bountiful

I'm sitting in our garage and the rain has stopped. It's dripping from the tree splattering on top of my van. The birds are singing, the cats are close by, and I'm perfectly content. I am so grateful for the break in temperature. You don't get many days like this in July in Texas. The northeast is blistering though, at least according to CNN.

Now it's raining again and I love the sound. People, don't take your hearing for granted. I've always had a hearing loss and the older I get the more I suffer with it. One of my hearing aids has decided to quit working and since it's over 7 years old and already been repaired several times, we've decided to get new ones. $4600 and that is with insurance paying $1,000. I am trying some demos and I can hear so much better with these. It's amazing how technology changes and improves. These "talk" to each other and I must say they are pretty amazing. When we get the part to fit right that goes inside my ear we'll be purchasing them.

My hearing loss was inherited from my dad and his side of the family. I saw an ear specialist in Dallas and there's not anything they can do for my type of loss. Sometimes they can do surgery, so if you have a hearing loss it might be worth your while to get it checked out. Who knows? Maybe you're a candidate for surgery. I would have it in a heartbeat if I could.

The rain seems to make everything so clean looking and the breeze is still blowing on my face. I'm looking out at the blooms on my squash and okra and still am amazed at how God grows my garden. The wheat seed has to "die" to grow. I guess it's the same for the vegetable seeds. I really don't know.

I love days like today. I do have to admit when I saw the temperature online and got excited about working in my yard I was more than a little disappointed when I saw the rain. But it has turned into the perfect day despite my disappointment. I just found some projects to do in the garage and I'm enjoying the outdoors also.

We make our plans and God directs our steps.

after the storm

Your love surrounds me
Your love astounds me
Your love is everything

(Kari Jobe - Pure)

My heart is rejoicing with these lyrics today. They are running over and over in my head, and over again.

We had a storm last night. We knew it was raining hard and Hannah came into our bedroom and said a big limb was in the yard. Donald went to check and I stayed in our comfortable bed. This morning I realized it was a "big" limb, several of them in fact. It fell right beside our bedroom and we didn't even hear it; it fell right between our house and the street where Josiah's pickup was parked. It was like God directed it exactly where to fall so we wouldn't be damaged. There are a few leaves and sweet gum balls on the roof. Tuesday night at Celebrate Recovery Eddie asked the question, "How big is my God?" Big enough to keep us safe and tell the limbs where and how to fall!

I was out taking pictures this morning, all the while rejoicing at God's goodness and protection; our neighbor was on his way to work. He stopped and asked if we have a chainsaw and I told him no. He has one and said he will come over this afternoon after work and bring his saw! I didn't even ask God for help in cleaning it up, but I have absolutely no idea how we would have managed it.

My God is an awesome God!! Thank you, Father!

Breathe

As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. Mark 9:15 (NIV)

What would I do if I saw Jesus? Hopefully I would be so in awe of him that I would fall before Him in praise and worship. He has totally transformed my life. I hope I never cease to be amazed by Him.

These people didn't know Jesus the way we do. There He was before them, in the flesh. Obviously the recognized something in Him. I wonder if I would have, had I lived back then??

Today I've been filled with thoughts and yearnings to be more committed. I truly want to be. Then life and circumstances and things happens and I draw away. My mind becomes muddled with problems and situations and I forget to depend on Him for my very next breath. He is my life. We watched an awesome tape by Rob Bell Saturday called "Breathe." I know there's some controversy in the Christian circles about Rob and his ministry. I think he's being used by God. He takes things and makes them so simple and relevant to life: our lives because of God.

It reminds of me of the verses later in the ninth chapter of Mark. The disciples saw someone casting out demons and told them to stop because they were not "one of us." Jesus' reply??

39 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.

I think as Christians we sometimes spend all our energies criticizing and putting down our own. Maybe they look different or talk different or belong to a different group than our own. I think we need to STOP that and love and accept those who love our Lord.

I love the way The Message puts John 13:35...

"This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other.

