Not a whole lot going on......thus not a whole lot to say

Well, as you can tell from the lack of blogging I haven't had a lot to say lately.
Not that things have been bad.....just don't have anything to say.
I will let you guys know so that you can pray that we will be making a trip to N.C this weekend to see if that is where God wants us. We are praying for Him to open or shut doors. We will return late Tuesday evening.
The pictures below are of my son Michael and the fruit of his overnight labor.
He loves to fish like his Mom....only when he goes he actually catches something. :)
Michael is 5'11 and the beast he is holding is 5'9. Micheal says it weighs about 70 pounds.
It is called an alligator gar. From the pictures below when you look at its teeth you can understand why. Not a pleasant looking fish.
NO......I will not be cleaning it or cooking it. He will pass this pleasure on to one of his friends.
They did catch some nice red fish but I passed those on too.

The following was taken from a Bible Study I am doing on line. It is a little long but if you have time to read it I think you will find it very interesting. And then if you have time let me know what you think.

We desire that you might come to experience Him as did Finney—that great American evangelist and theologian, who wrote these words:

After dinner we [referring to Squire Wright and himself] were engaged in removing our books and furniture to another office. We were very busy in this, and had but little conversation all the afternoon. My mind, however, remained in that profoundly tranquil state. There was a great sweetness and tenderness in my thoughts and feelings. Everything appeared to be going right, and nothing seemed to ruffle or disturb me in the least.

Just before evening the thought took possession of my mind, that as soon as I was left alone in the new office, I would try to pray again—that I was not going to abandon the subject of religion and give it up, at any rate; and therefore, although I no longer had any concern about my soul, still I would continue to pray.

By evening we got the books and furniture adjusted; and I made up, in an open fireplace, a good fire, hoping to spend the evening alone. Just at dark Squire W, seeing that everything was adjusted, bade me goodnight and went to his home. I had accompanied him to the door; and as I closed the door and turned around, my heart seemed to be liquid within me. All my feelings seemed to rise and flow out; and the utterance of my heart was, "I want to pour my whole soul out to God." The rising of my soul was so great that I rushed into the room back of the front office, to pray.

There was no fire, and no light, in the room; nevertheless it appeared to me as if it were perfectly light. As I went in and shut the door after me, it seemed as if I met the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. It did not occur to me then, nor did it for some time afterward, that it was wholly a mental state. On the contrary it seemed to me that I saw Him as I would see any other man. He said nothing, but looked at me in such a manner as to break me right down at his feet. I have always since regarded this as a most remarkable state of mind; for it seemed to me a reality, that He stood before me, and I fell down at his feet and poured out my soul to Him. I wept aloud like a child, and made such confessions as I could with my choked utterance. It seemed to me that I bathed His feet with my tears; and yet I had no distinct impression that I touched Him, that I recollect.

I must have continued in this state for a good while; but my mind was too much absorbed with the interview to recollect anything that I said. But I know, as soon as my mind became calm enough to break off from the interview, I returned to the front office, and found that the fire that I had made of large wood was nearly burned out. But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love, for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings.

No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me, and over me, and over me, one after the other, until I recollect I cried out, "I shall die if these waves continue to pass over me." I said, "Lord, I cannot bear any more;" yet I had no fear of death. (Finney)

The experience in his own words, of Finney, that great American evangelist.

If you made it this far......what do you think?
I have had some great times with the Holy Spirit that I did not want to end.....but not like this.
I have been so filled with such a tranquil peace and almost timelessness that I did not want to move least I cause the situation to change. It was almost numbing.......but in a good way.
I will say that those times came after time of preparation.
Times of fasting and cleansing.
Kind of like in Exodus when God told the people to wash themselves and get ready because He was coming down to speak to them.

That is it for today.
Going to do my next lesson.

Why Bother? HA!

We have been praying for some really big things lately.
And as time is getting closer to us thinking we need an answer sooner than later--I have begun to wonder what is up.
I know He hears us. I know that He is up to something.
But what?
I love the way Mrs Elliot ends this devotional. If you have a moment to read-please do.

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: Keep A Quiet Heart
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Matthew 7:11

The Weapon of Prayer

News came one day which indicated that a matter I had been praying about had deteriorated rather than improved. "What good are my prayers, anyway?" I was tempted to ask. "Why bother? It's becoming a mere charade." But the words of Jesus occurred in my Bible reading that very morning (and wasn't it a good thing I'd taken time to hear Him?): "If you, bad as you are, know how to give your children what is good for them, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him?" (Matthew 7:11, NEB).

Are you as often tempted as I am to doubt the effectiveness of prayer? But Jesus prayed. He told us to pray. We can be sure that the answer will come, and it will be good. If it is not exactly what we expected, chances are we were not asking for quite the right thing. Our heavenly Father hears the prayer, but wants to give us bread rather than stones.

Prayer is a weapon. Paul speaks of the "weapons we wield" in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. They are "not merely human, but divinely potent to demolish strongholds" (NEB). The source of my doubts about its potency that morning was certainly not the Holy Spirit. It was the unholy spirit, the Destroyer himself, urging me to quit using the weapon he fears so intensely.

"It was the unholy spirit, the Destroyer himself, urging me to quit using the weapon he fears so intensely."

That above is what hit me the most. satan brings doubt and discouragement and we begin to think that we should just give up. After all.....nothing is happening??????
Nothing that we can see with our physical eyes!!

