We Serve An Awesome God!

I serve an awesome God and am so thankful for the changes coming about in me! I added a lot of scripture and have changed my "lifestyle" plan to incorporate more study and more prayer for wisdom to bring about the changes necessary in my life to get healthy! And . . . . of course, I'm changing as I seek more of Him!

Dr L is a Christian and someone I admire a lot. I know that she cares about me and cares about the way I feel and whether or not I am doing things that will help me to be healthier. I believe that I was led to Dr L years ago because I was really having a difficult time with my health and from the beginning; she has treated my "whole" person rather than the symptoms I presented to her. When I went to see her on Friday, she started me on some supplements - different than she had me on before and I can't believe how much better I feel already! This is so totally the feeling I need to remember when I have trouble resisting temptation!

I actually came home today and worked in my flowerbed for a while. I got all the old stuff off the plants where they had bloomed and the blooms died. I also trimmed my rose bushes - they have so many buds on them! They are going to be so beautiful when they're in full bloom. Even the ones I got from Michael and Elizabeth's house have buds!

My job is going great and I absolutely love the women I work with - there are no men in our office which is why I always talk about the women! I am learning new things every day and am beginning to learn my way around - a little better! I still have issues in the parking department unfortunately!

Have you ever sat in a parking lot at Wal-Mart or the grocery store or anywhere for that matter and seen people walking around looking lost because they can't remember where they parked - not even the general vicinity? Well, that's me! One day last week, my friend Debbie and I walked down to the garage together and she - can you imagine? - knew exactly where she parked her Suburban (who couldn't find a tank like that, right?) and I couldn't remember where I parked!

Debbie kept asking me if I wanted her to drive me around the garage and help me find it, but I told her no, I would find it! I was walking halfway down towards the opposite end of the garage when Debbie called me. I turned around and she had stopped behind my car and sat there pointing at the car until I got back up there! What a great friend!

I remember one day Addy and I went to Wal-Mart in Norman and I drove Elizabeth's car. When we came out of the store we walked around and around and I told Addy I couldn't remember where we parked. I said to her, "You'd think we would be able to spot that red camper shell on the truck

I am really encouraged by how I'm feeling and even though all of the stress has not left my life yet (I know - it never will), I am feeling better able to handle the stress. I am praising God for the changes He is making in me!

I would like to ask for prayer for Chance. He had some tests done last week and Dr L called me with the results on Tuesday and wants to repeat the test due to the results found last week! This has been one of those "stressors" I've been dealing with but, as I said, I feel better and feel better to handle things as well.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds. --Philippians 4:6-7

A State of the Country Address!

After checking into this a little more (actually Elizabeth called and told me that it wasn't Jay Leno''s letter) and THEN I checked it at Snopes.com - this letter as not written by Jay Leno, but was written by Craig R Smith, Worldnet Daily in November of 2006. The link to this information is http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/hitnail.asp. Sorry for the misinformation - I think it's still a good "read" on what society today has become.

This was sent in an email to me today from a friend. This letter is so full of truths and I hope it makes it around to people all over this country. I am in complete agreement with the sentiment in the letter and am grateful that someone - someone who is a real "presence" in today's society - has the intelligence to see, and express in such an honest way what people in this country have become today!

I make it a point each day to thank God for the wonderful blessings that I enjoy and hope that you do, too!

The letter'
The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source,right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?' 'Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents.

Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have ,and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.>/p>

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.

There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general''discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media.. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news.

Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another.

Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your birdcage.

Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed peoples on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

''With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?

If you agree with the sentiment of the letter, please either link to this post or put it on your site. There are a lot of people in this country who have forgotten or choose to overlook how blessed we are as a nation. A reminder certainly can't hurt!

annb

Great Weekend

My weekend has been wonderful – especially that I have had four days off! My office closed down on Friday after we all decided we wouldn’t mind taking the day off! Can you imagine anyone declining that offer?!

Friday Addy and I both had doctor’s appointments with Dr L, so I took her and then went to mine. My appointment turned out well and I was encouraged by the results! When we left the doctor’s office, we headed to my brother’s house.

