... Music from the soul...

Thinking of Mom.....

2012-01-09T11:37:00.004-06:00

I can hardly believe its been 12 years since you were here near me in life. Its been even longer since we were able to sit and chat. How can it still cause tears to roll down my face? How is it possible to still miss you the way I do? I'm so thankful for those last years with you living with or at least close to me. What a special person you were. Such love. How many times do I have the urge to call you and tell you something???? You would love my kids and be so proud of them. The grandkids would so enjoy you! I remember you holding Tyler as a baby. He took his very first "alone" steps there in the nursing home with you. What a big, wonderful guy he is now. You would love his hugs. You never knew any of the others but you would love them. Alexa has become such a beautiful sweet young lady. Laci is a little sweetheart. She can wrap you around her little finger with just one look! Then there are Chris' kids, Andrew and Nate. Andrew is so grown up. He's "dating". How soon time passes. Nate is going to be an athelete. He's strong and loves all kinds of Legos. Kathy's little boy, Blake is such so special. He's not much into hugging and kissing but loves reading books. He's full of questions that surprise you.

I've been doing more on the genealogy and wish... oh so wish I had asked more questions. I wish I could pour over the old pictures and hear your stories again. One thing that has been on my mind this week was how your parents left North Carolina after they had lost two babies and had only Aunt Karl. The loss that your mother must have had about leaving behind those two babies knowing she probably wouldn't ever be back. Plus, leaving all the things that were a part of her life and going somewhere she didn't know anything about. Then you did the same thing. You left Arkansas with Daddy and moved to Amarillo. Were you terribly lonesome? Did you long to go back? Did it take you a long time to make friends in Amarillo? Then the loss of your own child. How did you deal with that? God must have thought you were a strong woman to lay that burden on you.

Its hard to remember back to the January you died. You were so sick, for so long. I wanted you to get better so bad. I didn't want to let you go but I couldn't stand that you were so sick. I have to remind myself of the joy you must have had on leaving here and being finally at peace. You were so loved ! I was so proud of you.

"I Can't Even Walk" By Jessy Dixon, David Phelps, Guy Penrod

2011-09-28T17:18:00.000-05:00

My Most Embarassing Moment or.. where's an exit when you want one!

2011-09-28T11:43:00.005-05:00

It's been a lifetime coming, not that I haven't had embarassing moments. There were but it has taken years for me to be able to tell my most embarassing moment. There were all the usual times that you live with that you wish were not burned into your being such as grade school when I was nicknamed, "Poor Pitiful Pearl" after a popular doll of that day. Pearl was very long legged, long scraggly hair and kinda mismatched!! Its hard to be very critical when the nickname fits so well. I did look like a starving child in Euthopia, before they were starving ( long time ago). Or the Band Day in high school where all the band wears that bulky band uniform for spirit and finding out Band Day is "tomorrow". There was the flute solo that I played that was actually a "rest" for everyone else in the band. OHH and much later after I had become a mom, taking my child to school because he missed the bus, only he didn't miss the bus. School was out on that day. That in itself was bad but I chewed that baby boy out for missing the bus and since I had to get up and out to drive him to school I went to the grocery store. It was noon before I got home and found out my son had been there just hanging out with his teacher who had a work day that day!!! :) Sorry, Chris!

The moments that we find embarassing as adults are hopefully looked upon in a different light. Or should I say, hopefully overlooked.

It is difficult even now to relate this moment. Some things become funny after time passes and maybe enough time has passed that I can finally air this great humiliation to the world. Maybe some of you have had those moments and will "walk in the light" with me as I brace myself to expose my greatest blunder to the world.

In 1994 my oldest daughter married and moved with her husband to the world of Maine, somewhere in the northern hemisphere. Far enough away that it takes a full day's plane ride to get there. There were so many tears, so many phone calls and finally the dreaded trip to the world of Maine. Its a beautiful place, awesome. So different than the south east Texas coast where we live. I spent an awesome time seeing all the sights, discovering black flies and an accent that sure didn't fit in my Texas slang. Finally it was time to come home. Again with many many tears I made my way on the plane heading back to Texas. The trip from Bangor to Newark was uneventful. The Newark airport is a whole new learning curve for an east Texan but I was in it for the ride. After all, my baby connected us!

We boarded the plane and taxied to the runway and stopped. And waited. And waited. After about 40 minutes the captain said we were going back to the terminal for a medical emergency. Another 30 minutes and we started out again. This time it was raining but since when does a little rain stop a big jet? o.k. o.k. The pilot came on and said we had lost our place in line and because of the rain we were now number twenty three.. that's 23 in line!!!! Lots of groans and moans. It was getting close to 2 hours now just sitting on the tarmack. People were getting crumpy. Finally, the captain said he was going to allow a 15 minute break to get up and move around. They couldn't offer any drinks because they needed to be ready to take off. People filled the aisle to the bathroom.

