For Love of Home

Retirement?

2011-12-10T06:12:00.000-06:00

Oooops! Looks like it’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog entry. So...here I am, checking in!

It seems that at my age, all I would have to keep me busy and occupied would be sitting at my computer, writing; or sitting in a rocking chair, crocheting or knitting; or even keeping a clean, tidy, stack-free home. But none of those things are happening. Retirement for me is not what it's cracked to be!!

I suppose the biggest change in my life came last spring when my sister started talking about retiring and moving ‘back home’. At first, I thought it was just “talk”. Then she asked me to start looking for a small place for her to live.

Ummmmm….sounded like it was more serious than I thought. So, I began to scout around; found a small house for reasonable rent; took some pictures to show her.

Yes….that should work (she said) Next thing I knew, she was boxing up; giving to charities; throwing away; downsizing as much as possible. By July 14, she was moved back to her beginnings; just as I did 13 years ago.

Needless to say, we have had a good time….well….all except about a month of her being sick and in the hospital! That wasn’t much fun for any of us. But she is doing well now.
If a blood test shows that you’re low on sodium, you’d better not ignore it…..low sodium can be treacherous!

Instead of driving 150 miles to see her, I now drive about ¾ mile…which I do every day.

Why drive? Why not walk? Yep…we’ve talked about that, also. AND, we’re gonna do it when we get “a round tuit!”

Would someone please send us a round tuit?

Have a great day and a Blessed Christmas!!

The Ways of God

2011-09-16T11:59:00.000-05:00

An elderly lady was well-known for her faith and for her boldness in talking about it. For instance, she would stand on her front porch and shout, "PRAISE THE LORD!"

Next door to her lived an atheist who would get so angry at her proclamations he would shout, "There is no Lord!!"

Hard times set in on the elderly lady, and she prayed for God to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted, "PRAISE THE LORD. GOD, I NEED FOOD!! I AM HAVING A HARD TIME. PLEASE LORD, SEND ME SOME GROCERIES!!"

The next morning the lady went out on her porch and noted a large bag of groceries and shouted, "PRAISE THE LORD!"

The neighbor jumped from behind a bush and said, "Aha! I told you there is no Lord. I bought those groceries, God didn't."

The lady started jumping up and down and clapping her hands and said, "PRAISE THE LORD!! He not only sent me groceries, but He made the devil pay for them. Praise the Lord!"
*********
I thought this was a cute, meaningful story because I forget that God's ways are NOT my ways. He is always working behind the scene and all we have to do is have the faith that He's with us and will never forget us.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Gabe and his Forever Home...

2011-08-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

On April 1, I posted about a local couple who were in the process of an international adoption. For background on this adoption you want to vist that entry again: http://backhometostay.blogspot.com/2011/04/loving-gabe-home.html#links

On July 23, Gabriel Dimitri Decker (lovingly known as Gabe) found his forever home all the way from an orphanage in Russia. He has been with his forever family for a week and is touching the hearts of everyone in our community.

Following are pictures that I have"confiscated" from the blog of Gabe's forever mom...and from Facebook. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, so I drool over every picture I find of him.

Here he is all dressed up for his new sister's wedding!

This is the first picture that was released from the orphanage.

Gabe and his mom still at the orphanage.

Waving to everyone in his new home.

Smelling flowers...

Having fun blowing bubbles...

Gabe's "first friend" in his new home.

Gabe's forever family waiting for him to arrive on July 23rd

His big brother reading to him...

This event has been one of the high lights of our summer. Amidst all the doom and gloom that we face every day from the media PLUS the extreme drought and heat, Gabe and his family have brought newfound smiles to faces in our community.

WELCOME HOME, GABE!

Crown of the Aged

2011-08-20T18:39:00.001-05:00

Our Grandson, and wife Amanda

with our Treasure,

Audra Jane

The Grandmother, Our daughter, Michelle

The First Great-Grandchild

"You will always be the ONE,

who renewed my heart and soul.

Holding a new generation,

a great grandparent, my new role.

♥

The grandchild I once held,

now holds a child all their own.

My life is so richly blessed,

by all the children I have known.

♥

So joyful to hold you,

and touch your sweet baby skin.

It brings back long-held memories,

of parenthood once again.

♥

So many years have past,

but the love one never forgets.

When you hold a part of you,

it is as good as life can get.

♥

You will make me smile,

and delight me as you grow.

You will be the sunshine,

that leaves my heart aglow.

♥

You will always be the FIRST,

to give a generation its start.

You will always be the great-grandchild,

who renewed and warmed my HEART.

"Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children."
Proverbs 17:6

The Grandfather, Al

Just A Ramble

2011-08-16T19:06:00.000-05:00

I’ve got to get back to writing on this blog. It has been neglected for too long. At this moment I have no idea of what I’m going to say. There is no specific topic about which I plan to write. So…I suppose I’ll just ramble.

“For Love of Home” has been a progressive work for 6 years and I want it to continue. In the beginning, I was inspired to write about my Hometown by a blogger in Tacoma, Washington. He was walking the streets of Tacoma and praying over the whole city. As far as I know, he’s still walking, praying and posting. In my inspiration, I used “I’m Inspired” as my signature name, which I've recently changed to my nickname.

Through the years, and especially the past two years, my inspiration and motivation to write has waned. Yesterday, I was browsing through the archives of my blog and reading past entries. I thought to myself…” It’s time. It’s time to write again.”

Why have I been uninspired? I think because of the unrest in families, the unrest in our community, the unrest in our nation, and the unrest worldwide. Everyday, it seems to get worse….so many problems which I’ve let ‘nest’ in my mind. I stopped looking for the good and have focused on the bad.

This is all I have to say for now. I’m going to bed and see what God puts in my mind to write!

My prayer is for God to give you that read this “a peace that passes all understanding“.

It's So Hot!

2011-07-29T06:03:00.000-05:00

IT'S SO HOT IN TEXAS THAT...

...the birds have to use pot holders to pull worms out of the ground.

...farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.

...the cows are giving evaporated milk.

...you learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.

...the temperature drops below 95, you feel a bit chilly.

...you discover that it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car.

...you discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window.

...you notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

...hot water now comes out of both taps.

...it's noon, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets.

...you break a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m. before work.

Yes. It has been HOT! The sweltering heat zaps the energy and motivation right out of a person's body. Hopefully, this will come to an end....soon! A whole month has passed since I posted last. It's not that I haven't had subject matter to write about...I've just not been motivated.

But, as my mama used to say..."This, too, shall pass".

Time Flies...

2011-06-01T11:36:00.000-05:00

WOW! Does time fly! I used to hear my mom say that and I would think…”Mom, you’ve GOT to be kidding. It drags on forever”. Well, I’ve reached the stage of life when her words ring true. Time does fly…even when you’re not having fun.

There have been so many troubling events in the past few weeks…even months. And, yet, time is still flying by. Summer, by the calendar date, is quickly approaching; yet, it seems like we’ve been experiencing summer during the whole season of spring….except for the drought that has been plaguing us for weeks and weeks.

Let’s reiterate. Within the past few months, we’ve seen earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, erupting volcanoes, wildfires, protests in the Mid-East, the death of Osama Bin Laden…just to hit some of the national/world highlights.

On the home front, we struggle to maintain some order of normality. Thankfully, we are blessed by living in a small, rural community, where it’s easy to isolate oneself from the craziness of the world….though there’s some craziness that abides in our little town. There is much to do in a small place…Always a need for volunteerism in various aspects, always the sick to be ministered, always the needy, both materially and spiritually.

Welcome, June! Our calendar is already on the way to being filled.

With the passing of time, fall can’t be far behind!!

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

Going To The Gone

A Checklist For Memorial Day

By Greg Asimakoupoulos

Go look in on your children still asleep

within their bed.

Remind yourself they're safe and warm

because of some long dead.

Go for a walk through cemeteries

lined with little flags.

Take time to ponder homebound heroes

flown in body bags.

Go stand between those granite stones

engraved with names and dates.

Imagine all who died defending

our United States.

Go on and kneel beside a marker

offering a prayer

with gratitude for those who gave their lives

defeating terror.

Go home and count your blessings

from the hands of those now gone.

Then vow to the Almighty that their

mem'ry will live on.

Fun Weekend...

2011-05-26T12:29:00.000-05:00

So.

It has almost been a week since we made another trip, not spontaneous this time! It had been planned for several weeks. The event was a wedding of one of HK’s great-nieces…Amy Kate. I had been following the preparations for this event on Facebook. In reading Amy’s status updates, I could tell she was ecstatic and so in love. After attending the wedding, I knew that I hadn’t “misread” her enthusiasm.

The whole event was definitely an “Amy Event”…family and close friend oriented. It was held in the back yard of close friends, with other friends catering the meal. Music was provided by other friends…and on, and on, and on.

The evening was so relaxed, fun-filled, and family loving. Just exactly what a wedding should be. I pray blessings on the marriage of ....

Amy and Nick Govea.

HK visiting with great-nephews.

Dad and Daughter

HK and me..

There are many more photos that I could upload but "sparsity" is my mantra. Just wanted to share a fun, worry free moment of our lives.

Blessings to all of you who intentionally or by accident click on "For Love of Home".

Flying Kites...

2011-05-19T11:36:00.000-05:00

Often times, we, as Christians, get so caught up in following all the rules, obeying all the commandments, doing what we think pleases God, and being what we believe other people expect us to be, that we forget that we were given a freedom to be who we are, what we are, where we are...because of God's gift to us.

A dear friend reminded me of this by sending me the following story of inspiration written by Wayne B. Lynn. I wonder how different my life would have been if I had realized I could soar like an eagle; if I had flown my kite more often.

Freedom To Soar

One windy spring day, I observed young people having fun using the wind to fly their kites. Multicolored creations of varying shapes and sizes filled the skies like beautiful birds darting and dancing in the heady atmosphere above the earth. As the strong winds gusted against the kites, a string kept them in check.

Instead of blowing away with the wind, they arose against it to achieve great heights. They shook and pulled, but the restraining string and the cumbersome tail kept them in tow, facing upward and against the wind. As the kites struggled and trembled against the string, they seemed to say, "Let me go! Let me go! I want to be free!" They soared beautifully even as they fought the imposed restriction of the string. Finally, one of the kites succeeded in breaking loose. "Free at last" it seemed to say. "Free to fly with the wind."

Yet freedom from restraint simply put it at the mercy of an unsympathetic breeze. It fluttered ungracefully to the ground and landed in a tangled mass of weeds and string against a dead bush. "Free at last" free to lie powerless in the dirt, to be blown helplessly along the ground, and to lodge lifeless against the first obstruction.

How much like kites we sometimes are. The Lord gives us adversity and restrictions, rules to follow from which we can grow and gain strength. Restraint is a necessary counterpart to the winds of opposition. Some of us tug at the rules so hard that we never soar to reach the heights we might have obtained. We keep part of the commandment and (pardon the pun) never rise high enough to get our tails off the ground.

Let us each rise to the great heights our Heavenly Father has in store for us, recognizing that some of the restraints that we may chafe under are actually the steadying force that helps us ascend and achieve.

by: Wayne B. Lynn, Life, Free To Soar

Spontaneous Trip...

2011-05-14T08:59:00.000-05:00

On Mother’s Day, we were getting ready to go to Sunday School/Worship. The telephone rang and my sister’s voice came across the ‘wire’….”Since you’re coming to Lubbock anyway (on Tuesday) why not come today and make it a Mother’s Day Holiday“?

“Why not?”….we thought.

So…we changed gears, threw some clothes in a duffle, gathered up our toothbrushes and toothpaste and took off for a 150 drive…normally, a 2 and a half hour drive.

Upon reaching the State Highway that goes directly into our destination , we began to see a haziness and cloudiness in the direction we were going. Our first thought was “RAIN”…it’s going to RAIN!! Texas has been plagued by drought for so long, that anytime we see any change upon the horizon we immediately think….”Rain”!

But as we drove closer, the haze and cloudiness issued an odor….an odor of smoke! Sure enough, a few miles further, the highway was blocked to all through-traffic. DETOUR!!

Wildfires! Well…this shouldn’t have been a surprise. We’ve had these fires for months and months.

The 2 and a half hour drive turned into almost 3 and a half hours!

On the return trip, Wednesday, May 11, the following pictures were taken. We drove through miles and miles of burned out pasture, ranchland. WOW! We had heard on the news that 170,000 acres were taken out on that one fire.

Yes, Texas is dry. But we thank God that He has spared us the devastation of the floods of Alabama, Mississippi, and all the other states. But....the erratic weather patterns aren't over. If/when a weather phenomenon strikes in our area, I pray that we will show the bravery, the courage, and the faith that others have displayed in the face of disaster.

May the Spirit of Peace hover in your household...

The reason for my Love of Home.

2011-05-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

Yes.

I know.

It’s past time to update this blog. I’ve been thinking about what to write.

Wars. Rumors of wars?

? Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Floods. Tornadoes. Fires. Economic depression. Terrorism. Drought. Famine?

What have I left out?

Oh, yes! The subject of my blog…”For The Love of Home”
.
Though things get kind of “iffy” in my hometown, I still have a deep love and respect for this place. People get sideways with each other, organizations sometime seem as if they want to be “top dog” and delegate all the goings-on, bicker and back-bite.

But when there’s a great need, our community shows what we’re made of by pulling together and uniting as a family.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, 2011...a time of remembrance for many; a time of yearning for many; and a time of joy for many. But for whatever circumstance, I pray that every mother will be remembered with love and respect.

The joy of my life are my two daughters, the mothers of our five precious grandchildren. I pray God’s blessings fall on all of them in a special way….. The reason for my Love of Home.

Me and my girls

Obituary

2011-04-15T12:46:00.001-05:00

Click on the image to read the obituary..Easter Blessings to all who read this.

Loving Gabe Home

2011-04-01T16:34:00.001-05:00

On the sidebar of my page, I have a quote by Jan Karon:

"The real issues of life aren't the ones in the national headlines but the ones in our small personal spheres of life."

Well, the national headlines have been teeming with issues of life for the past year that may very well affect us in the future. But in our small personal sphere of life, there are issues that are taking precedence over wars and rumor of wars.

