THANKSGIVING DAY 29 PAY IT FORWARD

What a surprise to get my sons call this morning to tell me of our mention in the story in todays newspaper under the heading PAYING IT FORWARD. More on this blessing later!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The table was magnificent today!
~Papa ~ Nana ~ Son ~ Daughter-IL ~ Son- IL ~ Daughter ~ Sister of Son-IL ~ ~ Grand daughter ~ Grandson ~ The food was good, too. We shared some Thanksgiving Dinner firsts, okra and potato salad, by request. We shared our childhood dreams and most have been accomplished. Some are in the process and will be accomplished in the future. We ended our dinner with a challenge to spread random acts of kindness and I look forward to hearing about those at Christmas Dinner. After dinner music was enjoyed by all.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!"

Psalm 105:1-2

THANKSGIVING DAY 25 FAMILY

I am so excited about Thanksgiving. It has become one of my favorite days of the year. It is the one day that I can guarantee all of my family will be together plus maybe an extra sister or friend. We spend time being truly thankful by sharing before the meal and then play a game or two after the meal. The food is delicious, but it is only secondary to being together and focusing on our blessings. One member is always concerned about the way we took over America so one year we focused on the Indians. Last year it was so warm we played games outside.

Thanks Giving DAY 24 - PRECIOUS GIFT

Once upon a time my husband and I thought we could save the world! Or, at least, a tiny piece of it. Our efforts brought us an appreciation for how fragile and precious life is that many never experience. The only treasures that are truly worthwhile are the lives of those who cross your path on your journey. Our precious baby enriched our lives beyond measure. Every year we remember him at Christmas by placing a beautiful blue bird on our tree. The bird was on a gift of flowers for his special service.

I am so thankful that God allowed me to be Spencer's mother during his short time on earth. I know that he was well loved.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby,

some have entertained angels unawares."

Hebrew 13:2

Giving Thanks Day 23 - My Church

There was a time when saying "I am thankful for my church" or "I love my church" was as easy as breathing. I did love my church and my family spent many happy, worshipful, meaningful moments there. It was so easy to invite others. To tell them how much they would like my church and how important it could be in the life of their family. I was very involved, teaching and leading in many areas. I loved using my gifts of administration and teaching to serve God. I thought I was on my way to spiritual maturity. One day things changed.

And not for the better. One of my teachers complained to the SS Director that I wanted Disney books removed during class. I did. And I do not apologize for that. There are enough confusing messages out there for preschoolers. If Mickey Mouse was pretend, was Jesus pretend, too?
I got a lecture for it instead of support.
Then a Vacation Bible School (VBS) teacher was angry that she didn't get the room she wanted, and another was angry that her child didn't get the teacher she wanted. And others did not want their children with a certain teacher they did not like. Little things, but they were angry beyond reason and I wasn't ready. And most shocking of all, a teacher confessed to me that she had been deliberately trying to sabotage VBS. I let Satan have that round and I gave up(after 10 years) serving as VBS Director, which I dearly loved.

Next I put my energy into preparing to teach Parenting by Grace until I was told that I was not qualified. I had studied Parenting by Grace, I had taught parenting skills in my job, I was a Christian parent, parenting by grace myself. I was very confused by this information. No one stood in my support. I silently accepted this decision. I was so wounded, I let Satan win that round, too.

I was beginning to relate to Job very well. Unfortunately, I didn't have his spiritual strength. When my husband and I were told that our son could no longer serve as an usher due to his young age (16) I hurt for him far worse than I had been for myself. He had already served for a year, had stood before the church, after a mission trip, and declared that he felt God calling him into full time service, so this did not make sense. The manner in which this came down crushed my son's spirit and he soon began to go to a different church with a friend and later moved his membership. Because of our decision not to discuss this publicly for the sake of church unity our son felt that we, his parents, had not stood up for him. What we had not stood up for was for Jesus. Our savior would not have wanted this. Score another for Satan. By this time he must have been celebrating big time!

