Whatcha do today?

I had to share this

2009-02-28T10:29:00.001-05:00

I have been making monthly dinner menus and they have been working out great!! I highly recommend them for anyone, it takes the stress out of that question, "What's for Dinner??" And on every Friday, we make pizza's, and for the past few weeks it has been just me and my son Coty making them. Well, last night, it became a family affair, and it was so awesome!!

So what I have decided to do is, once a week, each person can decide what meal we have (within reason) and whatever meal they want to make, they will help me make. Now, how cool is that?? I thought about it last night and I thought it was a great idea!!

I will post and let you know how it works out, but I think it is a great way to get your kids in the kitchen!!

Blessings to you!!!
Ronnie

Look what I woke up to this morning!!!

2009-01-15T07:53:00.002-05:00

I LOVE SNOW!!!!! I know this is nothing, but atleast I know we are capable of getting snow, because this is our first measurable snow of the season!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

Here's some pics of a parade we went to yesterday!!

2008-12-08T09:26:00.004-05:00

Lookie what I found!!

2008-12-03T13:56:00.004-05:00

I was going through my pictures because I belong to Facebook and I have found alot of gals I went to school with and I wanted to upload some of my high school pictures and I found a few that I wanted to share!!

This is one of a bunch of us just playing around, I am the one in the middle!!

This is one of my close friend, Lisa. She died 5 years ago from breast cancer, and it really breaks my heart, even today!!

Here's a couple of more of my friends...and if you haven't noticed, I went to a Catholic School, and we had to wear uniforms!!

I love finding all these pictures and remember these great days!!

And I found this one, and I thought I would share it with ya!! It is of me and hubby on a ferry at the Outer Banks!! Isn't he the most handsome man you have ever seen!!

and this is the last one that I am going to share....DRUMROLL, PLEASE!!!...

This is my man, when we first started going out...I LOVE THIS PIC OF HIM!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Ronnie!!

My Christmas tree!!

2008-12-02T09:30:00.005-05:00

My tree is up and my decorations are on it, and all the empty boxes and crates are up in the attic. We used to have a HUGE TREE and I mean a HUGE TREE, but last year was it's last year, and I don't know if I could even get rid of it, because it was so big. The tree stood about 7 1/2 to 8 feet tall, and was about 5' round!! and my living room was all tree when that thing got put up. We had to curl around the tree to watch TV, no matter where we sat in the living room..urgh!!!

But hubby and I were shopping last year after Christmas and we picked our tree up for $15.00, and it was already prelit!! So I snatched up on it and I have embraced this tree to be our new family Christmas tree. And I have to tell ya, it has saved me so much time!! My old tree would take about a day to just put up, and I am not kidding you!! My new tree took about 10 minutes!! My old tree took about 1/2 a long day to decorate it. My new tree, from box to being completely decorated, took about 4-5 hours!! And the reason I knew it took 4-5 hours is because whenever I put up and decorate my tree, I watch my favorite Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", and I have the b&w and color version and I watched both of them from beginning to end and my tree was done!! Yeah, I know that may sound like a bit much to some of you, but I realllllllly love that movie!!!

Ok, now, I want to show you what our old tree looked like....

compared to our new Christmas tree!!! I just love this one so much more!!!

Do you see the difference?? The old tree is HUGE!!! And it took up too much room in the living room!! Well, that's my two cents for today!!! Have a great and blessed day!!!

What did you do with your leftovers??

2008-12-01T11:47:00.002-05:00

We bought a 20# turkey, and on Thanksgiving, we all but picked the bones..hehe. And my boys and hubby loved it!! Then we made a plate for hubby's friend, because he was alone on Thanksgiving, and we gave him some extra turkey so that he can have plenty of leftovers. We asked him to come join us, but he didn't, so we dropped off him a plate.

But we still have leftovers, and we had to finish them off yesterday or pitch them, and I wasn't into pitching them out, so I made soup!! And once hubby and I cut everything up to go in the soup, I realized it wasn't as much as I thought it was going to be. So I did what any frugal mama would do, I made rice!! Yeah, you heard me right, I made rice, and lots of it!! See this is what I did, I make about 4 cups of rice and what I did was, put the rice in the bottom of the bowl, and them pour some of the soup over top of it!! And the soup lasted much longer then what I thought it was going to, and everyone was pleasantly stuffed!! Plus, hubby took the rest of leftover soup and rice today for lunch!!

And that is my tip for the day, when you are making soup and you don't think you have enough, or you want to make it stretch, make some rice!!! Your family will love it!!! Now you can also use noodles, but rice is much cheaper and I bought 50#'s of it, and it is in abundance in my home...LOL

I have been keeping in tabs on Cindy's Porch, and if you have never been there, please go check her site out!!! She is great!!! And has bunches of great ideas that will help with your holiday shopping, gift giving and cooking/baking!!

Well, I am going to go on "PITCH-OUT-PATROL", and no one will be happy with that one...LOL

Blessings to you!!!

I have the best recipe....

2008-10-02T14:36:00.006-04:00

....that you can use apples with!! I made this recipe so many times and every time it is gone before you know it!!! So if you need to make something that is great for breakfast, dessert, or actually anytime, this one it is!!

Apple Cinnamon Cake

1 1/2 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 c sugar
1/4 c butter melted
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
2-3 apples (cut, peeled, and cored)

TOPPING:
4tbsp butter melted
4 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Sift dry ingredients together, then add rest of ingredients (except apples).
Beat together at medium speed for 2 minutes.
Pour batter into greased 8" square baking pan.
Put sliced apples on top of batter (as shown in pic)

In this picture, I used two different apples, that's why the apple slices are different colors

Bake at 350* for 25 minutes or until completely baked

Topping:
Melt butter and add sugar and cinnamon. Spoon or pour on freshly baked cake.

And Finally....ENJOY!!!

I'm back, Again!!!

2008-09-30T09:40:00.005-04:00

I have neglected my blog for over a month, and I have to apologize for that. So this post may be a bit long, so be prepared..hehe...Since I last posted, this is what has been going on in my life...

I lost both of my guinea pigs. It was a very sad time, but we have had them for about 6-7 years and that is about how long they last. They were really good pets and I would highly recommend them for anyone who is looking for a great pet, but understand, once they are gone, you may not want to "replace" them, because that's what my boys said when their guinea pigs died.

I have been the "Football Mom" for my boys!! They have had practice everyday and their games are once a week, and we are going to their games. They are both doing well, and I am very proud of both of them. As a matter of fact, my Coty told me last night that he is going to be sad when football is over!! And you his mama will too!!!

I am getting ready for the holiday season, and it's not what you probably are thinking. I make and sell my soy candles, and that's what I have been working on, getting my stock up. I really love going to shows and doing shows, but the preparation is what is hard for me. But if I do as much as I can now, it won't be so hard later in the season.

Just this past weekend our family went to see the movie, Fireproof!! And I would recommend it for anyone, and everyone!! I loved that movie and I can't wait for it to come out on DVD so that I can get it and watch it whenever I want. I was looking for the soundtrack for the movie, but I haven't seen it, so if you come across it, please let me know so that I can get it. And this weekend, I bought The Love Dare for my husband and I, and we are taking 40 days to go through this program for us!! And I would recommend it for any couple!!

Ok, and the last thing I am going to post about is a recipe that made up last week. I have 50# of potatoes and 5 cases of beans, so I tried to make a potato soup that I could put in the crock pot, and I have to tell ya, it is really good. Here's the recipe...

1 40oz Butter beans (drained and pureed)
1 1/4 c water
1 c milk
1 regular size can of Cream of Chicken
2 tbsp minced onion(I used dry)
10 med potatoes cut in big chunks, and leave the skin on
1 stick of butter
3 tbsp dry parsley
1 tsp old bay (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together in your crock pot, cook on low for about 6 hours, stir every now and then, and dinner is served.

Here's a pic, in my crock pot, the picture may not look that great (because my camera is broken..*sigh*.....long story), but it is really good!!!

Blessings to you,
Ronnie!!

I LOVE FOOTBALL!!!

2008-08-22T07:54:00.002-04:00

My boys had their first scrimmage yesterday, and since they weren't on the same field, I could only go to one...so I went to Coty's first and then next week I will be going to Bubba's!! But here are a few pics of the football scrimmage game that I watched yesterday!!! Next week, I will have another awesome batch of pictures, so make sure that you come back and see them!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

Welcome Olivia!!

2008-08-21T09:52:00.003-04:00

Since we lost, Noon, our gerbil, hubby felt sorry for Midnight being left all alone, so we went and got another one. And here is a picture of Olivia!!!

She is such a cutie, and her and Midnight are getting along very well. I didn't think I would like gerbils, but I couldn't see those little babies being given away to just anyone, that's why I took them. But I really love them, they are the cutest little critters!! And they are not expensive to keep, when I change their bedding, I just get rid of the old and just put toilet paper in for new bedding, and they shred it up. And they are great recyclers, when you are done with a roll of paper towels, and if you put the cardboard roll in their cage, it will be chewed up in minutes!! And they love it!!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins Recipe

2008-08-15T05:39:00.004-04:00

Ok, this is an awesome recipe for Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, and I can tell you it has taken me 2 days to get a pic of the muffins!! The first day, Wednesday, I made 44 muffins, and I need to stress this FOURTY FOUR muffins, and by the next day, Thursday, I had only 10!! So I made these last night, and immediately took a pic, because I knew that they wouldn't last tooo long!!! ok, so here's the pic... Oh, and just to let you know...since I took this pic, which was about 9 last night, half of the muffins are gone!! The recipe is below the pic!!

And here is the recipe

1/4 c oil
1 medium egg
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 c of flour
1/2 c old fashioned oats (rolled oats)
3/4 c blueberries

Mix oil, egg,milk, and sugar together until well blended. Mix in flour and oats, until well blended. Fold in blueberries gently. Pour in muffin tins, and bake for about 20 minutes at 400*, but before you put them in the oven, sprinkle a bit of white sugar over the top of each muffin, it is awesome!!
And when they come out of the oven, I would recommend that you let them cool before you eat them, but in my home, that didn't happen!!

Blessing,
Ronnie

Football Practice Started

2008-08-12T10:03:00.003-04:00

I am so excited!! Football practice started yesterday and my boys are regretting not exercising this past summer...hehe. Their legs and arms are aching!! And their first game is next week..YEAH, but it is actually a scrimmage, but still Yeah!!! Here are some pics that I took yesterday, I had to take them through the fence, because only players are allowed on the practice field..

LOVE FOOTBALL SEASON!!!...YEAH!!!!!!!!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

What a weekend!!

2008-08-11T07:34:00.004-04:00

This was a weekend of ups and downs....

Saturday we went to the Red Lion Street Fair and we had a ball!! My husband was supposed to be working, but he surprised me and left work early and came to walk around the fair with me!! I was so happy he did that!! But I think it had something to do with me calling him and telling him that there was pit beef there...LOL Here's a pic of the Fair, and as you can tell, we had beautiful weather for the fair...

And Sunday, was a sad day for us. We had been given two gerbils about a week and a half ago, because the people who had them could no longer take care of them. So we took them and one of them looked really sick and I didn't think the she was going to make it, and she didn't. She died yesterday, and the boys were upset. Coty took it really bad, and Elijah volunteered to bury her. So each of them grieved in their own way. Here's a picture of the two gerbils that we got, the grey and white one is Noon, the one in front (and she is the one who died), and the dark one is Midnight. The boys picked out the names, and I thought they were cute!!

Well, that was our weekend!! How was yours?

Blessings,
Ronnie

We are stitch-free!!

2008-08-08T19:43:00.002-04:00

We had a day of running today, and one of the errands was getting Coty's stitches out!! And I cannot tell you how happy I am that they are finally out...now don't get me wrong, I didn't mind taking care of Coty's stitches, I was just sick with worry that something bad would happen and they would get infected...and OH, that made me sick!! I can say this now, because it is over with...hehe

But we had alot of errands to run today and one of them was picking up my camera my dear, and loving hubby got for me, and as soon as I get the idea on how to work it I am going to post some pics!! I had so much to do today, my running started about 8 this morning and ended about 4:30 this afternoon. I could swear my butt print is embedded in the front seat of my car!! And I tried to do too much today, and I realized it now. I went grocery shopping about 9 or so this morning, and I came home and started to put the groceries away but had to leave, and I didn't finish putting my groceries away until about 5 this afternoon...*sigh*

So I am going to get off her and relax!! And spend time with my dear hubby!!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

One more day!!

2008-08-07T09:57:00.003-04:00

One more day and Coty's stitches are out!!! I won't be surprised if he asks for a party!!...hehe...He cannot wait, he asked me, "Can we go there and wait until they open?? I want to be the first one there"...hehe...now tell me, does that sound like a little boy who can't wait to get those stitches out??..hehe

Well, it starts tonight. Now you may ask what?? Well, let me tell ya....RAVEN'S FOOTBALL STARTS TONIGHT!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!... I cannot wait!! In case you don't know I love football!!! To be more specific, I love RAVEN'S Football!!!. So that's where I will be tonight with my boys!!

Here's an awesome video that I thought you may enjoy!!!

I'm Back!!

2008-08-05T11:50:00.002-04:00

They (the powers that be at blogger.com) found that my blog was "a potential spam blog". Now, as you read this, look around and see what you see on my blog, I don't see it as a spam blog, but I guess their electronic spam detector thought so, and blocked my blog. I didn't know that they had released it until I just went on today, I would have thought an apology was due, but I guess I am wrong. Ok, I am done...I got that off my chest...now let's move on...

As for Coty's foot...it is looking really good. I spent a long time this weekend cleaning it out, and trying to get the dried blood and build up of antibiotic off of it, and it looked really good. He is walking on it, and he doesn't need the crutches anymore. He said it feels like a bee sting, but the swelling is gone. I am taking him to the doctor's Friday to take out the stitches!! I have a note on the frig that he is getting his stitches out on Friday and underneath it he wrote "YAY!!", so he is ready!!

