May I PLEASE Start This Day Over????

I sure wish I could turn the clock back a few hours and start this whole day over!!! It's only a little after 1:00 and I'm really wishing the day was completely over. It started with me waking up to Bruce coming in from work. In the wee hours of the morning Wednesday, he was at work when he gashed his arm open needing ten stitches. He's fine. But let me tell ya, it's gross. I couldn't be a nurse to save my life. Anyway, he comes in this morning from work and told me he had pulled his stitches out. Apparently his work glove was the culprit and his supervisor ended up taking him back to the hospital for restitching. Nice, huh? I got up shortly after making sure he was all right. He was. So I went to check on Harrison. Harrison was running a fever last night with sore throat, coughing, and sinus congestion. He was not feeling well at all. And this morning his fever had spiked to 103.5 and climbing. So of course I gave him Tylenol, along with his Robitussin medicine. After he takes it he tells me Bruce had already given him a dose of each before he went to bed. So within a matter of an hour he had two Tylenol and four tsps of Robitussin. Next thing I know he's sleeping heavily on the couch. I was a little worried about him, but he seems to be doing all right. Just sleeping it off, I guess. Hannah told mom she'd clean her house today so I took her over there. Mom's been out of town so needless to say I was shocked to find her door wide open and alarm going off. I called the police and they were on their way. Apparently I got there just when it happened. I saw someone running across her back yard and jump in a truck on the side road. They sped out of there but I called the police again to tell them know what happened. One police went their direction and another stopped in to check things out and take a report. I was afraid to leave Hannah there by herself but figured if the cops were hot on their trail, she should be all right. Plus she knows how to use mom's gun if she needs to and the officer said he would come by a few times today. I called to check on Harry. He was fine. Justin said he was still sleeping but ok. I told Justin not to leave him alone and to check on him periodically to make sure he was all right. Then I just sat in the car trying to regroup my thoughts. When I was finally ready to move on with the day I started backing out of the driveway. I saw Hannah waving to me on the front porch and I waved back. Next thing I know I've hit something. What was it you ask? Remember that police car that was hot on the thief's trail? Yeah....he stopped at mom's to let me know they caught the guy. I didn't see him pulling in the drive when I was backing up. I HIT THE COP CAR! I thought for sure I was going to jail. He was really nice about everything, but of course had to fill out ANOTHER report. By now I'm in tears. I just wanted to crawl in a hole and give up. And what was my husband going to say about the tail light on our car? Oh, and Hannah wasn't waving goodbye. She was trying to tell me about the cop car. Now that all of this was over I wasn't sure if I wanted to go grocery shopping or just go home and crawl back in bed. But onward and forward I went. As I'm on one side of the highway I see, on the other side of the highway, a truck pulled to the side of the road that looks just like Justin's truck. But no, I told him not to leave Harrison so that couldn't be him. I decided to stop at the house and check on Harry and sure enough....Justin's truck is gone. There was a note on the table saying Harrison was fine and that he had some errands to run before work. Harrison WAS fine, but now what about Justin. So I hop back into the car and head up the highway again. There was his truck, but he was no where in sight. I traveled on up to the next exit and found him walking toward the gas station. He had run out of gas. So we ended up having to buy a gas can and gas to fill his truck enough to get it to the gas station. Everything was fine. So after we were finished with his truck and he was on his way I went to the store. Now, this is where I'm near a total breakdown. Everything is going great in the store...that is until I pick up a jar of salsa and knock another jar off with my arm. It shatters and splatters all over the place. And now I have salsa all over my canvas tennis shoes. LOVELY! I get someone to help me and they insist on cleaning it up but I can tell they're a little miffed. Wouldn't you be? I finish my grocery shopping and head to the register. I pull out my coupons and don't you know that eleven out of seventeen coupons had expired??? *blush* I just know she thought I was trying to pull one over on her. After hearing my total I go to write a check and guess what? The checkbook is in Bruce's bill drawer at home. Are you kidding me????? Oh yeah. So I decide to put it on the credit card. Uhhhh....that ain't happenin' either. I used the credit card yesterday online and left it sitting on my table next to the computer. So I threw my hands up in the air and walked out of the store, crying all the way to the car. I sat in the parking lot for about twenty minutes sobbing. And this is where it gets comical. Everything, except Bruce getting stitches Monday and Harrison being sick last night has been a total fabrication in honor of April Fool's Day. I've actually had a great day and you've just been had! :)

Veni, Vidi, Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered.

My brother in law had this posted on his facebook status. When I asked him what brought on that quote he said nothing, really, it just popped into his head. Little did either of us know that this Latin quote, added to the sermon I heard tonight at church would be a remedy for my heart sick self.