Background on me. I do not like public bathrooms and avoid them like the plague. I dehydrate myself when I know I'll be out so I won't be compelled to visit those places. Knowing this about myself I sat there quietly while everyone else on the plane trekked down that aisle.

People were seated and strapped in. We waited. The total time on the plane that day was 5 hours and 15 minutes before we took off but I'm getting ahead of myself. After about another hour people were really grumbling. This was awful. We were tired and by now even my dehydrated state was beginning to become more fluid :) I kept thinking even if we took off it was still over 3 hours to get to Houston, an hour on the ground, 45 minutes to Beaumont and 30 to my home. Plus, I knew by this time that there was no way I would make my connecting flight to Houston so I was facing a public bathroom whether I wanted it or not.

The captain said we could have a break and again that aisle filled up but I had no choice. I squeezed my way in line and waited. The bathrooms were set at the back of the plane diagonally facing the aisle. FINALLY, my turn. Sitting down to take my "break" I started fluffing up my hair. It was somewhat long and had flattened sitting against the plane seatback. Somewhere in that process I looked through my hair at the floor and what should have been the door but was instead a pair of sneakers, little girls sneakers. Next to her sneakers were HIS sneakers and behind HIS sneakers were HER heels... etc etc etc....... Still looking through my hair, my brain started saying YOU DIDN"T SHUT THE DOOR, STUPID!! I'm not sure how long it took my brain to engage my body to move but there was a debate going on between brain and muscles about what my next move should be and how soon that next move should happen but it is and never will be quick enough to remove that view from my brain. I was sitting on a PUBLIC TOILET in front of a whole line of people !!!!!!!!!!

What would you do? Would you say something? Would you scream? Would you jump up??? heaven help, no... What would you do????? I waved and smiled. There was no sympathic smile back at me just blank stares like just hurry up crazy lady!!! I shut the door and tried to think of some way out of that bathroom. There is no way I would fit down that hole, so that was out. The only thing to do was walk back out in front of those people !!!!!!!

That's what I did. I fluffed my hair again but this time moved it to cover more of my face and opened the door. I didn't look anyone in the face and just kept walking. I prayed that the man sitting next to me had not been in that line!!!!!!

To this day I check where the bathrooms are located when I get on the plane. I also make sure the door is LOCKED. It still feels like a mute point, like closing the gate after the cows are out. You can't take it back. Ohhh me.

New Experiences in the Aging Process!

2011-09-25T12:49:00.005-05:00

Its been a long time coming but finally I gave in and purchased a scooter and lift to make my mobility better! In the back of my mind I could see my mom on her scooter and as much as I loved her, I hated dealing with that scooter and knew I would never need one. God does have a sense of humor, doesn't He? :)

Thurs was my first day out with the scooter. :) :) Just to be on the cautious side, I brought it in the house to make sure there was a good charge on the batteries. That was last week and Wily had to "unstuck" it from the front door. Charging it was easy, for someone, I'm sure but not me. Why did they have to put that crazy plug on the end. Its a three-prong plug covered so you can't tell where the prongs fit and since I have reached the point that I needed a mobility scooter, seeing and reaching the floor are also on my list of MOBILITY problems !!! Willy was out of town so I had to wait for him to plug in the dang thang. That was all right, too because I wasn't as mad by the time he got home.

FINALLY, time to leave the nest. I rode the scooter out to the van. So cool. Opened the door and proceeded to load it just like they told me. I promise, just like they told me !! :) It began to lift the handle bar and front tire but the seat and back were like glued to the ground. I lowered the lift and started all over. I upped and downed it, in and outed it but the scooter was still hanging like it had been crucified, arms out . I knew I had to do something or be late to Bible Study so I upped it as high as it would go and began shoving with all my might to get it in. (Again, I refer back to the mobility issue ) All the while thinking this was supposed to make life better for me??? I wish I could explain how it looked inside the van. Took me several more attempts of shoving and arranging to get the van door to close. By this time I was glistening. Southern women don't sweat, they glisten :) :) The thought crossed my mind that I really should go in and take a shower but I was late.

Last year Bible Study started at 9:00 and coffee at 8:30. This year they changed the time to what I thought was coffee at 9 and BS at 9:30 so since I was already running late I decided to go on and not let anyone hug me. Do you realize we are a world of huggers???? My wig was double glistening and I was very unsure of my odor status but I went on. You'd think by this age I would have learned this lesson. ANYWAY. I rushed in totally giving up on the idea of using the hung scooter because I wasn't sure I could get it back in the van. The first lady I saw said, I thought you were bringing your scooter. I said... well, I kinda did and told her the story. The next thing I knew there was a scooter brigade to get my scooter out of the van. I kept saying, no, that's all right, I'll get Willy to figure it out tonight but NO.. NO......About 10 women headed out to the van.

