2010 It is finally over.....

I looked back on the first post of this year, of what I had hoped for in 2010. I have grown in numerous of ways. I have learned that there are just somethings that can't be changed with my help. That letting others do for me will not kill me or them. That resting my brain is OK. That laughter is always needed. And that Satan is truly on the war path. He knows his time is closing in. When thinking back over this year, I have realized that our church body has been under extreme attack by the enemy. That we have to stand up and shout from the roof top that we are not going to take it anymore. I know that the enemy wants to keep our focus on us, on sickness, on finances, on emotions, and not on the Living God with whom the Spirit lives within us as believers. What power we have to make the heavens shake if we will only use it. I know that I have not prayed like I should this last year, I pray, but not with the authority that I have living in me.I know with the enemy his job is to destroy, devour, & kill us or our spirit. I know that my focus needs to be more on what the word says. So since 2010 is finally over, there is a new day, a new week, a new month and a new year to look forward to and see what God is doing.

feeling good-Michael Buble

For 2011, I plan on feeling good.....

SHINE THE LIGHT.m4v

I received the Sugarland CD for Christmas, It is going to have to grow on me. However this song is on it and the last song of the CD. I do not know what Ms Nettles inspiration came from, but I picture God telling me this, I hope you enjoy.

Christmas Pictures

This is one of the more memorable Christmas times I think we will ever see. Joey & I are counting our blessings, Josh and his father-in-law were hit head on yesterday by a snow plow that had lost control. Josh was driving and saw it coming so Steve and him braced themselves for the impact. Josh is a pretty good driver even if we give him a hard time about it, but he did some quick thinking a angled his truck so that when they hit he would hopefully slide down the blade of the truck instead of coming to a dead stop. It worked and they went down the blade and into the ditch. To say his was mad, but Steve was in pain, so Josh had to take care of him first.
They both went to ER and were released about 6 hrs later they gave them both muscle relaxers and told them they would be sore in the morning. Josh said he felt alright but Steve's back was in alot of pain. Steve told Joey last night that just a few inches more and Josh could have really been hurt, so we are thanking the Lord today...

We take this family picture every year, it usually takes a couple tries with the timer and all of us looking straight ahead to get it right.

My beautiful children outside, we tried to get the snow in the picture.

Maybe next year's Christmas card.

Winter Snow (Feat. Audrey Assad) - Chris Tomlin (Must See)

SNOW & CHRISTMAS

As you know Joey loves SNOW... To say that he has been excited today is an understatement.
He has finally laid down on the sofa, we have turned off all the light except the Christmas lights and he is watching the snow out the window. To him this is one of the greatest days ever. In all his 53 years he has not seen it snow like this ever on Christmas Day. ( I think we heard this probably 10 times today) Above is one of my favorite songs of the last year, even in the middle of summer I listened to it. It goes with the mood of 2010 CHRISTMAS

Christmas Eve Eve

As I sit here the night before Christmas eve. So that makes it Christmas eve eve. Joey is already snoring in the middle of the floor, the Walton family Christmas is on the TV , Buster is laying here on the top of the desk snoring away also. Another year is almost gone and I remember back to last years Christmas. This has been an extremely rough year, physically, mentally, financially, and spiritually. So I have had to stop and think about the good times, the beautiful snow at the first of the year, the start of our new church being built after many years of waiting, God showing me that attitude is the key to many things, friends who are more precious to me today than last year, the thrill of next year having a baby to play with next Christmas. As the Christmas Day approaches I trust that I will make the time to remember the God came to earth as a small baby (all God And all Man) he left the 10,000 angels singing his praises to lay in that lowly manger , so that he could be my Saviour, Redeemer, and Friend. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Bing Crosby - White Christmas

One of my all time favorite movies.
This is what I am singing today...Still in the forecast.YA!!!!!!!!!!!

Lunar eclipse

Is there a possibility of snow on Christmas this year???? My in house weatherman is getting real excited, he looks at the European, the American, the Nam whatever these are. They all are hinting at a possible snowfall on Christmas. To say he is becoming a happy man can't describe him. I woke him up last night to see the the big red moon, I went outside and walked around at 3 am and all I saw were clouds that were tinted red. I was very disappointed. I woke up at 2 and just dozed in and out knowing that the best time to see everything was at 3, when the alarm went off I put on warm bedroom shoes and a robe and went outside with my camera to take a picture for Audrey because she said to not wake her up "no matter how neat it is". My disappointment and getting pretty cold walking around in nothing but a robe led me to not be able to go to sleep, Joey and I watched TV till about 5 and then I finally fell asleep. I don't know if I will be around in 400 years for the next lunar eclipse and meteor shower, but the view from heaven is probably pretty cool.

Casting Crowns I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (HQ)

Alot of you are posting favorite Christmas songs, this one is mine....

Massages are GREAT

It's amazing what a little shove from the therapist will do
My hips are starting to feel brand new.
I'm going for a massage today
Hoping that all the pain will go away.

I dread getting in the traffic near the Mall
I just pray I don't miss my call
Because warm towels I need
I will be a new woman when I leave...

Some reason I feel the need to rhyme, maybe its because I saw The Grinch this week....

My First Blog Poem

Sorry to say that I have little this day
Not many things to tell,
For mind is a blank, for the first time I thank.
Maybe finally all is well.

My hip is out once again
Went to the therapist to put in back in.
Have me this wonder of a belt to wear
Looks pretty tacky on but I don't care.

So I will end my message now
And take my bow
Have a wonderful weekend
As I will try to be on the mend.