The drive was about three hours, but it was a nice drive. We didn’t encounter much traffic since it was the middle of the day. I thought Addy might take a nap on the way but she was too excited! It had been about a month since we had last seen my brother and his family. Addy and I were both anxious to get there!

I miss them since they moved, but I really think it was a good decision for them. My sister-in-law has a job she loves. She actually knew she had the job before they even moved. The boys, ages 4 and three months, are staying with the same daycare provider that kept my sister-in-law when she was a child! My oldest nephew loves her and she loves the boys, too. They have a nice house and are now living in the same town where my sister-in-law’s parents live. Her parents are really good to her and to my brother and the kids! My brother is very blessed to have them as his in-laws!

The town where they live is really small! Everybody knows everybody else and as you drive around the town everyone you meet waves at you as if they had known you your whole life. One of my brother’s days off was Friday, so I was able to visit with him on Friday. He had to go back to work on Saturday, but it was nice to be able to visit with my sister-in-law then. The boys had really grown! I hardly put the baby down the entire time I was there! I slept in the boys’ room with the baby, but he didn’t peep all night! Evidently he sleeps through the night every night! My sister-in-law took us to breakfast on Saturday morning at her favorite little restaurant. She and her family meet every Saturday morning for breakfast at this same restaurant. The food was really good - home cooking! And you won't believe this, but the four of us ate for just over $10.00! The food, as I said, was great and they didn't skimp on the servings!

Addy and I came back on Saturday. She wasn’t happy about leaving and cried because she knew she would be missing them again. We got about 12 miles out of town when I remembered I had left my medicine there. We turned around and went back to the house because I couldn’t be without it. Addy then had to go through leaving them again! I took some pictures of the kids while I was there (imagine that!).

Sunday after church Michael and Elizabeth came to the house and Jody cooked out and we enjoyed a great meal together. We were all tired, so they left pretty early. I was so tired from the trip that I don’t think I moved until bedtime – when I got up and got ready for bed. Today’s been a day of rest, thank goodness. I’m always glad to be home and I’m now rested and ready for my new week!

One of My Darling Daughters

Hey, It's Friday and I'm at home! I have the best boss! I have a great job! My family is wonderful and I wouldn't trade them for anything on this earth!

Addy spent the night last night and she and I, after doctor's appointments this morning will be on the road! I'm anxious to see my brother and his family - I know the boys will be bigger already! If I had my choice, my siblings, their families and my family would all live in our own little community - able to walk out the front door and see each other's houses! Time passes so quickly and I miss being able to see them often!

I am so blessed in my life and I'm greatly appreciative and thankful that God has blessed me in all areas. One of my greatest blessings is my relationship in the Lord. I can't imagine a life outside of God's family.

Elizabeth's faith and strength of character is also one of my greatest blessings. Knowing that she and Michael work together in their walk with God and are teaching Addy to walk in that path as well. There was a great discussion posted on a blog that I regularly visit (Elizabeth also visits this same blog) started as the result of Michael and Amy's visit to a new church. Anytime I read something Elizabeth has written that shows her passion for her beliefs, I am extremely proud to claim her as mine - at least mine to share!

If you'd like to read the post and see the comments you can read it here at Michael's blog. His post encouraged some great comments and I really just wanted to share Elizabeth's comments showing one of the reasons I am so proud of her. Elizabeth doesn't back down or shy away from talking about her love of the Lord and is, as I said, so passionate about it. I'm not going to share the post, only her comments - there is a link provided above for the post.

Here are the comments Elizabeth left describing her beliefs:

HomeSchool Mommy said...
I guess everyone has a different view on church...different preferences. I grew up in the Church of Christ and I now worship with Life Church.

LifeChurch.tv is DEFINITELY a multi-media church, as were your words. When people talk badly about a church because of its practices or how they deliver a certain message or whatever, I tend to wonder who's speaking to them...the Holy Spirit or Satan.

Does it matter HOW its delivered if its drawing people to Him? How big is your God? Mine is BIG! My God can do anything and He IS working in churches...big and small...money and no money. As far as the video for the people being baptized....how big is the church? I would guess that their intent was to introduce these new believers to the church because not everyone would have a chance to know them.

