Embracing The Light

Time to tell

2008-07-28T08:11:00.000-04:00

I have moved back to time to tell

dlbk.blogspot.com

Standing up for myself

2008-01-22T10:18:00.002-05:00

I have always had a hard time standing up for myself. I don't like confrontation and negativity for one thing, but sometimes I have to because I end up getting stepped all over and then some.

And I usually get to the point where enough is enough.

At work I am beginning to get really sick and tired of being taken advantage of, from the day shift leaving their unfinished work for me because they know I will do it to the Lead changing my schedule around all the time just because she can.

Now the thing with the scheduling has absolutely gotten on my last nerve and yesterday I put my foot down when she wanted to change my schedule again at the last minute.

Two weeks ago, another c0-worker told the lead that she needed tomorrow off because her husband has to have surgery. I was standing there when she told the lead and heard her quite clearly.

Yesterday, this co-worker reminded the lead and the lead got an attitude over it and when this co-worker was out of earshot she complained saying she should have told her sooner. Two weeks ago wasn't soon enough?

So she pulled out the schedule and first asked another co-worker if she could do it and she initially said yes, but then realized that she has an appointment tomorrow. The lead got snotty and said, 'Well, I CAN'T do it, I have an appointment!' even though she is already scheduled for tomorrow and all she would have to do is come in earlier.

Then she looked at me and said, 'Well, Deni is off Wednesday!'

WOE!!!

I looked at her and said, 'Yeah and I would like to be off!'

In other words, NO.

I have not had two days off in a row in forever, because every time I am scheduled that way the lead changes my schedule and I am blamed tired of it.

And another thing, I am not trained to do this other person's job, even though I have learned a little from watching and helping there is a lot I don't know and I think that it's a bad deal to put someone in a spot who doesn't know what they are doing.

She really wasn't happy with me, but oh well, I found out that company policy says I don't have to work when I am not scheduled. I don't mind helping out but I have plans on getting some much needed things done around my house, and I just can't do it in one day. If I have one day off, then have to work three or five, by the time my next day off comes there is even more work and I just can't catch up.

Was this wrong of me to want the days off I was scheduled? Was it wrong for me to stand up and say no? I have gone into work every single time she has asked me to or changed my schedule without telling me first and I need a break, even two days is better than nothing.

I am feeling kind of selfish for not agreeing to work, but I am also a bit angry that they keep expecting me to change my plans for work. I work to live not live to work. My family and home comes first, and I am getting really disgusted with this job.

I am also disgusted with the stupid, petty, immature, spiteful things some co-workers do to one other one. These are grown women and they act like they are in junior high. They keep trying to drag me into it, and I won't have it.

I try to keep to myself, not say anything, but it's getting harder.

I just want to tell them to just cut it out already and grow up! It's ridiculous and they expect me to not talk to this person, help her or anything just because they don't like her. Well, she never did anything to me and I happen to like her, and I think she is getting a bum rap. She stays to herself, and tries to ignore their spitefulness as hard as it must be.

I am the type, I don't dislike a person based on what someone else tells me. I try to get to know people for who they are not based on someone else's perceptions. I would want someone to do that for me, so that is how I treat people. If I believed every thing people told me, then I would never talk to anyone. And I figure the ones who sit and gossip and back stab people would do the same to me in a heartbeat, so the women who are against this other co-worker are just showing me that they are not people I really want to associate with, instead of pushing me away from this co-worker, they are actually creating the opposite affect.

I try to be kind to every one, even people who I don't really like I will help, that is my nature. I always believed that kindness is a better way to go than being spiteful and mean, especially treating those who are mean as kindly as possible.

I also will not verbally take sides, I am not on anybody's side at work, I am there to do a job, earn a paycheck, I am not there to make friends or enemies. Making friends can be a nice benefit to working, but I am one who is very careful of who to make friends with, since I have been majorly burned in the past by so called 'friends'.

And after working there for almost nine months, I can see some really nasty personality traits in some people that I initially thought were nice people. Time brings people's true colors out eventually, and it makes me glad that I didn't pursue friendship with these people.

I am trying to figure out a way to handle this diplomatically, but these two women I am afraid would suddenly perceive me as an enemy if I say anything even though I want to just tell them to leave me out of it. Every time I even help this other co-worker they ask me why I am doing so, or like yesterday, asked me if I was on crack. No, I am not, I am doing my job, I believe in being a team player and helping my co-workers, and I really don't feel like standing around gossiping when I have work to do.

Am I wrong? How does one handle something like this? Especially as a Christian? I am finding it a difficult issue to deal with, and I don't even know who at work I can talk t about this, since the Lead seems to be on the their side, and the managers don't seem to care when you tell them anything and if you do nothing changes. I have tried to talk to two different managers about other issues but nothing was done.

So do I put up with it and just keep doing what I am doing? Is there a way to diffuse this?

I am starting to look at the want ads, there are so many things that I dislike about this job that it seems like my only option.

Sorry for the long rant, I needed to get this off my chest I guess and hoping maybe someone has a suggestion as to how to deal with it.

Brrrr...it's cold outside!

2008-01-21T07:47:00.000-05:00

No more snow, the storm they called for on Saturday petered out and we only got a few flurries. Since then the temps have dropped in the teens, needless to say, we are freezing!

It's supposed to get up to forty degrees today, but who knows.

I caught the tail end of the play off game last night between the Green Bay Packers and the NY Giants, what a game! I wish I could have seen the whole game, but I was at work.

Tied in the fourth quarter, 20/20, they went into over time, and the Giants brought the game to an end at 23/20.

They are headed to the Super Bowl!

NY Giants against the undefeated New England Patriots, that should be one good game.

I am off Super Bowl Sunday, so I will be camped in front of the tv for the game.

With junk food.

And of course, hubby.

Who of course will want junk food.

You can't watch the Super Bowl without it.

I really don't have much to post, nothing much has happened. Every one seems to be hibernating as much as they can from the cold.

I have been working and haven't had much time to do anything at home. I am off tomorrow and Wednesday, and since I finally have two days off in a row, I want to get some things done around here.

Like take my Christmas tree down, yeah, it's still up. And I am sick of looking at it. DT took the decorations down that we had outside long ago, I just haven't had time to do the rest. So that is on my list of things to do.

Boo doesn't have school today, and she only has a half day tomorrow so we plan on ripping her bedroom apart and cleaning it really good. Maybe rearrange things a bit, I would like to get her bed away from the windows, the problem is that it's a queen size bed so finding a place for it may be a problem. The computer is also in her room and since there is only one place to hook it up to the Internet it pretty much has to stay where it's at. So that kills that corner.
And the closet is in the opposite corner, so there is limited possibilities.

Oh well, we will figure it out.

Well, I am off, I need to eat something, my tummy is complaining.

Have a good one, and stay warm!

A Rare Sight

2008-01-18T17:28:00.000-05:00

We had snow, in North Carolina.

The first real snow we've seen since we moved here almost two years ago.

This is when it was still dark out, if you click on it, you will be able to see the shadows of the trees.

This is the view early in the morning yesterday from my front porch. You can see how it's already covering the grass.

This is the view of my back yard covered with snow.

Maggie and Wizard wondering what all the fuss is about.

The view of the trees in my back yard.

After the snow, we had rain and it washed it all away. It lasted maybe a day, but it was kind of nice, especially since there wasn't enough to have to shovel. I don't miss shoveling.

They are calling for more snow tomorrow. We shall see and maybe I will have more pics.

Walking the dog...and me.

2008-01-15T08:34:00.000-05:00

DT keeps pointing out that Glory is getting fat.

Since her c-section and spay last year, she is packing on the pounds.

If DT would stop giving her pizza and chips then that would help.

In fact, if DT would stop eating pizza and chips he would lose the weight the doctor told him to. LOL

DT and I were also talking about how terrible we both feel physically, fatigued, unmotivated, lack of energy.

We have come to the conclusion that we are not getting enough exercise.

Part of DT's problem is that he has been working night shift for well over a year, with his insomnia it's hard for him to sleep during the day. Yesterday, he went on day shift, so now his body has to readjust to sleeping at night.

On night shift, it was really hard for him to even eat right, he would often grab something to eat out of the vending machines at work. Stuff that really is high in fat and cholesterol.

So between not sleeping and eating right and no exercise no wonder he feels terrible, has high cholesterol, is pre-diabetic and his thyroid is way out of whack.

So what's my problem?

I noticed when I am moving and doing I feel a whole lot better than when I am inactive.

DT has decided that he will start going to the gym after work with some of the guys to get on the treadmill.

I have decided since the dog is fat to start walking her in the mornings after I take Boo to school.

So this morning, even though it's crisp and cold out, I donned my coat and gloves, grabbed the leash and off we went for a twenty minute jaunt.

The dog must be really out of shape, when we got home, she plopped on her pillow due to her extreme workout. LOL Poor thing is exhausted.

Years ago, I used to walk everyday, eight to ten miles a day. Of course that was before I had to enter the working world, when my kids were young and still in school, and I had loads of free time.

I also did a lot of strength training at the time, and I remember feeling so good. I had energy, I was motivated, and I could handle things even mentally so much better.

So I am determined that I am going to start getting myself into a healthier lifestyle.

I am older now, and things hurt more, but when you are active and your muscles are strong, it helps the bones.

I am tired of feeling awful all the time, and I need to be pro active to get myself to feeling better.

I am also going to make a doctor appointment to get a full check up, to make sure there is nothing wrong.

I have also decided to cut out junk food, which is soooooo hard, especially since I work in a bakery.

Work is another thing. There is a lot of stress there lately, for one thing, I hate the scheduling. Every time they schedule me two days off in a row, the department manager changes the schedule and I end up working one of those days. Sunday is another problem, even though I talked to the manager a step above, they are still scheduling me at 11:00 on Sundays even though my availability says 1:00, and I really hate working Sundays, and they have been scheduling me EVERY Sunday.

There is also a mini war going on in our department between co workers, which I am trying my best to stay out of but they keep trying to pull me in. I prefer to be neutral. And it's such petty stuff, and is aggravating. Mostly two women are trying so hard to figure out how NOT to help one other woman that work isn't getting done and since I am the closer, I end up doing it. I don't mind working or doing tasks that fall on me, but it does get to be overwhelming. I tried to talk to another manager about it, but of course nothing was done and things are getting worse.

I am trying to see if God is leading me in another direction. I am praying about it, and I can see myself moving on to another job.

The most important thing on my job requirements is Sundays, then the second thing is a day job, now that Boo is done with internship.

This scheduling prevents me from serving in the church since most activities and committees are in the evenings and on Sundays.

I also feel like I have a lot of skills developed over the years that aren't being utilized. I am bored in my job and I feel like I am stagnating, there is no challenge.

I want to go in a different direction, but I don't know what direction.

I need to be patient, surely God will lead me and open doors where there were none.

And looking at the time, I really need to be off, since this is one of those days when I was supposed to be off but have to go in to work.

*sigh*

Prayer Warrior

2008-01-13T06:36:00.000-05:00

Prayer is so important in my life and I find myself praying throughout the day, in the shower, in the car, at work. When I hear of someone who is hurting, who has problems I immediately pray.

The funny thing about prayer is that the more you do it, the more you want to do it.

I get a daily message in my email of God's promises. Yesterday's had an interesting quote about prayer.

When we don't pray, we quit the fight.
Prayer keeps the Christian's armor bright.
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees. WILLIAM COWPER

Daily prayer makes us stronger, in our faith, in our daily walk, and against the temptations of the world.

I am learning to include praise in my prayers, no matter what circumstances I am in. I praise Him because I know he hears and has already answered even if I don't see the answer right away. I praise Him in my prayers because it is pleasing to Him.

I have a little sister. She is truly my baby sister being fifteen years younger than me. She is not a Christian. She has a an eight year old daughter.

Three years ago, as she sat in her car waiting for a light to change, a moving truck rear ended her vehicle. It hit her so hard the trunk of her car was in her backseat.

God must have been watching out for them, her little girl who was just five at the time was in the back seat and didn't have a scratch on her.

My little sister however suffered major back damage to the point where the doctors had to cauterize the nerves in her back just to relieve the pain.

She has a law suit pending, and she is hinging all her hopes on it.

In the meantime, her common law husband left her. She hasn't worked since the accident, she has no money to pay bills, her rent hasn't been paid for five months, the gas company will be turning off her heat, and on and on.

Overwhelmed, and on anti depressants, she went out drinking to try and numb herself of the reality that has become her life.

She had a breakdown. The police took her to the hospital.

Her daughter was at a baby sitter's, but now she is in the foster care system, placed with my older sister who is trying to forge her way through the reams of paperwork in order to keep her.

My niece is traumatized to say the least.

Little sis is home but the problems are still there.

I spoke to her last night after praying all day that God would give me words.

I didn't want to be preachy or judgemental.

'I have been where you are at, and drinking is not the answer.'

'I know.'

'I don't want to lecture you, but you have to see that this has made things worse.'

'You're right.'

'I know you hate hearing this, but I am telling you anyway because I love you, that I AM praying for you.'

I am not praying that God will fix her finances or miraculously make all her problems go away, I am praying for her heart to be opened up to God and for her to turn to Him.

Being a Christian doesn't mean all of our problems magically disappear, they don't.

Being a Christian means we have Someone to turn to who will help us through all that life has to throw at us.

Previously I mentioned my own breakdown in 2000.

At the time I was depressed, suicidal, conflicted, hurting.

I sat on the side of my bed with a .38 special in my hand wanting so bad to end my misery.

As you can see, God brought me through that time.

The following years were anything but easy, and I often wavered back and forth between following God and following myself.

It has only been in the last year that I made a real commitment to God and I can honestly say that as my journey brings me closer and closer to God each day, my heart becomes lighter and lighter.

I still have bad moments, sad moments, hard times physically, emotionally and spiritually, but I also realized that satan wants me to stay down and that is when I pray.

A very smart man I know, a pastor and book author and lecturer said something in a sermon once that I remember to this day.

'Any renewed determination to obey God results in opposition (from satan).'

I have that written in my Bible.

There is a battle going on, a battle for our souls.

One weapon God has equipped us with is prayer.

I am praying.

Will you be a Prayer Warrior too?

I Can

2008-01-11T08:13:00.000-05:00

Philippians 4
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

In this letter to the Philippians, Paul writes that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in. He spent much time in prison, but even from prison he continued to work for God.

How often we are not content with our own circumstances. I think about how often the Israelites grumbled and complained to God, and I realize that we are no different.

The Israelites even complained about the manna God sent them from Heaven so they would not starve in the wilderness.

I realize that I do my own share of whining to God, just because I think that things shouldn't be this way, because like the Israelites who tired of eating manna every day for forty years, I get tired of living paycheck to paycheck and struggling financially.

But I have realized something, my situation is the consequences of bad financial choices in the past, just as the Israelites choices resulted in them wandering in the wilderness for forty years, a whole generation never able to enter into the Promised Land.

For a long time I prayed for God to rescue us from this mess, maybe I expected some kind of major miracle, like a big fat check to suddenly arrive in the mail. I wanted it handed to me, as if I deserved it.

But sometimes God wants us to learn from our mistakes and He doesn't answer the way we want Him too.

Hubby said something a while back about this, he said that we made this mess and God wants us to work to get out of it.

