3 on Thursday- May 24th 2012

What are 3 things you would never do? This is my first time doing the 3 on Thursday and its a doozy :)

1. I can't imagine any circumstances under which I would fly. I am terrified of heights and at amusement parks they have stopped the rides to let me off, I don't think they will stop the plane to let me off and if they do, I am sure there will be some uniformed officers waiting on me.

2. I would never quit church and give up on God. I did that once and thankfully He forgave me and allowed me to come back to the fold. He has done too much for me to ever turn back again.

3. Own a snake or a pet spider. I just can't imagine why anyone would do such a thing and I think the best way for them to be is dead.

Hodgepodge Wednesday-05232012

1. What's something you miss about the 80's? If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's? my youth. I miss being young and feeling good. Rheumatoid Arthritis is really getting me down this week and I regret all the days I didn't appreciate being young.

2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit? I have a library card but I seldom use it anymore. I used to read all the time but I honestly think its s combination of being online too much and needing glasses. My insurance has kicked in so that I can get glasses but I haven't made an appointment yet. I used to read all the time even when I was online daily but now my eyes have gotten so I can't read and I haven't done anything about it. Next pay day for sure I am going to the dr.

3. What's the secret to success? I haven't made any success in the life so far so I have no clue

4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game? Badmiten and on that note I just thought this was such a cute graphic

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table? a mess. I always hate a coffee table because for whatever reason its always the spot every one piles stuff on but my ex made our oldest a coffee table and now it sits in my living room and once again collects stuff.

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy? I do not own a bike and probably never will again. The last time I rode a back was way back in Feb of 1992. I wrecked the bike by flipping over the handles and broke my knee and never got on one again. It was almost a year before I was able to walk without a limp.

7. What's your favorite cheese? My girls and I love cheese in all forms. I can't decide if my favorite is muenster cheese or string cheese, but I will eat about any kind of cheese

8. Insert your own random thought here. I want to go see this movie so bad. I used to watch the tv show years ago and I know this will be so funny. I love Johnny Depp and Tim Burton pair ups.

Healer of My Heart

It seems like its one step forward and 2 steps back. I just can't seem to bounce back. These past 70 days have been so horrible and trying to move forward is hard. Only one thing helps, spending time with God. Listen and let the words minister to your heart.

May 16th Interesting Pins

While surfing blogs the other day I came across the coolest meme. I am so addicted to Pinterest and this meme is all about the most interesting pins you have seen that week. So here goes my first entries.

1. I love these heads and think they would be so neat in the garden when I finally get a garden. My daughter said they were too freaky.

via

2. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I am always reading about how wonderful ginger is for arthritis and I can't seem to find any candied ginger around here so I thought I would try to make my own.

via

3 I have been going to a bunch of baby showers lately and we made diaper trikes for them but I thought this was super cute also.

via

4 All my facebook friends have been talking about this pie and I have had it before but didn't have the recipes. I make one similar only I use yogurt instead of condensed milk. Less calories and more like chiffon.

via

5. Yes I can understand this funny.

via

Homemade powdered detergent- UPDATED

Today I mixed up a batch of powdered laundry detergent. I got the recipe from here. I have read about homemade detergents for years, both in books and online but haven't ever managed to make it. Before I left NC, I had bought all the ingredients and finally today got around to mixing it up. Normally all you read about is liquid detergents but I didn't feel like spending that much time on it so decided to try powdered out. I will let you know how I like it and how it worked for me in a couple of weeks after I have time to really test it. Here is the recipe: Powdered Laundry Detergent I doubled the batch. 2 cups Fels Naptha soap, finely grated. (for me 1 bar of Fels Naptha made right at 4 cups) 1 Cup washing soda (not baking soda) 1 Cup Borax Mix well & store in an airtight plastic container. Use 2 Tablespoons per load. Here is what mine looked like. I probably will try to do the liquid next time but we shall see how this works first. See update below

UPDATE
I love it and now this is all we use. I found a way to make it a bit easier though, instead of grating the soap, I cut it into small chunks (about 5-6 per bar) and microwave the chunks for 3 minutes. The soap will swell up. I let it cool completely (otherwise it goos up on you) and once its cool, I just crush the chunks in my hand. The grandkids love this part since they get to help crush :). now I mix it a big batch at a time so it lasts for several months.

3 bars Fels-Naptha laundry soap, crushed to a powder
1 Box of Borax
1 Box of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
3 Containers of powdered Awesome Oxygen Cleaner ( I get this at the Dollar tree for $1 a container)
1 container of Purex Crystals (this isn't necessary but I like the scent it adds) I get the ones for Babies.

mix it all in a bucket ( I have a 5 gallon bucket with lid) and just shake it all together. I put it in a smaller container by the washer and just refill the container as needed. Each time I give the bucket a shake before refilling just in case it settles. I have given samples to friends and family and every one loves it and raves on its cleaning power.

Things I learned from my Mom.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA ..
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16.. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23.. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
25.. My mother taught me about JUSTICE .

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !"

Didn't I walk on water

Well, I won't lie and say it hasn't been a rough 8 weeks. This has been the hardest time in my whole life but with God's mercy and the prayers of friends and guidance of a wonderful preacher, I think I am have finally made it through this valley. Still missing my brother every day but trusting in God's divine grace and mercy. Here is my latest favorite song. I play it over and over in the car so I thought I would share with all of you. I pray it blesses you as much as it does me.