HA!HA!!!!!! trying to be funny

Gummy Bear

My friend Cindy kept us updated on the experience of being a soon to be grandmother. I will try to give updates along the way. Josh and Abby went last week she had another picture took, she has a really large cyst on her ovary so they are keeping a eye out. Josh informed us that he got to see his little gummy bear as he called it. I laugh but when you look at the picture if does kind of look like a gummy bear. Cindy always had little names for her little grandchild along the way, so mine is now not a lentil but a gummy bear. Joey thought the picture was so cool, he forgets all the things we did with our to be born children, plus they do things differently now than we did. Abby is doing wonderfully, her mom never got sick during her pregnancy and I think Abby is going to follow her. I was playing with a little boy at our church Sunday, and thought next year this time I will have one to play with..... So excited.....

MRI

Went for my first MRI this morning. I am a fidgety person so the man said you cannot move around once we start. He also informed me that it was very loud and gave my ear plugs. I thought no big deal. Then he said it will take about 20-25 minutes. There is the problem. I decided that since I don't like small confined areas, that I would pray while I laid there to keep my mind off of not moving. Let me tell you, there is no praying in a MRI. The noise is so loud and if you have never had one your not sure of what is next. You can barely hear your own voice in your head. So, I tired to pray but failed completely. Instead I started think I need to cough, will that make me move to much. My arm has fallen asleep over my head, can I move it or will that change my body alignment. I didn't want to open my eyes because you see this giant saucer over you and you feel a little closed in and plus the noise made me wonder if it would affect my eyesight with all the radio waves going all around me. The man tried to tell my I would probably be asleep by the end but he doesn't know me, my mind went in all directions. "Is this dangerous, what about the metal in my mouth, does chewing gum have metal in it, should I ask if I can cough, Pray for somebody, maybe I had better concentration so that I don't move, try praying again." To tell you my brain is wore slap out already is an understatement. Hopefully they can figure out my problem and I will not have to put my brain to the stress again.

Home movies

The last two nights we have sit and watched old home movies when our children were small. I didn't realize how funny Audrey was as a child. She was very determined to have her way when she was young, and "no" was not an option she seem to think. But when looking back at her she had some real funny lines she threw at us, that I had forgotten. Josh was always wanting on the screen, in about every video you hear me or Joey saying "son get out of the way, Josh move, or son let someone else in the video." He was always singing or dancing in them. I had forgot how they played together so well. They took turns on sleighs in the snow, they took turns make videos, and I let them get away with more than I thought. We all sit and laughed together last night, Abby realized how country we really are. Sometimes it fun to remember old memories.....

Winter Snow

There is something so beautiful about the first winter snow. Today it was a sweet snow that gets you in the Christmas spirit.

Where have I been

Right now, I am sitting at my office with a heated massage chair. My back went out again yesterday. I could hardly move and the pain is pretty bad. My sister brought me some muscle relaxer and they seem to work fairly well. I need to lay flat and unfortunately you can't do this sitting at a office. As I laid in bed this morning after falling asleep at 8:00pm ( and if you know me this is a miracle) I realized that yesterday passed and I didn't have a normal thought throughout the whole day. Pain is a mind taker. It took away everyday thoughts, plans I had , and made me focus on it and I will tell you that this is very infuriating to me. I realized that people with chronic pain can't think like normal healthy people. I now have more compassion for people who can't shake the pain. Don't get me wrong, I still believe that our mind can bring us down more, so we have to keep a fighting spirit and not let our pain control us. In saying that, I am determine to feel better and hope that my brain comes back to reality soon.

Hum....What am I thankful for....

I am going to be a grandma...Joey is going to be a grandpa tooo.....

Now, I know

Between a Rock and a Hard Place is the name of the new book I am reading. Tony Evans has written a very thought provoking book. I am only in the 2 chapter and I have already highlighted a number of pages. He talks about the time Abraham took Isaac up to be the sacrifice on the alter to the Lord. The Angel of the Lord stopped him and said "now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me." That now is something I have never paid attention to until Mr. Evans brought it to my attention. God knows everything he is omniscient, yet he says to Abraham "Now, I know" He is experiencing with Abraham his choice at that moment. I always thought God knows everything, but there is one thing he does not know, What it feels like to choose to sin, He knows about sin, he has seen it, he took it on himself on the cross, but to actually sin, he never has chosen sin. He says in the book, God is a God of information and knowledge, but God is also a God of experience. That is why he is so relational, he wants to spend time with us, up close and personal.

Ephesians 1:18

My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people.
This is a verse I have up at my desk, I haven't read it in a few weeks, but I looked at it this morning and my hope is that I will have an open heart to light... to the truth of God. That I will see his glorius blessings that we all have. That as I get older that I won't settle, that I will strive to be more like him, and I won't think I can't be taught new things by him. I do want to see his new blessings each and every day.

End of Season

This next week is the end of the Fall Season, Its like after Thanksgiving
we think it is the Winter Season, even though it doesn't officially begin until Dec. 21. I love the fall season, the cool mornings the beautiful afternoons. The sky seems to be crisp and clear at night, you see so many more stars.

I am thankful for many things, last night at the ladies banquet I attended, I realized what an easy life I have. Sure we all have our times of hardship, but this lady endured 17 years of physical, emotional, and spiritual torture in dealing with a son who fell from a bunk bed and developed a blood clot the size of a baseball, that in turn led to brain surgery that left him violent and unproductive. We need to hear these stories to remind us that life is not as bad as we think sometimes. Helps us to put on our big girl panties and face the world. So thank you God for the life you have given me at this time.

Joey - Happy Birthday

Today he is 53 years old. He looks pretty good for a old man!HA!!

I wanted to tell you a little about him, he is a man's man to the bone. He doesn't like anything that would reflect him as soft or sweet. However, he is very sweet and sensitive. When we were first married, I couldn't get him to wear anything that had pink or light green or yellow in them, these were not manly colors. He has so matured in his old age, he even asked for a purple shirt the other day.

I decided for his birthday to write him a letter and tell him all the wonderful things about who he is.

That after many years he still surprises me and makes me laugh.

Audrey and I caught him singing the the back seat of the car, (he likes for us to drive him around) and he is not a singer and we laughed till we cried.

