gumby thoughts

This week has been busy. Except for yesterday. It was going to be my one day at home this week and I was going to accomplish so much. I had a horrible sinus headache all day and didn't get much of anything but some school stuff done. I kept thinking after taking ibuprofen it would get better and I could get busy, but it never happened. I finally took a bath and went to bed about 7:00. I watched TV for a while and went to sleep after 10:00. Today I am feeling much better.

Monday we did school and that afternoon Hannah and I cleaned our church. Eddie and Connie are on vacation having a great time, but we sure miss them. Tuesday was school and I worked Tuesday afternoon and got to Celebrate Recovery just minutes before it started. Wednesday morning was school and work again Wednesday afternoon. I got home in time to hurriedly make some instant rice and steam some broccoli to go with the meal in the crock pot. Then I ran out the door to pick up Shiela for church. So Thursday was supposed to be my "get it all done" day. Except that didn't happen. I didn't get all bent out of shape over it though. I didn't plan on having a headache; it just happened.

Today Daniel has to be at work at 1:30 and our car has to be picked up at the body shop and the rental car taken back before 5:00. So there goes part of my afternoon taking care of that. It seems sometimes it's hard to live life because of life!

I'm just grateful God has been teaching me about flexibility. This morning I was thinking about not getting things done yesterday and I thought about Gumby. He can be twisted and bent and still be pliable. Maybe I need to consider that and try to apply it to my own life.

moving on

Last Monday I had one of the most productive days I've had in a long time. I even scrubbed our kitchen floor with Magic Erasers and made it look new again. Well, almost new. I actually had forgotten that at one time it was lighter in color than I have seen for a while.

I even had to leave the house twice and still got loads accomplished. I'm still amazed. I can remember when I used to work like that every day. Maybe it's because I'm older or because things that once were so important (like a sparkling house) aren't any longer. I can remember before we had children and I worked full time I would take Thursday nights to clean our apartment. One Thursday night something came up and I couldn't clean. I actually cried about it. Now I'm not sure whether it was because I couldn't clean or because I couldn't control the situation and do what I wanted to do. It seems really silly now, but at the time it was so important.

Thank God that He changes us. I'm so grateful for the changes He has made in my life. I don't want Him to stop right here though. Even though I like me now I'm sure there's lots of room for improvement!

How terrible and what a waste if we don't allow God to change us. If you're angry or bitter about something then get over it. Don't let it ruin your life and your health. I've done that, and believe me, it's nothing to brag about. I'd much rather have the peace of God than be consumed with fretting over what someone said or did to me. Maybe I took it all out of context anyway. It's not all about me, it's all about Him.

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! 5 Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! 6 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. 8 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 9 Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

relationships

I've been thinking about relationships. Why do we sometimes believe things that aren't so? I'm not totally naive and I'm not talking about believing people that we don't know well or those who have proven not to be reliable. I'm thinking about those relationships between people who have known each other for a long time. Maybe even been best of friends. Maybe not, but know the other person is a person of integrity and one they can trust.

Why is it that something can happen and all that trust is thrown by the wayside? Why do we believe others instead of believing what our friend has said? We are human; we say things and do things to hurt people sometimes. It grieves me, but I have done it. Sometimes because I'm upset and sometimes without meaning to. Some people forgive and the relationship is restored; some don't. I have lost relationships that have meant so much to me. I have examined my heart and tried to make amends, but to no avail. They have simply written me out of their lives. My heart hurt, but there was nothing else I could do. I still miss them.

Why can't believers work things out? Why do we not believe what the other person is saying when they are trustworthy? I know emotions get in the way and sometimes it takes a while to work through things. But why can't we work through it and go on? I have relationships like that and they are the ones that truly mean the most to me.

Why not be unoffendable? Or at least why not try working on it?

These are my thoughts for today. Right or wrong they belong to me. If they are wrong then God is able to show me and correct me.