Our enemy is such a liar and he knows how to play us.

He fears............ so he hits us with the fear of the unseen and unknown.
If we will give up he thinks he will win.

Will we let him win?

Thank you for walking through me with this. I am working this thing out in prayer. God is providing the tools to FIGHT..........I will use them.

Are You Starving?

Time between Keith and I has been really sweet lately. I want to thank those of you who have been praying for us. One of the things that I have always desired is to be able to talk about the things of God with my husband. That sounds like something that should easily take place-but it has not because of the difference in our walks. And I have learned to be very careful how
much I share concerning what I am learning. I would never want him to think that I am trying to be his teacher -although in the past he probably thought that when I gushed with excitement over something I was learning.

So this past week when Keith shared this devotional with me from Charles Stanley--we had a nice little discussion. It was sweet. God is moving.

We even had a situation where we had a little disagreement about Julia. I was hurt by somethings said-but I did not react in an ugly way. Keith left for work and I was surprised and hour later when he called to clarify what he had said. He apologized. Something big in our relationship that has just begun to change in the last year or so.

He came home for lunch and after he ate he said, "I think satan got really mad today". Of course I thought something bad had happened. He went on to explain that when he called me back and straightened things out that satan was not happy. He was glad he had called.
It was just a sweet moment.

The following is part of the devotional that Keith shared with me.

For believers to obey the Lord, daily meditation upon Scripture is essential. But, some Christians try to live the will of God while opening the Bible only at church. This practice is similar to playing in a basketball game without attending any practices. It results in a lot of errors and frustration.

The Bible's purpose is to shine a light on God's true nature. It teaches believers His principles and commands. This equips them to make decisions that are pleasing to Him. (Dr. Charles Stanley?) I once skipped reading God's Word for a week so that I would know what non-meditating believers experience. Even in so short a time, I got "rusty". My thinking was clouded. My attitude suffered. I could feel my heart growing cool to God.

Now the thing that got me was the fact the Charles Stanley did not know what people experienced that did not read their Bible and meditate on it.
Did you catch that?
He actually skipped a week just so that he would know what I have been experiencing lately.!!!!!!
Can you imagine living that way all the time? So close to God.
Maybe some of you do---that is awesome.
I have been there before-but lately things have been dry.
Now, everyday I read scripture in something and read about God.
But my time in the word has been scarce. :0
I need to do a reversal of what Charles Stanley did to remind myself of
what I have been missing.
So I can pretty much guarantee that my thinking is clouded, my attitude
is suffering and my heart must be growing cold.
We will be doing about this immediately.

Need A Reason To Praise Him?

Psalm 18:20-24

God made my life complete
When I placed all the pieces before Him.
When I got my act together,
He gave me a fresh start.
Now I'm alert to God's ways;
I don't take God for granted.
Every day I review the ways He works;
try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
and I'm watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.

\o/

Can we praise Him like David for the fresh start
He gives us each Day?
We don't have to live in yesterday.
Today I open my heart to Him because He Loves me.
The real me!
Now how many people could you show the real you
and say they still love you?
And not only does he love us------but He likes us!
He wants to be around us.
He wants to sit with us in silence,
or laugh with us when things are silly.
He just wants us.

Want to feel "put back together"?
Open your heart before Him--
He'll put the pieces back together the way they were meant to be.

Drowning?? Daddy God is coming!

When I was a little girl we lived in New Orleans.
I am not sure when but at some point our parents became friends
with a family that lived across the lake out in the country.
They had a huge beautiful wooden house-the husband was a lawyer in New Orleans--surrounded by lots of property.
It was a magical place to go on the weekends to get away from the city.
There was a huge wood burning fireplace-that is probably where I got my love for fireplaces.
They also had a table that seated their six and our six--now that is a table.
I remember sitting around the table after we ate--everybody talking and enjoying the company.
In my dream home I have a fireplace like that and a table like that.
I would love to see it filled with those in ministry.
A place that would fill their stomachs and refresh their souls.

One of the other things on their property was a huge pond-or it was when I was little-and it had an island in the middle.
We would swim out as far as we could and then swim back.
I don't know who else was present on this particular day but
I think Mom and Dad were the only adults there.
Mom never learned how to swim when she was growing up--although she did learn a little when we were in our teen years.
So Dad was sitting on the side bank with Mom watching me swimming back and forth.
I had gone across and was on my way back when I realized I could go no further.
I remember the panic I felt--I don't remember if I called out before I went down the first time.
But, I do remember coming up and looking at the shore.
I knew that someone was watching and he would come.
The last thing I remember was seeing Dad tossing off his shoes and removing his wallet and then as if by magic ----he was there.
I don't remember much from that point on--but I do remember feeling safe.
In the last few days I have felt like I was drowning.
My strength had carried me and with the events that transpired--that was quickly sapped.
Just like that little girl--I knew my Daddy God saw me going down...and I hoped
He would come to the rescue.
He did.
Tuesday night I picked up the mail and found out that we were being sued.
Keith lost a wheel barrel out of the back of his truck on the way to a job and it has caused an accident. This happened back in March of last year.
The letter from our insurance company told us that we might want to have our own lawyer available in case the amount being asked for was more than our insurance covered. !!!!!
My heart sunk.
Then Wednesday morning I got a collect call from the jail in town from our son.
Every mothers nightmare call. And yes, with the things we have been through with Michael it was a very real fear of mine.
It was not really a serious matter. He had an outstanding ticket that he had gotten for playing his music too loud in his truck. They stopped him for having a light out and when they pulled him up on the computer and saw it--they arrested him.
Many things began to take place where we could see the hand of God working.
He is now out--and yes, he learned some huge lessons that we pray will stick forever in his mind.
We have been trying to get him to enlist in the military-both his Dad and I think this will be good for him. Because of this--he will be enlisting. We consider this an answer to prayer.