In the above passage it also says 'I can do everything through Him who gives me strength'.

This tells me that even if I have to work to fix this mess, He will sustain me. When I feel weak, like I just can't go on one more day, He is there, holding me up and lending me His strength.

Yesterday I had a bad moment, and I ended up crying in the car and crying out to God, 'I give up, Lord! I just can't do it anymore!'

But when I think about it, really think about it, I realize that things could be worse, have been worse and the pile of bills is slowly getting smaller.

There are others in way worse situations than I am in. Yes, I am late on my mortgage, but there are others who don't have a home to live in. My daughter needs to see the eye doctor and get new contacts but there are others who are blind. I need a new heating system in my house, but my house is warm with the portable heaters and there are people who freeze to death. I may not always have a lot of food, but there are others who have no food at all. I can't afford to buy new clothes, but there are others wearing rags. I lay in bed at night and wake frequently from the pain from arthritis, but there are people who have worse pain than mine. I sometimes get angry with my husband, but there are others who are totally alone. I miss my family, but others don't have families to miss. I am not happy with my job, but so many others are unemployed.

I need to be thankful for the blessings I do have because in so many ways I am richer than many others. Not just financially but in family, in friends, in my church, spiritually and physically. I have my health, my abilities, and my talents. And most importantly, I have God, my Father who loves me and cares for me even when I don't deserve it.

I need to be content.

Lord, help me to be content.

Purpose. Passion and a Plan

2008-01-09T08:08:00.000-05:00

For a long time, even since before we moved here, I have felt like I had no purpose, no real passion for anything, and no motivation for anything.

Lately, I seem to keep running into things in books, at church, on the radio, and on tv with the common theme of finding one's purpose and passion.

A passion can be anything, a hobby, an activity, another person, volunteering, a club, or just about anything you love doing.

I started thinking about this, and researching it.

And I read a couple of things to do in the quest of finding one's passion.

Make a list of everything you like to do.

Look around your home, at your memories, at things you did in the past that you enjoyed doing.

From the time I was very little, there were two things that always enjoyed doing, reading and drawing.

I am definitely the artsy type, and through basic reading and drawing other things developed. Writing for one, I love to write, I feel compelled to write. For a long time I wanted to write a book, but isn't it every writer's dream to write the next Great American Novel? And the competition is fierce, to say the least. But I have discovered that my writing talents such as they are don't lie in the fictional area but the inspirational.

From drawing and an Aunt who loves crafts of all sorts I learned that I also love to make things. Through the years I have learned how to do many different types of crafts, some self taught, some taught by others. My grandmother taught me the basics of crochet when I was little, from there I learned more complicated stitches, with the help of my ex MIL eventually graduating to crocheting snowflakes and doilies. I learned how to cross stitch, and crewel. I taught myself how to do flower arrangements and wreaths, I even made the bouquets for both my son's and daughter's weddings. I taught myself how to tole paint. How to draw with pen and ink, and watercolor. I know how to sew, thanks to home ec class in Jr. High. I have made my own curtains, even a shower curtain due to the need of a special size. I also taught myself how to refinish furniture, stripping it down to bare wood, and I know how to stencil. I have done decoupage and scrap booking wall art in shadowboxes and in frames. I have made yard decorations out of wood with a jig saw and paint. And if I sat and thought about it, this list would probably grow even longer.

I have also learned how to do 'DIY' things around the house, changing locks and washers in faucets and such.

I have a creative side that needs to be let loose.

But I haven't been motivated to do anything creative except write for at least several years now.

There are other skills that I have also developed over the years, like cooking, especially baking. I even considered for a while going to school to become a pastry chef. I also thought I would like to open my own restaurant, one problem with that is I don't have the capitol.

My older daughter, Pookie recently told me that she always thought I should be an interior decorator, my son, JP told me I should be a tattoo artist which made me laugh. I just can't see myself doing that, especially since I am not very fond of tattoos.

So lately I have been pondering about this and praying for direction.

And one thing I know about myself is that I do not like working outside the home, probably one reason why I have had so many jobs. For one thing, I get bored with jobs after the initial excitement of learning something new. Another thing is that I really dislike working on someone else's timetable. I feel restricted and caged in.

I have done so many things but what do I really love to do? And how do I implement some of the skills I have developed into something I not only enjoy doing, but that can eventually develop into something I can do as a business venture?

My goal is to eventually replace my income from my job with something I can do at home. I don't make huge amounts of money, about $800.00 a month clear, so what can I do, implementing my skills to replace that?

I don't believe in coincidence, I believe that God leads us to where we are to go and what we are to do, and He can use any means to show us.

Last week one night I decided to turn the tv on, I don't watch much tv, I can go weeks on end without even looking at it. But on this particular night I did, and browsing through the channels, I came across HGTV, which is a channel that has home decorating shows, remodeling, design shows, etc. You can check their website out, http://www.hgtv.com/.

I was totally enraptured.

I realized that there are some things people purchase, one is food, people need to eat, another is clothes, people love clothes some to the point of addiction, and there is one more thing people buy.

Things for their homes. I am not talking about fancy gadgets, I am talking basic things like floor and window treatments.

Which is something I think about a lot for my own home.

People also like things that are quality, they also want to get the best their money can buy.

I watched it again last night, and once more I was enraptured. My eyes were glued to it for several hours as show after show came on until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

This morning I checked out their website, and it is just chock full of stuff.

And I found something that I know I can do. And I am bound and determined to try it.

At first I was thinking big, no, more than big, HUGE, my mind and stomach jumping with excitement, then I realized that I need to approach this rationally and start small and experiment with one project to see if this is really what I want to do.

And if it works then I feel it is a beginning of something bigger.

And I don't even need to spend a lot of money since a lot of the stuff I need I have on hand. Paint, paintbrushes, and as for design, God gave me the ability to think and draw. With this, I can use some of the skills I have developed over the years.

Later I am going to dig through my shed to see what I have, to take stock.

I don't quite have a plan yet, that will come as I think about it, write things down, research and start small.

But I am hopeful, excited and motivated.

Desires of the heart.

2008-01-07T07:37:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have taken notice of something in church.

That there are quite a few married women who attend church week after week without our husbands.

Yes, myself included.

In the year 2000, things were really bad between my husband and I. It's a long story that I don't want to rehash, so simply put, we separated for a while, I had a major break down, he wasn't much better, and when we reconciled we earnestly sought the Lord.

We began attending church, even taking marriage classes at church, we prayed together, read the Bible together, and I have never felt such intimacy with my husband as I did during that time. Even though it was during the worst storm of my life, it was a major turning point for us. It was the best time in our marriage.

But then something happened, slowly at first, almost imperceptibly we started to wander away from church, we stopped praying together, we stopped reading together, we stopped talking about the things of God.

We just stopped.

Eight years later, I now attend church by myself, I read my Bible by myself, I pray by myself.

But the desire of my heart is for him to be there with me.

However, a realization came over me as I prayed about it, and a question reverberated through me that just wouldn't go away.

Do I want him to go to church for him or for me? Am I really concerned about his soul or about what I want and need?

I came to this realization after the Christmas Eve service.

God wasn't moving fast enough for me, so I took things in my own hands, with disastrous results.

Around Thanksgiving, I had found out that the church was having a Christmas Eve service, so taking the opportunity I asked my husband if he would like to go with me.

To my immense joy, he said yes.

Then Christmas Eve came.

Suddenly, he had nothing to wear, which isn't true, he has a closet full of dress clothes from our church going days.

I felt like he was making excuses not to go. I became upset and angry and told him if he didn't want to go he should have just told me to begin with instead of saying yes.

And I cried.

He then started insisting that he was going.

I told him I didn't want him to go, that I didn't want to force him.

But I lied, I wanted him to go, and yes, I was hurt, but I used my own hurt and tears to manipulate him into going.

My selfish wants and needs came rearing up, God wasn't working the way I wanted Him to, so I took it upon myself to manipulate things the way I wanted them to go.

We went to church.

He was bored.

The service, which I am disappointed to say was not what it was the year before. Last year they had a lovely candlelight service with beautiful music and a great sermon.

This year, no candlelight, and the service was totally different even compared to a regular service. The sermon wasn't preached by our regular Pastor, and even I have to admit, it was boring and hard to follow.

Afterwards, he told me it was the worst church service he had ever been too, he got nothing out of it at all, and he implied that I should never ask him to go again.

Instead of waiting on God to move in my husband's heart, I messed up royally.

In forcing the issue, I pushed him farther away.

Every week, I see couples in church, couples not only obviously in love with each other, but in love with God.

This is an area where the sin of envy can be a real problem for me.

I want what they have.

I had it once, and I resent the loss of it.

I am a child of God, but my human nature often stands in the way of surrendering certain things to God.

Last night, through the conversation with my friend Crystal, I was convicted. It was nothing she said, it was what I said. I told her what I need to learn for myself, to wait on God.

And I thought, I am telling her this, but do I do it myself? Do I wait?

No, I am often impatient, I want things my way, I want them now or even sooner.

There is nothing wrong with desiring spiritual intimacy with my husband. God has created us to desire intimacy with our spouses, from the time of Adam and Eve.

God told Eve in Genesis that your desire will be for your husband.

I think He meant much more than the physical desire, but desire for a true and lasting closeness, a spiritual oneness that only comes when we have a personal relationship with God together.

I long for my husband to share my beliefs and faith, I long to journey with him towards God, learning together, striving together, being united as only God can unite two people.

My husband does believe in God, but I don't know where he stands, I don't know where his heart is, I don't know about his faith or if he truly has it.

But God knows.

Just as He knows the desires of my heart, and even if I haven't seen the results of my prayers, He has already answered me.

And He is telling me to wait.

Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing to do.

Preachin' to the choir.

2008-01-06T06:45:00.000-05:00

I read somewhere, not too long ago that pastors should stop preaching the salvation message in church. That the people in church are already Christians, so therefore don't need to hear the gospel message Sunday after Sunday.

I thought about this, then I realized something.

Not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. There may be someone there who has sat in the same pew, week after week, for years, and never understood, never accepted, never believed.

There may be a guest there who never heard the gospel.

Or some one's teenage child who is headed towards the wrong path.

Or how about the husband of the faithful wife who has attended for years and suddenly he decides to go to church to see what his wife is getting out of it.

It says in the Bible to go out and preach the gospel to the world. Where is the world?

It's in our very own backyards, our local grocery stores, our neighbors homes. It's in our schools, our workplaces, and recreational facilities. It's on the streets, in libraries, it's anywhere where there are people who need Jesus. And yes, it's even in our churches.

People get saved where ever Jesus meets them, even in Church. And there are unbelievers in church, in all churches, all across the world.

Yes, there are Christians in churches, but how many are really Christians?

Only God knows the heart of man.

I am a Christian, one that struggles at times, one that sins, imperfect, yet I know that Jesus loves me unconditionally.

I have sat in church and listened to the message of salvation many times, and have never ever once got tired of hearing it. I always learn something, even if it's just one small gem that God lays on my heart.

And as a child who didn't know God, who didn't even know who Jesus was, church was where I first heard the message.

I hope preachers everywhere, no matter their title, Pastor, Minister, Reverend, or even Layman, keep preachin' to that choir the message of salvation, of Christ's sacrifice, of the hope that He gives us, because sometimes one person in the choir just doesn't know the words.

And one soul is very much worth it.

What the doctor didn't tell me.

2008-01-05T06:49:00.000-05:00

For a month now I have been feeling pretty terrible, physically.

I have been fatigued for one thing, so much so that some days I feel like I can barely function. I have also had this lingering cold, which is better but not quite gone. Then the arthritis flareups, probably one reason I am fatigued because the pain wakes me throughout the night. It's not just one thing hurting, it's my hands and wrists, my shoulders, neck, lower back and hips, and my knees and ankles. I have also been experiencing numbness and tingling in my hands.

I was starting to think there was something seriously wrong with me.

Then a thought occurred to me, it hit me when after two weeks from my last shot, I started to feel better, much better. Then I went for my last shot this past Thursday and guess what? I feel terrible again.

So I did a quick search on the side effects of rabies shots.

Check, check, check, check.

Hmmm, no WONDER I have been feeling awful!

One side effect is arthritis type pain. Now I do have arthritis, but never this bad, and apparently the shots compounded the pain.

Which affected my sleep, in a major way.

It can also cause headaches and nausea.

I didn't experience the headaches, but here and there the thought of eating wanted to make me gag, even when I was really hungry. I would start to eat and suddenly I just wouldn't be able to take another bite, leaving nearly whole plates of food unfinished and discarded.

After reading this info, I feel assured that I am not losing my mind or that I haven't developed some awful illness.

And at least it's only temporary, especially since I am done with the series now.

Boy, I am glad about that!

And I would rather have experienced these side effects than the alternative, but I think the hospital should have told me that these side effects were possible.

The doctor never said a word, and there was nothing on the papers they gave me.

I should have realized sooner though, I don't like taking meds unless I absolutely have too since I often experience side effects, my body just does not metabolize things the same way as others.

This has even happened with meds I took in the past that never bothered me, and suddenly I was experiencing sleeplessness or headaches or worse.

So I live a basically no meds life, and if I buy something OTC then I read the label carefully because certain ingredients will really effect me.

If a doctor prescribes something, I ask about possible side effects, but this time I didn't think to do so, probable because it was necessary and I really had no choice.

Any time you put anything in your body there is a risk, even something like a rabies shot.

I am just glad they changed the way they do it, instead of 15 to 30 shots in the stomach, in a matter of a few days, it is now done over a course of a month, 7 to 13 shots depending on the wound, and most of them are in the arm. The first 3 shots were done in one visit, one around the wound site, one in the bottom and one in the arm, after that they were all administered in the arm.

If I felt this bad after getting 7 shots over a months time, it makes me glad I didn't have to have 15 to 30 in a matter of days. I can't imagine how sick I would have been.

So I am thankful that it is over with now, and I am thankful that they changed it.

I am also thankful that soon I should be feeling like my old self again.

Pride Goeth Before A Fall

2008-01-03T07:02:00.000-05:00

The other day I submitted an article to a writing contest.

The article was on the subject, 'What Makes A Christian Different Than Anyone Else?'

I really don't think I will win. For one thing, I really struggled while writing it, the words didn't flow as smoothly as when I write here or personally.

Afterwards I wondered why, and then I realized it was because for that article, I wasn't writing for God, I wasn't writing to glorify Him, I was focused on the $1,000.00 prize.

Today I looked at my article on the site I submitted it to, http://www.faithvine.com/, and even though I know that it is very doubtful I will win, not because of my writing per se, considering that even though it's not my best, it's not really bad writing either, but one mistake I made was not giving it a title that stood out, it's the same or nearly so than most of the submissions.

Why is this a problem? Because it's based on reader's votes, and if my title doesn't stand out, then the chances of it being read are very random.

As I browsed through the articles, I atomically clicked on the titles that caught my interest.

And if I do that then surely others will too.

It's ok though. Although winning would be nice, it was a learning experience.

For a long time, I was writing things that weren't exactly wholesome, I was writing for me, and I surely wasn't being blessed because of it.

And then something happened to me, inside. It bothered me, my soul groaned, and after a time I found that I wasn't able to write much at all.

