On My Knees..Precious Words

Nothing Says Country Like...

A pretty barn...

With a couple of horses...

And pretty girls ridin' them...

A serious working truck...

A cord of wood...

A distressed hutch...

and a fresh bale of hay.

“Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”~Lao Tzu

I Know...Do You?

Trying to Discern...

I'm reading a really interesting book, "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment". A real "thinker" as I call it. So much so I may have to re-read it to pick up all the little nuggets I missed the first time. The author, Tim Challies, defines spiritual discernment as the skill of thinking biblically about life, and attempts to teach us that this is a discipline, not a God given talent. I'm in chapter 6 of 10, so I still believe the lightbulb will go on and I'll be enlightened in the end. Or maybe after the 2nd reading...I'm a little slow.

The ultimate definition of spiritual discernment, as defined by the author, is "the skill of understanding and applying God's Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong". Wow, I'm all about that! This is a crazy world, and there are so many influences trying to tell you that everything is shades of gray, that we should be tolerant, etc. etc. No more black and white, baby. But I don't think that is true. Certain truths are infalible, right there in the Good Book, and we as Christians must seek them out and stand by them.

If you are a Christian, you know by now it's not an easy thing to be. But it tells you it won't be easy, right the in that same Good Book! So we understand that, yes? We aren't looking for easy anymore, we are looking for enlightenment, for understanding of what God would have us do while we are here on this Earth to serve him, please him, and help others to find that same path. And while we also know we will never become omniscient, we thinkers strive for it. Do I think I'm smarter than any one else? Definitely no. But I spend a great deal of time thinking...maybe that's why I have so many headaches!

There are many references in the Bible telling us to "cling to what is good, avoid what is evil". The challenge is to understand what IS good and what IS evil. To do that, we must study The Word.

"TEST everthing; hold fast to what is good, abstain from every form of evil" is the challenge. ~1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

A Love Story...

I just have to share a story with you, one that has been shared all over the world and will give you new hope for mankind, if you haven't caught up with it already. In brief, here's the story:

Stephanie and Christian Nielson

Stephanie's sister, C. Jane (Courtney), has a blog that she updates daily with beautiful stories about her sister's children, her life, and progress of the couple's healing. I enjoy looking in daily as it almost always brings tears to my eyes: C Jane Run

She even updates her sister's blog daily with old (favorite) posts from her sister's blog, the NieNie Dialogues. So many people were following the Dialgues sight and EVERYONE is on board with helping raise funds for the tremendous costs involved in the couple's recovery.

Share your favorite blogs with me...but only if they are uplifting...the world has enough of the ugly stuff.

Forgiven

Please forgive me for not blogging in such a long time. I have to be in "the mood" and my mood has been "exhausted", "concerned", "confused", even "worried" (oh, that's really bad!) It's so darned hard to let God handle all our worries! Does that make me a control freak, or human? See, now I'm going to worry about that (just kiddin'!)

Some people find it exceedingly hard to forgive others. That can just cause YOU so many problems. It will make you sick, literally. It will stifle your spiritual growth, and it just takes so much ENERGY to stay mad!

I don't know why I am the way I am. God had something to do with it, for sure! I just don't stay mad at people. I don't hold grudges. I forgive, but alas, forgetting is harder. Yes, it IS! It is almost impossible to actually forget, meaning you can't recall the incident at all, ever again. But forgetting is more like not holding it against the person, not letting it control your actions towards that person, realizing that GOD FORGIVES YOU AND FORGETS you hurt him! Wow, that's an incentive!

I've learned forgiveness from watching the Master, as I know God has truly forgiven me for some of the hideous, unexcusable, sinful things I have done in my life. If I didn't know that in my soul, I really wouldn't be able to function!

I found an interesting website with some good food for thought if you are having trouble forgiving and/or forgetting.

If you think forgiving is a sign of weakness, a sign that that says "go ahead and hurt me", then think again. It's a sign of strength, a sign that you care more about the person than the hurt, or the potential to be hurt again. And don't forget Psalm 130, my friend...

We Are Family

It's been two weeks since we returned from our 1st annual family vacation-at-the-beach, and it was an unforgettable week! I'm just now catching my breath after catching up at my J-O-B, getting Sara back in school, yada yada yada. You really can't take a week off; you just work twice as much the week before and after! Hey wait, that means I need to get paid for another 40 hours ...somewhere ...hmmm?

