Life

What a gift we have been given....LIFE! Each morning as I wake up, open the blinds and greet the morning, I thank God for the breath He has given me! Each day holds another wonderful opportunity to laugh, to sing, to read His Word, to see my children and my grandchildren, to eat, to play, to worship! As trials come my way, I try to keep my focus on Him and not on the problem. Yes, it's a struggle sometimes, but God always reaches down and calms me and reminds me of who's in charge. All I need to do is look outside and consider the work of His hands!

Tonight, I am simply reminding myself in the midst of family struggles, health struggles and the financial pains we are all feeling, that God is STILL God. I know that is no new news to most of us, I'm simply reminding myself. I'm thankful for LIFE and the gift of simply living it, whether it's difficult or not, I thank Him for this life I've been given.

For each breath Lord, I thank thee. IT'S ALL GOOD!

Let the Surgery Begin!

OK....so today I had to go to a doctor who did a little cutting on my upper right knee. It was some sort of spot that I'd had cut out before but it came back, only worse and more painful, so they needed to cut it out again. As I lay waiting on the table, after the 5 or so shots to numb the area, I lay there doing more thinking.

I thought to myself, wouldn't it just be so nice if ALL the bad stuff within me....you know, the bad thoughts, the selfishness, the negativity, all the parts of me that I haven't given over to Him and just all the non-Christian stuff that still lies within me.....could ALL be cut out too?????

I thought about asking the doctor how much of the bad stuff he could cut out in one day but then, as I lay there alone in the room with a "dead" knee...I realized if he "could" cut all the junk out, there wouldn't be much left of me to even get up off the table!!!!

Then in my demented strange mind, I began seeing pieces of me, all bloodied and yucky all over the table. I envisioned Summer and the boys (who were waiting in the car) being called in and seeing only pieces of me left on the table
and asking what happened. I could even hear the doctor explaining...."I'm so sorry...when we cut all the bad away, that was all that was left:("

In reality, this is the plain and simple truth...IF I could measure the "good" in me....it wouldn't be much....it would only be JESUS, that's it...just HIM.

God, please do spiritual surgery on me and cut out all the bad. Help me to do my part in cutting out all the yukky stuff that doesn't glorify you....it's so much God and I'm afraid....but I know you will help me to grab the spiritual scalpel and begin the surgery. Help me begin tonight and as I cut, heal the wounds that are left behind. I am so weak but in you, I am strong.

Thank you God, thank you......SCALPEL......SPONGE.....CLAMP...........

What "REALLY" is Important In This Life?

OK....so I've been thinking again today. This past Sunday in our SS class, we had an amazing lesson. We are studying Philippians and we're in the first chapter. There are so many things to be learned from Paul, deep spiritual lessons that should change our lives.

I am one of millions of people who daily forget what "really" is important in our lives. While I'm picking out my clothes, fixing my hair, deciding on dinner, choosing a place to shop, and doing the myriad of things I do, I often forget what "really" IS important. Paul made it clear to us as did Jesus Himself. It's furthering the Gospel....period. Oh yeah, all those above things need to be done and rightly so, but let us not forget the main thing in this life that should be our daily focus...spreading the Gospel.

Paul touched the depths of my heart when in chapter 1 he immediately speaks to us from his prison cell and declares loudly that the Gospel must be proclaimed with boldness and exalted in our bodies. Wouldn't it have been easy for Paul to wish Christ would take him home and get him out of that prison? But instead, even though he wrestled with this, he realizes that for the greater good of spreading the Gospel, he desires to stay as he realizes this is more necessary for Christ's sake. Man, we all need a dose of this great desire, don't we? We, including myself, live too much of our lives self-absorbed, self-satisfied and just plain selfish. We daily forget what the purpose of living is all about. We have lightbulb moments off and on when we remember what it is we were put here for in the first place, but then life gets in the way again and off we go on our own agenda.

We MUST step up to the plate and be BOLD when it comes to our Jesus. He deserves that from us. We need to stop backing down from speaking the truth of the Word to people and just speak it in love! When I think of "spreading" anything, to me, that word means slathering something all over. Let's SLATHER Jesus all over everyone we come in contact with people!