This morning I finally got the insurance guy to call me back-after having already talked to our lawyer--and he told me
that what the people are asking is actually less than what our coverage limit is.
Praise God!
And he actually apologized for sending me the form letter he sent me-!!!!!!!!! :0 -and said that he was sorry that it had upset me.
No, I don't know why someone would be upset to get a letter that advised them to get a lawyer because someone was suing them possibly for more than their insurance would cover.
Goodness!
So the contents of the letter were not even totally true--but God was using it in my life.

One thing that I will admit is that both of the above situations have been fears that I have had.
I believe that God allowed both of these things to happen
so that I would have to face the fears that I have always thought would be my undoing.
In my fear and panic--I did think I was going under for the last time.
But, I was never out of my Daddy Gods sight.
He knew exactly what was necessary to make me face those fears--False.Evidence.Appearing.Real---and then show me that
He is my protector and comforter.
The circumstances did not take me under for the last time.
And during this time there were sweet songs placed in my subconscious by Him
to remind me of His love and His presence. The last two morning they were playing loud and clear in my mind when I woke up. I was being serenaded by the Holy Spirit. How cool is that?

God does not resolve things in the thirty minute time slots like on T.V.
But He tells us that He is working on our behalf--
that He is our defender.
That He cares for each of His children tenderly.

I thank Him for the lessons learned. I also thank Him for taking ammunition out of the hands of my enemy. He can no longer hold those things in my face and strike terror in my heart.
I can now say, BEEN THERE, DONE THAT----Not going back!

The Visitor

Someone
came in quietly
while I slept.
He stole through the doors,
Shadows gliding cross old wooden floors.
Making its’ way to my room,
Unseen by eyes in evenings gloom.
Slipping quietly to my bed,
Laying hands upon my head.
I felt no fear, no startled sleep
I only felt such sweet release,
Drifting back to slumber deep.

All night long while I slept
He kept vigil by my bed
As His hand lay gentle on my head.
In the morning when I woke
Something stopped me 'fore I spoke
A dear old hymn filled my head
Replacing what had been my constant stead.
s.b.

“I need thee, oh I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now my Savior
I come to Thee.”

On Tuesday evening a series of events began to take place that took my breath away.
They tried to run off the breath of the Spirit.
The next morning I was greeted by a phone call that confronted a fear that had been in my heart for several years. It almost seemed unreal.
Then I took Julia to the doctor and found out that she had pneumonia in both lungs.
All of these events made me feel as if I had been sucker punched in the gut.
Isn't it amazing how when God knows that there are fears lingering in your heart- He will actually let you walk through those fears to remove their power?
He is our hiding place.
He allows us to go to the strangest places
in order to show us the strength of His comfort.
My first gut reaction is to tuck tail and run. And yet I find His hands forming a wall that says, This far-no further.
The past two mornings I have woken to songs of His love playing in my mind.
He is real.
At some point in our lives He will take us to the dry lonely places to teach us that.
No one can learn those lessons for us.
When we begin to lean on anything other than Him---HE WILL SHAKE IT.


It is well with my soul.

GP are ya listening?.......... Feeling a little Kirk Franklin this morning :)

Whenever a message keeps repeating itself--you can better believe that my ears are going to perk up and I am going to stop and listen to what God is saying.
Just Sunday we heard Charles Stanley preaching on Nehemiah
and now on Tuesday I received this devotional.
I want to hear what He is saying.
Are we listening?

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture Reference: Nehemiah 1:8-9

Satan's Opposition or God's Punishment

Sometimes when we are in trouble we are not sure whether the trouble is the opposition of our enemy Satan or a punishment from God. It may be both, and in any case the thing to do is pray--first, confession of sin which is known; second, asking to be shown sin which has not been acknowledged; third, prayer for deliverance in God's way and in God's time.

When the people of Israel were in great trouble and disgrace and the wall of Jerusalem had been broken down, Nehemiah sat down and wept. Then he mourned and fasted and prayed "for some days" before the God of heaven. The exile of the people and the destruction of the wall were surely the work of evil men, but they were also the means employed by a sovereign God to punish the people. "If you are unfaithful I will scatter you." Nehemiah reminded God in his prayer of this threat, but he also reminded Him of his promise: "If you return and obey...I will gather them" (Neh 1:8, 9 RSV). Nehemiah became the intercessor and the means in the hand of God for their restoration, just as their enemies had, under his sovereignty, been the means of their punishment.

It is not required that we sort out all the possibilities--"Is this God?" or "Is this Satan?"--it is required that we confess our sins and put our whole trust in the God who is in charge.

Are we listening?

Where are the repairers of the wall?

Taking Care Of Business!

