SHARING GOD'S LOVE!

One of God's greatest gifts is children.

Mix that gift with BUBBLES and it is pure joy!

The children dance with joy!

They really love me my bubbles.

   "See that you do not despise one of these little ones.

For I tell you that in heaven their angels always

see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 18:10 ESV

FBC BLOCK PARTY
Thank you Pastor Harrison!

Morning Sunshine

Change Is A-Comin'

Going to lunch with my daughter today was memorable. Dining at our favorite restaurant for the last time as simply Mother and Daughter. Things will change and we can hardly wait to be Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter! The missing piece of us will be arriving in approximately two weeks.

So many lunches have been spent dreaming of this child and how wonderful it would be to have a little one to share our special times. God has heard our prayers and answered. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

A BLOG WORTH WAITING FOR!

THE BEST BLOG EVER!

YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD!!

Recently I gifted a friend with a certificate for Zesto banana splits. I have never eaten a banana split simply because the thought of bananas with ice cream does not appeal to me. My husband is a banana split lover, however I would choose a simple sundae and pass on the banana split.

A few days after I had gifted my friend with the banana splits, my daughter and I went to dinner at a favorite restaurant. Someone in the kitchen goofed and my daughters' salad arrived without dressing or several other toppings that should have been included. My own 'peppers and onions' had no peppers.

When the error was noted and corrected, we were told that dessert would be on the house.
Soon two beautiful dishes of ... you guessed it, BANANA SPLITS, were placed in front of us.
Never having desired a banana split I picked up the spoon to taste it planning to just take a few bites to be polite. I was pleasantly surprised that the desert was delicious. Even the bananas. It didn't occur to me until later that I had given banana splits and I had been given banana splits right back.

And here I am back at the Island Spa, gifted with weeks of pleasure by a friend who I simply called to check on a few years ago. Working and volunteering together I knew little about her personal life. When I learned she had lung surgery I called. My friend asks nothing in return. I did nothing deserving of this. Yet I am here. Enjoying vacation time that I knew I was giving up when I left my job. I am humbled by the gift, as it reminds me of another gift.

The gift of love from God who sent His son Jesus to die that I might have the gift of life. I do not deserve the gift, yet I have it.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. "

Philippians 4:19

Gifts - Tangible and Intangible

TANGIBLE

INTANGIBLE

The amount of energy

expended on a project of love,

whether growing tomatoes or planting flowers.

TANGIBLE

The flower stems after the flowers were destroyed (eaten?)

by a small animal.

INTANGIBLE

Frustration and desire to end the take-over

taking place in our yard and garden.

TANGIBLE

Weapons to take defensive measures to save our home land.

INTANGIBLE

The thoughtfulness of my daughter in gifting her Dad

with these products for Father's Day!

TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE

The delicious dinner my daughter prepared for her Dad.

And the heart warming words "I've seen Mama do it."

"I thank my God every time I remember you," Philippians 1:3

RESPECT FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Yesterday as I placed my red, white and blue items on the counter at Wal-Mart. The young man behind the register asked, "Already getting ready for July 4th?" I replied, "No, these are for our Memorial Day Celebration."

He rolled his eyes!! That got him a quick history lesson he obviously needed, although his facial expressions proved he could not care less. He was more interested in being a smart aleck. How did he slip through the interview process to gain this job?

When I reminded him that the sacrifices that others have made allowed him to have his job and live in freedom he again rolled his eyes. I was not only surprised by his behavior but very disappointed to think that he represents many of the young people in our society. I left quickly before he experienced my wrath.

I did feel righteous anger, and his employer will be getting a copy of this blog. The young man certainly needs to be put in his place. I have talked to young men in foster care who have absolutely nothing, and they are respectful of America and of me when I speak to them.

The justification of my feelings is in part that I have served as guardian ad litem for three young men who are now serving their country in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea. My husband is a veteran of the Viet Nam era. My son in law serves in the Coast Guard. Moreover, as a teen I watched the suffering of a family as they dealt with the death of their young loved one in Vietnam.

No, this Wal-Mart employee did not know who he was speaking to, but that is my point. I could have been the mother or widow of a recently killed soldier for all he knew. Disrespect in itself is abhorrent but disrespect for America and those who are willing to risk their lives to protect you is an abomination.

THANK YOU, HEAVENLY FATHER!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

SNOW? It's a big deal around here!