Lord, help me remember what life "REALLY" is ALL about....it's YOU Lord, SLATHERING YOU everywhere I go.

The Greatest Gifts I've Ever Been Given

Isn't life funny? As I sat and did some thinking this morning, my children's growing up years flooded my mind. There in my mind, I saw my firstborn, DJ. I vividly remember the day we brought him home from the hospital. I was so young and hadn't a clue of what having a baby around was all about. I did my best figuring things out when he came along but by 2 months of age, I unknowingly fed him so many baby carrots that he turned orange! Since we didn't have a clue what was wrong with him we took him to the doctor as we were so worried he was orange, only to find out that I was feeding him too many carrots! What can I say??? He liked them the best so that's what I gave him! How ridiculous now when I look back on it. None of my family lived close to me and I had no one to help me nor give me much guidance and so, I learned many things the hard way. Regardless of my ignorance, he grew into a sweet quiet little boy who warmed my heart.

Then my mind wandered to my second born son, Butch. From the day of his birth, somehow I knew this child was going to be most like me and he was AND is. He was a character already by the age of 6 months! Even then, when he was mad because you wouldn't give him his bottle, he'd bang his head back on my chest and yell! As he grew, he, like me, always had a voice about everything! He brought so much laughter to this house and so much fun as he grew as well as so many "opportunities for growth" in all of us! He loved every animal that came along and welcomed every person he met into our home and life. He was a joy...EXCEPT FOR THOSE TRYING YEARS THAT HE ALMOST KILLED US!!!!! :)

Then I thought about my last born and only daughter, Summer. Her birth was a time of rejoicing, not just because she was our first girl, but her daddy was present for her amazing birth. I can still see the look on his face as he layed her in my arms. She was such a tiny little thing and so sweet. She completed our family so beautifully and her brothers immediately took to her, especially DJ. As she grew, her perfection about everything became obvious. She liked things "just so" and still does. It was so wonderful having a little girl to play "girly" games and such with. She and I were closer than two peas in a pod as she grew. She made me feel complete. She was an easy child and a wonderful little girl.

Now, those precious children are grown and gone, all with families of their own. Sometimes, the quiet is deafening around here, sometimes wonderful. Today, it is deafening. Memories are such precious gifts from God but sometimes they make us cry too. As I love on, play with and cuddle my own grandchildren, it makes me miss the days when my own were little.

Ahhhhhh....I suppose that is enough reminiscing for one day.....actually, more than enough. How grateful I am for the 3 gifts of my children that God gave me. As they approach their 36th, 34th and 29th birthdays next month, I realize I love and cherish them more than ever. They are God's greatest gifts to me and always will be. There's nothing I love doing more than spending time with them. Thank you God, thank you God for DJ, Butch & Summer. I have always had a favorite verse that I have prayed over them for years and continue to do so...
"And now, may the Lord bless and keep you, may the Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious to thee, may the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace." Numbers 6:24-26

I love you and miss you my children.

Can you OD on shrimp???

Shrimp scampi, breaded shrimp, cajun shrimp, coconut shrimp and shrimp and linguini....YEP, I had some of all of them yesterday! It felt SO GOOD going down but hours later....many hours later....I still felt like I'd been shot, stuffed and put on a wall somewhere, I was so stuffed! I didn't even want to drink anything some 7 hours later as my stomach was still full! YUK...pretty disgusting, huh? Talk about eating all you can eat...I darn sure did. I blame it on Red Lobster though. How dare they offer the "Never Ending Shrimp Plate" knowing that idiots like me will sit down and eat too much and then be miserable the rest of the night. On top of all that shrimp, OF COURSE I just HAD to eat 2 of their cheese biscuits, baked potato AND wild rice! GOOD GRIEF...I'm ashamed and I should be.

Not too sure I will be visiting Red Lobster again anytime soon....I don't think my stomach can handle it. Just thinking about it now makes me feel like I need to go drink more Alka Seltzer....plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is!

Grandkids, Football, Soccer, Icees & Andy Griffith

Yep, that's what the day was full of and it was GREAT! I would call the day one that was filled with the simple pleasures in life that make it worth living and waking up for every day.