It is Meme Monday again.
Please click on the picture above to find out more about Meme Monday from Melanie.
I thought I was not going to have anything to take care of
but Nicki and Mary have given me some business.
First Mary-what a heart- has given her commentors a little gift.
So if you read.........and comment.........I will pass this little sweet gift along to you.
And then you will have the opportunity to pass it along to.
Next, Nicki from My Girly Girls has tagged me for the Seven Random Fact tag.
I don't usually tag so breath easy. ;)
I have done this one before so I hope I can come up with something new.
Here are the rules:

1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I wear contacts. I know, how interesting. But, I also wear glasses when the mood strikes me.
Yes, my hubby likes the different appearance my glasses give me.
So, when I want to appear a little something special for my man-I wear my glasses.
See you never knew wearing glasses worked just as well a lingerie. ;)

2. When I got married I did not get any nice dishes. It was just not really important to me at the time. Now I have developed a thing about white plates and dishes.
And thanks to a good friend--I have enough stuff to entertain in style should you ever drop in.
Just let me know before you come. ;)

3. I have a "thang" for pens. A smooth flow and comfortable grip just gets me.

4. Most people who meet me and don't get to know me-- seem to think that I am a pretty unemotional person. This is not true. Sometimes when I hear that people think that-- I am stunned since I feel like a wear my emotions on my sleeve.
But if you truly want to see that emotion come out--ask me about my relationship with God and His love for us.
But, don't do that unless you have awhile to listen. ;)
Then watch out for my hands because the share in the excitement too.
I talk with my hands.

5. When I was 18 God called me into the ministry.
I told Him, no way!
Yes, I repented after trying for a long time to run. And yes, He forgave me. :)
What is that ministry?
A ministry of reconciliation.
God wants His people back!

6. I LOVE dangling earrings. I am partial to silver and I have my ears pierced twice. :0
No, I don't have a belly button ring. LOL!

7. I do have a little wild child in me. Most people who have met me and do not know me -would laugh at the thought of that. But it is true and every once in a while I let her out.
Once or twice I thought about getting a tattoo
just to shock those who think they have me pegged.
But instead...........I just go for a little speed to get my thrills.
How?
Got a go cart and a race tract?
Watch out and stay out of my way!

How To Make The Most Of Listening To The Word

Why do you belong to the Christian world of blogging?

Is it just because you think it is a safe place to go?
Or do you come here looking for women who are where you are-struggling with the same things you are struggling with. Is there something in you that is spurring you on?
Maybe a desire to see how other women are walking this walk out?
I want you to know that the deepest desire of my heart is to walk this thing out in a way that is going to please God and bring glory to His name.
A way that will so please His heart that in the end He will say--
Well done my good and faithful servant.
I believe that the only way to do that is to be immersed in His word.
To hide that word in my heart so that I don't sin against Him.
How often do you read the word and leave it feeling that it was a waste of your time--you got nothing?
I'll be honest--this has been happening often lately.
Why?
Because life has gotten in the way.
Yesterday I caught the most amazing sermon that brought some great things to light.
I don't know if many of you know who Charles Stanley is. But without a doubt I can tell you that He is a tremendous man of God and a great teacher. There is no screaming and yelling--no light shows--just the simple truth of Gods word presented in an orderly easy to understand method.
He is right on.
Today he spoke on getting the most out of the word of God.
It was related to what you get when you come to church but I believe it will also be great to use when we are reading the word at home. Would you admit with me that we all have room to grow in the area of our Bible reading?
I hope your answer was yes.
Do you want the fire of God to burn into those places that need to be changed?
Then we have got to get into the word.
Here is the sermon outline. It has some fantastic points.
If you would like to watch the sermon--it was great--just click on his name below and it will take you to the page for you to watch it.
I hope you enjoy it and then I would love to hear what God has spoken to your heart.
Remember that we will only receive from God what we allow Him to give us.
A open heart and mind is all He needs to change our lives.

Charles Stanley

How to Listen to the Word of God

Charles F. Stanley

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-7, 12-17

I. Introduction: Why is it that some people leave church each week encouraged and full of joy, but others go away empty and burdened? How can we make the most of listening to the Word of God?

II. Message:

A. Scriptural example

1. The Israelites were captives in Babylon, and Jerusalem’s wall was in ruins. Nehemiah asked the Babylonian king for supplies and time off from his duties so he could help rebuild the wall.

2. With God’s help, Nehemiah and other exiles rebuilt the wall in 52 days, despite opposition from their enemies. The people then asked to hear the Word of God.

3. The best sermons are based on the Bible, not on the philosophies of men.

B. You must listen to God’s Word:

1. Eagerly (Neh. 8:1-2). When you come to a worship service, ask God to speak to your heart.

2. Attentively (Neh. 8:3). Your attention span is determined by your desire to know God and His will for your life.

3. Trustingly (Neh. 8:4-5). Our world is unpredictable. We must place our faith in something that gives us assurance—and God’s Word is trustworthy.

4. Expectantly (Neh. 8:5). In Nehemiah’s day, the people couldn’t understand the original languages of the scrolls. But they stood in anticipation of hearing God’s Word.

5. Prayerfully (Neh. 8:6). The people bowed low and worshipped the Lord.

6. Patiently (Neh. 8:7). The people listened for hours as God’s Word was read.

7. Humbly (Neh. 8:6). The people fell on their faces in humility because of their ancestors’ sins, which had caused them to miss the Lord’s blessings.