I started praying about it, and after a time I decided that if my writings didn't reflect God, if my writings weren't honoring God and edifying to others, then I shouldn't be writing.

The following verses kept reverberating through me, and I realized that I wasn't thinking about the pure, lovely, noble things of God, but I was thinking and writing for my own purposes, and as a result, I didn't have peace about it.

Philippians 4
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Verse 9 really is a potent command and promise, if we put the good things of God into practice then He will be with us.

And what does the word 'practice' mean? It means striving to get something right, to do it over and over until it's flawless or nearly so.

When I wrote that article, I was selfishly motivated, not God motivated, as is so often the case. I focused on not only the money, but on getting noticed, looking for accolades, for commendation, distinction and honor, for myself.

I let pride get in the way. Pride in my own abilities, and we all know that pride is a stumbling block.

God doesn't want us to be prideful, if we boast, we should boast of the things God does through us, not on our own abilities or actions, because without God those things mean nothing.

1 Corinthians
30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Jeremiah 9
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.

This new year seems to be starting off as a year of lessons. As I reflect more on God and less on myself, I am learning something daily.

Preparation

2008-01-02T07:12:00.000-05:00

I believe that God prepares us for things in advance through our struggles, our day to day lives, and lessons we learn along the way.

However, only God knows what He is preparing us for, we have no way of knowing what is ahead of us.

And if we think we know, then God proves us wrong. We can not assume we know what God is thinking.

On New Year's Eve, I was alone. DT was working, and Boo was bringing in the new year with friends.

I was in the pit of loneliness and self pity.

A few minutes before midnight, I turned the tv on to watch the ball drop.

On the stroke of midnight, I began crying. Through my tears I watched couples kiss, people were shouting and laughing, and my tears fell harder.

I thought, 'Well maybe someone will call to wish me a Happy New Year.'

But the phone remained silent.

The problem isn't that I was alone on New Year's Eve. It's that I am alone more than I should be.

As I cried that night, I turned to my one source of comfort and solace. I turned to my Father and gave Him the tears of aching loneliness.

And a sense that He understands came over me.

He also laid on my heart that I am being prepared for something.

I haven't a clue what, even though my mind automatically goes to the worst case scenario, I know my thoughts on this are probably not any where close to what God has planned for my life.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I am God's work in progress, every thing in my life, good and bad, big and small, is preparing me for what's to come. There are lessons in each moment, if we just look for them. Sometimes what we need to learn is hard to see, sometimes because we become so self oriented that we are blinded, sometimes because it's a difficult lesson that we don't want to learn, sometimes just because we aren't quite ready for that lesson, but later when we look back things become clearer.

God doesn't want us to just stand still and wait for life to happen, He wants not only to prepare us, but for us to get ready, to be prepared, to learn, to grow, to strive, to reach. We may make many mistakes along the way, but God even uses our mistakes to teach us.

He doesn't leave us alone, He is constantly prodding us, moving us forward, guiding us to His ways.

I could have done so much to make my night less lonely instead of wallowing in my own self pity.

I could have called or visited someone to ease their loneliness. I could have done something constructive with my time. I could have spent the time in prayer and Bible reading.

I could have turned to God to begin with and asked Him what to do.

This morning I had to go to Wally World for a couple of necessities. Since I had time before I had to pick Boo up from her internship, I took my time and browsed the shelves, nothing really catching my eye at first. I was getting ready to check out when I felt compelled to go to the book section. I looked around, nothing really catching my interest until I started walking away. A book caught my eye at the last moment.

World Changers: Live to Serve by Bob Beltz and Walt Kallestad. A book inspired by the life of William Wilberforce and the Amazing Grace movie.

I don't know how many of you have seen this movie, but it was really good, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

I feel God led me to this book for a purpose, there maybe something I need to learn from it's pages.

The next time I feel lonely, I am not going to sit and feel sorry for myself, I am going to do something positive.

This is lesson one for the New Year.

What has God taught you today?

2008

2007-12-31T17:52:00.000-05:00

Wow, where did 2007 go?

Is it just me or does time seem to go faster as we get older?

Well, here we are facing another year of whatever is to come.

This is the day that many will make New Year's Resolutions. I stopped making resolutions long ago, because I never ever stick to them.

But this year, I will.

I resolve to be a better person tomorrow than I am today.

I resolve to try and not get upset over the small things that bother me.

I resolve to help my husband with our budget and stick to it so we can get out of debt.

I resolve to be thankful each day for the things I do have, and not fret over the things I don't have.

I resolve to smile more, laugh more and sing more.

I resolve to learn one new thing this year, even if it is a challenge.

I resolve to be kinder to others, to give of myself when and where I can.

I resolve to try not to whine and complain.

I resolve to try and have a good day each and every day.

And I will remember each day that God is with me, loving me, caring for me, holding me, carrying me and leading me.

And my prayer for each of you who reads this is that all of you are blessed many times over throughout 2008.

See ya next year!!!

Bleh

2007-12-29T07:55:00.000-05:00

I am so tired. Thursday night, I worked till 8 pm, had to pick up some things afterwards, like dog food, so didn't get home till 9, came home to a pile of dishes in the sink, ugh. Cleaned up, then tried to relax, and go to bed since I had to be back at work for 4 am the next morning.

I laid down a little after ten, couldn't sleep, tossed and turned. I think I get worried that I won't hear the alarm when I have to get up so early. I finally started to doze, when around 11:30 Maggie started to howl and cry outside.

I got up and went outside to see what her problem was, she seemed fine, so I told her to hush and go lay down. She looked at me, went in her box, and quieted down.

My hands, wrists and ankles were hurting like a toothache, so I took an OTC pain reliever and went back to bed to toss and turn. I think I finally started dozing off when the alarm went off at 2 am.

I jumped up in panic, 'I'm UP, I'm UP!!!'

I stumbled out of bed, drank some coffee, got ready for work, and off I went, feeling like a wet dish rag all day, and 1 pm couldn't come fast enough.

I finally got home feeling totally exhausted and just wanted to go to sleep, but hubby was home so we sat and talked for a while, worked on our finances for the next couple of weeks, and then sat until about 5, when we both decided we were hungry.

We could have eaten some of the left over turkey.

Yuck.

We decided to go to the Chinese buffet, sounded good to me, he drove and I didn't have to cook.

After stuffing ourselves, we came home and went to bed, hubby to watch tv and me to fall into an exhausted sleep. Actually, I think I passed out cold.

At around 11 pm, hubby woke me saying something about the cops being next door. I really didn't care at first, but then curiosity got the better of me and I got up to be nosy.

There really was nothing interesting to see, two cop cars, lights flashing as they talked to the neighbor and his passenger in a car. The cops did take the passenger, who knows why?

We went back to bed then, I started dozing and hubby woke me again.

"What's that noise?"

There was a persistent noise in the basement, coming through the vents. At first I thought it was the cats, forgetting for a sleepy moment that they are gone.

After a while, the noise stopped, neither one of us willing to go down and check it out.

I soon fell asleep again, to dream that Noodles showed up, half starved and bedraggled. The noises in the basement must have conjured her in my dreams.

In my dream, I was feeding her and then cuddling her and telling her that no one was going to take her away from me again.

It was so real, that I woke up feeling empty and missing her so much.

And I don't feel rested at all.

I have to work tonight and tomorrow, then I am off Monday.

I am drinking my fourth cup of coffee still fighting the effects of drowsiness, which doesn't seem to be working.

Maybe after a shower I will feel better, and hopefully I will sleep better tonight.

And if my hubby wakes me up....

Quiet Christmas

2007-12-26T20:57:00.000-05:00

Christmas is just not the same.

Oh, it wasn't a bad Christmas, just quiet.

We went to the Christmas Eve service at church at 11 pm. When we got out it was a few minutes after midnight, and Boo immediately started bugging me about opening her presents when we got home.

'It's not Christmas yet.'

'YES it is! It's after midnight!'

*sigh*

'Mommy! Can't I open one? You always let me open one!'

She's not spoiled, not at all.

*snort*

'Fine, I'll just wake you up at six in the morning.'

'I don't think so.'

My need for sleep outweighed my common sense, and after all, she had a point, it officially was Christmas morning, so guess who got to open her presents?

I gave her the Christmas Eve present first, which of course was pajamas, it's always pajamas. A tradition my mother started when I was little.

Then she ripped into the rest, she didn't get much, but she did get things she really needed, like socks, and under things.

And of course, the horsie.

Which the dog was a little freaked out by.

And here is a better one of Glory, getting into the Christmas Spirit. Well, kind of.

She really wasn't all that happy with the whole Santa hat thing.

We then went off to bed, waking later than usual Christmas day. There was no rushing around. I did cook a big meal, we have LOTS of left over turkey.

We called everyone we could think of.

Of course, I felt like crying when I was talking to my other children. I could hear my grandchildren in the background, and my heart longed to be with them all. I held back the tears, I didn't want to upset them.

I also called my Grandma, and got to talk to my Uncle who traveled from Texas to Michigan with my nephew to spend Christmas with Grandma.

I called my Dad and got to talk to my little brother, who is really not so little anymore, being a big old grown man, married with four sons.

I talked to both my sisters back home, and my little niece who at 8 years old sounds so grown up.

I miss everyone, I miss the hustle and bustle, the kids squealing, the grownups laughing and talking, the food, the family and friends, all the busyness and activity.

I cooked, we ate, Boo went off to visit her boyfriend, DT watched tv, and after clean up, I fell asleep on the couch.

It wasn't a bad Christmas, it was just not the same.

Gifts

2007-12-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

My Dad has been telling me for several years now that he is giving me a thousand dollars.

Someday, in the year two thousand and never.

Ya see, my Dad is a promise maker, but after many, many years of broken promises, I take everything he says with a grain of salt.

He may have the best of intentions, but he never follows through.

So on Saturday, I actually received a Christmas card from him.

In shock, I quickly opened it.

Hubby watched me then started laughing as I took the opened the envelope, glanced in the card, then shook the envelope upside down.

'Still looking for that thousand dollars?'

'Course I am! Do you think MY Dad would lie?' I said, giggling.

Hubby just rolled his eyes.

In exaggerated disgust I tossed the obviously empty envelope on the table.

But really, I am just glad he thought of me, over the years, cards, letters and even phone calls have been rare things. Visits even rarer. I haven't seen my Dad in 13 years, and as for calls, I usually call him.

I want a relationship with my Dad, of course I do, especially since he was out of my life as a child.

And he is my Dad, and despite his faults, I do love him.

I have a Dad who is imperfect in his humanness, as we all are.

I accept that, he will never be the father I always lacked and always longed for. When other little girls were being tucked into bed by doting fathers, I was crying myself to sleep.

Over the years, and through the tears, I learned to turn to my real Father. One who will never break a promise, will never abandon me, will never hurt me. One who will wipe away my tears, hold me close, and give me comfort.

He is truly the Father of the fatherless.

Today is Christmas Eve, and on this day many people the world over anticipate receiving gifts. Fancy gifts, expensive gifts, homemade gifts, thoughtfully picked out gifts, weird gifts, unappreciated gifts, even ugly gifts or useless gifts that will be re gifted somewhere down the road.

But after a while, those gifts become meaningless, empty, broken and eventually forgotten and discarded.

However, there is a gift that has been bestowed upon us that will never fall apart, will never rot or rust and will never wear out.

A gift that man has anticipated since the beginning of time.

John 1
The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

On this day we celebrate His birth, but the truth goes farther, to His death that redeems us, to His rising to the right hand of the Father, and ultimately to His return to gather His own to Him.

On this day we should anticipate not only the celebration of His birth, but the promise of that great and glorious day of His return.

Although it would have been nice, I didn't receive money from my dad, that's ok, it would have only lasted for as long as it took me to spend it.

I have received a much greater gift than money, an eternal gift, the Gift of His Son, Mighty God, Lord of Lords, Emmanuel, God with us, Alpha and Omega, The Word, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.

Jesus Christ, my Savior and the Savior of the world.

Expect the Unexpected.

2007-12-23T06:44:00.000-05:00

In a couple days it will be Christmas, and when I think about the real meaning of this day, I become awestruck.

In the days of Christ's birth, the Israelites were under Roman oppression. They kept watching and hoping for the Messiah, but what they expected in the Messiah was not what they got.

They expected Him to come save them from oppression in a blaze of glory. They expected Him to be a mighty warrior who would lead them into victorious battle against their oppressors.

What they got, what we got was a little baby. A baby born in a lowly manner, to a young girl, and laid in a manger. He wasn't born in a palace surrounded by riches and servants.

Jesus did come to save us from oppression, but not the kind of oppression that the Israelites suffered, it wasn't our physical bodies that He came to save, it was our very souls. He came to save us from the oppression of sin.

Sin which separates us from God.

He came to save us from eternal death.

He came to free us from oppression of the soul, so we can enjoy true freedom under the banner of God's love.

From His lowly birth to His gruesome death, He accomplished His goal, and it wasn't in the manner that we as humans would have expected from God.

He didn't send a soldier, He sent a Shepherd,
He didn't send a rich man, He sent a poor man,
He didn't send a powerful man, He sent a merciful man,
He didn't come to destroy, but to heal,
He didn't come to condemn, but to redeem,
He was born so that He would die,
He died, so that we may live.

A Strange Way To Save The World

Two thousand years ago, there was no room in the inn for Him, but there is room in our hearts if we just let Him in.

To do list..

2007-12-20T22:02:00.000-05:00

I am one of those people who needs to write lists and cross things off, it gives me a sense of satisfaction, and keeps me on track.

Today, I was supposed to work, but after talking to my boss yesterday, he told me to take today off since I worked Saturday when I was supposed to be off and I would have had mega over time. It was ok by me, I would have had to work a seven day stretch, and I needed time to get some stuff done.

Last night I wrapped presents, packaged them up and got them ready to put in the mail today.

This morning, I wrote out 35 Christmas cards, (late as usual), addressed them, stamped them, and then I was off to the Post Office. I dropped the cards in the drive by box, then parked to take the packages in.

I had two big boxes and one small one. I pulled them out of the back of the Jeep, balanced them precariously on top of each other and slowly and carefully started walking to the door.

Of course, I wasn't careful enough and the small one went flying to the ground. Sighing, I set the big ones down on the ground, and suddenly a very nice woman came running up, 'Here let me help you!' She very kindly carried one for me, held the doors open and helped me inside.

See, there are still kind people in the world. I was very appreciative and thanked her and wished her a Merry Christmas.

After posting my packages, I went to pay my water bill, and return the way, way, WAY overdue library books which have been staring at me for weeks now.

Off to the bank, the grocery store, where I got a 15 pound turkey for $0.29 a pound, can't beat that. They also had a ton of different things for $0.50, like frozen waffles and bags of frozen veges. Yes, love deals like that.

I had to go to another store for dog food, since that store doesn't carry my brand. I also picked up shampoo and razors since I forgot to get them at the other store. See, I need lists!

I came home, unloaded the groceries, put laundry in the washer, cleaned the kitchen up, emptied the dishwasher, took a break.

Laid down for a half hour.

Till Boo came bee bopping in the house like gangbusters.

She left, I laid down again, and for some reason Maggie, one of our outside dogs started hollering and fussing.

I got up again, went to the door and yelled at her, and gave up on the nap.