Here I am in a new year and what will it bring? A Valentine's Day where my dad will not show up on my front porch with a little box of chocolates or a card the size of a poster board. Birthday parties where my dad will no longer take part in the smiles and laughter of the celebration. The grill that my dad would fire up for patriotic celebrations or other parties will go unlit. My children will not receive a call from my dad to run to Grover for gas and an RC cola. This is how I am seeing my new year.

Right now I'm still trying to conquer everything that happened last year. More precisely, everything that happened between October first and October fifth, when my personal hero went home to be with Jesus. Has it only been three months? It seems like an eternity since I heard his voice.

My heart breaks new every morning. Tears fall off and on through the days. Sometimes when I least expect it I will find myself wiping tears. Sometimes they fall with no warning and sometimes with an uncontrollable sting, giving warning of their presence.

But it's all good. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Someone mentioned to me not long ago that tears are God's way of helping to wash the pain away. If that is true, I have many tears that have not yet fallen.

For the most part, my heart is at peace knowing where my dad is and that the legacy he left behind will touch lives for a very long time. But for the other part...the lesser part, if you will...my heart aches beyond what any words can describe.

I feel that I have shut down some of my emotion. I find myself quieter than usual these days. More contemplative.

I want to come into the year, 2011, and see the many opportunities the Lord has in store for me, both physically and spiritually. And I want to conquer the pain that has taken up residence in the very depths of my heart.

But how?

Brother Johnny preached tonight and the verses he used were not just for the sermon he preached, but for what I have been going through. And Christ used those verses to open my eyes to get through this coming year and to conquer. I was raised in a Christian home. I know I must lean on the Savior. But sometimes when we are in the darkest valley, we need to be reminded how to get through that dark and lonely valley.

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I can face each new day knowing that God is walking in front of me. He created my valley and He knows the way out. All I have to do is follow Him. And as we walk through the valley together, He will continually fill me up with His strength. I can not walk it without Him.

Romans 8:37, "..in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." God loved me long before my daddy did. And, though it almost seems impossible for me to believe, God truly does love me more than my daddy ever did. And because of that love for me, I can conquer this pain I feel and triumphantly rise to the very top of the mountain that overshadows this valley. My valley.

Sometime in 2011, I will be able to say, "I came, I saw, I conquered....by the grace of God!"

In Case You Were Wondering

I received an email from a friend of mine asking if there was anything new on my email impostor and then my Pastor talked to me about it tonight, along with his wife, our church secretary, and another couple in our church. Since I brought it up here at my blog I thought I'd fill you in, in case you were wondering.

No, we did not find out who it was. No, we are not searching any longer. Yes, we are leaving it in God's hands. What He can do is far greater than what any of us can do.

We know they've deactivated the email account they were using to be "me." Other than that, that's all we know. That's all we need to know, for now. Human flesh always messes up and whether God exposes them for this or something else they do, the truth always comes out eventually.

Again, I have no ill will toward them. I sincerely pray for them.

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We had a Christmas party for our Sunday School class the other night. I have pictures but I haven't had time to download them. I'll get to that one of these days. We had our Christmas play Sunday night, which I have pictures of that too, but I haven't had time to download those either. AND we took the teenagers caroling tonight. I have pictures....and well, you know.... We took them to some of our church's neighbors and then to some of our elderly and shut~ins. Then Papa's Pizza for supper. We had a good time and it was a blessing being a blessing to others.

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Tonight I'll be wrapping gifts and then, Lord willing, tomorrow I'll be baking the better part of the day and also getting ready for our Churchwide Fellowship tomorrow night. It will be the last Churchwide fellowship we have in the old fellowship hall.

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That's all I have for now. Gotta get busy and get these gifts wrapped. The next few days are going to be busy. I don't know if I'll be making it back on here before then, but in case I don't, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!

Fret Not....

Someone has created an email account in my name and was trying to get another person in trouble, signing my name and my husband's name to the emails. It backfired on them though, and God worked everything out between us and for the individual and families they were trying to hurt. They knew it wasn't me to begin with. And I'm thankful that they have that much confidence in me to know that I could never do what had been done. It was very humbling for me.

We know it's someone that knows their way around computers, laws on Internet fraud and someone that obviously knows our families very well and hates our church.

When I first found out about it, I was immediately hurt. I cried......no sobbed......for about four hours straight. No kidding. I was sick to my stomach because I knew the person my imposter was trying to get in trouble had probably been raked over the coals and it was just tearing me up that my name was signed to those emails. Then I got mad. We had an idea of who it was and I wanted to pound their head in. No lie. I mean, literally take a brick and chunk it at their head. Yeah, I know....that's terrible. Not very Christian. I'm being honest here. The flesh was really working overtime! I had all kinds of thoughts toward that person. Before I could chunk anything, though, I had to make sure it was who I thought it was. I was now on a mission. I mean, although there are many signs...well all the signs....that point to that person, I had no proof.