A-Z Scripture Memorization - H

Time for another memory challenge.




A - As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

C - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

D - Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ~ Colossians 4:2

E - Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

F - For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

G - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

This week's verse is
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:2

He's alive

This is my favorite Easter song. It never fails to bring me to my feet in awe and worship. I have a video of one of my best friends singing this at church but she would kill me for showing it so I am going with my second favorite singer of the song :).

Looking at the Cross

John Newton- was the writer of one of the greatest hymns ever "Amazing Grace". Here is a poem he wrote that


Looking At the Cross

In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight
And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Sure, never to my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.

Alas, I knew not what I did
But now my tears are vain;
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.

A second look He gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayest live.”

Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief and mournful joy
My spirit now is filled;
That I should such a life destroy
Yet live by Him I killed

-by John Newton

Here is a song that reminds me of this poem.

Sunday's coming

This year Easter is on my birthday. I found this video online from a church play. We have a church back home that does a wonderful production of the life of Jesus but my video turned out dark so I looked online for this one.

Crucifiction Scene from Christ Chapel Video Ministry on Vimeo.

Here are some more crafts to do this week leading up to Easter.

I love this one that I found on a number of blogs but picked this one.
Resurrection Rolls

Really cute printable jokes

At Focus on the Family I saw the cutest Easter Bunny posting
Here is a drawing depicting this that I found.

Palm Sunday

The Bible tells us that the wages of sin are death and that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In the old testament, every year there was a feast of Passover to remember how the Hand of God passed over the Israelites in the land of Egypt and there was a yearly sacrifice of the best gift the family could afford.

Exodus 12- you can read about the first Passover.


What difference a week can make. Today we see the Savior riding into Jerusalem to the praises of the people. We are leading up to God's sacrifice of His best so that we might be able to be in Heaven with Him.



Mark 11:1-11 (King James Version)

1And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

3And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

4And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

5And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

6And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

7And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

11And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.


Make your own palm branches here.

A-Z Scripture Memorization - G

Its time for a new memory verse. I could have used this one last weekend. I drove my U-Haul to WV and for about 30 miles of it, there was the most awful hailstorm. It was on the road like snow and you could see tire tracks even there was so much of it. I went through every scripture I could remember about God keeping us safe and protecting us. I have my camera cord packed or I would post pictures. It was really neat though because once we got to Beckley WV, the sky was full of rainbows and double rainbows. I took a bunch of pictures. I am considering it a sign from God that this move was the right thing for me.

Please continue to remember my dad in your prayers. We are still trying to deal with the grief of losing my baby brother.




A - As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

C - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

D - Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ~ Colossians 4:2

E - Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

F - For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

This week's verse is
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

TSMS- American Dream

I love Casting Crowns but never heard this song before until I saw it on another blog. I love the whole idea behind it. Sometimes I get so caught up in living this life, I forget there is another one to come that is way more important and I should really be focusing on preparing for that life.

Easter Crafts

Here are some crafts I found to do with your child for Easter. These need a little extra time so I am posting them now for you.

This one is like an Advent calendar done with eggs.

Resurrection Eggs

Grow your own Easter Grass

Its not a fetus its a baby

I saw this song on another blog and it touched my heart. I have been against abortion for years but I guess right now with the death of my brother, I just think, what if he had never been. What if I had never known him, what I would have missed out on. I have so many friends who are pregnant now and they eagerly post just how dhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifeveloped the baby is each week. Yet the world tries to say its not a baby until the baby is born. In Florida sadly a woman was just killed who was 7 months pregnant and they said the fetus died also. Got news for you folks, I know a number of people who were born and lived at only 7 months. I bet that grieving father isn't calling the baby a fetus.




LYRICS

Mommy keep me safe, Mommy keep me warm,
Handle me with care, Mommy help me to form
I'm 10 weeks old and I know the time will come
when you will give birth to me.

The gift you gave to me are a pair of bright blue eyes
So someday I will see you smile and love me
I've already got my arms and a little podgy nose
And at the end of my feet I've got five little toes

I look forward to my life, ice cream and slimy snails
Teddy bears and little fairy tales
Going for walks in the park
Running home before its dark
And being tucked into bed with a kiss

Where are we going today?
Am I in a boat or bus?
Why are we lying down
Being drawn on four wheels

And we go through the door
And there's people dressed in green
Everything seems so strange and clean

Mommy, if they hurt you just let out a scream
And I know someone will come to help you and me
Mommy what's going on, I'm starting to cry
Come quickly, they're forcing me to die

They're killing me Mommy
They're pulling me apart
My arms and my legs
And now they're at my heart

And I wont see the sky or the grass or the trees
And I wont see the moon or feel the breeze

I love you Mommy dear, you know I really do
But I only wish you could have loved me too!



This pro-life song written by Father Francis Maple has saved at least 20 babies! Their mothers were considering abortion but changed their minds after hearing it.



If this video has touched your heart, please consider passing it on.


