Excitement!

It has been so busy and so fun around here.  Our Christmas Open House was so much fun.  It took lots of work to get ready for it but it was worth it.  All the wonderful people that came was such an encouragement.

Then back to work on Monday.  But it was even fun on Monday!  There is a German Tradition that a pickle ornament is hidden on the tree and whoever finds it gets a gift.  Well my daughter-in-law picked me up some pickle ornaments in Fredericksburg.  I hid one on our tree at work.  You should see all the adult men and women looking for that pickle.  It is so much fun.  Some of them are down on the floor looking up into the tree.  Some have found it so I move it to another place.  One of our men is about to go crazy because he can't find it.  One woman finally found it after looking a long time.  Her comment was, "now I can sleep tonight"!

It is good to see adults leaving all cares and worries behind to find of all things a pickle!  We need times like this to refresh.  Laughter is so good.

Sometimes we get bogged down with things of this world.  Remember God and His word for refreshment of a different kind.  Have a great day.

Complaining

In my Wednesday night Bible Class we have been studying Moses.  We just crossed the Red Sea last week.  Remember all the complaining and lack of trust they had when they got to the sea and saw the Egyptians headed right for them? God took care of everything.  They then rejoiced.  As I was preparing for this week they begin the complaints again.  The water is bitter.  "You have brought us out here to die!"  Now this is a very large group of people that had been slaves for 400 years.  God rescued them from that then rescued them again at the Red Sea.  What happened to the rejoicing and their faith?  Well God takes care of them again.  Food and water provided.  Over and over again this happens.  Their faith is good when things are going the way they want them to.

Are we like that?  It really made me stop and think as I was reading this all again.  We trust in God when things are great but as things start to slip our faith sometimes does too.  You know God never leaves us.  He never slips.  Who does the slipping?

Something to think about.

How are you feeling today?

How are you feeling today?
I have a friend that always says "HI, How are you?" when she approaches.  Just love her.

Most of the time when someone asks us that question we say fine.  We might be in great pain physically or emotionally but we say fine.  Now when a person asks that question do they really want to know how we are or are they just being polite?  Something to think about.

Recently someone asked me that question and I said fine and he said, "Now how are you really?"  He really wanted to know.

When we ask someone that question do we really want to know how they are feeling or are we just being polite?  Something to think about.

Maybe we need to be more sincere when we greet people.  Maybe we need to take more time when talking to others.  Let them know we really are interested in how they are.

Jesus cares how we are and He cares how others are.

Aren't we supposed to be more like Him?  Something to think about.

Our Trip

Our Trip was amazing!  If you ever get the chance to go then do it!  This is going to be long and I am going to leave a lot out.  Sorry.

We left Austin and flew to New York and then on to Rome, Italy.  We went by bus to the Mariner of the Seas Royal Caribbean Ship.  We spent two wonderful days floating on the water on our way to Alexandria, Egypt.  We were docked there two days.  On the first day there we had a chance to  to Cairo and see the Pyramids but decided not to go.  One reason was it had only been six weeks since Doug's surgery and it was going to be a 13 hour day with 5 hours travel time on a bus and the other thing was the unrest there and our children's fears for us.  We watched others as they got on the buses to go and saw men in suits get on the buses with guns! It was for their protection.  We talked to several the next day and it was a disappointing trip for them.  There was a demonstration and an explosion that took place that day but you will not hear about it.  We did go into Alexandria, well right off the ship to a market place.  There we met Jimmy Green from Missouri!  Actually he was an Egyptian trying to sell us things.  He was so funny and we did buy some things from him.

The next day we went on an excursion in Alexandria.  We went to the library there and saw the Gutenburg Bible and some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts.  Then we went to see a catacomb.  This was really interesting.  We saw other sights around the town also.

The next day we were in Ashdod, Israel.  We went to Jaffa and Tela Viv that day.  We went to the area where Jonah boarded the ship running away from God, and also where Peter might have been when he had the vision of the sheet with all the animals on it when God told him to teach all men.  We ate Falafas in downtown Jaffa.  We drove through Telaviv.  It is a very modern and worldly city.