The last crushing blow for me was a call to inform me that I needed to meet with church leaders before I could teach in the new church year. Why? The answer "I'd rather not get into it before the meeting." In shock, it didn't even occur to me to ask why I was not told one-on-one of a problem, before being taken before a group. Biblical instructions are to confront one on one before bringing in another when there is an issue. I resigned on the spot, without attending the meeting. The meeting wasn't biblical but I should have attended in order to address that. Satan was now dancing with glee!

I later learned that my teaching the high school seniors to know what they believed before they left home was not in line with the regular Sunday School lessons. When a class member informed me that he would be drinking after the prom, I had warned the class about the penalties of underage drinking and that scripture tells us to obey the laws of the land. This had offended the student and when he complained, adults commiserated with him instead of standing up for his teacher. An interesting aspect was that the family through which Satan was now attacking me was the same family I had stood up for in the previous VBS teacher incident. Though hopefully this teacher never knew about her attackers.

I tried to be stoic as I continued in a state of post traumatic stress. Christ's church which I loved had caused immeasurable harm to my family. How could that be? I received two apologies along the way, but still the attacks continued. And I observed similar instances other families faced. And some left with broken hearts.

At one point when my family was ready to move on, we suddenly had a grandson depending on us to involve him in our church. He loved Vacation Bible School and was very excited about God and inviting friends to church. I believe that God is always in control and it was His plan to use our grandson to keep us in this church family.

The above events (and more) happened more than 10 years ago. Growth and attendance levels dropped after these events yet no one seemed to understand why. But I began to see how some who wanted perfection for a church of imperfect people were tempted off God's path by the great temptress, Satan. I, also, was pretty sure that those who were tempted did not even realize how cunning Satan had been in using them.
The one thing that was missing from my years of bible study was being ready for all of Satan's attacks. I wasn't expecting an attack from my Christian friends. When the world attacks I am not surprised, it does not hurt, it is expected. Friendly fire I had not considered. I had even taught my children to be ready for battle at school, but not at church. My pastor once said in a sermon that the church is the only institution that shoots its own soldiers.

In all difficult situations there are lessons to be learned and of course, I now realize that Satan had to attack my family through the church because that's where we were serving God. A friend whom I confided in during dark days asked me why I didn't change churches. The answer was simple, God was still there. If I left I would be giving up on imperfect people, treating others as they had treated me. That is not what scripture has taught us. The good news is that the next time Satan attacks I will not waste precious time wondering why. I will be ready!

Today I am thankful for all those who make up the body of my church which is still God's church.

"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9

GIVING THANKS DAY 22 - SENSES

In the right margin of my blog is a list of things I miss. If you don't know me well, you may wonder why I miss things that are readily available. The explanation is simple. I have lost one of my senses.

About five years ago I lost my sense of smell. This loss has been both frustrating and interesting. I have even cried when I realized I might never smell the ocean again or smell a baby after his bath.

This loss has been a blessing at times. Such as when a non-bathed alcoholic would show up for court and every one was complaining about the odor. I just smiled. It has been a problem when a person high on marijuana arrived at court and during my interview with them I didn't detect the odor of drugs. This could have been very serious when it involved sending a child home with this type of parent. Also, I cannot smell smoke or gas if there is a leak. Actually how I discovered the loss was burning bread in the oven. I did not realize it was burning until I saw the smoke. One day I went with my daughter to taste wedding cake samples and by the time the wedding day arrived I could not taste the cake I had been looking forward to enjoying.

The most life changing issue is that if you cannot smell, then your taste is distorted. The flavour from food comes from the smell of food. Hold your nose and eat a bite of something and you will see how it diminishes the flavour. I have not had a carbonated drink in almost five years. An ice cold Pepsi is something I will always miss, I believe. Some things are inedible, like carbonated drinks, dairy and most fruit. They taste awful. Other things taste like the smell of sulfur or hot tar as I remember it. I can detect sweetness although I cannot detect the flavor. I can taste salt so processed foods that are high in sodium simply taste like salt to me. Not very appetizing, believe me. And adding Texas Pete to every thing in order to taste at least a spiciness has caused blisters in my mouth.