It’s the stories of people like our own Rick and Kim Decker that can give us hope and put a smile on our face.

If you live in our area, you may see people wearing little brown and blue Love Gabe Home bracelets, or you might have read tidbits of news on Facebook. I’m sure there are many who are wondering, “Who is Gabe”? Here is the story, paraphrased from our local paper this week.

Gabe is a four year old boy with Downs Syndrome who currently lives in an orphanage in another country. He is just one of more than 147 million orphans in the world who are waiting for someone to choose them, rescue them, and love them. Sadly, special needs kids like Gabe are often institutionalized because their government and culture find them “undesirable” and of no worth. They go from orphanage to state institution when they are about 5 years old, and sometimes their living conditions are utterly unspeakable.

But with the love of Rick and Kim, Gabe’s story will not end this way! They have spent months praying and preparing to become Gabe’s forever family. The many friends and family members who are praying for this family have formed a group called Friends of Gabe. One of the things this group is committed to is raising some of the funds required for the adoption through the sell of Love Gabe Home bracelets for $20. These Friends of Gabe are well aware that is a big price for a simple plastic bracelet, but this is about “redeeming the life of a child”.

Ash Wednesday: What Does It Mean To You?

2011-03-09T06:26:00.000-06:00

Today is Wednesday, March 9, 2011....Ash Wednesday.

What does that mean to you? Anything?

Four years ago, it didn't mean anything to me, either....just two words I would occasionally see on the calendar. Actually, I wasn't even motivated enough to even "wonder" about

Until...

my younger daughter told me that she was participating in Lent. Without going into a long, wordy note about her reasons and how she inspired me, I decided to do the same. The practice of Lent is primarily a discipline of the Catholic Church and, not being Catholic, the whole concept was foreign to me. But, I did know that Lent meant "sacrifice" for 40 days something that is very important to you. Well...don't we ALL know that food, in some form or fashion, is "the" most important thing?

For 3 years, I "gave up" desserts or eating anything with added sugar or artificial sweetener. This was a challenge because I have been a sugaraddict most of my life. But, through these 3 periods of sacrifice, I have lost my craving for sweets. SO.....I've been studying about what to "sacrifice" for Lent this year. Giving up sugar again is certainly not a sacrifice. At first, I considered my wasted time on the computer, and especially on Facebook! I've begun to believe that, for myself, the amount of time I waste is an abdominal sin. And then I thought..."O.K...O.K....maybe that's carrying it a little too far!" (my human condition...lol)

AND THEN....I had an epiphany! Instead of "taking away", why not "give back"? In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul the Apostle writes to the Church of Corinith:

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him, for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple".

Without going into a lengthy explanation, I haven't taken very good care of God's temple for the past couple of years...no exercise, not drinking enough water to keep by body hydrated, not eating nutritionally correct for my high cholesterol.

So...this is what I'm giving back...my body; God's temple. And, in retrospect, I'm really sacrificing also; sacrificing laziness, lack of motivation, and self pity.

40 Day Agenda (and hopefully a life-style change by Easter):

1. Making time for WALKING
2. Drinking a minimum of 4 bottles of water (believe me...that's a LOT for me)
3. Keeping a journal of what I eat, how far I walk, and water that I drink.

I will update this note after Easter just to let you know if my word to God is true or will I have to ask His forgiveness...AGAIN!!

Praying for peace in your household..

Ramblings of February...

2011-02-28T11:35:00.000-06:00

The month of February has passed me by. In spite of the drastic changes in temperature, I still see the promise of Spring. The jonquils have begun to bloom even though the leaves are wilted and brown. What can you expect with having the temperatures drop 50 degrees in 24 hours. Yesterday, this area broke a record for February with temperatures zooming into the upper 80's and lower 90's. Today the high is reported to be in the lower 60's....cool enough for a warm jacket.

The days continue to be busy. Tax time is approaching and we've been frantically getting our business in order to turn over to our accountant. After all, the Government needs every penny that can be squeezed from our meager holdings.

Volunteer activities seem to increase on a daily basis...so many people in need and it appears that there really is so little we can accomplish. But we do what we can.

On the political scene...I am clueless. All I have to rely on is the Word of God that He shared with the great prophets in the Old Testament. I continue to hold firm and support Israel...God's chosen people.

On the homefront, our little community has it's problems also; too many factions with different ideas of how to solve these issues and not much agreement among our people. If small communities have these problems, how can we expect any more in our government leadership?

This weekend we had another successful, amazing Quilt Show. In this area, there are many people who pull together to have an event that brings pride to our connective communities. It was held at the Knox Prairie Events Center, Goree, Texas; a small community 6 miles to the east of our town. Goree lost their school a few years ago and a group of very committed citizens joined together to turn the school into an event center for the county. It has been a tremendous success!

Tomorrow! Beginning of another month! I wonder what God has in store for us...maybe the surprise will be awesome, good news!

Peace be to all...

Still Winter But Spring Is Coming!

2011-01-27T12:10:00.000-06:00

Last week of January, 2011.

We’ve had no extreme winter weather…just C.O.L.D. In fact, it has been so dry that this area has been in a burn ban for weeks and weeks.

This time last year, we were coming out of a blizzard that had this region paralyzed. What a difference a year makes!

I’ve had the “winter blahs” pretty severely. Or, maybe winter doesn’t have anything to do with it. Who knows?

I had been busy cleaning out kitchen cabinets and decided to grab my camera and walk over to our daughter’s house just to “check out” the west side of her house. It’s there that you can first detect a sign of spring, if the jonquils have started to break through the earth.

YES! There they were!

It’s funny how I immediately started feeling better….just knowing that spring IS around the corner.

Song of Solomon 2:12 (New Living Translation)

12 The flowers are springing up,

the season of singing birds has come,

and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.

The Month After Christmas...

2011-01-16T16:58:00.001-06:00

T'was the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend the winter disguised as a man!"

So, away went the last of the sour cream dip.
Got rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Thanks again, RTM, for watching my blog. I know. It's been neglected. But what do you expect from one who is hungry, lonesome, and bored?

There and Back...

2010-12-28T10:37:00.000-06:00

We made our trip...there and back again.

On the spur of the moment, right before Christmas Eve, our plans of going in one direction (2 1/2 hour drive W) changed to a SE direction and a 9 hour drive.

To Houston.

After weeks and weeks of no moisture, God decides to bring on the showers around 1:00 a.m Christmas Eve morning. We had worked all day the day before, throwing things together and getting packages wrapped, loading the vehicle so all we would need to do was wake up, use the bathroom, brush our teeth, and throw on some clothes for the long drive.

When we were ready to leave on Friday morning, it was still raining, but having been so organized and prepared , no problem! We pulled out of our driveway at the time we set...7:00 a.m.

It rained. And it rained. And it rained!

We traveled 7 hours in driving rain, never turning off the windshield wipers...never even putting them on low speed. Finally, with only a couple of hours left in the trip, we got ahead of the rain. But by the time we reached our destination, we.were.wiped.out.!

The good news is....there are NO BURN BANS across the state of Texas!

Yes, we were tired. But the Christmas weekend with our children and grandchildren was worth every drop of rain that fell.

There's nothing like the Reason for the Season to bring calmness and peace in lives that are stressed and hectic.

Uniqueness...Keeps You Guessing!

2010-12-23T10:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, December 22 was our 53rd Anniversary. My, how time flies when you're having a good time! Just kidding, just kidding.

We haven't always had a 'good time' but that's how it goes in a marriage....ups and downs and in-betweens. I'm just very thankful that hubby and I have stuck it out through all the trials that somehow are part of a marriage....any marriage. And, if anyone ever says different...it's wise to question it.

After our 25th Anniversary, we figured we had gotten past the giving of anniversary gifts and have just been satisfied with a dinner out...or something maybe even less significant than that.

We spent half the day yesterday in a doctor's office, getting my recent eye surgery approval. And, yes, all is well and I've been dismissed...for the time being. We had planned to have lunch out but instead...guess what? We stopped by a grocery store, bought a frozen pizza, brought it home, and that was our "lunch out."

When we got home, hubby, with a sheepish grin on his face said,......"Well, I wasn't going to tell you early but "I did" get you a present.

Oh my gosh! I'm with him on every shopping trip he takes and know his shopping habits. What to expect? What to expect?

Even knowing him and the sometimes strange things he does, I NEVER expected what he brought in...1954 through 1959 High School annuals!!

Yes...he had been downtown on one of his excursions and stopped by Clint's Pack Rat and purchased this unique gift!

We've had a great time looking at them and reminiscing about high school days.

May I Use Your Bathroom?

2010-12-20T10:37:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had such a surprise that it just nearly knocked you in a dead faint?

This afternoon, I had one. I suppose it was one of the biggest surprises of my life. I count it as a Gift.

Being Sunday, Homer and I went through our regular routine of Sunday School, Worship Service, Pot Luck Lunch and then for an afternoon nap. He got up, put on his shoes, and told me he was going to Dollar General and would be back in a few minutes.

He walked out the back door and I crawled out of my comfortable chair. My first thought was…”ummm, haven’t been on Facebook this afternoon; I’ll check and see what’s going on. I had a notification that Janie Snelson had written on my wall.

WHAT?

Janie and I comment on each other’s statuses but rarely, if ever, do we message on each other’s walls. The message simpley said:

“Hey, lady. Haven't visited in a while. How are you?”

Still bleary eyed from my nap, I was just asittin’ and astarin’ when the doorbell rang.

“Oh my gosh! Who in the world would be droppin’ by unexpectedly?”

I opened the door and there was a young woman and a man standing there with Homer standing behind them.

“What and who?”

The young woman said “May I use your bathroom?”

Standing there in surprise, I glanced over at the man thinking that it was someone Homer knew that had stopped by.

No….still not a clue.

Then the girl said, “Hi. I’m Janie Snelson”.

Oh my goodness!! If I had been touched with a feather, I would have passed out!

Janie Girl is one of my most ardent internet/blog friends. We’ve been “in touch” through Facebook and our blogs for a couple of years…maybe three. But who’s counting? The experts say that social media “friends” aren’t true friends and they could never be relied upon to be there when you need them; NOT a true statement for all of them, for there are a few connections you make that, I believe, God puts in your life for one reason or another.

Janie Snelson is one of these connections. She has inspired me and lifted me up when I’ve needed it the most.

After Janie and Steve left, we got dressed and went to evening Worship at church. Our pastor’s text was from Philemon 1: 4-7, which I feel is an appropriate prayer for my friend, Janie Snelson.

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.
6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother (sister), have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.(my heart)

I love Janie. She truly has the “understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.”

Thank you for brightening my day!

That JanieGirl and me!

Finding A Quiet Place...

2010-12-16T15:22:00.000-06:00

Living life is quite an experience.

Like my momma used to say, “If it ain’t one thing, it’s half dozen others”.

Well…this month, it has been more than half dozen others. In Mark 6:3l Jesus says to His apostles:

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”.

The past few weeks have proved to be anything but conducive for getting some rest. There have been dinners for clubs, dinners for bereaved families, a surgery, trying to throw up a few Christmas decorations, and planning (or at least doing a lot of thinking) about a pre-Christmas visit from the two youngest grandchildren and their mom and dad.

Granted, I’ve done a lot more “thinking about it” than actual performance. That’s why I haven’t gotten more done. As a pre-Christmas activity, I go back to the eye surgeon on Dec. 22 just to confirm that the pressure in my eye is still as low as he thinks is safe. Then….plans for the other eye.

But this is trivial, compared to what others have gone through in the past 2 or 3 weeks…a tragic death by accident of a young woman of our community and the emptiness that her family will endure every December for years to come.

And, just yesterday, the funeral of a dear fellow who has been ill for many months. His wife will also feel the loneliness that the loss of a spouse brings.

It’s times like this that certain words take up residence in my heart…faith, trust, hope, love.

I believe that faith is a gift. Faith must be cared for like a new plant. It must be well tended , fed, watered, given light. This is how our faith grows; by spending time with an unseen God. This may continue to confuse those who choose to remain without faith, but it’s a beautiful mystery that’s uncovered in our lives; and as our walk with God deepens, so does our faith.

I trust that God is faithful to keep his promise to never leave us.

And…I hope that the time soon comes that I can “find a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mensa Murmurs

2010-12-07T13:08:00.000-06:00

This is so much fun! I wish I were intelligent enough to apply for membership in the Mensa Organization. Thanks to a "could be Mensa" friend who sent this to me. I needed a laugh and a laugh he gave me.

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido : All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:

1. Coffee, n.. The person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3.. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4 esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.

6.. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, v.. To walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men

A Time of Hope...

2010-12-01T17:07:00.002-06:00

Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know....

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak

The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Today, December 1, is the beginning of "There's A Reason For The Season". And the reason is that precious babe that was born to be the Great, I Am. Rejoice in the assurance that there is Hope for our world.

a gentle whisper...

2010-11-19T14:13:00.000-06:00

I’m faithless.

I’m really, really faithless.

There have been times that I’ve prayed for God to send strikes of lightning, writing on the wall, anything that would show a miraculous answer to solving problems and concerns in my life. I’ve lain awake at night, talking to God, and expectantly awaited to see His hand in a flash of light writing on the wall.

Now, that’s what I call f.a.i.t.h.!!

Well…that’s a laugh.

I am in the midst of a Bible Study; a 36 week study of which we’re on week 9. This morning, very early, I got out my book and began to read the required scripture for the next lesson.

The scripture from 1 Kings 19 is about the flight of Elijah to Horeb. Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. He went into a cave and spent the night.

1 Kings 19:11-13 (New International Version)

11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

So.

Where was God? In the wind? In the earthquake? In the fire?

He came to Elijah in a gentle whisper.

That’s where I’ve been faithless; always expecting Him to appear in a climatic vision.

Maybe I should be listening for a gentle whisper. Maybe this is real faith.

Veteran's Day 2010

2010-11-06T15:01:00.000-05:00

In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
Veterans Day Quotes by Mark Twain

Next Thursday is Veteran's Day 2010.

What does this mean to you?

To so many of the younger generations, this day has lost it's true meaning; the remembrance and honoring of the brave men and women who sacrificed for the freedoms that we enjoy.