The next day we went to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  This was an amazing experience.  Things are commercialized but still knowing Jesus walked those streets at one time and you are there walking those streets is amazing. We went to the Garden of Gethsemane.  There are still some of the same Olive Trees there that were there 2,000 years ago. Now remember I am telling you what our guide told us.  She also said a lot of what she was telling us was not in the Bible but was tradition that had been handed down for 2,000 years and was right.  There are church buildings built on top of all the places you go so you take everything with a grain of salt so to speak.  Still amazing.  We then went to the wailing wall.  It is divided and the men go to one place and the women another place.  You are not allowed to go together.  We also saw several Barmitzvas (I don't know how to spell it.) taking place while there.  It was very crowded.  Then on to the market place and the 12 stages of where Jesus walked carrying His cross.  According to this guide He fell three times and Mary came and kissed Him at one place and there is a place He put His hand to keep from falling and other things along the way.  They now have doors on the stalls of the Market Place so they can leave their wares there and close them up at night. We went to the burial place of Jesus.  A large church building is built there also.  Then we went to lunch at a large modern hotel there.  Then a bus ride to Bethlehem. Now since Bethlehem is under Palestinian rule it has been walled in.  You have to go through gates and security to get in.  The people living in Bethlehem are not allowed in Jerusalem with out special permission.  We went to the Church of the Nativity. We were not able to go down into the cave because we arrived there late and it would have been a two hour wait and we had to travel back to the ship.  We did however tour the building and when we went into the sanctuary we sang "Silent Night" as a group.  This was really neat.  We traveled by a place that was the area where David slew Goliath!  So much to see and I know I am leaving out a lot of things.  You just have to go yourselves! 

We had another day at sea then docked in Athens, Greece.  We went to the Acropolis and saw the Parthenon but the thing Doug liked best was he got to stand on Mars Hill and quote Paul's speech! We also went to a place where they make cameos.  They are made out of shell.  Well I didn't buy one.  I told Doug I had plenty of shells at home he could just watch the master carver and make me one when we got home!

We had another day at sea and docked at Naples, Italy.  We went to see Pompeii.  This was so amazing.  These people were so beyond their time in so many ways.

The next morning we were in Civitevechia, Italy where the ship docked for the last time.  We had to leave the ship and ride a bus back to Rome and head back to the United States.  Now I love our country but I knew when I got back I would have to go back to work.  Now my job is not a hard one but when you have been pampered, fed, and entertained for 11 days it is hard to get back in the groove of work, cleaning, doing laundry and cooking.  I think I might need a few prayers.  No I will need a lot of prayers!!!

I know this has been long and I left a lot out.

God is amazing and He created all the places we went.  He is such a great and loving and caring God. But most of all He is a forgiving God.  That is such a peaceful feeling.  While we were on the ship we had our own "Sunday" worship service together in another country and it was still God's country!

Isn't God good!

Excitement Abounds

Yesterday Doug had an appointment to see his cardiologist.  All is well!  For that we are so thankful.  God is good.  That was exciting.

But more excitement!  On Monday we fly to Rome, Italy and board a ship and cruise to the Mediterranean.  We bought this trip back in February not knowing what would be ahead.  We never do anything this far in advance but decided to go ahead and book the trip.  Well after by-pass surgery we still get to go.

There have been many things getting in the way such as surgery, unrest in Egypt, American Airlines planes having trouble, etc.  We trudge ahead. 

That is the way it is supposed to be with our walk with Jesus.  Things and people get in the way.  The devil puts them there and sometimes we stumble but if we look to Jesus and keep on keeping on all will be well.  It might not turn out the way we want but we are not to please self but God.

Yes we are excited.  We might get to walk where Jesus walked (Jerusalem and Bethlehem) and see the pyramids God's children built and where Jesus spent the first part of His life (Egypt) and walk among the ruins in Athens where Paul might have been. But if we are unable to get off the ship our own personal walk with Jesus will still be first in our lives.

Walking with Jesus now is much more important than walking where He walked.  Have a great week-end.

Just plain rude!

Growing up as a child I was passed around from family member to family member and to live with a family not related and then finally lived with my mother.  I never knew my father.I grew up like a lot of the children that live at the children's home where I work.  I was often blamed for things that happened  that I didn't do.  I learned to be un-emotional.  I did not cry when my mother died.  That might sound harsh but she didn't cry about things either. I loved my mother but felt I had to be strong and crying was not strong.  I could not let my guard down.  My husband had open heart surgery and I stayed strong for my children.  I did later cry tears of thanksgiving but no one knew it.

Recently I was told I was rude and opinionated.  I fell apart.  I never meant to be rude.  I did on occasion speak my thoughts.  I have found once again my opinion doesn't count.  I was hurt to think others thought of me as mean.  I became an emotional nightmare.  I have cried off an on for over a month.  I have since apologized to everyone I can think to apologize to for my rudeness. 