Bub and Coty start football practice next week, so I pray that Coty's foot is healed enough by then. But I think that since he is getting his stitches out on Friday and he plans to do alot of walking around this weekend, I am praying that he will be fine for Monday!!

Ok, that's all for me, for today!! Hope everyone has a blessed day!!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

We have a new boo-boo

2008-07-31T14:52:00.003-04:00

Well, my little Coty got a splinter in his foot, but good. This happened Tuesday, so he is healing pretty well, but when he gets up and moves around, he hobbles. He was running and when he hit the porch, he slid his foot across and got a splinter in it. When he first did it, I didn't see anything, but I still took him to the doctor, because I was afraid of all that stuff that is in that deck wood. But the doctor said that he did have a chunk of wood in his foot, and it was so bad that he had to cut his foot open and get the wood out. And because he had to do that, Coty got 5 stitches :(

But like I said, he is healing well, so I will be tending to him the next few days. But I do have a pic of what his foot looks like after he got stitched up.

Eternal Ink

2008-07-28T19:38:00.002-04:00

I just read this and I really touched me, so I am posting it on my blog so that you can enjoy it also...

ETERNAL INK

I dreamed I was in heaven
Where an angel kept God's book.
He was writing so intently
I just had to take a look.

It was not, at first, his writing
That made me stop and think
But the fluid in the bottle
That was marked eternal ink.

This ink was most amazing,
Dark black upon his blotter
But as it touched the parchment
It became as clear as water.

The angel kept on writing,
But as quickly as a wink
The words were disappearing
With that strange eternal ink.

The angel took no notice,
But kept writing on and on.
He turned each page and filled it
Till all its space was gone.

I thought he wrote to no avail,
His efforts were so vain
For he wrote a thousand pages
That he'd never read again.

And as I watched and wondered that
This awesome sight was mine,
I actually saw a word stay black
As it dried upon the line.

The angel wrote and I thought I saw
A look of satisfaction.
At last he had some print to show
For all his earnest action.
A line or two dried dark and stayed
As black as black can be,
But strangely the next paragraph
Became invisible to see.

The book was getting fuller,
The angel's records true,
But most of it was blank, with
Just a few words coming through.

I knew there was some reason,
But as hard as I could think,
I couldn't grasp the significance
Of that eternal ink.

The mystery burned within me,
And I finally dared to ask
The angel to explain to me
Of his amazing task.

And what I heard was frightful
As the angel turned his head.
He looked directly at me,
And this is what he said...

I know you stand and wonder
At what my writing's worth
But God has told me to record
The lives of those on earth.

The book that I am filling
Is an accurate account
Of every word and action
And to what they do amount.

And since you have been watching
I must tell you what is true;
The details of my journal
Are the strict accounts of YOU.

The Lord asked me to watch you
As each day you worked and played.
I saw you as you went to church,
I saw you as you prayed.

But I was told to document
Your life through all the week.
I wrote when you were proud and bold,
I wrote when you were meek.

I recorded all your attitudes
Whether they were good or bad.
I was sorry that I had to write
The things that make God sad.

So now I'll tell the wonder
Of this eternal ink,
For the reason for its mystery
Should make you stop and think.

This ink that God created
To help me keep my journal
Will only keep a record of
Things that are eternal.

So much of life is wasted
On things that matter not
So instead of my erasing,
Smudging ink and ugly blot.

I just keep writing faithfully and
Let the ink do all the rest
For it is able to decide
What's useless and what's best.

And God ordained that as I write
Of all you do and say
Your deeds that count for nothing
Will just disappear away.

When books are opened someday,
As sure as heaven is true;
The Lord's eternal ink will tell
What mattered most to you.

If you just lived to please yourself
The pages will be bare,
And God will issue no reward
For you when you get there.

In fact, you'll be embarrassed,
You will hang your head in shame
Because you did not give yourself
In love to Jesus' Name.

Yet maybe there will be a few
Recorded lines that stayed
That showed the times you truly cared,
Sincerely loved and prayed.

But you will always wonder
As you enter heaven's door
How much more glad you would have been
If only you'd done more.

For I record as God sees,
I don't stop to even think
Because the truth is written
With God's eternal ink.

When I heard the angel's story
I fell down and wept and cried
For as yet I still was dreaming
I hadn't really died.

And I said: O angel tell the Lord
That soon as I awake
I'll live my life for Jesus-
I'll do all for His dear sake.

I'll give in full surrender;
I'll do all He wants me to;
I'll turn my back on self and sin
And whatever isn't true.

And though the way seems long and rough
I promise to endure.
I'm determined to pursue the things
That are holy, clean and pure.

With Jesus as my helper,
I will win lost souls to Thee,
For I know that they will live with Christ
For all eternity.

And that's what really matters
When my life on earth is gone
That I will stand before the Lord
And hear Him say, well done.

THE END

It's been a crazy few days!!

2008-07-28T13:24:00.002-04:00

It has been a crazy few days around here...sometimes I have to stop and ask myself if I live in the "Jerry Springer" world!! I can't go into what is going on, but if you could please keep me in your prayers I would greatly appreciate it.

I just thought I would post a few things that are going on....Well, August is almost here, and that means that FOOTBALL SEASON IS COMING!!! I love FOOTBALL and I love this time of year!!! The boys will start practicing August 11, and I will be loving it!!! I love to watch them practice and play in their games. Both my boys do great and really enjoy football, but sometimes their mom embarrasses them with her yelling on the sidelines...hehe...They have told me many times they have heard me while they are in the huddle...LOL

So, while other kids hate to see August come, because they have to go back to school, I LOVE IT!!! I am so blessed that I am able to stay home and be at my boys' practices and games, and I thank God for that!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

Marco Polo

2008-07-23T08:22:00.003-04:00

Do you remember this game we used to play when we were kids?? It was like playing hide and go seek in the pool. I used to love it!!

Well, yesterday, Allen and the two younger boys were playing it in the pool, and they were having a blast with it. Well, it was Allen's turn to be "Marco", and the boys had to stay away from him. So the game went on for awhile, and they did a great job staying away from him. As a matter of fact, Allen had been playing for about 10 minutes and didn't tag either one of them. And ya know why?? They got out of the pool!!! Bubba came in and told me what was going on, how they left daddy in the pool, and he was cracking up!! I am glad I wasn't out there, because I am not very good at keeping a joke, I start laughing and that would be the end of it!! Then Allen comes in, and says, "Think that was funny, huh?"...and I just cracked up!! He was a good sport and he told me toward the end he said, "You guys are really good, did you get out of the pool??" Oh, the boys thought that was the best!!! Oh, and to top it off, we don't have a large pool, our pool is an 18' above ground pool...LOL

Oh, it was a riot and I loved it!!! These are the memories that they boys will remember with their dad!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

I GOT AN AWARD!!!!!

2008-07-17T11:42:00.004-04:00

I have been blessed with this award from Terri

These are the rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator (http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)
2. You must post these rules if you recieve the award.
3. You must chose 5 people to recieve the award after recieving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

Kim - Kim is an awesome lady!! If you have a problem, you can talk to her about it and she will help you through it. She is a wonderful mother, wife and friend and I am blessed to be considered one of her friends.

Jayedee - In a phrase...Jayedee holds an unlimited supply of information!! If you need to know anything about anything, ask Jayedee!! I honestly believe that Jayedee could be left in the wilderness with her husband and family, and nothing but what she knows in her head, and she would survive!!

Daphne - Daphne is a very giving woman. Her son just recently married and it was a joy to hear about the couple from when he asked her to marry him, up until the wedding. She is such a dear, sweet lady..who loves to hear about others joys!!

Hope - Hope is such a sweetie, and once you get her started on her little ones, there is no stopping her, And who could blame her, they are so adorable!! And I have to take my hats off to her, because she homeschools them all!! Homeschooling is very hard and it takes a very dedicated mama to do it!!

Tanja - Tanja was suggested to me by Terri and I took a look at her blog and I really liked her!! This is Terri's awesome opinion of Tanja..."She is passionate about her family.. and others.. she has a true love for Christ and isn't ashamed to admit it." Can't get better than that in my eyes!!

So this is my five that I chose, and I would like to thank Terri for giving me this honor!!!

Happy Birthday, Allen!!

2008-07-15T10:07:00.003-04:00

Today is my husband's birthday, and he is 44 years old!!

This morning I was thinking, how blessed am I that I have been able to share 21 years of my husband's birthdays! I think that is such a blessing, that we are able to share our husband's lives, and know that we are the only ones that experience life with them. We have three beautiful children together, and a whole lot of memories, and I treasure it all!!

And since my hubby loves Jeremy Camp, this video is for him!!

I love ya, Allen!!!

Ravens

2008-07-11T09:53:00.003-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the Baltimore Ravens!! And I just found out that they have two live raven mascots of their own. So I decided to research Ravens, and let me tell you they are very intelligent birds, and they are very funny!! I was searching Youtube to post a video on how intelligent they are, and I found this one!!! I thought it was great!!!! Have an awesome weekend!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-07-09T07:41:00.004-04:00

I have been so busy cleaning up and decluttering!!! My target today is to finish my youngest son's room. I have been going through Living on a Dime and Hillbilly Housewife websites, and I have been very excited to declutter and I have been trying different recipes. And I have to tell ya, the recipes are not bad at all!! I made the Cream Cheese Fudge and Pocket Sandwiches, and they both were a hit!!

I would highly recommend both sites!! Whether you are trying to save money or just need some help getting organized, both sites would be great for ya!! I love decluttering!! I am getting rid of alot of their clothes, because I have realized that they have so many clothes, their bedroom is always cluttered. Since my boys do their own laundry, I have realized that if I take a bulk of their clothes away, they will have to do their laundry at least once a week, because they don't have a choice!! So in turn, their room becomes less cluttered, and they become more responsible for doing their laundry.

And because I am doing all of this decluttering and working on saving as much money as I can with the family budget, my mind has been clearer. I have been in such a depressed state, as a matter of fact, I can honestly say, Satan was having a ball with me!! I went to Church on Sunday and I sat in the back row and talked to the Lord, and shed a few tears. And I left with a lighter load, I truly felt alot better. And when I put my eyes back on Him, the depression and sorrow that I had been feeling were gone. So, doing what I am doing is really working for me!!

Oh, and by the way...it has been 4 weeks without smoking....Praise Jesus!!!

Have a blessed day!!!
Ronnie

Some more pics!!!

2008-07-02T13:57:00.006-04:00

I am just going to post a few more pics from Creation, that Coty took. There are alot, but I will pick the best of the last today!!! Enjoy!!

Creation 08

2008-07-01T08:46:00.008-04:00

Well, I got to chatting with Coty and he told me about his time at Creation. The first thing he said is that it rained every day they were there...hehe...I got a chuckle out of that. Oh, and the pics that he took were great!! He got alot of pics of his way up there, and he took a picture of the sun setting, from the first night being there, and I think that is the best picture!!! I am going to upload of few, but please look at the last one he took, that is my favorite one!!!

Well, enjoy the pics, I know I did!!!

He is coming home today!!!

2008-06-29T07:30:00.003-04:00

Oh, I can't wait for him to get here!!! And I know that I will have to restrain myself from grabbing him and hugging him as tightly as possible!!! He texted me yesterday and told me that him and a group of kids went for a 5 mile hike up a mountain with and (and I will use his words) "an awesome old man"...hehe He was a bit upset that he missed the group he wanted to see, 1000 foot crutch, but he was very excited that Jeremy Camp was playing and he would see him. And I was on weather.com and I watched the rain in the area where he was, and I kept praying, "Lord, please don't let it rain on them"...and you should have seen the rain. It was like the parting of the Red Sea, or the rain would go right around them!! It was AWESOME!!! and I was praising God!!!

Well, when he gets home and I get all the details, I will surely pass them along!!!

Blessings to you,
Ronnie!!

Thursday's update

2008-06-26T10:34:00.003-04:00

Well, Coty called last night and he is having a blast!! He told me that he has taken alot of pictures, and he may have to go through them and delete some of the ones that aren't so great, so that he can have more room. I am praising God for protecting him and being with him, He is so faithful!!! I will update again, but for now I know that he is having a great time!!!

As for me, I am having a yard sale, but right now it is on pause. There are some rain showers coming through the area, and I have everything covered up. But while I am not outside, I am cleaning up in the house, which is good for me. I haven't done too well this morning, but the showers should be gone in about a half an hour or so, and I will be back outside.

Well, I have to run right now, I will give you an update when I can...

Blessings,
Ronnie

He's there!!!

2008-06-25T13:15:00.004-04:00

Coty arrived at Creation about an hour early, Praise Jesus!!! We were texting back and forth the whole way up there, and he was telling me how beautiful the trees and mountains were. And he also told me that he took alot of pictures, so I will have bunches to show when he gets home.

I just wanted to give you a quick update!!! I am so happy that he arrived safely!!! Thanks for your prayers!!

Blessings,
Ronnie

Asking for prayers

2008-06-24T22:19:00.002-04:00

I am asking for prayers for my son Coty, he is going to Creation, and if you could pray for his safety, I would greatly appreciate it!!! He is so excited to go, and I am excited for him to go. I told him to save his cell phone for only texting, so that he can save his battery...hehe

He is leaving Wednesday morning and will be back Sunday afternoon, and he is going with the youth group at Church. I pray the Lord will be with him, and touch his heart and brings him closer to the Lord!!

Thanks for reading and I will be updating about Coty's experience, as soon as he tells me!!!

Blessings to you!!

I am from...

2008-06-23T13:36:00.005-04:00

I saw this on Life in the Lost World and I really loved it and I have to write my own " i am from..."