If you or someone you know has had an abortion and requires healing, there are many online resources available, here are links to just two of them:




http://www.safehavenministries.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx


http://www.priestsforlife.org/postabortion/shepherdingtheflock.htm

TSMS-Hold Me Up

I heard this on the radio on the way home from work and it so fits how I feel right now that I know it was a message from God for me. I am so heart broken that I can't make it through on my own. I have no strength left in me. I never imagined pain like this. I just can't accept not being able to see my baby brother again. I alternate between falling to the floor sobbing hysterically or being so mad and just wanted to hit things over and over again. My dad's heart is broken and he is holed up in his house and won't answer the phone or come to the door. We need you, Lord.

Chad

If you read my blog yesterday, you heard the horrible news about my baby brother. I am just trying to cling to God during this time. I just feel so absolutely heartbroken. The thought of not seeing my baby brother again just overwhelms me and leaves me sobbing hysterically. I am clinging to yesterday's memory verse because I have started having panic attacks driving to work. I work 3rd shift and have to go in during the night. I can't see that well and it fills me with fear. Chad was walking on the road in the night and was hit by a SUV and I just keep picturing that. I will be so glad when I get moved back to WV and will be working days so I don't have to drive in the dark for a long time.
I remember when Chad was born. He was such a pretty baby but he had colic and cried for ages. I remember taking him for walks with my stepmother. Chad was one of those super friendly people who never knew a stranger and was always laughing. I just keep seeing his smiling face in my head. I don't know if he was killed instantly or if not how long he lived. I do know that until the accident at least he wasn't in a saved state and thats another thought that is driving me crazy. I am asking God for a sign and praying that Chad had time to get right with God. I think of all the lost opportunities to witness to him. All the pictures I didn't take. All the I love yous I didn't say. My heart is broken and I feel like I am losing my mind but I am holding onto yesterday's memory verse again.
For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7


This is Chad dressed to take a friend to Prom


Chad worked as a coal miner and this is him after work


Chad showing how tough he was


Chad and his tattoo. I love the close up of his face.

A-Z Scripture Memorization - F

I am behind on week's newest verse. On the day this was sent out, I received word that my 21 year old baby brother had been killed in an accident. I know there isn't a time when anyone is ready for this but I never thought since I am 43 yrs old that I would bury my brother who is 22 years younger than me. The entire family just feels so completely devastated. I keep hoping to wake from this nightmare. I am just clinging to God and praying for the best. I don't know how to get through except one moment at a time.
I am trusting that this week's verse is a message from God. I have been feeling afraid and second guessing every decision in my life as a result. I have been so nervous and my hands keep shaking. I think my biggest fear has been that my dad would kill himself over this. My sister and I were part of Dad's life but never like Chad was. Dad doesn't have a relationship with God and without Chad there isn't anything left in Dad's life. He is on disability so he doesn't work. He has been bolted in the house and not answering the phones since this happened. Please trust with me that God is moving in Dad's life and he will get saved and be safe.

A - As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

C - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

D - Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ~ Colossians 4:2

E - Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

This week's verse is
F - For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Thursday news

Right now I am only on day 3 of my healthy lifestyle changes. I have done 3 days of this video. Its only 10 minutes of cardio and a minute of stretching but I am so out of shape that the first day I could only do 6 minutes. But the past 2 I have done the whole thing. I am proud of the fact that at least I can do the whole video and that I have done it 3 days in a row. As soon as I get this one mastered I will be adding or switching to new videos. Its a shame that I am this out of shape but without working at the beginning, it will never change. I haven't lost any weight and as any dieter will tell you thats discouraging. We want to see instant results. I just am telling myself that the results might be slow in coming but that they are coming and even if its only 5-10 lbs a month in a year that will be 60-120 lbs less. I just have to keep on keeping on.
My left knee is sore today, I think I over extended during the stretches yesterday so today I did a little more marching and less of the other exercises but I did at least keep moving. RA makes diet and exercise a challenge. I haven't really started cutting any calories, right now I am just trying to make better choices. If I want something junky, I ask if its really worth it and weight my options. I won't lie, day 1 I did eat some barbeque potato sticks but I knowingly made that choice and I have done better on day 2 and 3. I got some really cool popsicles at the store on clearance and they are only 20 calories each and taste really good. Lets face it, part of my problem is that I like to snack and I have to find better snack choices if I am going to make it. Its just not realistic to say I am going to stop snacking.

Online Exercise Videos

One of the things I am trying to do is to exercise more. I want to lose weight and be healthy. One of the problems with having rheumatoid arthritis is that you keep losing flexibility and its pretty stealthy. You aren't aware of how much is going so I want to do some exercises to increase both strength and flexibility. I have tons of videos but lets face it I am lazy :) By the time I turn on the tv, open the case and load the dvd player I am out of the mood. So for me an exercise video online is perfect. I found some awesome videos at Sparkpeople that are just the right length since I am just starting and they are pretty easy to follow. I am trying to do the 10 minute cardio bookcamp daily and working my way up from there. Hopefully as my new meds start to take effect I will be more able to do things. I go see a rheumatoidolgist next week for the first time ever. I have high hopes for him helping me. I want to halt the progression I see daily.