I then went to the dollar store, picked up some small things for Boo, then went to the hospital for my rabies shot.

Joy.

One more shot to go and I am DONE.

Came home, called my friend Crystal, and started making a pot of Chili while I gabbed with her.

Got off the phone, emptied the dryer, filled it again, and filled the washer again, where DOES all the laundry come from?

I then ate some Chili with chunks of cheese.

Brrrrrrrrrp.

'Scuse me.'

I then tackled the bathrooms, yuck.

But they are shining now, and marked off my list.

I swept the floors, including all the leaves that keep shedding everyday off my ficus tree, it's worse than the dog.

Folded laundry.

Dusted the living room.

Took a shower and I am beat.

I am thinking about all I did today, no wonder I am tired. It would have been easier to go to work.

I still have this cold, it just doesn't want to quit already. I also think I pulled a stomach muscle from coughing, it hurts and I have to hold it when I do cough.

I also have more presents to wrap, and I really hate wrapping presents, I am just not good at it, my back ends up hurting, I get frustrated with it.

Oh, and I did buy Boo her horsie, it is really cute, and I cheated and bought a gift bag for it.

I posed him in front of my Charlie Brown tree, and I had a hard time getting him to sit up, since his head is so big, he kept falling over.

I could have bought her a pair of jeans, well almost, but this is so much more fun, don't ya think?

So I am done with Christmas shopping, and it's not even Christmas Eve yet! Which is really good for me.

Now it's time for bed.

Perspective and Prayers

2007-12-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

Today, ok, I admit it, the last few days, I have been weepy and sad. I cried yesterday, the day before and a couple times today.

I can't put my finger on the why, oh I have several different things, for one, Christmas, so close, a holiday I used to get so excited about, it didn't just mean the celebration of Christ's birth, of course the most important aspect of it, but it also meant, family, my family, gathered together.

It didn't matter about the gifts we gave or received, or how much food we ate, although we did do those things, but what mattered was being together. We had some pretty lean Christmases over the years, somehow we would get through, together.

It's so different now, I find myself missing the days when my kids were little, I miss those Christmas Eve nights when I would read Luke 2 to them before they went to sleep. I miss having them jump on my bed Christmas morning in all their young exuberance and excitement.

They are all so far away, and I can't even see my grandchildren.

So I guess I am feeling sorry for myself. I am really tired, have been sick, the loss of the cats still weighs on me as does my DIL's miscarriage, we are really struggling financially, and I spend more time alone without my husband than I should.

And then I heard heartbreaking news, and I wonder why I have been feeling so sorry for myself, when things like this happen. It has a tendency to put things in perspective.

There is a young lady who really needs prayers, her name is Kayla, she has been fighting cancer for some time now, please visit and leave a comment and say a prayer or two or three for her. She beat this before, she can do it again.

I have so much to be thankful for, and this young lady has so much to live for, all her hopes, her dreams, and the love she shares with others.

God can and does give miracles, let's pray that He gives Kayla one.

Tonight, I am shedding tears, but not for myself, my tears are for Kayla.

Just stop.

2007-12-18T09:08:00.000-05:00

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with Christmas just a week away, a list a mile long, being sick and having to work everyday, this morning I just wanted to cry.

I went to pick Boo up from school to take her to her internship, and as I sat in the car waiting, I looked up.

The sky was a clear blue, with big puffy clouds hovering here and there, and for that moment, time seemed suspended and I realized that sometimes we just need to stop and be still.

Stop and notice what is all around us, the beauty of nature, the blue sky, the squirrel climbing the tree, and other things, like a baby's smile, or the lonely, poor, cold man walking down the street. Sometimes, we need to stop and just say Thank You.

Thank You that I have a mind to think and reason.

Thank You that I have a heart to love with.

Thank You that I have arms to hug with and hands to work with.

Thank You for my eyes that can see beauty.

Thank You for my ears to hear.

And Thank You for my nose to smell the aroma of food and flowers.

Sometimes we get so busy with all the life things, worry and stress, work, family and friends, school, bills, money or lack of, constantly going, pressuring ourselves to keep going, keep performing, keep striving, that we forget to stop.

We forget to reflect, we see but we don't observe, we hear but we don't listen, we say we love, but we don't show it, we, well, we get so wrapped up in the busyness of our lives, in the problems, the activities, the things, that we often overlook the most important things.

Sometimes we just need to stop.

Be still.

Reflect.

Observe.

Listen.

Love.

And give thanks.

I'm so sick! Whimper!

2007-12-16T22:14:00.000-05:00

I am so sick I didn't even go to church this morning, unable to barely even function.

I feel bad about not going, I rarely ever miss church, it was a case of my mind saying go, and my body saying, sleep.

So I slept, most of the day, and didn't accomplish a thing.

When I finally woke around threeish, I still felt pretty yucky and had a hard time opening my eyes, and I was super thirsty.

Crystal is really sick too, she called me and told me she didn't make it to church either.

This is what in the south they not so affectionately refer to as THE CRUD.

It truly makes you feel cruddy.

I was so out of it, I realized after my mind became somewhat functional, that I hadn't even taken a shower or brushed my teeth since yesterday. Upon that realization I truly felt disgusting. So I took a long, hot shower, scrubbed my teeth and felt if not 100% better, at least more comfortable.

I feel like I could really use a couple of more days of rest, but I have to go back to work tomorrow.

Oh JOY.

I don't wanna.

I really, really don't wanna.

*sigh*

I guess I am not singing in the choir since I barely have a voice and I have a cough that sounds like a dog barking.

Woof, woof, woof.

Unless by some miracle I get better soon.

Changes AGAIN!!

2007-12-15T21:16:00.001-05:00

Yep, I've been messing around with my template, so bear with me, cuz it may change again. Who knows?

I came across that pic and really liked it, I tried it with my title, and didn't like it, so for now, sans title and description.

I had a terrible couple days at work, stress levels are high, customers are zeroing in on bargains and it has become a shopping frenzy.

I was supposed to be off today, but we are short staffed and the manager took advantage of my good nature, and I was going in for 5:30 am. Yuck. I was supposed to leave at 2:30, yeah right. I was stuck there till 3:30. I told one of my co-workers, I am stuck in Wally World and I can't get out!!!

My boss then asked me if I could work tomorrow.

Ok, I am NOT that much of a door mat, and I actually, for the first time since I have been there told her no, NO, NO!!!

Tomorrow will be my one day off till Christmas Eve, I have a terrible cold, I am terribly tired, and really need a day to relax, a day to spend with God, and refresh my weary body and soul.

Last night at work was terrible and I ended up crying to one of the big managers no less, sobbing in frustration.

It was horrible and embarrassing, and I went in today with trepidation and of course, EVERYONE KNOWS.

I am hoping the rumor mill moves on quickly to the next person. Not that I wish gossip and harm on anyone, I don't, I just don't want all that attention on me.

It's been a very long couple of weeks, there has been heartache and stress, and tomorrow, I am going to just take time to pray.

That is what I really need.

Wellspring of life.

2007-12-14T08:14:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

There was an incident this morning that made me think of this verse.

Boo had asked me to go to McDonald's this morning before school, I haven't had time to do my weekly grocery shopping so I really don't have anything quick to make for breakfast.

So off I went while she got ready for school.

On the way, a woman in a white car cut me off.

Fine, I guess she was in a hurry.

She turned into MickeyD's ahead of me and went to the drive through so she was right ahead of me.

I was distracted for a moment and when I looked up, she was giving me the finger.

I have no idea why, since she was the one who cut me off and I didn't even respond to it.

I just ignored her, I find that it's better to just ignore the actions of nasty, mean people.

The worst part was that she had her young children in the car.

What an epitome of good parenting, right?

Afterwards, this verse came to my mind, and I realized that what is in the heart comes out in personality and actions. I then said a prayer for this unknown woman.

I pray that my actions will always reflect what God has done in my heart. And if I don't, then I pray that God will convict me so that I will do better.

I always believed that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

I remember an incident a number of years ago. During one holiday season, right before Thanksgiving, I was working in a book store. A woman came to the counter to make her purchase and she wrote a check. The store's policy was that we needed to see their driver's license when someone wrote a check. Apparently this woman had a problem with that, and just started reading the number off to me. I said, 'I am sorry, ma'am, but store policy says I need to actually see your license.' Angrily, she threw her license at me.

I calmly punched in the numbers and handed her licence back to her and finished the transaction. When I handed her the bag and receipt, I smiled brightly and said, 'Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!'

She was quite taken aback, because after all, why would someone she was so rude to be nice back?

Romans 12:20
On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Some days it is really hard to be nice to others, especially during the holidays when people seem even worse than usual. But maybe that person is having a particularly hard time, maybe they are going through a divorce, their child is in trouble, problems at work or unemployment, or even a death in the family. We have no way of knowing.

Sometimes, all that person needs is a smile and a kind word.

And a prayer.

We may not know that person and their needs, but God does.

We may have a hard time loving the unlovely, but then we aren't always so lovely either, and God doesn't have a problem loving all people, lovely or not.

Maybe we need to learn to look at people through God's eyes.

Finding the good things

2007-12-13T07:01:00.000-05:00

Even during sad times, God showers blessings, if only we open our eyes and look for them.

My husband was worried that the insurance wouldn't pay for my shots so he called them, the good news is that they are paying for it 100% AND they are waiving the co-pay since I have to go so many times. At $50.00 a visit, this is good news indeed.

Last night, Boo and I attended a play at The Andy Griffith Playhouse. It was A Dicken's Tale, adapted from A Christmas Carol. The church provided everyone with free tickets, which was pretty cool. It was a blessing to spend time with my daughter, and we really enjoyed it.

I got my schedule for the week of Christmas, we are closed Christmas day, and somehow I am scheduled off Christmas Eve. I am also off this weekend, and I am hoping I can get some stuff down around the house and maybe some Christmas shopping done, since I haven't even started.

On the way home last night, Boo made me laugh. We stopped at a little convenience store so I could pick up something we needed quick, Boo waited while I ran in. When I came out, she yelled, 'I WANT THE HORSIE!!!' I looked at her in confusion, 'What?'

'LOOK,' she yelled, pointing inside the store window, 'I want the horsie with the big head and little body.' I looked and sure enough, there was a big stuffed horse hanging there.

All the way home, she repeated over and over, 'I want the horsie! I want the horsie!'

At 17, she can be such a little girl at times, and maybe I will surprise her with the horsie for Christmas.

She has a gift of making me laugh when I so need it, my daughter is truly a treasure.

Yes, even during sad times, I can find many things to be thankful for.

Old things pass away.

2007-12-12T06:54:00.000-05:00

That statement is so true.

I was reading some of my posts in my old blog from Christmases past, waxing nostalgic, I suppose. Missing family and friends, missing snowy wintry mornings, the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas, the Pennsylvania mountains capped in snow.

And Noodles.

Last night, it hit me so hard that she is gone and I cried and cried, Boo heard me and came in my bedroom, sat behind me and wrapped her arms around me. Even with her own hurt and heartache, she wanted to comfort her mama.

Oh, I loved all the cats, but Noodles was so special, so unique in personality, that from the first moment I set eyes on her in the pet store, I was in love.

It was that little orange face.

Last night it hit me that she is really gone, maybe it was when I came home from work and she wasn't there, running across the yard to see me.

I think that if she had died naturally, it wouldn't be easy, but it would be a bit easier to accept.

The part that really hurts is that they took her away as if she had no value, as if she meant nothing. As if no one loved her.

But she was worth something, she was loved. And she is sorely missed.

I am working through my grief one day at a time, one prayer at a time. Some people may not understand the grief one feels at the loss of a beloved pet, but it is real, it is painful. She was part of my family, and every where I look there are memories, her laying in the kitchen window, dashing across the yard, rubbing against the dog.

I would tell her to give me some love, and she would jump on my lap and rub her face against mine, purring and happy.

Some day, I know that the hurt will ease, and I will be able to remember her with a smile, but for now, I grieve her loss.

In the meantime, I grasp onto the hope I have in Jesus, my greatest Comforter. Last night I had a dream that I was walking in a meadow, I was heartbroken and lonely and crying. I found a path that led to a beautiful valley and Jesus was there, just sitting there as if He was waiting for me. I went to my knees before Him and told Him that I wasn't worthy for Him to even look upon, but He lifted my face and looked at me and told me that He loved me. I cried at His feet, and He put His hand on my head.

Even in my dreams I seek Him.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

Trials

2007-12-10T07:02:00.000-05:00

James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:12
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Being a Christian does not guarantee a perfect, problem free life. Although many people believe so, then they are disappointed that it isn't so.

James wrote the passage above knowing that we would face many trials. We suffer through things as many others do, but there is a difference.

As a Christian, we have a God who provides us with the things we need to get through the tough times. And we can claim the power of Christ as we struggle and muddle through. He has provided us with powerful tools, if we only are willing to use them.

The things we suffer open us up to a greater faith, faith not in ourselves or our own abilities, but faith in a God who loves us. Faith is a gift from God, and when our faith is refined and strengthened through our reliance on God, our lives become a testimony to others.

Prayer, which is more than a cry for help, it is direct communication with God. And when we pray we should always have the attitude of praise, thanksgiving and worship no matter what we are going through.

Through prayer, we develop a closer more intimate relationship with our Creator as we continually turn to Him. He allows us to go through these things so that we will turn to Him. Often we have a tendency to turn away, those are the times He keeps pushing us down until we are on our knees. He even allows are hearts to be broken, oftentimes over and over again, until our hearts are wide open to His love.

There are two things which He gifts us with so that our burdens are easier to bear.

Hope, even a small flicker of hope can grow and burn brighter and brighter. Hope for what is yet to come. Hope for tomorrow. Hope for an eternal inheritance as co-heirs with Christ. Hope for the day when all sorrow will no longer be, when all tears are wiped away and all hearts are healed of brokenness. Hope that there will be a day when all sickness and disease no longer exists, when all sin is vanquished and we will be perfect beings reflecting God's glory.

We also have peace. Peace that comes from the knowledge that God is always with us, during good times and bad. Peace in knowing that He does not forsake the ones He loves. Peace in the promise of what is to come, that all this will pass away, but His promise and His love never will.

James tells us to persevere during the testing of our faith, this doesn't mean we don't suffer, or grieve or cry, it doesn't mean that we need to be strong, we can't in and of ourselves. Our strength lies in the Power of God's love, in the hope that is ours through the Power of Christ's sacrifice, and through the peace that He gives us in the knowledge that He is in control, and through our faith in the One who longs for a deeper relationship with us.

Through loss and grief, we gain love, peace, hope, joy, maturity, strength and a closer walk with God and in the process our God is glorified!

Long week.

2007-12-09T22:43:00.000-05:00

I don't know exactly what I did, but now my template is white, just white, and I am just too tired to mess with it anymore tonight.

I am finally done working my seven day stretch, and I am off tomorrow!

Woo Woo!!!

I feel better today, although I did go for my shot tonight and my arm really, really hurts. Three more to go, and I am not looking forward to it.

I went to church this morning and ended up crying in Sunday School, I love all my brothers and sisters there, they were so sympathetic and some even cried with me.