The doctor warned me that I would gain weight because I would want to eat sweets because those would taste good. I was so determined to prove him wrong that I lost weight during the first year and was very careful about not eating sweets. But after a couple of years of bland tasteless food you really crave something delicious. The only thing I have found that is truly satisfying is good ole southern ice tea and coffee. I don't know what it is about coffee but anything with coffee flavor tastes pleasant to me. Can you say Starbucks Coffee Almond Fudge Ice Cream?

You just do not know how important something is until you lose it. I would give up Coffee ice cream AND Sweet Tea if I could smell my husbands cologne or eat a slice of watermelon. When ever I am on the verge of a pity party, I just think of those with cancer. Cancer patients go through this all the time when undergoing chemo. The drugs can cause a temporary distorted taste. I do not have a life threatening illness. I cannot complain.

And today I am thankful that this week after 5 years I had a piece of buttered toast and it wasn't bad!

DAY 21 - AUTUMN LEAVES

I do not understand.....

... why anyone rakes leaves.

It seems like such a waste of precious time. They will
either blow away or naturally recycle into your grass or ground.

I think they are beautiful and I love how they crunch under your feet.

Today I am thankful for falling leaves that remind us that seasons change as life changes and in a few months after cold dark days, there will be new life again.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:.."Ecclesiastes 3:1

ThanksGiving Day 20 NEIGHBORLY

I am thankful for my neighbors. Neighbors on either side have gifted us with fresh vegetables from their gardens during the summer. The neighbor on our right helped me put up wallpaper 20 something years ago, has mowed our grass, cared for our children, checked on me after bad weather, and even monitored my home during the night when I was alone.

The thing that is impressed on my memory is that immediately after meeting my family my neighbor cut the barbed wire fence between our properties. In a rural area there was once lots of barbed wire to keep the livestock in.

Living in the country, you will still find occasional fences and farms. They are there to keep something in or to keep something out. Cutting the wire is a huge statement that says WELCOME in a big way!

NINETEEN DAYS OF GIVING THANKS! Thankful

"This is the day which the Lord hath made.

we will rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118:24

Some days are more stressful than others; however every day is in God's hands. We may not have a clear vision of the future, but God does. And I am thankful that I can lay my burden down at His feet. Hallelujah!

Thanksgiving Day Eighteen

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in His word I put my hope."