Yep, they all agreed, it was hung. There was laughing and some hollering but I saw that scooter come out. It came out screaming! I don't know how or what was adjusted but it was beeping constantly and wouldn't move. You should have seen the determination in that pack of women. It was like a hive of bees moving their queen just buzzing around touching, pulling, pushing and laughing. Finally, mission accomplished and I happily rode in on my little chariot.

My friend Cheryl came up to me then and said she was suprised to see me so early(I'm always late ) Turns out I had the times wrong and coffee was at 9:30 and BS at 10:00 :) :)

BS was great but in the back of my mind I kept thinking about getting the scooter "hung" again. It was great having it tho because our church is so big.

Afterward, I waited on Cheryl and thought, that's good, more people are leaving. Fewer to watch as I load this thing. :) Finally Cheryl was finished and we headed to the van. Cheryl is all miss confidence... "We can do this! "!!!! I wheeled up to the van just like they told me and lowered the little crane like thing and attached it to the seat. It would NOT go in right. We hung it in the air for a few minutes, re-tried it and still, it would NOT go in right. By this time we are both GLISTENING BAD and laughing till we could hardly breathe. We got serious and set our purses down and began to push and shove. We got it in but couldn't close the door. I kept thinking that I would never ever use this again. So much for making my life easier. We took the little cutesy basket off and kept shoving till we got the door closed.

The place that installed the lift was just a few blocks away so that was my first stop after lunch. I told them about my morning experiences and whinned a bit more then made the mechanic promise not to laugh when he saw how the scooter was loaded. He did, tho. Then started telling me how easy it was to use the lift !!!!! DADGUMMMMM, I said, JUST SHOW ME !!! He started and then stopped talking and began looking further. Finally, I said, SHOW ME. He said hesitantly, It looks like there's a piece that has come off !!!!!!! He had to go back and get tools to fix it but then it did work like it was supposed to. It rose in the air exactly like a regal king being transported to his throne!!! So cool !

All that pushing and shoving and glistening wore me out! I came home and went right to my chair. So technically, I have never loaded and unloaded the scooter on my own. Cheryl says that she will STILL go with me on my first voyage out. Bless her heart. We're supposed to go this afternoon so say a prayer for me.

First full day with Scooter !

My poor friend, Cheryl was in pain today but she wouldn't admit it was pushing and pulling on that scooter that caused it. We had lunch at Olive Garden then went to J C Penney in the mall ! I haven't even been to the mall in YEARS. It was so much fun. I can see right now that this time/energy saving device is not going to be cost effective ! Only 4 tops, tho. There was only one little hitch with scoot. When I got it on the ground and ready to ride it started screaming again, well, actually only beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. Just sounded like screaming at the time. Turns out there are like little gears down near the wheels. I know one engages the wheel and one kinda puts a brake on... don't know what the other one is for but you have to have it on the right gear, as in the go gear ! I'm not too concerned about learning what they all mean because the first time Willy goes with me he will tell me exactly what I'm doing wrong and how I should do it correctly!!!

For a while after my mother came to live with us she lived in an apartment right next to the church and right behind a grocery store That was before cell phones. At the church if she had a problem the guys would make sure she got home but one day I got a call at the school that my mom was stuck in Kroger and couldn't get her groceries back home. You know the old saying, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!! I can see right now there are going to be those days! :)

Thought on this Day - Tyler

2011-08-13T22:50:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I find it hard to grasp that nothing ever stays the same. Nothing ever stays the same. It would be so nice to wake up with all your problems solved, money in the bank and only sunshine coming through the windows. It just doesn't work that way. As we learn early in life, rain must fall.

Gardening used to be so rewarding. Seeing all the tiny seeds push through the dirt straining to get into the sunshine. There's a fragile balance of water and sun to keep the little seedlings growing and at times a real challenge for sure! Now days my plants struggle just staying alive from neglect and I'm sure there's another whole story on that subject.

Our lives as Christians have a tendency to struggle in the same way. We want to always be on the mountain top but its through the valley that we learn to trust and grow.

My sweet grandson Tyler has been facing some difficult times this summer and this past weekend has been even more difficult. Tonight we learned that he has broken his leg skating. School starts on Monday. OOPS !!! More prayer needed here!

A friend said sometime to me about treasures and it made me think of the old song we used to sing.

Are you longing for the fullness
Of the blessing of the Lord
In your heart and life today?
Claim the promise of your Father;
Come according to His Word,
In the blessèd, old time way.

Refrain

He will fill your heart today to overflowing.
As the Lord commandeth you,
“Bring your vessels, not a few.”
He will fill your heart today to overflowing
With the Holy Ghost and power.

Bring your empty earthen vessels,
Clean through Jesus’ precious blood.
Come, ye needy, one and all;
And in human consecration
Wait before the throne of God
Till the Holy Ghost shall fall.