Philippians 4:13

One of my very favorite scripture verses is Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". I love that verse and have blogged about it before. It amazes me how the Holy Spirit can keep teaching me so much in just 10 words. I had a hard time memorizing this verse because I keep trying to change the which to the word who. It just didn't make any sense to me why it would refer to Christ as a which not a who. Then out of nowhere tonight while typing this verse on another site, the Holy Spirit opened my blinded eyes and I finally saw that what strengthens me is doing all things. If you write the verse as I can do all things which strengtheneth me, you will see it. I had completely been misunderstanding this scripture. I can't do everything or all things, only those that are designed to make me stronger and help me grow in Christ. Those are the things that Jesus helps me to do and to overcome. Not everything that we do is profitable for us, spiritually, emotionally or physically. I now understand the context of this verse and see why its which and not who. He opened my blinded eyes :).

A-Z Scripture Memorization - E

I found a wonderful new blog. Anyone one who knows me, knows that I love anything family oriented and love making every day a fun special day. Just from the few posts, I have already read I love this woman's blog. She has a wonderfully neat meme for memorizing scriptures following the letters of the alphabet. I love scripture memorization and I really have wanted to do the letters of the alphabet every since I saw a little 5 year old boy at church go through the alphabet and know a scripture for every letter. I felt put to shame to think I hadn't put as much effort into learning God's word. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 119: 11 "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee". I don't have enough of His word hid in my heart so I can't wait to learn theses verses. I am a little behind but will be working hard to catch up. I hope you will join in and learn some wonderful new verses each week. I am just so excited to be part of this new meme.

Here are the verses so far that I need to catch up on.

A - As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

B - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

C - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

D - Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ~ Colossians 4:2

This week's verse is
E - Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

TSMS-Tell the Mountain

First I would like to say that sadly I will not be commenting on most of my fellow TSMS posters. Its just too hard for me to read the captcha things and most of you have them on so I have decided I am no longer going to make myself frustrated trying to figure out what the stupid letters are. Just know that I do visit your blog, I just won't be commenting anymore.

Now onto new topics. I have had a very stressful week at work. I will be so glad when I am done with this job. God has opened another door for me and I am going thru it in the very near future. I am so happy that it feels like my heart is going to burst out of my chest. I heard this song on the radio not long ago and I just loved it so as soon as I got home I googled for the song on You Tube. I hope you are as blessed by this song as I am. Since I come from the great mountainous state of West Virginia, I can see the beauty in mountains. My goal is to learn to see the beauty in the mountains that God leads me through. I hope as you encounter mountains in your life, you turn to and trust the best guide there ever was or will be to guide you through.

TSMS- Secret Ambition

I heard this song this week for the first time so I wanted to share it with you. I have been so behind on posting because I haven't felt very well lately. I am hoping as my iron levels rise I will start to feel better.

36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

I saw this on a blog and it really hit me. I have been getting sicker and sicker lately it seems. I think a lot of it is stress and not letting God be God in my life. I am going to put some of these in to practice right away. I googled trying to find the source but every one has the list but not the author we are going with source unknown


36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS:

Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow, and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day without feeling rushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Every night before bed, think of one thing you are grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
6. Simplify to keep your life uncluttered.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. 'Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you.' (I Peter5:7)
12. Make every effort to live within your budget.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. KMS (Keep Mouth Shut); this single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the 'kid' in you everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that is uplifting,i.e. music, etc.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with people who love Jesus.(Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14)
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus." (I think this relates to the idea in all things give thanks)
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
36. Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you'll have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you'll have worried twice.

Coca Cola Cake from Southern Plate

Since I finally got moved to a new place, all the guys at work have been after me to make some baked goodies again. Last week I made this cake and it was a huge hit. Even the woman who works with me in the office and doesn't like chocolate cake loved it and took the leftovers home. She said it wasn't like cake at all it was so fluffy. I think it was so airy because of the extra marshmallows or maybe I whipped it extra, not sure. I was afraid she was going to go into a diabetic coma she loved it so much :). I wish I had taken some pictures of the cake though.


Coca Cola Cake from Southern Plate

Ingredients

1 package plain white cake mix
4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 cup coca cola
½ cup buttermilk (Or substitute 1/2 C whole milk with a T of lemon juice stirred in)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups of marshmallows ( I added an extra handful)
Icing:
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter or margarine
4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 Cup coca cola
4 Cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 Cup chopped pecans (I actually used the whole pack small size, I have no clue what size it was but it covered the top of the cake :)!)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a 13x9-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Set the pan aside.
Place the cake mix, cocoa powder, melted butter, cola, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides with a spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes.
The batter should be well blended. Fold in the marshmallows. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan it the oven.
Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger and just starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, 40 to 42 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, prepare frosting while cake is still hot.
Place the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. As the butter melts, stir in the cocoa powder and cola. Let the mixture come to just a boil, stirring constantly, and then remove it from the heat. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar until the frosting is thick and smooth. Fold in the pecans.
Pour the frosting over the top of the cake, spreading it out with a rubber spatula so that it reaches the edges of the cake. Cool the cake for 20 minutes before serving.