8. Purposefully (Neh. 8:12-17).They wanted to gain insight into the Law. Each time you come to church, ask God for insight about His character.

9. Happily. There was great joy when the people listened to the Law. You are responsible for your own attitude toward church.

10. Repentantly (Neh. 9:1-3).The people listened with repentant hearts. If the Lord brings something to your attention, don’t blame the preacher. Be honest with God about it.

III. Closing: Write these ten words inside the front cover of your Bible, and read them before next week’s sermon. Then ask God to help you be attentive, and He will speak to you.

Amazing Fragrance

God reminded me of this this morning and I thought it might be something that would touch your heart too.

Each time I read it it reminds me of the power of prayer and the fact
that Jesus intercedes for me continually. I also love the picture of
the angels and the awe and honor they display for their master.
Our prayers release incredible power.
Not our power but the mighty power of our Father.

His Presence

She kneels quietly, her heart neither heavy nor light.
She awaits the presence that will come and inhabit her praise.
To this earth she is silent, as in her heart she lifts her
Worship to the God that is the sum of all glory and might.

Angels nearby stand in attention, anticipating the presence
that will come as their Master keeps His promise.
In hushed honor they fall to their knees covering their faces
as His majesty fills the room. Slowly their glorious ruler sinks
to His knees joining her, their hearts beat as one
their voices rise in perfect harmony. In a burst of light,
the words of praise enter the throne room filling it with the
most amazing fragrance. With one breath God inhales
the request of His son; and in the next with a mighty voice
that fills the earth, the Father says, "€œYes, let
it be done on earth as it is in Heaven".€
Back on earth, fingers full of endless power, the master
touches her heart.Her eyes fill with tears and perfect sweetness
fills her soul. And then she hears Him say,"€œThis day as your praise
took flight,God has spoken, and you must continue the fight.
For you will have victory this very night."€
s.b.

I AM Christ

Every once in a while I do a little blog hopping.
Not often because I really just want to be able to keep up with what is going on with the girls I have gotten to know.
But with the things going on I was just looking for a little something from God.
I found this video on another womans blog-sorry that I can't remember which one.
This video just touched my sore heart this morning.

I am having a hard time with our son Michael.
He is 18 and is not walking with the Lord.
I have been where he is.
Yesterday was a really rough day.
I spent some time with him in order to go and get a part for his truck.
As soon as it gets fixed we have asked him to leave.
Ya'll-he is my baby.
They are the ones you start dreaming the big dreams for. The ones you grow up with.
I know that we made some mistakes with him.
But we love him-more than that, His Daddy God loves him.
I want him to come to the point where he understands the relationship-beyond salvation-that he must have with God in order to survive this life.
Yesterday he said--I know ya'll just want me to leave.
This crushed my heart.
No, we don't want him to leave. But he has refused to follow the rules that we have set in place.
We are enabling him if we keep him here and allow him to lead the life he is living.
We still have such high hopes for him.
I pray that one day he will understand and he will come to love His God the way we do.
I continue to pray that God will protect him and help him to "get it" before it is too late and he makes mistakes that will be felt the rest of his life.
He is my little boy.
I know that other parents-mine included-have been here.
I look forward to the day when he will say-Thank you for loving me with tough love.
Till then- Thank you God that you are with him where ever he goes.
Thank you for watching my baby.

Sore Feet!

This is it!
It was a great day to go to the
state capital. We saw all kinds of great
things--like the hall where Huey Long
was shot........a movie was recently made about this. Also we saw a pencil hanging from the ceiling in the senate..how did it get there? A bomb that went off in the 70's by some unhappy union workers.

We got to go to the top of the capital where Julia and I took some pictures.

The capital is right on the
Mississippi River which is now at flood stage.
The pictures are dreary but it was a beautiful day.
While at the top another Mom and I kept wondering why the elevator was not coming back up to get us and take us down. After about five minutes we realized that neither of us had thought to push the button. Ops!

Next we tore through traffic-
I almost got lost-
and went to visit the Rural
Live museum.
It was really incredible--and FREE!
It was the dream of the Burden family and Windrush Plantation to have a place that people could come to remember what rural life used to be like in Louisiana. The top center picture is the blacksmith shop. I love these places of history although they are somewhat sad because of the slavery that they were built on. The picture to the left is a picture of slave quarters. Each home was fitted with a fireplace and really no other necessities. The walls were made of a mixture of moss and clay that was packed between the wall boards. If you know Louisiana at all you know that our heat and humidity is horrible. I can't even imagine living during these times without air and ice! Ugh! To the right you see what would have been used to get sugar from the sugar cane crop. The first hole would have cooked the cane juice down to reduce it. Then it would have gone to the next section to reduce and make molasses and then further to make sugar. It like the blacksmith shop would have been an unbelievable hot place to work.