So here it is...

i am from Charlie Brown cookies from The New System Bakery

i am from walks up to the Avenue on warm summer mornings

i am from running through puddles after a warm summer rain

i am from my Grandma's apron, my Pappy's cedar chest, and my aunt's heartwarming smile

i am from drawing on the front steamed window during Thanksgiving

i am from Eleanor, Joesph, John and Pearl

i am from the beginning of cable and MTV

i am from learning to tie, while Grandma watched the Beverly Hillbillies

i am from baking the Thanksgiving turkey upside down and Pappy's goat milk

i am from using radiators to warm and dry our clothes after a snowball fight

i am from catholics, methodists and native americans

i am from hampden, hampstead, glen rock and red lion

i am from green eyes and wavy hair

i am from my Pappy's boldness and my mother's determination

i am from walking through the cool creek feeling the smoothness of the rocks under my naked feet

i am from playing wiffleball in the back alley and using the neighbor's car bumper for 3rd base

i am from being a survivor, and never a victim

i am from having three beautiful boys and being blessed with not one of them being born under 8 pounds

i am from seeing God's Hand in my life, so many times

i am from respecting your elders, and thinking of others first

i am from how a death could give me life

i am from Old Bay, Etteman's, Berger Cookies, Mary Sue Easter Eggs and Spatini

i am from family from the history books, and those who are in my own private history book

i am from wearing my grandmother's wedding dress, and the only one who has worn it since her

i am from Milk-o-Mats is where we got our milk on Sunday if we happened to run out

i am from having family on just about every block I could walk to in my neighborhood

i am from stores actually being closed on Sundays, and there not be a problem with it

i am from a city that seemed like a dot on a map when I was little, and now is a well known town (but I liked it better when I was younger)

i am from strong stock and weak moments

i am from slow, lazy days and years that fly by in a blink

i am part of a family that has deep roots and but stand alone

i am....

Got some great news!!!!

2008-06-23T12:43:00.004-04:00

It has been over 12 days since my last cigarette, and I really have no urge to smoke at all!!! Hubby and I have been using Chantix, and it is great!! I have quit before, but not like this, I truly have no urge to smoke another cigarette, and it is AWESOME!! Don't get wrong, it was reallllllllly hard in the beginning, but with an enormous amount of prayer and willpower, I have not smoked for 12 days!! The biggest thing for me to do is to be constantly doing something, because if I sat still, I wanted a cigarette. Hubby and I decided to start this when we went down the ocean for our vacation, and it worked great!!! We both have stopped. The decision, besides truly wanting to quit, was it was getting down to the point where we had to decide whether to buy cigarettes or to buy gas. And at that point, I knew that we really needed to stop, and we have.

Hubby and I have noticed a difference in our life without smoking, and we both have probably put on a few pounds, but I would much rather put on a few pounds then to continue smoking. And since we have quit smoking, things don't taste or smell the same as before. So I don't know if that is a good or bad thing...hehe

Well, I had to give the great news to ya!!! And I should be back to posting regularly after today!!

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I had to share this with you today, you have probably seen this one before, but I love it!!! Have an awesome day!!!

Awesome Movie coming out!!

2008-05-01T20:00:00.004-04:00

It's called "Fireproof" and here is the trailer...It looks like such an awesome movie, and I know that my hubby and I will be seeing it...

Blessings,
Ronnie

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Whatever our hands touch -
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture
On doorknobs, dishes, books.
There's no escape.
As we touch we leave our identity.

Wherever I go today
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.

Heartprints of kindness
And genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter
Or an anxious mother
Or perhaps an aged grandfather.

Send me out today
To leave heartprints.
And if someone should say,
"I felt your touch,"
May they also sense the love
that is deep within my heart

I have some AWESOME news!!

2008-04-28T14:20:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, my husband and I went to a couples conference, and it was AWESOME!! We watched it via satellite, but it was still awesome!! The speakers were Gary Smalley, Ted Cunningham, Kim McManus, Erwin McManus, Les Parrott and Henry Cloud. And while we were there, I picked up the book, "The Language of Sex" by Ted Cunningham and Gary Smalley, and I started reading it and I couldn't put it down. I recommend this book for couples and couples to be. We were there all day, but I truly had a wonderful, enlightening day. Allen and I talked about it the whole way home, and I think this book gives you such an awesome biblical outlook on marriage and sex. So, if you are interested in getting a book that you and your husband can enjoy and read together, this is the one!!

Have a blessed day!!
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Cross In My Pocket

I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn't meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It's not for identification
For all the world to see
It's simply an understanding
Between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or key
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my master
And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I'll let Him be.

Banana Oatmeal Bread

2008-03-07T12:23:00.004-05:00

I found a recipe for Banana Oatmeal Bread, but I put my own little twist on it, and let me tell ya, it is YUMMY!!! I sprinkled some oats on top of the mini loaves..but they turned out really good!!

Here it is...

1 1/4c oatmeal ground fine (just put oatmeal in a blender and grind it, and measure out 1 1/4 c)
1/4 c Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup dry oatmeal (the old fashioned (big flakes) is the best)
1/2 c walnuts chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp canola oil (or any oil that you have)
2 large eggs
3 bananas
2 tbsp apple butter

Heat oven to 350*
Mix together dry ingredients then mix in the other ingredients. Pour batter in to pan and bake for 45-55 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!!

Bailey's Jesus

2008-03-04T07:51:00.000-05:00

I may have read today’s story before, but it is such an awesome story, that you may want to read it again!! And get your tissue ready!!

Have a Blessed Day!!

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"Bailey's Jesus!"

God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of
someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of
knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our
redemption and the love of our Savior.

Every year we attend a local church pageant which tells the
story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is
a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast
members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge
auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in
pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing
in their costumes and makeup.

Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in
my heart. It was the year we took our then three-year-old
granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized
throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if
she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to
the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His
mother's arms.

Later when Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps
from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into
Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey
began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's
Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every
fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name
and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" I thought she might actually
pass out.

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a
child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the
blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!",
afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. This
was so much fun.

Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved
and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of
Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the
crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed.
"Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we
had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just
pretending," but she shouted "They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!"

She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People
around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!".
Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a
most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross
down the steps of the auditorium from the back. They were
yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and
beaten. Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it,"
she screamed. She must have been wondering why all these
people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream.
"Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we
all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and
killed as those first century disciples had.

Now going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine
for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK.
Jesus is going to be OK.
These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at
me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and
burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"

The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone
rolled away. A super bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close
to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus!
He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!" " It's Jesus!"

I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event,
but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall
never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection
through the eyes of an innocent child.

Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to
be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the
soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt
Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away
surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from
us and ran toward Him, wrapping herself around His legs, holding
on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He
patted her to go away. She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to
Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go
of her Jesus.

Hardhearted People

2008-02-29T07:39:00.004-05:00

Hardhearted people are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
(Eph. 4:17-19)

I was going to search for the perfect scripture on Crosswalk, through their Search the Bible search, and I opened the page, and this scripture was smack dab in the middle of the page. Well, I read it and said, "Thank you God!!!" because I was searching and He handed me the perfect scripture.

As I read this scripture, it saddens me, because I am sure that there are people in your life, as well as mine, that this scripture describes perfectly!! And maybe this may have been you, I definitely know this was me at one time, but you don't see it until you have become a follower of Christ, and God gives you new eyes to see. But we don't have to despair, because God is the God of second chances. (And that is the book that I am reading right now, by Greg Laurie, it is an awesome book, and I truly recommend it to anyone.)

As Christians, we will fall, but once we fall it depends on what we do after that that matters. Do we raise our eyes to God, and take His hand? Or do we lay down in the muck and stay there, because we don't think we deserve God's Grace? Well, honestly, none of us deserve His mercy and grace, but that is why it is called grace. Someone had given me something that I could use so that I could understand what Grace was, and it truly helped me, and I am going to pass it on to you. Here it is....

Grace is...

God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense

Now how awesome is that!!??!! Grace is a gift that He gives freely, all we have to do is reach out and take it, and you know what?? There is no limit on His grace giving!!

So, if you are in the muck, and you don't feel you deserve God's grace, look up, and take His hand, because He has a gift for you!!

Have a blessed day!!

A bit of wisdom from Proverbs

2008-02-27T08:23:00.000-05:00

My family and I have started Family Hour and during that time, we will read one chapter of Proverbs. The chapter we will read will be the same as the day of the month. And after each verse is read, we discuss it and ask the boys if they understand what is being said. So last night we read Proverb 26, and this one scripture stuck with me...

Answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself ~ Proverbs 26:4 (NIV)

We go around and if we have different versions, we read from each. Well, me and hubby have the same version, and my two youngest boys have the same version, and my oldest son has the Contemporary English Version, and I love his version, and here it is...

Don't make a fool of yourself by answering a fool ~ Proverbs 26:4 (CEV)

I have always told my children that if you fight with a fool, what does that make you?? And they always answer, "A Fool"... And as I read that scripture, I never knew that what I was saying was biblical!! When you fight with a fool, you have to go to their level, and if they have been there long, they are pro's at being a fool, so you will lose their game!

Just something to think about!!!

The message for today is an awesome one, so please enjoy!!

Have a Blessed Day

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Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they
wondered what this statement meant about the character and
nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining
silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an
appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention
anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity
about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over
the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver,
one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot;
then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it
was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole
time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding
the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire
time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see
my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God
has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His
image in you.

Sharing...

2008-02-26T07:55:00.002-05:00

I was reading "The God of Second Chance" while I was treadmilling this morning and I read this one part, and I had to stop reading and just take it in...Has that ever happened to you?? It happens to me all the time, and I usually love that feeling of just letting God's Word engulf me.

And here it is...

The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out ~John 6:37

And as I was thinking about it, I understood when The Word would say, that I would never be alone...No matter how horrible I am, He will not cast me out!! And if He did, I would rightfully deserve it, but He promised He would never leave me!! How AWESOME is God!!

The message today is to show how much God loves us!! Please take a few minutes to read, and let the scripture speak to you.

Have a Blessed Day!!
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I ASKED GOD

I asked for a flower,
He gave me a garden.

I asked for a tree,
He gave me a forest.

I asked for a river,
He gave me an ocean.

I asked for a friend,
He gave me YOU!

I am starting again!!

2008-02-25T09:43:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to lose weight for the longest time, and it is a struggle. Then I found SparkPeople and it did wonders for me!!! I tried it two years ago, and I truly did lose weight, but I stopped going, but now I am starting again!! I would suggest SparkPeople to anyone who is trying to lose weight. I need it because it shows how many calories that I need to burn a week, to get to my goal weight. And I tend to not "snack" if I have to write down everything that I eat, and I tend to think about what I am "snacking" on.

So, please keep me in your prayers that I can "keep on the wagon" this time!! I will be updating this blog as I go along!!

The message I am posting today is a bit different that what I usually do, but it is still very important, so please take minute and read it.

Have a Blessed Day!!

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One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University study.

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer

Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?

WE GOT SNOW!!!

2008-02-21T07:25:00.004-05:00

I love snow!! And with winter, snow will fall!! We didn't get a whole bunch, just enough to make everything look clean. We are supposed to get more tonight into tomorrow, so I will be clicking off more pics!!! Oh, did I mention that I LOVE SNOW!!..hehe

I just wanted to jot a note about what I have been doing, remember a few posts back, I won Beth Moore's Wising Up dvd's, well I have to tell you, I really love Beth Moore's Bible Studies, and I am getting so much out of these dvd's. I would highly recommend them to anyone!! I will be listening, and something that she says will suddenly click in my head, and I will think, "yeah, she's right". So if you get a chance to get her Wising Up Bible Study, please get it, it will be well worth it!!

The message today is an awesome message!! I love this one, and I really needed it, so I am now sharing it!!

Have a Blessed Day!!

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE

When you need a parent, He is your Father
When you need a sibling, He is your brother
When you need a spouse, He is your husband
When you need a friend, He calls you friend

When you need restoration, He is your Master Builder
When your heart is broken, He is Your comforter
When you have no place to run, He is Your refuge
When you need healing, He is your Great Physician

When you are thirsty, He is your living waters
When you are in lack, He is your provision
When you are lonely, He is your companion
When everything seems dark, He is THE LIGHT

When you feel unworthy, He is Your WORTHINESS
When you are afraid, He is Your strength and courage
When you wake up and when you lies down, He is there
When you have questions, He is Your Answer

When you need grace in your time of need,
He is the open door to the throne room
When you need new clothes,
He covers you with robes of righteousness

When you need a gift, He is your greatest gift
When you are hurting, He is the healer of broken hearts
When life is in pieces, He is Your Peace
When you are lost, He is the Director of your soul

God loves you my friend and no matter what your situation,
you are never alone. He is with you always!

oh, I had to add this...

2008-02-20T11:40:00.001-05:00

I got this from Terri's Blog...and I had to slip this in!!!...hehe

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Honourable Lady Ronnie the Foamy of Chalmondley St Peasoup
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Been away for awhile

2008-02-20T11:17:00.003-05:00

I am a walking Murphy's Law!!! If anything could happen, it will happen to me!! Well, first, my mouse was going onto mouse heaven, and Saturday, it gave up the ghost!! Then, I am wobbling around the internet by stealing my son's mouse, which he was very nice about, but she still didn't appreciate it. So I had to give it back to him *groan*. Then, someone spilled something on my keyboard, and of course when I asked, no one did it!! mpffffffft!! And then my keyboard died. We had a small service for each of them, they took a beating from everyone, and they just had enough and gave up! Then on Saturday night, my throat started hurting, so I thought it was just the dry heat in the house. Well, I was dragged to the doctor's office, by my hubby yesterday...I really can't stand going to the doctors. But I was in and out within 20 minutes of my appointment, and I was happy about that!! But I have bronchitis, which didn't make me happy, because as you moms know, housework doesn't care if you are sick...*another loud groan*. But hubby has been so sweet, he is helping with the housework, and even laundry!! WOOOOHOOO!!! And I should be in bed sleeping, but that's not happeining, I can't stand to look at the full dirty laundry basket, so that's what I am doing, and I am probably going to hear about it when hubby gets home....hehe

Well, I am going to sort socks ( yeah, I know you are envying me!!!)...but I love this message today, and I hope you enjoy it too!!!

Have a blessed day!!!