Offended

I am getting ready for bed but have some thoughts I wanted to post first. I subscribe to a lot of email blog postings and as I was looking over my emails this morning, I saw one and the heading was words to the effect of Another Famous Person dead, Who Cares? Basically her rant was that Whitney was a bad person and how it was a tragedy that all these wonderful church people died but who really cares that Whitney died and what a bad role model she was. Now the biggest thing that bothers me is that this woman apparently thinks she is right with God and I think she needs to fall on her knees and ask for forgiveness. First off I can say that Jesus cares that this beautiful young woman pass from this earth most likely in an unsaved condition, second Jesus says in John 8:7 "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.". If you are without sin in your life than please let me shake your hand because I want to fall down and worship at your feet since you must be Jesus Christ since Romans says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Yes, Whitney made some bad choices in her life but we are supposed to be compassionate and have love one for another. 1 John 3:14 says "we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." How much love is there in the statement who cares? If you are saved and haven't made really bad mistakes in your life than you need to thank God for His mercy and if you think that its all your doing than I suggest you search yourself. Except for the Grace of God, there goes I. Sorry for the long post but I get so upset with people who have no compassion or are so judgemental and think they are so above other people. I don't know about you but I know that I am a sinner saved only by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ and that he thought my sins were so bad that they required Him to be tortured and to die that I might have forgiveness for them. Ok I am done ranting now.

R.I.P Whitney Houston

This has been a horrible weekend for me personally and then I saw where Whitney Houston died yesterday on my 's 3rd birthday. She had so much talent and was so spectacular but got off track for a while. I feel so bad for her family and friends. Bless her daughter's broken heart today.

Here are some of my favorite videos of her's.
I think she will always be remembered best for this one.



I love this song and have spent many hours listening over the years.



My all time favorite. I love love love this song.




She was so young and absolutely beautiful in this earlier hit.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Your entire life can change in the blink of an eye. You wake up and have no clue whats coming your way but God is still on His throne and in control. My only worry yesterday was going to the doctor about my sinus infection and I come home to find out that my ex-fiancés stands accused of a horrible crime. I know this man and I have loved this man. I can not and will not believe anything less than his innocence. I know this trial has meaning in Heaven and I am trusting that it will serve to bring salvation and joy. I am reminded of how often I have heard something on the news and immediately jumped to a conclusion without knowing the people involved or the facts. I remember when my uncle was killed in a mining accident years ago, I thought than that when you read or hear of another mine fatality, you don't know the depth of pain involved. You hear it and go on with your world. I will learn to not be so judgemental if nothing else from this. Please pray that God's will shall be done and the truth shall set us free.

A little win

I got a call yesterday while I was sleeping that was from the Frito Lay Superbowl Sweepstakes saying I had won a prize. I immediately envisioned tickets to the next superbowl :) but after calling and waiting for them to call me back turns out I had won a $50 gift certificate to Food Lion. Not a bad prize at all just not tickets to the superbowl in New Orleans :). I don't remember entering this contest but I think it must have been on the Food Lion web site since the only choices were for stores that Food Lion owned liked FL, Bottom Dollar or Blooms.

Friday when I get paid I am going to the dr first thing. I feel so bad and just completely drained of energy. I have just been getting worse and worse and just didn't make the effort to save enough for my copay but something has to change. I can't hardly stand to be out of bed now because of my head hurting, and having no energy.

New Trailer

Well we bought the trailer but its a total dump. It needs completely redone, new wiring, walls, floors and ceilings. It needs new siding on the outside and we would like to build a v shaped roof on it if thats not against the rules. We are going to cut the wall from the living room to the kitchen in half and make like a bar and the wall opposite we are going to move into the living room a bit more and make the second bedroom bigger. It can be fixed and at least once its done then it will be a place to live. Right now I cant see me ever living there because I dont want to live in WV without Junior so until I am over it or God brings a miracle into my life, I am just staying in NC. I will edit this post later to add some pictures but haven't downloaded any from the camera yet.

Tax Time

Well I finally got my W2s from work and filled out my taxes. I pay the bare minimum in federal because due to my work situation I fell behind on my student loans so they sometimes keep my return. If I get it back I am getting just over $600 and will use it to pay the trailer off sooner. I won't know until they keep it though. I applied for a deferrment on my student loans but never got anything in the mail nor have I gotten any bills from them so who knows. As soon as I get the trailer paid for I am going to set up a payment plan with them though so that monkey will be off my back. I sometimes hate the financial aid people. I never got any loans the first 3 years of school but they kept after me to take out a loan. Turns out they get more funding if more students are in financial aid. They went on and on about how easy it would be to pay the loans back. I ended up borrowing about $11000 total but with fees and all its around $25000 now. I don't see that as low interest. Nor is there any way to get out from under it. I highly encourage everyone to never take out loans. Its about the only debt that you cant get relief from. Yet another thing I would change if I could live my life over. I know I am not very good at the whole paperwork thing. After my breakdown in 1997 paperwork completely confuses me and I have trouble dealing with it all.


Here is the song I am feeling today. I am patiently waiting on the Lord but not sure if I am still right because I am still clinging to Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And the thing I most desire is to spend the rest of my life with Junior. I just feel that if that wasn't God's plan for me, all those times I prayed and cried out asking Him to help me stop caring would have worked. So I am quietly trusting and waiting.

Happy Sunday

Well life keeps going on. After much prayer and not being able to work up my nerve to tell the guy I was dating that it needed to end, I am glad to say that he followed my lead and we have agreed to just be friends. So God took care of my Abraham issue. Now my next biggest issue is my feelings for Junior. I realize that I made him the center of my life and not God. I can't manage to love Junior less but I need to love God more. I need to focus and draw closer to God and trust Him with my life. I need to depend on Him and know that He will always be there for me. Pray for me as I work out this problem in my life and work to get closer to God.

