will know Him as Lord.  O for the goodness of things God has prepared for them!

I pray for healings of friends and family.  I pray for their salvation.  Oh that I could be a witness of God's goodness that He has for them!  He alone is steadfast and sure.  He alone will not turn away when things are tough.  He alone will walk with us through the darkest night!

Oh, that all my prayers would be answered!  I will not see all my prayers answered... but I am confident that God will bring them all to pass in His timing.  He's that good.  

What are you praying for?  Don't give up.  Keep praying for that wayward child, that spouse who does not seek the Lord.  Ask for the favor of the Lord.  And see His hand provide.

Blessings!

I was reminded.... 3rd book read

 I finished the third book the other night and yes, I forgot to mark it read until this morning when I read my son's blog with the reminder.  Now I have read all three of the books he gave me for Christmas and I loved each one.  They all had parts that brought back memories of some kind, and many that made me smile - and even chuckle.  I did enjoy all three books. I need to get the books I am currently reading set as reading in Goodreads so that I can get those counted.  Must make myself a note each week to update.  I am trying to read more this year.  

Well, hubby made a decision this weekend.  We had talked about it last season and he let it go.  We've discussed it briefly over this year and he has now made the decision he is going to quit speaking at the RV parks after this Sunday.  He only had two sessions this season - this Sunday, and January 29th.  He told our friends the other night from that RV park that he would like for them to find someone else to do it, if they couldn't, he would go ahead and do it, but that he was finished.  This week is at the other RV park and he dilly dallied around so much about his decision that he doesn't want to call up with just a few days notice for someone to do it.  I know there is a back-up pastor there so it wouldn't be a problem, but it will be his last message.  I'm curious as to what it will be for what he has told me, he has different things in it - but then again, it may be his best one yet.  Kudos he finally made the decision to stop.   I have two left - one at each RV park and I need to get on finding a message to give.  

I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch today and am looking forward to it.  She lost her husband the week of Thanksgiving as they were getting on the plane (I know I told you about it) to fly to Mexico for the week.  It will be nice to meet with her and catch up, but I am also praying that God will give me the right words to say of comfort and peace.

The board retreat is finally coming together.  The other group that was going to meet my group for lunch have changed their date and pulled out - which is ok.  I just revised my totals for the room and lunch and got it confirmed by my boss yesterday and sent it on to the hotel.  I'm feeling much less stressed about it.  I'm used to being hands on for these meetings and I don't need to go down - which is nice as well.  Although I have been toying with the idea of taking off for the weekend and going down  so we can see our granddaughter and family.... but don't really have a free weekend until after the retreat. Oh well.  I got a guy in finance to sign the contract and my boss is doing his own thing with it - I'm content to be left out of it.  

Psalm 118:5-6 (NKJV):  "I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

Oh I remember those times when I called out to the Lord when things were difficult.  When I've had a difficult director to deal with (really! I had one who screamed at me and slammed her hands down on her desk (and caught everyone's attention!) and I would cry out to God to help me be kind and do what I needed to do.  I'm sure I've shared it over the years.  After she yelled at me and slammed her hands that day, and I didn't respond to her, just stood there smiling at her, she paused and said "You have a nice smile."  LOL  And I honestly believe that because I didn't respond, but allowed God to fight that battle for me, that a few years later she came to me and asked me to pray for her and the baby she was then carrying.  Surprised, I did pray for her and her baby.  And God relieved her fears.

Can you recall times when things were really difficult, or you were in a difficult situation and you didn't know what to do?  I can.  Many times with work (mostly because I didn't want to DO it), and the Lord gave me what I needed.  Just like He gave you what you needed to get through your situation.  He is always there, always waiting for us to call on Him, no matter what,.  He will always answer.  It may not always be the answer we want, or we may have to wait for the answer, but He will answer.  The Lord is on your side, just as he is on my side. 

This body will grow old and fade away.  But the Lord's love for me will never grow old or fade away.  And it won't for you either.  We serve a good, good, Father who loves you and cares about everything that you care about.  