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The Holy Alphabet

A-lthough things are not perfect
B-ecause of trial or pain
C-ontinue in thanksgiving
D-o not begin to blame

E-ven when the times are hard
F-ierce winds are bound to blow
G-od is forever able
H-old on to what you know

I-magine life without His love
J-oy would cease to be
K-eep thanking Him for all the things
L-ove imparts to thee

M-ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N-o weapon that is known
O-n earth can yield the power
P-raise can do alone

Q-uit looking at the future
R-edeem the time at hand
S-tart every day with worship
T-o "thank" is a command

U-ntil we see Him coming
V-ictorious in the sky
W-e'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high

Y-es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z-ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

-author unknown to me

WooooHooo!!! It's Friday!!

2008-02-15T10:55:00.008-05:00

This week has been a rough weather week. We has a storm this week that started out as snow, went to sleet, then freezing rain, so we had a batch of weather this week. Well, I was taking pictures of the trees that had ice on them. This icy limbs caused alot of problems this week, but they make great pics!! Here's a few!!

My favorite pic is the first one!! I know it doesn't show here, but that tree is HUGE and I love taking pictures of that when there is snow or ice, it is absolutely beautiful!!

Have a blessed Day!!

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The Storm

When the tide comes rolling in,
And the mighty oceans roar,
It can go on land so far
That is all, it goes no more.

When the storm clouds gather round us
And the great big raindrops fall,
Just so much will fall to earth
as it heeds the Master's call.

When the load becomes so heavy
That the body cries in pain,
Remember that this too will end
Like the ocean and the rain.

So adorn thyself with gladness,
Remember God is really there,
He takes time to feed the sparrow,
And He always answers prayer.

-Author unknown to me

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T07:47:00.003-05:00

I don't really put too much stock in Valentine's day, I just really think that it is a very high pressured day. I think that the love you show your husband or your husband shows you, should not peak on one day. I don't love my husband more today than I did yesterday, and I won't love him less tomorrow, than I do today. For me, and I would assume for most women, hubby's show their love in the things that they do each day, not what they do on one day. I don't want to sound like a wet blanket, but like I said in the beginning, I don't put much stock in Valentine's day.

I think Valentine's day more for the young...My son is going to a dance today, and he is looking forward to it. But I don't think he is looking forward to it, because it is Valentine's Day, I think just because it is a dance. But I am sure Valentine's day has something to do with it..hehe I remember when my boys were little, they would hand out Valentine's Day cards, but I came to realize that the cards were more for me than them. Because I would be the one who would write them out and make sure that they are done and ready for them to hand out in school. So I stopped doing that, and they never asked about having them to send them out.

Now, I do remember my hubby's and my first Valentine's day...I bought him a pair of Valentine's Boxers, and he still has them, of course, they are a little worn being that they are now 21 years old...LOL...but he still has them. And now, if I am out and I see something that my husband would like, I just pick it up and get it for him, I don't want a holiday to have to give it to him. Please don't think that I am bashing Valentine's Day, but I do believe that too much money is spent on things for Valentine's day. The worst thing that hubby can get me, is fresh cut flowers. I know that sounds silly, but unless I can replant it, or I can keep it forever (silk flowers), I don't want it. I have a problem throwing away fresh cut flowers that have died, and they usually get pretty nasty before I throw them away, or should I say hubby throws them away.

Whatever you are doing today, please enjoy!! I chose today's message to bring a smile to your face, so I hope you have a smile when you are finished reading, yeah, they are corny, but they are cute!!

Have a blessed day!!

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What do farmers give their wives on Valentine's Day?
A hog and kisses!

Why did the pig give his girlfriend a box of candy?
It was Valenswine's Day!

What did the Valentines card say to the stamp?
Stick with me and we'll go places!

Do skunks celebrate Valentine's Day?
Sure, they're very scent-imental!

What did the chocolate syrup say to the ice cream?
"I'm sweet on you!"

What did the paper clip say to the magnet?
"I find you very attractive."

What did the French chef give his wife for Valentine's Day?
A hug and a quiche!

What did one pickle say to the other?
"You mean a great dill to me."

What did the elephant say to his girlfriend?
"I love you a ton!"

What did the bat say to his girlfriend?
"You're fun to hang around with."

Did you hear about the nearsighted porcupine?
He fell in love with a pincushion!

What did the pencil say to the paper?
"I dot my i's on you!"

Liz: "I can't be your valentine for medical reasons."
Jon: "Really?"
Liz: "Yeah, you make me sick!"

Why do valentines have hearts on them?
Because spleens would look pretty gross!

What did one light bulb say to the other?
"I love you a whole watt!"

What does a man who loves his car do on February 14?
He gives it a valenshine!

"Do you love me more than you love sleep?"
"I can't answer now. It's time for my nap!"

What did the man with the broken leg say to his nurse?
"I've got a crutch on you!"

Did you hear about the romance in the tropical fish tank?
It was a case of guppy love.

What did Frankenstein say to his girlfriend?
"Be my valenstein!"

The Lord's Blessings overflow!!

2008-02-13T14:28:00.004-05:00

I have had such great news the past few days, and I have to share it!!

First, I am a Grandma!! My stepson has a little girl, and here is her information...

Hailey Jacqueline
Born:2/11/08
20 1/2"
8lbs 1oz

And the most beautiful little girl, I have ever seen in my life!!

Now for the second good news!!!

I entered a contest from In His Hands and I WON!!!! First, I want to thank Terri for being so AWESOME!!

Now here is what I won...

And since today is a yucky day, I am going to jump right into Wising Up!!

Have a blessed day!!

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Soul Food

I love the taste of T-bone steak,
Delicious every bite,
But there's nothing like the Word of God,
For my spiritual appetite.

The Word of God has milk and meat,
And even ice cream and cake.
Take a slice of the Bread of Life,
And coffee to keep us awake.

Open your Bible and turn to Psalms,
For David's famous buffet.
You can drink all the wine of the word you want,
And still feel fine the next day.

There's enough of the Word for everyone,
And no one has to cheat.
The Word of God is a smorgasboard,
So take all you are able to eat.

Let's have a little long suffering,
Job gives the recipe.
Patience is the main ingredient,
Self denial is the fee.

Wrap that up in temperance,
It may not make much sense,
Cover that with contentment,
Then add some joy for strength.

Let's have love for dessert,
Jesus made this dish,
Cream of joy and peace together,
Sift out all selfishness.

Add some deeds of righteousness,
Enough to make it sweet.
Humility is the frosting,
That makes the dish complete.

Or are you on a diet,
Cause the race seems hard to run.
For a weight losing menu,
Try Hebrews 12 and 1.

Are you suffering from malnutrition,
And don't know what to do?
Your spiritual growth! seems hindered,
Try I. Peter 2 and 2.

If when every time you battle,
the enemy always wins,
Try some Holy Ghost Protein,
And spiritual vitamins.

God's Word can feed millions,
And still have plenty left.
Because the Word of God is Soul Food,
Sent from the World's Greatest CHEF.
Amen.

I still miss you

2008-02-08T11:08:00.000-05:00

On, February 9, 1973 God called Mary Eleanor Greenwell home, and I still miss her today, 35 years later. I can remember her holding my little hand in hers as we walked to the bakery. I can remember her showing me how to tie my shoes, by putting a shoestring on the back of a kitchen chair. I can remember the love and warmth of her smile. I can remember how she made me feel safe. I was always safe with her, in her arms, or just around her. I don't remember her as sick as she was, but I do remember the last time that I saw her. She was in the hospital, and my sister and I were too young to go see her in her room. So my mother drove around to the side of the hospital, where her room was, and I remember her waving to us down in the car, and even then, I still felt her love. Even though she was in enormous pain, dying of cancer, the Lord gave her enough strength to get out of bed and go to the hospital window and wave to us.

She was a wonderful woman, she was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and most of, the best grandma to me. And even now, when you mention her name to someone who knew her, people have nothing but good to say about her. I remember someone saying, "I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about Eleanor", and that's true. I was so blessed to have her, even though it was a very short time, but I do miss her dearly.

I pray that I am half the wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and grandma (one day), that she was! I would be a very blessed person.

The message that I have today, is dedicated to my grandma!! I love ya, Grandma!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Laundry

2008-02-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

I would like to ask a question...why is it so hard to get kids to do their laundry?? I have three boys, and they would rather walk around in shorts in 25* weather, than wash their clothes. Yup, my boys (12-13-19) all do their own laundry, and they have since they were 10. We are trying to teach our boys to be self sufficient, but sometimes that is hard, because we constantly hear, "But so-and-so don't have to do their laundry, or chores", and our response is (you moms out there know what I am going to say, I know it)..."Well, I am not their parent, I am your parent". And boy do they not like that...hehe.

But hubby took care of the laundry thing last night, he told all the boys they will do all their laundry, and get their rooms cleaned up, BEFORE, they get on the computer. Sounds great, huh?? But I am the one here when they get home, and I don't feel I have to go behind 12 and 13 year olds to make sure they do what they are supposed to do. And I won't!! I refuse to!! These boys need to learn responsibility.

Now, I think I know what the problem is, between how I see things and how my hubby sees things. See, I was brought up in a home where my mother was the only parent and my sister and I. So we had to do all the chores, there was nothing that neither of us could do. Now, on the other hand, my hubby was brought up, also in a home with him mom being the only parent for awhile, but he has sisters. So the sisters did the "girl" things, for example, washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning, vacuuming and other things like that. Now the boys, they did the yard work, and the taking out of trash, and whatever other "boy" chores were to be done. So now, you see my trouble and why it is hard sometimes for us to see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I do have to say, my hubby is getting much better, and I am trying to bend and let him take care of things. Like the laundry deal today.

I'll let you know how that works out....

Now, I need this message today, so I am going to memorize it and keep it on my lips today, because I am going to need the Lord's help today!!! Hehe

Have a blessed Day!!

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Carry Me Through Today, Lord

Carry me through today, Lord
With gentle wings from above.
Carry me through today, Lord,
Let me feel your love.

I shall not worry about tomorrow,
Yesterday is gone.
Just carry me through today, Lord,
That's where I belong.

Through all my trials and troubles,
I know that you are there,
Sometimes it's hard to see you
Through each tear and care.

Carry me through today, Lord,
Don't let me slip away.
Tomorrow may be taken from me,
So carry me through today

Praying

2008-02-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

I hear these awesome prayers when I go to Church, but when I pray, I can't find those same beautiful words for myself. I really try, but they just don't come to me. When I talk to the Father, I talk, I praise, I tell Him my sorrows, I tell Him my worries, and I thank Him for the blessings that He gives me daily. But to me that is not the same as the awesome prayers that I have heard, in church, in Bible study groups, or from other Christians. So I am quite shy about praying in front of others.

But I received the following email, and it was so awesome, that I had to pass it on to everyone. The email is Monday Moments, and I get them every Monday (yeah, I know I am late, but what else is new...LOL), and they are so awesome. If you read this and you are interested in receiving these every Monday, please feel free to send your request to Michael Halleen, mhalleen@att.net , and let him know that you would like to subscribe to his list, I know you won't be sorry!!

Have a Blessed Day!!

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Monday Moment

February 4, 2008

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9)

I have found that that many people want to pray—or think they ought to pray—but feel they cannot. They hear passionate or formal prayers in the church and are convinced that if that is what it takes, they will never be able to pray. So I offer here a few simple prayers I use, all borrowed from others and changed to fit me. Use them if they help you. But it is also okay to pray in your own words, however uncertain they may be. God is not concerned about eloquence. A simple thought simply expressed to God is profound prayer.

Beginning the day.... God, thanks for bringing me to this new day. I accept it as a gift from you. Lead me in every problem I face and every decision I make. Help me to treat people kindly and truthfully. If I should forget you at some point today, may I at least remember that you don’t forget me.

Needing guidance.... Lord, I need direction. Make my mind alert. Deepen my understanding. Help me to be willing to do what you want for me rather than what’s easy or familiar. Keep me sensitive to your will and always ready to follow it.

Facing crisis.... Father in Heaven, what I do at this moment may affect the rest my life. Help me to think straight and creatively. Calm my mind so that ideas and insights might come to me as they are needed. I lay the whole matter before you. Show me what to do and how to do it.

Feeling hurt.... Dear God, I feel wounded and unhappy. Help me to rise above my feelings. Pour your love on this pain in my spirit and heal it so I won’t carry this hurt any more.

Worrying about tomorrow.... Lord, I admit that I’m worried. Sometimes my faith in you is weak. Touch me with your peace. Help me to know that you are God and that I don’t need to be afraid. I give myself into your grace and ask for your comfort.

Before eating.... God, thanks for all the good things of life—for food, for loved ones, for our home, for everything that makes life good. We owe it all to you.

Grandma and Pappy

2008-01-31T06:15:00.000-05:00

I have been going through my pictures and trying to organize them and I would like to share a few with you of my Grandma and Pappy.....

This is my grandma!! ISN'T SHE CUTE??
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This is my Grandma and Pappy on their wedding day!! Aren't they a beautiful couple!! My Pappy was not the emotional kind of guy, but my Grandma was!! She looks like she is enjoying her day, doesn't she??
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This is my Pappy, holding a German flag...there is an awesome story with this flag. Pappy sent this flag home to Grandma, and she just put it up in the attic. Well, in the 60's someone in the family was going to get a job with the government, and Grandma got really nervous and she gave the flag to her my Aunt Connie (who was an awesome seamstress), and she took it apart and made clothes with it. And she had told my Grandma that, that flag had the best silk she has ever used.! I thought this was a really cool story and I had to share it with ya!!
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This is Grandma on her wedding day...Now isn't that the most beautiful wedding dress that you have ever seen?? And let me tell you, That dress is very heavy, but I don't know what material it is. And since she got married in February, I guess it did have to be heavy!!
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The poem for today is dedicated to my Grandma and Pappy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They say memories are golden,
Well, maybe that is true;
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried;
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still;
In my heart you hold a piece
No one could ever fill.

But now I know you want me
To mourn for you no more,
To remember the happy times
Life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today;
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you'll always stay.

If tears could build a stairway
And heartache make a lane;
I'd walk the path to heaven
And bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same;
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

And the wind is blowing!!