The Bible says to be ye kind.  I have taught this to others for many years and I was not kind.  I was wrong.

I just read an article by a woman that had had her feelings hurt.  She became unhappy and everyone around her knew it.  There was a bad smell in her house and she could not find it.  When she found it she removed it and it made her think about the stinking way she had acted.  She got rid of the smell in her house and her life.  That is what I am trying to do today.  I am getting rid of my stinking ways.

I hope you will have a great day.  You have already been blessed.  Lets just don't be rude today!

Get Smart

Do you remember the show "Get Smart"?  I do and always thought it funny, silly, and a little crazy.  Well as I listen to what is going on in our country I want to yell out GET SMART!  So many of us listen to a little and think we are smart enough to make decisions about our country, elected officials, etc.  Maybe we are smart enough but I am not so sure.  How much time and effort have we really put in to know what is right and wrong?  Do we pray about it?

Same thing with God's Word!  We think we know enough but do we really?  How much time and effort do we spend studying God's Word?  Do we take what someone we know tells us?  Do we listen to peoples opinions and accept them without studying to find out the truth?  Do we pray about it?

LET'S GET SMART!

The weather

It seems like everyone around here is complaining about the weather.  It is too hot!  Well it is pretty hot even for me.  I can tolerate the heat if I am sitting on my porch with a glass of iced tea.  It is shady there.  I like to listen to the  noises of nature and of course watch the cars go by.  Right now the weather isn't bothering me near as much as those pesky mosquitoes.  They just love me!  It is nice to be loved but not necessarily by those insects.

So do you sometiomes wonder why God made certain things?  Scorpians, mosquitoes, spiders, etc.  I guess if everything was perfect on this earth we wouldn't want to leave.  Though I can't imagine anyone not wanting to go to heaven.  God loves me a whole lot more than those pesky bugs and I know He loves you too.

Have a great week-end.

I'm Back

Well not totally.  My emotions are playing havoc with me lately.  I am not usually an emotional person so this is a hard thing for me.

Doug is doing so much better.  He is getting his strength back more and more every day.  For that we are thankful.

I guess I wrote about 12 blogs in my head the two weeks we were at the hospital but they never made it to the computer.  I am sure now I will not remember them.  But what I do remember is that God was with us the whole time.  He never left us or forsaked us.  He wrapped His arms around us.  He sometimes used others to comfort us.

As I walked the halls of the hospital I saw families that were also concerned for the health of their loved ones.  Some might not have been as lucky as we were.  I prayed for them and I know others were praying for us.  That too was a comfort.  Knowing your friends and loved ones cared.

We are so blessed.

decisions

Sometimes making decisions is easy but not all the time.  Sometimes the out come is good but not all the time.  For instance, I love the Olympics and want to watch until they go off at night.  Well then that means less sleep.  I still have to get up in the morning.

Shopping on line is sometimes a good thing if you live way out in the hill country like I do, but not all the time.  It is too easy to buy things you really don't need.

Then there are really big decisions like moving to a different house or buying a house, whether or not to go back to school or changing jobs, etc.

What about the decision to spend more time reading God's word or spending more time in prayer?  That is a good decision and the out come is even greater!

Olympics

I really enjoy the Olympics.  I get so excited watching the games, races, etc.  My family was able to attend the Olympic games in Atlanta.  That was such a wonderful experience being around people from all over the world.  I am not much of an athelete but I can Hoola Hoop!  (It has to do with the live it I am on!)

You know God has set a race before us.  One we need to race with endurance.  Sometimes we get out of breath just like the swimmers and hurdle jumpers.  It is a little different though.  We run out of breath because we don't spend the time we need to be spending in God's Word!  Those competing in the Olympics just didn't wake up last week and decide to compete.  They have been preparing and practicing for years.
How much practice/preparation are we doing?

Something to think about.

FOOD

I like food.  I like to eat.  I think I am hungry all the time.  I just finished lunch and though it was not a big lunch it was more than some get all day.  I think I am hungry now.  I need to loose some weight so my clothes will fit better.  So the terrible word diet is now being said.  I liked the way Richard Simmons always said it--Live it not diet.  Well sometimes I don't feel like I am living it if I can't have chocolate, hot rolls, candy bars, chocolate, etc!

We need to "Live it" but not just for chocolate.  We need to "Live it" for Jesus.  He wants us be about serving others, praising Him, spending time in His word.  Living for Jesus is a good thing.  I am going to do my best to "Live it" for Him.

A hot fudge sundae sounds good about now! (How easily I get distracted!)