As the days passed, I knew there was nothing I could do. I felt really guilty over some thoughts I was having. The Lord just kept poking at my heart and telling me I was wrong to have the attitude I was having. But they just used my name to do their evil works, LORD!!!! Still, He pressed upon me that I was the one in the wrong. So I repented of that attitude and turned things over to His hands. Let me tell ya, that is very difficult to do.

I decided that I would leave it in God's hands and just do my part to find out who it was without having a vengeful attitude. Because after all, they were still using my name to send emails. So I needed to get that stopped.

After days of researching I was finally told there was nothing I could do. That's right. Nothing. The email provider they used hides certain information that can't be traced. And even if they did there was nothing I could do legally, seeing there was nothing financial involved and no threats had been made. I was kind of shocked by that. But it is what it is.

I spoke to the person these "incriminating" emails were sent to. They were so nice about everything. They're even having their computer techs look at the emails to see if there is any information that can be pulled off of them at all. Also, a man we know that knows a good bit about computers wanted to help in that area also. So the person the emails were sent to, forwarded them as attachments to our friend. I appreciated them taking the time to work on those.

To be honest, I didn't want to do anything legally. It is VERY obvious that it is someone we know and I don't want to see anyone go to jail. But I did think it would be good to make their Pastor and church family aware. That's how the Bible says Christians are to handle things....within the church. I don't have malice in my heart to want to see them embarrassed. But I knew that it would probably come to that if we did find out who they were.

Then Sunday night, Pastor Goodman preached a sermon from Psalm 37:1-2, "Fret NOT thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb."

I don't have to know who it is. I don't have to spend time looking and trying to dig up information. I don't have to worry about who they're emailing and what they're saying. I don't have to try to figure out a way to stay a step ahead. I just have to get out of the way and let God do what He's going to do. And I can rejoice in knowing that the trial this person has put me through and the trial they have put our friends through, will only draw us closer to Christ, which draws us closer together, and help us to pray more for the one who is trying to hurt us.

I wondered how someone proclaiming Christianity could continue in sin for several months and not have some sort of discernment between right and wrong. I've read the emails over and over since seeing them myself. I noticed something about them last night. One of them was written the day my daddy died, October first. And then there were a couple that were written the day of his funeral, October fifth. This told me that, not only do they not have discernment between right and wrong, but they don't have compassion either.

Realizing this turned my prayers, once again, to pray for them in a whole new Light. And that was for their salvation. It's not about charging them legally. It's not even about charging them in front of their church, because technically they're not a Christian if they have no discernment or compassion. It's about them finding Christ. They know a lot about the Bible. They can speak it. Teach it. And even preach it. What they said in their emails were proof of that. But they don't know the God of the Bible. And that's the sad part about it.

I set up an email account letter for letter with one letter added to the one they set up and I've been emailing them. I haven't been mean. And when I told them I've been praying for them and when I told them I wasn't worried about finding out who they were, I meant it. I'm just praying the Lord deals with their heart and that they will accept Him as their Savior. Like I said, knowing the Bible is good, but it's knowing Christ that saves us. Repenting from our sins and giving our hearts to Him that can heal all wounds. That's what it's about.

If that person is reading my blog, I want you to know that I can honestly and openly say I forgive you and I sincerely pray for you. My desire is that you know Christ and that you give your life to Him. Nothing else matters, but that.

I've said it once or twice or a thousand times, and I'll say it again....I love my church. I love my church staff. I love my church family. There is a terrific balance of truth and spirit in the worship. It is a loving church. It reaches out through its bus ministry, rest home ministries, prison ministries, and other outreaches. God protects our church from the evils of others and He certainly did protect us from this one. There are many wonderful churches in our area, but our church, in my opinion, is the best, for many reasons! And I'm thankful for the friendships and love of family that we have there.

Some Quotes Just Make Ya Think

I'm not perfect. I realize that. And sometimes it takes certain things to make me stop and put things in perspective. Just like most of us, I suppose. I've never denied the fact that certain things can rub me the wrong way. I do have a temper, I'll admit. I don't think it's as bad as it use to be, but sometimes people get under my skin until I've finally had enough. When that happens, I usually use my blog to either vent or set the record straight, when I should really just hush up and let Jesus deal with whatever is going on. Just like the other day when I posted about telling others how godly you are. If you missed the original post, I'm glad. If you didn't, I do apologize. I shouldn't have posted it. But again....I'm human. Imperfection wrapped in flesh and bone. My spirit is often willing, but my flesh is more often weak. Does that make it right? No. If anything it makes me more aware of just how imperfect I really am and strive harder not to be like......well....."that."
This morning I read a quote from a friend on facebook and I was like, That speaks to me, right there!! I should print it and hang it in my house.

Beauty Advice: For attractive lips, speak words
of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure,
share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run their
fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never
walk alone.