The next picture to the right is a rim of a wheel to a wagon. These wheels were huge.
They were taken from wagons that were pulling Cyprus trees out of the swamp.
The wheel shows how large the wagons had to be to pull out the gigantic trees.
Next we went to the kitchen. Now ya'll have to know that I loved this.
The above picture is the stove/oven that was located in a separate building from the house in case of fire. The fireplace would have been lit around 4:00 in the morning so that the coals would be ready for breakfast cooking. To the right is a really cool device for delivering warm food to people in the fields. The hot coals were placed in the bottom and so the above containers would have been heated. We also learned that spices first became popular to enhance the flavor of foods that we would have considered past edible stage. Yuck!
Black pepper would have been the most expensive spice and women would have considered themselves fortunate if they found this in their wedding gifts. Try getting away with that today when you give a bridal gift. :)

Above is the church for the plantation. I don't know that all plantations would have had a church since pastors back then would have probably been circuit riders. Most churches would not have had a pastor every Sunday. I just thought the writing on the pew to the right was interesting.
To the left is Julia and I. There was a HUGE grist mill and we decided to have our picture taken.
This building was attached to a device that would have held at lease 8 mules or horses.
For each turn of the wheel the stone for grinding the corn would have turned 75 times. The stone is right above our heads.

When we first entered the grounds we walked through a building called the barn. It was filled with things that have been donated to the LSU Rural museum.
These of course are for funerals.
They were very elaborate.
To the right is a metal coffin inside the above vehicle. There is a little shadow from me on the glass but can you see that there is a glass opening in the head area of the casket? I would gather that this is for viewing without the smell. Kind of creepy and gross.
Depending on where you lived in Louisiana you might have been buried above ground because we are below water level.

The last thing we saw was the jail.
Now each plantation did not have its own jail. I guess they would have just put a person in stocks. But the guides here were pretty proud that they had this jail. The wall were very thick and nails were placed about 2 inches apart--no escape would have been able anyway unless your were able to get out of the devices to the right. And yes, notice the little potty available? I think it would not have been a very nice place to stay. There was a very small window in the top of the room and a pot belly stove for heating. You would have been guaranteed misery year round.
By the time we got here parents were complaining of sore feet. Yes, me included.
Julia and I rode home together and stopped by a new Bass Pro Shop on the way home.
Yes, we both came home with a new pair of shoes......that we got on sale!
It was a great day. ;)
If you are ever in the area the Rural Life Museum is a great place to go.
It is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

This is Why I Act the Way I Do (TIWIATWID

My Mom and Dad

I am on a field trip today(Thursday) and so I thought I would repost my post from a year ago to the day. Ya'll know you are just dying to get to know me better
and here is your chance.
The first paragraph is a story being retold by Holly of Crown Laid Down-then the rest is me. She gives the intro to my post.
Enjoy!
See ya when I get back-I'll bring pictures. Yes, I know-please
try and contain your excitement.
---------------------------

I was thinking about Beth Moore's story in a Bible study about her dog Beanie. Every time Beanie would do something bad, she would hold up her paw (that had been hurt and had surgery), as if to say, " This is why I act the way I do." Beth's point was that often we do things (or we know people who do things) out of our hurts and pains, as if to say, "This is why I act the way I do." So we think we are JUSTIFIED in our actions.

So I thought of a fun way to play this game, TIWIATWID. I'll keep it light and fun! 'Heaven knows we can think of a host of heavy and serious ones.


1. When I was young our Dad was very much into the health scene. Well, maybe I should just say, He was big time into vitamins and minerals . For years I thought I hated orange juice. When I got a little older I found out that it was not the orange juice I hated but the liquid iron he placed in it. I am still not real fond of orange juice.

2.When I was 5 my parents started teaching at a Christian Businessmens Conference on top of Lookout Mountain in TN. Anybody know Covenant College? That's the place. Every summer I looked forward to leaving our home in New Orleans to head for the mountains. We would start up that mountain in our blue and white van with the thick cobalt blue shag carpet and I would get butterflies in my stomach from the excitement surrounding the fun I knew we would have that week. I still get butterflies to this day each time we head for the mountains.

3.As a little girl just before it was bed time Mom would get my older brother and I and have us get on either side of her as she read some of the great classics. That is why to this day I love to read.

4. A little girl of about 5 or six followed her Mom to an old house where they sat as a group of women to learn about God. She watched as her Mom spoke with outward confidence of the inner confidence she had in her God. She loved to teach. That is why that little girls now grown -gains great pleasure doing the same. That little girl is me!

5. My father had a ministry in the French Quater when I was growing up. I remember hearing valiant stories of people snatchd from the power of Satan by the power of God. Everybody deserves to serve God freely--that is why I fight as a soldier in the army of God today.

Now don't you feel like you know me so much better? :)

Six Word Memoir Meme

Six-Word Memoir Meme

I have been tagged by Denise over at Samaritan Women for the Six-Word Memoir. Now I have been told that I can only give a 6 word memoir--- but I really feel I have to explain what I am planning to write. Cuz if you don't know me by now---I am a thinker. So honestly-I went to the dictionary to look this up and this is what it said to make sure I do it right. ;)

Memoir

1.	a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation.

2.	Usually, memoirs. a. an account of one's personal life and experiences; autobiography. b. the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization, as of a learned society.

3.	a biography or biographical sketch.

The Rules:

1. Write your own Six-Word Memoir.

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you want.

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.

4. Tag at least five more blogs with links.

5. Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Sooooo based on the fore mentioned knowledge---here is what I would want my memoir to read.

Pure in heart--she saw God.
Mat 5:8
This is based on my life verse and what I pray will be the memoir I leave behind.


Now I am going to tag--

Do You Weary Like I Do?
Shortybears Place
Free To Fly
Shore Stories
Three Girly Girls

Be a flower!