2008-01-30T08:49:00.000-05:00

I could not believe how hard the wind is blowing today!! We are in desperate need of a new storm door, but we haven't bought one yet, but after today, we may have to. The wind is blowing so hard out there, that I have to tie the storm door to the inside!! I know, I know..it sounds redneck, well, I have to tell ya, it looks redneck!! I had to keep an eye on my boys on the bus stop, I was afraid that they would blow away!! My youngest had gotten a Baltimore Ravens pendant for his birthday, and he wanted it on the front door, well, it's no longer there...*sigh* I am going to have to find another one for him, to replace it, because he really liked that! And when hubby got home, he had to fix the storm door, and that was a joyous time!! He was battling the wind to correct a door that the wind messed up!! It was a vicious circle, but he did fix it.

I really like this message today, so if you have a few minutes to read it, I am sure you will too!!

Have a Blessed Day!!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

WET PANTS

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....
There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives. The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to
himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!" Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the
boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out.

All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.
She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done
enough, you klutz!" Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can.

Keep the faith.

Icy start to the day here

2008-01-29T07:56:00.000-05:00

Hubby went to work this morning and I thought it was just drizzling out, but a girlfriend called me and told me that it is very icy out there. So I had to call my hubby and tell him, and his response is, "Oh, I know, I have slid a few times"...*sigh*

Hubby came home early, because he wasn't able to work in the house because the floor guys were there. So he decided to come home and work on his van in a friend's garage. Well, there is nothing like watching two men work on a vehicle, and they are both trying to fit in a place, in the engine, that only one of them can fit into. I thought it was a riot, then my hubby kept dropping the screws that he needed to put the part back together with..LOL Oh, I loved watching that!! I had plans to clean out under my kitchen sink, but I am so glad I went to see the "car show"..hehe. And of course, I had to throw in there every now and then, "Do you need a girl to show you how to fix it?"..hehe I loved it!!

I am going a little retro today, hopefully it will put a smile on your face, and you will say, "I remember that!!"

Have a blessed day!!

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THINGS YOU DON'T HEAR ANYMORE...

~ Be sure to refill the ice trays - we're going to have company after while.

~ Watch for the postman - I want to get this letter to Aunt Mary in the mail today.

~ Quit slamming the screen door when you are on your way out!

~ Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed.

~ Why can't you remember to roll up your pant legs? Getting them caught in the bicycle chain so many times is tearing them up.

~ You have torn the knees out of that pair of pants so many times there is nothing left to put a patch on.

~ Don't you go outside with your good school clothes on!

~ Be sure and pour the cream off the top of the milk when you open the new bottle.

~ Take that empty bottle to the store with you so you won't have to pay a deposit on another one.

~ Quit jumping on the floor! I have a cake in the oven and you are going to make it fall if you don't quit!

~ Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by - I need to get a few things from him.

~ You can walk to the store; it won't hurt you to get some exercise.

~ Don't sit too close to the TV. It is hard on your eyes.

~ Get out from under the sewing machine; pumping it messes up the thread!

~ Go out to the well and draw a bucket of water so I can wash dishes.

~ No! I don't have nine cents for you to go to the show. Do you think money grows on trees?

~ It is time for your system to get cleaned out. I am going to give you a dose of castor oil tonight.

~ If you get a spanking in school and I find out about it, you'll get another one when you get home.

~ Quit crossing your eyes! They will get stuck that way!

(I got this one from www.mikeysFunnies.com )

Sick day

2008-01-28T15:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, my youngest was home sick, and I wasn't feeling so hot myself. I have taken Tylenol to try and get rid of the jackhammer headache that I had but it isn't budging!! Hopefully, this headache won't find me as a wonderful "host" and stay banging in my head!!

My oldest showed me a video (that I will in no way show here, because it is extremely graphic), but it was about a guy who was, explicitly, stating how he had sex with all these girls and he gave them AIDS. What is wrong with this world?? Why did this guy wear this "accomplishment", like a badge of honor?? Why hasn't this video been taken off the Internet, not only because of the explicitness of it, but because he has admitted to be a murderer?? This man has admitted, and proudly I must add, that he has infected 1, 500 young women, and he plans on adding more to that list. I don't understand why anyone would do that, and I really don't want to understand, I just have to cling to my Lord.

The message for today is really awesome!!! I have to pass it on, so if you have a few minutes to just read it, you will understand how awesome it really is!!

Have a Blessed Day!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

MY BUSY DAY

"Mommy, look!" cried my daughter, Darla, pointing to a chicken hawk soaring through the air.

"Uh huh," I murmured, driving, lost in thought about the tight schedule of my Day.

Disappointment filled her face. "What's the matter, Sweetheart?" I asked, entirely dense.

"Nothing," my seven-year-old said. The moment was gone. Near home, we slowed to search for the albino deer that comes out from behind the thick mass of trees in the early evening. She was nowhere to be seen.

"Tonight, she has too many things to do," I said.

Dinner, baths and phone calls filled the hours until bedtime.

"Come on, Darla, time for bed!" She raced past me up the stairs. Tired, I kissed her on the cheek, said prayers and tucked her in.

"Mom, I forgot to give you something!" she said. My patience was gone.

"Give it to me in the morning," I said, but she shook her head.

"You won't have time in the morning!" she retorted.

"I'll take time," I answered defensively. Sometimes no matter how hard I.tried, time flowed through my fingers like sand in an hourglass, never enough. Not enough for her, for my husband, and definitely not enough for me.

She wasn't ready to give up yet. She wrinkled her freckled little nose in anger and swiped away her chestnut brown hair.

"No, you won't! It will be just like today when I told you to look at the hawk. You didn't even listen to what I said."

I was too weary to argue; she hit too close to the truth. "Good night!" I shut her door with a resounding thud.

Later though, her gray-blue gaze filled my vision as I thought about how little time we really had until she was grown and gone.

My husband asked, "Why so glum?" I told him.

"Maybe she's not asleep yet. Why don't you check," he said with all the authority of a parent in the right. I followed his advice, wishing it was my own idea.

I cracked open her door, and the light from the window spilled over her sleeping form. In her hand I could see the remains of a crumpled paper. Slowly I opened her palm to see what the item of our disagreement had been.

Tears filled my eyes. She had torn into small pieces a big red heart with a poem she had written titled, "Why I Love My Mother!"

I carefully removed the tattered pieces. Once the puzzle was put back into place, I read what she had written:

Why I Love My Mother

Although you're busy, and you work so hard You always take time to play I love you Mommy because I am the biggest part of your busy day!

The words were an arrow straight to the heart. At seven years old, she had the wisdom of Solomon.

Ten minutes later I carried a tray to her room, with two cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows and two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When I softly touched her smooth cheek, I could feel my heart burst with love.

Her thick dark lashes lay like fans against her lids as they fluttered, awakened from a dreamless sleep, and she looked at the tray.

"What is that for?" she asked, confused by this late-night intrusion.

"This is for you, because you are the most important part of my busy day!" She smiled and sleepily drank half her cup of chocolate. Then she drifted back to sleep, not really understanding how strongly I meant what I said.

Author Unknown to me

It's been a long time

2008-01-28T08:03:00.001-05:00

Well, It has been a very long time since I have blogged, and I will chalk that up to irritation. I have been without a van for 2 weeks!!! It has been in the repair garage for exactly one week today. I don't know what is wrong with it, but when you drive for a week, it dies. It turns right over after it dies, but I don't know what is wrong with it. The garage called my hubby and told him that it was ready Friday, and he went over after the garage closed Friday night, and he drove about a block, and it died, so it went right back to the garage. I don't use my van everyday, but there are things that I need it for, like taking my boys to their drum and guitar practices, and just going to the store. But I can't even do that. I have a friend who has been so sweet and taking me to places where I need to go, but I feel so bad about putting her out. I cannot wait until my van is back..sigh!!!

Today's message is called, "Memo from God", and I need this right now. Please take a few minutes and read it through.

Have a Blessed Day.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Memo From God

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.

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 enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

Put It On The List....Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not on 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 that you never even realize.

Trust Me....Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take then back. Trust in me. Have faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with 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.

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're 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.

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 your 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 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.

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?

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 longtime. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

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.

Be Kind....Be kind to others, for I love then just as much as I love you. They may not dress 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.

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

Top Ten Predictions for 2008

2008-01-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

I found this message and this is a timeless message, and could be used every new year. Enjoy!!

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THE TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2008

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

An oldie but a goodie!

2008-01-10T06:33:00.001-05:00

I have read this story so many times, but I love each time that I read it, so I am blogging it for all to read!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

We have been experience Spring weather here in January, and believe it or not, I don't like it. January is supposed to be cold, not 60*, but the boys have been loving it!! My youngest wanted to go up to the park to play football yesterday, and so that's what we did, because it would be a shame to not take advantage of this beautiful weather. But Winter is supposed to come back over the weekend, and I will be waiting!!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.

An angel hears his plea and appears to him, "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."

The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.

The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.

Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"

But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough,. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."

Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!?!" (Revelation 21:21)
-Author unknown to me

Reduce Stress

2008-01-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

I received this from a gal that I am on a group with, and I thought that is was an awesome message, and it is worth sharing!! Enjoy

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CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more.. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13 . Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot.. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

37.Think oh how great Heaven will be! You must be born again , repent of your sins,followed by water submersion, Baptism does not Save you, Only Jesus can do that!

Author unknown to me

The Bell

2007-12-21T09:26:00.000-05:00

This message about The Bell, is an awesome and best message that we could receive.

Enjoy!!

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The Bell

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)

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

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

who you are!?

Why Jesus is better than Santa Clause

2007-12-13T08:31:00.000-05:00

Even though the Christmas season is in full swing, I don't feel the stress that I would usually have in previous years, because I have changed my focus from giving, to receiving the Greatest Gift that was given to all of us, Jesus. The message today is an awesome one, that I thought really needed to be posted. Please take a few minutes and enjoy this message that shows the True Christmas season.

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WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUSE

Santa lives at the North Pole...
Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...
Jesus is an ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
Jesus supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
Jesus stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
Jesus lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...
Jesus knew our name before we were born...
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future andHe even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
Jesus has a heart full of love

Santa says, "You better not cry"...
Jesus says, "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes, and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
Jesus became our gift and died on a tree...

Be Still

2007-12-07T08:17:00.000-05:00

With all the hustle of this holiday season, I need to learn to just be still. Can you think of a time that you can just Be Still today? I know I can't, so that tells me that I need to stop, and take out something that doesn't take too much of my energy and time. I need to spend time with the Lord, and just Be Still. I pray that this message touches you, and you can carve some time out for the Lord, each day!!

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Be Still

Sometimes I ask the question,
"My Lord, is this your will?"
It's then I hear you answer me,
"My Precious Child... be still."

Sometimes I feel frustrated,
Cause I think I know what's best.
It's then I hear you say to me,
"My Busy Child... just rest"

"I know the plans I have for you,
The wondrous things you'll see;
If you can just be patient, Child,
And put your trust in me.

I've plans to draw you closer.
I've plans to help you grow.
There's much I do you cannot see
And much you do not know.

But know this, Child ..... I LOVE YOU.
You are Precious unto Me.
Before I formed you in the womb,
I planned your destiny.

I've something very special
I hope for you to learn.
The gifts I wish to give to you
Are gifts you cannot earn.

They come without a price tag,
But not without a cost;
At Calvary, I gave Myself,
So You would not be lost.

Rest, Child, and do not weary
Of doing what is good.
I promise I'll come back for you
Just like I said I would.

Your name is written on my palm,
I never could forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when
My answer is... "Not Yet"

Author Unknown

Beatitudes For Parents

2007-12-04T20:29:00.000-05:00

Praying that your Christmas season has not been overshadowed by what has to be done, this is the message that has come to me so clearly the past few days. I know this is a quick moving time of year, but we need to slow down and appreciate what we have, not what we want. Tonight we spent a quiet (as quiet as 4 males in one house can be) together, and we had a great time. I appreciate these times, to spend with my husband and my children, because now a days they are so far and few between. I received the message today from an email, and I thought it was perfect, and I had to share it with everyone. Please enjoy!!!

Beatitudes For Parents

Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and
mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child
with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.

Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is
the music of the child's world.

Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time,
for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield to protect.

Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say "no," for
comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.

Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart's-ease in childhood.

Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they are
aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged
personalities.

Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and
understanding brings love.

Blessed are the men and women who in the midst of the unpromising
mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each
other, to their children, and -- in an ever-widening circle -- to their
fellow men.

Blessed are those who read these words...but more blessed will be they
who follow them!

A Christmas Prayer

2007-12-04T07:32:00.000-05:00

I know this time of year, it is very hectic, but I pray that you take a few moments and read this prayer. May your Christmas season be blessed

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Most Holy & Majestic Father,

There's so much "hype" around Christmas time. I have to admit that I enjoy all the jolly jingle and festive frolic as much as anyone. But, Lord, as I enter into the fast-paced season ahead, help me walk slowly and quietly.

Let me stop and listen to the angels sing of the greatest news ever told!
Let my heart, mind and soul join the chorus. "Glory in the Highest!! The Messiah has been born!"

Among all the bright sparkling lights and cheery holiday tunes, let my spirit travel once again toward Bethlehem to honor and worship Jesus, my King! The Prince of Peace, the Lord of Hosts, Mighty Counselor, Son of God, the Lamb. All Your love, mercy and power somehow made flesh in the tiny form of a humble baby born in a manger. Let me worship the only one who is worthy to take our sin away and open the gates of all eternity!

Amen

Garbage Trucks

2007-11-28T08:34:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but I have been so busy!! It has been a very rough week or so, and I don't see it slowing down anytime soon...LOL. Praying that everyone that reads this message today will take it to heart, because I need to learn this one myself.

Good message, don't take any Garbage this week.

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?

Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day?

Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels.

However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson.
I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station.

We were driving in the right lane when,

all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded,
and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident,
whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean, he was friendly.
So, I said, "Why did you just do that?

This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
And this is when my taxi driver told me what I
now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

Many people are like garbage trucks.
They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it.
And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.
When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.
You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
You'll be happy you did.