Psalm 130:5

~~~

"As surely as the sun rises, He will appear;

He will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth."

Psalm 27:14

I am thankful!

THANKSGIVING DAY SEVENTEEN - FRIENDSHIP

I am thankful for friends. Over the years I have lost more than one dear friend due to divorce. When a person is hurt they want to separate themselves from the past while they heal. Unfortunately you are a part of their past. Sad.

I am thankful for new friends. And those who became my friend through my job. Many were friendly, only a few were friends. And I am thankful for a newer friend whom I met through my job. We both had volunteered to represent abused and neglected children. We both worked harder for our children than the system would have liked. Sad.

~

However, my friend who has been sidelined by serious illness for 4 or 5 years has gifted me many times with her own getaway place at Hilton Head. When she wasn't up to the pleasure of sun, sand, water or even relaxing, she wanted someone else to benefit. Now that is a generous person! Can you imagine a friend who would give you her key 3 years ago and hasn't asked for it back, yet? A friend who understands that you need a quiet place to write. I have been blessed with such a friend.

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return

for their work:

if one falls down,

his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

THANKFUL SIXTEEN - WORSHIP

"I was glad when they said unto me,

let us go into the house of The Lord."

Psalm 122: 1

Today I am thankful for many things. Most importantly, the freedom to worship in the house of the Lord! I am thankful once again for my family, two of my progeny were in worship with me today.

My grandson read scripture today "in front of the whole church!" as he put it. It was a blessing to see him sitting and singing with the children's choir.

He was on cloud nine!!

Thanksgiving Day Fifteen - FAMILY

I am thankful for the 'in-laws'! Meaning my daughter IL and son IL. I prefer the word in-love, sounds much nicer than 'in- law'.



My son's wife is an encourager and business partner and always ready to have fun. They work together in their own business 24/7. AND, they like each other and get along very well. Many couples would not be able to do this. Plus they both have the gift of service and are often attempting to help others, especially children. Mr. and Mrs. RT&R have a good thing going on!

My daughter's husband, a Fire Chief, also has the gift of service. He has just received the Officer of the Year Award for the local county fire department. He confirmed his place in our family by staying with our daughter when she was hospitalized a few months before their wedding. He told me "You can stay, too, but I am not leaving until she is discharged!"

THANKSGIVING DAY FOURTEEN - GRANDCHILDREN

I was actually thankful for my grand daughter on DAY 13; however she got bumped by the storm and no internet. Today I am double thankful for her. Though she came to me by an alternate route, she is indeed my grand daughter. When my son married her mother she was so sweet in thanking me for welcoming her into the family. It was my pleasure. She endeared herself to me very quickly by writing her 'grandparent story' at school about me. She enjoys reading which is my favorite thing. One of my favorite Bible verses applies here I believe.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers;

for thereby, some have entertained angels unawares"

Hebrews 13:2

DAY THIRTEEN-- MERCY

I am thankful for God's mercy. This morning a thunderstorm suddenly emerged from the sky, bringing rain and lightening. The loud pop of lightening striking nearby or overhead caused the shaking of my home. It isn't often that you have no time to even count to one when counting to see how far away the lightening is. The flash and the boom seemed instantaneous.
The power, phone, cable and internet were knocked out.

I walked around inside and out looking for signs of smoke or fire. Because I can not smell smoke (or anything else) I had to visually search the attic. The flash light I grabbed to search windowless areas did not provide light but did provide the deep voice of a man speaking when I touched the power button. This was more startling than the lightening strike! It took a moment for me to remember that the survival flashlight included a radio.

Several hours later when the electricity was restored I discovered we had lost a television and only one lightbulb and one lamp. A very small thing. Because we will not have our cable or internet service restored until tomorrow we are watching videos and using dial up to check our e-mail. We take our many conveniences for granted until there is no response when we flip a switch. Thankfully there is always a response when we flip the switch of prayer to connect with God!

"I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you

and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Romans 9:17

The 12th DAY of Thanksgiving - GRANDCHILDREN

I am thankful today for my grandson. He is always polite and thoughtful. He asks me how my day is and he carries my heavy stuff for me. I thank God every day for him

Two of my favorite pics!

<--We both had to get glasses! Grandparents Day --->

THANKSGIVING DAY ELEVEN - VETERANS

Today I am thankful for all veterans, past and present.

U.S.S. Intrepid at sea.

THANKSGIVING DAY TEN - CHILDREN

I am so thankful for my children. I am thankful that when they were little I knew those were the best years of my life. I observed many of my friends not completely enjoying their children. Then when the grandchildren arrived they were smitten. They talk about how much deeper the love is for the grandchild. I was so fortunate to be smitten with my children.

I loved being their mother. I enjoyed every moment when they were growing up. Even those tough times when discipline was involved. I felt so blessed to be the one to read a story or tuck them in bed at night. Every night I spent 20-30 minutes reading or talking with each one, individually (until they were 11 or 12). Bedtime took an hour each evening but it was the best hour of my day.