It was so dark and cold.
She wasn't exactly sure where she was but something did not feel right.
Something made her want to move-to stretch.
A strange yearning deep inside to be free from what held her tight....well
that yearning, it consumed her.
It happened this way.
A tightness, a restlessness and then rest.
One day she realized that it was not so cold.
And in that thawing she realized she was changing.
It was still dark..... so what the difference was-she could not tell for sure.
Oh...and again........... that uncomfortable edgy feeling.
Pushing, stretching and then rest.
There was so much moisture now. She drew it in.
It made her feel so much stronger......firmer.
And just when she was enjoying this new feeling.......oh!.....here we go again!
She pushed and pushed trying to move what was in her way---she needed to be free of the confines.
And then, it happened....................free space!
And light!
It was warm and the breeze danced around her in the most amazing way.
It was lovely to be free!
Soaking in the sun she raised her face to the sky.
It was glorious.
Each day now she was changing.
She used to be weak and gangly but now she was filling out. What exactly she was filling out-
she was not sure--but it was exciting.
And then one day.... she felt that strange sensation again.
That desire to push against what was tying her in. Except this time she felt as if she was almost pushing against herself.
It was unusual and most peculiar.
Dusk was coming and she was so tired--sweet rest always came with the falling of the sun.
She bowed her head and let the dew fall gently on her resting body.
As the sun rose the next morning she lifted her head and stretched.
It was a new sensation.
Almost a popping feeling. Something had given way.
There was more to her somehow.
She looked into the sky with new eyes and smiled softly in joy at the new creation that was her. She was a flower!
With no one else around .....she swayed and waved her thankfulness to her creator.
s.b.
"Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance-but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving.
Luke 12:25-29

Biggest loser!

Can a WOMAN do it?

Can a woman be the biggest looser????
Two women in the final three!

Will the guy win?
Kelly didn't beat him.
Now
Ali is getting ready to step on the scale......
commercial break of course......
and the winner is\o/.......

ALI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wahoooo!

You're next Mimi's Toes!

Yes, it is silly to get so excited over someone else loosing weight--- but if you have ever struggled with your weight---you will understand. ;)

Fine Dinning or Meat and Potatoes

Someone asked me the other day how I get quiet before the Lord
and that question triggered this post.

While I was in the restaurant business we were taught that people eat with their eyes.
So finding new ways of presenting a food item was very important. A dinner special became
a sort of art creation. But we also had to find the words to lure the buyers since they could not see our creation. We spent quite a bit of time coming up with the proper wording.
Now if the wait staff used those words was another story.
But here is what one of our specials might have sounded like.

Three peppercorn seared center cut filet topped with jumbo lump crab meat in a smoked fennel beurre blanc served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and bermuda onion crisps

Now this was a long time ago and trends in food have changed somewhat--but this could have been found on any Saturday night special.
I got used to cooking this way and sometimes that training came home with me.
Now the only problem with that is---my man is a plain meat and potato man. Not that he does not enjoy the fancy every once in awhile--but not every day.
Besides, if you ate that way everyday money and weight would become an issue. ;)
So I had to tone it down and learn that fancy fluff- was not always better.

Yesterday I was thinking about how I get quiet before the Lord-- God brought to mind the above. If you are like me you want to make sure you do your quiet time right.
Walk through any Christian book store and you will see all kinds of methods to getting down to the basics with God. A new trend will pop up and everyone will get on the band wagon. And they make it look so appetizing-- that the masses purchase their nicely presented presentations.
And as our bookshelves get full -our spiritual stomachs get bloated.
Or maybe I should say we end up with fat heads.
Now I am not saying that we should avoid all of the books that are being written.
There are some fantastic sources out there.
But..... if we are not careful we forget
that all we really need to do to be fed-- is to pick up our Bible.
The meat and potatoes
without all the fancy and flourish of someone else's opinions and thoughts.
I think that if we could really have a face to face with God-- alone--
He would tell us that is what He would prefer.
Us before Him quiet without any other sources.
Quiet and listening to the voice of the Spirit that was sent to be our teacher.
Imagine that.........we have a teacher that we don't have to pay. And He desires to teach us the secret things of God. He gives it freely!
Free without all the fluff.
Again, I am not saying that I think we should stay away from all outside sources. I love doing a good Beth Moore study. But, this is to come after I have been fed by God first.
He is a jealous God-----don't you think He looks forward to the times you will share when He will tell you about the marvelous things that will stand for eternity?
But........ we must get quiet--away from all the media--so that we hear His voice only.
I hope this makes sense-- it's just something I was thinking about yesterday.

meat and potatoes

Day Two: 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge

Day Two:
" . . . through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b

Today, find some way that your husband is serving you or your family. Does he help around the house? Take care of the car? Fix things that are broken? If your budget allows, give him a new, small tool with a big bow attached. But make sure he doesn't think it's part of a "Honey Do" list!

Maybe your husband's not a handyman, but does he run errands for you? Let you go first? Take care of you when you are sick? Help you make decisions? Praise him for his willingness to serve others. Let him know that you see his unique service as a great strength.

Keith is the handyman in our house. He can do just about anything he puts his hands to---if he does not know how--he will figure it out. I really do appreciate this about him. My Dad is the same way.