My friend Crystal is going through a rough time right now as well. She is only bearing things because God is seeing her through. This Wednesday is the one year anniversary of her brother's death, I posted about it last year on my old blog. He was only 31, so that is looming large in her mind. She is pretty broke and is struggling financially. And she had more bad news this week, her aunt has been diagnosed with cancer in her kidneys, lungs and spine.

Crystal is the dearest, sweetest woman I know. She cried over my cats as if they were her own. Every time she sees her own cats, she cries because it reminds her of my own loss. She is going through her own troubles, yet she she grieves with me over my loss. God has provided me with such a wonderful friend in her, and I pray that I am as good a friend to her as she has been to me.

It has been the longest couple of weeks for me, I am beat.

So I believe I am going off to pray, read my Bible a bit and then sleep.

Tomorrow is another day, and maybe I can tackle the piles of laundry that seems to have multiply over night.

Rainbow Bridge

2007-12-08T22:16:00.000-05:00

Rest in Peace.

Noodles and Knock Knock and babies.

December 7, 2007

What happened?

2007-12-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

Sheesh, if it's not one thing it's another.

I am sitting here looking at my blog. I accidently clicked it off, when I went back, my background was changed!!!

I don't want Santa on my blog, I liked my snowflakes!!

Now I have to fix it, grrrrrrrr.

And I will lose all my links and widgets and have to do it ALL over.

What a pain!!!

I AM NOT IN THE MOOD FOR THIS!!!

And I want to know HOW my template got changed!

*breathe*

Ok, I need to calm down, I am just really still upset about my cats, and this is a minor thing, and I really shouldn't get all that upset about it.

Right?

Right.

2007-12-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Animal Control set box cages up in my basement since the cats have free access.

They are all trapped, it's awful.

This morning, I heard one of them crying through the kitchen floor.

I am crying with them, and I can't bear to go down there. I wish Animal Control would just come and get them, this is torture.

Not that I want to lose them, but this waiting is killing me.

When I got up this morning, I fed the dog, and had to remind myself that I didn't need to feed the cats. When I let the dog out for her morning ritual, it was hard not seeing the cats on the back porch waiting to be fed.

As for the rabies shots, they have changed things, no longer are they administered in the stomach. I received one in my arm, one in my behind, and the last one and most painful, was one needle which was repeatedly shot in around the wound area. The other four will be administered over the next 28 days, on the 9th, the 15th, the 20th, and January 3rd. They also put me on antibiotics for any secondary infections that may arise. Fortunately, I had my tetanus shot in 2005, so that is still good and I didn't have to have that additional pain.

It was so bad, I told the nurse that I would rather give birth.

But the needle pain fades, the heart pain is another matter.

On top of the loss of my grandchild, this is hard to bear.

I know with God's help, I will get through this.

DT held me last night as I sobbed, he is just as upset, he really loves Knock Knock (Enoch).

I am so thankful that my dogs are safe, I don't think I could have handled the loss of them as well.

Never ever assume

2007-12-06T22:35:00.000-05:00

As I write this post, I am in pain physically and in my heart.

I assumed Noodles rabies shot was a three year shot, and I was wrong.

There was a raccoon in my yard yesterday, Animal Control came and got it. Noodles went after the raccoon, and they fought.

Today, Animal Control called.

The raccoon had rabies.

They came to set traps for my cats.

Enoch and the two kittens were too young for shots.

Yesterday, Noodles scratched me.

Tonight, I had three rabies shots and I have to go back for four more.

My heart is broken over Noodles and Enoch. They are my babies, and they are taking them and going to put them down.

Never assume your animals are safe.

I could have taken a chance and not went to the hospital, and I may have been dead in ten to fifteen days.

Rabies is a gruesome, painful death.

As painful as the shots are, I had rather be safe than sorry.

How weird is it that all my dog's shots were three year shots, but the cat's wasn't?

There is nothing I can do to save my cats.

And it breaks my heart.

Five things Meme

2007-12-06T06:55:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged.

Yep, my new friend, Loveable tagged me with a meme.

I am supposed to list five weird/random facts about me then tag five more people.

Now we all know how much I LOVE memes, (can you hear the sarcasm?), but since I am such a nice person I will play along.

Besides, I can't think of anything else to write about at the moment.

So here it is, five weird/random things about me.

1. Where does a five feet tall, 110 pound woman put five slices of pizza with bacon and mushrooms? I have no clue, all I know is that I can stuff myself till I feel like I am going to explode, an hour later be starving again, and I don't gain an ounce. This is a blessing I am really thankful for since I absolutely love food.

2. Sometimes when I am home alone, I put a favorite CD on and sing my heart out. I really do love to sing, but it's hard for me to sing in front of others, something I am working on.

3. I have a tendency to get excited about a new interest or activity, then lose interest after a while. I get bored easily, so I don't like to do things that are repetitive in nature. I think that is one reason I have had so many different jobs.

4. My one wish is that I didn't have to work, I miss being a stay at home wife and mother. I get frustrated easily because there are so many things I want to do but work cuts into my time and I have a hard time just keeping up with the everyday things like laundry and housekeeping. I hate being on an employer's time schedule, it really irks me.

5. I love cake, so much in fact that I once ate three-fourths of a full sheet cake over a three day period. However, I don't much like chocolate cake, I would rather have yellow or white cake. I don't like chocolate ice cream either, I don't eat much ice cream due to a intolerance of dairy products, but when I do I always get vanilla ice cream. I do like chocolate, as long as it is in candy form, and I prefer dark over milk chocolate.

Well, there are my five things. I am supposed to tag five people, but I won't, I will just leave an open invitation to anyone who wants to play along.

One down...

2007-12-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

six more to go.

Days of work that is, I am working a seven day stretch.

Joy.

Then I get one day off, then work one, then a day off. I would rather have my two days off in a row, but it rarely works like that.

*sigh*

I'm not really complaining, it just makes for one tired Deni.

Tomorrow night I have my first choir practice, I talked to the manager and asked him if I could leave work early to go as long as I got my work done and he was fine with that.

I am excited and really nervous about it! I tried to practice with the CD when I got home from work last night, but my throat is a bit sore so I think I sounded awful! I need to get some throat lozenges before tomorrow.

I think I am trying to come down with a cold, the sore throat, a bit of congestion and sneezing are pretty strong indications. I hope not, that would put a pretty big damper on my singing.

I did have this past weekend off which was nice. DT, Boo and I put up the Christmas decorations on Saturday, but yesterday it was so windy that half of them blew down. I set them on the porch till I can get them back up.

It's a hard thing for me to decorate the house for Christmas, even though I love the holiday so much. It always brings out nostalgia and homesickness. A tear or two is always shed, then I gather myself together and get it done.

There are so many memories tucked away in those boxes marked Christmas, ornaments that hung on my mother's tree, things my kids made when they were little, gifts from loved ones and good friends. A lifetime of memories.

Now I need to make new memories to go along with my new life.

I have a lot to be thankful for during this Christmas season.

I am posting one of my favorite Christmas songs, I think it says it all.

Today was a GOOD day!

2007-12-02T18:44:00.000-05:00

Oh it started out a little rough, I got up early not really wanting to, made my coffee and sat for a bit to wake up.

I took my shower, and I really need to start getting my clothes ready for church the night before.

I took out my beautiful green sweater dress, a thrift shop find, and ironed it, only to discover that the hem has fallen out.

I thought I would just tack it up quick, but of course a sewing needle was not to be found, not in my sewing machine, or even the pin cushion or even in my cross stitch stuff. Now I know I have needles, but where they may be is another story.

So I ironed my black velvet that DT bought me quite a few years back.

After doing my hair and makeup, I was running a little late, but I made it to church in time.

They made an announcement that they were still looking for singers for the choir.

Singers or would be singers were to see the music minister for a CD and book after services.

I said to Crystal, 'So you gonna drag me up there to sign up?'

'Nope, although I would like to, it's up to you, but you should just take the plunge and go for it.'

'This is a scary plunge.'

'Yep, but if you fall, Jesus will catch you.'

She is right, of course.

So I took the plunge and signed up, got my book and CD and told him I would try to make it Wednesday, I have to see if they will let me leave early from work.

I then came home, made dinner, so that DT could eat before he went off to work.

I cleaned up and laid down for a bit, setting the clock so I could go back to the church this evening for the new members tour. They were also looking for volunteers to help with the gifts for the shut ins.

Crystal called me at about 3:30. I was in a dead sleep.

'Are you going to church to help with the project before the tour?'

I blearily looked at the clock. I would never make it I thought since that was at 4.

I told her no, I wasn't gonna make it.

But then I thought, oh why not, I may be a little late, but at least I will be there.

I felt yucky from my nap so I dashed in the shower for a quick rinse, dressed and went out the door.

It took me way longer to get to church than I expected. The city was having their annual Christmas parade, and all the roads that I needed were blocked, I ended up turning around three times, had to come back by my house to get on the back road, and end up going way way out of my way.

But I did get there by 4:30.

I helped for a bit, then the Pastor gathered all us new members and we took the grand tour.

At the very end of the tour, I asked about the library/media room.

The Pastor started telling us about it, then mentioned that they need people to work in the library, cataloguing and sorting.

'PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!!'

I didn't hesitate a moment, I jumped right in and volunteered.

I have been stumbling around in the church looking for where I fit in, and now I suddenly have two things.

The singing thing has been thrown in my face over and over, the shy part of me just didn't want to accept it.

And suddenly another opportunity comes out just when I least expect it.

Music and books, my two most favorite things.

My sister told me the last time I talked to her not to worry that God would lead me to where I belong, and that doors would suddenly open. I see that she was right, and it's awesome!

I prayed about it and just let it rest in God's hands, trusting Him to lead me where He wants me.

Now if I could just find it as easy to let go and trust Him in ALL aspects of my life.

But I guess as long as I am taking steps forward in my walk, even if they are baby steps, it's progress.

And I feel good, really really good, I am excited and uplifted and praising God!

2 Samuel 22:47

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!

Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!"

Weakness

2007-11-30T20:47:00.000-05:00

I am weak.

Yes, my faith especially.

Sometimes when things aren't quite right in my life, I am tempted to look to outward things of the world to make me feel better. These things sneak up on me, and wala, I feel a bit better. For a while.

But then it soon passes, what has happened?

Things of the world aren't lasting, a compliment from someone soon fades, things bought soon are forgotten or broken, clothes wear out, food is quickly consumed, and the list goes on and on.

And then when that happens we are off to seek the next thing that we think will make us happy, and if not happy, then maybe just better.

And it turns into a never ending merry-go-round, seeking and looking, and never quite achieving the happiness we seek.

Even Christians can fall into this trap.

We see something we want, or we feel something in our life is lacking, and too often we want what the world offers instead of seeking the One True Source of lasting joy and eternal peace.

Last night as I said in my last post, a man at work flirted with me. It was a HUGE ego boost, of course it was, and I basked in it, even if I didn't fall into the temptation of flirting back, I relished the feelings it invoked in me, and then my thoughts turned to what I perceive that I don't have.

A PERFECT MARRIAGE.

Show me one couple who has a perfect marriage and I will wash your feet.

On the surface maybe, but where you put two sinful people together you will eventually have some kind of problems.

Even Christian couples.

And I don't know where my husband stands spiritually. Oh, I know he believes in God, he believes in Jesus, but I am not sure where his heart lies. Only God knows that.

But this isn't about him, this is about me, and I am weak.

For a little while, I looked to something other than God to fill me.

Ok, now this is a shady area. There really is nothing wrong with receiving a compliment and enjoying it, what is wrong is when you try and replace the real source of joy with something so fleeting.

Nothing on earth can replace the Love God has for me. Nothing else can fill me and satisfy me.

I've been down the dark roads of life, and the places that those roads took me to left me empty and lonely. I was broken, embittered and hungry. Sin was an illusion, a fake, false satisfaction that never lasted longer than the moment, yet it deceived me over and over again, and I would think, 'Next time, next time it will be different, better, lasting.'

Oh, how wrong I was!

I thought I was in control, but I was out of control!

Last night was just a pale reflection of my past, a reminder of who I once had been. I am no longer that person, and I don't need a false sense of self-esteem to make me feel better.

All I need is my Lord, my Savior, the Lover of my soul.

My life is in His hands, and with Jesus by my side how can I be lonely?

Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

so tired

2007-11-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

I am so tired.

It just seems like this week is dragging. I have to work tonight, then I am off Saturday and Sunday.

Yay, for weekends off.

I plan on sleeping late tomorrow.

I probably won't though, this internal clock of mine will wake me at approximately 6 am.

I want to dig the Christmas decorations out tomorrow.

DT is not working tomorrow, he already has 50 hours in this week and still has to work tonight. The poor man is exhausted. He went to bed at 6:30 this morning and within five minutes was cutting zzzz's.

I am glad he's not working tomorrow, he not only needs the rest, but we really could use some quality time together.

He did kind of hurt my feelings yesterday. I went to him and put my arms around him and said, 'I am looking forward to spending time with you on Saturday.' He said, 'I am working Saturday.'

I looked at him feeling a bit rejected, after I had told him I don't know how many times that I was off, and he had told me how many times he wasn't going to work since I was off.

He knew the look on my face didn't bode well for him.

He said, 'Are you off on Saturday?'

'I told you I was.'

'That's right, then I won't work.'

'Don't stay home on my account,' I said. Ok, I know I let my hurt rule my tongue, it flew out before I could think.

But he is staying home, and now I am feeling like I manipulated him into it. I would rather he stay home because he wants to spend time with me, not out of a sense of obligation or guilt.

I am just so tired of being alone. Boo is always off doing her thing, she is a teenager after all. In the mornings, DT is sleeping, I then go off to work, he leaves for work at 4 pm, I get home at 8:30 pm, and he gets home at 5:30 in the morning.

Sometimes I just feel like I am not a priority in his life. Last week, he left to go hunting with his buddy, I spent Thanksgiving with strangers, although I am thankful I wasn't alone, I would have preferred being with my family.

Last Christmas, I was alone. Boo was in PA visiting her Dad, DT was off hunting, and here I sat.

I don't begrudge DT his hunting, it's his thing, and I won't keep him from something he loves to do, I just want a little time for me.

I guess I was hurt yesterday because he didn't sound as if he wanted to spend time with me.

Sometimes a single person will say to me, 'At least you have someone.'

Yeah, ok. What they don't realize that marriage can be lonely, and it shouldn't be.

My woman's heart longs for more. Oh, I am not going anywhere, I have no desire to seek another, but yesterday a man I work with flirted with me, and ya know what? It felt good to have someone pay attention to me.

I was a bit flabbergasted, I really am not used to it, and I get tongue tied very easily, so I brushed it off, and I am definitely not interested.

But it was nice.

And I guess it just made me think about my marriage, and how DT used to say nice things to me, and flirt with me, and want to spend time with me.

And how much I wish we could get that back.

Drawing closer to God

2007-11-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

Last night I talked to my DIL for quite a while, she felt a little better yesterday, but she described feelings of anger and loss. A normal reaction.

But she is immersing herself in the Word of God, she is looking for answers.

JP took his family to church on Sunday, knowing that they needed to be with the people of God.

Tragedy can so often drive us away from God, we see this often, and there have been times in my own life when I allowed that to happen, letting myself become embittered and angry, blaming God for my problems.