Shopping

A fun sport!  Well if you have lots of money to spend.  Have you ever had to spend money?  Now I am not talking about the dollar you had in your pocket as a child and you could not wait to spend it.  I am talking about having a lot of money and you had to spend it all.  Well me neither but.....

Yesterday I helped a young lady get ready for college.  We went shopping for her college appartment.  She had a lot to buy and had the money to buy what she needed.  It was a long day but I think she is set for the move.

I don't have a lot of money but I have enough.  I have all the "things" I need.  You see God said He would supply all our needs and He has. Isn't God great!

Contests

My daughter texted me today and said she had started her workout yesterday and was doing very well.  She then wanted to know what the prize was going to be if she lost more than her sister and I did.  Well I went shopping and bought a prize that I wanted and informed her that I was going to win.  Well her sister texted me and said she didn't know about a contest but it didn't matter because she would win.  Well later somehow dad gets involved and said he would win because he had already lost 1.8 pounds!  I have lost 2!

Isn't this fun? Sometimes it is fun to compete with each other.  We just need to make sure we are not competing with God.  How do we do that you might say.  Well if we spend all our time doing other things and no time with God then I think we have our priorities in the wrong place.  God wants our time to be spent in serving Him, in praising Him, in thanking Him.

He doesn't mind if we are having family fun but don't over do it.  I'll let you know when I win!

Happy?

Are you happy?  I hope so.  I get excited when I see others happy.  Recently friends have posted on facebook pictures of their vacations and visits with family.  They all look so happy in the photos.  I always smile to see them.  Sometimes though I am a little envyious of them especially if they are going somewhere I want to go but can't.  Then I think maybe someday.

Did you ever give someone an anonomous gift?  I love doing that and then watching their face light up.  It is a good happy feeling inside.

When someone becomes a Christian or is restored to their first love the angels sing!  God is happy and all of His followers are happy.

Lets be happy today.

Stars

Doug has been talking about faith on Sunday mornings.  He has used Abraham and Sarah and their stories.  God tells Abraham he will have as many descendents as there are stars in the sky.  Now that is a lot of stars and a lot of children, grandchildren, etc.  But they had no children....  How would we handle that? They were already passed the childbearing age.  It was a number of years later before Sarah gave birth.  She was ninty years old.

Sometimes we ask God for something and we don't have enough faith to wait for His answer to those prayers.  We try to go out and take care of it on our own.  Sarah did too!  Didn't turn out the right way.  When we try to do it our way and not God's do we have good results?

Something to think about.

Vacations

I really enjoy going away for awhile.  I think it is so refreshing.  When you come back you are supposed to be rested and ready to get back into the swing of things again.  Sometimes that doesn't happen. Sometimes we work so hard at having a good time we tire ourselves out. Then when we return we are still tired and not ready to get back to our regular lives.

"Be still and know that I am God"  God said this.  He knew we needed time to rest.  I am looking forward to August.  I get to go to Polishing the Pulpit Workshop in the Smoky Mountains.  Now you spend a lot of time in classes learning about God but to wake up in the morning and see the beautiy of the mountains that God created is awsome!  Growing up in that part of the country I often heard people say that was God's country.  They were right!  I know the rest of the country is His too but unless you have been there... I do intend to rest some while there but the big vacation doesn't come until October!

Spending time in God's word is also refreshing and we do not have to get totally away to do that.  We can get away from TV or whatever distracts us and spend time with God.  Reading His word and talking to Him is the most uplifting/refreshing thing we can do.

How are you going to spend your vacation?

Jesus wept

Recently I was reading Power for Today and the scripture they used for the day was "Jesus wept".  I send a scripture to my children daily and decided to send John 11:35 that day.  I later began to think about those two words.  Jesus wept. Jesus loved a friend so much He cried for him.  We often cry for loved ones when they pass away.  But do we cry for the ones that are still alive but lost?  Do we love them enough to cry out to them and teach them the way of the Lord?  Or maybe just to pray for their souls?

Let's weep today.

Pricked to the heart

Have you ever been pricked to the heart?  Reading in Acts we find that when Peter pointed out to the people what they had done they were pricked to the heart.  So sorry, so deeply sorry for what they had done or let be done.

As small children we are told, say you are sorry.  And we say I'm sorry.  I often wonder how many times we said that and really were not sorry.  As we grow older we are or should be more aware of what that means.

I never intend to hurt anyone by my words or actions and if I do I am truly sorry.  It isn't something we wake up in the morning thinking I am going to hurt someone today. 