Work going rough?  Don't like it? Don't enjoy it? (which is me a lot lately)  Ask Him to help you get through it.  You will be surprised how easy it is to get through the day.  Difficult things going on at home or within the family?   Ask for His advice; His help.  He is just waiting to comfort you and give you what you ask for.  Finances tight?  Ask Him for wisdom.  He will show you what you need to stop spending your money on and what is more important.  I know this for a fact.  I've learned to weigh over the years of how important is this item that I'm buying; do I really need it.  Sometimes I override my thoughts, yes, but overall, I've actually managed to save a little bit.  

My #1 weakness is buying books.  I do need to quit doing that so much... I have a TBR stack in a couple places.  And several on the shelf that I want to read.  Plus I am still downloading books on to my Kindle Fire.  I get a couple emails daily about books I can get at a cheaper price that day... Bookbubs I think it is... and I skim it most days - and if I can get a book by an author I like for $.99 or $1.99 or even $2.99 - when they are normally $15-$20 - yeah, I'll go ahead and buy them.  And because of that, I have numerous books in my Kindle to read.  Those are the ones I can read on a road trip or a getaway so that I'm not lugging books around with me.   Sometimes I do both. Sigh. I just love books.

My #2 weakness, which I have managed to gain control of, is buying yarn.  I haven't bought any yarn since I bought to make an afghan for my son for Christmas.  I need to make one more for a family member, and then I'm done with the family pretty much.  I have been working through the yarn that I get free from our Needles of Hope when they bring it.  Problem there is that it may be just one skein and then I have to match another color to it, even for a baby blanket.  If I do a project, I need to have several of the same color.  Some day I'll go get it, but in the meantime, I have 3 knitting projects going and 3 crochet projects.  Every once in awhile I'll pull one out and finish it, telling myself to not start another one until I get all the unfinished ones completed.  And that works, for awhile.  Why? Cause I go someplace and don't want to take something that I will probably finish there... so will take a new project and of course I don't get it finished...which means I have another incomplete project to complete.  It's a 'vicious circle', you know. :-)

It's Wednesday and I took my pill this morning (almost forgot!) so have been sitting upright in my chair.  Tonight we plan to go to prayer meeting at our church.  Tomorrow night we want to go visit a friend who is in a rehab.  We really meant to go earlier in the week, but honestly, we just forgot.  So, unless I can talk hubby in to going without me, it has to wait until I get off work.   Hope to go tomorrow evening.  

Day four of our fast and we have stuck to it.  I pray for new ideas of how to fix vegetables and, believe it or not, God has helped me create some dishes I have no idea how to do it again.  Of course hubby doesn't eat lunch until I fix it because he can't figure out how to fix vegetables.  LOL  I picked up grapefruit and lemons and oranges yesterday so we can also snack on those.  If anyone wants any - our neighbor's trees are ready to be picked... and we have the pole to pull them down with - but I'm too short (and so is hubby in reality; plus he can't manage the pole) to pull the limbs down.... please let me know and I'll be out to help pick up as you (or someone much taller than me) can pick from the limbs.  The tangelos are delicious.  As I was getting some yesterday another neighbor told me to take lemons from his tree, which is overly abundant this year.... so I dutifully went over and picked a bag full.  Was thinking I'd make lemon meringue pie... then remembered I was fasting.  But I may still make a couple and pass out to the neighbors.  I love to do that.  If my children lived closer and showed an interest, I'd be doing some cooking more frequently and giving it away.  One of these days, and I have thought of it, I may fix a meal and have my daughter-in-law run down when she gets off work - she is actually the closest! - and pick up to take home.  It will be a surprise when... and probably after the fast.  I generally want at least one meal out of it. :-)

Ok - I'm back to rambling so will hush this off.  Continue to pray for specific family members and prodigal children.  So what are your prayer requests that I can add to my list?  What would you want me to pray for?  I'd love to see God answer your prayers.  Let me know....  

In the meantime - hope that you have a good day and that it is full of.........

Blessings!