Our nation is in the midst of change; for many, change for the better; for just as many, change for worse.

Regardless of how/what you believe, we are all Americans and must stand united...One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

During the coming week, thank a Veteran.

On Being Compliant...

2010-10-27T16:18:00.000-05:00

I know.

It’s very important to be law abiding citizens. But where do you draw the line…if, in fact, there’s a line to be drawn?

The man I’ve lived with for 52 years is so compliant to the laws of man that:

#1. He will not walk up the down staircase.
#2. He will not enter an exit door, even though it may be wide open.
#3. He will not drive on a one-way street, going the wrong way even though there is no traffic and a few feet on a wrong way would benefit his destination.

To prove my point, I walked into the kitchen and found him sitting at the table scraping the labels off his two prescription bottles. I asked him what he was doing. Of course, his reply was that “it is the law to remove all prescription labels before disposing of the bottles.”

I wonder why some of that compliancy hasn’t rubbed off on me in 52 years.

Just call me a rebel…without a cause.

Sighs...

2010-10-21T07:54:00.000-05:00

I don’t want “For Love of Home” to die, though it looks like it has a serious ailment. I am so hoping that one day soon my inspiration for continuing this journal will be returned to me.

Living life is hard. I don’t know how non-believers find the strength to face and to cope with the hardships that living life bring. It’s difficult enough to face the problems even though you know there is a God who knows, who cares, who loves, and who hears.

I have recently given in to a lot of “sighing”. Hubby hears and wants to know “what’s wrong”. My reply is always …”nothing”. Even in my sighing, I haven’t realized it is a call to God to hear me.
Recently, this scripture was revealed to me to make me understand my sighing.
　

Psalm 5 (NIV)

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.

2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

　
I think the “sighs” are the multitude of requests I have for the needs of family, friends, and our nation. I just can’t name them all and call them up to God one by one. I’m so thankful to God who is all powerful, all present, and all knowing.

Blessings to all who read this entry on this serious ill blog. It is part of my “sighs” and I’m waiting in expectation for the resurgence of inspiration.

Pass the Biscuits, Please...and a burned one will do!

2010-10-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

Burned Biscuits~~

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet, all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school.

I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides – a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that
learning to accept each others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be
able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

* "Don't put the key to your happiness in someone Else's pocket - keep it in your own."

So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine.

This posting of this story was inspired by my own experience of "burning the biscuits" when our grandchildren were visiting us. The difference is...they didn't eat the biscuits.

I made toast!!

Homecoming Memories

2010-09-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

This weekend is Homecoming Weekend for our little town. This event happens every 4 years without fail. Months before the actual date, meetings are held, committees set up, and gussying up the town are begun.

It’s an exciting time for small towns; the anticipation of seeing and visiting with old friends and school mates of years gone by.

The following is an article from a newspaper that one of my old school mates and friend sent to me yesterday. It pretty well tells the tale of any Homecoming, USA. The names are different. Many of the situations are different. But we all have our memories.

Thanks to Lester Lee Phillips, Class of 1956, a Munday High School Mogul.

HOMECOMING RE-IGNITES MEMORIES OF THE WAY WE WERE
By Joyce Whitis

“Memories…light the corners of my mind. Misty water color memories…of the way we were.”

Homecoming! Has it been that long since we saw each other? All those years gone by in a blur! We graduated high school. A few stayed around where they were; married a childhood sweetheart; went about their life’s work; raised their children; loved their grandchildren; would do it all over again.

Others couldn’t wait to see their hometown in a rear view mirror and caught the first bus leaving for a big city. A few tried out several partners, went through several jobs before settling down to living out their days. Two or three were just too big for any town, any state, any country even. Half a dozen traveled to the other side of the globe wearing a government issued uniform…all expenses paid. They saw sights and heard noises they never dreamed of. Sometimes they see and hear them still.

We were all so close once…best friends forever; secrets whispered behind your hand in study hall; note passing in English class; school skipping to go shopping; sharing a cigarette out behind the bus barn. We thought friends like us would stay that way forever but the years got in the way of “forever” and as they shuffled their way in between us, we mostly for got the way we were.

Will I recognize anyone? Will anyone recognize me? We’ve all changed. We’re fatter and thinner and grayer and balder and happier and sadder and older, well…mostly a whole lot older…but wiser! How about funnier? Is anybody funnier than we once were?

“Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind…”

Remember that Halloween when Jacky piled empty oil cans between the screen and wooden door of Superintendent Moreland’s house? Boy, what a racket that was when Mrs. Moreland opened the door! We all hid in the bushes along side the porch and laughed so hard we were nearly sick, trying to hold it in. We’ll miss Jacky at this homecoming. He was stabbed 10 times while he lay sleeping in his own bed. They never did catch who did it. Jacky always had a great laugh. We will miss that.

“Smiles we gave to one another, for the way we were”…

Janelle will be there. She used to get her dad’s ’46 Ford anytime she wanted. That was the first new car we’d seen since ’41 when the war started. We used to pile in that Ford until the doors would hardly shut. Mostly we just drove around and told jokes then stopped at Stewart’s for a hamburger. You could still get a bun with ground meat, mustard and onion for a dime back then. We’d sit, six or eight in a booth, with a cherry coke and stretch the night out for an hour or so.

“Can it be that it was all so simple then, or has time rewritten every line?”

Was getting a date for the football banquet or buying that formal with the yards and yards of white net all we really had to worry about? Did we really go to school every day and ride around town every night? Were all the days as beautiful as springtime and the nights full of stars? And we all knew, each and every one of us just knew that someday- someday --- we’d all be rich and famous.

“If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me--would we, could we?”

Would we really skip school that October day when fall was so close you could smell it and hang out down by the creek all afternoon? We just knew that somebody would tell and we’d have to stay after school for a week!

Remember the time Dwight copied Janette’s book report and Mrs. Potts made him read “A Tale of Two Cities”? Remember how we used to ride down the railroad tracks in that Jeep that Leon got from army surplus? I can hear the Silver Streak blowing it’s whistle right behind us just before we got to that crossing over by Killer’s house and we got off the tracks. I know that I’d never to that again!

“Memories may be beautiful and yet, what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget.”

There are so many others that won’t be there. Betty studied all the time and wore the same two blouses and skirts all our senior year. Every day they were clean and freshly ironed and she carried her lunch from home in a brown paper bag while everyone else ate in the new cafeteria. She died right after we graduated and she had wanted a college education more than anything. All those empty places! I can close my eyes and see Bobby, blonde, bouncy Bobby, poised on tiptoe at the end of the high diving board, her white two-piece swim suit, against her July tan---striking! She’s gone also. But I’ll remember all those long summer days at the swimming pool in the park.

Earl won’t be there. He had a heart attack, then died a couple of years after that. Billy Joe is gone too. He was the Senior Favorite, Football Captain, leading man in the senior play. He was my date for the banquet our senior year. I went off to college and he married Mary, my best friend. I was maid of honor. Mary and I will be there, so much to remember for those of us still here.

“So it’s the laughter, we will remember, whenever we remember the way we were.”

Life's Completeness...

2010-09-03T16:48:00.004-05:00

Everyone Needs Someone

People need people and friends need friends,
And we all need love for a full life depends-

♥

Not on vast riches or great acclaim,
Not on success or on worldy fame,

♥
But just in knowing that someone cares,
And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers-

♥

For only the knowledge that we're understood,
Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good,

♥

And we rob ourselves of life's greatest need,
When we "lock up our hearts" and fail to heed,

♥

The outstretched hand reaching to find,
A kindred spirit whose heart and mind,

♥

Are lonely and longing to somehow share,
Our joys and sorrows and to make us aware,

♥

That life's completeness and richness depends,
On the things we share with our loved ones,
and friends.

Weekend Blessing!

2010-08-21T10:35:00.002-05:00

Wishing all my blogger friends a great weekend! May the peace that passes all understanding dwell among you!!

Changes...

2010-08-18T13:51:00.004-05:00

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10 Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also:

1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:
Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME:
Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs. YOUR problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to Me. Don't ever forget that! With all my heart, I love YOU!
GOD

Multiple Personalities

2010-08-06T16:36:00.003-05:00

The home video posted is that of one of our local, upstanding citizens in 1996. Kacy is a young wife, mom of 2 beautiful boys and a dedicated Christian. And...she has the most creative mind of anyone I know personally.

She was visiting her home and her old bedroom and said she was really bored. Wanting to try out her mom's new video equipment, she videoed herself, in an interview with herself.

I hope you'll take 11 minutes of your time and watch this. It is hilarious!! Some of the dialogue is difficult to understand but you'll be amazed at her "multiple personalities".

Our community is so fortunate to have Kacy and her family come back home.

Enjoy!

Story With a Moral...

2010-08-04T08:54:00.005-05:00

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'
.
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
.
The moral of the story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.
.
Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

********

Many thanks to a dear friend for e-mailing me this story. Thanks, Bettye. I love you...

Our Crown

2010-08-02T10:00:00.006-05:00

Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are a crown to the aged...

A "surprise on Saturday"! We had just started out to a neighboring town to attend their annual Watermelon Festival when hubby's cell phone rang. It was our grandson saying that "if we were going to be home" he and his wife would come and spend the rest of the weekend with us. It had been several months since we had seen them and OF COURSE, we were going to be at home with nothing to do.

We had the vehicle loaded with home-made ice cream to be sold at the Historical Society's fund raiser so I had hubby take me back home to get ready for house guests and he went on to the Watermelon Festival to deliver the ice cream.

Always glad to see the grandchildren! As they were leaving, Pop wanted to send one of his "candle holders" home with them. The part that holds the candle is the old electrical insulator used on high-line poles of times past. I certainly hope they enjoy their inheritance! (teasing) And all teasing aside, Pop trys to see that he shares whatever is his with his children and grandchildren.

Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children....

Of course, being the "in front, up front" guy that Pop is...he wanted to be in the picture too!

The woman behind the camera is .....ME!

Peace to you and your household...

Unforgiveness

2010-08-01T06:09:00.004-05:00

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Someone has hurt you
Cut you through and through.
In your spirit you try to let it go,
But instead its brought you low.

You try to put it out of your mind,
But the words were not kind.
You become bitter and unforgiving;
Your days become miserable living.

The Holy Spirit moves you to get it right,
But you refuse to repent day or night.
You don't want to be the way you are,
But your nearness to God is far.

You begin to look within
At how bad you are, so full of sin.
You see how bad you have hurt the Lord;
How far you have wandered from His Word.

You see you are no better than they;
You too, have wandered far astray.
God loves you too much to leave you that way.
He wants to break your heart to pray.

Get it right before its too late;
Forgive your brother, refuse to wait.
Repent of unforgiveness before the night
So that you can be pleasing in His sight.

-Gene Griffin

Thanks once again, RTM, for submitting yet another item for a Sunday Sermon. There are multitudes who need to do this very thing...that of resolving unforgiveness in their lives. Unforgiveness becomes a stranglehold that chokes the breath from your body.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people." Rev. 22:21

Be Careful Of Your Toys!

2010-07-30T11:34:00.001-05:00

Several months ago I walked into the bathroom and heard an unfamiliar noise. I listened intently to determine from where it was coming.

We live in an old house, built in 1924. Anything strange or different usually means…..trouble!

I checked out the pipes under the sink. Drains were alright. Commode was working fine. I finally decided, in all my intelligence, that the whining, motor-like sound was coming from the air conditioning vent in the ceiling. Oh no! Our A/C unit was going out! Or so I thought. Of course, hubby was not at home to give his *expert, intelligent*, advice.

Well, wouldn’t you know it? By the time he got home, the whining noise had stopped. No more noise. You’ve heard the old saying “out of sight, out of mind”. In our case it was “out of earshot”, out of mind.

Fast forward a few months.

One night, in the wee hours of early morning, I had to go to the bathroom. I took care of my “business” and as I was leaving the bathroom, guess what? I heard it….the whining, motor-like noise had come back to haunt us!

It almost drove me crazy! (Yes, I know. Some of my readers are thinking….”So what else is new”?) But mainly, I was worried that we had a real problem with which to deal. After enduring the noise into the second day, hubby finally decided to have out local a/c repairman come to check things out.

Naturally, when Jimmy got here, hubby was away from the house. But I invited Jim in, took him to the bathroom to “listen”. He checked all pipes, drains, and asked for a step ladder to check out the vent. He admitted he had never heard a sound quite like that before.

I suggested that possibly, it could be coming from a vent on top of the house that vents the attic. We went out in the back yard to check it out. Jimmy told me to stand there and yell at him when the vent motor stopped running. He went inside to the breaker box and started turning switches on and off. I continued to wait for him outside.

Suddenly, I heard a tapping from the bathroom window. I looked up and Jimmy was motioning for me to come inside. Walking into the bathroom, first thing I heard was……..nothing! No noise! No whining motor sound! Total silence!

Jimmy said, in all his expertise and wisdom, “I located your problem”.

Dumbfounded, I asked, “Well Jimmy, what was it”? He pointed to a vintage, enamel ware chamber pot sitting by the commode where I keep rolls of toilet tissue. But ALSO in that pot were two hand-held, electronic poker games that we have used to “pass the time”. One of the rolls of tissue had fallen on one of the games and activated the sound.

Needless to say, I was mortified!!

Jimmy’s comment was, “That thing must have lifetime batteries!”

Granted, those electronic games must have batteries, that like the Energizer Rabbit….just keep going, going, going!

As he was leaving and walking through the back gate, I said to him in my most apologetic voice I could muster, “ Send us a bill for your time, Jimmy.”

Jimmy’s reply, “Don’t worry! I will!!”

We’re still waiting for the bill.

A Message via Healthy Harvest

2010-07-28T11:33:00.005-05:00

Come September.

Almost a year past.

We were having a Revival at our church and planning many meals for the Revival Team.

It was my turn to contribute to a noon meal and I was in a really, really bad mood! Our whole world had seemingly turned upside down and regardless of the latest political hype…I DON’T LIKE CHANGE!…unless it benefits me, of course.

I started gathering ingredients for one of my super-quick fruit cobblers. I told my husband…”Guess I’ll use the last of our good peaches from the freezer”. Oh, MY! Wrong choice.
His reply: “NO! Don’t use our good peaches. Use this can of fruit I bought at Dollar General.”