And, for the volunteer opportunity...the praise and worship band works really hard. If its anything like a lot of big churches these days (including ours), there are multiple services offered. I can't imagine why anyone would scoff at the opportunity to help out our brothers and sisters. Its just a nice thing to do.

For me, it all boils down to this: Is the thought that I'm thinking right now a good one or a bad one? Is it something that will bless others or is it belittling their efforts? Is the thing that I'm upset about something that is adding to a Godly experience for someone or is it something that will turn them away from God? I think the answers to those questions will tell you whether or not your thoughts are from God or Satan. Satan is always trying to give us thoughts that what God is doing is not good...for whatever reason...it's too new/contemporary...it's too big...it's too loud...it's too fun...it's too whatever.

I say God can, will, and does use many methods to bring His people back to Him.Let's quit worrying about the little things and just celebrate that these people are finding God...and if it weren't for this place (wherever it is that you happen to see them coming to Christ), they may never have found Him.

This is 2007. Not everyone wants to worship in a contemporary church and that's fine. It's a great thing that there are still traditional churches around. BUT, this generation LIVES on the media. Our kids play video games, computer games, watch MTV, carry around IPODS, etc. As a church, would we not be stupid NOT to use those tools to bring in this new generation? If it's not relevant, you will not reach people...if we're not reaching people, what are we doing?
Jesus said, "GO! Into the world" He did NOT say, "Build a building and hope they will come to you."

HomeSchool Mommy said...
I actually came back over to apologize if I sounded like 1) I was attacking you and/or 2) Like I felt offended by your post. When I came over, I saw that you had responded to my comment.

Anyway...the point of my second visit was to clarify that I didn't mean to be harsh. I wasn't offended at all and I wouldn't want to offend you, either. Everyone has their own preferences for worship and I think that's AWESOME. The Church of Christ (where I grew up), does not use musical instruments. Their worship is VERY traditional! My husband grew up in a Baptist church, so it was very close to my childhood experience (I think they only had a piano).

We often talk about how much we miss our youth experiences/devos because we would sing a capella youth songs...the harmony was awesome. It was great to hear everyone's voices so well without the interruption of instruments. I can see how some would feel like the multimedia is from the devil...although, I whole-heartedly disagree. Everything good comes from God. He tells us this over and over. If something good is being heard/seen/etc. via multimedia, then it IS from God.

A lot of my extended family is still worshipping with the Church of Christ and I often hear some of them say that they're appalled that churches are changing so much these days. I say, reach the people. However you can...REACH the people. I know a woman who worships with the Church of Christ who said that the only reason she started going to church was because her neighbor would take her to eat pizza every Sunday after church. She said for two years, that was the ONLY reason she went. Over time, her motive was no longer pizza, but instead, God. No matter how sad, the fact is...a LOT of people will never step foot into a church building...they will never hear the story of Jesus...they will never experience His salvation. WHY? Because they don't want the "church" experience.

I'm glad there are traditional churches (as I said in my last comment) because many people WANT that type of community. But, I'm also glad that there are churches reaching out in a different way (like mine) because we need to do whatever it takes to bring people in...then, they can experience the love of God. If it takes a worship band, lights, free coffee and donuts, a moon bounce for the kids, etc...we'll do it...because you wouldn't believe how many HUNDREDS of people have come to know Christ BECAUSE we got them in the door by offering those things.

Anyway...I can really ramble. I just want you to know that I completely respect your preferences and I would never ask anyone to go against their comfort level. I just don't want anyone to think something is bad just because it's not their preference. God can, will, and does work in many ways...He is MUCH bigger than we will ever know.

See what I mean?! I'm thankful that she has amazing faith and is not afraid to share her faith with others. I'm thankful that she has a husband who shares that passion. She helps me stay strong and she and I share many discussions that involve God and ways to increase our service to Him in our daily lives!

I love each of my children so much and they each possess such amazing qualities! I can't imagine my life without even one of them! I sometimes have to pinch myself to know that this great life is mine!

My Husband - Think I'll Keep Him!

This has been a great week - as seems to be the norm for me lately! Jody has been so great since I started work and I have to brag on him! I am having trouble adjusting to my schedule and come home most days - pooped! It's not that my job is draining or difficult - I think I just became so used to being at home the past year, staying in my pjs until late in the afternoon, napping if I felt like it and just pretty much leading a life of leisure - except for caring for my Mom, but that was not hard either!