Refrain

Like the cruse of oil unfailing
Is His grace forevermore,
And His love unchanging still;
And according to His promise,
With the Holy Ghost and power
He will every vessel fill.

I started looking for this song but can't find a good version but I did run across this article. Thought I would share it. We are earthen vessels, easily broken and worn but because we have the Lord He is able to fill them.

2 Corinthians 4:6-11

By Dr. Mark E. Hardgrove

If you had a great treasure, something so valuable that you would sell all that you have to obtain it, once you got this treasure where would you put it? Look at what Paul writes. "God . . . has shone in our hearts to give the light of the know of the glory of God [as seen in] he face of Jesus Christ." Then Paul writes, "but we have this treasure in earthen vessels . . .." The treasure is Christ in our heart, the hope of glory. The treasure is a right relationship with the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. This is the key that gives us access to the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of God is the pearl of great price.

we know what the treasure is, in short, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ alive and working in our lives. Therefore, the clay pot is us. I know that doesn't give us much to glory in, but the truth is that God reached down and got a hand full of red earth and formed man. Then God breathed a spirit in to man and he became a living soul.

The pressures of life are relentless. The pressures of the world to conform to ideals and styles, appetites and desires that are contrary to God's Word, are constantly bombarding us from the media, at school and at work. The pressures of responsibilities in the family, on the job and in the church are always weighing upon us. Paul said of us clay pot that we are hard pressed.

We are hard pressed, from every side, and every angle, but because of the grace of God, the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are not crushed.

We are not crushed because the treasure in us sustains us. When a submarine goes thousands of feet below the ocean, the pressure of the water would crush the hull were it not for the air pressure within the ship. And in the waters of life, we would be crushed were it not for the Spirit of God that dwells within us

We are needy tonight, Lord! Please fill our vessels!

Psalm 73:23-27

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Pondering Life

2011-01-03T17:36:00.003-06:00

My daughter has renewed her determination to be more faithful with her blog. I have MUCH more time than she has so why don't I do it? Maybe because she has something important to say but why should I let that hamper me, right?

Today was another wait in the doctors office which always makes me ponder. There's just nothing else to do. Why do people talk very soft in a crowded office? Doesn't it just make you want to listen harder to see what they are saying? Then there's the couple that doesn't care who hears them and even the occupants of the next doctors office can hear. Why does the whispered conversation seem more interesting? Today the loud couple were discussing pizza. It was all I could do to not join in. The only thing that was not discussed was which pizza place had the bargain pizza for $3.50 and "today is MONDAY, you get TWO". Wow, talk about cardboard. That must really be cardboard. Parts of the conversation were on whether pepperoni or sausage was better.... then, too, just plain cheese was good. "Mother likes pepperoni but only if its included in the sale... no wait, I better go call her to make sure..." Minutes later this conversation continues with him asking her to write down what mother likes. He was right that she likes pepperoni. She, on the other hand would prefer hamburger. I'm sitting there thinking this can't go on much longer but it does. Price is discussed... He paid for their lunch so it was decided that She would buy the bargain pizza. No, mother will pay for hers. She says she's having a hard time thinking about the pizza cause she's so full from their big lunch, that HE bought. You're thinking this conversation is about over but nope.... he thinks "Sue might like a pizza, too. " Maybe he should go call her and see. They must not have arrived in the new tech age where everyone uses a cell phone so he leaves again. Yes, Sue wants one. She says she can eat it later in the evening or maybe even for breakfast. They warm up pretty good if you cook them slow in the microwave. Why don't more of the pizza places have such bargains? I'm thinking how can you say all this and not mention WHERE the place is... o.k. back to the subject...you can't buy a frozen pizza for that price. Diogorno makes a good pizza but its over $5.00 for the smaller one. "Have you ever tried the stuffed crust variety"? OMG, it is so good. Would you believe I can't remember the other brand that was mentioned???? AND discussed?

While this conversation is going on ... and ON... other people are quietly sitting reading magazines and minding their own business. What are the other people thinking? Some can't hear well enough to be a part of it. This I know because the nurse has to yell their names. Its such a quiet atmosphere for the most part with only short sudden bursts.. MR JOHNSON!!
I guess they figure since its a heart doctors office they will give you a little jolt for the heart to keep you moving. EVeryone always turns and watches the lucky person move inside the magic door. Once inside that door the activity level changes and there is a glimmer of hope that you won't be spending your next hour within those walls. There are always little surprises inside those walls that keep you on your toes. Sudden hospital visits tend to make you a little more cautious about blindly heading down that hall. Inside the rooms is total silence. Where's the couple with the pizza when you really want to waist a little more time????

Tomorrow's thought: Shopping at Walmart!!!!!

Politics or Would I be happier if I put my head in the sand!