Oftentimes we fall desperately short in this area.

pa rum pum pum pum

I must confess that the words"quiet time" usually make me feel guilty and unfulfilled. So many times I've met with God for Him to speak to me through the reading of His word and trying to pray. So many times I've left feeling defeated and alone. Now I'm sure this is not commendable coming from someone who is His child and who really does love and desire Him. For God speaks to His children and does desire us to be in His presence.

I have always "put God in a box" so to speak. That is, I've always had my ideas of how it should be and what I should do when I spend time with Him. Now I'm not saying He doesn't speak to us in those situations. That is not what I'm saying at all. Just bear with me for a minute, please.

This morning I awoke and my first words were not "Good morning, Lord." I only desired to roll over and go back to sleep. I decided to listen to a few songs on my iPod shuffle before I started my day. The first one that came on was "Majesty" by Delirious....

Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Suddenly I was worshipping from my heart while the moment before I was cringing at the thought of having to get out of bed. For you see, I have been changed by His love and I found myself in His presence!

The next song up with a Christmas song by Josh Groban..."Little Drummer Boy."

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum.

Did you catch it?

I play my drum for you

I play my best for you

Then He smiled at me

This encouraged me so much this morning. For you see, I am guilty of having my mental lists of what would please God and what wouldn't. I'm sad to say that listening to my iPod in bed is not on my list of how to spend quality time with God. But that is exactly what happened.

God desires us much more than we desire Him. I believe we need to think outside the box and see Him in all the things we find ourselves doing. If we play a drum...play it for him.

influences

This lady was in my life for nine short months. I was only 6 years of age, but I still have the Christmas card she sent our family that Christmas. "Miss Opal" as she was fondly known to her group of first and second graders, had a tremendous influence on my young life. She continued teaching us the things I was taught by my parents. I still love her to this day.

This is a tribute to her life and influence. She died Sunday after celebrating her 102nd birthday. Her online obituary says these wonderful things about her...

...... Ople (Mills) Richardson Collard, a woman of indomitable spirit with a deep love for family, friends and former students passed away March 15, 2009 in Dallas, TX.

...…An elementary teacher for forty-five years in Fannin and Tarrant counties, she earned a B.A. degree from Austin College, Sherman, Texas and a Master’s degree from East Texas State Teacher’s College, now Texas A&M, Commerce, TX. A member of Ft. Worth Polytechnic Methodist Church, following the golden rule was her philosophy of life. She left us with the same dignity and strength with which she had lived…

We have home schooled now for almost 24 years. The highest tribute I can think of is this....if our children went to public or private school, I would choose her as their teacher if I could. I also think of Psalms 91:16....With long life will I satisfy (Miss Opal) and show (her) my salvation. (paraphrased by a loving former student who is still grateful for her love and influence in my life)

the moment that took my breath away

Donald took a gadzillion pictures with my camera a few weeks ago while we were hoping for a thunderstorm and captured a good one! Birthday roses from Bethany....

Zephaniah 3:17 has been one of my favorite verses for a long time. "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." My dear friend Connie sent me an e-card with that verse this morning. It is simply perfect! Yesterday my Heavenly Father did those things for me.

I started off the morning by receiving a call from our benefits department telling me that the doctor's office wouldn't budge on switching the codes. We needed the primary code to be the screening code and the secondary code to be the medical one for our insurance to pay our claims at 100%. It seemed that it simply wasn't going to happen. I went back to the doctor's office once more for another appeal. I ended up getting an appointment for next week to talk to the doctor about it. Can you tell that I'm a very persistent person?? Tenacious maybe??

On my way home I was burdened by this on-going scenario and was thinking about what Donald had asked me the night before...what do I want for my birthday? I cried out to God that what I really wanted was to be able to quit worrying about this problem. I came home and proceeded to call our benefits department yet again. While it was going through the voice message that I had heard several dozen times by now my cell phone started ringing. It was the doctor's office and she told me that she had called our insurance and was told that it is legal for her to file our claim that way and she is taking care of it!!!!! She had even called the hospital explaining the situation and that she was refiling. It should be totally paid this way!

I immediately fell to my knees beside our bed and started sobbing, thanking God for what He had done. It was truly Him, He can move mountains in our lives and quiet us with His love. I feel that a huge weight has been lifted and the sun is shining even though it is rainy and cloudy today. I still feel such a sense of relief and God's love for me.