Speak words of kindness....seek out the good in people. *sigh* I really need to work on those. If I get my fur rubbed the wrong way I can be pretty mean. And, although I usually see the good in people at first, which is something my husband is always getting on to me about (lol), I end up seeing their shortcomings, as well. I have a low tolerance to ignorance, so I usually back away from people that are full of it. LOL

By the way, he doesn't get on to me for seeing the good in people, but I do make "friends" quite easily and end up regretting it later. I wish I could be more like my friends, ML and TC. They are possibly the two most friendliest people I've ever known. Although, one of them tend to attract some strange people around them, and I'm not so sure I could be as sweet a person as she is. It will take a lot of work on me to get there. HA!

Anyway, I liked that quote and thought I'd share it with ya. Have a blessed weekend! I know we will. We'll be celebrating my hubby's birthday today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRUCE. I LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY TO HEAVEN!

Just Wondering...

Recently I posed a question on facebook. The question was, "What would be the first thing that goes through your mind if someone tells you what a good, godly Christian they are?"

Here were some of the replies:

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men: but GOD knoweth your hearts: for that which is HIGHLY esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

I was alwasy told not to "toot my own horn" and expect people to take my word for it.

My first thought would be, "Oh really!!! If that were true you wouldn't have to be telling me. I'd be telling others!" People who tell you that are in serious denial and probably need to be saved if the truth were known. Pharisees don't get very far with God.

I would feel ashame,I would be speechless.I would think this person should seek professional help! I don't feel Godly only forgiven and in need of much work

Matthew 23:12 "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

I've had a couple of people tell me they were godly and I thought that they were full of themselves. Pride cometh before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. People really ought to be careful what they say about themselves.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30

As Mama says, "A person can say anything about themself but watch what they do, that will tell you more than their mouth ever will."

I believe if they HAVE to tell it, then there's not much to it!

Isn't that kinda like bragging about humility??

a person that is truly close to the Lord radiates it and doesn't have to say it

Oh sinner lets go down,down to the river to pray"
♫♪♪♪♪♫♫♫♪

And I think this one is my favorite: A wise man once said: A man filled with the Holy Ghost is not conscious of power, but of weakness.

I reckon my thoughts run pretty near close to what the average person would think if they were told that.

I hope, AND PRAY, that I never reach a point to where I have to tell others how godly I am in order to defend my character and testimony. I am imperfection wrapped in flesh and bone. A sinner....saved by grace.

Tags, Titles, and Tears

My dad left me his truck. I went to the tag office today to do the title transfer and turn in the old tag. I have mixed feelings about it. He told me he was going to give it to me months ago, but I just never really pondered it.....until recently. Bruce had gone yesterday to do all of this but they wouldn't do it since the title was in my name and I wasn't there with proof of ID, so I went and did it myself. You wouldn't think something like that would be an emotional experience, but it was for me. As I walked out of the tag office, I was suddenly struck with a deep pain of sadness. He loved his little truck. He loved taking his dog, Dolly, around town in it. I remember when he got it and how happy he was. I walked to my car and had a good little cry. It's nice to have my own truck, but I'd give it back, and anything else, to have my daddy here instead. Although, that would be quite selfish of me, seeing he is enjoying the riches of Heaven and sitting at the Savior's feet. Given the opportunity to choose coming back here or staying there, I have no doubt what his answer would be.

After my little crying spell, I went to scope out some places for my first bridal shoot I'm doing this weekend. I'm really excited and nervous at the same time. I have some ideas. I just hope they pan out. It's one thing to see it in your mind's eye, and a total other thing to see it through the eye of the camera. I won't be able to share any of the pics until next month though. We don't want the groom to have a peek at the gown until after the big day. Or anyone else, for that matter.

I walked out of here today with my crock pot filled with water and spices for my pot roast, but forgot to put the roast in. I've been like that all week!! I'll admit I've had pizza on the brain. Maybe it's Freudian? haha

Gonna clean things up around here and get ready for church tonight. Looking forward to Wednesday night prayer meeting.

God's Hugs

Today has probably been the absolute lowest day of my entire life.

I have felt the tears rising inside of me for a month now. Ever since daddy died. I talked with a friend through facebook messages who told me to just go ahead and cry. So I did. They finally started flowing out last night and haven't stopped yet.

I ran some errands today and on the way home I had to pull over. I don't think I've ever cried that long, that hard, or that loud. But it sure felt good to be getting it out.

Trying to keep the "happy face" for the family was easy when I got home. But my red and swollen eyes revealed my secret. I was doing ok until after supper. I felt like I had been kicked in the chest. So I decided to get out of the house for some fresh air. Maybe walk around Wal Mart for a little bit. As I walked through the store I would cry, dry it up, cry, dry it up, cry....you get the picture.