2010-09-29T15:44:00.005-05:00

Good grief, what is this world coming to. We have been told all our lives how evil communism, socialisim, marxism.. etc are so how can we even be faced with this degree of radicalism in our America? It blows me away. This morning I read the goals of the One Nation rally scheduled for this coming Sat. They talked about not letting the RADICAL TEA PARTY take over this wonderful country..... HUH? Their slogan, One Nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all...... HOW could that be so opposite of what the tea party wants? Yes, I listen to Glenn Beck, faithfully I might add, and he always says not to take his word but to do the research for yourself. Well..... I have been. I am just dumbfounded. Not only is the communist party out of the closet, so is everyone else. How can our dreams and desires be so far different and yet have some of the same content? Where is reason? What is wrong with MORALITY? What is wrong with HONOR? For example, unions were/are part of our history. Unions were needed to help the worker stand on even footing but now? Unions as a whole contribute to the downfall of many thriving businesses. Employers can move to other countries cheaper than paying the bill for the demands of unions.

I had to look up the term astro turf but here's what I found:
"In response to the success of the Tea Party rallies in April 2009, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) accused the nascent movement of being “astroturf”–a political term of art for a faux movement funded by traditional powers to give a cause the appearance of independent grassroots support.
Pelosi repeated the “astroturf” slur in August 2009 as Tea Party activists showed up in large numbers at healthcare townhall meetings.
Five national tea party-related rallies have been held in our nation’s capitol in the past year and half. If there was evidence that thousands of tea party activists were getting free bus rides to these rallies, surely the media would have made certain the whole world knew about it."

There were no free buses for the Tea Party and yet the rally for One Nation has advertised where to find the buses, lunch will be included along with a T-Shirt for the event!!!!!!! Sponsors for the event are unbelievable. Exactly what I thought no longer existed in our nice, free America. All the big unions are included, AFL-CIO, SEIC, NAACP and the one that knocked the air out of me... Communist Party of the US/Youth Leadership WOW.....lots of socialist groups on and on and even a mention of the National Baptist Convention. Well, slap me silly and call me pudding!!!!!!!! The world seems to move further and further out of my set ideals on a daily basis. I am the tea party, I am a retired middle income person that believes I shouldn't live above the income that I receive. There's no one around to bail me out if I do. I believe our founding fathers set up a system of govering that made this country the greatest country in the world where everyone was free. Free enough to say whatever gawdawful thing they want. I believe there are rules to living in this awesome country. I resent people NOT obeying the rules, ALL the rules, even our government leaders that somehow manage to "overlook" paying their taxes. Just let me try that and see what would happen!!!

O.k. enough of my rant. I am the Tea Party if only my tail feathers are sticking out of the ground!!

God Moment

2010-08-05T16:00:00.003-05:00

God Moment

There are times when we FEEL God speaking to us and there are times you KNOW God's Hand has guided your hands to what He wants to share with you. There are times of finding a scripture that really speaks to you, finding some kind of little nugget in the word but this one tonight is just a gift right in my hands. I'm sitting here crying about the wonderfulness of it!!!O.k. I love the Gaithers and so often when I have the computer on, I have Gaither songs playing. Last week I set up a playlist of Gaither Vocal Band songs. They are about worn out I've played them so many times.
One song has been stuck in my brain for days!!! I'd go back to PC and play that song... pondering.The song is "These are They who came out of great tribulation" Tonight I have played that song over and over. Finally, I googled the lyrics so I could see all the words written

These Are They
"the oceans give up all the dead that are in them
the graves open wide to set captives free
and those who are roaming
the earth rise to meet them
abrahams seed as the sands of the sea
chorus:
these are they who have come out of great tribulation
they have washed their robes
in the blood of the lamb they have gone through much sorrow
into great jubilation
they're redeemed by the blood of the lamb
like a strong mighty army their voices are ringing
the great crowds of witnessessing freedom song as
they enter the country built by their own father
the promissed homeland
they yearned for so long
(change key)
all the strangers and pilgrims are no longer strangers
all the tired, weary wanderer's
they will wander no more
the table is ready for the great celebration
and the welcome home banner flies over the door
back to chorus "

My mom was a licensed Assembly of God minister. Her messages were always on helping people understand the Rapture and Second Coming as well as the Tribulation. The first words in this song talk about the people who have cleaned their robes. From my mom's teachings I remember these saints as the ones that did not go in the Rapture . They had to go through the great tribulation and practically give their lives for God. They were only a small number that will make Heaven. Rev 7:9-17. For days the words wandered around my brain. Its a beautiful song and makes me think my mom is actully much closer to me all the time.