But turning to Him in times of sorrow, can bring us closer to Him, opening our hearts to experience His full all encompassing love, compassion, and mercy.

I believe God uses the hard things in our lives to draw us closer to Him, if we just turn and seek Him.

But too often we only turn to Him when things are bad, we must not forget to worship and praise Him in the good times also.

I love to read the Psalms, and recurring theme I find awesome in the Psalms of David particularly, is that he always gave God the glory, no matter the circumstances. David was often depressed, lonely, and frightened. Enemies pursued him, surrounded him, wanting to take his life. But even in the midst of all these things, he always praised God.

We can not know fully God's mind, he is beyond our mere human understanding, but we can know and accept that He is a just God, that He knows us better than we know ourselves, that He is faithful, even when we are weak, that He is compassionate when we are suffering.

My son and DIL suffered a loss of a child, and who can understand better such a loss than God?

I grieve the grandchild that was lost, but even so, I rest in the presence of my Lord, I find comfort in Him, and I have not lost the peace and joy that has been given me through His grace.

And that is my fervent prayer for my children.

James 4
8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Grandparents grieve too.

2007-11-25T21:17:00.000-05:00

Today, it's really hit me hard, I cried in church, I cried at work, and I am still crying.

JP called me in desperation, wanting Bible verses to help his wife. He loves her so much, and the loss of their baby is devastating.

I found some verses that I hope will help, but then I in turn, called my Pastor's wife, who is a grief counselor.

I broke down in tears again.

And she said something interesting, that I, as a grandparent have been hit with grief twice. I not only lost my grandchild, I hurt because my child hurts.

And there is really nothing I can do or say to make his hurt less or his wife's hurt less. I can only love and support them, and share in their grief.

A lot of people minimize a miscarriage, mostly because secular society doesn't always agree that a fetus is a real child.

I beg to differ.

Miscarriage is a real loss. It was a real baby.

God's word says in Psalm 139

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

God knew that child from the moment of conception, and all of that child's days were ordained.

And a joyfully expectant mother loves the child that is forming inside her.

I remember when I conceived my son. I knew the moment I had conceived. Two weeks later, I was sure. Another two weeks went by and it was confirmed.

As young as I was, as scared as I was, I was more terrified of losing him. He laid under my heart, developing and growing for nine months, how could I not love him? He was a part of me.

Today, he is a grown man, a husband and father, and now a grieving father who is trying so hard to hold his family together, to help his wife through this, to be the strong one.

When he called me Friday morning, he was crying so hard that it broke this mother's heart.

If I could take his tears I would. If I could take his hurt I would. If I could take his lost child's place, I would.

But I can't, I am helpless and I am grieving.

I have decided that it's ok to grieve this loss.

It's real, it's painful.

And I am not alone.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

Changes Again!

2007-11-24T09:53:00.000-05:00

It seems I can't enough of change.

So I putzed around this morning, and changed my background.

What do you all think?

Christmas is coming. I love Christmas.

There are a few things I want to add here, but I don't have the time today.

I need to cook.

Today is Thanksgiving.

Oh, I know it was really on Thursday, I am not that dumb. But since I had to work, and DT and Boo were off to do their own things, then I am having it today.

I really do need to get off here, I have a lot to do.

Sweep the floor, finish laundry, run to the store, stuff the bird, and you know, all that fun stuff.

Later this afternoon, Crystal is coming to join us, Boo and her beau will be here, and DT and his friend are planning to arrive sometime this afternoon, if they can drag themselves from the woods.

I am ok today, as upset as I was yesterday with the loss we had, I have God filling me up, and I have so much to be thankful for.

And besides, that child must have been very special indeed since God took him or her home.

That gives me comfort.

I still have all my wonderful children, my SIL and DIL, and five sweet grandchildren.

I have my four sisters and a brother. My Dad and my Grandma.

A plethora of other family members.

Two best friends.

And my dear sweet husband who when he heard about the baby being lost, insisted that he is coming home early to be with me.

I have my God who strengthens me, Who loves me beyond measure, Who guides me along my path, Who carries me when I am weak, and Who has given me so much to be thankful for.

Even though part of my heart is saddened by the loss of a grandchild, I come before God with a grateful heart, my heart is full with His love, peace and joy.

Prayer request

2007-11-23T10:53:00.000-05:00

Please pray for my son, JP and his wife, Jenn.

Jenn lost the baby.

They are devastated.

And I am heartbroken for them.

I know that we can't always see God's purposes, but He is faithful, and all things work for the good of those who love Him.

Even the harsh things, even the sad things, even this.

To my unborn grandchild,

I love you Baby, even though I will never hold you, I will never play with you, or count your fingers and toes.

But I know that you are in God's arms and that you are loved more than I can I say with mere words.

Your parents miss you, they cry over the loss of you, as do I, but you have a Heavenly Father who can and will love you forever.

Someday, when I get where you are, I will be able to love you and hug you like I long to do. But in the meantime, you have a great grandmom, and a great great grandmom there who will step in, until I get there.

You also have a cousin there baby, who you can play with, so I know with such a wonderful family, that you are safe.

And I know you are in a place of complete Joy.

You will never face hardship and heartache, you will never suffer loss as we do, and for that, I am thankful.

I love you, Baby.

Mommom

Not Alone

2007-11-23T07:51:00.000-05:00

My family abandoned me for Thanksgiving.

No, I am not feeling sorry for myself, just stating a fact.

DT's best friend showed up from PA on Tuesday. He got a little lost and ended up at Mickey D's, so I went and rescued him.

They left that afternoon to go hunting down in the swamps on Cape Fear River. Hubby called me yesterday morning, highly disappointed, he missed a buck with a huge rack.

Boo spent the day with her boyfriend and his family. They invited her when she told them I had to work.

Then my schedule was switched from 11 am to 8 pm, to 4 am to 1 pm. Which was ok, I would rather have had my afternoon off on Thanksgiving.

I was extremely tired though, on Wednesday, I worked till nearly 8:30 pm, came home, got a few hours sleep, up at 2 am to go back for 4 am. And Wednesday night was horrible, being the night before a big holiday we were extremely busy and I ended up not getting out of there when I was supposed to.

I slept 11 hours last night.

Told you I was exhausted.

When my friend Crystal found out that I was going to be alone yesterday afternoon, she invited me to her families. So I went.

It was nice, lots of people I didn't know, but I did have a good time. It made me truly Thankful that God has provided me with such a wonderful friend as Crystal.

There was a young woman there who invited me to her house on December 15th to celebrate Christmas. I think she felt sorry for me! And I felt sorry for her, because this young woman has Polio.

But after talking to Crystal, this woman certainly doesn't need pity, she is strong and capable, and apparently very good hearted. I will pray for her though.

I felt like I made a couple of new friends, which is awesome.

Afterwards I came home, settled the animals, changed into comfy clothes, made a cup of tea, and then I called my son. I had already talked to Pookie in the morning when I took my lunch break, and I hadn't had a chance to talk to JP yet.

My DIL answered and I talked to her for a few, she is finally pretty much over her morning sickness with baby number three. Then I talked to Blake, who was very excited because they got a Spongebob table and chair set, then Hali got on the phone and babbled something I couldn't understand except for the word, 'Mommom'. Well, at least she knows who I was! Then JP finally got to talk, he sounded as tired as I felt. He is a hard worker, plus coaching Blake's peewee football games, which by the way, they won the tournament, so football is done for them.

I did have a bad moment on the phone when I had to tell myself not to cry, I miss them all so much and they are so far away. It was when JP told me that Blake is really stretching and is 4 feet tall already, and I said, pretty soon he will be as tall as me! It was just a reminder of how much I am missing with my grandchildren.

I had one of those moments on the phone with Pookie, when she told me how Delilah's potty training is proceeding and the little pip finally figured out that she is supposed to pull her panties down to go potty.

But I am thankful. I am thankful that all my children are doing well, that my grandchildren are healthy and thriving, that I have a new grand baby on the way, that I have family that loves each other.

I am thankful that I have a good husband, who works hard and who loves me.

I am thankful for my friends, those here in my life and on the net.

I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and a place to lay my head at night when so many others don't.

I am thankful for a full belly when so many others are hungry.

I am thankful for my health, when others suffer from so many problems.

I am thankful for my church home, where I have another 'family' who truly cares about each other.

I am truly thankful for the simple pleasures in life, a cup of coffee made just right, a sunrise, the colors of the leaves on the trees, cheesecake, hugs, long talks on the phones, an email from a friend, a good book, public libraries, road trips, and music.

And I am thankful for my God, for my Savior, for His love that carries me through each and every moment of my life.

I am never alone, even when it seems I am.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T08:03:00.000-05:00

On this eve of Thanksgiving, I am posting two videos. The first, Amazing Grace in remembrance of my grandmother, Mammam, and the second, It Is Well With My Soul, for my mother, who both now reside in Glory and are now giving thanks for eternity.

This is Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace, it's a beautiful video. The second one tells the story of how and why it was written, after the writer, Horatio Spafford lost all five of his children.

What an amazing testimony!

Let us remember what Thanksgiving is really for, it's not about turkey or pumpkin pie, it's about giving all our thanks to the One who gives us all we have.

May God bless you all!!!

I love you!

Changes Part 3

2007-11-20T06:21:00.000-05:00

I am praying for an unknown person or persons in the church. I don't know who it is, and neither does anyone else for that matter, except God and the person who did it.

Apparently, (from what I have been told), some people in the church find change hard to accept. And have tried to have the pastor removed, of course under the guise of anonymity.

A letter went out to all the members, an anonymous letter. "Please prayerfully consider that Pastor ***** will moved to another area of ministry, so that we can be united."

Of course, this caused an uproar, and is definitely not the majorities opinion.

As I stated in my last post, a woman in class stated how satan will get shook up right before an awakening in the church and will cause something to happen to oppose it.

It blew up in satan's face.

I have been attending there for a year, in the last several months, especially in the last weeks, the sanctuary has been packed full during the contemporary service (one thing some people don't approve of).

This past Sunday was no exception, it seemed there were even more that the week before.

At the end of the service, the pastor made an alter call for prayer, deacons went forward and knelt, many, many others followed.

A few minutes later, people rose and began going back to their seats, but then suddenly, one person went and stood next to the pastor, then another, and another...until everyone there, stood and joined him, encircling the sanctuary, and joining hands in a moment of solidarity and unity.

The Minister of Music began singing, "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that our unity will one day be restored, and they will see we are Christians by our love, by our love, they will see we are Christians by our love!"

And one by one, the people started singing along, until the whole sanctuary swelled with our voices filled with unity and love.

I looked at the pastor, now with his wife and daughter by his side. He was choked with emotion, he was touched so deeply that so many would stand by his side.

Two days later, I am still so deeply touched when I think of that moment, of the outpouring of love that filled the sanctuary.

We talked with the pastor and several others afterwards, we are not angry with the person. But this person obviously needs prayer. And they definitely need love.

And maybe this is God's way of removing the chaff.

Changes Part 2

2007-11-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

Sometimes change is hard to deal with, sometimes we resist changing something about ourselves, or we are not happy with changes around us.

We become stuck in a rut, and we like it there, because we feel safe in familiar territory.

OK, we may feel safe, but there are hazards to resisting change.

We can become narrow minded for one thing, we want things the way WE want them, and it doesn't matter what someone else thinks.

There is no challenge in staying in the same place, we limit our potential for learning and growth.

Sometimes, though we may resist, God pushes in a direction we do not want to go, and our world will change forever. It shakes us up, wakes us up, and we change in ways we didn't expect or didn't think we even needed.

Imagine what would happen if a mother robin didn't push her babies from the nest. They would end up crippled, unable to leave and stuck there, unable to even feed themselves until they slowly starved to death. Not a pretty picture.

The mother pushes the baby out of the nest for a purpose, so they can learn how to fly!

That's what God does to us, He pushes us from our own self made nests.

Thank God He does!

When I lived in Pennsylvania, for the last few years there, I really felt stuck. Oh, I had my family, I had my home, a job, friends. But I was in a rut, with no direction, no real life, just existing day in and day out. In some ways I felt like I was suffocating with boredom, in other ways I felt starved. I didn't know what I was longing for though, something unnamed, something that I couldn't see.

Then something big happened.

God pushed me out of my nest. And I landed here in N. Carolina.

I admit it, I didn't want to move here. Even though my heart longed for something more in my life, I was so used to my rut, I was safe in my rut, I didn't have to force myself to make hard decisions, I could stay in my shy little shell, and just exist.

But God wanted more for me.

And my life has been changed.

Ironically, when I was in that rut, even though a big part of me wanted to stay there, I also prayed for whatever was missing.

God answered that in a big way.

My life has changed. I don't think I would have grown and changed in the ways I have if I would have remained there.

When we did arrive here, I was so scared. I didn't know anyone at all, I didn't have a job, I got lost on several occasions trying to find my way around town, which was really scary since I didn't know anyone I could call for help or directions.

But over the course of the last twenty months, God has really worked in my life.

Of course, I have had a lot of bad moments. Not too long ago, I wrote a post on my previous blog which reflected all my doubts, all my fears, my loneliness, my depression, everything.

Yesterday, in church someone stated (because of something that happened in the church which I will get to in my next post), that when a spiritual awakening is about to happen, satan gets shook up and opposes it in one form or another.

Satan was bombarding me with all kinds of bad thoughts and feelings.

But the harder he lambasted me, the more I turned to God, the more I prayed in desperation. I prayed so hard, I think my knees bled. I cried out to God, and when I didn't have words, the Spirit cried out for me.

And I was rescued from despair.

God doesn't want us to stay in the same place, He wants us to learn how to fly. He wants us to grow and learn, He wants us to use all our gifts and talents to our full potential.

And I don't think He is done with me yet!

Who knows where He may lead me next?

But now I know that I can embrace change, it's not the bad thing that so many make it out to be.

Changes Part 1

2007-11-18T21:56:00.000-05:00

I haven't just changed my blog.

I've changed.

But it's not a work that I did myself. God has done the work, I am simply the clay and He is the Potter.

Lately, I have felt some things just falling away from me. As I strive with a willingness to follow Him, I am changing.

And yes, they are good changes.

Of course, I haven't just sat back and waited for some miracoulous change to over come me, I willingly surrendered my life, my WHOLE life to God.

I stand on His promises, I pray without ceasing, I worship, I am convicted, and I am learning to love others.

Worry and fear and stress have been a dark cloud over my life, depression dogged my foot steps. For a long time I felt as if the weight of the world was on my shoulders.

In Matthew 11, it says:
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I have read this and heard this passage hundreds of times, yet never quite understood it.

Until now.

I am no longer burdened by the worries of this world. I went to Jesus and He has given me rest in my soul.

My heart is no longer heavy laden, it has been lightened.

No, my problems haven't magically gone away.

My mortgage is still late, bills are still piled up, Boo has a lot of needs, DT is still working alot, as am I.

And yes, we are both tired.

I am tired physically, but my soul is WIDE AWAKE and BURSTING with the JOY OF THE LORD!!!

The worry and fear of our financial woes has fallen away.

God will provide! I know this is true, and I have chosen to trust Him in ALL things.

I have changed.

I refuse to wallow in self pity. I push envy and selfish ambition away.

For I discovered something, it's NOT ALL ABOUT ME, it's ALL ABOUT HIM!