At 9:00 this morning, we went to see Easton play in his 2nd soccer game.(#1 on his jersey) How adorable watching these 4 & 5 year olds run the ball up and down the soccer field. It was a great way to start the day. Sweet coach who gathered them together to start the game up with a huddle, then the lineup and away goes the game. Easton was hot behind his teammate Dashon after the ball!

Then it was out to breakfast with everyone and back home. It took an hour for us to cool off after we got home as it was so hot outside.

Then, it was over to the high school stadium to watch Butch play his first football game on the JETS team.(#32 on his jersey) He looked so grown up out there on the field and got to be one of the few chosen to go out centerfield for the coin toss! WHOOO HOOOO! He took time to pose with his cousin Jordan, who's one of the cheerleaders for his team, take a team photo (bottom row first on the left) and then he was ready to play. Great fun and I was so proud of my grandson.

It was so hot outside that when we left, we stopped to get an Icee to cool off. Easton had wanted to go with us to see his cousin play, so it was a perfect thing to pick up to cool off on the way home.

Once home, Easton wanted to watch his favorite...Andy Griffith. Perfect way to end the afternoon.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful Saturday enjoying our grandchildren and life. We are rich and blessed beyond measure!

Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs 17:6

Ike

Today as I watched the weather and began seeing the first images of the water crashing against the 17 foot sea wall in Galveston, I cried. I stopped what I was doing and prayed diligently and cried fitfully for the thousands and thousands of people who will be affected by this massive storm. My mind raced thinking about the children, those sick in hospitals and the elderly who would loose their lives, their possessions, the comfort of their surroundings and all they know, to this storm. As I prayed, I begged Him for mercy on behalf of His people.

Oh God, that we all would feel anguish and inner pain for the people all over the world who suffer, who live in fear, who are homeless, who do not know you, who are persecuted for righteousness sake, who are hungry, who are lonely, who are sick...Oh God, let us pray for these people, let us seek your face and cry out to you for the only help that there is.....YOU.

11 Chronicles 7:14 says: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

Let us all remember to pray for the many whose lives will be devastated and those who will be lost because of this storm. It is our duty, priviledge and should be our honor to pray for them. We would want them to do the same for us. May God help them all.

Thoughts of Chicago

At 7:45 this morning, I was out front, watering my plants AND SWEATING LIKE A PIG! This is ridiculous! I fretted and fumed and repeated again how I dislike Florida, all to myself and the dog. Now I suppose since she's only 3 1/2 pounds, she probably prefers the summer but NOT ME! Not the FLORIDA summer anyway! Good grief...the heat and humidity is enough to smother a person. I'm sick of it and I long for my Chicago days. NORMAL temps to me are NOT 90's and humid for months on end! YUK! I long for the changing of ALL 4 seasons and the enjoyment I found in each one of them.

I can remember winters in Chicago more clearly than any other season in my childhood, I suppose because they were so MUCH fun! Standing at the back door getting all bundled up by Grandma...she'd start with your regular clothes, then the sweater went on, the hooded coat would go on, then your scarf would be wrapped around your neck, the mittens would be pulled on and clipped inside. And that was just the TOP HALF OF YOUR BODY! OHHHHH, how I loved those days. Trudging out in the snow and having a ball! I yearn for colder weather right now.

Here's a great picture of my sister MANY MOONS ago that shows how we were dressed! It was a pain getting into all this garb but a blast outside once you got there! Man, I miss those days...

Think I'll go stick my head in the freezer and pretend I'm back in good old Yankee Land!

Why Do They Sing???

Ok...Ok...I KNOW firsthand that my brain doesn't think like most peoples....that's a given. BUT...am I the ONLY one who has ever wondered why birds sing? This morning, as I went through my morning ritual feeding my outside birds, I watched them from the window as they began to gather for breakfast at my backyard cafe. As they gather, they make such wonderful sounds. The singing, of course, starts at dawn and I LOVE the sound of it. It makes me happy to hear something else singing, besides me!

So....do you think they sing because they're happy...is it because they were born to sing...do they sing solely to communicate with each other...what do you think???