Relationships........don't take them lightly.

amen and amen or thought for the day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You and I need to FOCUS on the WHO and not the HOW!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(from Pastor Kevin Kinchen's 09/17/08 Equip Devotion)
http://www.e-quip.org/

unexpected

My heart is heavy this morning. One of our neighbors, an elderly gentlemen died. Now I don't know this couple very well even though we've lived here almost thirteen years. Most of our visiting was done out in our yards and at our mailboxes. They are a very dear couple and were inseparable. They would go out to eat every day and you could tell they loved each other very much. He was retired from the military and Daniel has spent time talking with him about that. He would still get up on the ladder and clean his gutters and trim his hedges. Several years ago he did give up mowing his yard. I really grieve for June, his widow. I'm sure she will be lost without Paul.

If you will, please say a prayer for her.

I've dealt with my emotions this morning the way I usually do. If I want to do something and am not sure what to do, I cook. I have a cake cooling and then Hannah and I will take it over. Each of our children were sad to hear of his death. Even Hannah wants to see if there is something she can do.

Praise God for tender hearts.

political thoughts

This cartoon pretty much sums up the way I feel about Sarah Palin. She is a breath of fresh air and has totally gotten me excited in the presidential election this year. Now I don't really call myself a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or whatever. I have voted a certain party because I feel they represent my beliefs better than the others. None of this, "My granddaddy was a _____." I have campaigned before and this is the response I have gotten. It doesn't matter who I was representing or what they believed, that person was only going to vote for the person who ran on his granddaddy's ticket. I think that's so sad. I mean, come on, I have a brain and can make my own choices.

I don't care who you vote for. I would just like to encourage you to vote. My dad fought in the Battle of the Bulge and paid a high price for our freedom. He and many others have sacrificed, many even by giving their lives, so we can be free and have this freedom. Don't take their sacrifices lightly. They didn't.

seasons

This has been a good morning. Every morning is a gift from God and good in it's own way, but sometimes I fail to slow down long enough to notice.

I have unloaded the dishwasher, loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed the living room and our bedroom, cleaned our bathroom REALLY good (which translates our house smells of bleach and Hannah hates it), doing laundry; well, you get the picture. Since it's trash day I took another bag to the curb so it would be sure to go today. Chicken packaging will not smell very good by Thursday!

I was really HOT from my activities and as I walked out of the garage the WONDERFUL COOL AIR hit me in the face. Maybe it was because as it came into contact with the sweat on my face I became aware of how great it is. I stopped long enough to walk around my house on my unfinished walkway and praised God for the cool breeze and the miracle of my yard once again. He has totally transformed my barren wasteland into a beautiful yard that I love to walk in.

Now I have been getting frustrated that I haven't had time to work in it and continue on with my ideas. Yesterday after talking with Pam I realized it's just time to enjoy what is there and not fret about what else I want to do. So this morning I just enjoyed it while talking to God.

Seasons change and sometimes I miss it.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 (God's Word Translation)
It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people's minds. Yet, mortals still can't grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end [of time]. I realize that there's nothing better for them to do than to be cheerful and enjoy what is good in their lives. It is a gift from God to be able to eat and drink and experience the good that comes from every kind of hard work.

impressionable tacos

Rebekah made a comment last night at dinner. She exclaimed that I had cooked three nights in a row. I asked her who was counting and she replied that she was. I think I must of impressed her with my culinary abilities. Well, not quite, since it was the same old stuff I usually cook. In times past I cooked EVERY night; I really did. I would spend hours making dishes from scratch, homemade bread, dessert every night, and always had dinner ready for everyone. Now it's kinda hit and miss.

I had to work today and Bethany was off so she and Hannah are making tacos. I made a salad for Donald when I got in after 4:00. Then I finished the ironing. The ironing board is even put in its place! Drum roll, please........That is an incredible feat for me! Be impressed.

My boss was supposed to be in town today to show me how to put up a seasonal display. She wasn't able to make it as she had to be somewhere else. She called and asked me to go in and put them up at the two stores that I service. I told her I'd be glad to, that I wasn't sure if I would get it right, but I'd certainly try. I did get the "Bosses Day" display up at both stores and cleaned and organized some of my stuff. It was a great feeling to know what's there and what supplies I have on hand. I am feeling quite satisfied tonight.