Jody has really been helping with the housework and last night he even made dinner! Jody doesn't cook, so the initiative that he displayed by going to the store and getting a frozen pizza, some Italian sausage, pepperoni, extra cheese and then coming home and putting it all together, cooking the pizza, fixing my plate and serving it to me, was completely unexpected and greatly appreciated! I talk about how good he is a lot of the time, but he completely raised the bar last night!

I was supposed to do my volunteer service this evening after work, but when I went to the volunteer office, it was locked! A girl from the next office, who works closely with the volunteers, told me that the person who is in charge of the evening volunteers is on vacation and wouldn't be there this evening! I was disappointed, but at least I didn't travel far to get to the hospital! (Tee-Hee!)

When I got home, I thought I probably should fix some supper since Jody was so great last night. I fixed some Jambalaya and biscuits, knowing that Jody likes that - but here it is 7:45 and he's not made it home yet! This is the situation I used to run into all the time, which is part of the reason I stopped cooking dinner! If I didn't cook supper, Jody would come in hungry. If I did cook supper, Jody was never hungry! Oh well, I can take some for lunch tomorrow!

Our office will be closed on Friday and Monday for the holiday weekend, so I am going out of town to visit my youngest brother and his family! I'm excited to see them - especially the kids! They have a four year old and a three-month-old baby and I haven't seen them for a month! I hope they still remember me! My plan is to go up on Friday and come back on Saturday. It's a quick trip, but I miss them and it will be nice to see them.

Elizabeth posted some pics today of their Frontier City trip! She has some great shots of Addy, my granddaughter, so check it out at here! You may not enjoy them as much as I do, but you'll enjoy them nonetheless!

I missed posting my "Grains of Gratitude" for last week even though I am thankful for many things! I know how blessed I am and thank God daily for the gifts He has given me.

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged! I love memes and love to be tagged!

Valerie, who has become a good blogville friend of mine, has tagged me to list 8 facts/habits about myself.

Here are the rules: Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

I hope I can think of 8 interesting things about myself! I live a very quiet life. (That's not one of my facts, by the way!)

Here is my list:

1) I am left-handed. My family - that I was born into - consisted of my Mom and Dad, two sisters and three brothers. My Dad was right handed along with my two sisters and my youngest brother. My Mom was left-handed along with my two oldest brothers and myself. We were divided equally - both in gender and in handedness (I know that's not a word, but you get the idea). There were four males in our family and three females!

2) I was never in trouble in my entire school experience - 1st through 12th grade - except one time! I was in the third grade. My teacher (I can't remember her name now - it's been 40 years, you know) was one of the nicest teachers I had and I loved her a lot! We - her class - were planning a surprise party for her birthday. The school had a basement and we had gotten permission from the principal to decorate the basement for the party. Of course, we couldn't let our teacher know or it would ruin the surprise! One day as I came up from the basement she caught me and wanted to know why I had been down there. I couldn't tell her and she swatted me on the behind and told me I wasn't supposed to be down there and not to go back! It broke my heart, but I still loved her! That was the only time I ever was in trouble at school!

3) I was in a wheelchair at two different times in my life. I had - during the six years from 1970 to 1976 - eight surgeries on my feet to remove tumors! They don't know why I got them and finally after the last surgery, they never returned. Those six years were some of the worst in my life! I was in junior high and high school during those years and being in a wheelchair and then on crutches did not help my already low self-esteem and insecurities! Two of those eight surgeries, they operated on both feet at the same time, hence the wheelchair.

My family lived in a house, at the time, that had a couple of steps leading down to the bathroom. When I would have to go to the bathroom, I would leave my wheelchair at the top of the steps and crawl to the bathroom and then come back to the chair - if it was still there! My brothers loved the chair and when I would leave it empty they would take it to play with, which wasn't a bad thing for me! The worst for me was when I was in it - unable to get out because I couldn't walk - and they would take me for joyrides! They would take me out back and run me around the yard, popping wheelies with my chair - with me in it! They loved hearing my screams of terror!