The attendees were (in order of beauty): Celia, Debra, Lana, Judy, Keven (okay, not in order of beauty!), Fumiko, Terry, Jimmy, Merry King, Rachael, Oliver, Grace, Justin, Sara, Tiffany, Jessica, Lucas, David, and Benjamin! I think that's it - 19 people in 6 bedrooms. It was awesome, really it WAS! We had some much fun and so many laughs! Lots of good weather, good food, good reading...just plain GOOD! I think everyone really relaxed & felt no pressure to do anything or BE anything they didn't want. Which was the purpose entirely.

We sang and danced,

We played Quiddler...a lot...

We ate, and ate,

We slept,

It was a great week with a lot of good memories (nice boxers, Justin! Nice splotches, Debra!) Anyway, if you can only go on one large family vacation in a lifetime, I'd say this was it! I'm so grateful for the time we had together...maybe the stars will align and we'll be able to do it again...

You Are The Weakest Link...Goodbye!

Boy the littlest things can be the MOST aggravating things...I am really good at a few things, fair at a lot of things, and not good at all at a few things. One of those not good at all things would be anything mechanical. Specifically, TV & stereo equipment. Now what happened to the days with no remotes and only 2 channels? Those were my good old days. Now we have about 8 remote controls in our house, no exaggeration! It's hideous, and of course I almost NEVER am allowed to have my hands on them, so it's hard to become even remotely (no pun intended) good at flippin' all the switches and understand what it all means! If I had to take a test on how to operate our TV & stereo, I'd get an F-.

So anyway, back to total aggravation. The other day I was listening to an audio book on CD on my way home from work. I was on the last quarter of the last CD when I pulled in the driveway. I really wanted to hear the rest of the CD, so I popped it out of my car and took it to my deck, where there is a boom box of sorts with a separate CD player lying next to it. Of course, you had to know how to plug them in together to get SOUND! Uh uh, wasn't going to happen. I tried every combination of plugging in wires, no go. After about 15 minutes, I decided that the CD player had dead batteries.

Okay, moving right along, I popped the CD out of this player and took it in to the house. No one was home! I thought, "hey, I'll put it in the CD player in the living room, connected to the TV & STEREO. No problem...uh uh, wasn't going to happen. Not with 8 remotes in play... I got to the point where I couldn't even get the TV back where it was. That whole thing took about 20 minutes.

About that time Jimmy walked in, saw me sweating and cursing, and took away the remote...end of story. Never did hear the end of the book that day. Why do I bother?

Under the Thunderdome

While we were in Nashville, TN we visited the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. What an architectural wonder! It is huge and everything is inside a big dome - hotel, courtyards (many), shops, walkways, flora and hygrophytes like you wouldn't believe. And, it was air conditioned! It was a 100 degrees in the shade up there; thank goodness for A/C! No, we can't afford to stay there, but loitering inside for a couple hours is free!

We walked around inside for awhile, ate lunch and treated ourselves to some real gelato. None of that fake stuff...oh no, nothing but the best for these South Carolinians...

While we were sitting down at Paisano's Pizzeria and all of a sudden, we heard the loudest thunder I've ever heard. It was really weird because it appeared to be sunny outside the dome. Everyone stopped and looked around as if the world were coming to an end. Nope...just a bunch of dumb nuts who mistook the sound of the garbage guy, who was rolling around his garbage can, for thunder. Yes, he was redfaced when he saw 50 people looking around scared they were fixin' to get struck. Geez people, come on willya?

So, if you find yourself in Nashville, TN give it a whirl. It is especially worthwhile if you have your new grand daughter with you (had to throw that in there!)

Beautiful One

Finally...pictures of that beautiful angel from heaven, Anna Kate! We've just returned from meeting her this weekend. She is just as yummy as she looks, and we are so tickled to have a new addition to the family!

As you can see, her granddaddy fell in love with her and just stared at her most of the weekend! Gee he doesn't stare at me like that anymore... I'm glad she's no real threat =) We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed spending time with and helping mom and dad, too. Sleep deprivation is starting to kick in a bit, but really, they're doing great!

Being a parent is one of the special jobs God gives us, allowing us to take care of His wonderful creations while they are on this earth. But aah, being a grandparent (a.k.a. "Mimi") is just about as good as it gets!

Go kiss your son, your daughter, your grandchild...even your spouse if no one else is around! And be thankful...

She's Here!

I'm a grandmother again! We have a new grand daughter, born this morning at 4:25 a.m. in Nashville, TN. She's 7 lbs. 5 ozs., 20.5" of pure joy! Erin (Jimmy's daughter) and Brian Horner are very proud of their new daughter,

Congratulations to Erin for surviving 36 hours of labor. Oh yea, Brian survived it too! We love you both and can't wait to meet Anna Kate!