Sometimes we hurt others by not doing or saying something.  How often do we "pass by on the other side" to avoid someone or to avoid doing something for someone?  How often do we find excuses for not doing what God intended for us to do?

Maybe we should be pricked to the heart.

Rain

Cherokee has finally had some rain.  We have really needed it.  I would like for it to rain all night every night this week.  Sleeping would be so good.  Everything would look so refreshed and clean.

I was thinking about rain.  We have other kinds of rain besides the wet kind that God sends our way.

We have blessings "rained" down on us all the time.  Our families, friends, homes, food, clothes and the list goes on.  Do we take those "rainings" for granted?  Those blessings are constant.  A constant reminder of God's love for us.

Can you count them?

Summertime

Oh the lazy, hazy days of summer...where did they go?  I can remember those days.  I would love to spend the day sitting on my front porch doing nothing....

Besides working I have spent time at Bible camp teaching young ladies.  I had to spend time preparing for that and trust me you have to be on your toes to teach them.  They ask questions! My grandchildren have been visiting.  That always keep me busy.  Love having them around.  It doesn't happen often.

I was thinking about being lazy.  Not doing laundry or sweeping the floor or making the bed could be seen by some as lazy.  Staying in bed until the last minute could be seen as lazy. 

The worse part about being lazy is if we forget God.  You know He made these lazy, hazy days.  We need to give Him thanks.  While you are out there on that proch spend time talking to Him, reading His Word.

Busy

Busy.  Aren't we all!  I like those days/evenings when I can just sit in my chair and hold my cat and do nothing.  It seems like those days/evenings are getting fewer lately.  This time of year is so full of graduation/school/church /work things that there isn't time for nothing! This week there is something everynight but one!  I am sure I can find something to do or somewhere to go that night too.

A day might come when I can only do nothing.  Not sure I am ready for that.  At least not yet just would like a nothing evening once in awhile.

Are you busy or do you have nothing days/evenings?  One day maybe we can rest at Jesus feet!  I would like that nothing day/evening.

Uppers and Downers

I haven't felt much like writing this week.  So many things have happened.  I am a little down one minute and a little up the next.  We had two boys baptized this week.  This is an upper for sure.  Angels rejoicing along with us.  But then a young man died in a car accident.  That is a downer for his family and friends.  He is so missed.  Another upper is that the senior class of which the young man was a member gave all their Project Graduation money to his family! 

We have downers so to speak to help us grow.  If all we had were uppers we would take them for granted. And most of the time we do.

 We need to grow.  We need to accept and rejoice no matter what comes our way.  Jesus died for us.  That is the biggest upper!

Close to God

When do you feel closest to God?  Doug and I were talking about this this morning.  It is a question I would like to ask several people.  This  got me to thinking about it and you know my thinking is sometimes troubling to say the least!

As I sat there I thought about when I feel closest to God.  It is when I am high in the sky in an airplane and when I am out on the ocean on a ship.  My two favorite places to be. The reason is because I have no control and am able to turn everything over to God.  When at home I have my feet on the ground and can try to control everything.  Not good.  I should be able to turn everything over to God all the time.  Something I am going to work on.

When are you closest to God?

Praying for my son.

Several of my friends have posted about praying for 21 days for their sons.  You can join this group but I didn't.  However I think this is a great idea.  You see today is my youngest son's birthday.  I am very proud of my son and I do pray for him everyday.  Jeremy is married to a wonderful, caring and sharing woman, Sheila.  I love them both dearly.

My son is creative  and so is his wife.  He is a baker.  He bakes for people and dogs!  Yes for dogs.  She makes handcarved candles.  Beautiful creations.  But you know what, the creations God made when they (Jeremy and Sheila)were made are special.  I am so thankful for them.

So if you have a son or daughter pray for them for the next 21 days and every day after.  They are a blessing.

Tea Cup

Those of you that know me know I collect tea pots and tea cups.  As I look around my house I see all the beautiful tea cups and tea pots God has blessed me with. I enjoy having tea parties and drinking tea in special cups.  I have been sort of busy lately and have not had a tea party in a while.

Sort of busy...  Sometimes we get so busy doing busy things we forget to do the things that are most important like having ladies over for tea and maybe talking about God's Word together.  Or maybe just taking time out to pray and study God's Word alone.

You know if that tea cup gets empty there is no more tea in it!  We are the same way.  If we don't keep filled up on God's Word we become empty.  Satan just hangs around for that time.  Are you empty?

Fill that cup!