4) I once helped build a house - a whole house! In preparation for my Dad's retirement, my parents bought five acres - now split between my sister and I - and all of my siblings, sibling's spouses and my Dad built their house. It was a small two bedroom, one bath house, but was quite an experience! I always love to be with family - in any capacity - but this was one of the most unusual and fun experiences we shared together! Probably the most memorable part was my brother talking me into getting up on the roof while they were putting on shingles!

I was - and still am - afraid of heights and he talked me into getting up there. When I was a child I always wanted to get up on top of things with the other kids. My brothers built a tree house over the creek with a huge rope swing and I was always left out because I wouldn't climb on either! One day I decided to brave it and climbed up to the tree house! Such courage, right! Wrong! Once I got up there, I couldn't get back down - I was too afraid! The other kids had to go get my Mom to talk to me while my brothers helped me get down! I'm not much braver than that now!

5) I love to type! I know - a little strange right? I have always loved it since I took typing in high school! I was one of the fastest typists in the class and my best friend and I would always do the assigned homework for two of the football players in the class because they hated typing! My family lived in a small town when I was in high school and there were only 22 students in my graduating class. I think our typing class may have had 8 or 10 people in it! It was a lot of fun! Before I had surgery two years ago for carpal tunnel, I was able to type over 90 words a minute! My typing test results for the job I have now - when I tested just a month and a half ago - was 84wpm! I could type all day and be perfectly happy! Elizabeth (my daughter) is like that, too.

6) I had a small silver poodle when I was in my early 20's. I named it after my Grandma. My grandma's name was Sylvia Mahelia and that's what I named my dog. That was my favorite dog that I have ever had my entire life! When I first got her she was only about four weeks old. She was the runt of the litter and the mom stopped letting her nurse. I had to feed her with a little doll bottle for the next couple of weeks. Remember the cup holders that fit down in the window of the car - back before cars came equipped with them? I would put Sylvia in a cup in the cup holder so she could see outside when she rode in the car with me! I loved that dog. When Elizabeth was born, Sylvia became her best friend!

7) I was a hippie back in the '70s! I loved the "hippie" clothes - loose fitting, light gauzy material, skirts and jumpers to the floor and sandals! How great was that time! I went to concerts - some of which were held outdoors and lasted all night! I loved Janice Joplin, REO Speedwagon, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith and the Charlie Daniel's band! I have a lot of fun memories from that time and a lot of memories best forgotten!

8) I love coffee! I love the smell of coffee, the taste of coffee, the warmth and comfort of coffee! I love to walk down the coffee aisle at the grocery store and inhale all of the wonderful smells of the coffee! I like hot coffee and I like iced coffee! I add coffee to my protein shake in the mornings! When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is make myself a cup of coffee! I love coffee brewed, dripped or instant! I like coffee in the morning, in the afternoon and/or at night! I like to hold my cup with both hands - feeling the heat and enjoying the taste and the smell! I'm not obsessed, but I definitely like my coffee!

Those are eight things about me that maybe you didn't know before! I loved reading Valerie's 8 things and plan to visit each of the other bloggers she tagged for the meme!

Now, I'm supposed to tag 8, list their names and let each of them know they've been tagged! For those of you that I tag, please let me know once you've posted your 8 facts! I would love to learn more about you, too!

I am tagging . . . . hmmmm . . . .

Michael; Sheila; Elizabeth; Natalie; Amy; Tammy; Stacee; Toni

Don't forget to let me know when you've posted so I can come read your lists!

Grains of Gratitude #2

Grains of Gratitude

Hosted by Christine at http://bradysbunch02.blogspot.com

"give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today I'm grateful for many things! I'm grateful that it is Mother's Day and that I was able to talk to each of my children! I'm thankful for my wonderful family. This has been a good week and this weekend has been great!

Happy Mother's Day, Indeed! I've had such a great day today! I am so blessed!

Yesterday Elizabeth, Addy and I went to the cemetery and decorated my Mom's grave. It was hard for me when I was buying the arrangements. I miss her and to know that I couldn't see her on Mother's Day was a little tough. I cried - in the store - all the time I was looking through the arrangements. I got through it though and it was good to be able to put the arrangements on her grave.