Anyway, tonight when I came to the computer, I played that song again and while I was listening I did a google search for the lyrics so I could read them. Then I opened my E-Sword online bible to look up that scripture. For some reason the search did not find "These are they..." I played the song a few more times wishing I had paid more attention to mom's teaching when I had her. Finally I got out MY old Dakes Bible. My mom's bible was right next to mine but I picked up mine. Found the verse in Rev 7:9-17 Then I started looking in Dake's notes. A few old photos dropped out of the Bible and as I was putting them back I noticed a faded, worn, note in my mother's handwriting. She had notes everywhere. Her own Bible can hardly close because of her notes. The thought went through my mind, 'wouldn't it be neat if this note was on this verse:???

Well........ thank you Lord and my momma. Its on this verse exactly. She must have been studying and starting jotting down her thoughts......

If you choose to look at this in the eyes of the world, its just a crazy coincidence but as I looked at it, tears filled my eyes. How awesome is it when you can almost reach out and touch a person just with the spirit? I can hold this piece of paper that my mother jotted notes on and feel her sincere desire to learn more about God and to share that knowledge with others. Tonight it has been VERY special to know our minds were so attuned that God was able to touch me through my mom's writings. Mom's been dead since Jan 1999. I miss her more as I get older. She was a special lady.

Here's what she wrote, just the way she wrote it...."Some who teach prophesy emphasize the antichrist and the horrible events of the Tribulation more than the Glories of Christ and the great and mighty things God is going to do to glorify His name and many Christians not only ignorant of God's plan and His purposes but are careless and indifferent to divine things. The Natural man receiveth not the things of God they are spiritually discerned.
In a great efford to attract peoples attention to Him and His Power to save and help from the awful tribulations. The Laodocean Church - had no white garments. Their garments were spotted Eph 4 - The Bride is to be without spot or blemish, white garments, not stained, lost their virtue - on the fence flirting with the world, indifferent to admonition of the word to walk in Righteousness. Lukewarm. Joel says "in valley of Decision can't make up mind- want to be religious - and do not want to be lost, want world. In Chaper 7 of Rev. they make up their minds , wash robes, make them white in the Blood. "These are they that have come out of great tribulation!!!"
We believe that we Christians will be taken out before the tribulation actually starts but that's not the END. There will be a "remnant" that will stand up for Jesus, cleanse their robes... profess to the world their faith. These Christians will have to suffer and endure horrible times.

It was such a good time to share a little nugget of mom's teaching, in her own handwriting. How awesome is that? Thank you, Lord!

Another thought on aging

2009-05-05T23:02:00.003-05:00

I have heard of elderly people having this problem, then Kathy had them but that was just a fluke. SO... what's up with ME getting the SHINGLES??? I'm not ELDERLY !!!, am I ????? O.k. getting shingles is bad bad bad so what have I done in my life to deserve getting them on my FACE????? WHO ever gets them on the FACE??? PAIN..... oh my gawd@@@!!@$ I have never hurt so much in my life and for days and days, doctors and nurses, strange people of all descriptions were in my face looking, poking... hmmm'ing, Just give me some more pain meds and you can look all you want. The highlight of the whole hospital thing was the doctor taking photos as I "progressed". I'll probably end up in some medical journal only no one will know its me, not that I really want anyone to know its me but geez... shouldnt' there be some pay back for all this pain?????
Just remember if you are ever given the choice of having your lower lip pulled up and over your head OR....a case of shingles... choose the lipt thing!!!!!!!

Chestnuts roasting on the scrapyard fire...

2008-12-17T22:46:00.001-06:00

Acorn Steel had its annual Scrap Barbeque today. The turnout was great and so was the barbeque. The weather didn't cooperate, tho. Cold and rainy

'dem bones, 'dem bones, 'dem DRY bones....

2008-11-11T10:09:00.009-06:00

My focus as of late has been on hurricane ike and the so called recovery process. Thank the Lord, I'm able to be in my home, sleep in my bed ( :) ) and type on my own computer. For that I am blessed. Never would I have understood the extent of pain others are going through except I see it happening to my brother and sister in law. The pain of losing everything is unbelievable but that's only the beginning of the horror.

Its been 2 months now and no possibility of an end in sight. They have moved from hotel to hotel, some very nice, some adequate. The story is long and discouraging. Help comes with a "forked-tongue". True one day, false the next. What I want to tell you today is one of the realities of this type of natural disaster.

One day last week I went with Ted and Brenda to "view the remains" At this day, almost two months later the roads are almost passable. Rollover Pass bridge has been made into a one way bridge with a signal light. Washed out areas of the road have been temporarily patched. Debris is everywhere. Plastic bags hang from the
light poles. Those little suckers really hang in there!!!

Ted and Brenda's place is swept clean... kinda, with a heavy cover of sand. There's a huge pond where the house used to be with their car and lawn mower in the pond. There's also one window frame, no glass, left hanging where the storage shed used to be. We took pictures, Ted walked out to the edge of the property toward the beach.
Brenda and I started wandering toward the road. Rains since Ike have started bringing little 'treasures' to the surface. We found a few dishes but they weren't Brenda's. Toward the edge of the road, Brenda told me to look. It was a bone, partly buried in the sand. She moved it around with her foot and we discussed what KIND of bone it might be. We called Ted over and he said it looked like a "femar". I kept thinking, no its got to be a cow or horse or very large dog... you know, I'm really smart that way :) We took photos and put it in the van.