Butterflies

Butterflies have been swarming around here.  In fact as you drive down the street you have them hitting your windshield in large numbers.  The butterflies are one of God's many creations and so pretty.  It hurts to see them die in such large amounts.  There is nothing we can do about that except maybe park our cars.  A coworker of mine said her grandaughter was picking the dead ones out of the grill on her truck.  The granddaughter looked up at her like she was a murderer!  Another friend said he tried slowing down so that maybe it wouldn't be so bad.  They die if you are going 60 or 70.

Those butterflies will never be back but God will send others to brighten our day.  A lot of things that happen in our lives are sad.  Maybe a good friend moves away or we loose a job or a loved one finds out they have a dreaded diesease or maybe there is an accident.  These are all sad things but you know what?  In Jeremiah 29:11 God says He has a plan for us and a hope and a future.  Isn't that a great thought?

Changes

Lots of changes going on in many of my friends lives.  Just visited with a friend that moved away and is living in Arizona.  We think of Arizona as being very hot and it is in some places at some times.  She lives on a mountain and there was a big snow storm there last week end.  Another friend is building a new house that will be ready in a few weeks.  She will be moving away.  Another friend that has already moved away is building a new house but it just started today.  Another friend is expecting a new grandbaby any day now.  Another friend is getting a new sewer system but the blasting they are doing to get it in the ground is unnerving to her!

Me well I am just getting fatter and sassier but who knows a big change might be coming my way too.  A new house not likely.  A new sewer system no we have a septic tank.  A new grandbaby well now that is posssible! (I have a married daughter.)

Sometimes changes are good and fun but sometimes not so good and fun.  Whatever is going on in your life I hope is good and fun. 

Mary

I just read a blog written by a beautiful Christian Mother.  She was holding her sons hand during communion on Sunday morning.  She reflected on Mary the mother of Jesus and how Mary must have felt watching her son die on that cross and how she must have wanted to take His hand and care for the nail holes there.  How she stood at His feet watching Him struggle to breath and then hear Him give her to John.  She knew He was God's son.  She knew why He had to do what He did but she was still His mother and the hurt was there.

Those mothers of us that have believing children feel a sigh of relief knowing that someday they will be with Jesus in heaven.  Some of us have unbelieving children.  Maybe they just haven't taken that step.  Maybe they don't feel they can be perfect enough.  Whatever the reason we ache for them.  No one wants anyone to die and miss out on spending eternity in heaven with Jesus.  Don't give up mothers just keep praying God will send just the right person to aid them in their decision to become a child of God.

Hmmm

Last night we had a Bible Study with some very special people.  That got me to thinking (here I go again!).  I have a lot of special people in my life.  So many friends from way back and many special people in my life now.  There are many special people in my life that I have never had a Bible Study with.

Hmmm!

What If!

When my children were little they would say but what if.  I told them we don't do what ifs.  They didn't happen and no point in thinking about them.

Last night Doug and I watched a movie called "What If".  It was similar to "It is't A Wonderful Life" and another movie I can't think of the name of.  Anyway it got me to thinking which can sometimes be dangerous.

We had a friend stop by after we had seen the movie.  Doug was telling him about the movie and he began to say some "What ifs".  Things like What if you had not moved here, What if you had not ever met each other.  Stuff like that.  Some of that could be scarry.  (That is one reason I didn't like for my children to think about What Ifs.)

But what if Jesus had not died for our sins?  What if there was not a heaven?  What if God did not love us?

I am thankful for salvation.  I am thankful there is a heaven and that God loves us.  I am thankful for forgiveness.  We don't have to do "What Ifs" and isn't that great!

I climbed the rock again!

My daughter and her husband and two dogs came for a visit.  We all went to Enchanted Rock.  I climbed it again!  This time we followed the trail up and down.  No sidetracks for us.  The younger ones went to explore some caves. 

While we were up on top Doug and I were thinking about "The Flood".  Doug said this rock/mountain was covered in water.  Then I began to think about the Himalayan Mountains.  They are really tall mountains.  The Bible says all the earth was flooded.  That was a lot of water.  Our God is so awsome.  He made those majestic mountains and then covered them with water.  He washed away all the sin that was in the world at that time. 

When we are baptized all of our sins are washed away.  After the flood it did not take man long to begin sinning again.  How long after all of our sins are washed away do we begin sinning again?

On Sunday I am sure you heard a sermon about Jesus' death on the cross.  How His blood was shed for us.  He did that for us.  How soon after that lesson did we begin sinning again?

Something to think about!