I am not entitled to anything, and everything I do have is a wondrous gift from God.

My family, my job, my home, my friends, my church, even my pets!

I now come before Him with a grateful heart, and each day I am humbled because of what He has done for me.

He has covered me with His Grace. He has shown me mercy when I deserved none. He has loved me unconditionally, even when I was whining and fretting, even when I was at my worst!

Just as He loves you and you and even you, yes, YOU!

It's ok that my readership has seemlingly declined, it's ok that I don't get comments like I used to.

What matters is that someone somewhere out there may some day read my words and find the peace and joy that I have.

As many of you know, I have gone through many struggles, many trials, and big changes.

Many of my struggles were mental and spiritual, many of those struggles are gone.

I am still a work in progress, I am still finding my way through a whole set of things, I am learning and growing. I am studying and praying. I am striving to be who God wants me to be.

Most of all I am trusting Him, something I had a problem with for a long time.

How can I not trust Him? He died for me so that I may live!

Hallelujah!!!

Confessions

2007-11-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make.

This one will shock you.

Really.

Ready?

I am two timing my husband.

That's right.

I am.

I have two guys.

I have two guys who love me.

One loved me so much, He died for me.

Yep. He died.

And a most brutal death it was, He didn't just die a simple death, He suffered tremendously.

But guess what?

He still lives.

Yep.

So I have two guys.

Two guys that love me.

The other is my husband, DT. And I know he loves me too.

The first guy's name is Jesus.

Isn't that awesome?

And you know what?

He will never fail me, unlike a human man.

He is always trustworthy, unlike a human man.

He will never hurt me, unlike a human man.

He is perfect. Can we say that about human men? I can't even say that about myself.

As much as I love my husband, I admit that I love Jesus more.

I can't help myself, I am in love with Him.

And why shouldn't I be?

He has done more for me than any man on earth has done.

And as much as I love being married, I know that even if I wasn't, I still wouldn't be alone, because I will still have a guy.

Jesus.

'Thank you, Jesus for loving me, even when I am unlovable. Thank you, for always being there for me, even when I have turned away. Thank you for picking me up when I stumble and fall. Thank you for being my strength when I am weak. Thank you for being faithful, when I am unfaithful. Thank you for dying for me, but most of all, thank you for living for me. I love You.'

Just some random thoughts.

2007-11-16T21:22:00.001-05:00

Today I prayed, "Lord, help me to be thankful for my job!"

Ugh, bad day, enough said.

I wonder how it could be 70 degrees two days ago, and now it's in the 30's.

The cats left me a nice really gross present the other morning, a dead squirrel. But not just any dead squirrel, this one was nicely stretched out to about three feet long and nearly bisected in the middle.

The two kittens I still have were playing tug of war with it.

Ugh.

Why do my animals persist in the grossest activities?

I have to work on Thanksgiving day, how nice that I don't get to spend the day with my family.

By the way, who shops on Thanksgiving Day?

I want to say thanks to all those who do for ruining the day for so many others who have to work.

I must have been insane to get back into retail.

Who even has money to shop?

Yesterday, I was a traitor and shopped at another grocery store. I got a deal on a turkey though, if you spent $25.00 or more, the turkeys were only .32 cents a pound. I got a 12 pound turkey for under $4.00.

Can't beat that.

The stupid ccccccccccccccc on my keyboard keeps sticccccccccccccccccccccccccking. It's getting really aggravating.

I need a new keyboard, I have had this one several years, but it will have to wait until I have some extra cccccccccash.

Grrrr.

Is there such thing as extra cash?

Is there such a thing as enough cash?

HAHAHA, yeah right.

For the last month, DT has been bringing up the subject of me taking classes at the college.

I finally told him yesterday, I don't want to.

I just don't.

He didn't believe me.

*sigh*

He wanted me to take management classes.

HAHAHA, yeah right.

I told him I don't need a college degree for that, I already proved that, and after being a manager for all those years, why would I want to get back into it?

UGH.

It's bad enough being a peon in retail.

I'm really tired, my back hurts, my ankles hurt, my hands and knuckles.

I am getting too old to work this hard.

Some nights I hurt so bad, it's hard to get a good sleep in.

I envision myself eventually being crippled up with this arthritis.

Scary thought.

I guess being active is a good thing though.

My dog's hair is finally growing back after her flea infestation this summer. It was a long drawn out battle, but the buggers are finally gone.

Next year I am treating my whole yard.

The neighbor treated his yard, and his dog didn't have a flea all year, that's because they all came to live in my yard and on my dogs and cats.

It makes me really glad I don't have carpets.

Although, I would really like carpets, maybe someday if I am ever pet free.

I am down to one chair for my kitchen set.

I bought those cheap plastic stackable chairs this summer.

How pathetic is that?

Hey, at least they are chairs.

Besides, replacing chairs is the least of my worries.

I am not really looking forward to the holidays.

That's sad, ain't it?

It's not the fact that I really don't have the money for Christmas, it's being so far away from the rest of my family.

I will try and make it nice at least for Boo though.

I talked to Pookie last night and she said it snowed all day yesterday up there.

I don't miss snow.

Not at all.

Well, I think I am done rambling for now.

Have a good night all.

*hugs*

Jonah Moments

2007-11-14T06:33:00.000-05:00

We all know the story of Jonah and the Whale. God commanded Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach against their wickedness. Instead, Jonah ran from God, ended up on a ship, then tossed overboard by a bunch of frightened sailors, to end up in the belly of a whale for three days and nights.

We don't know much about Jonah and what kind of man he was before this happened, but we can conclude one thing, he was frightened to do what God had commanded him to do, he was frightened more of the people of Ninevah than God. So much so that he disobeyed God and ran away from Him. The Bible uses the word, flee, in fact, a much stronger word than ran, a word that conveys a sense of panic and hurry.

Jonah tried to run away from God and his command as fast and furious as he could.

The only problem was, he really couldn't get away from God. No matter how fast Jonah ran, no matter where he went, God could find him.

Jonah was foolish, maybe, and definately a coward.

But don't we all have Jonah moments?

Even days when we are foolish and cowardly?

God can and does at times show us exactly where He wants us to be, what He wants us to do, and we will come up with a million different excuses not to do it. Or we ignore what is right in front of us, opportunities and open doors.

We try and run away from God just as Jonah did.

Sometimes God gives us opportunities that don't seem to fit us, so we discount them right away. A shy person having the opportunity to stand in front of others and speak, for example.

We think, "Surely, not I, Lord!"

But God's purposes are greater than ours, and He wants us to stretch and grow beyond our own self limited boundaries.

A number of years ago, in my previous church home, the pastor approached me about joining the outreach committee.

I didn't even think about it, I certainly didn't take time to pray about it.

Taken aback, I said a resounding NO.

No way, not me, uh uh, as visions of approaching people I didn't know filled my head.

Definately one of those Jonah moments in my life.

A couple posts ago, I wrote about how so many have told me to join the choir.

Another Jonah moment, but this time, I am thinking and praying about it.

God wants me to stretch and grow, He wants me to overcome my fears and shyness, and He wants me to serve Him by serving others.

Something that I have been praying about for a long time, where exactly I fit in the church. I have been asking God to lead me.

The thing is, it's been so easy to ignore what was right in front of me.

But too many people have said something to me, it's getting harder to ignore.

When one person says something, it's easy to discount it, it's hearsay, when many people say something, it's testimony and not so easy to ignore.

So I have decided that if I can work my schedule out with work, so I can attend practice, then it is definately where God wants me to be.

It's not exactly what I envisioned for myself, but God knows best where I need to be.

Thank you!

2007-11-12T08:40:00.000-05:00

I can wake up in the morning and listen to the birds sing...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I can go to work each day and work where I want to...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I can excersize my right to vote...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I can hug my family and say I love you...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I can take a road trip, a vacation or simply go shopping without worrying about safety...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I have a home to live in, and I don't have to worry about bombs destroying it...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I have the right of free speech, the privilege of driving, and free choice...

Thanks to a Veteran.

My child goes to school in a well equipped building, with heat and resources...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I can read whatever I want to read, including the Bible...

Thanks to a Veteran.

I can also worship Who I want in any form I want...

Thanks to a Veteran.

Thank you to men like my Dad, who served in the US Army for over 30 years, and served in Vietnam for seven of those years.

Thank you to women like my Mom who was in the Women's Army Corp (WAC) and worked in the Pentagon for National Security.

Thank you to young men like my Son in Law, who served as a US Marine in Iraq.

Thank you to all who served and did their duty from WW1 to the present war we are in.

Thank you to the ones who served during times of peace as well as war.

Thank you to the ones who were lost and to those who survived.

Thank you.

What a FRIEND!!

2007-11-11T21:57:00.000-05:00

I just love when friends get a kick out of embarrassing you, don't you?

It all started some months ago, I was in church singing my little heart out. Directly after service, two different men that were sitting in front of us turned and asked who was singing so beautifully.

My oh so wonderful friend Crystal points at me.

Thanks.

Over the months, several others have complimented me.

I don't get it.

I never thought of myself as a particularly good singer, although I do like to sing.

Last Sunday, Crystal's mama went to church with us.

In Sunday School, she said and quite loudly I may add, that I should join the choir.

Ok, now wait a minute, this is going way too far.

My face burned as EVERYONE turned to look at me.

Then this week, three more people, all complete strangers, told me the same thing.

Then my oh so wonderful FRIEND, who I do love (sometimes), drags me up to the woman in charge of the choir and tells her, SHE NEEDS TO BE IN THE CHOIR!!!

No, I don't.

I am quite content to do my thing in the congregation.

I am feeling pushed and pulled into a direction I am not sure I want to go in.

In new members class, we talked about service.

I've been attending there for a year now, and have been a member since June. I am looking for where I fit in.

Surely, it's not the choir.

Please, Lord, not that.

I can't get up in front of all those people and SING.

Not me. No way.

*sigh*

Crystal said to me, maybe I am just fighting against it too hard.

OF COURSE I AM, I DON'T WANNA!!!

And what is the worst that could happen.

Uh, how about making a complete and utter fool of myself.

Choking, not being able to sing.

Turning beat red in front of everyone.

My voice cracking.

Tripping on the way up there and falling flat on my face.

See, ANYTHING could happen.

After all, I am NOT very graceful, I can't walk without my feet sticking to the floor, so I am sure to really embarrass myself.

Is this what You want of me, Lord?

Ya know, this would be a huge step of faith for me.

Ok, I admit it, this scares me to death.

"For God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control."

Point taken.

I'll think about it, K?

*sigh*

Wedding Anniversary and Love Notes

2007-11-06T09:35:00.000-05:00

On November 7, 1997, DT and I stood before God and man and said our marriage vows.

I know a lot people who said we wouldn't make it past the first year.

Tomorrow, proves them wrong as we celebrate ten years of marriage.

To commemorate the day, I am reposting something I wrote on Time to Tell, I think it says it all.

Love Notes

In the fourth grade, I recieved a little note on a scrap of paper from a boy in my class.

All it said was, "I like you."

I wrote back, "I like you too."

Now wasn't that just too cute, little kids passing little love notes back and forth in class.

He turned out to be a jerk, but we were ten, and he was cute.

When I was 15, I started dating a boy, actually a young man since he was 19, who I had known forever.

He was my first love, and yes, he broke my heart.

But that summer was one of the most beautiful times in my life.

We took long walks hand in hand. We talked about everything and anything. We made big plans for the future.

And he wrote me love songs. And then he would sing them to me. He had a nice voice, a deep baritone which would send shivers down my spine.

He wrote me one in particular, that I carried around with me just so I could take it out and read it whenever I felt like it.

That song written from his heart disappeared along with the pictures I had of us, I can't recall if I got rid of them in the throes of a broken heart or if they were just lost.

After him, I started dating the man who would become my first husband, and subsequently my ex.

He wrote me many love letters, long and detailed, proclaiming his undying love for me.

When I gave Pookie my wedding dress, she called me and told me she found all of our letters, along with our wedding pictures in the box with the dress.

She asked me if I wanted them.

No, I don't want them, I have no desire to read them or even see them.

We were young and in love, and it is a part of my history but I have no desire to recall that time.

But someday, my grandchildren or great grandchildren will read them, and see that yes, at one time there was love there.

DT is not much of a letter writer, aside from the occasional note. But that's ok, I don't need letters from him, I know how he feels.

I see it in his eyes when he looks at me, in his hand when he takes mine, in his arms when he holds me.

I feel it in his concern for me when I am not feeling well. When he took care of me after I had surgery. In his words, 'Be careful', when I go somewhere. In the care he took to provide for my future if something should happen to him.

His love letters to me are the times he comes home late at night and crawls in bed and wraps his arms around me. They are the whispered words, I love you, just before he falls asleep. They are the ring he surprised me with when I least expected it. They are forgiveness for things I have done to hurt him, and a willingness to rebuild our marriage when we thought it was over. They were his tears when he was heartbroken, and his willingness to trust again. They are when we are both thinking the same thing at the same time, or when we finish each others sentences. They are cozy nights on the couch watching tv or a movie. They are when he offers to rub lotion on my back. They are long walks in the woods holding hands. They are long conversations or comfortable silences. They are future plans together. They are working together to solve problems. They are standing by each other's side, no matter what.

I don't need words written on a piece of paper because what I have means so much more.

Housecleaning Blues

2007-11-04T20:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I cleaned and cleaned, and it didn't feel like I accomplished anything. I look around and see so much that has to be done yet.

Ugh!!

I was SUPPOSED to get the whole house done.

Yeah right!

Around 1:00, I decided to make something to eat. I turned on the stove, and...

BAM...all the lights went out.

Puzzled, I went into the basement and checked the breaker.

It wasn't kicked.

I came back inside and called the power company, getting an automated voice system. Don't ya just love those? Nothing like not being able to talk to a human.

I went across the street and asked the neighbors if they had lights.

Nope, well, at least it wasn't just my house.

And hour and a half later they were back on.

I realized something during that time period.

I take things like electricity for granted.

When it's gone, it's like something HUGE is missing, and while I had it I didn't realize how important it was for existence.

I couldn't use the microwave, or the stove. I was afraid to open the fridge. I had no computer, no lights, no tv.

Not even a clock.

We have become so dependent on something that we can't even see.

Oh, we know it's there, running through the power lines, turning our lights on, heating our water, and keeping our food cold.

But we can't really see it.

Hmmm, and a thought just occurred to me.

God is like that, we can't see Him, but we can see the evidence of His existence all around us.

He has given us the sun to give us light and warmth, He gives us food and water to sustain us, He even gave us the very breath of life.

Every day, God assures me of His existence, in all the blessings that He gives.

We depend on an unseeing power running through our homes, yet we have difficulty at times depending on an unseen God.

Sometimes, we take Him for granted, just like we do other things, knowing He's there, but getting too busy to worship, too rushed to pray, too distracted to serve Him.

Maybe we need to slow down and turn to the Light, because He is the only One who can truly chase away the darkness.

2007-11-03T08:06:00.000-04:00

I think I was too lazy yesterday, I woke up with my lower back and hip complaining. I guess there is such thing as too much of a good thing.