He loves to hunt, and he dreams of winning millions of dollars so he can have a hunting ministry for children and people who love to hunt but can't afford it.
He loves the winter,the more snow the better, hates the summer. Wear cowboy boots has much as possible, hates sandals or crocs on men. Pretty much wears jeans year round. Loves to run with Audrey. Loves to hunt with Josh. Is a Jeff Gordon fan from the very beginning. Hates to shop, grocery or mall. Has become a great Dad, he said he felt intimidated by them at first, didn't know what to do, but who does?? He is a not one who shows physical attention in public, he is not really a hugger, but he is a what I call a patter. He pats your arm or your back when he talks to you. He loves sweets, pies, cakes, & homemade ice cream.

Has become such a man of God, he pays attention to the needs in the church, loves being an elder, even though he fought becoming one for years. He is great one on one with people. These are just some of his attributes and character flaws. But God created a wonderful man 53 years ago and I am very happy to be enjoying the seasons of life with him.

Heartaattack

I love the time change, my body is set up for winter time. I sleep better, my sleep schedule is the go to bed at the 10:30 time now and wake up on my own about 5:00-6:00. In the summer my body stays confused with when is it time to shut down and go to sleep. In the winter I don't have to make myself try and go to sleep at a decent hour. Last night was a little different, I went to church to clean out one of our nasty storage spaces to get ready for when we move in February, so I was geared up till about 11:00. My eyes finally closed about 11:15, within 5 minutes of me falling alseep, I heard"I think I am having a heart attack." Now, I probably should have been worried, but I know Joey. He does not listen to anything I say, I know where my daughter gets her hard head from. I have been trying to explain to him these last few months that he should not eat or drink anything after about 8:30 at night. He is getting older and food and chocolate milk is just not good for you late at night. Does he listen....NOOOOO!!!
He just had to have a sweet and salty nut bar after his meeting last night. That was his heart attack. However, at the time when your in a deep sleep and you don't hear movement in the other room after someone leaves the bed after announcing a heart attack you do wonder if they are all right. I didn't want to leave my warm bed and check, but I thought I would feel bad if something happened and I just laid there staying warm. I went to the den and there he was walking around the blanket over his head and around his shoulders , he didn't hear or see me come in, he jumped and said you about gave me a heart attack......HA!!!!!

FFH - "What If Your Best"

Joey wanted me to send this out to you, you know who you are....He thought this was a great song for you...Love Joey

Did you see the sky last night.

This picture was taken about a week ago. The fall has such beautiful sunsets......

Did you see the sky last night? There were layers of clouds they looked like they were stacked on each other with purples, grays, & blues then the sun gave a touch of yellow along the edges. Then within 10 minutes it completely changed to different shades of orange. It was a beautiful night to look up. I didn't have my camera so I missed out on the picture

What are your fears?

Last night at Ladies Bible study, we watched the Beth Moore series Esther, and this week was the week on fear. So I know that this next week we will be looking into it more deeply. So I asked the ladies last night what are your fears. Throughout the video, I was thinking what are my fears. When the kids were younger, I feared alot for Audrey's safety, I worried she would be abducted. I finally had to let it go, there are still days it creeps back up, like when she is driving to Columbia alone. I have to pray and say to myself. God loves her more than I do. Something Beth said last night really stuck with me. Is fear hindering my next step forward in living the abundant life. I feel like I am a risk taker, I think that I live pretty out there on the edge, but I got to wondering if maybe there is something more that I am suppose to do. If my fear of leaving my children, because I always wanted to have a close family, to enjoy each others company as we all grow older, is stopping me from this abundant life that Beth talked about last night. Do I really want to step out and leave my friends and church family, is there a fear there of leaving everything behind. I tell myself no, I can do whatever God wants me to do, but can I really let go and trust that whatever it is that he tells me to do I will do and do it joyfully without looking back. I am not sure, I can't wait to get into my study to see if there is fear there that I haven't even realized.

What a great day

Last night after cleaning up from our church gathering, ( I talk about that in a minute) One of the men (Brian) from the church said" Tracy today was a great day". I casually agreed and he said again it was a perfect day, then he went on in detail, how yesterday our elementary and young children were in charge of the worship, they first sang a song with this choir, then they led the congregation in singing, they took up the offering, Pastor had a great message from Isaiah. Then the weather yesterday was just too beautiful, Brian went an ran a 11 mile run in the beautiful weather and then we had our chicken stew gathering. I thought I was prepared,(NOT!!!!), I forgot the port-a-jon, thank goodness the owners of the barn had installed one small bathroom. I thought the barn had lights on the outside (as my husband says a $500,000 barn should have outside lights) and it gets dark earlier now, so the band played in the dark. And to top it off I had mentally prepared for 200 people, wrong we had closer to 300 people, I went and told the stew guy, pray over this stuff so if will go further. There were people everywhere and I didn't know a third of them, which is great but next year we have to think bigger. We had a costume contest and it went great, Joey was a judge and he said he hated to do it because he is a softly and he is one of those people who hates for children to lose he thinks they all should win something, but Josh told him this is America somebody has to lose. I think everyone had a good time and we will try again next year.

October 31

I am not one to Celebrate Halloween, when the kids were very small we would dress them up and take them to family, but I didn't get into very much. This year we are having a chicken stew for the church on Halloween night at a church members farm. We are having a blue grass gospel band, food, hay rides and a costume contest. I wasn't sure about the costumes because some people get upset, but we asked the church family, no scary costumes. What has been great about it, a lot of the older people are dressing up, sometimes we forget that as Christians we can still have fun and not represent the world. I love the fall with all the colors and I love to be outside smelling leaves burning, you know what time of year it is just by the smells.