Alpha and Omega

Everywhere you look you see the beautiful spring flowers.  Here in Texas bluebonnets, Indian Paints, flox, Lavender, etc. is filling the fields and road sides. In my yard the roses are blooming, my shamrock plant, my easter lily  and lots of petunias are blooming.  God is in charge.  He made all these flowers and they know when to bloom.  It isn't because of anything I did.

I have a friend Terry.  Terry is a very good photographer.  He posted a picture on facebook of dandilions.  One was yellow and the other was ready for a child to pick and blow away!  Beautiful.  He titled it Alpha and Omega.  The beginning and the end.  God is the beginning and the end.  Everything we do from beginning to end we do for the glory of God.

Have a great day from beginning to end!

Study and Age

As I get older it is harder for anything to stick in my brain. Or maybe it sticks so tight that it is hard to retrieve it. On Sunday morning we are studying the book of John in Bible Class. On Wednesday evening I am teaching the Old Testament and we are at the plagues. The kids are enjoying it so that is good. I am starting the study of the Gospels with the Digging Deeper in God's Word group. Now on Tuesday evenings we are going to have a class that will study the book of Acts. I sure hope my old brain can keep everything straight!



Studying God's Word is a great thing no matter your age.

Things that irritate

I don't like flies.  I chase them if they get in the house.  Don't like gnats.  Bugs of any kind just stay away.  Rocks in my shoes are a no no.  Whinny children or adults need to zip it.

Then I begin to wonder about the things I do that might irritate others.  Things I forget to do, maybe holding others up in the check out line, etc.

Then I think about God.  He sees all.  He knows all the irritating things I do.  He loves me anyway.  I should not let little things bother me. Especially things others do.  Life is short.  If we spend our time thinking about the little things that bother us we will miss the good things going on. 

It is a choice.

The doctors fault!

Today is my oldest daughters birthday.  She is and always has been a little stubborn.  It isn't her fault.  You see when she was being delivered the doctor said this is a stubborn one.  So she has tried to live up to what he said.  It would have been easier if he had said this is a calm, gentle conpliant one.  She cried more, demanded more, etc.  But she was more determined as well which is not a bad thing in itself.

It only took one day to potty train her.  It was her second birthday.  She went on the potty and never wore another diaper.  She did not have accidents or wet the bed.

In high school she had a science teacher that told the students she had to tell them about the "big bang therory" but it was just a theory.  She liked that .  When she went to college of course there was more talk about that.  She came to the conclusion that it could have happened that way if that was the way God had wanted it to happen.

She is beautiful, she loves animals, she shares and has the kindest heart ever.  She cries for others.  If she was the richest woman in the world you would be too because she would share what she had with you.

I am very proud of her.  I am very blessed she is my daughter.  Who cares what the doctor said!!!

Christian Fellowship

Last night was our monthly Ladies Night Out.  This month Esther Cox was the hostess.  She has a beautiful home and is very hospitable.  The food was delicious but I think the fellowship was best.  We had a group of Sojourner Ladies join us last night.  Esther shared with us how we need to live for God now because our life is short.  The ladies had stories to share.  They are great examples to all and are such servants.

I really like the song "Make Me A Servant"  Lord, make me like you.

(Sorry I missed the Pod Cast last night but I will listen later.)

The silly things we do!

Well maybe you don't do silly things but I sure do.  Like buying presents and forgetting where you put them or maybe forgetting that you even bought them.  This happened this week.  I have two children with birthdays close together.  I had bought them gifts but forgot about it.  I then remembered buying one of them but not the other so I went and bought another then found the first one I bought.  Getting dizzy yet?

A co worker used the term "ditsy" this morning.  He was teasing and not about me.  Maybe it should be me!

I am thankful our God doesn't forget like we do.  He is there every morning.  Read Lamentations 3:23-25

Have a great day everyone.

wash cloths

When you go to the store to buy towels and wash cloths you look at all the colors and choose just the right ones.  You buy towels and wash cloths and hand towels that match.  When you get home you put them in the closet/cabinet what ever you have and they look so pretty.  Now if you buy more than one color that might pose a problem. If you want to use the same color wash cloth and towel at the same time then you might stack them that way in the closet.  Maybe it doesn't matter to you if they match or not.  Maybe you don't even use a wash cloth.  Well I like them to match and I do use a wash cloth.

Recently I had been noticing the towels and wash cloths were not matching up.  So I restacked them.  This happened several times.  I mentioned it to Doug who was the culprit.  There was a certain towel and wash cloth he liked so he would get that and it caused the others to be out of order.  His comment was it doesn't matter.  Well you know what it doesn't matter. 