Satan is a Big Fat Doodiehead

I saw this on a T-shirt and thought it was the funniest thing I'd heard in a while. Who knows what is going to strike me as funny? I don't belly laugh much, rarely at jokes, and if I giggle at all it's because I've been up about 30 hours straight. But this one got me...kinda reminded me of something Marj Sliker would say, don't you think?

We don't give much thought to Satan; when we do it usually conjurs up an image of a red figure with horns and a spiked tail. God says that Satan was "an example of what was perfect, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty" (Exekiel 28:12) and "every available gem was on him, ruby, topaz, and emerald, yellow quartz, onyx and jasper..." (vs. 13). His PRIDE cost him his position with God and sentenced him to his final death, in Hell. WOW - guess we'd better get to work on that pride thing...

If you are a Christian, you may think Satan cannot get to you. Not so, my friend. Satan lives in this world, not yet in Hell. His home is this earth, so his whole existence at this point in time is to pull you away from God. And he is very good at it! While he can't read your thoughts, he is watching and he is very good at predicting what you will due through his influence.

Don't underestimate the power and the evil of Satan. He is a master of disguise. He is a master debator. He is a big fat Doodiehead...

I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet

Yes! I'm alive! I made it back from LookUp Lodge with no broken bones, several cuts and bruises (yes, it's a jungle out there!), rejuvenated and eager to get closer to the Word. It was an amazing week in so many ways. The schedule was fairly exhausting, and my body retaliated a bit, but I knew even through the pain that it was good for me. That place is just one mountain after another! You can't get anywhere with out climbing! Never could figure out why there wasn't much climbing down for all the climbing up...

There is a LOT to be said about "getting away from the world", which is what their sign even says! No phones, no TV, no texting, no newspapers, no Xbox, no nuttin'! It took me a couple of days to get my head cleared of the riff raff of life. But then - pure bliss! God's creation is so beautiful, and the Holy Spirit is much easier to hear when there is nothing else to listen to. I believe the youth bonded with the adults, and visa versa. People had to relate to and entertain each other - that's so 1950's! Hey Beav, where are you?

I've come back just hungry for the Word and feeling closer to God than ever, so much more aware of what He has done for me! I've learned more about the youth of today than I thought I needed to know, but all said I think we have a great group of kids at FBC Wagener. Life is so much harder for them than it was for us - the pace, the peer pressure, the temptations. It's just a different world and I really wouldn't want to be them. They really need our love and guidance. Even if you DON'T think they are listening, for ever 100 things you say, maybe 1 will make an impression on them! So hang in there with the guidance. And love, well that's what they need most of all...

This is not from our trip, but listen to this smart kid...he gets it!

WOW!

I even took my own advice and stepped out of my own comfort zone! Remember the fear of heights thing? Well...I went down the zip line! Jumped from a platform 50 feet in the air and relied on a wire to hold me up while I zipped on down to the lake. Impressive, eh? I don't remember it much; I was screaming all the way down...

I also went through the slobstical course, I think they call it. Running an obstacle course in knee-deep mud with a bunch of 16 year olds is not a very bright thing to do (thus the scrapes and bruises), but I had some help! Thanks, guys! I didn't much care for the mud milkshake though...

And, as expected, my own daughter pretty much ignored me. At least I was expecting it. I would have been totally shocked if she hadn't! Love you anyway, gal!

Get out there and find yourself a little piece of heaven, commune with God, and be thankful for every day he gives you! I am.

Free Fallin'

I'm getting ready to go to Look Up Lodge with the youth at church. It's my first time as a chaperone. It may be my last. We'll see how I do. I'm really looking forward to it; the place holds a special place in the heart of my daughter. She isn't passionate about much, but she is passionate about LUL. What could be better? This may be the only summer I can go with her, to experience what she has been experiencing. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity, all things considered. I just have to remember one thing, "she doesn't know who I am" while we're at camp!

I think you should try new things in life, even when you're getting older and more worn out, like me. I don't know about you, but I learn something new every day. And I'm usually willing to step out of my confort zone and try new things. As long as it doesn't have to do with heights, I'm good! Just ask my daughter. I can't even go to the moutains anymore; the dips and bends in the road just scare me to death! You know that feeling when you're asleep, and you feel like you're falling and you jerk yourself awake? Yea, like that. No way on earth would I jump out of an airplane, or bungie jump. Just no way on earth. $1,000,000 wouldn't even touch it!