He opened the cabinet door and drug out this can of California Healthy Harvest Fruit Mix.

I grabbed my can opener to open the can and as it turned, I happened to look at the bottom of the nutrition label and noticed something way down in the corner. It couldn’t be what it looked like….a bible scripture!!
To make sure, I went to find my “spectacles” and sure nuff, there at the bottom of the label was printed Prov. 3:6.

I knew exactly what that verse said because it is the same verse we teach the children, in song, that attend our Hiz Kiz Outreach Ministry:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

People….this wasn’t the first time I had used this fruit. But it IS the first time my eyes landed on that portion of the label.

Coincidence? No!

When God is in the mix anything can happen. My attitude suddenly improved and guess what? I still carry that label, tucked between coffee stained pages of my Bible.

Yep….I still get grumpy. I still need attitude adjustments. I still have pity parties. But every time I see that fruit mix label, I’m reminded Who makes my paths straight.

In the words of John the Apostle:

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen"

I Yam What I Yam...

2010-07-28T09:42:00.003-05:00

I know.

Believe me. I’ve chastised myself many times during the past year for letting my blog “go to pot”. Ummmm…maybe that’s what’s wrong. It needs a shot of those marijuana meds that I’ve been hearing about.

The major occurrence that caused the decline in postings is the social network called…..Facebook. I wonder why it’s not called Footbook because I’ve put my foot in my mouth so many times I can’t count! Also, I’ve stepped on many feet by inserting comments to which some people oppose highly. But as Popeye would say , “I yam what I yam“.

But Facebook isn’t bad. In fact, I’ve made some of the most fantastic connections to new friends, old friends, and even present friends. One old/new, younger friend I’ve made…..let’s see…..I’ll call her Betsy, has promised that she’ll start a blog very soon. Another new friend has also said she will begin a blog. I'll call her Sara! Maybe some of you will go to their blogs and get to know them. They are absolutely two of the wittiest and smartest women I know.

Several of my most ardent followers are on Facebook so I’ve been able to keep up with them. But many of you I miss greatly.

I’m hoping that the competition with Sara and Betsy will motivate me to “get going” again. My intention was to post about something that happened almost a year ago. I have another friend…Tammie…who has asked…”Why haven’t you posted about that?” Well, Tammie…next post will be about that fruity cobbler I was throwing together.

As John the Apostle wrote in closing of the Book of Revelation:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.”

Please Hear What I'm Not Saying...

2010-06-30T12:13:00.003-05:00

A poem recently introduced to me by my little neighbor friend, Lizzie. It is long and takes some time to read and injest, but it has so much to say about all of us....things that we've not even given rational thought. So...if you wish to remove your mask for a few minutes, take time to read these very profound thoughts by Charles C. Finn. If not, then go on about your business of wearing your mask.

Please Hear What I'm Not Saying

Don't be fooled by me.
Don't be fooled by the face I wear
For I wear a mask, a thousand masks,
Masks that I'm afraid to take off
And none of them is me.

Pretending is an art that's second nature with me,
but don't be fooled,
for God's sake don't be fooled.
I give you the impression that I'm secure,
that all is sunny and unruffled with me,
within as well as without,
that confidence is my name and coolness my game,
that the water's calm and I'm in command
and that I need no one,
but don't believe me.

My surface may be smooth but
my surface is my mask,
ever-varying and ever-concealing.
Beneath lies no complacence.
Beneath lies confusion, and fear, and aloneness.
But I hide this. I don't want anybody to know it.
I panic at the thought of my weakness exposed.

That's why I frantically create a mask to hide behind,
a nonchalant sophisticated facade,
to help me pretend,
to shield me from the glance that knows.

But such a glance is precisely my salvation,
my only hope, and I know it.
That is, if it is followed by acceptance,
If it is followed by love.
It's the only thing that can liberate me from myself
from my own self-built prison walls
from the barriers that I so painstakingly erect.
It's the only thing that will assure me
of what I can't assure myself,
that I'm really worth something.
But I don't tell you this. I don't dare to. I'm afraid to.

I'm afraid you'll think less of me,
that you'll laugh, and your laugh would kill me.
I'm afraid that deep-down I'm nothing
and that you will see this and reject me.

So I play my game, my desperate, pretending game
With a façade of assurance without
And a trembling child within.
So begins the glittering but empty parade of Masks,
And my life becomes a front.

I tell you everything that's really nothing,
and nothing of what's everything,
of what's crying within me.
So when I'm going through my routine
do not be fooled by what I'm saying.

Please listen carefully and try to hear what I'm not saying,
what I'd like to be able to say,
what for survival I need to say,
but what I can't say.

I don't like hiding.
I don't like playing superficial phony games.
I want to stop playing them.
I want to be genuine and spontaneous and me
but you've got to help me.
You've got to hold out your hand
even when that's the last thing I seem to want.

Only you can wipe away from my eyes
the blank stare of the breathing dead.
Only you can call me into aliveness.
Each time you're kind, and gentle, and encouraging,
each time you try to understand because you really care,
my heart begins to grow wings --
very small wings,
but wings!

With your power to touch me into feeling
you can breathe life into me.
I want you to know that.
I want you to know how important you are to me,
how you can be a creator--an honest-to-God creator --
of the person that is me
if you choose to.

You alone can break down the wall behind which I tremble,
you alone can remove my mask,
you alone can release me from the shadow-world of panic,
from my lonely prison,
if you choose to.
Please choose to.

Do not pass me by.
It will not be easy for you.
A long conviction of worthlessness builds strong walls.
The nearer you approach me
the blinder I may strike back.

It's irrational, but despite what the books may say about man
often I am irrational.
I fight against the very thing I cry out for.
But I am told that love is stronger than strong walls
and in this lies my hope.
Please try to beat down those walls
with firm hands but with gentle hands
for a child is very sensitive.

Who am I, you may wonder?
I am someone you know very well.
For I am every man you meet
and I am every woman you meet.

By Charles C. Finn

Tranquility Lane 2010

2010-06-17T20:33:00.006-05:00

The "lane" entering Tranquility.

In the cataclysmic world in which we are living, it is difficult to maintain the Christian teaching of “faith” and keep our lives in perspective.

Or, at least it is for me.

I forget the teachings of the biblical patriarchs and prophets. It’s at these low points in my life that I need to visit my “chosen place” to renew my faith. This special place I have dubbed Tranquility Lane, the home of dear friends. Their home is nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas. At least once a year, I find it necessary to make the trip to Tranquility Lane just to re-prioritize my thoughts.

It is one of the most meditative environments that a person could possibly be; an environment that puts you slap-dab in the presence of God, our Creator.

And, our friends, Dewayne and Glenda, are the perfect host and hostess; not treating us as company, but treating us as family; we talk when we feel like talking, we nap when we feel like napping, and we meditate when we feel like meditating.

Have you found your place of tranquility? If not, I urge you to find one.

We will never hide or isolate ourselves from the conflicts of the world. Therefore we must find the place to draw near and find rest within our souls.

*********

After I posted this entry last night, the words to an old hymn came to mind. I think they're very appropriate for this post:

"So amid the conflicts, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all. Count your many blessings, angels will attend; Health and comfort give you til your journey's end."

Lamentations 3:22-24 (New International Version)
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

New Neighbors?

2010-06-01T08:54:00.005-05:00

This morning, hubs and I continued the mowing, edging job we started yesterday.

Our daughter and her husband own the house behind us though no one is there often. It has been used the past few years as an "over-flow" cottage when the kids come home. Hubs tries to keep the grass knocked down and the curb edged so it doesn't look completely vacated.

Back to my post...

I was in our back yard doing some edging and I heard Hubs yell from the other side of the fence...."Come here QUICK and bring your camera"!!

This is what he had discovered, curled up in the corner of the carport...

One tired Mama Cat

Four Kittens!

Don't know if someone owns the Mama or if she's just a stray. But we DO have a lot of stray cats in the neighborhood. But, guess what? As far as I know, No One has a problem with mice!!

Looks like we may have new neighbor cats around! I've never been a lover of cats but....I may become one! They are so stinkin' cute when they're little!

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T13:54:00.006-05:00

Memorial Day, 2010. The day we honor and remember our beloved military who gave their lives in defense of our country. May our country NEVER forget!

Because of our deceased military and their valor, we have the freedom to take a break from mowing our yards and having a cup of coffee on our front porch.

And, the "leader of the pack" since we lost our beloved Butch, the Beagle, the hubby who is still a firm believer in Downy drier sheets to shoo away the mosquitoes. Frankly, I'm too vain to doll myself up with the dryer sheets...regardless of how many mosquitoes are swarming!

We've taken a so-called break, but I doubt that we'll do more today. The heat and humidity is too much for us older folks to bear. Come 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning and we'll hit it again!

So I leave you on this beautiful but HOT Memorial Day with...

Peace to your household...

Valuable Coupon and "Special Message"...

2010-05-27T11:37:00.004-05:00

Amongst my many "collections" of stuff, I had forgotten about a collection of old hometown, weekly newspapers that I acquired when we moved "back home to stay." This morning, I've been looking through them, reading names and events from primarily the year of 1966.

Much to my pleasure, there was 1 little section from January 3, 1957.
I found this ad which won't mean a thing to any of my readers....EXCEPT....one!

Enjoy, RTM! This is for you....

Fixin' To S'plain....

2010-05-25T17:52:00.005-05:00

Since I first began blogging and Facebooking, I’ve communicated with people world wide.

At times, I’ve been misunderstood about the point(s) I was trying to make because of inherent Texas Talk.

Just to clarify some of my quaint words, here is a short list of words/definitions that Texans frequently use.

I'm fixin' to s'plain. Read and learn.

Definitions

Aggravated – Used to describe everything from mild annoyance to dangerous, murderous rage.

Conniption – A fit, getting all worked up over something. Example: That child was having a conniption! Someone needed to tan his hide.

Looker – An attractive person. Example: “Wow! She’s a looker!”

Over Yonder – Over there.

Sorry – An adjective meaning worthless, loser, or useless. Enhanced inflection makes it more emphatic. Example: “When I get my hands on that sorry, good-for-nothing punk…”

Grub – Food. A meal.

Fixins – An entire meal, excluding the main dish. Example: “I’ll have a hamburger with all the fixins.”

Directly – In a little while. Example: “Well run down to the ice cream store, directly. For now – finish your supper.”

Idiot Box – Television

Dinner – Often times refers to lunch, or the meal in the middle of the day. Sometimes may refer to the evening meal.

Supper – Almost always refers to the evening meal, but sometimes may mean lunch.

Howdy – Although it sounds like “how are you”, howdy is more of a salutation like hello, bonjour, guten Tag, etc.

Fess up – To confess or admit to something.

Fit to be Tied – very upset.

Fixin’ to – Preparing to do something. Example: “I’m fixin to go to the store. Do you need anything?”

Hissy Fit – Same as a conniption.

Lit Out – Took off, started out, or absconded across some terrain. “He lit out of here as soon as the cops showed up.”

I hope this clears up any misunderstandings in my efforts to communicate. There are many more Texas-isms. If you have one, feel free to add it in the comment form.

Praying for you....for peace in your household!

...doing things as only He can.

2010-05-19T16:07:00.005-05:00

Another Sheila Gosney poem that spoke to me directly. It's amazing how these things come along when you need them the most.

♥

Blessed by the Fork in the Road

There are times in life when we’re traveling along

in the plans as we thought them to be.

All the while God knows there is change up ahead

in the future He already sees.

And then we arrive at that unexpected place

where we realize we must choose left or right;

Like a fork in the road going opposite directions

-as different as day is to night.

We pray and press through, while seeking God’s wisdom

to discern the right path to take;

Knowing God cares about the changes & trials

and every decision we make.

As hard is it is….we make our choice

and start moving in a pathway that’s new;

Gathering our courage….moving forward in faith

for the thing we’re committed to do.

Then, little by little, we start to adjust

as we see God as sovereign and sweet.

For He never abandons the ones who love Him

and bring all their cares to His feet.

And we come to see the decision we made

not as something to shake up our plans,

Because we see God working in a different arena

doing things as only He can.

Time becomes a treasure….His peace becomes our pleasure

as His Spirit takes the weight of our load.

Life’s a great journey and God gets all the glory

when we’re blessed by the fork in the road.

©Sheila Gosney

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have
its
perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach,

and it will be given to him.

James 1:2-5

Small Town, USA

2010-04-07T14:51:00.003-05:00

Only in Small Town, USA do you see scenes such as pictured below. On warm days, Mr. A walks around the block and meets Mr. B at the corner of Mr. B's block.

Mr. A uses a walking cane to keep him upright and Mr. B sits on his walker-on-wheels. They visit and solve the problems of the world right there on the corner.

This is what I love about small, rural towns...the laid back, cozy atmosphere where neighbors look out for each other. And, in a town as small as our's, your neighbor can be the one clear across town.

These gentlemen don't know that I took their picture. I was standing on my front porch across the street. But I doubt that either of them will ever know that their picture is on worldwide web.

And, by the way, Mr. A's name really begins with an A; Mr. B's name really begins with B!

Peace to your household!

Opera on Knox Prairie?

2010-03-17T19:32:00.004-05:00

Efi Hackmey
Raquela Sheeran

WOW!

Opera on the Knox Prairie? Opera in the auditorium of our local High School? It actually happened!

For an hour this afternoon, we were exposed to musical culture that normally, most of us would never be exposed.

Our Chamber of Commerce sponsored this operatic treat through The Piatigorsky Foundation.

For one hour, center stage was held by one grand piano, a classical pianist, Efi Hackmey and an operatic, soprano soloist, Raquela Sheeran.

For one hour, hectic schedules, spring break, obligations, problems were forgotten.

For one hour, we were enthralled with the musical expertise of these two fantastic musicians.

The Piatigorsky Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to make live classical music part of the fabric of everyday life for communities throughout the United States. Piatigorsky Foundation concert tours bring top-quality musicians to audiences who would otherwise not have the opportunity to hear such performances.

The concerts take place in relaxed, informal settings, where everyone can share the joy of great live music making. The Foundation will present over 220 concerts in 18 states this season in retirement communities, schools, churches, synagogues, libraries, museums, prisons, community centers, workplaces…wherever people gather.