I though these were a pretty representation of the colors of fall

carman's witch invitation

This weekend I went to see Carman. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to hear him sing a little more, but he did some preaching. I appreciated his message on "How are we to fight the devil, if we don't believe he is out there". So many people today do not believe that there is an devil and his angels roaming the earth. That he is here to steal, kill and destroy and unless we acknowledge this we don't stand a fighting chance. He will rob families, children and even churches of the peace and grace that God has to offer. So I picked this old video in this fall season to remind us that we have the power over the prince of this world because we are the "King's" real children.

Abby

This is my daughter-in-law, Abby. She is a girl we picked out for Josh when he was in high school. Joey was always very fond of her, so we mentioned her name often to Josh. He finally smartened up and called her. She is a very caring nurse who works at the cancer center in town. She is very girly in a lot of ways, but she is also very tomboy. She played sports in high school and was very good at it. She loves to go hunting with Josh.

Joey, Josh and Abby do alot of hunting together, this is from last year when they each shot a deer at the end of hunting season. She probably likes to hunt as much as Josh does, she just doesn't talk about it as much. Thank goodness!!!!

This is also from last year, one of her first bucks.

Yesterday she called Joey to see if he would go hunting with her. Josh was out of town hunting with her Dad in South Carolina, so she called Joey. Joey has been hunting in her stand on the days she has not been able to go and has seen a buck everytime, she goes and see nothing. So last night they went together, just the two of them, she spotted the buck first and then Joey "guided" her through. She shot a 9 pointer with her bow and arrow. I laughed and told her the deer smelled Joey in the woods and came to see him because they knew he wasn't going to shoot at them. After all the excitement was over I told Joey how wonderfully rare it is the relationship he has with his girls. He runs every other day with Audrey and goes hunting with Abby. He exclaimed how is that rare if feels normal to me. He really has no clue what a wonderful Dad he is, I have never experienced what my daughter or daughter-in-law has. They both have a Dad that not only loves them but likes them and likes to spend time with them. Abby's Dad is alot like Joey, he and Abby are very close. Audrey's boyfriends Dad, calls Audrey regularly and checks on her. So both are very blessed and probably think as Joey does this is how everybody is with there girls....

God You Reign - Lincoln Brewster

I love to listen to this song, no matter how you feel or what life is throwing your way, He still reigns forever and ever.

Friends since babies

This is one of Audrey's friends (Erica) since birth. They are just a month apart in age and I thought what a great picture of the two, beautiful women. This is one of Josh's friend (Brent) since they were babies. Two pretty handsome men. This is one of the only pictures I have of Brent since he is older with his eyes open. He has a tendency to close his eyes right before you snap a shot.

I saw these pictures today and thought of old friends we all have, these two for my kids have been around for 20+ years.

What can you say about God

As I was riding to the YMCA (Yuk!!) this morning at 5 am, I was praying about how I pray, about how God is God and how small my mind is, about what do I really know, and how can I tell God what to do. Then this song came on the radio, and I just sang out loud, in the dark and worshipped...Amen

Dinner with Friends

Last night we went to some friends (Jon & Diane) house for dinner. She invited Joey and me and Steve and Katie. We decided that we should just pay Diane to cook for us once a week. It was wonderful, she tried some new recipes on us. We had apple cinnamon sangria, we had a apple and walnut spinach salad, roasted carrots and potatoes, a fresh zucchini slaw with basil, a stuffed chicken breast with prosciutto, asparagus, and goat cheese, with pumpkin cheese cake for dessert. You talk about deliciousssssss. We have all had rough times this year and we depend on each other alot. Diane has been sick for about a year, while in the process of remodeling her whole house. Katie has had one daughter marry, one leave for college, one move out of the country for mission work, and now her mom is in ICU and not doing great. Joey and I are having major life changes that we need to decide on, while I am still trying to recover from being in pain for the last year, while Joey is struggle with some mind issues that Satan and his little demons keep throwing his way. So to say last night was something we all needed was an understatement..Thank goodness for friends I wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world.

Simple and to the Point

Praise the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me Praise his Holy Name.

Mean girl

After looking at the Beth Moore Esther video this week, I can say that I am a mean girl sometimes. If you come after my family, it kicks in like a raging lion. I have never thought of myself as a mean girl, one who needs alot of attention, goes after people for no reason, goes after other ladies men and that life is and needs to be about me. But in listening to the video, I do have some mean girls traits, I believe we all do, whether we will admit it or not. I realize that when this comes up that I need to identify the threat that puts me in this mental state. I came to understand myself better yesterday as I was praying about a situation that still after a year pops into my head. I was talking it through with the Lord, asking myself these questions of why I want to be a mean girl. I came to realize that I didn't get my say in the truth of the matter and this seems to always be important to me. I don't know why I feel the need to say what you said is wrong, and I am right and you have treated me badly. They probably haven't thought that much about what they have done and probably haven't cared. So why does it bother me so much. Satan....... he wants to rob me of my peace, joy, and communication with the Almighty.
So yesterday as I prayed, I still haven't been able to pray for this person to be blessed, but I am praying God will help me to feel that way someday.

Psalm 19

I have this Psalm is a picture frame in the mountains. "The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of his hand. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display his knowledge" There is more verses to this Psalm however this picture reminds me of his work. I woke up to this beautiful sight Saturday morning, it's a little spooky looking.

As the day progressed and the sun came out I took this picture, the deer eat all my other flowers that I have ever planted, they don't like the smell of these. I went to the mountains to try and learn how to relax my body. The Physical therapist tells me how my back is all tight and knotted. I think I am pretty relaxed, but my body tells another story. So my goal was to enjoy the scenery and not be in a hurry.

Thank God for rain

I Love Rainy days.

I feel very homey and peaceful when it rains.

It's like God is telling you to relax.

God's will

We are always asking ourselves as Christians what is God's will for our life. There are some specifics that we want to know so that we can make wise choices. But Joey and I have been having this really deep conversations about God's will, and I came across this scripture in a novel last night and it hit me. This is God's will for all of our lives. Deut. 10:12-13, " Now Israel (Tracy), what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love him, and to serve the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statues(laws) which I am commanding you today for your good". If I want to know God's will for my life, I need to love and serve where ever I am at today. I am to fear him and be obedient to his word. If I do these things they will be for my good and I'm sure he will direct my path. I don't want to keep saying if its Gods will I'll do this or that, but instead say I am in God's will with my daily living.