When I finally pulled myself together and was feeling better, I took my small purchase to the register. As I stood there, an older lady, probably in her eighties, was there with her son who was helping her with her groceries. They spoke to the cashier and it became obvious that they were family. The older lady turned to ask me if I would mind her giving the cashier a hug. "Oh, not at all," I replied. She went around the register and gave the clerk a hug. Then came back around and said, "Would it be all right if I hug you too?" I shook my head yes and she pulled me in close. Of course that intimate gesture sent me into another crying fit. As she pulled away I noticed the pin she was wearing on her shirt. It was gold and in black letters it said, I believe in miracles.

I really don't believe she noticed my swollen eyes, or even the tears that rolled when we hugged. Maybe she did. I don't know.

What I do know is that the hug came from God at just the right moment I needed one. A total stranger, a sweet, little lady, and the gift of one person reaching out to someone else. Me.

I'm glad God cares when I am feeling low in spirit, body, and mind. He is a good friend and gives the sweetest hugs.

Just Another "Lucy" Moment

I had a crazy experience tonight trying to get to church. Since Bruce and the kids all had obligations before church, we decided they would take the car and I would drive Bruce's truck. I've driven his truck, like twice, in ten years. So I'm not really familiar with its little quirks.

The family left and I had an hour to get ready. The house was quiet, I was being leisure and taking my time, enjoying the Victorious Valley Girls CD. Everything was good. I made it out of the house just in time to be in my place at church.

I have a habit of taking a drink with me every time I go somewhere. Tonight was no different. I had a large cup of icy cold coke and was looking forward to sipping it on my way to church. I unlocked Bruce's truck and realized he did not have a cup holder. Which, in and of itself, probably wouldn't have been a problem, but it's a straight drive. So both hands were definitely needed. I was going to take it back inside but glancing at my watch, realized I could not do that because I would be late for church if I did. Needless to say, I guzzled it down. A great big cup of coke.

I placed the keys into the ignition and since it was already dark outside needed to turn the headlights on. I looked up to see if Bruce had a light on the roof and, nope, he did not. So I felt all around the steering wheel and could not for the life of me find the switch in the dark. Finally, after about eight to ten minutes and debating whether or not I should get my neighbor, I found it. I thought to myself, OK, let's go! Coke is gone and lights are on!

As I pulled into the church parking lot, the upper lots were full and I ended up parking way down near the end. No big deal. I'm only nine minutes late...I'll run. I turn the truck off, turn the lights off, and go to unbuckle my seat belt. Unbeknown st to me, his seat belt is fragile and needs gentle touching. So when I went to unbuckle myself the buckle fell apart and I was trapped in the seat belt. Since I couldn't see in the dark I couldn't figure out how to get out. I looked up and saw my friend Dawn, who was running a little late too, walking up the hill. She saw me in the truck but didn't know who I was, waving and smiling anyway. I was waving too, but with both hands, trying to let her know I needed help. She just continued smiling and walked on.

Now, I could have gotten her attention by honking the horn, but it was not where it should have been. See, Bruce had to rig up a horn in his truck because the one on the steering wheel stopped working. I couldn't remember where it was. I knew it was somewhere under the steering column, I just couldn't see it. So my hands are frantically searching for the little horn button to blow at my friend, who now is almost near the church doors. Finally I found it!

HONK HONK

But it was too late, she didn't hear it. She had already stepped inside and there I was....at the other end of the parking lot....trapped.

All I could think about was Bruce being upset that I didn't show up for church. What would he be thinking? Was I going to freeze out there? Should I just try to make it on back home? NO! So I just took a deep breath and for another five minutes fumbled around in the dark trying to figure out how to unbuckle the seat belt. And then....I found it!

I was happy that I finally made it into church. But I was so eager to get into the sanctuary I did not realize that the big cup of coke I had guzzled earlier had made its way to my bladder already until I sat down and took a deep breath.

I am not one for getting up and leaving during a service if I absolutely do not need to so I just did my best to hold it in until after church. I made it all the way up until Pastor had us stand for the invitation. I told myself, I can wait....just a few more minutes. But my bladder answered back, No, I don't think so.

I was never so happy to enter a bathroom stall in my whole life!

That And This

Someone asked what our favorite day of the week was. Mine is Thursday. You know how you reach the very top of a roller coaster in the first car and that car briefly peaks over the top before falling quickly to the bottom of the hill? That's my Thursday. Monday through Wednesday is the clankity-clank up the hill, Thursday is my peak and the excitement of what is coming and Friday through Sunday is the speed and excitement of the rest of the ride.

Friday is the loop you've been waiting on. You know, the one you see as you enter the amusement park and think to yourself, "I gotta ride that!"

Saturday is the unexpected turns and twists you had no idea were coming, but thoroughly enjoy nonetheless!

And Sunday are those last few exciting hills that bring you to the end of the best ride ever!

Yeah...Thursday is my favorite day. The peak. Because I know the rest of the ride is what it's all about!