The hour-long programs consist of great performances along with the artists’ insights into each work. The Foundation was established in 1990 by cellist Evan Drachman, grandson of the great Russian cellist Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976), who performed not only in the world’s great concert halls but also in cities, towns, and villages all over the United States.

The Foundation carries on his legacy in the belief that, as Piatigorsky said, “Music makes life better. Music is neither a luxury nor a frill - it is a necessity! It is rich. It is imaginative. And it is for everyone.”

If I Had.....

2010-03-15T13:05:00.003-05:00

I have a small group of friends who continually inspire me by supplying me with "good stuff" to post on my blog. Thank you, Dick, for another awesome article to post on "For the Love of Home".

*********

If I Had My Life to Live Over, by Erma Bombeck
Posted By Dr. Ben Kim on Oct 03, 2009

Some thoughts from Erma Bombeck that never fail to inspire:

If I had my life to live over...

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television-and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realised that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's" ...But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it's gone. I hope you all have a blessed day.

The Inspiration of Lizzie

2010-03-09T11:12:00.003-06:00

Everyone has heard the expression, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.

Maybe this is just a tired, worn-out cliché but it still rings a bell in my tired, worn-out mind.

My blog was created to spread inspiration and love for the home. In recent months, events have taken place that stripped me of inspiration. If it hadn’t been for “copy and paste”, I fear that my blog would have been long gone.

But, just yesterday, I was made to realize how many people have read what I’ve had to say and the inspiration that many have received.

A young woman who grew up across the street from us left a comment on my Facebook page. She wrote:

“aww I just looked at your blog from my senior year about prom. It nearly made me cry ( I might have if it wasn't for the fact that I'm sitting in a classroom full of my peers!) I miss you so much and love you. You have made a huge impact in my life and that will never be forgotten!"

I had forgotten that I even posted about Lizzie that night. Going back in the archives to 2007, I found it! There are so many people, events, and “nothings” about which I’ve written. I can’t just throw that away!!

I may run out of containers to store my lemonade, but I’m committed to keep on stirring it up.!!

"I Can See Clearly Now" is a song written and recorded by Johnny Nash. It was a single from the album of the same name and achieved success in the U.S. and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972.

I love the lyrics to this song. It’s funny how dated lyrics can still speak so plainly.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright , bright
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright , bright
Sun-Shiny day.

Peace to your household. Have a bright Sun-Shiny Day!

Ice Cream

2010-03-05T15:40:00.004-06:00

A meaningful story sent to me by my #1 fan, Crabby.

Have you had your ice cream today?

***********

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.
I smiled. He asked if he amused me.

I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.

I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.

There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.."

With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

********************

Peace to your household...

Twisted Minds Of Mensa Members....

2010-02-17T14:32:00.007-06:00

I found the following very interesting when I received it in e-mail. It made an impression because of the source...The Mensa Society. Mensa is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. It is a non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised intelligence test. Mensa is formally composed of national groups and the umbrella organization Mensa International.

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to
take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or
changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the
subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

3. Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until
you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops
bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows
little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of
getting laid.

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the
person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these
really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's
like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day
consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when
they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after
you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into
your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in
the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its
yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate
meanings for common words. And the winners are:

1. coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.

2. flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has
gained.

3. abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.

6. negligent, adj. absentmindedly answering the door when wearing
only a nightgown.

7. lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.

8. gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has
been run over by a steamroller.

10. balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

11. testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.

12. rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

14. oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies
up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish
men.

Woody Wood Peck Hur?

2010-02-09T11:19:00.004-06:00

With some assistance from MikeysFunnies.com, here is just a fun post about name hook-ups. What would we do without a grin every now and then?

VALENTINE'S DAY HOOK-UPS

- If Yoko Ono married Sonny Bono, she'd be Yoko Ono Bono.

- If Dolly Parton married Salvador Dali, she'd be Dolly Dali.

- If Oprah Winfrey married Depak Chopra, she'd be Oprah Chopra.

- If Olivia Newton-John married Wayne Newton, then divorced him to marry Elton
John, she'd be Olivia Newton-John Newton John.

- If Sondra Locke married Elliott Ness, then divorced him to marry Herman
Munster, she'd become Sondra Locke Ness Munster.

- If Bea Arthur married Sting, she'd be Bea Sting.

- If Snoop Doggy Dogg married Winnie the Pooh, he'd be Snoop Doggy Dogg Pooh.

- How about a baseball marriage? If Boog Powell married Felipe Alou, he'd be
Boog Alou.

- If Ivana Trump married, in succession, Orson Bean (actor), King Oscar (of
Norway), Louis B. Mayer (of MGM), and Norbert Wiener (mathematician), she would
then be Ivana Bean Oscar Mayer Wiener.

- If Woody Allen married Natalie Wood, divorced her and married Gregory Peck,
divorced him and married Ben Hur, he'd be Woody Wood Peck Hur.

Holiness...For Me?

2010-02-04T10:03:00.003-06:00

Oh. My. Goodness!

I have been pushing a book around, from place to place, from stack to stack for almost a year. A friend bought three of these books for our Monday morning group sharing/prayer time.

Because of one circumstance after another, the reading/study of the book never got off the ground. In fact, our group had to cease our weekly meeting because of too much BUSY-ness! What a shame...and shame on us!

On a whim, I picked the book up to take on a recent road trip; just to keep my mind occupied.

Are you curious?

The book is "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. The synopsis of the book reads: "Be holy, for I am holy", commands God to His people. But holiness is something that is often missed in the Christian's daily life. According to Jerry Bridges, that's because we're not exactly sure what our part in holiness is. He (J. Bridges) helps us see clearly just what we should rely on God to do....and what we should accept as responsibility for ourselves."

I have done a lot of reading in the Bible but I think that I have missed the part about holiness within myself....just completely glazed right over it!!

ME? HOLY? No way...

But at the beginning of each chapter there is a scripture reference about being holy. For example:

Chapter 2, 1 Peter 1:15-16

"But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, "Be holy, because I am holy."

I confess. My concept of holiness within the professing Christian has always induced images to mind of "bunned hair, long skirts, black hose, no make-up or jewelry, and holier than thou facial expressions.

How, then, does one acquire holiness? It isn't zapped on us by God. It's a partnership with God with us assuming all our responsibilities.

"Surely, God hasn't commanded us to be holy without providing the means to be holy".

For those desiring to understand and grow in holiness, this book is highly recommended.

Things To Remember...

2010-01-29T15:30:00.003-06:00

These are things we all know and hear often. Though oftentimes, midst the trials and problems of life, we seem to forget...or least put on the back burner of our mind. It's time to pull them up to the forefront.

Like #18 says: "It's alright to sit on your pity pot every now and then. Just be sure and flush when you are done.

and #8: "Dear God, I have a problem. It's me.

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day... it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it. Otherwise, its just hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while Your reputation is merely what others think you are.

Author Unknown

Maintaining Sanity

2010-01-28T10:23:00.007-06:00

Last Sunday morning, my sister who has worked for Sam's Club for at least 8 years, was called into a 7:00 a.m. meeting, along with the whole group of the demo department. They were all given their "walking papers".

As it happened, over 11,000 employees of Sam's are now unemployed and 10 stores across the nation closed. If I understand correctly, this action is not due to an economic problem but one of "restructuring".

Hell's Bells!!

In spite of her early morning "canning from Sam's", my sister remained in good spirits during our short visit. Her first "command" was that we give ourselves a honey facial. She had previously tried it and said it made your skin soooo smooth! After all, when Esther was being groomed to be Xerxes queen, didn't she go through several months of grooming...with milk and honey baths?

No...we're not grooming for any Queenship; just trying to preserve our sanity by having a good time!

My only regret is that I didn't have my glasses on my face so that we would look more like twins!!

Love you, Sis. You are my support and inspiration.

Life Unexpected

2010-01-09T10:36:00.001-06:00

Life…Unexpected

O.K.

So things haven’t gone well in 2009.

Many things.

Things of which I have no control over.

But it hasn’t kept me from worrying, fretting, and aging myself by at least 10 years…physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

I’m taking the advice of my dear friend, Wilma. Time to get off my derriere and get a grip on life again.

Time to dress in my “cutest” clothes….as cute as a 70 year old woman can be!!

Put on my makeup (with a little glitter around my eyes), my dangly earrings, and my lipstick!

Even though we’re having the most frigid temperatures we’ve had in years and years, bundle up and get out of the house.

Do something to help someone else!

I will think of this time as the “fall in my life”….NOT the winter!

I will remember Paul’s words to the Philippians:

“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.” Phil. 4:8 (NIV)

And Then It's Winter....

2010-01-08T10:13:00.002-06:00

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with
my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.
I know that I lived them all...
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well...seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or
imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting gray...they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a
nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will..I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains
and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime....

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today
and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...
and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them
in all the years past!!

'Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Make it a fantastic one.'

LIVE IT WELL!!----ENJOY TODAY!!!!-----DO SOMETHING FUN!!!----
BE HAPPY!!!----BE THANKFUL!!!!!

Thanks to a faithful friend who sent this post via e-mail. I think he suspects that I've entered the "winter of my life". I suspect he has also, since we're the same age...give or take a few months!

Santa's Prayer

2009-12-21T07:05:00.004-06:00

For those of you who have followed "For Love of Home" for any length of time, you know the Santa tradition of our home. I doubt seriously that any of the grown children will ever say.."I don't believe" or "there is no Santa". Not that they believe in the reality of "Jolly Ole St. Nick in the red suit" but they still have the belief that he is a spirit that God provided to help teach the children of the story of Christmas.

This morning, through the faithful postings of MikeysFunnies.com, the following poem was submitted. I have no idea who formulated the words, but this is how I like to picture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

Read and enjoy.

SANTA'S PRAYER ON CHRISTMAS EVE

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household before the first light,
I'll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleighbells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart.

My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.
I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord, only through You,
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

The reason for the season is among us..
Peace to your household..

Belief...

2009-12-16T07:29:00.004-06:00

Just another of my favorite Christmas writings. I've read it every Christmas season for the past 30 or so years. I'm sure that you have read it many times, also. But it is a timeless piece and heart-warming. Please enjoy!

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Peace to your household...and keep believing!

A Christmas Story

2009-12-13T07:00:00.004-06:00

Teach the children...

Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa. As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldn't help feeling that something important was missing. It wasn't long before the tiny twinkling tree lights lulled me to sleep.
.
I don't know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasn't alone. I opened my eyes, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus himself standing next to my Christmas tree. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him, but he was not the "jolly old elf" of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed, and there were tears in his eyes.
.
"Santa, what's wrong?" I asked, "Why are you crying?"
.
"It's the children," Santa replied sadly.
.
"But Santa, the children love you," I said.
.
"Oh, I know they love me, and they love the gifts I bring them," Santa said, "but the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It's not their fault. It's just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children."
.
"Teach them what?" I asked.
.
Santa's kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly. "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent."
.
Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle. "Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen, with its unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that mankind's thoughts should turn heavenward as well."
.
Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. "The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that God always fulfills His promises, and that wise men still seek Him."
.
"Red," said Santa, "is the first color of Christmas." "He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave his life and shed his blood for them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red, it should remind them of that most wonderful gift."
.
Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. "Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep."
.
Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame brightened the room. "The glow of the candle represents how people can show their thanks for the gift of God's son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow in Christ's foot steps...to go about doing good. Teach them to let their light so shine before people that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkle lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see."
.
Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. "The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock the foundation of the church, and the firmness of God's promises. The candy cane is in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth. It also represents the Good Shepherd's crook, which He uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life.
.
"Teach these things to the children."
.
Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of fresh, fragrant greenery tied with a bright red bow. "The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven-turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle, without beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children."
.
I asked, "But where does that leave you, Santa?"
.
The tears gone now from his eyes, a smile broke over Santa's face. "Why bless you, my dear," he laughed, "I'm only a symbol myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving. If the children are taught these other things, there is no danger that I'll ever be forgotten."
.
"I think I'm beginning to understand."
.
"That's why I came," said Santa. "You're an adult. If you don't teach the children these things, then who will?"
(Author Unknown)

Merry Christmas and peace to your household...

Love and Dreams...

2009-12-09T02:18:00.005-06:00

Just trying to ease back into my blog.

It's amazing how quickly a person can get out of the habit of doing something that has been so enjoyable.

That's what happens when you start focusing on trials and tribulations. I have neglected to focus on "what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable." (Philippians 4:8)

Peace to your household...

Still Here!

2009-11-25T04:13:00.000-06:00

Stumbling Through Life

2009-11-24T12:25:00.001-06:00

I once was inspired, hence my user name In_spired. I used this name to blog about my hometown, of which I’m so proud. After several hundred entries I became un-inspired and changed my user name to Jackie.

Of late, there have been so many trying circumstances that have shrouded this little town, it’s homes and families. It just knocks the inspiration out of a person and grieves hearts. Maybe I should change my blogging name again. Any suggestions?

I haven’t even bothered about being concerned about the state of our nation, though I believe the problems we have on a national level have infiltrated our homes and communities.

It has been a challenge to maintain a positive attitude. But thank the Goodness of the One in control that I have His word to strengthen and re-inspire me.

I am a subscriber to http://www.heartlight.org/ a website of inspirational thoughts and devotionals. This morning, the scripture particularly had a “word” for me:

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
-- Psalm 37:23-24

The administrator of this site had this to say which is descriptive of my own life.

“ I don't know about you, but I've stumbled my way through much of life. I've tripped at some of the most embarrassing moments. I've stumbled over my own feet, shoelaces, curbs, and just pure air -- both spiritually and physically. However, I am confident that in my spiritual life, even though I have stumbled from time to time, God has not let me completely fall.

When I think I'm going to plunge into the depths of the abyss, the Father's love, care, concern, Scriptures, Holy Spirit, servants, and helpers have kept me from destruction. God's hand does uphold me. He is there in times of trial. He has been mighty to save. I do believe that he delights in my journey.”

How about you?

God Knows...

2009-10-30T20:25:00.004-05:00

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts;

God knows how hard you have tried.