Later when other mothers were complaining about all the chauffeuring to activities and looking forward to the day their child could drive themselves, I was smiling inside. I knew that the chauffeuring to activities was the best part of my day. Riding in the car together was a cozy, let's chat kind of experience.

I am still smitten with them. They are both hard working, terrific children of God.

THANKSGIVING DAY NINE - My Husband

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with a Godly husband. While he isn't perfect, he is pretty close. He is patient, kind, generous, hard working and always strives to live a life pleasing to God.

And I am quite spoiled! I would list all the things he does for me, (like driving me around for two days while I photographed leaves) but then I might cause a stir of jealousy in someone; therefore I will just say again. I am blessed and today I am thanking God for my husband!

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

Ephesians 5:25-33

THANKSGIVING DAY EIGHT

Today I am thankful for Rev. Billy Graham and I wish him a very

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY!

One of my most precious memories is that of my husband and I taking our children to hear and see Billy Graham. That is me right in the middle of the above photo. We attempted to attend every night of the Crusade. It was very cool after the sun went down, but the SON was there keeping our hearts warm us as we worshiped through His messenger, Rev. Graham. Seeing so many respond to the call to begin a relationship with Jesus was thrilling beyond words!

THANKSGIVING - DAY SEVEN - BEAUTY

I am writing while driving towards the mountains of North Carolina. Today I am thankful that I live in a state where in less than two hours I can enjoy the mountains or see the ocean.

The fall leaves are especially beautiful this year. The vivid colors depend on the weather to reach their full potential. The golden colors are my favorite. The reds and the golds this year are truly breath taking. The masterpiece (the nature not the photo) below was taken on the property of the former home of Carl Sandburg in Flatrock, North Carolina.

"Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

Psalm 8:9

30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING - DAY SIX - FORGIVENESS

Today I am thankful that when I mess up God always forgives.

No matter how hard I try to reach perfection, I know that is not a possibility. Just knowing that God loves me anyway, (and usually my family does too) gives me the motivation to keep on, keeping on.

Because I am a perfectionist, I can make things pretty difficult for my family sometimes. Growing up in the abusive home of an alcoholic, this is what happens.

Many times I have repeated the simple verse of childhood "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." Because I know that perfectionists are driven by fear.

"And above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING MINUS 4

I had planned to begin November with a list of some of the things for which I am thankful. I forgot. I am very thankful that I was not being graded on that assignment!

To play catch up, I will name 5 things today:
1. I am thankful that God sent His son, Jesus, for me personally!
2. I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to worship my God.
3. I am thankful that my husband feels the same way I do about God.
4. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to voice my opinion in an election for our president
5. I am thankful that God has given so much to me that 30 days will not be enough time.

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE!

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
1 Timothy 1:1-2

While it will be difficult to respect a man who would kill an unborn child; I will always respect the office of President. And in a country of democracy the people have spoken. So I will continue to pray for America and its people.

The potentially positive thing about the outcome of this election is that perhaps this will encourage moving beyond the past. Since 1986 I have always been involved in some manner, in the area of social work. It was constantly stressed that there was a disproportionate number of minority children in the foster care system and in our prisons. All the while I felt like a minority whenever I entered the Department of Social Services or the Judicial Center where I worked.

I have never had much patience with racial disparity talk because from where I stand minorities received many advantages just because they were minorities. I, also, believe the media itself stirs up racial tension. Actually, I liked my 'minority' co-workers better than most of the non-minority ones. I didn't choose who to respect or befriend based on color. And the children I represented were almost always minorities. I did not value them more or less because of their skin color. All children need love and a safe home. I once received a very sweet e-mail from a minority commending me for always treating everyone the same. I didn't know any other way to do it.

Just as the bottom line on the abortion issue is that it isn't up to us; so goes the presidential party issue: God has already spoken!

"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. "

Romans 3:1-7

The sun is still in the sky, there is air to breathe, Lucy and Desi are still fighting on TV Land and God is still and forever in control!

The Box is Bulging!

My concern about the elections this year is that many are voting pocket book instead of principle. This may be a shortsighted decision. Money comes and goes. Jobs come and go. Principles once gone are hard to get back.

While struggling to pay bills and put food on the table for your family ranks high on your need list, trading your freedom is not the answer.

It appears to be a little like selling your soul to the devil. The only thing that matters is now and the pleasures of money now. What about the future when you want to take a stand on something and find out you have lost the freedom to speak out? What happens when you change your mind and learn that someone else has already changed the rules?

It is about the future of America not the pocket books of America. There are worse things than a recession. Remember Pandora?





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