Ms. Winnie

We've been friends for at least 40 years. When you've been friends that long, you know lots of things about the other person (some not for public disclosure). Ms. Winnie has seen me at my best, my worst, my craziest and even more crazy. We've shared the school drama, dating, and marriage; the joys and challenges of motherhood; the wonder and delight of being a grandmother; and the sadness of losing loved ones. Throughout all these years, there are a couple common threads. We always laugh when we're together and we truly enjoy each other's company. I have some favorite times: morning phone calls while we were each doing our breakfast dishes (after we got our kids off to school), a trip to the zoo, the Kennedy Center, Halloween costumes, Strawberry Festivals, Ms. Piggy & Kermit, and now our monthly get togethers. Time flies when we are together. I always look forward to my Ms. Winnie "fix." Thank you God for Ms. Winnie and the blessing she is in my life!

Older and hopefully wiser

I can remember when I was 9 and my Mom was 30. I thought she was way over the hill - she was more than 3 times as old as me. Isn't it interesting how the math works: My Mom will always be 21 years older than me. At birth - she was 21 times as old as me, at 5 - she was 5+ times as old, at 10 - she was 3+ as old, at 20 - she was 2+ times as old, and now the correlation is back to 21 years older than me. I'm older today, hopefully a little wiser, but not old. Today is my birthday and I'm 59 (never been afraid to tell how old I am). To some some that may seem old, but to me it's only a number. In my head, I'm about 28-32. Age is just a state of mind - my state isn't always good, but it is always young.

Finally back...

Finally, back to blogging. I really like to keep this going, but illness has prevented that of late. Glad to say the doc's appt went as well as could be expected today. Still have to take it a little easy - have to call doc next week and report in. When I asked Dr. Hurtt (his real name, great doctor - really cares about his patients, hunk, etc.) how soon the adhesions would start to grow again, he said they start immediately after I cut them away (scar tissue building on scar tissue). Adhesions are stubborn - they never give up. It reminded me of sin. We try to cut it out of our lives, and it just keeps showing up. I'm thankful I know the Lord and He helps me to resist temptation. I'm definitely not successful all the time - I'd like to think I'm mostly successful, but there are those times I just slip right into it so easily. I'm praying in 2008 I'll be more successful in resisting sin and its temptations. Pray for me. It's so good to be feeling like blogging again.

PS: God has given me the opportunity to welcome 2 new babies into the world recently: Eden Diana (check out the middle name - yes, she's named after me, how exciting) and Karmen Leigh. One more girl due to arrive this month. What miracles babies are.

Good Friday

Today represents the day our Lord died for us. It is beyond imagination what He did for me - to suffer all the indignities of my sins, the beatings, the insults, the separation from His Father when He bore my sin. Tonight there was a full moon, gloriously golden orange (my favorite), early in the evening. We have all heard stories about the man in the moon. Well, I have a different version tonight. When I looked at the beautiful full moon, it was almost as if God was saying I did it for you - I'm here for you - I love you...

Surrender...

I've been thinking about how Jesus surrendered to the will of His Father and went to the cross for you and me. He went there just because of you and me. Just because we exist - not that we did anything outstanding - just because He loves us. I can't imagine the kind of love He has for me - I can't imagine sacrificing one of my kids or grandbabies so that the world could have eternal life. I would like to think I would sacrifice myself for those I love. I can't imagine or understand how Jesus willingly laid on the cross for those who hailed Him and then hurled insults, for those who beat Him, for sinners like me who hurt Him. I want to surrender to the feelings of what Jesus endured for me. I want to surrender to the knowledge that He died for me. I want to totally surrender to LIVE for HIM. I want to surrender to working until He comes again. If you don't know Him, surrender now.

Back among the "living..."

Can't remember the last time I had the flu. It was a doozy. Glad to be back among the "living" and able to go to church tonight. I miss it so when I can't go. The week just isn't the same. Wasn't today a beautiful day - God sure knows how to remind us of His awesomeness.

Got the flu?

Got the flu - I think it should be "the flu got me!" That's what's happening.