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me?

And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people:
at work, at home, on the streets?
It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."

I began to see garbage trucks.
Like in the movie " The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People."

Well, now "I see Garbage Trucks." I see the load they're carrying.
I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing;
I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field.
He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled.
He never dwelled on a hit.
Payton was ready to make the next play his best.
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.

Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.
Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance , TAKE IT!
If it changes your life , LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy...
They just promised it would be worth it!

God Can

2007-11-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

I had a show to do Saturday, and Bubba went with me, because I need help moving the boxes and getting the things set up. Well, on the way down, a car crossed the center line and almost hit us head on...and right before I just yelled "God!!"... Bub was really scared, and I let him know that everything was ok...but I had to think, why did I yell, "God!!"...and I kept thinking about it, and it was like, I wanted to get His attention, like he wasn't paying attention...and then it hit me..that's how I have felt the past two weeks...and that was very humbling, VERY HUMBLING!!! I actually felt like God wasn't paying attention to what happened to me in my life, which I truly know is not the truth...but I got a whole new perspective on where my mind has been, and that is sad...But it was an eye-opener. Actually, when I first thought about me yelling for God's attention, the mental picture that I got was so silly, it was funny...but then I thought about it a bit more, and I became very humbled...

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God Can

When you feel unlovable, unworthy and unclean,
When you think that no one can heal you,
Remember, Friend,
God Can.

When you think that you are unforgivable
For your guilt and your shame
Remember, Friend,
God Can.

When you think that all is hidden
And no one can see within
Remember, Friend,
God Can.

And when you have reached the bottom
And you think that no one can hear
Remember my dear Friend,
God Can.

And when you think that no one can love
The real person deep inside of you
Remember my dear Friend,
God Does.

Everything

2007-10-29T07:17:00.000-04:00

Well, I didn't get to make my apples this weekend. My hubby couldn't get the apples, because it was sooooooo muddy. My hubby loves me, but that was a bit much to ask, so maybe I will be able to make them sometime this week.

Well, so much for my "doing nothing" weekend....LOL On Saturday, we had to get both of our vehicles inspected, which took up the morning. Then we had to go shopping and grab a few things that we needed. Then Sunday, we went to church and it was an AWESOME service!! Then we had to go to the jewelers in the mall and get my engagement ring that was being fixed because my diamond fell out. Oh, it feels so good to have my ring back, my finger felt so naked without my ring. Then we came home and finished shutting down the pool and we just chilled the rest of the night.

And now, I have to tackle that laundry monster in the basement..hehe I truly have no idea where all this laundry comes from.

Oh, and one more thing, I wanted to share with you. I love going to this site every now and then to be it is so awesome and I just wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!!

This is an awesome message for today, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Have a blessed day!!!

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EVERYTHING

As I awoke to the beginning of a brand new day,
It seemed like waves of trials kept coming my way.
Problem after problem was all I could see,
I cried out, "Lord, what is it you want from me?"

The answer that came from the One Most High,
Was nothing but a very simple reply,
It was one unexpected, but yet rang so true,
It's something He desires from me and from you.

He said, "EVERYTHING"

I want you to know Me as your Savior and Guide,
The One who will always be right there at your side.
I want you to serve Me through the good times and bad,
To sing praises to My Name whether you're happy or sad.

I want your faith to grow stronger as each day goes by,
To trust Me when there's no answers to your questions of "Why?"
To learn of My love and to feel My embrace,
When you're called to endure the hardships you face.

I want no one or nothing to take My place in your heart,
In whatever you should do, I want to take part.
Stand on My promises, let nothing cause you doubt,
In the end you will see that all things will work out.

So you see, My dear child, I want to be your all in all,
To depend on My presence when you stand or when you fall,
When you question just what is it that I want from thee?
My answer is EVERYTHING, as you are EVERYTHING to Me.

PHEWWWWWWWW!! It's Friday!!

2007-10-26T14:09:00.001-04:00

YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!!! It's Friday!!! I have been waiting for this day all week!!! And I plan on doing nothing this weekend except canning apples, thanks to my friend Terri , and her great recipe for canning apples. They look so yummy, and I am going to give it a shot, but I am not promising my apples will look as great as her's!!! But I surely am hoping!! I will check back with you and let you know!!!

Have an awesome and blessed weekend!!

I needed this message today and this whole week!!!

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Catching up

2007-10-25T08:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I haven't been around lately...but it has been crazy around here!!! Ok, let's see if I can catch everyone up with my life (like you are interested, but I am telling you anyway... ;)

Saturday: Bubba had his last game for the season, and they won 20-0!! I was so happy!!! and so was he!!!

Sunday: As a celebration we went to Fuddruckers, because Bubba loves the hamburgers. And we watched the Raven's game, of course...

Monday: URGH!!! URGH!!! That's all I can say about this day!!! We (hubby and I) cleaned the boys rooms, I took one and he took the other. They weren't cleaning them so we cleaned them, and let me tell you, we took out 3 green trashbags of junk (broken toys,toys with missing pieces, and just plain old junk) out of EACH OF THEIR BEDROOMS!! Yup, you heard me right, 3 bags out of EACH room!!! The trash man will love us this week!! And it took us all day for each of us to do our rooms that we were assigned...and of course, I got Bubba's which was wonderful!!! But I just pitched everything that I could, and it was fun!!!

Tuesday: Started the laundry from cleaning the room (see Monday for explanation), and I dropped off an order that a friend of my ordered, and I saw her little one. HE WAS TOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!! He was a month premature and he is about 3 months now, and he is cute as a button!!! I tried to put him in my pocket, but I think she would have noticed him missing...LOL

Wednesday: Well, I was supposed to go to my women's group, but I didn't quite make it there...I was in the bathroom when I should have been in my van cruising up to church. So needless to say, Wednesday was an awesome day for me...urgh!!!

And that leads us to today...I am feeling a bit better, but it is rainy and cold here and that helps my arthritis in my spine, and WHOLE LOT!!! URGH!!! I have plans for cleaning today, but I am not saying what they are, because when I do that, something always happens, so it will be my secret!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I just went to Jaydee's blog and I had to do this test, and here is my results...

I am an
Echinacea

What Flower
Are You?

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JESUS

Ruth went to her mail box and
there was only one letter.
She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but
then she looked at the envelope ag ain.
There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and
address.
She read the letter:
Dear Ruth:
I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday
afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on
the table.
"Why would the Lord want to visit me?
I'm nobody special.
I don't have anything to offer."
With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty
kitchen cabinets.
"Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to
offer.
I'll have to run down to the store and buy something
for dinner."
She reached for her purse and counted out its
contents. Five dollars and forty cents.
Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least."
She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.
A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced
turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand
total twelve cents to last her until Monday.
Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her
meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us,lady?"
R uth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she
hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the
alleyway.
A man and a woman, both of them dressed in
little more than rags.
"Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife
and I have been living out here on the street, and,
well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda
hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd
really appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them both.
They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she
was certain that they could get some kind of work if
they really wanted to.
"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman
myself.
All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm
having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was
planning on serving that to Him."
"Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."
The man put his arm aro und the woman's shoulders,
turned and headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar
twinge in her heart.

"Sir, wait!"
The couple stopped and turned as she
ran down the alley after them.
"Look, why don't you take this food.
I'll figure out something else to serve my guest."
She handed the man her grocery bag.
"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth
could see now that she was shivering.
"You know, I've got another coat at home.
Here, why don't you take this one."
Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the
woman's shoulders.
Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the
street...without her coat and with nothing to serve
her guest.
"Thank you lad y!
Thank you very much!"
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front
door, and worried too.
The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't
have anything to offer Him.
She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But
as she did, she noticed another envelope in her
mailbox.
"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice
in one day."

Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again.
Thank you for the lovely meal.
And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat,
Ruth no longer noticed.

If I had my life to live over...

2007-10-17T06:06:00.000-04:00

My husband found out his friend, Marty died. He has been in the hospital for over a month and on Monday, he died. When people around me die, I start thinking about my mortality, and I found this message and I thought it was a good one to think about.

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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 have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

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 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 realized 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 i t . Live it and never give it
back.

Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns

2007-10-15T12:19:00.001-04:00

This is an awesome video, that I just wanted to share with everyone!!

The Room

2007-10-12T07:11:00.000-04:00

Just went to Terri's blog and if you plan to view the awesome colors in New Hampshire, please read her instructions..they are very informative.

I had this message sent to me a few days ago, and I think it is too awesome not to pass along. I know it is a bit long, but please take a few minutes to read it. And you may need a Kleenex, and this is just a suggestion.

Have a blessed, wonderful day!!!

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THE ROOM

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a

class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told

his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I

ever wrote". It also was the last.

Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while

cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School. Brian had

been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of

his life near them - notes from classmates and teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering

Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every

moment of the teen's life.

But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized

that their son had described his view of heaven "It makes such an impact

that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore

said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving

home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in

Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck

unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family

portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I

think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore

said of the essay.

She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death.

"I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."

Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room.

There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with

small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list

titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.

But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly

endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near

the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read

"Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I

quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on

each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my

life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in

a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity,

coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files

and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a

sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to

see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have

Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed

at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at

my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My

Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never

ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I

hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived Could

it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these

thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth.

Each was written in my own handwriting.

Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows

I have watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The

cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't

found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality

of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run

through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test

its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost

animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever

see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had

to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began

pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became

desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I

tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to

its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long,

self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With."

The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused.

He pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long

fell into my hands.

I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt They

started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried.

I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of

file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know

of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed

away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here!. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly

as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch

His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face,

I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read

every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me

with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped

my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked

over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He

didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end

of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name

over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find

to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be

on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so

alive. The name of Jesus covered mine.

It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a

sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand

how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close

the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up,

and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were

still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13 "For

God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that

whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

If you feel the same way forward it to as many people as you can so the

love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel

with" file just got bigger, how about yours?

IF THERE IS ONE EMAIL THAT I HAVE READ THAT NEEDS TO GO AROUND

THE WORLD, IT IS THIS ONE, PLEASE PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW,

CHRISTIAN OR NOT!

"LET'S FILL OUR OWN FILE CARD" AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

I saw Jesus...

2007-10-11T06:19:00.000-04:00

Well, I have to say, FALL HAS ARRIVED!!! I have been waiting for the cool weather to start, and it is finally here!! I am so happy!! I love this time of the year, I love all the beautiful colors that the leaves turn, the cool weather, and just everything!!!

My youngest one is still sick, and he was up last night coughing, so if you could please keep him in your prayers I would really appreciate it. I get very nervous when he get a cold, because it usually triggers his asthma, and that is not fun at all!!

I just found out that Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins have started a new series called "The Jesus Chronicles". I am a little late, since the first one "John's Story" came out last year, but I plan on getting them. The most recent one "Mark's Story" came out yesterday, so I have to get reading!! I read all of the Left Behind series books and I loved them, I couldn't get them quick enough. So, once I get them, I will let you know how they are!!

I received this message in an email this morning, and I had to pass it on, so please enjoy!!!

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I Saw Jesus...

I saw Jesus last week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building;
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute he looked a little like one of our
members.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn't talk real loud or use long words,
But you could tell he believed what he said.
For just a minute, he looked like my
Sunday School teacher.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute he looked like my pastor.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

I saw Jesus the other
day,
He was bringing a covered dish over to me because I had
been sick.
Just for a minute, I thought it was Him, with His gentle
hands stroking my shoulder.
I thought it was Him, but it looked like my sweet
neighbor.
But it was Jesus, because I could feel Him in my soul.

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast and fixing me a
special lunch.
For just a minute he looked like my mom.
But it was Jesus, I could feel the love from his heart.

I see Jesus everywhere,
Taking food to the sick,
Welcoming others to his home,
Being friendly to a newcomer and for just a minute I
think he's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus, I can tell by the way He serves.

May someone see Jesus in me today.

15 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

2007-10-10T06:42:00.000-04:00

I am making an awesome dinner right now, it's called Chicken Corn Soup...and it is yummy!!! I am making this today, because my youngest is sick, and there is nothing better than a hot, steamy bowl of soup to make ya feel better. And hubby loves this soup, alot!!!! I can give you the ingredients, but I cook the RR way and I don't measure...so I will try to get it as close as possible...I put this all in my 6 quart Crock Pot, so the recipe I give you will be for that...

2 bags of shoepeg corn-frozen

a pound of carrot, cleaned and chunked

about a half a stalk of celery

10 boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and chunked

fill the crock about 1/2 way with water

and my secret ingredient..2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup.

Salt, Pepper and Parsley

I know that sounds like alot of chicken breasts, but there is a store around me that I can get 5 pounds of skinless, boneless, IQF chicken breasts for $9.99...so I can use that many...but if you don't want to use that many, you don't have to...but just let you know, you can freeze the leftover and you can have a boatload more meals with this!!!

I will cook this all day in my crock..the first half of the day on high, the last part of the day on low. Now for noodles what I do is cook my extra wide egg noodles seperately, and once it's ready for dinner, I put some egg noodles in a bowl, and pour my soup over it...and it is YYYUMMMMMMMMMMMY!!!!

And whatever is left over, I freeze and all I have to do is just make some egg noodles and I have another meal of yummy Chicken Corn Soup!!!

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15 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's Me.

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

4. Silence is often misinterpreted but never
misquoted.

7. Do the math .. count your blessings.

8. Faith is the ability to not panic.

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

10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling
home everyday.

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

12. The most important things in your house are the
people.

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

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

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

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

2007-10-09T08:10:00.001-04:00

It has been a wild and crazy couple of weeks!!! (Boy, I sound like Steve Martin) Between football practice, football games, school, and making candles...I have been so busy!!! My middle boy, finally got off his brace and he is back in football. But he is very upset, because they took him off of everything that he was on first string with and booted him down. He is pretty upset, and getting discouraged, but he is sticking with it. And today, my youngest is home sick with a sore throat. So off to the doctors we go!! Oh, Joy, Joy, this will be a great day!!!!!