Zephaniah 3:17 is a felt reality in my life today!

Who has my heart?

Pastor Paul has brought some very anointed messages from God to our body at CFC lately. I am very excited about what God is doing and and is about to do in our midst. He changes hearts and draws us to Him and teaches us so lovingly.

I wrote last week about having to pay so much for the tests that were supposed to be paid for. I directed my anger toward the insurance and the doctor and on and on. Last Wednesday night Pastor Paul asked us, "What do I believe about God? and "What is He to me?" Then we talked about why it is so hard to trust Him in some circumstances when we believe what we believe about Him. Talk about hitting the nail on the head... or in this case, getting to the heart of the matter inside me.

Then Sunday he asked, "Who has my attention; who has my heart?" I am paraphrasing this to myself. I often do that when I take notes. It's like God is speaking right to me and asking me to examine my heart. Ouch again, although there was nothing condemning about it as he talked about how our flesh is not converted and how our mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. God doesn't want to talk to my flesh, He talks to my Spirit.

Is God my only hope? Or is He my way out when all else fails??

I am in a better state of mind this week. Now I have still talked to our company's benefits department. She called me back today and said that she talked to our insurance and if the doctor would use a preventative diagnosis as the primary diagnosis and the medical diagnosis as the secondary diagnosis it would be covered at 100%. She is even going to call the doctor's office for me and explain it to them.

I still don't know if the doctor will do it. We still may have to pay $2200. But at least now I have peace and know that it is in God's hands. I am asking him for mercy and reminding Him that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Proverbs 21:1

I want to keep my mind on Him so I will have perfect peace. With Him all things are possible, they truly are!! I don't say this to proclaim that the bill will be paid by insurance, but that it is possible for me to have perfect peace even if we have to pay it.

Now I'm getting somewhere...finally.

Strong's Number: 4166

Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

When I looked up the word pastor in Strong's Concordance this is what I found...

Strong's Number: 4166
Browse Lexicon
Original Word
Word Origin
poimhvn
of uncertain affinity
Transliterated Word
TDNT Entry
Poimen
6:485,901
Phonetic Spelling
Parts of Speech
poy-mane'

Noun Masculine
Definition
a herdsman, esp. a shepherd
in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow
metaph.
the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church
of the overseers of the Christian assemblies
of kings and princes
The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: - to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep - to defend the sheep from attackers - to heal the wounded and sick sheep - to find and save lost or trapped sheep - to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

The part I want to comment on is the last entry which is in italics and bold print above. We are so blessed in our church body to have a wonderful pastor that fits that description. He loves us and shares our lives. I thought I would list some of the reasons why I love Pastor Paul...in no order of significance.

He shares his life with us.
He does not judge or condemn us.
He is always there when you need him.
He gives short messages so he doesn't lose our attention.
He teaches by example.
He lets me hide at his house when avoiding letting certain person in my house.
He didn't preach to me about how I was wrong while I was hiding in his house!
His sons are like part of my family; our kids have grown up together.
I love his wife and she is a wonderful friend.
He works hard doing things around our church building.
He listens to God.
He will be the first to tell you he's not perfect.
He encourages us in our walk with our Lord.
He laughs with us.
He laughs at himself.
He lets us have fun in church.
He reads my blog and leaves funny comments!
He's a great friend.
He helps us move furniture.
He practices what he preaches.

Now while some of these may be funny they are all true. We are blessed to have a wonderful pastor! And a wonderful church family!

wordless

God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge - a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (The Message)

I guess you can tell from my posts (or lack thereof) lately that I haven't had much to say. It seems I'm in transition in coming down from the mountaintop so to speak. It's really okay. That's the amazing part: it's really okay. I don't have to continually shout from the mountaintops or dance in the streets. I'm okay in Christ and He loves me with an eternal love. The lack of emotional high has been a good thing for me. I've always lived for the highs and despaired in the lows. God is showing me that I don't have to be high to experience Him. If you aren't an emotional person that may not make sense to you. It doesn't have to. He is with me and I know whom I've believed and am sure that He is able. That's enough.

ramblings

Can you believe this weather?? Yesterday I considered turning the air conditioner on. Today when I came out from putting up my cards at Kroger my van was iced over. I mean really iced! Iced so well that my ice scrapper didn't do any good. I think I needed an ice pick instead. I finally got the windows defrosted enough I could get some ice off to see to drive to Brookshires. After I left there I had to repeat the procedure. Fast forward a few hours and I repeated these actions again after leaving Walmart. My wipers, doors, and windows all froze. Tonight I am staying inside. I am anticipating a hot bath and crawling under our electric blanket to watch the Mavs.