Can I hear "Do you want some cool weather"

I am ready, really ready for cooler weather. I like the seasons, all the seasons but this summer season has lasted from the first of May with our first 90 degree day until today 5 months of 90's I believe Summer has had its fair share and I am ready for a change. I like the laziness of Summer months, staying up late, not getting dark until 9 and shorts with flip flops. But now is the time to change to jeans, long sleeve shirts, light weight jackets. This is my favorite time of year. I love the colors of Fall. I am afraid with the dry weather the colors my not be as vibrant as this picture is. All I can say is bring on the cool days.......

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue

I thought this was a funny video, with a catchy beat.... I needed a laugh today....Enjoy....

Esther

We have started our new Bible Study at church last week. I think I am really going to enjoy this Beth Moore study on Esther. I relate somewhat to Vashti, If I had worked hard to organize a 7 day banquet for the the surround county ladies. I don't know that just because my husband( the king) who is drunk thinks that if he calls that I am supposed to drop everything ( possibly including my clothes) to show up so he can show me off to all his drunk friends. I have planned and worked hard to look good to the ladies of the community, and what does he think demanding me by way of a bunch a boys, (not even taking the time to see me) to just appear. I probably would have done the same thing and said no , not right now I am busy and you are drunk. I don't think Vashti should get such a bad rap and be de-throned for acting as if she has some sense and decorum. Now on the other hand, I don't exactly know the times, or what was expected from the women back then, but Thank God!!!!! I was born in this time and place.

Hips

I went to my first physical therapy appointment. They have decided that my hips are not in line correctly. They seem to think that I stepped in a hole or something at sometime and knocked myself out of joint. I laughed and told them you have no idea who you are talking to when it comes to being graceful. I am always in a hurry, I trip, I fall, I stumble, I am hardly on my feet standing correctly. It was a very intriguing visit. She went straight to the problem after answering about 1/2 hrs worth of questions. She put me in a sling and strapped me down for 10 minutes and pulled on my hips to get them back in the correct line. Then placed black tape on my back and told me to do these exercises 2 times a day until I go back Monday to be stretched for 20 minutes. I can't believe that the many things I tried to do to get the stone to drop (when the stone was not moving) like mowing on a bouncy yard, jumping up and down, and many other weird things. The therapist told me I should not to be bouncing, jumping or twisting for two weeks. So my own therapy that I made for myself was a wrong diagnosis once again. When will I learn that I don't know everything.....

Never be your own DR.

Less see for now about 6 months I have been fighting what I thought was a kidney stone. Alot of the same symptoms I have had when I passed my first stone. So being the cheap scape that I am and not wanting to pay those outrageous bills I diagnosed myself. But yesterday I decided something had to happen. I woke up in so much pain that my face was physically distorted. A friend of mine came by the office to do some work and she said I looked awful. So I broke down and went to see the urologist. He then sent me for a CT scan, they sent me back to the urologist. My scan showed only one stone but it was in the lower left kidney and the Dr said this is not causing you any pain. He showed me my scan and after is all is said and done he said with a smile you aren't having urological problems, you need to see another Doctor. Well I cried in the car, because at least if they found something wrong it can be fixed. Now I had to start over. I called my family doctor and he was seeing his last patient and told me to come on in. He poke and prodded and seems to think that I have a slipped disc. Gave me a cortisone shot in the rear and told me to go take ibuprofen and rest and also wants to do a ultrasound to make sure nothing else is going on. Well, I woke 75% better this morning , no lower abdominal swelling, no abdominal pain, just tenderness and and sharp pain every one in a while in my lower back. Praise the LORD!!!!!! So now I have canceled the ($1000.00) ultrasound and and will take $5.00 ibuprofen and not do any heavy lifting for a little while. If only I had not used my Internet Doctors Diploma from Google I probably wouldn't have suffered for so long...

football

Last night was the beginning of the NFL football season. Yes, I am a big fan. I usually pull for quarterback, not teams. I am a big, I mean big Payton Manning (Indianapolis) fan. However, I will be pulling for Tim Tebow (Denver) when ever he gets to play. Since I don't know either one at all I can only pick them by what I see or read about them. Payton is a professional, he is driven, he seems like away from football he could be funny, he takes the games very seriously and likes to win. These are qualities I admire. Tim is young, very driven, has the cutest smile and from his testimony is a sincere Christian and he listens to Chris Tomlin. He seems to have many attributes that young people can look up to. It is nice to have leaders that young ones can strive to be like. There is another Christian football player Cory Lynch (Tampa Bay) he also has great leadership skills, hard worker and kind. Josh was friends with Cory at college and brought him home one time to meet his sister, but Audrey thought he was to tall. I told her, "but have you seen muscles in knee-caps before. Can't you get over the height thing." I tried to get her to met Tim Tebow, but I found out he is 6'3" and 245, she mentioned he was little to big too. I know I could be a great football mother-in-law..... Go Colts.........

Joys of Friendship

This past weekend I went to the mountains with a friend. I tried some of the Pioneer Womens recipes on her, they all turned out great. We laughed, had deep discussion, laughed, rode the rhino and became lost, we laughed, we ate and we laughed some more. I do appreciate good friends. This friend is one of the smartest women I know, I learn many new things from her, like did you know there is a Indian tribe in these here parts called slapaho. That having grandchildren can not be expressed by mere words there needs to be at least 800 photos before their 1 month birthday. That all families have their dysfunctional moments and its OK. On the spiritual side this is a woman that will make you think, she truly remembers everything. She laughs that she has a roller-deck memory, she just flips to the thing she need to remember even if it is from 1981. She is great to sit and work through scripture and come out with wisdom that you have not been able to find from it. She is quick witted, very attractive (makes me rather jealous), never wears jeans (until this weekend) loves prissy shoes and hates exercise about as much as I do. And is very generous and kind to her family. She loves her Savior and seeks to know him more. When looking for a good friend these are qualities that we all should try and seek out in the people we want as friends. Love Ya!!!!!