That bone/person rode around with us in the van for a couple of days !!!! Long story about how it got turned in but we have had a part of a human hanging out with us, being in the car while we DRANK COKES OVER IT, talked, chatted and "fairly recently" dead !!!!!! Its now in the care of the Galveston County Medical Examiner's office and hopefully will someday be reunited with family. Remember the old song we used to sing... Dem bones, dem bones, dem...dry bones. Ezekiel's bones.

Next chapter
After learning about the bone we started thinking about something else we found that was strange. There was a piece of broken siding laying face down in the sand with
things under it. I could see there was writing, like spray painting. Ted turned it over for it and it said "H e l p" sprayed on that strip. NOW, since finding that bone, that's real. Who wrote that sign? What happened that night? What's the rest of that story???

2008-10-12T10:46:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

2008-10-03T13:30:00.004-05:00

More photos from Bolivar

http://hurricaneikesept08.shutterfly.com/

Ike will live on forever!

2008-09-20T22:34:00.006-05:00

This is the view on Ted and Brenda's beach property since Ike came to visit. Where a cozy beach house used to set there has now been created a little scenic pond readily equipped with mobile transportation. If you could only see past the transportation you could view the equipment that used to be helpful in maintaining the beautiful landscape. They are anxiously awaiting the time that they will be able to dig through the shifted sands that have been newly deposited on their beach front property! (Previously, it was one street back ) Who knows what trinkets will be unearthed... possibly something of their own!

We have come to know more about weather forecasts than we ever possibly wanted to know. Evacuation has become normal. Running a generator isn't a rare instance. MRE's are FUN. Toliets are priceless!!! What a sad thing when people know how to run the system after an event. What did we do after Carla or Camille. There was no FEMA then. Did we have to take care of ourselves???? Who took care of them? Just wondering.

Here's a little Hurricane Humor

Don't know who wrote this but its funny!!!

Here are ten reasons why having a hurricane is like having Christmas. Enjoy!

Number Ten: Decorating the house (with plywood).

Number Nine: Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season.

Number Eight: Last minute shopping in crowded stores.

Number Seven: Regular TV shows pre-empted for 'Specials'.

Number Six: Family coming to stay with you.

Number Five: Family and friends from out-of-state calling you.

Number Four: Buying food you don't normally buy . . . and in large quantities.

Number Three: Days off from work.

Number Two: Candles.

And the Number One reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas:

At some point you're probably going to have a tree in your house!

Storms

2008-09-12T09:17:00.002-05:00

For the second time in less than a month we are dealing with a storm. This one threathens to be a whopper. Ted and Brenda took this photo yesterday in Gulf Shores. This is part of Ike as far west as Florida. Amazing

Brenda got word from the Galveston County Sheriff's department that there is already 5 ft of water across the main road leading to the ferry in Galveston. Doesn't look good for their beach house. So many of our friends have decided to ride it out.

Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake Recipe

2008-09-09T17:55:00.002-05:00

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug

4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!) And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Funny Trint

2008-09-09T10:47:00.005-05:00

The good nephew, Trint“The Show with Ze Frank”Ze’s New VlogMy First Attempt at Vlogginghttp://www.surelyyourenotserious.com/blog/?p=755

2008-09-08T16:51:00.005-05:00

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
- Edmund Burke

Gustav

2008-09-01T21:26:00.002-05:00

After 4 days of predicted doom, we have survived. There was a small amount of rain earlier and there were a few gusts of wind. Not that I'm complaining, just oh so relieved and perplexed. As all weather predictions are just that... predictions, not facts, it seemed somehow that there should have been just a little thunder and lightening. No, cancel that.

As Gustav approached the Coast, pinpointing a spot only 2 hours away, they were predicting it would move almost parallel with the coast, bringing the storm right over our area. There were a few moments that I knew I needed to get some things together. I did.
But I couldn't seem to leave. Probably just stubborness . :) I decided I would move
my comfy chair into the hall and close the bedroom doors and wait out whatever would happen. Still seems like a good plan to me. Guess I'll have a few more chances to test my plan since there are several more hurricanes forming.

Daina had a parade and friends over today, Chris went to see the Astros in Chicago, Kathy hunted for kitchen flooring, Ted and Brenda planned for a funeral and Sandra sat with her brother in law in the hospital after lung surgery. Marci was obvlious of what was facing her. Isn't it funny how different life is for each one of us.

Wish I had said this!!!

2008-08-29T10:29:00.008-05:00

The next time someone asks you a dumb question wouldn't you like to respond like this? Yesterday I was at my local Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Sheriff, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line when woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's A$$ and a car hit us both. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Wal-Mart won't let me shop there anymore. Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say.