I have cooked all morning. I boiled a dozen eggs, baked a pan of chicken strips and made a huge pan of lasagna. I want to start eating healthier so am going to start taking salads to work and I like chicken and eggs in my salads so now I am set for lunches this week. Tonight though I am taking lasagna for me and a coworker. I feel pretty good about where God has led my life right now. I am hoping to buy a used trailer next week from an old friend. That way if I should move back to WV I will have a home and Amanda will always have a place to live. Its not my dream home but it will be mine.

Check out this video from an amazing young man.

An Abraham issue

Friends I need your prayers that I would make the right decisions in my life. I find myself acting like Abraham. Not the up on the mountain trusting God to provide Abraham but the down in the valley thinking God needs my help to fulfill His promise to me. Looking at all the trouble in the Middle East that is a direct result of the conflicts between Ishmeal and Isreal, I see what happens when we don't wait on God's timing. But I am tired and discouraged. Every day someone is on my case about moving on and when I tell them that I feel and believe in my soul that God is going to work a miracle, I get more grief. Then I start to think maybe I am fooling myself and God really does want me to move on. I need help.
On that note here is a favorite song of mine that is about Abraham and choosing God.

Building 429- "Where I belong"

Sometimes it feels like I have no clue where I belong, its nice to be reminded where I belong and Who I belong to. I try to always only listen to christian music in the car and in my life. I figure if you only dwell on good thoughts it has to help you get closer to God. One of the 2 stations I listen to is KLove. I love that they offer free song downloads. Here is this week's offering song by one a my new favorite groups. Its called Where I belong by Building 429.




Sometimes it feels like I'm watching
From the outside
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing
But am I alive?
I will keep searching for answers
That aren't here to find

(Chorus)
All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong

So when the walls come falling down on me
And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea
I have this blessed assurance holding me.

Chorus

When the earth shakes
I wanna be found in You
When the lights fade
I wanna be found in You

Chorus (X2)

Where I belong (X4)

Then Sings my Soul- Nothing Greater than Grace

So far this is a wonderful year for me. I made my last car payment yesterday so thats $240 a month I can start saving, I now live 8.5 miles from work so my fuel costs have been cut by 3/4 and my rent is lower. I am so loving having a dishwasher, my frig got fixed finally yesterday. I just feel that my life is going so well now and want to give God all the praise for that. I really feel this is the best my life has been in a long time. I can't honestly say I am happy but things are on an even keel. I miss seeing my daughters and grandchildren. I still am in love with someone who no longer wants to be with me but I am working on getting over that. More importantly, I feel closer to God every day and am so blessed. Here is one of my favorite songs right now that I keep hearing on the radio. I bought the mp3 from Amazon yesterday because I love it so much. Sometimes when you are in the midst of the storms its hard to remember that nothing that comes against us is greater than the grace of God but I am so glad when Jesus reminds me of that and holds me in His arms to shield me from the blows.

Back in the saddle

Well I am finally living in a new apartment in Winston Salem. I actually have internet for the first time in almost 2 months. I really like this apartment. Now I would to start getting my act together in 2012. Sadly I feel that God isn't calling me home to WV any time soon so for whatever reason He want me here in NC, I am going to do my best here. I think part of it is He is wanting me to get over Junior. I guess when the thought of not being with him stops bringing me to my knees sobbing hysterically I might get to go home. So on that note here are some goals for the years.

1. Lose weight (always on the list but I would like this to be the last year its on here)

2. save some money to buy a place of my own

3. get more fiscally stable.

4. Draw closer to God and spend more time with Him.

5. Be happy




This is my wonderful porch. Its huge and I love sitting at the table watching the birds. I am going to buy some feeders.



Love the alcove above my stove and I seriously love the dishwasher.


cute little woodstove sitting in its own alcove. I dont use it but its cute. I think I might get some wood and keep on hand just in case since I heat with electricity.


This place was meant for me. It has built in bookcases on both sides of the living room and over my bed.



I just like this fan and the wood ceilings.

Soul Searching Questions for the New Year

Soul Searching Questions for the New Year
Last year while blog surfing I found this on a blog. The owner's pastor had posed these questions to the church and I found them very inspiring so I wanted to share them with you this year. I am posting a couple days early to give you time to think of your answers and see how you can work them out.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. What one Biblical doctrine do you most want to understand this year and what will you do about it?

5. What's the single biggest time-waster in your life and what will you do about it?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church this year?

7. For whose salvation will you most fervently pray this year?

8. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

9. What single thing do you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

10. What area of your life needs simplifying and what can you do to simplify it?

11. What habit would you most like to establish this year? What will you do about it?

12. Which person would you most like to encourage this year? How will you do it?

13. What is your most important financial goal this year and what specific steps will you take to work toward it?

14. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

15. What one thing could you do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children or grandchildren?

24 Songs of Christmas- Going Home for Christmas

I heard this song while I was driving from home to NC and just loved it. I know its talking about going to Heaven but I would love to be home for Christmas. I so want to move back to WV.