A New Year

Today isn't a new year for your average American, but today is a new year for you American hunter. Dove season starts today

That means that the new hunting season has arrived and that my life for the next 4 months revolves around hunting.

As you see once again, Joey has a smile on his face, mainly because he is in camo gear and eating... Happy New Year!!!!!!

Hannah's Prayer Youtube

Enjoy!!!!!

Stones, Again

Once again I fight this. As you can see they are very small but prickly.

Its hard to believe that something so small can cause so much discomfort and pain.

I hate being so distracted with pain.

I try to be tough and continue on my day, even though I am hunched over like a 90 year old woman with very bad osteo.

I am try to figure out what has triggered this in my body. I have never had

stones until October of this past year. Now 4 attacks later, I think what is this thing that is as small as a poppy seed (the last ones size) that can bring a grown person to their knees and gasping for breath in a milla second. I think I handle pain very good. I do alittle Lamaze breathing, throw my body around on the hard floor in my office and drink my drinks to move it on through. And hope and pray that it won't take much longer to rid itself from it human home. The up side is I don't have to exercise.

R&R

We are heading to the mountains for a little R&R since my vacation was painful (kidney stone) for most of the week. Audrey is out of school on Friday and she has volunteered to work for me. I will sit and listen to this creek, read on a book and look for Mars in the very dark sky. Joey and I are in the process of making some very important decisions for our life. I want to know without a shadow of a doubt that we are heading right where God wants us. We are throwing down some fleece and waiting to see God's answer.

sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come. Why should my heart be lonely and long for heav'n and home. When Jesus is my portion, My constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,
for his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
Let not your heart be troubled, His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears, Though by the path he leadeth, but one step I may see. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watched me.
I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, as for his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise.when songs give place to sighing when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, from care he sets me free, His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,
for his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.

I was reminded of this song last night, while reading this new book, I haven't sung this song in a long time. The book had written out all three verse and I remembered that I am free, so I can be happy. I know he watches me closer than he does the birds, I am his child. Like any good parent we keep a watch on our children. I might not always know the next step in life, I might sigh, I might have discouragement but I can still sing.....

school days

I remember a few years ago, thinking " when will school start back" since I was a stay at home mom, by the middle of August the kids were ready for a routine and I needed a little break. I was with my kids everyday. We played, went to the pool, VBS, lunch with grandparents, built forts in the den, and just laid around. I think back now and try to figure how I got everything done. In saying all this I miss those days sometimes... I like my grown-up kids, but I also miss the days when we just played, they had no responsiblities other than to help pick up their rooms, and take out the trash. That was why life went so slow for them, They didn't have to figure out how to make the next house payment or electricty bill. Life for them was not monthly like it is with us who own money to people. I heard my cousin fussing last night about her kids, they are 7 and 4 and cute as can be and how she couldn't wait to get them out of the house and back to school and I remembered.......

"It Is Well With My Soul" By Wintley Phipps

I love to hear this man's voice... I think if I close my eyes this is a little bit of how God's powerful voice will be..

Today's church

Last night I cooked dinner for a couple that goes to our church and a lady who is in her eighties and has moved here and wants to join our church. Joey is her elder so he and Al another elder had to do a brief interview. I laugh at the end and asked her if they decided that she really was saved and could join our church. We had a really nice evening, with it being so hot out I decided to cook light, Cheese Quiche, homemade Banana Bread, brown sugar bacon, and a fruit salad with this concoction I came up with. It was sour cream, powdered sugar and lime juice and zest. It turned out great. I use to get worked up when I fixed dinner for people, worried did I have enough, was I fixing the right stuff, and never did it change the outcome. We always have enjoyed everyone's company, no matter the food. Our college kids have been discussing the purpose of the church and how they think we do it wrong today. In Acts 2 the believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, sharing meals and prayer. They helped those in need and worshipped together regularly. I don't see our church failing in these areas. Sure maybe we having to many orderly services, may be don't always go with the spirit(because it scares us)
maybe there isn't enough singing and to many announcements, but in saying all of this on the day to day I think alot of churches are doing their part, the reason many don't know it is working is because it is done at home, in quiet, away from the self glory, but done for the right reason, as the new testament church started. I think you will see a working, growing, healthy church when you look at the day to day contacts that are made, not just the Sunday morning routine.

heat...heat...heat...

Will I complain about the heat......

Do you remember the cold...


Actually I like cold better than heat...


But I try to remember that as the Bible says there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to live and die, to plant and harvest, to kill and heal,a time to tear down and build, to cry and laugh, to mourn and dance, a time to scatter and gather, to embrace and refrain, to search and to stop looking, a time to keep and time to rid ourselves, to tear apart and to mend, to talk and to be silent, a time to love and a time to hate, and time for war and time for peace. What season are you in and know that it is always changing....

church family

Last night we were invited to a little surprise birthday party for a guy at our church. His mom and my mom sang in a trio called the "3 J's" in college. Until about 13 years ago I had not seen Jill since I was a baby. My mom(Judy) had me in June, Jewell had Hank in July, and Jill had Todd in August. We had a wonderful time last night. Dinner, Homemade carrot cake and homemade vanilla ice cream. It was so neat to see how sometimes life comes full circle. My mom and Jill were great friends in college and then they went separate ways due to jobs, marriage and everyday life. Now I enjoy the friendship of Jill and her family. She is a great spiritual mentor if I need one. We laughed and told old stories, on our way home Joey commented how great it was to have such a good church family. I know that I get frustrated with church sometimes, and usually it is me that is the problem, but I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my church family to depend on. Our quirks and all......