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We had a good day today. Justin had his long day at the college and we had a pretty fair day of homeschooling. Things seemed to go smoothly.

I started supper, but Hannah took over when Bruce announced he wanted him and me to take his mom out for supper. It was a blessing treating both my parents and my mother-in-law to dinner out this week.

Hannah made BBQ pork ribs and I'll admit that, although, I ate my share at the Asian Buffet, I still tried her BBQ when I got home and it was GOOD! She also made some chocolate, peanut butter chip cookies. They were different, but they were good too. She's quite the cook, my little Banna.

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Have you been watching the Olympics? I've enjoyed it, myself. But is it just me, or has there been an unusual amount of drama this year? People dying, feelings of being jilted out of a medal, whole teams being disqualified because they cheated, rival countries making those representing them feel inadequate if they lose to the other country, skiers losing their chance at their medal because they got the raw end of the rules....It's been a crazy winter Olympics.

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I read a blog post today on Michael and Debi Pearl. I've never really DISliked what the Pearls had to say, but I certainly do not hang on every word they say either. And I think they are on the extreme side as far as discipline. I think the Bible should be our final authority in everything, including raising our children. I just want to say that if you read and try their parenting advice, remember that we should emulate Jesus Christ in our parenting. Show mercy from time to time. It's like I told someone this afternoon, sometimes showing mercy teaches a greater lesson to a child than discipline itself. I'm not saying we should NEVER discipline our children. Of course we have to. But sometimes God shows us mercy when He really should just let us have it.

I guess the whole point of this is, just be careful of the advice you seek and take from other people. Pray for discernment no matter who you're reading from.

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Tomorrow we'll be heading down the roller coaster hill into that loop by going on a date. I do love going out with my darlin'. He's so wonderful! Can't wait to hold his hand and look into those sweet eyes of his. I do love that man.

What's Your Prescription For?

I was feeling a little down last night after church. It was not one big thing, just several little things that kind of piled on top of each other. I was trying not to complain. I kept telling myself with each happening that I needed to "let it go"...."it was silly"...."God already knows'....you know, all the things you tell OTHER people?

But it's so hard to let go sometimes.

I don't want to be "one of those people" that wear their feelings on their sleeves. Always finding something to cry about. Always finding something to be hurt over. Boo hoo...woe is me? But sometimes when several things happen all at once, it's really hard to fight that.

And then I find myself quoting different verses such as Philippians 4:11, "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" or Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" and Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

There's a prescription in the Scripture for everything. I have found that the Bible is like medicine....it's hard to swallow sometimes. But if you swallow it and allow it to do its job, you'll feel so much better. :)

(I took this on our way to revival one night last week. Pretty, huh? God is good.)

Good Doctor's Visit :)

Bruce took me to the doctor Monday afternoon. I'll admit that after talking to several people at church, including and especially Brother Ken, I came home after revival one night last week in tears, scared to death I was going to have my knee drained and worse, surgery. lol

Thankfully, this was not the case at all. The doctor said I've been taking good care of my knee and to keep doing what I've been doing. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. She also told me to put the crutches up. When you have a muscle injury the muscles become tight and want you to baby them. So the longer I use the crutches, the more my muscles want me to use the crutches. Now I'm limping along instead of hobbling, but hopefully I won't be limping much longer. If I'm not doing better in a couple of weeks I might have to have physical therapy. But I'm praying that won't be necessary. She doesn't think that will happen though.

After school today, the kids are going to the Library. There's a book that Hannah wants to get and is surely going to pass out if she doesn't get it today!! We can't be having that! But for now they are all working quietly in their studies. Well, not Harrison. He does better with his spelling words when he's saying them out loud..........apparently. :)

The Valentine Banquet is on its way. I wanted to help with the balloons and see everything come together with its final touches. But with my knee it was impossible. :( I'm looking forward to the banquet though. Lord willing, by then, I'll be walking better and will be able to get some good pictures of everyone. Our theme is Winter Wonderland.

Well, I'm off here. Hope everyone has a great day!!

Psalm 98:1 "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous
things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the
victory."

Just Me

So last week someone posted on facebook that it was retro week and to post an old photo of yourself. That got me going through old photos and I found lots of fun pictures of me and my family that I was able to scan.

Here are some of me when I was growing up.
Me...just a few days old. :)



Pee-pie!


Mmmm, birthday cake!

Before Santa was banned from the home...

I believe this was at my Great Aunt Opal's house in Kentucky.

Posing for the camera.

Me, mom, and John. John was holding our dog Hercules. Doesn't he look like a Hercules?

2nd Grade

This was the night of my Kindergarten graduation from Southside Christian Academy in Greenville, SC.

John, me, and Larry Jr. My eyes always looked a little slanted. I think it's because mom pulled my ponytails too tight. :)

Me and my Baby Alive.