Yesterday morning after dropping Boo off at school, I spotted a huge yard sale, I stopped but was quickly disapointed, they had a lot of junk, but that's what it was, junk. Then I noticed that I needed to put air in my tire, well DT's tire, since he is using the Jeep for his hunting trip, and on the way, I spotted a sign for another sale. I went ahead and got the tire filled then swung back to the sale since it was on my way home. I was glad I did.

Even though she didn't have a whole lot there, she was very friendly. I felt like I made a friend even though we never even introduced ourselves! She was having the sale for the Girl Scouts, her troupe will be going on a trip to Savanna, Georgia, to visit Juliette Gordan Lowe's birthplace, the founder of Girl Scouts. Since, I used to be a Girl Scout leader, we hit it off, and I told her about some of the trips we took. She told me about the trip she is planning for the girl's when they are Seniors to one of the world centers, they are only 11 now, so it will be a few more years yet. I told her how a Girl Scout was attacked on a camping trip back home by a bear, luckily she wasn't hurt, and somehow we ended up talking about snakes. I told her I find snakes in my yard all the time, but hubby is terrified of them, laughing she ran to a table and grabbed three little rubber snakes and handed them to me, 'For your hubby!' she said, we both started laughing, and we said goodbye.

Afterwards, I wished I would have at least introduced myself, she seemed like the kind of person I could be friend's with.

The rest of the day was spent in lazy mode, for some reason I just felt wiped out. I went to bed early and watched tv, the first Pirates of the Carribean was on, so I watched that, then House. I don't watch much tv, but I was too tired to do anything much more. I slept good afterwards, a full 8 hours, so I feel pretty good this morning, except for my back and hip, which I suspect is from being in bed for so long. I need to move around today and stretch the mucles out.

I will have to put on some loud tunes, gather my cleaning supplies and make like the white tornado today, if I get my house work done early, I will have the rest of the day to do whatever. This will be different for me, I usually can't clean during the day time since DT works nights and sleeps during the day, and the house is so small, any noise just vibrates through all the rooms.

Well, I am off, I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Oh, and don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight for Daylight Savings Time.

I always forget to do that!

Today...

2007-11-02T09:13:00.000-04:00

I am off work, woo woo!!

And tomorrow I am off!!!

Even better!!

Having a Friday and Saturday off is a rare and wonderful thing, having two such days off in a row is even better.

DT went off hunting with his buddy, Boo will be staying at a friend's house this weekend, and I am at loose ends, and I have the next two days off!!!

I can do anything I want.

I can dance around the house nekkid if I so desire, I won't, but I CAN if I want too.

I can take a walk with my camera, or even just the dog.

I can go to the library and take my time instead of rushing.

I can rent a movie that I have been wanting to see.

Or read a book or two.

Take a nap.

Pamper myself.

I can also clean my house, do laundry and sundry other things that need to be done.

So I am trying to decide.

Clean the house today, be lazy tomorrow.

Be lazy today and clean the house tomorrow.

I'm kinda veering to the lazy side.

It won't really take me a long time to clean, two hours, maybe three if I do a deep cleaning which I want to do.

I thought maybe I would clean the living room (dusting and mopping), the kitchen, and the guest bath and mudroom today, then the bedrooms and the master bath tomorrow, and do laundry today.

Maybe I will just be lazy today and clean tomorrow.

HAHA!

Sounds like a plan to me.

On to other things, (don't read this part if you have a weak tummy).

My dog gave me a nice Halloween present.

On the way home from work, I was starving so I stopped at Wendy's and got myself two jr. bacon cheeseburgers, and took them home and proceeded to scarf them down without breathing.

Replete, I sat back and then suddenly I heard the dog make this funny choking noise in the mud room. Getting up, I was like what is that dog doing?

I walked in on her retching and gagging green slime on my hard work floors.

GAG!!!

I went into the kitchen, feeling a little green myself, only to discover I was out of paper towels.

Dern!!

Toilet paper, no that wouldn't do, I didn't want to 'feel' the green slime oozing through the paper as was apt to do if I attempted a clean up with TP.

I glanced down at the green mess, BIG MISTAKE!!

Gagging and retching, telling myself, DON'T, DON'T, DON'T PUKE!!!

I went in the closet and grabbed the bucket and mop, and the pine sol. That should do the trick, I could clean it up and get rid of the smell.

The whole time, the dog sat there, looking up at me with those sorry brown eyes.

After gathering my cleaning stuff, filling the bucket with hot water and a liberal dumping of pine sol, I attempted to clean up the mess.

Smear!!!

GAG!!

Covering my mouth, I had to walk away until I regained my composure.

Taking a deep breath, I went back for my second attempt.

RETCH!!!

Well, it ain't gonna clean itself, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!!

GAG!!!

I finally did get the job done, but it took my stomach quite a while to settle after that adventure.

Personally, I would have preferred candy to that mess on Halloween.

Now that I think about it, I almost think the dog did it on purpose because I wouldn't share my burgers with her.

Frost

2007-10-31T09:30:00.000-04:00

Aaargh

2007-10-29T08:05:00.000-04:00

I have this urge to strangle my teenager.

Yesterday, I specifically told her that I didn't want to hear ONE word about staying home from school today.

The whole time she was getting ready for school, 'I don't see why you won't let me stay home," in her most annoying whiney voice.

I tightened my lips and chose to (or tried and failed to) ignore her and the tiny little voice in my head that urged me to slap her across the head.

"I don't have any clean clothes."

"You should have done your laundry last night."

"It don't matter since I don't have any clothes anyway."

This is SO NOT TRUE, last time I did her laundry, she had twice as many as DT and I put together.

"Sorry, I am NOT RICH," I said, realizing that my voice was rising to an octave way higher than normal.

On the way out to the car, "Why are you being so anal?"

"How am I being anal?" I asked through my clenched jaw which was starting to hurt, matching the clenching of my stomach muscles.

"Last year you didn't have a problem with me staying home."

"Last year you were sick a lot."

"SO?"

Aaargh!!!

I hate being hassled. I really do, it's my day off, MY DAY. All I ask is to not be harassed.

Seven more months till she graduates.

Will I survive? THAT is the question.

I really really feel sorry for those who have little ones and have no idea what's in store for them when their children reach those dreaded years of puberty.

And I empathise with those who do have teenagers, and applaud those who have survived teenagers.

Teenagers can be so wonderful at times, they can be funny, silly, compassionate, and loving. And then there are those times when they are ill tempered, cocky, sarcastic, self absorbed and just plain irritating.

I guess it could be worse, there was a time when I had three teenagers in the house, but sometimes it seems that Boo is worse than those other three put together.

Maybe it's just that I am getting older and less tolerant, or maybe it's just that she is spoiled rotten.

Nevertheless, I refuse to feel guilty for sending her to school. She just didn't feel like going, well SORRY, there are a lot of times I don't feel like going to work but I do anyway.

I have to pick her back up in an hour and take her back to her school after her internship.

Now my queston is:

What did I do with the duct tape?

In God's view

2007-10-28T20:53:00.000-04:00

I've been trying hard to view people through God's eyes, not always an easy endeavor, and I fail more than I would like to admit. It's easy to look down on people because they are different, or because they have no 'eye appeal', or they seem weird, or dirty, or just different than main stream humanity.

It's hard to love the unlovely.

But I am trying and that's all I can do.

Today in church the sermon was on telling people about Jesus, they have really been stressing the point of inviting people to church, mostly because next Sunday is high attendance Sunday.

Ok, this is not something I am very comfortable with. One reason is because I've had people try and shove their religious beliefs down my throat and I don't want to appear that way to others. I prefer 'showing' people by my actions and words what it means to be a Christian, which is something else I am working on. Which does work, on occasion, like with my friend Crystal.

What does this have to do with loving the unlovelies of the world?

Well, there is this man at work, and ok, ok, I even think he is weird.

I had to go into work for 1 today, I have my hours scheduled like that so I can go to church on Sunday mornings.

I ran into Mr. K, the weird guy at the time clock. Ok, I think he is weird, but I do endeavor to be nice to him.

So we end up having this conversation.

Mr. K, "You just comin back from lunch?"

Me, "No, I'm just coming in."

Mr. K, with funny look on his face, "Isn't it late for you to be coming in?"

Me, "On Sundays I don't come in till one so I can go to church in the morning."

Mr. K, "Oh, you like going to church?"

Me, "Yes, and it's the one thing I won't compromise on."

By this time we are both punched in and he is walking with me through the store.

Mr. K, "What church do you go to?"

Me, "Calvary Baptist right over here in Toast."

Mr. K, "You go to Sunday School too before church?"

Me, "Actually, I go to the early service at 8:30 then Sunday School afterwards."

Mr. K, "And you really like it?"

Me, "Yes, I do, I love going to church."

Mr. K, "I really should start going to church."

Me, "You are always welcome to join us!" Where did that come from, did I say that?

Mr. K nods, and says, "I guess you read the Bible all the time too."

Me, "Yes, I am a Bible believing, born again Christian."

Mr. K, "Hmm, that's good, that's good."

At that we parted ways and went off to work in our separate departments.

Now, I am definitely not the type to push my religious beliefs on someone, if I do talk to someone it's because the conversation just turned that way for some reason, if they don't want to hear it, that's fine, I can do nothing to change a person's mind, that is up to God.

I do believe that God places us in certain places with certain people at different times for His purpose to be fulfilled.

And I have seen evidence of this in my own life.

Nineteen months ago I moved here from Pennsylvania. I didn't find a job for almost three months, then I landed a job at the sock warehouse, where I met my friend Crystal.

Crystal has been through a lot in the last year, her brother died of a drug overdose at the age of 31, she was fired from a job she loved, she has had some health issues of her own, she ended a long term relationship with her boyfriend, but she is now a faithful member of the same church I belong too.

Now, I know God didn't 'need' me to get her back into church, but He did use me to get her there. I am humbled and awed by the fact that He could have used anyone to fulfill His will, but He used me.

I don't want people to go to church because they feel that they 'have' too, I don't want people to go to church because they want a social life and they feel that is where they will get it, I don't want people to go to church because it's the thing to do, or a status thing, or even out of habit.

I want people to go to church because they can learn about the love of Jesus for all mankind.

I've been to all kinds of churches in my life, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, UMC, Baptist, and so on. I've been a member of several different churches, one I was soured on because of the whole money issue, one I was soured on because of the political games, one was too legalistic and judgemental, and yes it's a shame that this happens, but I have come to realize that we are all terrible sinners and when you put a bunch of us together you can end up with greed, power plays and even hypocrites.

Jesus didn't come to judge, He came to save the sinners, like you and I. He sat and ate with sinners, real people like you and I. He chose those people over the supposedly righteous folks to eat with.

He chose people like fishermen and tax collectors to be His disciples, He didn't choose scholars and priests nor the rich and powerful.

He chose us.

He chose me.

I don't have anything to give to Him but myself. Any gifts or talents I have are because He gave them to me. I am not well known or famous, I am not rich by any means, I came from a poor background, I make many, many mistakes in my life, I get depressed, discouraged and even lonely. I am so imperfect in so many ways, yet He loved me so much that He died for me.

This is the message of the Gospel, it's not about how much money a church can collect, or how powerful someone can be, it's not even about being able to quote scripture, it's simply and yet powerfully all about Jesus and what He did for all of us on the cross, freeing us from the punishment of death that we deserve by taking it all upon Himself.

Jesus truly loves the unlovely, even one such as me.

Hope

2007-10-27T09:02:00.000-04:00

It finally stopped raining, but it's a grey day.

Everything just seems gloomy after having so many days of rain, my roses are even bent over as if they are weary.

Oh, the sun just peaked through the clouds, I can see a glimpse of it through the window.

A ray of sunshine, like a ray of hope.

A new day, pregnant with a million possibilities. Who knows what the day will hold?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Soggy Days

2007-10-25T21:09:00.000-04:00

It's raining.

Still.

We are in severe drought conditions, so we really do need the rain, but it's been three days now and I am starting to long for the sun. The wet weather doesn't make my ankles and hands feel too good either.

Today, I was at work, in the freezer putting stock up when suddenly the power went out and I was in pitch black. My co-worker found a flashlight and came searching for me, I saw a beam of light and I followed it out of that black hole.

The power was out in the whole store for over an hour, customers were asked to leave, the open coolers were covered with tarps, all the computers and registers were down. So I found things to do that didn't need power, it's fun wrapping bread in the dark. LOL

It made for some excitement anyway in an otherwise same ol', same ol' day at work. It's always fun watching Managers scurrying around in panic mode.

Tonight I came home and Boo was actually in bed ready to go to sleep so I didn't have to fight her for the computer. I peeked in the dishwasher, and saw she didn't put the dishes away like I asked her too, for a moment I was mad, then I thought, Oh well, they can stay for another day, it won't hurt them, but she will get talked to tomorrow about it. On the way to school, when I have her trapped in the car. LOL

So I actually got on the computer and did some tweaking to my blog, changed the comment settings so now anyone can comment, and a couple other little things.

Checked my email, answered one, left all the forwards to deal with another day. I will probably end up deleting most of them, I'm not big on forwarding a kazillion emails to everyone in my address book.

I got to talk to my Dad yesterday, in a way I couldn't wait to get off the phone, he cusses like a sailor, and even though I love him, I have a hard time with hearing that. It's bad enough I have to fuss at DT on occasion about his mouth. Dad is doing pretty good though. I talked to Grandma too the other day and she still sounds like her usual robust self, to be 86 years old and as healthy as she is, is awesome.

DT's dad was in the hospital last week. He went to the doctor on Wednesday, with ankles that were swollen like melons. The doctor didn't say anything about the swelling, just checked him and sent him home. When he got home, his oxygen machine wasn't working so he couldn't breathe at all. Mom called the ambulance and they took him to the hospital. He was suffering from congestive heart failure, so they sent him to another hospital after getting him stabilized. The doctors at the hospital couldn't believe his doctor sent him home like that. He came home Friday much better, and lost 8 pounds of water in just a couple of days. Needless to say, they are looking for a new doctor. Can't blame them there, I could have told them he was a crappy doctor, I used to go to him and he never did much for me when I had problems.

Thankfully, he is much better now. Ya know, it makes you wonder, if his machine hadn't broke when it did, he might have died. He must have an angel watching over him.

DT of course was upset, and asked me what he would do if something terrible happened to his dad, and I just said, 'Go home, of course, God will provide.'

Well, I guess I better get off of here and go on to bed, my feet are cold and I am longing for the heating pad.

Moved

2007-10-24T14:20:00.000-04:00

Yep, I did it.

Why?

A lot of reasons.

But mostly because I just wanted to start over, change, make things different.

I am a woman after all, and that's my perogative.

I know I haven't been around much lately, I've had bad moments, but I made it through, with God's help.

I have settled a lot of things in my heart and my head recently putting in a lot of thought and prayer in the process.

In the last week or so, I began feeling something, something miracoulous, a sense of peace.

Financially, little has changed, although I am thankful that things haven't gotten worse. My marriage is still hanging in there, and I suppose things could be worse.

But, even though things haven't really changed in my world, I find that I am changing, and it's all good.

I change, my blog changes.

I actually feel Joyful, not because things have changed, but because I am looking more and more to God.

I am on a new journey and learning to embrace the Light.

Welcome, and I hope you all join me in my new journey.

Love and Hugs,

Deni