When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish;

God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by;

God is waiting with you.

When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call;

God is by your side.

When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn;

God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated;

God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope;

God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for;

God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe;

God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow;

God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you 're facing;

God Knows!!

Author Unknown

Dave and Barbara Family Inspiration
daveandbarbara-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Perfect Gifts

2009-10-30T10:59:00.003-05:00

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet, so she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. TO SEE
2. TO TASTE
3. TO TOUCH
4. TO HEAR.

"She hesitated a little, and then added,"

5. TO FEEL
6. TO LAUGH
7. AND TO LOVE.

The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop. Those things we overlook as simple and ordinary are truly wondrous. This is a gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought...but are gifts from above. (James 1:17)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)

Waiting in Line

2009-10-12T14:41:00.002-05:00

Twice a year, St. Joseph's Catholic Church has a fund raiser meal for the whole community and surrounding areas. I mean to tell you that these two events surpass any meal you've ever wrapped your lips around. The food is prepared by some of the best cooks in the county. The meals are always served on a Sunday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. As church services are dismissed on that day, a steady stream of church go-ers are headed to Rhineland to fill their tummies.

I happen to be married to a man who doesn't like "standing in line". His excuse is..."I had enough waiting in line when I was in the military service. I don't have to do it now". Consequently, we've missed a lot of the St. Joseph fund raisers.

As a matter of fact, we have missed out on a lot of things throughout our married life because of this very reason...not liking to wait in line.

Oh, how many WalMart sales having unbelieveable cuts in prices have we missed...by not wanting to wait in line!!

But this Sunday was a little different. We had company that was preparing to leave Sunday afternoon. In lieu of having to "COOK" a meal, I suggested:

Me: "Honey, what do you think about us going to Rhineland to eat before our company has to leave."

Hubby: "Well, I guess we could...BUT....we'll have to wait in line"

Me: "Well, guess what? There are certain times in life when you need to wait in line for something good"!

The more I thought about it, how many times in our life do we miss out on some of the best stuff because of our unwillingness to "wait in line"? No!...we get impatient and barrel ahead, accepting lesser things because of our impatience in waiting for the best.

In Ecclesiastes 7:8, the author (probably Solomon) writes:

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

So. Next time you hesitate to be willing to wait in line, think of what you might be missing in the end.

Waiting For The Parting Of A Sea...

2009-10-06T18:16:00.005-05:00

I'm waiting for the parting of a Red Sea.

What are you waiting for?

I guess every living soul has a Red Sea in their life. Of course, not literally....but in the name of feeling as if you're backed up against a wall with no place to go.

Everyone has challenges to meet every day in the form of illness, financial difficulty, death of a loved one, broken relationships, just for starters. Challenge after challenge is to be met every morning that your feet hit the floor.

My mind works weirdly sometime. Now why would I think of Moses and the exodus of his people into the promised land? Here they had been wandering around in the desert for 40 years and all that separated them from their land of promise was the Red Sea....with the enemy behind them!! I guess Moses felt like he was literally up against a wall of water with no place to go! But through the power of God, that sea parted and they walked across on dry land! Just as the enemy started across, the wall of water closed up and...well....you know the rest of the story....or, if it's unfamiliar to you, read about it in the Book of Exodus.

Are you waiting for a parting of a sea in your life? It could happen.

But what if that water doesn't part where you can walk across on dry land? What then? Are you going to give up? Are you going to wait for the enemy to swallow you up...chew you into pieces?

At this point is where it gets tricky. After the birth and death of Jesus, the miracles that God performed years and years previously were now done through the power of the Holy Spirit. And this is where faith in the unseen comes into play.

I know all of this. Yet, there are times when I still want to see God's message written with a bolt of lightning or the parting of a sea in my life, so that I can walk across on dry land and not get my feet wet and muddy.

Sometimes, God just doesn't work in the way we would have Him to.

Paul wrote:
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
And Isaiah wrote:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

"When we trust our lives to the unseen but ever-present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read with a grand ending".~~Beth Moore

Cue Balls in Texas

2009-10-04T02:17:00.004-05:00

The son-in-law called yesterday afternoon with fodder for my blog. I don't see why he would think I need help. My goodness! It's just been almost two weeks since I've made an entry! I used to get complaints about posting too often because people couldn't stay current. Oh, well...You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can`t please all the people all of the time (someone said)

Anyway...Al thought the following story is news worthy because it happened in North Richland Hills where his son and wife live....thus being, my grandson and wife!

Admittedly, it is a funny story and just proves that Texas women certainly know the real use of cue balls!'

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS — It was raining pool balls in a neighborhood here Wednesday afternoon. ~

A 27-year-old woman thwarted an attempted burglary by pelting two men at the front of her home on Mapleleaf Drive with billiard balls as she stood on her roof.~

"I made it to the backdoor, climbed a tree and onto the roof," Paula Ollie said afterward. "I went to the front of the house and yelled 'Death from above!’ and started throwing the pool balls."~

Ollie said she was accurate.~

"I nailed him in the back," she said referring to the burglar who was near a bedroom window. "I then started throwing at the one at the front door and got him, but I don’t know where I hit him. I did miss once because there’s a dent in the front door." ~

The men ran for their lives cursing, holding their arms above their heads for protection, she said.~

Once she descended from the roof, she called police but by the time they arrived, the men had gotten away.~

Police weren’t enthusiastic about her efforts.~

"We recommend that people call 911 if they see strangers at their home," North Richland Hills investigator Keith Bauman said.~

Ollie described the bad guys as dressed all in black, their hats, shirts, pants and shoes.~

"I know one was white because I could see his arm when he had it over his head," Ollie said.~

As for her warrior cry of "Death from above!" Ollie says it’s from the movies, but she isn’t sure which one.~

"They say it all the time," she said.~

It might be best remembered as the motto painted on Robert Duvall’s helicopter during the dramatic dawn attack on a Vietnamese village in the 1979 movie Apocalypse Now.~

The incident happened shortly after 2 p.m. in the 7600 block of Mapleleaf Drive.~

Ollie was at home alone; her three young boys were at school.~

"I heard something outside and I went to the front door where I heard these two men talking quietly," said Ollie, who had been cleaning the house. "They didn’t ring the doorbell or knock. I put my ear to the door and I sensed that something was wrong."~

Without thinking of calling 911, Ollie plotted her attack. She grabbed her son’s Ben Tin bike helmet and loaded it up with balls from the pool table. She couldn’t remember later how many she had taken.~

She quietly walked through the backdoor to a tree, placed the straps of the helmet in her mouth and climbed the tree. From the tree, she made her way to the roof.~

"If I had known where the BB-gun was, I would have used that," Ollie said. "There’s a crossbow in the house and if I had known where the ammunition was, I would have grabbed that."~

Once on the roof, Ollie began her assault.~

And within a few minutes, she ran the table on them~
ramirez@star-telegram.com

A Poem of Thought

2009-09-22T03:50:00.004-05:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade

Who swiped my lunch money! twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought

Was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake.

'And why's everyone so quiet,

So somber - give me a clue.'

'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT. Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car .
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE

(submitted to me by my friend RTM)

Observations of Growing Old

2009-09-15T04:20:00.004-05:00

~It's harder to tell navy blue from black!
~Everything old is new again, but if you wore it before, you're too old to wear it the 2nd time around!
~Your kids are becoming you...and you don't like them! but your grandchildren are perfect!~Yellow becomes the big color...walls...hair...teeth!
~Going out is good. Coming home is better!
~When people say you look "Great" they add; "for your age"!
~When you needed the discount you paid full price. Now you get discounts on everything; movies, hotels, flights.
~You forget names...but it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you.
~The last 2 outfits you wore had spots on them.
~You ask your husband/wife or friend how your outfit looks and they tell you the truth!
~The five pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything...especially golf.
~Your husband/wife is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.
~The things you cared to do, you don't care to do, but you care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~Your husband/wife sleeps better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring then they do in bed. It's called their "pre-sleep".
~Remember when your mother said "Wear clean underwear in case you GET in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwear IN CASE you HAVE an accident!
~You used to say, "I hope my kids GET married.. Now, " I hope they STAY married!"
~The best place to have a conversation with your Wife/husband is in the bathroom...you have his full attention.
~Who wants to wear 3" heels anyway?
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.
~When GOOGLE.ipod.email.odem .were unheard of and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.
~You use more 4 letter words..."what?"..."when?" ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~Your husband/wife has a night out with the guys/girls but they' home by 9:00 P.M...next week it will be 8:30 P.M.
~You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it before.
~Notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?
~Many of the people in People Magazine you've never heard of.
~Your concealer doesn't conceal.
~Your lipstick bleeds.
~Your mascara clumps and your eyebrows are disappearing.
~You don't have hair under your arms and very little on your legs but your chin needs to be plucked daily!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~Now that your husband/wife has retired you'd give anything if they'd find a job!
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet....2 of which you will never wear again.
~But old is good in some things:...old songs...old movies

And best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

Thanks Richard T. for this e-mail. Even though it's so TRUE, an aging person can't help but grin...and....I needed the grin!!

You younger people may laugh now; enjoy while you can. What goes around comes around!!

Scholastic Gone Balistic!

2009-09-06T11:41:00.005-05:00

There is a young teacher and mother who I admire greatly. AND, she's one of my ardent Facebook friends. This morning she had the following status update:

"My daughter brought me the library book she was reading......it talked about a boy unbuttoning her shirt (in a dream....but whatever) and buying sperm panties! Seriously? H wanted to know what sperm panties were! I don't even know...but... I certainly DON'T want my sixth grader reading a book that talks about them!!!!!!!! It's "What My Mother Doesn't Know" by Sonya Sones. I ordered it from Scholastic."

This young teacher and mother was livid..... Following is the letter that she has sent to Scholastic that she posted on Facebook to alert her friends. I asked her permission to post the letter to my profile so that my young teacher friends who might be using Scholastic, be alerted.

Mothers and teachers, please be aware of what your children are reading.

The Letter I (my friend) Sent to Scholastic

Today at 10:11am
To Whom It May Concern:

I have been an educator for 15 years. During this time, I have often utilized the resources offered by your company. I have ordered from your magazines innumerable times. Up until now, I have been quite pleased with the vast collection of books offered. So when my sixth grade daughter brought home a flier from your company, I did not hesitate to allow her to order books of her choice.
.
One of her selections included a book entitled, "What my Mother Doesn't Know" by Sonya Sones. I realize you must offer books that cater to different audiences. However, it has been my experience that children these days are already facing pressures from all fronts to grow up much too quickly and the material covered in this book, the one offered in your flier for middle school aged children, is beyond a bit mature!
.
From the use of profanity and racial slurs ( page 75), to perverted chat room encounters (page 110), to being groped in a school parking lot after a dance (142 and 143), and, finally, to an erotic dream (page 208). While I realize this book is definitely geared toward the teenage set, I am wondering why it was offered in a flier for sixth to eighth grade children.
.
As I've stated before, I had always had such a wonderful experience with your company it never occured to me that this was even possible. I have learned a valuable lesson and will certainly not make the same mistake twice. My hope in sending this letter is that your company will make wiser choices in providing books for children entering this difficult age. The situations presented in this writing are not ones that my eleven year old daughter is prepared to face. I trusted your company to be more sensitive to the needs of these adolescent children and, in my mind, it seems that trust has been violated.
.

Fourth Grade Teacher
AND
Mother

and Life Goes On...

2009-08-31T04:49:00.003-05:00

And life goes on...

Butch has recovered from his illness....just in time, before he got the snot beat out of him for teedling in the floor. I appreciate the "tip" left by an anonymous commenter. You know who you are, and we'll start doing it; anything to keep our Butch healthy! Also glad the "dryer sheet" tip was helpful...LOL

We've been leading busy lives for Senior Cits of the world of Retirement; most of our busy-ness revolving around going to funerals and all that is involved. It seems almost blasphemous to go mourn a deceased friend/relatve in death and, at the same time, have a blast visiting with relatives and friends that you haven't seen in years. What a paradox!

I did squeeze in a few hours on Saturday morning, between funeral activities, to go to a Beth Moore Simulcast; at the prodding of a friend. Beth's topic was developed around Psalm 37:4:

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart".

Now in anyone's estimation, that is a pretty short verse! Even I can recite it from memory with only one reading.

How in the world can a bible scholar come up with major discussion points from that one short verse? In fact, from the first few verses of that chapter, she had 7 major points of discussion. And they were all relevant to my life....imagine that!

Saturday night, the son of a local couple and two of his friends from found in the Gulf, after a search of 8 days! They were alive and, I'm sure, have their stories to tell! I believe that CNN has already had an interview but, being the "busy" person I am, I missed it. Who has time to sit at home and watch T.V.?

But, life goes on; good, bad, indifferent...it goes on. Personally, I work to make it a good life; the best I can. We have much to be thankful for...good health, good family, and most of all a faith in believing that God sits on His throne, in complete control of every situation. We just wait to see what the next Plan holds.

Have a good day and I'll see you next go around.

No More Treats.....unless...

2009-08-25T05:36:00.006-05:00

Your dogs will LOVE
Prairie Paws treats!!

♫

Locally made by
Cynthia White!

♫
Butch has medication for 4 days to finish up his 10 days. I sat him down today and made him look at me straight in the eyes. I said, "Butch, I'm going to give you your ten days of Amoxicillin. After that, the first time you teedle in the floor, I'm going to beat the snot out of you!

Butch said, "Humph"!!
♫
And NO MORE Prairie Paws Treats!!"

Quick! Open The Door!!

2009-08-20T05:53:00.002-05:00

Poor Butch!

He's sick.

Kidney infection.

Amoxicillin for 10 days.

Dr. Mason took a blood sample to make sure there is nothing else going on in his body. Before we took him to the clinic, I had googled his symptoms and the search results scared me. What I read was about renal failure in older dogs (Butch will be 9 years old in September.) It will be several days before we get a report. We're just hoping that the anti-biotic will take care of things.

Until the medication takes affect, I'll continue to mop up what he deposits on the floor. Thank goodness for hardwood floors....no carpet with which to be concerned.

Just hope he doesn't form a habit that will be difficult to break. I would hate to send him to rehabilitation!!