Well, I think they sing because it makes them happy....just like me! Most days I'm singing not long after I awake...just like them! When I sing, it lifts my spirits, brings me joy and brings glory to God AND since I have breath...praising God with my voice is what I was created to do!

Those sweet birds outside were created by God too and they're just doing what they were created to do...sing and give glory to God by doing so!

"LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE THE LORD!!" Psalm 150:6

Next time you hear a bird sing, maybe, just maybe...he's praising the God who created Him...just like me!

Alone

Sadness, emptiness, shortcomings, failures, too much spoken, not enough spoken, too much selfishness, too much laziness, lonliness, inadequate.....these feelings have raged within me for several days now. I've fought them, spoke Words of Life to them, denied them, cried about them and still, they come.

They are relentless...like rain that doesn't let up.
Like waves of the ocean...they come.
Like the untamed wind...they whirl around me and encompass me.

Sadness grips me and lonliness wants to settle on me. I'm screaming back at this feeling that it's not true...it's not based on fact...and then.....

I run to Psalms and there, I find lonliness, emptiness must flee...

"Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
he shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His TRUTH shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday."
Psalms 91:3-6

He speaks peace to my fears, my lonliness...the lies that surround me.
He whispers calmness to me. Life Christmas dinner, I am once again full.

My physical heart wants to run back to the feelings of lonliness...where I can
wallow in my selfishness...

My spiritual heart screams at me that it's not about me...never has been, never will be. My spiritual heart reminds me that God owns my heart, not me. He beckons me...He calls my name...He reminds me of His love for me, regardless of my feelings.

Goodbye me........goodbye....
Thank you Jesus..........thank YOU.

Another New Exhibit to See!

The tadpole exhibit is still available to see but now, we've expanded our "rrreally BIG shewwww" (as Ed Sullivan would say) with two new additions! They are weird looking little caterpillars that appear to LOVE my lime tree. Back in April of this year, they made their first arrival and OF COURSE, as those of you who know me well, Yaya was compelled to put them into a little bug box and watch them. Daily the kids and I fed them lime tree leaves and watched them devour them in hours. A couple weeks later, our weird looking caterpillar weaved himself into a cocoon. Not too long after that, we were entralled when our weird looking caterpillar made his new entrance into the world as THE most BEEEEUTIFUL BUTTERFLY!!

Sooooo, they have made a second visit now to our small zoo and would like to make their worldwide appearance here on my blog.

Remember, tickets are free so step right up and see the weird looking caterpillars.

Oh yes....and thank you Lord for another of your creatures that fascinates me and brings me great joy. You are a creative God!!!!

Youth With a Heart

What a priviledge and honor it to be a Sunday School teacher in our youth department at church! Every Sunday morning as I awake, my mind centers on our services, our pastor, our ministries and our SS classes. I begin praying as I start my Sunday morning, getting my physical and spiritual self ready for worship. I'm always excited as we pull out of the driveway and head for church. Anticipation begins building in my heart and I can't wait to get there to see what God is going to do on this particular day of worship.
We have some amazing youth at our church, just in case you didn't know it! Every Sunday, at least one of them, blows me away. There are some whose faith is deep, whose commitments are firm and their prayer life is real.
Yesterday, I was once again amazed by one of our young men. He will remain unnamed as the Only One who needs to know his name, already does. He came to me after class was over, ONCE AGAIN burdened for the lost, confused and deceived youth of our community. As he stood before me, baring his heart and his deep concern for other youth, my heart was leaping with joy. He deeply, and I do mean deeply, CARES about lost youth. As tears welled up in his eyes, in my spirit all I could do was thank God for those of our youth who "really" care about others and really do "get it."
Also yesterday, I was priviledged to have one of our older young ladies stay in my class to help out. Darrel and I had 6th-8th graders ALL together yesterday, so it was quite a crowd. Her servanthood was precious and her smile warmed my heart.
We are blessed at RRC with youth who want to make a difference on this planet and I am so grateful to God that I am a small part of their lives. Working with them, teaching them, knowing them and watching them grow in Christ is an honor.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY for the youth of our church! They make my life full.