Smile by Uncle Kracker - Lyrics

This is one of my favorite songs. Whether it is your husband, wife, children or grandchildren. Someone makes you smile. They make you want to get out bed. So enjoy the song.....

Beach pictures

These are the kids we met on the beach, They saw no strangers. The boy is 3 and the girls are 2 and 1

There poor momma....She was as laid back as they come. The little boy Cayden has Type 1 diabetes and had to wear a pump during the day, His mom said he about died 2 months ago.

The girls are Cayleigh and Cassidy. These children made me want grandchildren more than ever.

This is my niece (the blond one) and her wonderful friend Haley. Haley went with us last year to the beach.

These children need prayers. Haley comes from a very dis functional family, When she left with us she had only seen her mother about 1 week total this summer because she had been shipped to camps and other places. She is a kid with a great personality, but we see signs of trouble ahead when she becomes a teen. She has just started having contact with her real dad. She really loves Joey and attaches herself to him, He tries to talk to her like he would our kids, about God, school and boys. He sees how she loves attention from men and he knows how dangerous this can be, so when he is with her he tries to talk to her about things. She understands about Jesus dying on the cross for her but I'm not sure she completely grasp it all.

The others kids we met, I don't think their parents are Christians, mainly by their lifestyle we saw on the beach, I took their pictures so I could send them a e-mail and try to keep up with them, especially since Cayden is sickly, I though I could use this opportunity to tell them we would pray for them.

Home again

I left last week for the much need vacation. As I was pulling out of Lexington last Sunday, my Kidney stone decided to start moving. So to say driving and sitting still for 3 hrs was pretty uncomfortable. We went to the grocery store that night and my sister laughed, she said I looked just like Ms. Wiggins in the Carol Burnett skit with Tim Conway. I could not stand up straight and my butt stuck out. By Monday afternoon it had settled down, through out the week I had pains here and there but nothing that would stop me from going out to the beach. Tomorrow I will show you this family we met that had the cutest kids in the world. Joey came down on Wed and we had a nice time. The weather was great. Saturday night my stone decided to start moving again, so Sunday's ride home was rough. By 6:00 last night it had settled down once again. It's still there and sometimes the pain will bring me to my knees out of no where. But with that said, my life is good, I have new perspective, I got rest and just enjoyed the scenery. While at the beach we received news of a friend of ours here at home, he took his life Friday night. I went to see his wife today, and she is angry, sad, angry, scared, and hurt. He fell about a month ago and a screw driver went into his temple area about 4 inches. It was a miracle he didn't die then. The Drs. said he was fine and sent him on his way. The family is thinking that this had something to do with his thinking because he had been fine up until this, he had forgotten how to get home from the beach (they have a house there and he goes about every week), forgotten how to fix a computer (he does this for a living) little things that they are now putting together. Please pray for Sherry and Phillip. Sherry's other son Ryan died about 8 years ago in a car wreck, so now she has just her son Phillip and his new wife Lauren. Pray that her anger will subside,that she will come to peace with the many questions she has and that she will feel God's arms wrapped around her and Phillip.

Beach Bound

As I head for the beach this next week, I have two goals in mind. First to catch up on some much needed sleep. Second to get my mind clear and realize who's voice I should be listening to. As I was listening to this song, I realized that some of my problem right now is that I am listening to thoughts inside my own head. These thoughts have not been good ones. I know some of it has to do with me not getting enough sleep. When you don't sleep, your mind can get the best of you. I know others struggle with themselves, their personality, their make-up, why God makes us the way he does. Last night Joey said something very casually to me at dinner "just don't say anything, let them make the decisions" I began to cry (crazy, I know) I told him I wasn't making the decision I just told my sister I couldn't leave for the beach until after church. I am so struggling with who I am. I was reading a book on the life of C.S. Lewis his stepson wrote it, he said that Mr. Lewis once commented that people don't know how to be friends anymore. That people think that if you speak your peace and it is different than theirs then you can't be friends. He had a couple of friends that he argued with regularly, didn't see eye to eye on hardly anything, but still regarded them as friend. I guess this is my struggle, in the last week I have heard from friends and family alike, "you know how you are, you like to take charge of things", "I wouldn't say no to you I am afraid of you", " you just need to keep your D---- mouth shut and let me handle it"," you need to just not worry about it, its not your problem", you know you and her look alike she has gained weight too". So you see everyday somebody new has said one of these things to me, and last night when poor Joey said that to me, I lost it, mainly because I am so tired from not sleeping. I know God made me a smart, organized, intuitive, pure hearted, honest, hardworking, unselfish, caring person. I have just been listening to all these people in my head and not listening to the words of truth, like the song says. Take heart all you who struggle like me, whether people understand us , God made us and loves us and we need to except ourselves...

A decision

I love the summer sound of this song. In Sunday school with the college group this week, one brought up that she made a decision to believe the Bible. We talked about how some of our decisions cannot be made solely on feelings. Sure when you accept Christ there is a moving like no other from the Holy Spirit. But as you live life in the flesh, there are many times that you might question your salvation because of your behavior, thoughts and feelings. Our feelings control most of our life. When we are tired we don't always make great choices, when we are happy sometimes our choices are because we are feeling good, that doesn't mean that it is a great choice (could be). But the Bible gives us truths and no matter our feelings we have to decided what we will follow. Feelings aside, because feelings can lie....

This is the day

This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice in it....

I use to think

I use to think I knew something about God, but as I get older and hopefully wiser I realize that I have no clue about alot of things. Just when I think I have something figured out, wham....I am confused again. We have a 18 year at our church who just gave birth to a little boy about 3 weeks ago. Last night in the rain storm, she had a wreck and the baby drowned in a creek. Amanda is bruised up and in shock but doing alright physically. I think about this tragic situation and honestly try not to think about it because it is so sad. Here is the time in life when you have more questions than answers. You know God sees the bigger picture and all you see is the immediate surroundings. Life changes fast, things happen and sometimes we don't know for what reason. We just have to trust. Trust that God knows best for us, trust that he does see the bigger picture, trust that he loves us even in the times when we don't feel love. Trust that in all things God has a purpose for our life. Please pray for Amanda and her family during this hard time. Pray she will not feel guilty and that she will find peace at some time.

