Snow and Jesus

We had our first snow fall of the season. It gently fell to the ground all day and was absolutely beautiful. I have a tradition where I go outside and dance around in a circle for the first snow of winter. I don't even remember how long ago it started, but I love to see the snow falling and covering the ground. It makes everything clean, pure, and white; it always reminds of Jesus' blood that covered my sins and made me white as snow. We are each unique and different like each snowflake; and Jesus loves each one of us. Thanks God for making snow and sending your Son to die for me. ! I love you with all my heart!

So busy...

It seems I get so busy I don't keep up with this blog like I want to. Facebook, emails, volunteer work, etc. all seem to soak up my time these days. I don't ever want to be so busy I miss the blessings God gives me each day. I'm thankful for my family and the wonderful love we share. Christmas is always a busy time. I'm practicing the cantata and the excitement grows at each practice. How awesome that God sent His only Son as a baby? He chose to send Him as a baby - what excitement a baby brings!

A painted picture...

Every day God paints a new picture for us. How blessed are we to never see the same thing twice. This week I've noticed how beautiful the sky has been. Maybe it's because we had so much rain, I'm appreciating the sun shining more. One afternoon, it was as if the sky was a striped shirt - a beautiful blue with white stripes - I just had to take a picture. Soon after I took the picture, the clouds began to float into another more abstract shape. Then on the way home, the sunset across from our home was beautiful. It was as if there were swirls of fire right above the horizon. Isn't it amazing how it is the same sky or canvas each day, but God paints and changes the picture for us? Oh how blessed we are to enjoy God's awesome creations...

Busy summer

Wow, this summer has flown by. It's hard to believe the grandbabies are back in school. Because I had surgery, I've only been swimming once. I love to swim and it's been difficult not to be able to get in a pool. Last week was my first time and it is already the end of August. It's been a busy time at church, but very rewarding. We did a Vacation Bible School outreach in Baker Park - met some great families. Had a church planning session to plan our activities for the coming year. I've been busy picking a new book for our ladies small group which starts the second week of September. I picked Victoriously Frazzled by Cindi Wood - I think we are going to have fun and learn how to have a more balanced life by letting God handle the chaos. She gives us a scripture to memorize, multiple-choice questions (my fav), and compares a Bible character to our daily situations - reminds us how they handled it (how God helped them handle it). Exciting times ahead!

Family time

We went to the local park yesterday afternoon for a picnic. Potluck with the family. We had a great time. Missed Scott's girls - Katelyn has strep throat and Jessica thought she might be getting it. Hopefully, we'll get to see them later this week. We enjoyed roasting hot dogs and marshmallows - Abby & Stephanie roasted a couple to perfection; nice light brown where the insides come out and leave the shell - yummy! Then the family played volleyball. We had a blast! We were at the park for almost 5 hours! Thank you God for a beautiful day and a beautiful family.

What a great country!

I can't believe I missed the month of June. Time is flying by so fast. My Uncle Archie is staying with my Mom right now so there are a few challenges. My Mom had an episode where her blood pressure dropped suddenly and we had to take her to the hospital. She spent the night, was released, and has seen her cardiologist. Everything seems to be fine now. There for a moment I thought she was heaven bound. Then I had some more surgery and I guess I just lost track of time. Now it's July...We are so blessed to live in the USA! I've been patriotic all my life and proudly wear the red, white, and blue (wore it to church this morning). I think our flag is the prettiest one of all. It's a reminder of our freedom and what it has cost for us to enjoy this great country. I can't help but think about the music - God Bless the USA, It's a Grand Old Flag, America The Beautiful, The Star Spangled Banner, etc. Along with the freedom we enjoy in this country is the freedom we know through Jesus Christ. How could it get any better???

So many thoughts running through my mind...

It's hard to believe May is almost over. It has been an eventful month. I played for a funeral on the 7th and my Mom had some kind of attack during the funeral. My cousins and friends were around her, and I thought she was gone for a moment when I first reached her side. So did everyone around her. Thank goodness, she came around. She had to go by ambulance to the hospital and spent the night without any real diagnosis. She has been having tests ever since and will have an echo cardiogram after my sister and I encouraged her to ask her cardiologist to do the test. I have also been having health issues again and remember why I had to retire on disability. All reminders that we don't know how long we have on this earth. We need to value our time with loved ones and friends. It's Memorial Day weekend and I'm so thankful for all those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy freedom. It's a time to appreciate those who have served and are serving. For all of us, one day we will be gone in the twinkling of an eye. Let's make the most of our time here and share God's love with our families and those around us. I'm so thankful for my freedom (proud to be an American), my wonderful hubby, my family, my friends, and my church. Most of all, I'm thankful to know Jesus as my Savior! He loves me with all of my faults. He loves you too...

Once a month...

Seems like I'm turning into a once-a-month blogger - not at all what I want. April has been a busy month. Celebrated Easter with all the kids, grandkids, my Mom, and a college student who works with our daughter-in-law. We had a wonderful time, then headed up to John's family to do it all over again. Had a birthday and turned the big 6-0! Actually, I sometimes feel like 6 and sometimes I feel like what I imagine an older person feels like. I still love life and totally enjoyed my birthday. Went to lunch with my hubby, my daughter (Julie), and my Mom. We had a great time - Julie had decorated the yard to let the who neighborhood know exactly how old I was. I've been helping Julie with her event decorating business - sewing fabric for draping and dreaming bigger dreams - all exciting. I've also been helping another friend find her dress for her daughter's wedding. All exciting stuff. Isn't life grand - thank you Jesus for a wonderful life!