Now I'm behind in grading papers. Just day before yesterday I was caught up. Schoolwork is just like dishes and laundry. It's never finished. Guess I'll go eat a taco.

never before now

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

(Words and Music by Charles Austin Miles, 1913)

I have sang this hymn many times, but it was never a hymn of worship for me until this morning. A friend commented on my blog that she feels closer to God in the garden than anywhere else. Now I knew I love being in my yard and I go there every time I get the chance. I love just walking there along the stepping stones I've placed for my enjoyment, I love pulling weeds, and I love enjoying my plants that God causes to grow. I love talking to God there, but I don't think I realized that the reason I love it so much is because of what Shirley said. I do feel close to God there and that is why I escape to it every chance I get. His presence is everywhere I am, but I feel especially close to him in my yard. It's my miracle that He gave me. He provided this for me because I am His and He loves me. Many of you have had a part in "my miracle" and I thank you and love you.

God is so incredible!

deliciously delightful

It's delightful to wake up before my alarm goes off, totally rested and ready to face the day. That hasn't happened to me the last couple of weeks. I need to add that after sleeping in till 11:00 a.m. yesterday I also had a three hour nap yesterday afternoon. After that came a good night's sleep. Either I needed it desperately or I'm just totally lazy.

It's such a blessing because I have a lot to get caught up on today. I have already started by checking Daniel's work, recording some grades, and making lesson plans for this week. This should of already been completed, but it ended up I worked seven hours Friday plus had a meeting for our enrichment classes. I haven't cooked since Thursday, or did I even cook then? I believe I did and I already have dinner planned for tonight. My family will be thrilled.

I don't mind cooking as much as I do coming up with something to cook. I don't feel too bad when I don't cook because the kids are able to fend for themselves. It's not like when they were little and totally dependent on me to feed them. It's lovely having this freedom. Donald I just got in the car and left Saturday. It's drastically different than when the kids were small and we never went without getting them ready and loading them all in the van. Seasons, change, a new phase of life which is from God.

I don't really mind getting older; it's just the changes in my body that are a thorn in the flesh at times. Like when I sit in the floor for a while and have trouble getting up, or when I look in the mirror and see the gray hair and wrinkles that used to not be there. Seasons, change, a new phase of life which is from God.

I'm not sure why I'm on this train of thought. I really don't have time to be philosophical today. I guess Rebekah's dream is haunting me. She dreamed I was pregnant! Yesterday after I slept so long Donald said maybe I was. (Before I knew I was pregnant with Rebekah I slept one whole weekend, waking up only long enough to eat and go to the bathroom. It was a weird weekend for sure. Later we found out why.) I'm pretty sure it was just the summer's work in the yard, plus all the hauling and laying of brick that caught up with me. Children are a gift from the Lord and I love my gifts, but I'm too old to start over!

Sunday down time

I think my summer yard work caught up with me about the time school started. I have been so tired the past couple of weeks. Yesterday I battled a sinus headache all day. After ibuprofen it was still there. I slept in this morning; didn't wake up till 11:00 a.m.

Yesterday Donald and I visited my mom and his dad. My brother and his wife got mother a dog after my dad died. Maggie is a sweet dog, but she goes crazy when someone comes in. She loves attention and wants it the whole time you are there. I hadn't visited with mother since she stayed with us for a few days. Donald's dad took us out to eat. He loves boiled shrimp. That is what he gets every time he gets to eat out. He was talking about eating out the day before and he said he ate so much he was ashamed of himself. For some reason it was so funny to me. I think that's the first time I've ever really laughed at something he's said. After we got back I rode with Daniel to Home Depot where he did some shopping. We had a great time together and laughed a lot. By that time my headache was back so I took a bath and watched TV in bed. I watched a rerun of "Army Wives" and it's one of my favorite shows.

As you can see I'm just rambling on so I think I'll get the Sunday newspaper and sit in my big comfy chair and read it. I definitely am having a lazy day.

thought for the day

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937

all done except number 5

A few weeks ago Erica gave me this award. I told her I would try to get around to it so here goes.