It has been 40 years since we saw snow... Well, not really. There was the blizzard of '73 and the 'surprise' snow that shut the city down 6 or 7 years ago. I can't visualize that exact date due to PTSD.
My boss's error in judgement that day cost me big time. Because she was from a state which frequently experienced snow, she could not comprehend what the big deal was for us. She scoffed at the excitement and urgency to get out of town. Therefore, I waited too long to leave and could not move my frozen Lincoln out of the parking lot. I stood in line with all the other stranded motorists and paid a ridiculous amount to spend the night two blocks away at the Marriott (where the power went out and I wept for my nice warm fireplace at home). It was the first and only time I have been given a toothbrush along with my room key. No one checking in was prepared for an overnight stay.

But I digress.... anything not frequently seen becomes either very special or very terrifying, depending on your personal circumstances. While I am concerned for those who will suffer from the cold I cannot ignore the beauty of snow flakes floating and swirling to the ground. I cherish the first moments outside after the snow has ended and before drivers have ventured onto the slippery roads. The hushed silence of a fresh snow is a rare and amazing gift. Moments of not a single sound as the miracle stops us in our tracks. Perhaps this is God's reason, His joy, for sending the snow. To force His frantically busy children to pause a moment to witness His wondrous works. Like the rare snowman below.

Truth be told, I had nothing to do with making this snowman. My mother told us children that it was too cold to go out, so we did not get to play in the snow. She went outside, built the snowman and then allowed us to come out to have our picture taken with it.

There were many rumors, drawn from fact, that the snow was full of dirt, pollution and nuclear fallout. I thought for years that my mother did not want us to get sick and was too unfamiliar with snow to know that it would not hurt us. But now I wonder if she actually wanted some time to herself to play in the snow.

If you have snow today how dirty is it? Do this to see:

Gather these items:

a plastic container that is empty, clean, and has a lid
a coffee filter or piece of paper towel
a bowl
a magnifying glass

Fill the container with fresh snow
Put the lid on the container and let the snow melt.
After it has melted hold the coffee filter or paper towel over the bowl.

Pour the melted snow slowly over the filter or paper into the bowl.

What do you see piling up on the paper or filter?

If you can't tell, use the magnifying glass.

(I am not sure I want to ruin my fantasy)

~

"From the fullness of His grace,

we have all received one blessing after another."

~John 1:16 (NIV

Disney Vacation

The # 6 played a major role in the extraordinary BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

and a very special WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Dr Appointment from Hell!

even that could not spoil my cheerful mood!


I will think about it tomorrow...after all, tomorrow is another day!


Savannah nights! Sleeping in a very high bed...literally had to climb in!
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. well I will say that after Ms Nurse Practitioner interrogated me and tossed my broken body into a corner, she then stomped on my heart to make sure I knew who was boss.
When she saw a tear slip out of my eye and slide down my confused cheek, she asked, "Have you seen anyone about your depression?"
...I did muster up the strength to inform her that I was not depressed before I met her today!

Then, as I crawled over the other broken bodies to get out of there, she said, "Now that I have destroyed you, what are you going to do now? ........................................
..........................................................................................................
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and I smiled,........................................................
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and answered..........................
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.....

"I'm going to DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!



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CELEBRATE MARRIAGE!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

3 John 1:4

~

It is so refreshing to my soul to see

a couple committed to God

and therefore their marriage.

And when it is my own children what a joy!

~

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

~

ON THE 9TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - BLESSINGS

2009 was a wonderful year.

There was food on my table and a roof over my head.

Love was given and received.

I was blessed.

"Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

Psalm 5:12 (TNIV)

Saying I am blessed has always made me a little uncomfortable. Does that mean that someone else is not blessed if they do not possess whatever it is that I am using as an example of my being blessed?

I think when this began to bother me was when I noticed that some who are not living a God fearing/respecting life (as evidenced by their choices) still will answer that they are blessed if a compliment comes their way. It sounded as if any person lacking what the 'blessed' person has is just not blessed!

Does this mean that the homeless, the hungry, the abused, the sick are just not blessed?

According to the scripture above, I am blessed because of a righteous life. Are all those who are living in poverty, without employment, physically challenged, etc. unrighteous?

No, what it means is that the righteous will receive the Lord's favor which is why even those in dire circumstances can feel blessed, filled with peace and joy.

This past year a dear friend of many in our church and community died unexpectedly following a medical procedure. She was in her early forties. She had been a shining example of a joyful life. She would tell you that she was blessed and that God was so good to her. Yet, she had lived her entire life dependent on others for care and transportation. Born with spina bifida she would never walk until she walked into Heaven's gates and never run until she ran to see Jesus. She received the Lord's favor in many ways. She was blessed to have care, food and shelter from the righteous who were used by God in her life.

This winter is colder than normal in the south. A hot meal, a pair of gloves or a warm hat could minister and bless the lives of those less fortunate than yourself. I am guessing that if you are reading this you at least have access to electricity and a computer. Are you blessed by God (or simply fortunate in which case you need to consider this)?

How can God use you to bless someone today?