Jody gave me my Mother's Day gift yesterday and I love it! This is the first time in 18 years that he has really given me something that means so much to me! He always gives me nice gifts, and I always appreciate them but never has he given me one that was so heartfelt! He said he got the idea from reading my blog! Imagine that! One more reason to blog!

He read that my favorite thing to do is sit on the porch and drink my coffee in the mornings! Now, I've done this for a long time, but I guess he never thought it was a big deal. We've had garden furniture on the porch ever since he built the deck, so I've always had a place to sit! That he would get me the rocker was great. Oh yeah, I didn't say what the gift was, did I?

He gave me a white wooden loveseat rocker!

I went out to sit in it this morning to drink my coffee, but the dew was pretty heavy and it was wet. I'm sure I'll be using it a lot as the weather gets warmer. Did I say that I love it? I really do!

Jody, Chance and I went to church this morning - at LifeChurch. Addy spent the night with us last night, so we had her with us as well. Michael and Elizabeth met us early so that Elizabeth could get Addy dressed. She hadn't planned for her to spend the night when they came out yesterday, so she didn't have clothes for church with her. It was fun to have her for the night!

The service at church was great and in honor of Mother's Day today, they had a Child Dedication Service! That was really an experience for me. That's not something we ever did at church as I was growing up and in my adult years as long as I attended my regular church. The dedication was really special and something that I'm sure has an impact on families. Parents brought their young children and babies before the congregation to introduce them and to show their dedication to raising their children in the love and admonition of our Lord! How great is that? It wasn't a baptism service - only a dedication. A member of the church family prayed before the congregation - and asked the congregation to join in that prayer - for the child and for the family as they made that dedication to God.

After church, Jody and Chance left to do some work at the house of one of Jody's co-worker's. Michael and Elizabeth - and Addy - took me out to lunch for Mother's Day. We had lunch at Charleston's and it was nice to be with them and the food was great!

We then went to their house to get some rose bushes they were digging up to re-do their landscaping. Michael and I dug them all up - I think there were 7 or 8 rose bushes and several shrubs. I brought them all home to put in our yard. Jody and Chance got home right after I did and Jody helped me get all of the rose bushes planted. He's going to build a planter box for the shrubs. I love roses and can't wait until they fill out again and start blooming!

Candace called earlier in the day to wish me a Happy Mother's Day and I talked to Toni this afternoon. This evening Joey, Levi and Addy all called to wish me the same. I love it when the grandkids call me - for anything. It's just so fun listening to their little voices on the phone!

Jody took my car this evening and vacuumed it - from the roses and shrubs - and washed it! He has been so sweet this whole weekend! I know I say it all the time, but I am blessed with a good husband . . . . good children . . . . . sweet grandchildren. . . . . . special sons-in-law! Sometimes I am amazed at how good my life is and how full of blessings it is as well!

This is a new week and I do my first volunteer shift tomorrow! It's going to be a great week and I'm looking forward to it! I bought a new Max Lucado book - "Facing Your Giants" and am looking forward to reading it this week, too!

I'm so thankful that we live in a country where we can worship as we wish - and that we can choose to attend the church of our choice! I'm thankful for the many blessings God has given me.

Colossians 2

6) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

continue to live in him,

7) rooted and built up in him,

strengthened in the faith as you were taught,

and overflowing with thankfulness.

What are you thankful for today?

Parking - It's a Good Thing!

This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Wow! A second post for this week. I feel like I haven't posted in such a long time. I am getting more used to my new schedule and still loving my job! I did have my parking spot changed - I finally caved and asked my boss for a parking post in one of the garages. It has been raining so much and the water was running over the sidewalks and two mornings it was lightning, which really scares me to walk outside while it's storming. I feel like a great target - walking along holding my lightning rod (a.k.a. umbrella) up towards the sky just asking to be hit!

I went to the parking office yesterday and exchanged my parking permit for a permit to park in a garage behind one of the professional buildings where I could easily access the walkway and be completely out of the weather all the way to my office! It was still a ways to my office from that garage, but I didn't mind. I really appreciated my boss for making the arrangements for me. She explained which garage I would be parking in and said that even though it wasn't the closest garage to our building, I would at least be able to walk out of the weather! I have enjoyed walking the distance to my office from the parking lot since starting my job but realized that I probably wouldn't like it was much as the weather gets warmer, the storms pour down and winter weather - forget about it!