Larry Jr, daddy, John, mom, and me.

Being silly at a local park.

Me roller skating. I've always loved roller skating.

Being crazy...again...I did love my boots though. :)

Me and my mommy.

3rd Grade

Daddy and me

Me shoving John into a trash can in Charleston.

John putting me in the same trash can. See I still managed the peace sign. Kids today think they started that. HA! ;)

Me and Melissa Ammons at Carowinds. Her parents are still missionaries in Africa. Our church supports them too.

Me in Ohio...I believe at James Day Park...not sure.

Me and my future mother-in-law.

Me and my future husband.

I'm thinking this was taken when we went to see my brother Larry in Fort Benning, Georgia. How 'bout that eye shadow???? WOW!

Guess Who!

A Visit With The Folks

I put some ribs in the crock pot for supper, had school with the kids, and then took off to mom and dad's. I took some cleaning supplies with me but got very little accomplished. I did get her kitchen cleaned and mopped and the sheets on her bed changed. But I spent most of my time talking with them. We had more than a few giggles and laughs today. It was nice.

When I got home I took the ribs from the crock pot and made BBQ with them. I fixed some cole slaw, rolls, deviled eggs, raw veggies, and cantaloupe to go with it. The kids took their supper and a plate over to my mother in law's house to eat with her tonight. She's been having problems with her knee. We're hoping she doesn't have to have surgery. Poor thing, she's scared to death of that.

Bruce left for work early tonight and so I'm home alone....in the quiet. I really need to clean the kitchen. So I'll leave you with this video.

Of all the ways my daddy could think of to save money, he is fixated on watering down the dish detergent. This drives my mother nuts and she has threatened him more than once not to do it again. But he just keeps doing it. Knowing this, I was surprised to go in and find that a very large bottle of Dawn had been, almost, completely used and had NOT been watered down.

Incognito? I Don't Think So!

I receive emails several times a month from blog readers all over the world. Some are missionaries that have had blog posts sent to them. Some are everyday people asking about our church. Some are Pastor's wives that want to say thank you for an encouraging post. I've had people email me and ask why we are KJV only or why Hannah and I are always wearing skirts. What our dating standards are, etc. The majority of them have always been nice and very encouraging. Once in a while I'll receive one that I just delete right away because you can't get through the first couple of sentences from all the bad language. Those are never fun and never encouraging. LOL

With each email that comes through from someone "new" I pray the Lord will give discernment. After all, my blog is open for anyone. I've thought many times to make it a private blog, but there are those who read it daily that would not be able to get into it if I did. So I guess you could say I take my chances.

Believe it or not, there are those in the world that like to conceal who they really are. Hiding behind a false identity to retrieve information from you. Whether it is personal information or just digging for information to see what they can learn about situations. So I try to always be careful and prayerful.

I've been in contact with a few people over the last several months. One of which had me fooled....until last night. I began looking over our emails and something struck me odd. It's no secret that I'm a little OCD about things sometimes, so one thing about their emails kept bothering me. It was frustrating. So I did a little "digging" myself at 1:30 this morning and realized that this person was not at all who they said they were. But actually someone I know! At first I was mad. Then I got tickled. Am I offended at them? No. Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they which love they law and nothing shall offend them." I feel sorry for them, actually. And I thank the Lord for revealing it to me.

Wow! Funny!!! Oh well, how does that old saying go? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

Maybe they won't try a second time.

Hannah has spent the last couple of days with her grandparents, Justin has been busy with school and working, and Bruce has been working some over time. So it's pretty much been Harrison and me. I've been doing some Christmas baking and he's been helping. You know...with licking the bowl and tasting the goodies.

I made a batch of Mounds Bar Brownies yesterday and made the dough for my cinnamon pinwheels. Which were cut and baked this morning. It was a new recipe and they turned out nice. Tasty too!

I'm feeling better from being sick, but I've been a little light headed and tired. I think I have some fluid between my ears. And, although I'm feeling better, I start coughing at night. Harrison does too. Why is it that it always like that at night?

I was suppose to attend a dinner tonight for the Nursery M0thers at church, but was a little relieved when Mrs. Janet called to say it was cancelled. We would be on our way to dinner right now and I have absolutely NO energy. It will be rescheduled for a later date. Maybe even until after the first of next year. The Lord knows and blesses, huh?

Bruce's birthday is Thursday. I've invited his mom and my parents over for supper. He wanted BBQ ribs and fixin's. One side he specifically requested was Broccoli and Rice Casserole. I haven't made that in a while. It's one of his favorites.

I'm going to clean the kitchen from supper and then I think I'll go on to bed. Early, I know, but like I said, I am tired!

My iPod Spoke To Me....TWICE!