Thank you Ted, for this valuable Wal-Mart Information.

Friends Passing Away

2008-08-27T22:42:00.000-05:00

This was actually Ted's buddies, Albert and Darrell. Darrell passed away today. He had been sick for a long time and probably a blessing for him to be pain free and singing again in Heaven. Darrell's family was the Pastor's family. Bro Foster was the pastor of our church for.... forever, or so I thought. He was the only pastor I knew. He was pastor of the largest church in town. Jimmy Swaggert started out in the ministry at our church. Marilyn Hickey's husband was an associate pastor at the church. The Dewey's were associate pastors. Lots of well known missionaries were from our church.

Darrell and my brother were buddies... lifetime buddies. There were 5 Foster kids. One is still living. Darrell became a minister, like his father. He spoke at my mom's funeral.

This picture was taken at our house. The crochet doillie is at my house now. Mom made it. Take note that the bed in the background was not made, tho. Time is'a passing!

Mary Kay Morning

2008-08-27T13:44:00.000-05:00

Daina you would be so proud of me. Today, UPS delivered my miracle improvement system called Mary Kay. I took the time to read each label and place them carefully in my beautiful black kit. It looks so pretty but, you know what? Now I don't want to mess it up!!

Guess I'lll just go back to using my old makeup and saving this just for the look. :)

Life Rolls On and ON...etc

2008-08-27T13:02:00.000-05:00

Vaguely, I remember those days. Seems we didn't have to have as much stuff ready as kids do now. Kleenex and paper towels, handsoap, stuff like that was furnished. We had to worry about sudden bursts of emotion and sometimes the kids would cry, too ! :)

It was just the other day that I was dropping them off at school...... what am I saying?? I mean, it was just the other day I was pushing them out the door to catch the bus !!!!! Whoaaa to them if they missed that bus. I'll never forget the day Chris came back in crying that he missed the bus... 3rd grade... I had to get dressed and drive him to school. I was so aggravated. While I was out I went to the grocery store and a few other errands. The school called not long after I got home and asked me to please pick up my son, there was no school that day !!!!!!!!!!!!! OOOPPPPSSSSSS.

Kathy has all these joys ahead of her and I apologize that we all find it humorous but its only because we've been there. After reading her blog yesterday I started thinking how strange it feels to have fully grown up functioning adults as children. Kathy had some good points about thankfulness and I need to be reminded often. Today I'm being thankful that I'm NOT in my

wonderful, driveable, gold van with no A/C. Later today when I have to drive it, I'll be thankful it RUNS. Tomorrow, I'll be thankful I have a daughter close enough to come drive me to her house (since I don't want to bring the wonderful, driveable, gold van with no A/C ) to evacuate from the latest hurricane.

Flo passed away on her birthday

2008-08-26T16:19:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of Flo with her two grandson's taken this summer while they were here visiting. She loved those boys!

She passed away last night around 11 PM. There will be a memorial service at her grandson's church on Sat morning. Then next week there will be another service in her home town of Atlanta, Georgia. There was a scholarship program established in her name that will help other kids with their schooling.

Update on Flo

2008-08-18T10:28:00.000-05:00

There hasn't been much change in Flo's condition for several days. They have determined the strokes and heart attacks were brought on by a massive tumor in her brain. This picture was taken on a trip this summer with Ted and Brenda. Flo got to visit the Clinton Museum. That was one of her "bucket list" items.

She's in our prayers!

Flo Davis

2008-08-16T08:18:00.000-05:00

We met last summer when Flo came to visit her daughter, my sister in law, Brenda. Flo was my constant companion that summer. We had long talks on the porch, lunches out and a few naps together during Dr. Phil. Flo is from Georgia and just the typical Georgian peach you would expect. Her soft, gracious voice seemed to remind you of times of Plantations, rides in a carriage and large billious skirts. She was always a lady but could defend herself if necessary. She has a fiesty side that made us all stop and take note when she was truly riled. There was always a "please" and "thank you" quick on her tongue.
Wednesday evening after her usual trip to church and eating out at Jason's, she said she wasn't feeling well. Her granddaughter, DeAnna could tell there was something going on in Flo so they started to the ER. She passed out in the driveway. The doctors say she had a stroke and heart attack. By Thurs morning, the doctors didn't give her much hope.
Flo is 86 and will be 87 in a couple of weeks. I've never met such a sharp active, strong "young" lady. She could work circles around me and would if I stood still long enough.
This morning the family is waiting to hear more from doctors but I feel like Flo will probably wake up and tell them all to go home!
She won't like that her hair is messed up and she'll want to get her nails done. She's quite a lady and although we love her, we would understand if she wants to go home to be with her husband, Jay. She has missed him so much .
We love you Flo