This morning when I pulled into the garage, I held my little permit up against the ID machine and expected the "arm" to lift to allow me into the garage! Didn't happen! I put my permit against that little machine every which way I could think of and still nothing! Of course, the traffic was beginning to back up behind me - all faithful employees trying to get parked and into their office! I finally gave up and pulled a ticket thinking I would get it cleared up later in the day and not have to pay the $5.00 parking fee.

When I got to my office, I was telling the other girls all about my trouble with my new "convenient" parking space and how I could not even get in the garage! They tried to explain to me how to hold up the permit so that the machine could read it from about 18 inches away! Well, that would work for the garage they park in, but mine had a completely different system so they couldn't really help me.

I called over to the parking office and talked to Andy, who by the way was the one I saw yesterday to get my permits exchanged! First of all, I felt really dumb because I couldn't even get my permit to work! Thankfully, I could laugh at myself and told Andy how dumb I felt because I couldn't even work the ID machine! The reason I say it's good that I could laugh at myself is because by the time I finished telling him about my trouble with my permit - and he finished laughing! - he told me that the reason my permit wouldn't work was because - I was in the wrong garage!

It really was funny and I was glad to know that I wasn't as inept as I originally thought! When I told our Administrative Assistant the reason I couldn't get into the garage, she assured me that our boss had told me to go to that garage! Again, the mistake was not my fault! My day was getting better all the time, now! The AA validated my parking ticket - they wouldn't be getting $5.00 from me today! Tomorrow, I know where to park and how to work the ID machine so that I can get into the parking garage! And to add even more - it's closer to my office! Now that is a mixed blessing - I won't be walking as far during the day which means that I will have to actually make time for exercise! Surely, surely I can do that, right?

I met with the volunteer coordinator this past Monday and am set up to start my volunteer work shortly. Next Monday I will be "shadowing" the volunteers to get an idea of what it will be like to work with the patients! I am really excited! The coordinator took me on a tour of the hospital where the patients are and introduced me to a few of the other volunteers.

I think she also got me to agree to make aprons for the volunteers who work in the gift shops. They have aprons now, but they are just very plain. She would like to have some made out of cute material - maybe changing with the different seasons and holidays. I used to sew a lot when the kids were younger, but not so much in a while. I can sew and aprons are pretty easy! I can probably make several over a weekend, so I'm sure it won't be a bad project for me.

I am really in a good place in my life and know how greatly the Lord has blessed me. When I chose the Title for my blog - Each Day Is A Gift - it related more to my life situation at the time in dealing with my Mom and the Dementia that had taken over her life. It holds new meaning to me now that my Mom has passed away, but still is so appropriate and reminds me constantly that each day is truly a gift. We're not promised tomorrow and I want to always remember that the day I am living could be my last. Or in the blink of an eye, my life could be changed by events of the day!

I thank God each day for the blessings I have been given. I pray that I will never take for granted the gifts he has allowed me to have while on this earth! I praise Him always for the promise of a home in Heaven when my life on this earth is over!

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

Grains of Gratitude #1

Grains of Gratitude
Hosted by Christine at http://bradysbunch02.blogspot.com

I've seen the Grains of Gratitude meme on other blogs and thought it was such a great idea! How appropriate that we should express gratitude, on the Lord's Day, for the blessings we've received over the past week!

I am so blessed and thank God each day for the blessings He has given me in this life. I am especially grateful this week for my job! I am blessed to have such a good job and to have such great co-workers! I am grateful that I have my own office and am able to enjoy the quiet that surrounds me and am able to better concentrate on my job at hand. I love quiet!

I am grateful for my husband, who is very kind and loving to me. He is patient with me as I adjust to my new job and has actually been helping more - without my asking - with tasks that have to be done around the house! I am grateful for his wonderful temperament - he is very laid-back and calm - even when I feel completely overwhelmed!