Nothing to say

I find myself with not alot to say. I 'm not wanting to sound rude but I'm kind of tired of people. I can't believe I am writing this but I know others feel the same way at times. I think we get this way when we are tired. We don't want to talk, we don't want to read, we don't even want to listen. We just want to be.....I know that it is not a good state to be in for a long time, but I do think there are times when we need quiet, we need separation from life. I have been listening to old Motown songs on utube today, and just enjoying good old music. I am a big Motown fan.
I don't have to think, talk and examine what is happening. I just get to enjoy.... So if you find yourself frustrated with the world, with having to think, or with having to be kind. Take a moment to sit back and listen to some old up-beat Motown music and just relax...

Look Up

Right now for some reason I am intrigued with the sky. I love to go out at night and see the difference each evening provides. This one is more in the purple and yellow line compared to my earlier blog with the pinks and blues. I am trying to take life simple. The 4th of July we spent in the mountains, it was in the 70's & low 80's and at night it got down to the 50's. I had to wear a coat to the fireworks display. I loved it...I am trying to enjoy life and not think about it so much. My goal for the summer is to live for the day and not worry about tomorrow. To enjoy the small things in life and pay attention to the little details. For instance, the above picture. How many times do we not look up in the evening and for a brief moment just enjoy the beautiful scenes presented to us by the creator. Nothing man made only God formed, in a second he can make things lovely, pure, excellent, and praise worthy. We should be thinking on these things .......

YOU DELIVER ME - SELAH

When you feel like you can't go on, he will deliver you....King David has 28 verses in Psalms where he is asking God to deliver him. He wanted to be delivered from his fears, his enemies, from death, from troubles, and probably sometimes from himself. And God answers......

Vision of beauty

As I looked out my back window the other night this is what I saw. Beautiful colors of pink, blue and purple Then the light changed a little and the pinks just glowed

I thought as I looked how can anybody not believe..........

He told us that we would know he existed just because his creation shows us.
Psalm 19: 1,2

The Heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.

Amazing Grace

This is one of my favorite versions of Amazing grace. It's a great exercise version....HA!!!!!enjoy

Clarity

I came to a couple of light bulb moments this week. I had such clarity that to some extent I feel a little guilty. Why we let people get to us I'll never know, I know my nature is a care giver, I like to do it, it comes naturally. But when we try to reel in areas is our life that maybe out of control it can be hard. This is one of those areas that I have realized maybe out of control.so I have decided to do something about it.
I am in charge of a church dinner next week after church, we decided to have it outside on our land where we are getting ready to start building our new church. I know its hot outside but years ago everyone always had "dinner on the grounds" we never thought about the heat, we just did it. ( I think we have become a little spoiled) I heard more complaints about us doing at noon, why not in the evening, what are we going to do, etc. It hit me right square between the eyes, and this is what I said the the ones complaining "don't come". They aren't helping with any of the activities, they will just show up, we are doing the cooking, setting up, cleaning up and all the before stuff. So it hit me why do I care what they think? I realized I don't care....what a freeing moment I had. I also was feeling a little guilty because I saw someone I haven't seen in a while and honestly have chosen not to seen them and I really didn't ask anything about them or their family, I just said Hi. Well my care giver mentality kicked in but my sister sat me down and said, when in the last 5 years have these people called to see how your doing and check on ya'll. Wow, another light bulb turned on, why am I worrying what they think?? So you see I have had alot of clarity this week, its kind of like this picture.

what at first you think is a bad picture because of the main characters aren't in focus, sometimes the beauty of it all is in the small stuff... My guilt is gone..

Last Nights Dinner

Last night I had a great dinner with the girls. I had told Joey the other day that I need some socializing. I work alone 5 days a week, 9-5, occasionally someone will drop by for a visit. But on the social level its pretty slow. So when someone says lets get together, I usually say "when"....
Cindy prepared a lovely "Olive Garden Style" salad, Garlic bread and the most delicious artichoke and tomato pasta.. Then for dessert we had chocolate cobbler and ice cream, I have never heard of chocolate cobbler but let me tell you it satisfies the chocolate crave like no other. She was even kind enough to send some home with Joey. Our dinner started at 6:30 and I arrived back home after midnight. I could not believe how the time flew by. Cindy, Kelley and I talked, laughed, talked and laughed some more. It is so great to have friends that you can share your disappointments, trials and triumphs with and know that they have your best interest at heart. All three of us have different lives, with different ups and downs but we can come together and know that God loves each of us where we are at......We all agreed that the older we get the less we know, we thought when we where younger we knew all about God and how he works, but as we have matured and have had some life experiences we have come to realize that the only thing that we really know is we have to depend on what the word says and not what others tell us, or what we thought we believed from when we were younger from our parents, but only God's black and white and red words. We are very helpless in this world and only he is truly in control.

Pictures 2010

This is the great Rocky Mountain, at Estes Park Colorado, Josh & Abby's first stop

I loved the colors in this picture with the green, blue and brown.. Can you tell Josh loves the cold....

They are at Snake River in Yellowstone

Josh thinks it's great be in 2 foot of snow in June ....

The Tetons are strong, bold and beautiful...

These are antlers that boy scouts pick up and they place them at the entrance to the park at Jackson Hole, WY

Yellowstone and all God's creation, in town and everywhere....

Cousin Michael and his wife Katie, they took Josh and Abby hiking to a large waterfall in Bozeman, MT, and then they went to see Ted Turners big ranch

I am still yearning to see the west again, and after seeing all of their pictures I want it more than ever.......