24 Songs of Christmas- Forgotten Christmas

This isn't a song so much as a video about not forgetting what Christmas is all about and why we celebrate our Savior's birth.

24 Songs of Christmas- It's about the Cross

Today is day 19 in 24 songs of Christmas. Sometimes when thinking about Christmas and the coming of the new baby, we don't consider the whole purpose of His coming was to go to the Cross. Imagine being born just for the purpose of dying. How much He loves us that He not only thought about it but actually did it for each and every one of us.

24 Songs of Christmas- When Love Was Born

This is day 18 in the 24 songs of Christmas. I just found this song and its just so sweet and wonderful I had to share with you.

24 Songs of Christmas- While you were sleeping

This is day 17 in my songs of Christmas postings.

24 Songs of Christmas- On that not so silent night

This one is brand new to me.

24 Songs of Christmas- Mary's Boy Child

Mary's Boy Child (Harry Belafonte)

24 Songs of Christmas- What a Strange Way to Save the World

What a strange way to save the world

24 Songs of Christmas- Mary was the First One.

We are more than halfway to Christmas. Today is day 13 in our 24 songs of Christmas countdown. I thought I would share an oldie with you today. I just love the Gaither Vocal Band. So many talented people have passed through the Gospel Hour.

24 Songs of Christmas- O Holy Night, We Three Kings Of Orient Are

Found this on another blog. I haven't ever heard of Ray Conniff.

24 Songs of Christmas- Christmas Shines

I found this one on another blog and really enjoyed it.

24 Songs of Christmas-Where's the Line to See Jesus

FIRST CORINTHIANS CHRISTMAS

FIRST CORINTHIANS CHRISTMAS

IF I DECORATE MY HOUSE PERFECTLY WITH PLAID BOWS,
STRANDS OF TWINKLING LIGHTS AND SHINY BALLS,
BUT DO NOT SHOW LOVE TO MY FAMILY,
I'M JUST ANOTHER DECORATOR.
IF I SLAVE AWAY IN THE KITCHEN,
BAKING DOZENS OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES,
PREPARING GOURMET MEALS,
ARRANGING A BEAUTIFULLY ADORNED TABLE ,
BUT DO NOT SHOW LOVE TO MY FAMILY, I'M JUST ANOTHER COOK.
IF I WORK AT THE SOUP KITCHEN, CAROL IN THE NURSING HOME
AND GIVE ALL THAT I HAVE TO CHARITY,
BUT DO NOT SHOW LOVE TO MY FAMILY, IT PROFITS ME NOTHING.
IF I TRIM THE SPRUCE WITH SHIMMERING ANGELS
AND CROCHETED SNOWFLAKES,
ATTEND MYRIAD HOLIDAY PARTIES
AND SING IN THE CHOIR'S CANTATA
BUT DO NOT FOCUS ON CHRIST,
I HAVE MISSED THE POINT.
LOVE STOPS COOKING TO HUG THE CHILD.
LOVE SETS ASIDE DECORATING TO KISS THE HUSBAND.
LOVE IS KIND, THOUGH HARRIED AND TIRED.
LOVE DOESN'T ENVY ANOTHER'S HOME
THAT HAS COORDINATED CHRISTMAS CHINA AND TABLE LINENS.
LOVE DOESN'T YELL AT THE KIDS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY,
BUT IS THANKFUL THEY ARE THERE TO BE IN THE WAY.
LOVE DOESN'T GIVE ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO GIVE IN RETURN
BUT REJOICES IN GIVING TO THOSE WHO CAN'T.
LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS,
BELIEVES ALL THINGS,
HOPES ALL THINGS,
ENDURES ALL THINGS.
LOVE NEVER FAILS.
VIDEO GAMES WILL BREAK,
PEARL NECKLACES WILL BE LOST,
GOLF CLUBS WILL RUST.
BUT THE GIFT OF LOVE WILL ENDURE.

24 Songs of Christmas- What is Christmas About

Growing up, I don't think there was a year I missed watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. This has been on every year since 1965.

24 Songs of Christmas- A Social Network Christmas

Not exactly a song but I thought it was sort of cute considering the world today.

24 Songs of Christmas- Jesus, Light of the World

We have made it to day 7 in the 24 songs of Christmas. I found this song and since I just love Third Day, I wanted to share with you.

24 Songs of Christmas- Christmas Makes Me Cry

24 Songs of Christmas- How Many Kings

This is day 5 in my 24 songs of Christmas postings.

24 Songs of Christmas- What Child is this

This is day 4 in my 24 songs of Christmas postings. Third Day is such an awesome and inspiring group. I could listen to them all day every day.



What Child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
* This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
[ Find more Lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.org/aOp ]
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
* Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne, for me, for you.
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
Come peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
* Raise, raise, the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

24 Songs of Christmas-Mary Did You Know

My friend MaryAnn sings this song. I just think its so wonderful. Have you ever considered Mary's point of view. I mean even though she knew what a miracle her son was, do you think it ever occurred to her all that he was meant to do and go through.