Today while working for Hallmark I had a gentleman ask me if I could help him find a card. He needed a particular card for a particular person and a particular age. It was really neat that I could take him right to it. A few months ago I cringed when someone asked me for help as I hadn't learned the locations of the cards yet. Now I am much more familiar with what I have and where it is. I was thinking about this and how I can help those I encounter in my little part of the world.

You see we really can have an effect on people. I had someone lift my spirits and encourage me right before Thanksgiving. I was entering the store for the third day in a row just to prepare our Thanksgiving meal. I really was dreading it because the day before people were frowning, hurrying, and blocking the aisles at every turn. I really didn't want to be there again. As I entered the store a lady smiled at me. Not your ordinary smile but an encouraging beautiful smile that said she really was enjoying life. I stopped and thanked her for her smile. She seemed to really appreciate my thanks. I know she certainly changed my attitude and affected my life with that simple gesture.

All this to say that we can make a difference in some one's day no matter how small a role we have. Just a smile can make a huge difference to someone. I know it did to me.

high and dry

Hannah's friend, Sara, got her a hermit crab for her birthday. I keep asking her if it's dead cause it just doesn't do much. It will just bury itself in the rocks and stay there. I honestly didn't know they weren't attached to their shell and that as they grow you buy bigger shells for them. That's the neat thing about life...we can learn something new every day!

The other day they were holding him (her?) over a bowl of warm water trying to get him to come out of his shell. I think the motive was to give him a bath. They never got him to come out. He would almost be out and then pull back into the shell. I assume he's still needing a bath.

Anyway as I was unloading the dishwasher this morning I was thinking about it. They only wanted to help and he was so into what he wanted (I do NOT want to come out and play, er, take a bath) that he kept pulling back. Now he would venture out and almost be there, but then he'd draw back into his shell.

How many times do we do God that way? He has something so wonderful for us and we are just too afraid to trust Him. We are so focused on ourselves and what we want, or in this case, don't want, that we miss the blessing He has for us. I'm afraid I've done the exact thing far too many times. Probably because I was focused on me: I don't want to do that, I don't have time to do that, I can't do that, it's probably just "me," and the list goes on.



On a lighter note, our friend Eddie, made the front page of our newspaper. Check it out at

http://www.theparisnews.com/frontpage.lasso Eddie, will you sign my book again if I bring it to your book signing?

in my Father's lap

I've really felt stressed out and unsettled the last few days. (If you've read my blog you know why.) I think I have used so much emotional energy I'm left feeling drained and depleted. I've found myself getting frustrated and irritated at things that usually don't ruffle my feathers so to speak. I can remember living like this MOST of the time years back and I'm certain I don't want to go back there. So I'm taking a time out for myself. We used to give our kids time-outs and they just had to sit somewhere and be still and quiet and settle down. I think that's on my "necessary for my sanity" list today.

You really wouldn't like to be around me when I enter this unhappy spot. I'm irritable, angry, frustrated, and want to scream at something or someone. In fact, I think I already have this morning because I had to repeat my request FOUR times before it was heeded. I think I screamed something like, "Do it, make me happy." Even our dog, Bright, looked startled. You have to remember he didn't live with me in my former life.

So I needed a word from God. My friend Nancy and I were talking about crawling up in God's lap and staying long enough for Him to hold us and love on us just yesterday. I need to do that today.

I already have a word to dwell on while He holds me. I John 3:18-21....

My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love.
This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality.
It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God!

make the right choice

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalms 91:1-4)

Fear...