I encourage you to try new things. What's the worst that can happen? (don't answer that!) Start with the things that you really don't think you can do, but really want to. Expand yourself. Turn a page and see what's there.

I'm thinking of learning how to clean my house...maybe after my nap...

I Second That Emotion

Wow - I know I am no "Poof" and I just don't have time to blog everyday, like Poof does, so you'll just have to anticpate my next pearls of wisdom...absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all!

I tend not to talk or write about things when I have a lot of worries on my mind. I've laughed and I've cried almost every day. I know, I know - you're not suppose to worry. You're suppose to turn it all over to God...yes, I keep reminding myself of that every other second, but I guess I'm more stubborn (or human) than most! I keep wandering back into worryland, then I feel guilty for THAT, the I worry some more... I'm just a mess sometimes. There have been a lot of stresses in my life lately, all things that in the long run don't amount to a "hill of beans"as we say in Hoosierville. All I can say is, hey - I'm alive by the grace of God! And that usually does it. I just have to stop whining dead in my tracks.

I have learned a lot this year, through my illness, and I continue to learn every day of my extended life.
1. Friends are worth more than gold.
2. God is still in the miracle business.
3. Time heals all wounds.
4. You can't hold on to your children; you have to let them go.
5. Encourage one another.
6. The best cure for worry is to get busy! Do something for someone else.
7. Get enough rest - it's does wonders for the mind.
8. Look for the good in everyone.
9. Be content.
10. Thank God daily.

So, now that I'm out of my rut, I think I spend the rest of the week feeling good, not worrying, praising God.

What will you be doing?

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. ~Proverbs 12:25

Here We Go! 1st Annual Walk The Walk

Okay ladies, let's gear up for our 1st annual Walk The Walk hike. Yes, I named it myself! As the fearless leader of the "Sole Sisters" walkers, I felt it my duty!

I hope all/some of you have kept this date on your calendar to walk with us; if you have not, you are a slug! Not really, I'll love you the same. But puleeaasse, if you can make it, do come!

WHEN: Satuday, June 14, 2008
TIME: Leave Wagener at 7:00 a.m.
WHERE: Lynch's Woods Passage of the Palmetto Trail
MEET: At Debra's - I'll drive!

Lynch’s Woods Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Newberry County)

Although this moderately difficult section of the Palmetto Trail is short, the beauty of the park makes it a worthwhile hike or ride. Mountain bikers may find some surprise challenges, in the form of short steep hills. You will pass through a forest of old growth trees and trickling creeks. Ground flowers in the spring and summer add to the beauty of the area. Other trails within the park are available to extend your hike or ride, but be aware that some of the trails are shared with equestrians. Length: 3 miles. So, we'll walk the trail and back to the car. Total hike: 6 miles

I hope you can come! I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. ~Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)

Reliable Person Wanted

I was talking with some friends tonight about one of my favorite subjects - reliability. No, not the kind the Maytag repairman anguishes over. I mean as in people who are reliable - do what they say they are going to do. Someone you can count on, 99 9/10% of the time. Of course, we humans foul things up once in a while and just plain forget to do something. But, what I see is a very short supply of people who really take it upon themselves to DO something they have committed to doing. Just plain flaky...why do they say "yes"? Has it just become lip service to say, "yea, I'll do that" and then make no effort to do it, nor feel the least bit bad about it later? I really have a problem with that. Are people afraid to say "no"? YES! They are! But I'd rather them say no, so I can ask someone else if I need a hand. Puleeeeaaasse!

It's one of the things I really strive for personally. To be reliable. To be where I say I'm going to be, do what I say I'm going to do. Am I perfect? I think not. But I strive for it, and don't take it lightly. I don't make excuses, and I don't blame others. I do it, unless I'm dying in bed, which I have actually been before!

It's odd; if you look in the want ads for job openings, almost all of them say "looking for a reliable...". It's important. But then, why do so many people not recognize that? Or are only reliable when it suits them? Such a good question, no good answer.

If I teach my daughter one thing in this life, and it may only be this one, it's to be reliable.

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified Bible)

Rainy Days and Mondays

I really don't think a person should have to go to work on Mondays. Nothing good can come of it. I mean, when have you ever had an easy, smooth running day on a Monday? Me neither. Usually, it's like 3 regular working days rolled into one.