I am thankful for my daughters, who call me during the week when they want to tell me about something special the kids have said or done. I love that they include me in the daily "fun" with their children. I'm thankful that my daughters are good wives and good mothers - loving and kind.

I am thankful for my son. He is 17 - a teenager, but not how you generally think of a teen. He is kind and loving most of the time. He is a good kid - making good choices in friends and activities. I love watching him as he is changing from a boy to a man! My prayer for him is that he will love the Lord and have a desire to serve Him all the days of his life! I also pray that he will - in time - find a Godly woman to share his life with in that service.

I am thankful for "bloggers" I have met online and thankful that I can pray for them in their struggles. I have certain sites that I regularly read and receive inspiration from the strength and the faith in God that is expressed in the posts of others - like Heather, Annie and Valerie.

I am thankful for so many blessings and this meme is a great way to express that gratitude for my blessings. Thank you, Christine, for hosting this meme and asking "What Are You Thankful For, Today?"

"Thank You, God"

I know it's been a while since I last posted, but I am still adjusting to my new "schedule". It had been almost a year since I worked (away from home) and it's a little tougher than I remembered!

I am really enjoying my job! Our department is in the process - started before I began the job - of changing to a new software program and I have been kept very busy entering information into the new database. I haven't actually started training for what I will be doing, but I think entering the information as I am is going to help when I do start training. I am quickly becoming familiar with medical staff names and also with the type documentation required before medical personnel are allowed to work for the hospital.

The other women in the office are great! I am enjoying getting to know each of them. We are all around the same age, with one exception (younger) which is nice. It's good to be around women who are in many of the same the same life circumstances and women who share common interests. Several of us have grandchildren, which is always a great topic! I know that I am going to be quite content in my position!

The hardest part about the new schedule is, I think, finding the energy once I get home from work to do the work I need to around the house. I'm not doing such a great job in that area. One of my favorite things about being at home all day was that the house was so easy to keep clean! Not so easy, now!

I usually get up between 4:30 and 5:00 am and leave the house five or ten minutes after 7:00. I don't get home in the evening until shortly before 6:00 pm - and that's without any stops on the way! I'm sure I'll adjust - but it sure seems rough now!

I'm still walking my little 1/2 mile from my car to my office each morning and back again after work. I am finding it easier to walk each week and I even parked my car another block farther away - adding one more block to my walk! I don't imagine I'll go much farther, although I do have a little more room that I can move into before I'm out on the street! My boss asked me again today if I would like for her to get me a closer parking spot. I really don't want to move any closer because the walking is great for me!

Jody and I went to the store on Monday evening and I bought flowers to add to my flower beds. I have not got them planted yet! Tuesday when I came home from work it was raining just a bit, so I wasn't able to get started on it then. It stopped raining later and I went out about 8:00 and started cleaning out the beds and getting them ready to put in the new flowers.

Chance had gone with some friends to CiCi's Pizza and had expected to be home around 7:30 Tuesday evening. When he still wasn't home by 8:00 I called his cell phone which went straight to voice mail! Of course in my mind I started imagining all kinds of reasons why he wasn't home and why he didn't answer his phone - and none of them were good!

I decided to take the phone outside with me while I worked in the flower beds. Well, as soon as I got outside Chance called me back and told me he was on his way home. The time had just gotten away from them. Chance is a great kid and I've never had a problem with him not being where he said he would be when he said he would be there.

Anyway, I laid the phone down and started working again. All of a sudden the rain came down in sheets! No warning and no sprinkles first! China (the dog) and I ran for the door as quickly as we could get there! Needless to say, the phone was the farthest thing from my mind!

When I got up yesterday I started to call Elizabeth because she had called me Tuesday morning at 5:30 am - just to "rattle" me! So I thought I would get her back. I couldn't find the phone anywhere! I asked Chance if he had seen it, but he said he didn't know where it was either.

I "paged" the handset and still didn't hear it. I remembered then that I had left it outside! When I picked it up off the car, water poured out from everywhere! I dried it off as much as I could and hung it up on the base - hoping it would dry out and then would be fine! No such luck! I had to go buy another phone this evening after I got off work!

Oh well, if that's the worst thing I do this week, then I say, "Thank You, God!"