Synonyms) alarm, anxiety, apprehension, consternation, dread, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, terror, trepidation

Related Words) phobia; creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies; pang, qualm, twinge; agitation, discomposure, disquiet

Our pastor has spoken about fear, or rather why we don't have to fear, for several weeks now. It reminds me how grateful I am that God freed me from that strangle-hold years back. I can still remember how AMAZING it was to be free from it. Honestly, it still is!

I was afraid of most things. Not my parents, or later my husband, but just "things." From driving, to the dark, of being alone to all the "what ifs" I could imagine. Believe me, I could imagine lots of what ifs. I lived in a state of nervousness and fear. I realize there are many things we can fear in the natural. But we have a God who is in control of our lives. Are we going to trust Him and His faithfulness or are we going to dwell on our imaginations? Most of our what ifs don't even happen so we've wasted all that time and energy and worry over nothing. What if we take those times and dwell on God and His promises??

I love the way The Message says...

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. "

Isaiah 41:13 "That's right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.'

food for thought from facebook

I found this piece of flair on Facebook this morning. It caught my attention and made me desire for my life to be different. Not different as in my family, friends, home, church, circumstances, where I live...but different as in my walk with the Lord. It would be so incredible to be so focused on God that it shows so much that people take notice. Really take notice.

Now if I could only remember it's called "Facebook" and not "myface." Rebekah set me up an account and I am totally having fun with it. Okay, all my friends who don't have Facebook; get it! And all my friends who do I'll see you there.

hidden treasure

I received one of those get to know you emails from my cousin. One of the questions asked if I have a special talent. The answer came quite easily. My reply? Yes, being me!

On first blush it seems that is not a talent. It's just something you are. Maybe so for some. For me it has been a process. I definitely am not who I once was. God has changed me. I hope He continues to change me the rest of my life.

I was very shy and insecure growing up. I was first born and have been called teacher's pet, miss goody two shoes, and other names along the same lines. I didn't buck authority, did my homework, and was loved by my teachers. My parents loved me also; in this case it just falls into the category of "of course they did, you are their daughter." I realize not all children were/are so fortunate.

I never really liked myself very much until I discovered I am who God made me to be and He thinks I'm great. Okay, maybe I'm slow in that area, but I think lots of people struggle with this.

I was always the first one to criticize myself and could give you many reasons why I wasn't any good in a particular area. I was really down on myself.

When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus replied, " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

I'm here to tell you it's hard to succeed at that one if you don't love yourself. I don't mean an arrogant "it's all about me" attitude. I'm talking about finding out who you are in Christ and what He thinks about you.

It will totally change your life when it drops into your heart. By the grace of God I am not what I once was! I like me...I am a child of the King and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God delights in me!!

My thanks goes to God and our wonderful pastor for the teaching on grace that we received week after week. I believe we all have a treasure hidden within. It just needs to be revealed to us by our heavenly Father!

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.

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.

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?

life and faith

I am still around; I've just been too busy and haven't had time to blog. I was talking to Connie tonight and she pointed out that no one had updated recently. My walkway is almost finished and I have pictures. Hannah will have to download them for me. I hope they turn out. I realized tonight I need to build a small walkway by the driveway. When you park two cars there you step in the flower bed getting out of the car. Nothing like hindsight and getting out of the car at night when you can't see where you're stepping.

We started school yesterday. I realized this weekend that I had to get BUSY. I hadn't even thought about school outside of what I did the first part of June. I had already organized and bought books so I'm okay. A few lesson plans and locating what we need and ta-da I'm finished. Now all I have to do is keep the kids on track, grade papers, and record grades. Oh yes, I have to make tons of copies also.

I have worked the past two days. Yesterday I worked by myself and today I learned some more stuff from my wonderful boss. She's encouraging and easy going and the greatest! Once things are organized and restocked and cleaned out things will be good. Becky is doing that since I have no idea what it is or what to do with it.

Now I'm behind on housework and I really do want to get back in my yard. I'll have the rest of the week to get caught up. I'll leave you with this quote from Celebrate Recovery tonight ..... "Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power."

Erica, thanks for the award. I'll try to get around to that later. If you have no idea what I'm talking about see my last post's comment.