A week or so before Thanksgiving, we were on our way to church when I reached down to turn my iPod on. It would not come on. I was really upset because I had just put a full charge on it the day before. Bruce thought maybe I had accidentally left it on and it ran down. But I knew that wasn't right because I had it set on one album of just a few songs. When the album is finished it automatically cuts off. All I knew is that it wasn't working.

When we got home from church I took it in and plugged it up to the computer, thinking maybe it needed to be reformatted or something. I left it plugged up all afternoon. Nothing! Before we left for church that night, I placed it on the charger and left it there for a few hours. Again, NOTHING! When we got home from church, I plugged it back up to the computer and let it sit overnight. Come morning, NOTHING!

I tried the charger again, then back to the computer, then back to the charger. The last time I put it on the charger nothing happened. I was so sad. I absolutely LOVE my iPod. There is so much good music on there!! I was totally bummed.

I raised my hands in the air and said, "Lord, you know I love my iPod. If it's going to work, you're going to have to be the one to do it." Right then, as it sat in its charger, the light came on and there, on the screen, was the prettiest apple I had ever seen. I was thrilled! It completely charged and I've been listening to it ever since.

These last few days I have had some things on my mind and feeling a little blue. I was up with Harrison most of the night last night and being sick myself, having a rough morning, I became a little emotional. Cried a bit....had a good little pity-party. Then it was time to take Justin to work. Still teary-eyed, I grabbed my iPod from the charger. When I pulled it off, the light came on to the song that was ready to play, Did You Pray.

I began to cry again because, no, I did not pray. So I just stopped right there and prayed, taking my burdens and handing them over to Christ. And you know what? He took them. I felt lighter the rest of the day.

I love Him. He never ceases to amaze me.

I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."

Speaking Too Quickly, Dogsitting, and Revival

There is so much on my mind right now. Things going through my head and I don't know if I should post them or not. Sometimes I think we, (bloggers), become so agitated, because of human nature, that we use our words and thoughts on our blogs to vent our frustrations when sometimes things are better left unsaid and left in the hands of the Lord. Or better if we just wait to see what He wants us to say instead of the first thing that comes to mind.

I feel like I have something to say, but need to make sure I'm saying it in the right spirit. It will be offensive, I know, and that's ok. The Bible is offensive to those who do not live it. I just want to make sure that what I say is not my opinion, but Biblical truth. As Pastor Goodman says often, "I would rather hear one, 'thus saith the Lord', than a thousand, 'In my opinion.'"

It's been a good day. I just pulled a pan of oven fried chicken from the oven and Hannah popped in a skillet of cornbread. Mashed potatoes and southern style green beans for the sides. I'm hungry smelling that cornbread!! MMMMMMmmmmmmm!!!! :D

We've been dog sitting for my favorite little girls, Celine and Carissa. Someone asked me the other day if I babysat them. I do babysit them from time to time. I guess you can call it that. They're like my own children so when they're here I don't feel like I'm babysitting. I've missed them while they've been on vacation. I know they're having a ball with their parents and grandparents. Anyway, their dog is so cute. I may just end up keeping her!! Although I would have to fight Celine and Carissa for her. She's small, but not one of those yappy small dogs.

We've had fun with her this week.

We've also had fun at Bright Light's Mission Revival this week. Monday night, Pastor preached on what to expect from God. Wow, did I ever need that! Tuesday night it just got HOT in there. And I don't mean the temperature. I mean meetin'! It was so good I was just bubbling over when we got home. Wed night we were in our own church, of course, and Brother RJ preached a GREAT message from Psalm 121 and 122:1. Another message my heart and mind needed. God always knows what we need when we need it!! So I'm looking forward to tonight's service and going expecting something great from God to my heart.

I love Him.

A Tid-Bit of the Weekend

Someone asked me how Ricky's funeral went yesterday and everything went really well. I just knew it was going to be a difficult time. But you know what? It was actually very comforting knowing that Ricky was in Heaven. Seeing the hundreds of people that showed up to pay their respects. Watching the picture montage of his life. Hearing from people that knew and loved him talk about how he lived life with joy in his heart, no matter the circumstance. Yes, I cried. We all did. But we were filled with that peace that passes all understanding and the hope of seeing Ricky again. It is a sad thing not to possess that hope. I'm so glad we have it with Ricky. Please continue to pray for his wife Jennifer and his children. And of course the rest of his immediate family.

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Yesterday was a busy day cleaning the house. After cleaning I took a shower and was going to go to Wal Mart. But before going, I thought I'd grab a power nap. That twenty minutes turned into two hours! I guess we had a busy weekend. Which, we did. Besides the funeral, we had a SS outing/birthday party for me. That was a surprise. But I caught on fast when several people kept saying "There's the birthday girl" and "Happy Birthday!" Anyway, I'll tell you more about that later.

Right now I'm leaving for my mom and dad's house. Harry and I will be spending the better part of the day visiting with them and cleaning their house. Mom has promised something good to eat. So I'm outta here! ;P