I thought about it for a while not just about the wash cloths and towels not matching but there are other things in our lives that don't matter.  Do we stress over the things that don't really matter?  Do we spend time on the things that do?

Something to think about!

Have a great day.

Storms

Earlier in the week we had some serious storms in our little town.  Many had to go for shelter to avoid injury.  No one was injured and that is a good thing.

Today the sun is out, the sky is blue and the clouds are floating by and it is a beautiful day.  God made this day.

Life is a little like this week.  Sometimes we have storms in our lives.  Not weather ones but things that happen to us or family members that are hard to deal with.  Illness or job loss or maybe even death.  We feel sad and maybe a little afraid about these things.  That is kind of like the darkness.  Then when a period of time passes and the sun comes out things seem bright again.  The light.

Jesus is our light.  Lets look to Him when we are having those stormy times.  Things won't seem so dark and stormy.

Bluebonnets

The bluebonnets are beautiful this year.  If you are not form Texas you might not understand how we look forward to them every spring.  Last year there was a draught and not many spring flowers survived.  This year God blessed us with rain at just the right time and boy was there a bluebonnet explosion!

As I was going down the road the other day I was just amazed again at God's power.  He created this world.  He put the clouds in the sky and the grass on the ground.  There were areas that looked like water along the side of the road but it was bluebonnets.  They know when to come to the surface.  That was part of God's creation.  Then I got to wondering if the bluebonnets were here before man moved to Texas!  Or did God wait until man came to enjoy them.  Maybe God put them here from the beginning so He could enjoy them!  Anyway I am thankful for the bluebonnets and the rest of God's creation.

Doug's Birthday

Saturday was Doug's Birthday.  It was also St. Patricks Day.  A day full of green and lucky things.  Well we had planned to climb Enchanted Rock.  A fun thing to do on St. Patrick's Day.  It was so crowded the line of cars to get into the place was very long.  We got out of line and went to Fredericksburg instead.  Lucky for my muscles!

We talk about how lucky we are sometimes.  But is it really luck or blessings?  Something to think about.
God does bless us abundantly.

It is fun to have a day to wear green and talk about luck but we need to be thankful for all the belssings God has given us everyday.  Tell Him about it.

My friend

My friend is in Athens Greece.  She is helping others learn to read the Bible in English.  So many lives are being touch by just a simple thing like that.  Everything we do touches others in some way.  We need to be more aware of what we are doing and saying so that we touch others in a good way.

Awsome Sunday

Yesterday was an awsome Sunday.  We were able to worship God twice.  The singing was great even though some were out for spring break.  We heard great messages from God's word and had fellowship with oneanother.  Later in the day we were able to "shower" a sweet sister with gifts for her upcoming marriage.  Then after evening services we said good bye to a couple moving to another state.  Sad but at the same time a new adventure for them.

God is great.

Pedestals

What are pedestals? Well they are tall columns used to hold things and they are usually high/tall. Some are taller than others.

Some people put plants on them or something they treasure or really like.

Do you ever put people on a pedestal? Do you ever think so highly of someone you don't think they could ever have any faults? You don't think they could ever fall off that pedestal?

What happens when someone you think a lot of falls off that pedestal? Someone does or says something that really shocks you. How do you feel about that?

We need to remember people are human. We want all people to do what is right but because we are human mistakes are made.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. If we were perfect like Him He would not have come. We are not so He came to save us. He died that horrible death so we could have a chance to live with Him one day.

We need to remember that people do sometimes fall. We need to not be so shocked that we cannot forgive. We need to be more like Jesus and be forgiving. We don't have to condone mistakes but be willing to forgive.

Don't make those pedestals too high.

God is amazing!

Living in Texas you get to see lots of weather changes.

This morning I was actually hot. I know those of you that know me find that hard to believe but it is true. It was warm outside. Now the wind is blowing and it is very cold.

Sometimes that can be discouraging when you leave home dressed for warm weather and then get ready to go home and it is cold. But when you think about it it is only a little inconvenience.

As I was thinking about all of this I realized God made the warm sunshine, the wind to blow and the rain to fall. He can do anything. He is amazing.

Looking out of my window I can see the trees moving very fast. Leaves flying around. Flags waving. God is in control. And I am thankful.

A New Day

Every morning we wake up it is as if God created the world all over again just for us.

Lamentations 3 tells us that "The steadfast of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning! "

Isn't it great to know we can start over again each day.