God Is Moving...

2009-08-09T08:14:00.003-05:00

God is Moving to Bless Every Part

How many times do we see God’s blessings
in the good times and highlights of life,
But forget to praise God for his excellent greatness
in the struggles, the trials and strife.

♫
Yet, the truth of it is, that everything we go through
can teach us more of His power & grace.
For the hard times leave the fragrance of the Father behind
from the hours spent seeking His face.

♫
And it’s seasons of desolation…when the trials make us lonely
because people just don’t understand;
Yet in the absence of their comfort, we hear what God says
and we feel the great touch of His hand.

♫
It’s the harrowing trial we walk through a while
that leads us into darkness and cold.
But it’s there that the light of Christ shines the brightest
and we see what’s eternal and gold.

♫
It’s the happy occasions that make us enjoy life
and living for our time on this earth.
But the struggles make us yearn for our eternal home
and make us see what perfection is worth.

♫
It’s the times of desperation when we have no other recourse
but prayer and an act of from God’s throne,
That will teach us Who is really in charge of our lives
through the answers and mercy He’s shown.

♫
It’s the praising and worshiping the Lord through the heartache
that will literally help the heart heal.
For God sees that worship as pure, with one purpose
to bring honor beyond what we feel.

♫
When the child of God knows that every day has value
and God is moving to bless every part,
Then the ransomed of the Lord will see God and speak
His praises from the depths of their hearts.

©Sheila Gosney

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:16-18 NIV

Bouncy-Bounce!

2009-08-04T11:03:00.004-05:00

We have strange ways of doing things in our hometown. Or, at least, SOME people do; my husband being among the strange.

We have had some much needed rain over the past couple of weeks...and you know what rain brings! Growing grass and mosquitoes!

My husband's remedy for buzzing mosquitoes is Bounce Dryer Sheets pinned to his hat. He swears by their effectiveness in deterring the mosquitoes! But the dryer sheets "have" to be the Bounce brand...none other works!

I question his methods and his home remedies and cure alls but, heck! If it keeps him mowing the lawns, who cares? I never run out of dryer sheets for my clothes dryer!

Gotta love that man!

If You Don't Want To Know....Don't Ask!

2009-07-29T09:37:00.004-05:00

Seems like the process of living life has kicked a lot of people in the rear lately. It has been... NOT a really fun time. The following is just a silly, fun story delivered by mikeysFunnies to give us all a well deserved grin.

***************************

A husband and wife are getting ready for bed. The wife is standing in front of a full length mirror taking a hard look at herself.
.
"You know, dear," she says, "I look in the mirror and I see an old woman. My face is all wrinkled, every thing else is either sagging or bloated. I've got fat legs, and my arms are all flabby."
.
She turns to her husband and says, "Tell me something positive to make me feel better about myself."
.
He studies hard for a moment thinking about it and then says in a soft, thoughtful voice,
.
"Well, there's nothing wrong with your eyesight."
.
Services for the husband will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 AM at Morris Memorial Chapel. Female friends of the family are invited.
.
Have a peaceful day...

In God We Still Trust

2009-07-22T18:27:00.001-05:00

The song you are about to listen to is from a Las Vegas Diamond Rio concert. They received an immediate resounding standing ovation, and continue to do so every time they perform it! Sadly, major radio stations wouldn't play it because it was considered 'politically incorrect'. Consequently, the song was never released to the public. So America , see what you think. If this offering speaks to your heart and you feel you want to share it with friends and loved ones, please do.

Church Connectedness

2009-07-17T12:48:00.005-05:00

How connected to your church are you?

I am not asking if you are a member,

or regular in attendance or giving.

But, how much are its people a part of

your life and you theirs? Do you see other

Christians as family or fellow attendees?

Do you think of your church as a "them"

or an "us, we"?

♫

A Spiritual Utility Company is how many

see church: a place that holds a service

where the Pastor meets - or doesn't meet -

your needs. As the Phone, Electric and Cable

companies have their role in your life, so does the church.

♫

The Biblical descriptions of a believer's relationship with the church are vastly

different from what many (most?) experience. Many do not seem to know how deeply Jesus wants our lives to intertwine. Others are quite pleased with their comfortable, yet shallow, relationship with their spiritual family.

♫

Few seem to see it as a blood-bought body into which we have been baptized, placed by Jesus; a body that is as interdependent as your own. Sing with me: the wrist bone's connected to the arm bone, the leg bone. (Ephesians 4; 1 Corinthians 12, 13; Romans 12).

♫

Here is a way to check your church connectedness. Which of these phrases sound like how you describe your church to others?

♫

1. "I go to Pastor So-and-so's Church." The Pastor is the church's main identity point. He is the Man of God that you follow, adhere to, trust, respect, stand-behind. As enviable as that may sound to us Pastors, it is a scary, vulnerable place to let people stay.

♫

What if the Pastor leaves, shows his humanity or worse, falls into sin or serious doctrinal error? Understandably, these are hits in one's life, but how deep a stroke would it be to you? Do you believe what you believe because a pastor seems convinced enough for both of you, or do you own your faith?

♫

2. "I go to Such-and-such Church." Its reputation, distinctives, denomination - or lack there of - and even its image are key. You name-drop it for spiritual credibility, clout or even to be "chic by association." Your church identity is defined by who you are and are not: Traditional, Contemporary, Reformed, Free Will, Baptistic, Presbyterian.

♫

There are thousands of things we own as distinctives: Pentecostal, Non Charismatic, High / Low Church, house church, Decaf., non smoking, window seat. These can be great things. Yet, when they define us, they divide us.

♫

We often assert that most of us agree on a few core doctrinal matters - the essentials. Still, we truck in our distinctives, put them up front, give them more weight then they deserve or can bear and start parting company.

♫

Though we may have the Lord Jesus in common, it sure sounds like music styles, Sunday Evening services and dress codes are a lot more important than our Crucified, buried, risen, coming again Savior. Our connectedness is not Him but our particularities, our differences.

♫

3. "Our church offers." (fill-in a list of programs). If church primarily for you is a place to be served and catered to, then something is amiss. We have far too many pew people who claim to have known Jesus for years and are still takers, consumers. They are not ministering, using their gifts, laying down their life for others.

♫

Satisfied customers like what their church provides. They show up for many of its offerings and even give, bring goodies and help set up / clean up. But, dare you disappoint, offend or slight them and they are suddenly no longer around, not returning calls, and arriving late and leaving early to the last few events they come to.

♫

When the novelty wears off of how well their church "serves the better burger", and the next "First Church of the Latest and Greatest" bursts on the scenes, reporting remarkable growth (sheep shuffling), they feel the need to check out what "God is up to" there.

♫

4. "That's my family's church." You grew up in the same neighborhood as your parents, went to the same schools, and of course, attend the same church. It's "where your family goes" since they helped start it. Like three other generations, you were dedicated, and married in that church.

♫

This can be precious, a holy legacy of stability and commitment. There is nothing wrong with a family church, as long as your family knows it is part of a bigger Family where God is in charge, not Grandma.

♫

5. "That is the church family I am part of. Our church." To use an old, noble term, you are a Churchman. A committed to, serving in, making-happen, plugged in, need-meeting, class-teaching, stranger-greeting, sick-visiting, meal-fixing, flower-buying, card-sending, family member.

♫

You rejoice with those having babies, getting married and you weep with those facing death, divorce, unemployment or disability. You know and acknowledge birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, layoffs and major medical tests. You provide rides to the store, help cut the grass, pay the bills, fix the car, slip cash to, pass along hand me downs, watch the kids, loan the car.

♫

Note this well: each church probably has some of each of these five types of Christians. Their disposition towards Church may or may not be produced or promoted by their church.

♫

Take the risk - again - and be the church. Lead the way by humbly serving one another as "inasmuchas" people. Jesus said that in as much as you did it to the least of these, you did it unto Me.

Rev. Kerry S. Doyal

daveandbarbara-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

"Fixers"

2009-07-16T09:55:00.002-05:00

I've always tried to be a "fixer" of situations...hurt feelings, quarrels, anger, broken promises, etc. etc. You know the story.

Lately there has been a multitude of situations that I can't fix. No matter what I do, what I say, how hard I try, I can't fix them. In fact, I've come to the realization that there are situations that can't be fixed by us humans. It isn't difficult for us to create these situations...no, not at all. In fact, all we have to do is strike out and in our own misquided power, let ourselves get in such messes that, in our own power and human "intelligence", we can't get out.

One of the situations concerns our church that has been so near and dear to my heart for most of my life. As a child, it is this church where I met a lasting and loving God. It is this church where I was joined with my life long mate. It is this church that I came back to after a 43 year absence.

It is this church that I now see the danger of it's closing it's doors....all through conflict of opinions, unbending hearts, and what appears to me a loss of united spirit and oneness. This has been an extremely stressful and heart heavy situation. Being the impatient human that I am, I want it to be resolved...NOW! But when we involve God in our problems, more often than not, He has different ideas about when, where, how, He takes care of things.

I have a young friend who has been going through a rough time through a family situation. During the worst days, one of her Christian friends wrote the following post on Facebook. I happened to read it, and it spoke to my heart and has given me a little more peace than I've had in several weeks. Isn't it funny how God works to minister to so many people at the same time, through the same person, even without their knowledge?

I didn't ask anyone's permission to post this but I figured since it is on Facebook, it's there for a good part of the world to read. Maybe it will be a help to some of my readers. Who knows? God works in mysterious ways.

"Something was put on my heart I want to share with you this morning. We hurt for the people we love, because we can not stand to see them in pain. We get upset when we can not change the circumstances. We feel helpless and that makes us feel like life is out of control. The hardest thing to do is let go and let God. We, in our human nature want to be 'fixers'. When we are 'centered' on God and someone we love has gone down the wrong path, we can not understand how they can't see what they have done, or are doing, to their lives. Well, when you are in a mud hole and have mud smeared over your eyes, how can you SEE where you are OR how to get out?? It is not for us to rescue or save them. That is God's job. As much as we want to wake up and have the nightmare to be over, every big project takes time to bring it to completion. Prayer, love and support is what your job is right now. Even though we are angry, we have to keep loving, even when we don't feel like it.
Loving is not rescue. God has to do the cleaning. And he is in God's net. God IS at work. HE HAS already defeated Satan. BUT, we do have to suffer consequences to our actions and our choices. God has a plan. Lay it at the feet of Jesus and know that everything will work out in God's timing. Keep your eyes on Jesus and do not look at the circumstances around you. It will be okay.... maybe not in your timing... but Gods.

Bloopers Make Me Smile....

2009-07-10T06:06:00.004-05:00

There hasn't been a lot to laugh about lately. Seems like there has been one aggravation after another. If it hasn't been on a world level, it has been at the home level...and everything inbetween. And let me not forget the 3 week interval of the world's greatest entertainer.

Putting everything else aside, for the umpteenth time, I received the church bloopers in my e-mail. Yes, it's an oldie but it makes me smile every time I read them. I can relate for when I edit what I write, I find many of the same bloopers within my text. And, I'm sure I don't catch all of them!

Enjoy and have a peaceful day.

--------------------------
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' --------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
--------------------------
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. (This may not be a blooper!)
--------------------------
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
--------------------------
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
--------------------------
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
--------------------------
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
--------------------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice .
--------------------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
- -------------------------
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

Solar Power

2009-06-23T05:53:00.001-05:00

How long has it been since you've seen clothes drying in the sun?

On a clothes line, or better still...on a fence?

This is reminiscent of times in the past before electric conveniences like modern clothes dryers.

If wet clothes are left in a basket for any length of time, you know what happens. They sour, they mildew, they get stinky. There's nothing like a good drying by solar power!

As cranky humans go, this is what happens to our hearts, our attitudes of "I'm the right one; everyone else is wrong". Our hearts get "stinky" and begin to mildew.

Maybe we need a good solar drying. Hang those things on a fence and be dried out by God's own solar power...his Son.

Father's Day - 2009

2009-06-19T11:17:00.004-05:00

The Wise Father Will Tell You

There are wise fathers who will offer you advice
and lessons from all God has shown.
For the years have tendered them and they have learned much
in the decades their children have grown.

.
They will quickly tell you that children are a blessing
sent by the Blesser above.
They will say they didn’t know how much they would change
by a child they could raise and could love.

.
They’ll tell you that fatherhood and raising a child
can be a roller coaster ride every day.
But it’s worth all the stress to see them grow up
to work hard and find their own way.

.
Wise fathers will tell you that making ends meet
can be hard…and there are times you must choose.
But he would gladly give up his own wants and desires
so his child gets a new pair of shoes.

.
The wise father will tell you that loving your children
means teaching them what’s right & what’s wrong.
And that crossing that line means discipline is needed
so they grow up to be moral and strong.

.
The wise father will tell you that he made mistakes
in the struggle to keep things in line.
But his apologies went far to show them the truth
that only God is right all the time.

.
The wisest fathers will say they fathered in strength
because humility made them bow down and fall,
To the Father in heaven…the very author of life
and the greatest source of wisdom of all.
.
©Sheila Gosney

.
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 15:31-33 NIV

Homer, the father of our two daughters, Michelle and Melissa.

Al, the father of our 3 older grandchildred, Jarrod, Kacee, and Hannah.

Jeff, the father of our 2 youngest grandchildren, Lendon and Ali.

Our family is blessed.

In Times Like These...Know God!

2009-06-17T06:26:00.005-05:00

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
-- Ephesians 1:17

One of the best things we can pray for each other, and for ourselves, is that we might better know God. The Holy Spirit helps us better know God:

(1 Cor. 2), "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

worship God

(John 4:23), "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worhip in spirit and in truth".

and speak to God

(Rom. 8:26) "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"

Let's ask God to use his Spirit to help us know him, not just know about him.

God is not only the Almighty Creator of all things; he is also our Father who cares about us deeply. God is a Holy God. He is mystery and glory. Our minds and hearts need to know Him better through the presence of His Holy Spirit within us.

My prayer is that my God will bless my physical and spiritual family with insight and illumination about Him, His love, and His glory. I am striving to know Him more fully and reflect His character and grace more completely.

Peace to your household...

Today's The Day......Maybe!!

2009-06-15T05:33:00.003-05:00

Procrastination.