I was emailed this message below, even though I have read it before, I really enjoy it, and I am passing it along. This one is a great frig material!!!

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The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk

Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused

Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND
Lazarus was dead!

And Don't forget

Jesus Helped them all!!!!

Now! No more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the
messenger.
In the Circle of God's love, God's waiting to use your
full potential.

Memo from God

2007-10-04T09:38:00.001-04:00

I found this on http://livinglifegodsway.com/ and it was so AWESOME that I had to share it with you. I have this printed out and in my Bible Studies folder and before I start my study, I read this. This is a very awesome message that we have to be reminded of daily (or atleast I do!), and I am so glad that I was allowed to put it on my blog!!

Enjoy

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Memo From God

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.
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 enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

Put It On The List....Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not on 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 that you never even realize.

Trust Me....Once you've given your burdens to me, quit trying to take then back. Trust in me. Have faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with 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.

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're 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.

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 your 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 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.

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?

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 longtime. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

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.

Be Kind....Be kind to others, for I love then just as much as I love you. They may not dress 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.

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

Jesus goes to work

2007-10-03T08:04:00.001-04:00

Oh, it has been so nutso the past few weeks!! As you know, it is football season, and I am so busy with the boys, and my middle boy was just able to get back into practicing on Tuesday because, as we found out yesterday, he had a dislocated kneecap, and he had to wear a brace (immobilizer) for a week. Oh, he was miserable!!! There was nothing worse than for him to sit on the sidelines, when he wanted nothing more than to gear up and get out on the field with his team!! But he is fine how and so glad that he is able to practice and hopefully play in today's game!!

And I wanted to post this following message, because in so many ways it is so true of me. I may not go to work, but there are times when I feel that I leave Jesus out. Please enjoy and I pray that it touches you like it touched me!!

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Jesus Goes to Work
I drive to work listening to gospel music on the contemporary Christian radio station. After parking my car in the designated space, I head to our building's large glass entrance. Footsteps follow behind me, but I reach the door before Him and squeeze through, leaving Jesus standing on the outside.
I take a quick glance backward and see those scarred wrists pressed against the glass. He watches as I get on the elevator. Lianna Jackson is there so I turn to the side and begin a conversation. The elevator doors close on mechanical rollers - the same way they do every morning. I catch a glimpse of Jesus as He walks toward the gray stone bench positioned like a sentry next to the outlet I will take nine hours from now.

My first two hours are a whirlwind of crisis meetings. How did this day get so out of control, so early? I glance out the window. A figure on a stone bench looks up toward my window. A coworker carrying a phonebook-size stack of papers comes through the door and diverts my attention back to the morning calamity.

At ten o'clock, I grab a cup of coffee from the courtesy center. Lianna is taking dainty nibbles from a chocolate éclair. How can she consume rich calories like that and keep so slim? Another c omplaint to add to my grievance heap. She's probably bulimic anyway. A shadow passes over the sun and a light rain begins to fall.
On the way back to the meeting, I notice a solitary figure standing under the overhang of the roof. Jesus turns and looks straight at me. His look is one of tenderness and, yet, disappointment. This building has so many windows.
The next few hours involve some tough choices that may hurt the company's balance sheet. No one on the team seems particularly thrilled with the decisions made and, if the bottom line goes south, I know who will get the blame. Why me?
By lunch time I'm irritable and cross. The soda machine receives a piece of my wrath as it swindles me out of hard earned currency. As I chomp down on a too-dry turkey sandwich, I find myself traveling down a familiar thought highway. Is there any way to escape occupational servitude in white collar purgatory? Two members of my team become the victims of my discontent. A few veiled criticisms help me to feel better - temporarily, at least.
Jesus comes around to the lunch room window. He makes a gesture to obtain my attention but I don't have the time; my focus is elsewhere.

Time for serfs to return to their labor. My liege (otherwise known as Theodore Wood, supervisor with a highly inflated salary) is waiting for me. What pound of flesh does he want now? I quickly run through a list of sins of omission and commission. Why do I feel so defenseless?
Theodore gives me a smile. Do tigers smile before they eat their victims? "Just wanted to come by and tell you what a creative bit of crisis management that was this morning. That was a job well done." I mumble something about team effort and Ted threads his way through the cubicle maze back to his corner office in the upper management district of the floor.

Before I have a chance to lift my jaw from the floor, the UPS man comes by with a delivery. He's a fellow member of my church. Nice guy. Still absorbed in my encounter with Ted, I smile and sign for the package. He smiles back and says, "Oh, I saw Jesus out front. He said to say 'Hi!' Just wanted you to know He was thinking of you." Brown uniform departs and I'm freed to analyze Ted's affirmation.
I admit. I'm surprised - shocked might be a better term! Not that I haven't earned it, but praise isn't something you expect from the corner office. Management isn't known for its astute observation of talented people. But Ted's right; I did come through for them this morning. Perhaps a little appreciation will eventually make its way to my bi-weekly envelope. Lord knows, I certainly deserve it.
My chin held a little higher, I grab a folder and head for the west side of the building. The afternoon is sprinting forward and I better get that proposal copied for distribution to the section heads. I'm fourth in line, so I join a conversation in progress on the new receptionist at the front door. Someone repeats the old jest about blondes, computer screens, and white out.
My turn! To avoid being mesmerized by the steady rhythm of paper, light, gears and stapling, I glance out the window toward the park. A figure in white carrying something from one of the local sidewalk vendors walks toward a cardboard box. A scruffy hand and unshaven face appear from the side of the box. There's a brief conversation. A hand to the shoulder. Then a transfer of hot dog and soda. Thank God, it isn't me.
Returning to my desk, I find an avalanche of paperwork. Lord Theodore Wood has visited serfdom and left new chores to complete. Some people have an "IN" box. Mine is an "IN-credible" box. I grab a chocolate power bar to stave off the weariness. Boy, I could use some energy right now. I notice the drizzle has stopped. It looks sunny outside.
At 3:15 Monica's face appears from over the mound of folders. Leave of absence! Why does she need a leave of absence? Oh, 'with child' again! Her work load will have to be distributed among the team. I wonder how much will become my burden? Don't people think about how their choices affect others?
End of the day - I'm pooped, run down, tired, exhausted, fatigued, faint and running out of synonyms. Pulling my coat from the hook, I head through the exit. The brightness of the sun temporarily hurts my eyes. That's the problem with office buildings with smoked glass. I turn and find Jesus walking with me. He greets me with a smile, but I'm in no mood for Him now. I've just been to hell and back and the last thing I want to do is be bothered with anyone. God, I hope He isn't going to be chatty on the way home.

+++++++
Sometimes our jobs engulf us. We feel overwhelmed, alone, self-righteous, or bitter. We know it shouldn't be this way and we shouldn't be this way.

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. People don't light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:13-15.

Our words and actions in the workplace say quite a bit about who and whose we are. Instead of light we often bring darkness. Instead of peacemakers we become the cause of hurt. Instead of serving others, we end up serving a paycheck, an organization, or our own advancement. We know we should be the ones to bring our gifts & talents to the table to help others, but we have nothing to offer.
Do you "take Jesus with you" to work? There is no area of life where we can safely leave Jesus on the outside. Our dear Lord is our life, our abundant life! How much we need that Life for the 40+ hours we spend in employment each week!

Whatever you do, work at it with ALL your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24.
Make a conscious effort to walk with Jesus into your place of work this week.

Minor traveling unattended

2007-09-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

Right before the jetway door closed, I scrambled aboard the plane going from LA to Chicago, lugging my laptop and overstuffed briefcase. It was the first leg of an important business trip a few weeks before Christmas, and I was running late. I had a ton of work to catch up on. Half wishing, half praying I muttered, "Please God, do me a favor; let there be an empty seat next to mine, I don't need any distractions."

I was on the aisle in a two seat row. Across sat a businesswoman with her nose buried in a newspaper. No problem. But in the seat beside mine, next to the window, was a young boy wearing a big red tag around his neck: "Minor -- Traveling Unattended."

The kid sat perfectly still, hands in his lap, eyes straight ahead. He'd probably been told never to talk to strangers. "Good," I thought.

Then the flight attendant came by. "Michael, I have to sit down because we're about to take off," she said to the little boy. "This nice man will answer any of your questions, okay?"

Did I have a choice? I offered my hand, and Michael shook it twice, straight up and down.

"Hi, I'm Jerry," I said. "You must be about seven years old."

"I'll bet you don't have any kids," he responded.

"Why do you think that? Sure I do." I took out my wallet to show him pictures.

"Because I'm six."

"I was way off, huh?"

The captains' voice came over the speakers, "Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff."

Michael pulled his seat belt tighter and gripped the armrests as the jet engines roared.

I leaned over, "Right about now, I usually say a prayer. I asked God to keep the plane safe and to send angels to protect us."

"Amen," he said, then added, "But I'm not afraid of dying. I'm not afraid because my mama's already in Heaven."

"I'm sorry." I said.

"Why are you sorry?" he asked, peering out the window as the plane lifted off.

"I'm sorry you don't have your mama here."

My briefcase jostled at my feet, reminding me of all the work I needed to do.

"Look at those boats down there!" Michael said as the plane banked over the Pacific. "Where are they going?"

"Just going sailing, having a good time. And there's probably a fishing boat full of guys like you and me."

"Doing what?" He asked.

"Just fishing, maybe for bass or tuna. Does your dad ever take you fishing?"

"I don't have a dad," Michael sadly responded.

Only six years old and he didn't have a dad, and his Mom had died, and here he was flying halfway across the country all by himself. The least I could do was make sure he had a good flight. With my foot I pushed my briefcase under my seat.

"Do they have a bathroom here?" he asked, squirming a little.

"Sure," I said, "Let me take you there."

I showed him how to work the "Occupied" sign, and what buttons to push on the sink, then he closed the door. When he emerged, he wore a wet shirt and a huge smile.

"That sink shoots water everywhere!"

The attendants smiled.

Michael got the VIP treatment from the crew during snack time. I took out my laptop and tried to work on a talk I had to give, but my mind kept going to Michael. I couldn't stop looking at the crumpled grocery bag on the floor by his seat. He'd told me that everything he owned was in that bag. Poor kid.

While Michael was getting a tour of the cockpit the flight attendant told me his grandmother would pick him up in Chicago. In the seat pocket a large manila envelope held all the paperwork regarding his custody. He came back explaining, "I got wings! I got cards! I got more peanuts. I saw the pilot and he said I could come back anytime!"

For a while he stared at the manila envelope.

"What are you thinking?" I asked Michael.

He didn't answer. He buried his face in his hands and started sobbing. It had been years since I'd heard a little one cry like that. My kids were grown -- still I don't think they'd ever cried so hard. I rubbed his back and wondered where the flight attendant was.

"What's the matter buddy?" I asked.

All I got were the muffled words, "I don't know my grandma. Mama didn't want her to come visit and see her sick. What if Grandma doesn't want me? Where will I go?"

"Michael, do you remember the Christmas story? Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus? Remember how they came to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born? It was late and cold, and they didn't have anywhere to stay, no family, no hotels, not even hospitals where babies could be born. Well, God was watching out for them. He found them a place to stay; a stable with animals."

"Wait, wait," Michael tugged on my sleeve.. "I know Jesus. I remember now." Then he closed his eyes, lifted his head and began to sing. His voice rang out with a strength that rocked his tiny frame. "Jeeesus looooves me--thiiiiiis I knowwwwwww. For the Biiiiiible tells meeeeee sooooo....."

Passengers turned or stood up to see the little boy who made the large sound. Michael didn't notice his audience. With his eyes shut tight and voice lifted high, he was in a good place.

"You've got a great voice," I told him when he was done.. "I've never heard anyone sing like that."

"Mama said God gave me good pipes just like my grandma's," he said. "My grandma loves to sing, she sings in her church choir."

"Well, I'll bet you can sing there, too. The two of you will be running that choir."

The seat belt sign came on as we approached O'Hare. The flight attendant came by and said, "We just have a few minutes now." But she told Michael that it was important that he put his seat belt on. People started stirring in their seats, like the kids before the final school bell. By the time the seat belt sign went off, passengers were rushing down the aisle. Michael and I stayed seated.

"Are you gonna go with me?" he asked.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, buddy!" I assured him.

Clutching his bag and the manila envelope in one hand, he grabbed my hand with the other. The two of us followed the flight attendant down the jetway. All the noises of the airport seemed to fill the corridor.

Michael stopped, slipping his hand from mine, he dropped to his knees. His mouth quivered. His eyes brimmed with tears.

"What's wrong Michael? I'll carry you if you want."

He opened his mouth and moved his lips, but it was as if his words were stuck in his throat. When I knelt next to him, he grabbed my neck. I felt his warm, wet face as he whispered in my ear, "I want my mama!"

I tried to stand, but Michael squeezed my neck even harder. Then I heard a rattle of footsteps on the corridor's metal floor.

"Is that you, baby?"

I couldn't see the woman behind me, but I heard the warmth in her voice.

"Oh baby," she cried. "Come here. Grandma loves you so much. I need a hug, baby. Let go of that nice man." She knelt beside Michael and me.

Michael's grandma stroked his arm. I smelled a hint of orange blossoms.

"You've got folks waiting for you out there, Michael.. Do you know that you've got aunts, and uncles and cousins?"

She patted his skinny shoulders and started humming. Then she lifted her head and sang. I wondered if the flight attendant told her what to sing, or maybe she just knew what was right. Her strong, clear voice filled the passageway, "Jesus loves me -- this I know..."

Michael's gasps quieted. Still holding him, I rose, nodded "hello" to his grandma and watched her pick up the grocery bag. Right before we got to the doorway to the terminal, Michael loosened his grip around my neck and reached for his grandma.

As soon as she walked across the threshold with him, cheers erupted. From the size of the crowd, I figured family, friends, pastors, elders, deacons, choir members and most of the neighbors had come to meet Michael. A tall man tugged on Michael's ear and pulled off the red sign around his neck. It no longer applied.

As I made my way to the gate for my connecting flight, I barely noticed the weight of my overstuffed briefcase and laptop. I started to wonder who would be in the seat next to mine this time. .... And I smiled.