I don't think there are any tools that Keith does not have--so I'll have to open my mouth and praise him today for his strengths.I don't know why it is so hard to open my mouth to praise him. But I really must work on this.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge.

I saw recently that Denise over at Shortybears Place has been doing this challenge.
Wonder why they call it a challenge. ;)
With all we have going on in our lives-- I have been really thinking about what is going on in my head and what I am speaking with my body language and mouth.
Body language probably gets me more than my mouth-yes, you know you know what I mean.
A little rolling of the eyes here, furrowed eyebrows and yes, those snorts. Yes, I said snorts.
I know-very lady like. :0

So....... here I am. I probably won't post all thirty days
or I won't have a chance to do any other posts.
Here is the first one. And if you would like to work on this yourself --here is the link to the
Revive Our hearts web page.

Day one--
"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." Prov. 31:11-12

To refresh your memory . . . here's the 30-Day Encouragement Challenge: for the next 30 days:

• You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
• Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband. . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

To help you get started, have you ever thanked your husband for "choosing you" above all other women? He found you attractive as a person, and appreciated you. Though many circumstances in your marriage may have changed, let your husband know that you are glad God led you together, and that you want to be a blessing to him for the rest of your marriage. Let him know that he can trust you to be in his corner.

One of the best opportunities to express your gratitude is first thing in the morning. How do you greet your husband each morning? Is he confident in your love? Give him a "wake up call" that he'll never forget-a big "I love you" and an "I'm so glad I'm your wife!"

------------------
I don't know that the first thing in the morning is the best time to thank Keith for choosing me.
I wouldn't want him to have one of those--"What was I thinking" moments when he sees me with my hair flying all over the place.
But, sometime today--- I will thank him for choosing me.
I might even remind him how blessed he is. ;) No, just joking.
And, I will think positive, loving thoughts about him today.
He really is a great guy ya'll. He evens me out in so many ways.
And see--I just spoke something positive about him to someone. :)
So here goes!
You know what they say--Where the mind goes the body follows.
Hmmmm, this might just be a good thing.

Taking Care Of Business!

Melanie over at Livin' With Me has started Meme Monday. If you click on the picture above it will give you all of the details. It has been awhile since I participated and I have a few details and goodies to take care of. So no, I did not get all of these this week--but this should
bring me up to date.

Mary over at Mary's Writing Nook tagged me for this MeMe. Now ya'll know I don't tag-- so feel free to read without the "fear" ;)

1. The rules are posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago.
I was still in the restaurant business as a chef and an assistant manager at a local country club. I was pregnant and had almost lost Julia. It was not long after this that I quit to stay home. And I have been home ever since.

2. Five things on my to-do list for today.

I hate to do lists. But, I need to call about insurance. Start doing some packing. Take a nap because I don't feel so well. Pay some bills. Do this Meme Monday.
Exciting huh?

3. Snacks I enjoy.
Right now-- chili lime peanuts and mint tea.

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire.
Pay off all bills and BUY A HOUSE! ;) Then I would pay off some bills for family.
Tithe of course. Can you imagine the church that got that? And since we don't have a home church at the moment I would probably spread the goodness around between some different ministries.
And last a huge thing that I have had on my heart and would love to be used by God to do---have a place in the mountains where people in ministry could go for free to refuel. We would provide counseling, romance, fun, and of course GOOD FOOD! I so see this place in my mind. Right down to the huge fireplace in the kitchen with BIG leather chairs. The ladies and I could sit around the fireplace to have a morning time just for the girls. This has been on my mind for years.

5. Three bad habits that I have.
Eating when I am stressed or angry. Wearing my feelings on my sleeves. Not exercising. :(

6. Five places I've lived.
New Orleans, La---Covington, La.---Oakton, Virginia----Dayton, Tn

7. Five jobs I've had.
Preschool worker, Nanny, Sous Chef in a fine dinning establishment, Assistant manager at a country club, Chef at a country club.

Now I really have to say I am sorry for not passing this out sooner.
Things got crazy and I got lazy. ;)
So here goes.

This sweet award is from Maria at Free To Fly. If you click on the picture you can see what it stands for and how to pass it on. It is supposed to be passed on to 5 people but since I am sooooo late I am sure you have already been given this. If you have not gotten it--please take it.

This next is from Mary at Mary's Writing Nook. Ya'll she just has such a huge heart and she encourages me. She has such a grandma's heart. She is not old enough to be my grandma--but I would love to be one of her grandkids. :) I just love the look of this little award.
How cool to be called someone's friend.
So all of you who are my friends ;) ----this is for you!

This was from Denise at Shortybears Place
If you don't know her--YOU SHOULD! One of these days on my way through TN I am going to make her meet me. She also has a huge heart and keeps my in box full of good things to keep me on tract. And we all know that I have needed that lately.
I love ya girl! I am sending a big hug out to all of you who need a hug today.
Need a hug?

Don't you love how this next award looks? It came to me by way of Mary also. Many of you got it because she gave it out to all of her readers. Don't you just love the words on the cups. We all need friends who we can trust-ones who will be kind and honest and care for us when we need it most. It would be great to have that living next door--but most of us don't. So here we are.
God promised to supply all of our needs--and so He invented blogdom.
(That was pretty good--you can feel free to quote me ;)
I love all of you. You are my sisters and friends.
I raise my cup to you! Please take one of these sweet awards.