It started with my leaving for work this morning, even before that. Remember a couple of days ago, I said I like most dogs? True enough, but I didn't mean I like most dogs all in the SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME! I guess I should have been more specific, because God missed that little point! For the last couple of weeks, the gazillion dogs in my neighborhood have decided to have these "howl-a-thons" several times each night. And you know what I mean....and there are at least 20 of them. Different colors, different families. But running around loose all the same. So, at specific intervals during the night, they get together and howl /growl /fight/ bark/whatever! For about 10 minutes each time! And guess where they do it? That's right, in MY FRONT YARD! Right in front of my bedroom, where we (my dog included) sleeps. So naturally, he doesn't want to be left out, so he barks/cries right in my ear! Each time! It's not funny anymore, but what do you do when you live in the country? Animal Control doesn't really want to hear about your problems, "you're not in the city limits". And I'm not the violent type, or you know what would happen!

Now, back to leaving this morning...as I was getting in my car, I stepped in "it". Yes, "IT"! What a way to start my week...and it went down hill from there.

But hey, what's new with you? =)

A Stroke Of Bad Luck

I'm doing much better with my walking this week, and much worse with my blaaaaaaaaging! I'd say I'm better off, and so are you!

Let's talk about something important to women...

STROKE

If you are not aware, then you can't fight! Here is a good acronym to remember:

Remember the "3" steps: S.T.R. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke:Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently) i.e. It is sunny out today.

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ------- Stick out Your Tongue
Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Read here for some interesting statistics about women in South Carolina, the buckle of the "Stroke Belt".

Now put down that fried chicken, chitlins' or Edy's ice cream and start WALKING!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

(Wo)Man's Best Friend

As my mind was wandering this week (my job is so mentally exhausting lately, it's like a mini-vacation!), I was thinking of things that make me smile and the NO#1 thing that I came up with is - - - dogs! I just love my dogs, and I actually love most dogs! Everytime I come home, my dogs are happy to see me, tails wagging, waiting to be petted on the head. Kind of like your children did when they were small - but that didn't last! Now you're lucky to hear a grunt out of them!

Anyhoo, dogs are not just for men. They really are the ideal companion. They love you unconditionally, they only want food and love (in that order), and there is no back talk! Just fantastic! My baby is Patch, a half-breed of some type of bull dog and bassett hound. He's a great combination of fiesty and lap dog! He is really the best dog I've ever had, and I will be heartbroken when he leaves me. He was by my side the entire time I was sick last summer, and that just sealed the deal. Not that I wasn't crazy about him before.

There have been other dogs in my life; as a child there were Frosty (mother) and Frisky (son). Then there was a long period of no dogs, a few cats, then back to my senses. As a married adult I've had Maggie, Abby, Nick, Toby & Molly (briefly, another story altogether!) and now Patch and Catdog. They were both strays and there is something great about strays. They are so easy to satisfy. They don't cop attitudes as much, they'll eat almost anything, and then there's the love you unconditional thing. Catdog was thus named because she is almost feline in behavior, very prissy and cleans herself like a cat, rarely barks, very delicate. She's not real smart, but maybe that's an act. Maybe she's manipulating us and we don't even know it! Hmmm...scary.

The Father loves US unconditionally, and sometimes we are like dogs ourselves. And I don't mean that in a nice way. But all the same, He loves us and always will. Isn't that just the best thought? Now that makes me smile...

First of all, I want to say hi to LYNN WEST who got on my case about not updating my blog today! Hey - I never promised you brilliance every day!

I went to a funeral today for one of my husband's very best friends. They have known each other for about, uh, at least 50 years. They have been through several lives together, and when they they did talk, although not real often anymore, it was as if they hadn't missed a day. My husband is a loner of sorts; he has few friends that he stays in close touch with. But Jerry was one of them. The chaplain officiating the ceremony had some very positive things to say, things we would all like to be said about us. He quoted a poem written by Mary Oliver, entitled "Yes! No!", referring to our need to have an opinion. The last line is most intriguing - - "To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work". Hmmm...pay attention...have an opinion...what does it mean? Jerry knew. He paid attention, he tried to be a friend in need. He wasn't afraid to help those around him, to antipcate their needs and offer his shoulder. He saw the good in people. He would give counsel, have an opinion, whenever he was needed. He took the time, he cared.

Do we pay enough attention? Are we there for those around us? Do we put others before ourselves? Many of us would say, "if you are a mother, you put others before yourself"!! Yes, of course that's true, but how many of us really pay attention to the wonderful things around us, the things of God, the goodness in people, the simple art of relaxation? Have you ever really noticed the petals on a wilddflower and thought, "how beautiful and simple is that?"

Take a walk around town, your neighborhood, even your own yard. Take the time. Pay attention. See the good. Care.