~By Jerry Seiden~

In the Middle of the Storm

2007-09-20T07:44:00.000-04:00

My husband received really bad news last night, I need prayers. My husband's childhood friend, tried to commit suicide about three weeks ago, and he was taken to the hospital and has been on machines ever since. Well, we received news last night that they will be taking him off the machines today, because they don't think he will make it. This was a very hard blow to my husband, and I can't even imagine what my husband's friend's family is going through. Please keep my husband, his friend, and both families in your prayers.

That is why I chose this message for today...

In the Middle of the Storm

In the middle of the storm, I felt God smile
All my fears faded, if only for a while
Though it was dark and stormy, the tempest winds flew
In that darkest moment, I knew I'd make it through

I felt that peaceful smile, shine down from above
All in an instant, I was flooded with His love
The storm was not yet over, had a fight ahead
I had to take hold of the Bible words I'd read

Remember that He loves you, He shall never leave
Cast your cares upon Him, and in His name believe
He's the breath that I breathe, the Rock of Salvation
He's the Lord Almighty, God of all creation

So when your tempest hits, and darkness is around
Know that God is with you, and feel His peace deep down
Know that you can make it, that God will keep you strong
The darkness will fade and the Light will come along

Carry me through the day, Lord

2007-09-19T07:30:00.001-04:00

My husband and I have started doing something called Water Therapy, and now I swish when I walk!! But honestly I have to tell ya, it is working out very well for me, and my hubby. We try to drink a gallon of water a day, and the first quart and a half is drank within the first 20 minutes of getting up. And let me tell ya, THAT WAS HARD!! For the first two day, I thought I was drowning, and that is a heck of a thing to go through when you first wake up!! But now it has been about 4 days since we both started it, and we are honestly feeling much better, except for the swishing part. I knew that neither one of us drank much water, so this was like jumping with both feet in (no pun intended). We both get up, and drink our trough of water, and we don't eat for an hour later, not that we are hungry after that, but we know our bodies have to run on something more than water. My husband has known a difference and so have I, we both actually feel pretty good. More or less, this is to show that most people's ailments are from being dehydrated, because we don't drink enough water. So, we are becoming more healthy, but our water bill is going up from all the flushing!!! I will keep ya updated on the progress!!

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Wanna Play 5 Questions??

2007-09-18T11:45:00.000-04:00

I got this from Terri, and here is the 5 questions that she asked and 5 answers that I gave...

If you are interested here are the basics:

Leave me a comment saying “interview me.” I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. If you don’t have a valid email address on your blog, please provide one. you will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

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1) When you were a little girl.. what was your favorite place to for peace and quiet?

Honestly, I would go to my grandparents. We lived in a very small apartment, and I always loved talking to Pappy, but most of the time, he was very quiet, so it was perfect. And I just love spending time with my grandfather, and I now treasure every minute I did spend with him.

2)What do you do as a mother that you thought you would NEVER do as a mother?

UMMMMM...I can change a poopy diaper while eating, and I can clean up puke while eating. I can can change a diaper while the child is running around. I know I can't put that on a resume, but to me I am quite impressed!! I can multitask now, which I was never good at before being a mom, at all!!!!!

3)Do you have a special talent or skill that not many people know about?

In my private journal, I write in a way that I would not normally write. My private journal is between me and the Lord, and I look back and read some of what I have written, and I am impressed!! But that is something special that I only share with the Lord!!

4) What would I see if I opened your fridge at this very moment?

You would see that I need to go grocery shopping!!! My storage cabinets are full, but my fridge needs to be filled back up.

5)Backstreet Boys or N'Sync??

Neither, but if I had to choose I would choose N'Sync, because my step sister loved Backstreet Boys and now I can't stand them...LOL

God is ALWAYS in control

2007-09-18T08:05:00.000-04:00

Well, my boys are well into their football season, and I am the loudest mom on the sidelines!! I cheer for the whole team!! I love my boys playing football, and football teaches them so much more then just plays. My middle boy had an away game, and I think he got bus sick, but he still played the entire game, and of course he yakked afterwards, but he did finish the entire game. That taught him perseverance, and not to give up, and stay with his task at hand. I told him I was very proud of him, and not once did he think of giving up. And my youngest, has learned that it's not cool to bully smaller kids. He is a bit of a bigger child and could easily bully, but he sees other smaller kids being bullied on the team, and he goes over and tells the bullies that, he would like to bully them. Well, they usually stop bullying, and they leave the little ones alone. I think that kids nowadays have lost the fun, and the learning experience, that can be learned from team sports.

It's not about the final score, it's about the path that was taken!!

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This is not a true story, but it is very heart warming story!!!

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A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on September 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words.

"A few weeks before September 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her.

Shortly after I said amen, we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was a retired New York fireman. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.

My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me. He was going to help. He said, "This is not something I can just sit by for. I have to do something."

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, "Take good care of my grandchild." Those were the last words I ever heard my father say. He died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was.

He quickly grabbed my hand and said, "I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son."

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her.

My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, "There is something else you need to know."

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ.

I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so that mother and baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things. First that God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of Heaven, but God is always in control.

And second is that though it has been several years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.

Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love.

You may never know the impact it may have on someone.

Safely Home-Remembering those from 9/11

2007-09-11T07:41:00.000-04:00

SAFELY HOME

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I an now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

Two Horses

2007-09-10T07:48:00.000-04:00

I received this in an email today, and it was so moving, I had to pass it along, so take a minute and read this awesome message.

Two Horses
Author - unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing...

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.

It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that ... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember...

be kinder than necessary-
everyone you meet is fighting
some kind of battle.

Unchanging one

2007-09-09T19:31:00.001-04:00

I have been surfing www.godtube.com today and I am having a ball!! My kids are fighting and screaming, but I have tunnel vision!! And I came across this video and I wanted to share this with you, because this has touched my heart so much!! Enjoy!!

Country Rules

2007-09-05T14:49:00.000-04:00

I got this from a group that I am on(Thanks Jayedee!!), and I loved it so much I had to share it!!

THE COUNTRY RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. That's why they smell to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-40 goes east and west, I-75 goes north and south. Pick one.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 cotton strippers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in the south waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of doves are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah, we eat catfish &; crawfish. You really want sushi & caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

9. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November

10. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.

11. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes:

meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah.... We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat... IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair. ( don't you love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards it spooks the fish.

16. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities , Universities, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.

17. We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.

18. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump stuff ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!

Boys and fighting

2007-09-05T13:30:00.000-04:00

I know that kids fight, it is normal, or so they tell me. But for me it is not normal to lose my mind daily. My boys are notorious for fighting over silly things, and I say silly, because they are silly to me. There are a few fights that stick out in my mind, and the one that sticks out in my mind is the one that they fought over air. YUP, you read it right, they fought over air (now, I told you they have silly fights). I make candles, and sometimes the UPS guy gets in his commando gear to deliver my packages. I love seeing that brown truck, because I know it has goodies for me in it!! Well, anyway, on this particular day, I received some goodies, and my goodies were packaged with plastic bags puffed up with air (I know you know where this is going). And yes, there was only ONE!! And since I have two younger boys, and each of them wanted it, they fought over it. THEY FOUGHT OVER A BAG OF AIR!!! What is wrong with them? I try so hard to resolve the conflict like Donna Reed would had, but for some reason I wind up looking like some creature that would terrify Freddy Kruger!!

But I do have to say something in defense of my boys, they would take up for each other. There have been a few memories that I have of my boys taking up for each other, but there are two that stand out. My youngest was being picked on by a bully in the neighborhood, and my oldest (**my youngest and oldest DO NOT GET ALONG AT ALL!!**), went after the boy and chased him up on a roof!! I thought it was quite funny myself, I did get a good laugh out of that one. And another time was when my middle boy, was having a problem with a boy on another football team, and my youngest came out, eating a yogurt and he was listening to the partial story and all he said was, "What's his number?"(he was asking for his number on his football jersey). And my middle boy knew what he was saying, and he said, "oh, no you don't", I got a chuckle out of that one too.

I know that they will look back on all of these times and they will get a chuckle out of them too!!

Wisdom for the day ;)

2007-09-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

I had to post this one!! I got it from a board that I am a member of, and it brought a smile to my face, and I had to pass it on!! Enjoy!!!

Wisdom

Women over 50 don't have babies because they would put them down and forget where they left them.

One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5lbs.

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness.

I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my knickers.

Every 7 minutes of everyday, someone in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.

Amazing! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like ... You know, sometimes I forget to eat! ......Now... I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys. But I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.

A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills.. She has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

My body is not all that communicative but I heard from it the other day after I said "Body, how would you like to go to the six o'clock class of vigorous toning?" Clear as a bell my body said "Listen witch.....do it and die."

I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are: Eating too much; impulse buying and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

Made it through the first week of school and football practice

2007-09-01T14:16:00.000-04:00

.....and it was in no way easy!!! I love this time of year, because I LOVE FOOTBALL!!! But for some reason the behind the scene work is not as fun. This week I dealt with bruises, that really look like the face mask on their helmets, and cleat marks, which are also quite distinct. Then there was the "Mom, I can't find my mouthpiece", and I just don't understand, if it was in your mouth, and you took it out and were told to put it in your duffle bag, where did it go?? Because I know my children always listen to me, don't yours?? But, for some reason, we never found the mouthpiece, and the coach did give him another one. And then, I have saved the best for last, the other football players on the team are stealing cleats. Now, this one I have not understood. If each boy has everything that they need, because of course everyone listens to their parents when they tell them something, why would you take a pair of cleats from another child?? Or even better, why do they only take one?? What is with that?? I have to check again, but I think every boy that is on the team has two feet.

Well, gotta break up a fight, I think they are fighting over air, or something really important!!

This was too cute not to share

2007-08-24T12:59:00.000-04:00

I read this one today and I had to post it!!!

Muffins

The couple were 85 years old, and had been married for sixty
years... Though they were far from rich, they managed to get by because
they watched their pennies.
Though not young, they were both in very good health, largely due
to the wife's insistence on healthy foods and exercise for the last
decade.

One day, their good health didn't help when they went on a rare
vacation and their plane crashed, sending them off to Heaven.
They reached the pearly gates, and St. Peter escorted them inside.
He took them to a beautiful
mansion, furnished in gold and fine silks, with a fully stocked kitchen
and a waterfall in the master bath. A maid could be seen hanging their
favorite clothes in the closet.

They gasped in astonishment when he said, "Welcome to Heaven. This
will be your home now."

The old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. "Why,
nothing," Peter replied, "remember, this is your reward in Heaven."

The old man looked out the window and right there he saw a
championship golf course, finer and more beautiful than any ever-built
on Earth.
"What are the greens fees?", grumbled the old man.
"This is heaven," St. Peter replied. "You can play for free, every
day."

Next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch,
with every imaginable cuisine laid out before them, from seafood to
steaks to exotic deserts, free flowing beverages.
"Don't even ask," said St. Peter to the man. "This is Heaven, it
is all free for you to enjoy."

The old man looked around and glanced nervously at his wife.

"Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods, and the
decaffeinated tea?" he asked.
"That's the best part," St. Peter replied. "You can eat and drink
as much as you like of whatever you like, and you will never get fat or
sick..

"This is Heaven!"

The old man pushed, "No gym to work out at?"
"Not unless you want to," was the answer.

"No testing my sugar or blood pressure or..."
"Never again. All you do here is enjoy yourself."

The old man glared at his wife and said, "You and your bran
muffins. We could have been here ten years ago! "

Now how cute is that!!!???

This is my first post!!

2007-08-22T17:29:00.001-04:00

I have a houseful of men and I am the only female in my home, not including the guinea pigs, which are "my girls". I have two boys that are in football, and I love it!!! I am such the football mom, I am the one on the sidelines, yelling like a fool!!! As a matter of fact, this is my favorite time of the year, August to February, is the best!! I have a 19yo son who is going into the Marines, and he should be going in bootcamp in December. I will worry about him, but I know that if he is going into the Marines, they will teach him how to stay alive. I have been married for 20 years, June 4th, and yeah, that is a long time!!

Well, here's what happened today...

My hubby got it in his crawl to clean out the basement, with my oldest boy. Which is great, only for him! I don't know about anyone else, but when my hubby gets something on his mind to do, and he don't want to do it, he makes everyone else just as happy as he is. Well, I tried to stay away from him as much as possible today, but there were a few times that I had to talk to him, just so that he didn't think we forgot about him. What a treat for me! He was sweating and miserable, and headstrong in what he wanted to do. He asked my opinion, but I knew he didn't want my opinion, so I told him that he should do what he thinks would work. Knowing full well that I just laid it in his lap, and that's not what he wanted. I think he finally gave up and is now down there singing, and he is so loud, no one upstairs can hear their TV. But as long as he is happy, that is all that matters.

My middle boy had football practice today, and I can't wait for the games!! When I picked him up he told me all about his practice. I love hearing about it, because I can't go. For some reason, the parents can't be on the practice field when the Jr High practices. I wonder if they have heard of me, being the goofy football mom??..ummmmmmm Well, anyway, my boy has gotten into the habit of speaking to me with his mouthpiece in. If anyone doesn't know what I am talking about, try sticking playdoh in your mouth and talking, that's about what I hear. And for some reason he feels that he has to wear it 2 hours before he goes to practice and 2 hours after practice. I asked him why he does that, and he said that coach said that they should wear it to get used to it.

My youngest cannot wait until football starts! We went the other day to sign him up and I think everyone in the county was there!! He got all of his equipment, and it is just sitting there waiting for him to use it! And he is getting more and more miserable each day it gets closer and closer!

I has been raining here for the past three days, and I am waiting to see an ark coming down the street!! I am going stir crazy, because it is August and the temp right now is 66*, now how crazy is that??

Well, I am being bellowed for, I know it has to be important, like one of my boys is looking at the other or they are breathing on them or they are fighting over air (oh, this is a true story, I'll have to tell it later). Well, have a great rest of the day!!