"Mary Did You Know"

[Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene]

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

24 Songs of Christmas- Come Now Our King

Bethlehem turns in tonight
A town led up by candle light
All the children tuck in tight
Bethlehem turns in tonight

The angels start their whispering
About the one they're welcoming
No one knows what's soon to be
As the angels start their whispering

Chorus
They sing glory
In the highest
Come now our King
We've been
Waiting
Come now our King

Silence falls
Yet once again
The shepherds leave for Bethlehem
Baby's cry soon welcomes them
Silence falls yet once again

They sing glory ( glory in the.. 2x )
In the highest
Come now our King, yeah
We've been ( we've been waiting 2x )
Waiting
Come now our King

Ooooh

Glory, Oh glory
You came here to save
Ooh Lord, we've been waiting so
Come now our King

Now my night has turned today
An empty manger, empty grave
Baby born so I could say
Now my night has turned today

Ooh, We sing glory ( glory in the.. 2x )
In the highest
Come now our King, oh ooh
We've been ( we've been waiting 2x )
Waiting ( waiting for you 2x )
Come now our king
Ooh ooh, Come now our King.

24 Songs of Christmas- This is Christmas- Kutless

I found this song after Christmas had already past last year and thought it was lovely.



Do you find it hard to sleep til' night,
Resting by the Christmas lights?
Could there be something you forgot?
Beyond the bows, and mistletoes,
The tree with presents wrapped below,
There's more to this than you had ever thought?
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

Chorus:
What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?

Remember how the story goes,
God's gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Beneath the star, one great and holy night.
The shepherds heard the angels sing,
The wise man brought an offering,
Peace on Earth began in Bethelethm
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

Twas the month before Christmas

I found this online but it wasn't attributed to anyone. I liked it so wanted to share. Sometimes it feels like this is how life is but I know there is and always will be a remnant dedicated to Jesus. Since this is Black Friday I thought it appropriate.


Twas the month before Christmas


Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police
had taken away,
The reason for Christmas -
no one could say.

The children were told
by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men
and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings,
the teachers would say
December 25th
is just a "Holiday".

Yet the shoppers were ready
with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down
to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna,
an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing,
something quite odd!

Retailers promoted
Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by
Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging
their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas -
was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples
and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas;
it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive,
Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used
to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden,
Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather,
on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate,
there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus,
in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word,
as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak
of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas
was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season,
stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break"
under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks,
listen to me.

Choose your words carefully,
choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!

Cats and pumpkins

Who would have ever thought cats would enjoy playing with pumpkins so much.

An Irish Ghost Story

This story happened a while ago in Dublin , and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's true.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a big storm. The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him.

Suddenly, he saw a car slowly coming towards him and stopped.


John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door.... only to realize there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn't on.

The car started moving slowly.. John looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared out of nowhere through the window, and turned the wheel. John, paralyzed with terror, watched as the hand came through the window, but never touched or harmed him.



Shortly thereafter, John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road,
so, gathering strength; he jumped out of the car and ran to it. Wet
and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had just had.


A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was
crying... and wasn't drunk.


Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the dark
and stormy night. They, like John , were also soaked and out of breath. Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other....

Look Paddy....there's that idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!!!'

National Breast Cancer Month

October is National Breast Cancer Month and sadly I am sure everyone out there has been touched by breast cancer somehow in their lives. Lets keep praying for a cure and even better a prevention.

MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do... However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God

Earthquakes in Divers places

Its been over a month since I blogged. I thought I would force myself to start back. I hope how soon open enrollment is for insurance at work. I really need to go to the doctor I think to get some meds for depression. I can't seem to win this one on my own.

Anyhow the point to this blog is to tell about the earthquake we had on Tuesday, August 23rd 2011. It happened about 3 minutes or so before 2:oo pm. I had just went to lay down trying to get some sleep before I had to go into work at 6:00pm. I sleep on an air mattress and about as soon as I got into bed, it was like a wave on a waterbed happened. It dipped and I felt the ripples. I was like what in the world so I got up and came into the living room where I saw my knick knacks on the entertainment center waving back and forth. I went outside and saw people standing around. I thought perhaps there had been an explosion here in Mount Airy. I called my aunt to see if she felt it and she had so then I got on facebook and saw everyone posting that there had just been a quake in Mineral, VA measuring 5.8. It was felt as far north as Ontario Canada and as far south as Florida. An earthquake never crossed my mind because we just don't have them here on the east coast.

The day before on the 22nd there had been an earthquake measuring 5.3 in Colorado. That was the largest earthquake there in over 40 years. Then on Tuesday night there was a small earthquake measuring 3.6 in San Francisco, CA. Some people say that its just nature, some say its global warming but I personally look to the Bible where in Matthew 24:7 it says "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." Divers means many. I honestly believe Jesus is getting ready to step out of Heaven and call His followers home. I actually feel physically sick from being surrounded by sin so much and that's never happened before. I long for the day when all the saints are gathered into Heaven to spend eternity worshipping and praising Christ.

I found there were 7 references to events that could be called earthquakes in the Bible.

1. Exodus 19:18: And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

2. 1 Kings 19:11: And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

3. Zechariah 14:5: And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

4. Matthew 27:54: Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

5. Matthew 28:2: And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

6. Acts 16:26: And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

7. Revelations 6:12: And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

I say read the Bible and come to your own conclusions but as for me, my soul is saying the end draws near. I am ready to move on. If you aren't ready please think about it and make a choice to spend eternity in Heaven.