Getting the best of me.

Need to practice what I preach.

TODAY!

Ralph Marston (www.greatday.com) had an inspiring and motivating post this morning. Maybe the motivation will last until noon.

Go ahead and get it done

Don't waste your effort worrying about what you have not done. Spend your time working on what you now can do.
☼
It's amazing how much you can accomplish when your heart is in it. Drop the doubts, self-criticisms, and anxieties, and positively put your heart into what you're doing.
☼
Enjoy the delicious feeling of making real progress based on your own focused efforts. Have fun watching yourself accomplish as you complete each task.
☼.
Taking effective, meaningful action will put you in a positive frame of mind. And that will open the door to many great new possibilities.
☼
Go beyond wondering about it, or thinking it through, or planning for it. Just go ahead and get it done
☼.
Choose your destiny and delight in the fulfilling effort that makes it happen. You can do it, and now is when.
☼
-- Ralph Marston

Butch, the Beagle

2009-06-10T06:05:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since The King has been featured on my blog. In attempting to get "inspired" this morning, I was browsing My Pictures and saw this montage of Butch in his younger years.

As he has gained so much maturity since these pictures were taken, he would be so embarrassed at a couple of them. They definitely question his 'masculinity'.

Butch will be 9 years old early in September. Isn't that supposed to be equivalent to 63 in human years? Probably so, because he's beginning to behave just like his servants...US!

Here he is. Our King...Butch, the Beagle.

Sunday Sermon

2009-06-07T04:55:00.005-05:00

BEST POEM IN THE WORLD

♫

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

♫

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics and the trash.

♫

There stood the kid from seventh grade

Who swiped my lunch money! twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice.

♫

Herb, who I always thought

Was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

Looking incredibly well.

♫

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake.

♫

'And why's everyone so quiet,

So somber - give me a clue.'

♫

'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT.

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car .

Every saint has a PAST...Every sinner has a FUTURE

(Thanks to friend, RTM)

Survivor 101

2009-06-05T21:16:00.003-05:00

I've had laryngitis, tonsillitis, hepatitis, meningitis, appendicitis, tendonitis, and colitis. I've also suffered from gastritis, bronchitis, gingivitis, bursitis, and arthritis.
♫
I've been held up, held down, hung up, strung up, stood-up, bulldozed, bloody-nosed, blackjacked, hijacked, squeezed, frisked, and mooched. Stuck with excess profits tax, personal property tax, utility tax, inheritance tax, sales tax, school tax, gasoline tax, income tax, excise tax, surtax, liberty bonds, savings bonds, a couple of bail bonds, and the bonds of matrimony.
♫
I've helped the Red Cross, the White Cross, and often been double-crossed. Helped the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and a few Talent Scouts. Helped children's hospitals, mental hospitals, VA hospitals, spoke out for civil rights, women's rights, animal rights, men's relief, and stomach relief.
♫
I have worked for a dog, and worked like a dog, and still lost all I had. I've been set aside, pushed aside, hit broadside, and had to sit outside. Demoted and misquoted. Walked on, jumped on, dumped on, rained on, snowed on, stomped on, spit on, cut on, and ratted on.
♫
I've been put off, ran off, and ripped off. Intimidated, interrogated, berated, separated, and violated. I've been cussed, and discussed, boycotted, stunned, shunned, and shocked. Criticized, despised, ostracized, victimized, brutalized, capsized, analyzed, and ill-advised. Slapped, trapped, and wire-tapped. I've been used, abused, bruised, refused, confused, but never excused. Talked about, lied about, lied to, bawled out, chewed out, kicked out, knocked out, but never bailed out.
♫
I've been assailed, derailed, and blackmailed. Scammed, slammed, burned, stung, stoned, robbed, cheated, booed, sued, misconstrued, and almost drowned.
♫
And the only reason I'm sticking around is...???
♫
I just want to see what's gonna happen next!
**************
and believe it! Something WILL happen!

Word Of The Day

2009-05-31T18:59:00.003-05:00

Word of the Day

taciturn \TAS-uh-turn\, adjective:
Habitually silent; not inclined to talk.
Habitually silent.

That I am not!

I'm practicing to listen more and speak less. It's really surprising what you can learn just by the art of being a good listener.

Proverbs 18:16
"The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out." NIV

How can I acquire knowledge if I'm the one doing the talking?

My desire is to gain more knowledge through silence and use my ears to seek it out.

Have a good day!

Speak Up...

2009-05-28T07:11:00.003-05:00

So.

Does this mean that blogging is scriptural? In this day of modern technology, e.g. computer use, more people can be reached than the traditional way of word-of-mouth.

I'm inclined to believe that we are to use whatever method that is current to speak for those who can't.

In essence, I suppose I'm entreating you bloggers to keep on keeping on!

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. -- Proverbs 31:8

"God's people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the lives of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves."

www.votd.com

Tranquility

2009-05-25T03:57:00.012-05:00

Last week, on Monday morning, at this same time, we were throwing our stuff into a duffle bag and gathering all of the necessities needed for a 3 day trip. We were headed to East Texas to visit good friends that we don't see very often. We visit on the telephone and we e-mail each other but it's just not the same as a face-to-face visit!

So, the time comes for departure. We load Butch the Beagle in his kennel and off we go for a 5 1/2 hour drive to Hughes Springs, Cass County, Texas.

I love arriving at the "entrance" to their farm. You definitely have to know where you're going to get there! The little narrow road that goes up to their gate is shaded from both sides. I call this road Tranquility Lane. You have the feeling of safety, love, and relaxation as you enter.
There is so much beautiful scenery in and around the the home of G and D. This is just one picture taken just a short drive from their house.

Glenda is one of the most loving and sincere people I've ever known. Her heart is as big as a #3 washtub! Of course, I don't want to leave DeWayne out. But would you believe that in the 3 days we were there, I didn't get one picture of him?? I'm most certain that I'll "hear about it"!

Glenda and DeWayne raise Airedale Terriers. This is Daisy Duke, one of the pets.

And what would horse whisperers do without a wall of tack? They're really not known as horse whisperers but I believe Glenda could be!

The House of Tranquility. This picture makes the house look small. But it spreads out from the back; a humongous thing! (everything except the kitchen...right Whites?)

And, here is just outside the front door...a beautiful, relaxing sight.

Blood runs red, white, and blue in this household. This flag plaque over the door is just one of the patriotic symbols throughout their home.

And then there are the patches of colorful flowers here and there. Neither G or D claim to have "green thumbs" but they manage to always have some pretty blooms around. PLUS they always have a garden. I didn't get pictures of the back.

We had a wonderful, relaxing 3 days. Most of it spent with just visiting, catching up on family talk, and a lot of eating!

We did spend a few hours looking for a lost cell phone which we didn't find while we were there. But as we were travelling home, my cell phone rang. It was Glenda. "Guess what? I FOUND MY CELL PHONE!!"

And we did spend a few hours trying to save a 3 day old puppy to no avail. Poor baby!!

And, I can't believe I've uploaded all these pictures and didn't upload the pictures of the roping practice that we went to on Monday night.

Oh, well....another story in the making!

And I have NEVER learned how to post pictures without leaving a lot of empty space at the bottom of the post! I need help!

Excuses

2009-05-18T04:35:00.005-05:00

I'm so bad.

Making excuses.

Maybe I should say "I'm so GOOD". I can really come up with some winning excuses.

Real hum-dingers! That, to me, sound really rational and acceptable.

Well, maybe NOT!

Through a little friend, I found this greatday.com website with the current entry about transforming excuses.

Sure made me stop and think about the 'excuses' in my life.

*****************
Transform Excuses

When you find yourself making an excuse, take a good, careful look at that excuse. What if you could transform it into a powerful reason for stepping forward?

Whatever serves as an excuse for not taking action can instead serve as a compelling reason to go ahead and act. It all depends on how you choose to see it.

Stop and listen to the excuses you make. You'll realize that they're only excuses because you cast them as such.

The events and circumstances in your life are what they are. What makes them meaningful to you is the way you choose to see them and respond to them.

There are plenty of perfectly reasonable excuses for not moving forward, if you decide to view them as such. Yet it is just as realistic to see those same factors as reasons to take action without delay.

Whatever may be stopping you could be pushing you forward. Are you ready now to achieve?

-- Ralph Marston

Have a great week and peace to your household.

Caught Napping

2009-05-12T15:20:00.001-05:00

Just for fun!

FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK
☺
NUMBER 5: "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen."
☺
NUMBER 4: "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time-management course you sent me to."
☺
NUMBER 3: "Whew! Guess I left the top off the White-out. You probably got here just in time!"
☺
NUMBER 2: "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"
☺
NUMBER 1: (Raising your head slowly) "...in Jesus' name, Amen"

Restoration

2009-05-11T09:22:00.004-05:00

I confess.

I have an addiction.

A Blogging Addiction.

I have particularly been drawn to conservative, political blogs; one of which is the focus for this post..."A Little Restoration".

David's subject in his current post is "The Pull of Tyranny". Having been particulary stressed about the condition of our nation and the direction it has taken, I made a comment to his post. His reply is really the point of this post; one of positiveness and hope for our country.

My comment, in part:

So, Mr. Restoration...what's *your* solution?? Being an idealist as opposed to a realist, my solution will never happen; at least not until the end of time. I have agonized and stressed until my spirit has been badly bent. I won't say "broken" because I guess I still have a thread of hope.
May 9, 2009 6:21 .

David's reply:
Turning things around will be very difficult. The same people who are corrupting our government are the same people who have been corrupting families. It is in the family where such changes would start.

We have to start with ourselves and our families. Then we share with friends. Then we encourage them to share with friends, etc. It will be slow, because people have to heal themselves before they can heal the government.

Those of us who feel strongly must stop hiding. We need to start running for local offices and changing the discussion from the ground up. Just as I am sure that it will get worse, I am sure that people will wake up the worse it gets and join those of us who are fighting.

Then and only then will we turn it around. I am sure we will be victorious...and before the end of time. ;)
May 9, 2009 9:30 PM

His reply is the epitome of the theme for my own blog...For the Love of Home.
Just wanted to say thanks to A Little Restoration for the encouragement.

Peace to your household.

Expectations of Motherhood.

2009-05-09T04:32:00.005-05:00

Every Mother Wants to Do Everything Right

Every new mother at one time or another
has looked at her role far ahead.
She claims she’ll be “perfect” and do everything just right
while she’s faced with a challenge instead.

.
But what she doesn’t know, she could learn in a day
from a mother who has put in her years.
For those ladies will say that motherhood is hard
but it’s worth all the work and the tears.

.
Sometimes good mothers raise sisters or brothers
who fight no matter what she does.
And she tries all the discipline in the books from the experts
then tells them to mind “just because!”

.
Good mothers start out watching the likes of Martha Stewart
thinking each meal has to leave them impressed.
Then one day she realizes they like Hamburger Helper
and she deserves a few moments of rest.

.
Good mothers start out thinking they’ve got to do it all
till each sign-up sheet has her name at the top.
Until she realizes only God can be everyone at once
so she takes His advice and she stops.

.
When she’s first starting out…she says without a doubt
that her house will be as clean as can be.
Till she mellows with time and learns it’s no crime
to ignore all the dirt you can’t see.

Every mother sighs with relief after her first child
for now she’s confident the knowledge is there.
Then God gives a second child who is totally different
so she’s back on her knees in prayer.

.
What all mothers come to realize after decades have passed
is that her children look back and reflect,
On a mother who kept going…knowing she wasn’t perfect
because it’s love children need and expect.

©Sheila Gosney

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2:3-5 NIV

Mother's Day Tribute

2009-05-08T11:13:00.004-05:00

For all you moms out there in recognition of what you do for your children....and DADs also, if it applies. Thanks for reading...

brought to you by www.mikeysfunnies.com

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
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When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

Have a peaceful weekend!

First Thing Next Week

2009-04-27T15:37:00.002-05:00

Marriage is a trip; a long bumpy trip. Though the longer a couple can endure the "bumpiness", the smoother the ride becomes.

Once the empty nest syndrome subsides, a couple finds that they have only each other to rely.

As years begin to pile up, one becomes the eyes for the other; one becomes the ears for the other. They become each other's memory. Oh, the joys of failing hearing, eyesight, and memory!

Priorities change. A most favored expression is "I'll get that done first thing next week"....which brings me to the reason for this post.

Several weeks ago, the ring of our commode seat cracked. The comment I heard (and expected) was......yes....here it came; "I'll get a new one first thing next week."

I smiled.

One week, two weeks.

The crack widened just enough that it would "grab" a little flesh when sat upon.

I quit smiling.

Upon mentioning this discomfort to my life partner....you guessed it....."I'll fix it first thing next week."

Last week, after being busy most of the day with the obligations that a funeral brings, I went home and, of course, made a hurried visit to the bathroom.

The crack was fixed!! No, not by the replacement of a new cover/ring, but by a strip of DUCT TAPE placed over the crack. The pinching problem is fixed until "the first thing next week".

I love that man!! There is never a dull, boring moment at our house.

After revealing this story to a good friend, dear hubby saw the humor that others found in the incident. Until the story begins to wear thin and loses some of its luster, that man I love will revel in the laughter it brings to others.

So....friends....STOP LAUGHING!!

After I posted this I received the following in an e-mail. This is priceless!! Just had to add it...

Just read your latest blog about the toilet seat and had to laugh - it reminded me of the joke about the old hillbilly and his wife and their outdoor privy. Seems it had a crack in the seat similar to the one you mentioned. After complaining about it to her husband many times she finally called him out to the privy to "check out the potty problem" and had him stick his head down the hole in the seat. When he started to pull his head back out, his beard got caught in the cracked seat. She then replyed "hurts don't it"? He fixed it the next day.

Birthdays, Again!

2009-04-23T17:19:00.004-05:00

Computer crashes surely cramp blogging. Today, April 23, is the birth date of our Melissa. This is not a very complimentary birthday post but I wanted her to know that we haven't completely forgotten her birthday. I have posted her picture with her hubby, Jeff, because his birthday is on May 6. This is what is called "killing two birds with one stone".

Wishing these "two birds" very happy birthdays and many more to come. We love you.