Spring has sprung

My how time flies. I can't believe I only posted one item the whole month of March. It continues to be a busy time. The trees are budding and the daffodils are blooming. Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers - the bright yellow offers such hope that spring is finally here. The Lord has provided so many blessings. John is now working 3 days a week and gets up at 5 AM. I'm usually awake before the alarm goes off. I saw the most beautiful sunrise. The sky was azure blue with wavy streaks of peach. No one could paint the beauty that God paints for us each day. I've seen a robin; and on Thursday saw a male and female red cardinal. I've heard the birds singing in the early morning and watched the squirrels scampering up and down the trees. All of these things remind me that God is in control. He cares for each one of His creations. Thank you, God, for all the beautiful things you have shown me this past week. You are an awesome God...

Life...

My life is awesome. So many blessings. Sure there are trials, but I choose to look on the bright side. It is a choice we each make every day - will this day be a downer or an upper, good or bad, happy or sad, etc. I'm a glass-half-full type of person. My hubby is wonderful. God sure did give me a special blessing when he brought John into my life. Every day I'm trying to appreciate him more. We don't do enough of that in our lives. I'm really trying to make it a point to appreciate the good in everyone. The world is so busy pointing out the negatives. We are all God's children. I need to remind myself everyday to act like I'm His child. Love ya, Dad.

Just Like Jesus...

This past week I started teaching a small group on Tuesday nights (will meet every two weeks). We are studying the book by Max Lucado "Just Like Jesus - having a heart like His." My main goals in the small group are to grow fellowship with one another and with God. We had an awesome group of ladies and some wonderful sharing time. I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead and the path God has for us. Fellowship is how we get to know one another better. I told the ladies at the end of the evening that the devil wasn't going to like us getting together and studying God's word and application to each of our lives. We needed to be prepared for the attack and try to respond with a heart like Jesus. Sure enough, the next day the devil had his way with me. I didn't respond with a heart like Jesus - I let the devil use a situation. I have a choice - I could wallow in my defeat or I can choose to ask forgiveness and try again. I choose the latter. I was disappointed that I responded in that way, but determined not to stay in that place. I need to keep trusting in Him and getting to know Him better each day. Since Jesus is my Savior, I claim Colossians 3:10 "Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand Him better." Be patient, God isn't finished with me yet. Stay tuned...

The little things

My hubby and I went to Saturday Night Live (SNL) at our church last night. It was an awesome time. We praised God through song, enjoyed laughing at funny skits, and then received a message from our student pastor, John Yoho. In John's words to us, he challenged us to think about the little things God does for us each day. It might be a close parking spot on a rainy day, a good night's sleep, a good conversation with a friend or some quiet time with a loved one, etc. I believe God is in all things, the big and the little.

I can remember as a widow with two little boys always praying for a close parking spot at the grocery store. It was difficult sometimes to handle getting the boys and the groceries to the car safely. Almost every time we went to the grocery store, I would pray out loud for God to give us a close parking spot. Then when He did, I would say to the boys "let's say Thank You, God!" One day I was praying silently for that spot and I got one. As soon as I pulled in, from the back seat I hear the boys say "Thank You, God!" It was a reminder to me and them that God is in the little things. Many may not think to pray for a parking spot or something else that may seem to be a little thing. God loves and care about us.

Back to SNL - John challenged us to record on a post-it note (and post somewhere in our homes) the little things we were thankful for. We're posting ours on our frig. It reminds us how God cares about all things in our lives. It also makes my hubby and I more aware of the little things we experience in our daily lives; and God's continuous love for us. I'm challenging you to give it a try. You will be amazed - concentrating on the positive things that happen can make a world of difference. It also will remind you how much we depend on God and how much He loves us.

The porch light is on...

I've got asthmatic bronchitis right now and can't sleep. It's a beautiful night/morning. The moon is the fullest and brightest it will be in 2009 so they say. When I was lying in bed trying to sleep, the moon was shining in the window. I couldn't sleep and was praying. In my devotions this week, I read how our prayers should be dialogues with God not just a laundry list of wants. I asked God what He wanted to tell me. It was as if He was telling me the moon is my porch light - it's on for all who want to come visit; you know how we leave the porch light on when we are expecting someone. I thanked Him for being there, for loving me, for my family, my church, and so many other things. I'm a country girl and I like the idea of sitting on the porch swing or in the rocking chair - sitting a spell and talking with a friend. None of us know exactly what Heaven will be like, but I like to think I'll get to live in the country part of Heaven. I'll want to sit a spell and talk with Jesus and all the loved ones who have gone on before; singing praises to God too. In the meantime, every time I see the full moon I'll be thinking about tonight and the porch light being on...

The love of a child

I had to go to the doctor today and of course, you have to wait. While I was waiting, a young mother and her 2 year old daughter came in. Just moments later an older woman, slightly bent over, came out of the doctor's office into the waiting room to check out. The 2 year old with her "Pebbles" hairdo ran up to the lady smiling and gave her a big hug. At first, I thought maybe it was her grandmother. Ended up, she didn't even know the little girl. You could tell the love in that child's eyes and hug probably did more to make the lady feel better than any medicine. At that moment, I thought this is how Jesus is to each of us. He is so excited to spend time with us. I need to spend more time with Him - just hugging...

Trust

I think one of my words for this new year is going to be TRUST. When we know God is in control of everything, why do we have issues with trust. Especially in this difficult economic time, I must trust. I must trust God will show us the way; show my family and friends the way. So many I know are looking for jobs and jobs aren't as prevalent as they used to be. Lord, please help me trust in you. Thank you for all your blessings.