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Blogs that I read often and enjoy are...

Hannah because she's my daughter and she makes me laugh. Especially the entry about the pink hair. See, I'm a good mother because I told her she could have pink hair. LOL

Rebekah because she's my daughter and I love reading her bits of wisdom and about her life. She just needs to update more often...hint, hint.

Bethany because she's my daughter also and I love the way she writes. All my kiddos astound me with their wisdom. She needs to update more often, also.

Emily I met her through a homeschool email group. She has five children also and her husband is a pastor. She has lots of pictures and keeps you updated with their lives.

sonofapreacher I love Pastor Ron's blog, his love for life and the Lord, and his sense of humor. He definitely needs to update!

Amy is Pastor Ron's daughter and I started reading her blog because of her dad. She is a great writer and makes me laugh.

Dawn I started reading her blog because of her post on eBay. She was selling some Pokemon cards her children had slipped into her grocery cart. She has six children and keeps me laughing with all their antics. She has a book coming out next year!

Of course I read Erica's blog, and Sherri's, and others. (Sherri if you are reading this you need to update also! Love you!!) There are others I would read if they would start blogging. Now all I have to do is get around to number 5.

once again

Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it. (God's Word Translation)

I love this verse. I need to take it to heart far more often than I do. Especially times that I'm cranky and out of sorts and say hurtful things to those I love. Even though I've asked Donald to forgive me and he graciously did, I still feel bad for the hurtful retort I threw his way. I should have been guarding my heart more diligently. I'm not beating myself up over it, although I'm still sad because it happened; I know God has forgiven me and Donald also. It's for instances like these that Jesus died for us. Sometimes I think we tend to just include the "big" sins when we think about His sacrifice on the cross. Alas, we miss part of the miracle of the cross and what Jesus did for us.

In Max Lucado's book "A Love Worth Giving" he says these wise words....

Today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions.

Today's jealousy is tomorrow's temper tantrum.

Today's bigotry is tomorrow's hate crime.

Today's anger is tomorrow's abuse.

Today's lust is tomorrow's adultery.

Today's greed is tomorrow's embezzlement.

Today's guilt is tomorrow's fear.

I really do need to guard my heart more diligently. Will you join me in guarding yours?

holiday in every sense of the word

It's 10:00 a.m. and I'm still the only one up. I got up at 8:00 and have spent the last two hours on facebook. Rebekah set me up an account so I could get together with a friend who moved away quite a few years ago. I went through 200 pages of flair and still didn't get to the end. There must be thousands of them (or more)! You can spend a LOT of time there for sure and I've only gotten started.

Yesterday was awesome. On the months that have five Sundays we have "Jubilee" Sunday at church. We all bring food and eat together after the special service. Yesterday Pastor Ron and his lovely wife, Anne, was with us. His message was fantastic, as usual. We all look forward to the times they can be with us. Our youth group had a fundraiser and sold Sunday Sundaes for dessert. They passed out a paper with all the ingredients they offered and you checked what you wanted on your Sundae. They were very good and we had quite an assortment of goodies to choose from.

I came home and had a nap. In fact, this has been a "resting" weekend for me. It began Friday after dinner as I did something I have not done all summer. I got a blanket and laid down on the couch and watched tv. Then I watched a movie with the girls. After that I took a bath and watched tv in bed. I woke up at 7:00 Saturday morning, rolled over, and woke up again at 10:00 a.m. I did quite a bit of ironing, but that is really all I have done this weekend. Donald took me out for lunch around 2:00 and then we went shopping for shoes for him. We also went to Walmart to get ingredients for the dish I took to church yesterday. Donald helped me water my yard late that evening and then it was more tv from our bed.

Bethany and Bright are up. Bright always expects to be fed after he gets up. It doesn't matter whether it's early or late cause it's always time for breakfast. I guess I've rambled on enough so I'll let Bethany have the computer.

I'm just nice that way. (Remember I've been on for over two hours!)