The Dream

What lengths Lord will you go to reveal Yourself to us?
Will You usher us straight into the temple of Your glory....or will there be a price to pay as in the day of Isaiah?

If You had told me that this would be the price paid- would I have still said,
Yes, Lord I want to know You........?
Or would I have hesitated and stepped back from the vision that passes before my eyes?

~~~~~~~~

Standing near the mouth of the cave I look up to see His face.
The sky is dark and swirling....no light of the moon or stars from above
In the wave of the storm I begin to see pictures take place like images seen in the summer clouds
Stepping closer to the opening my eyes focus for a split second on the face of a boy now a man
A troubled boy lost in a world of storm
And quick as the vision came..it was gone
Gone to allow the faces of those claiming to be part of the family to circle in closer
Their lingering face taunting and bitter
Oh the ache in my heart an ache that spreads like embers
eating away at the edges of paper old and dry
And then in the rushing of the wind they are gone
their glaring eyes lost in the midnight darkness

And then like a mist comes hope...thin and wispy hardly visible
Freeing itself from the chaos it wraps itself around my head creating a covering for one to like one tucking one safely in to bed
Reaching up my fingers try to lovingly grasp the hope for my future

But the tighter I grasp the tighter it wound its elusive dream and to its death I was bound
And before I knew it its feet no longer touched the ground
It had become one more figure swirling round
Lost in a storm created by the god of the air
I seemed to become one more twisted mind lost in despairing hope
Oh the anguish that ruled my heart
flipping and turning till I could scarce remember its start
All entwined in events from the past
you see I'd become a part of what had tried to destroy me

In one clearing moment a thought came to me....
Remember the name above all other....it will set you free

From a hear awash with tears
ripped apart by pain
a small voice was heard in the storm that day

A voice of a child lost in the midnight storm
reaching out in last hope
for the only one who could set her free

"Daddy are You there? Do You see me?
Have You forgotten me?
Can You just hold me?"

Into the storm the Calmer of winds did reach
and in one brief second enveloped her in sweet peace

She found herself kneeling beside a creek enveloped by a love that could not be seen
Looking up into the sky she realized that it was bright and clear blue
Her heart wept in the grasp of the only One who could stand true
He loved her true
how could she ever doubt that His actions were for anything but to bring
His glory out

In that moment she held out the wounds of old hurts buried so deep
they were never meant to be found....better thought forgotten covered by the blood so deep

Hands wiping away her tears He hands rose and He touched her mind....

Remember when you said you wanted to see my face.... When you said you wanted to understand my redeeming grace?
The things you asked for deeply touched my heart.....you didn't know it would be your journeys start. For in scripture I said No one could see my face and live. The one who would see my face must die.
In order for Me to allow you a vision in part of me....meant your death.
A death that would be a journey. A journey of pain and hardship
A path that would remove from you all that this world of death had given you.
Each time in death you let go of the presence of this world...I opened your eyes a little more.
The scales are removed and you are allowed to see me.
Looking back on the past year you see the motive of the events...events still wanting to have their hold.
You asked to see my face....I had to purify your heart to do that. I know even now you don't see me clearly, but each time you allow me to bring death to what belongs to this world....... your spiritual eyes will see Me as I AM.
Can you give up the things of this earth on your own? No. No more than you could lay down and put a knife through your own heart.
It will be a journey.......a journey that you and I will take together.
A journey of a life time.
And in the end.............. you and I will know and be known.

I found this in a notebook that I had been writing in around December.
I don't think I posted it......if so, sorry.
I was looking for a notebook to write down some notes on the Spirit.
This was the last thing written. For some reason it just really spoke to me today and so I thought I would put it here for you to read. Many times this is how God speaks to me.
These "movies" in my head are easily forgotten if I don't write them down.
We all have our storms. One ends and another begins. Hopefully each storm brings new knowledge of who He is.....a better glimpse of His face.
He is the only one who can calm the physical and emotional storms.

A couple of years ago a friend of mine had a dream during the night. In that dream she said that she was terrified because satan was rounding up Christians and locking them away in a cave. Huge crowds were being locked away.
Not praying for understanding first.... I gathered that she must have been dreaming about her husband who was dealing with deep depression.
Now I see this dream just a little different. Imagine if Elijah had not come out of the cave and witnessed the storm? Imagine if he had seen the storm and remained locked in the cave too afraid to journey through its duration?
I am afraid that this is what satan is doing to the body. He is ushering us into a dark cave...telling us that it is a safe place to ride out the storm. A storm that we must witness if we are to see the face of God and hear His voice.

If you feel fear in your heart.....step to the mouth of the cave and look up.
Do not be frightened by the things you see.........He controls the storm.
And when this world has finished having its say........
HE WILL SPEAK.
And all will be well with your soul.

Just some thoughts

I have to admit that I watched the Oprah interview with Ted Haggard and his wife.
I remember the story that was all over the news two years ago.......the name of God being smeared in the filth of the information that was coming out.
My heart was so burdened for the church.....so crushed for his wife.
I have known the disillusion of the church and its leaders- but hope never to have to go where his wife had to go. Can you even imagine this in your worst nightmare? In response to the news
their church leaders required that the leave their home, their state and their friends.
Still some helped them out along the way with places to stay.....but eventually they were on their own in this journey.
Can you even imagine being his wife......this woman of God who was asked to walk this road?
And can you believe that she stayed with Ted?
In my mind I don't know if that would have been the choice she made.
Praise God for her heart!

I guess the thing that hit me the most was the fact that Ted Haggard had gone for help years ago. Yes, he had gone to some spiritual advisers and told them that he was having a problem with thoughts about other men.
Their answer of help......work harder for the Lord.
Really.......I would like to smack this/these men. What fruit were they displaying here?
Not Godly fruit.
So instead of being able to get help when he confessed his sin...........they swept it under the carpet. And several years later.......satan got to throw the dirt in the face of Jesus.

We all have dirt. Little things about ourselves that we decide---I'll just deal with it myself...no one else need know.
God and I will deal with this and I will do better.
I have been there. But that is not what scripture tells us to do.
So why does scripture tell me to confess my sins to another?

James 5:16 (New International Version)

*16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

so that you may be healed.

We live in a world that is very contagious. My inner man if not filled.....will begin to long after what it sees....even if I know that it is not right.
That is why I am told to resist it and it will have to flee.
I think that is what Ted Haggard was trying to do when he revealed his inner man to another.
But instead of that person believing the scripture and following it.......he leaned to his own understanding. Dear God forgive us.
Ted Haggard needed an eye to eye person. Someone who would have made sure he was getting help.....for Gods name sake.
And so I repeat....DO YOU HAVE AN EYE TO EYE PERSON?
And if you don't...what are you doing to find one? You may have to approach someone who you know to be a Godly woman. Maybe go to your pastor and tell him that you need a woman who will hold you accountable and could he help point you in the direction of a woman.
Those older women in the body.....that is their job.
And you older women (not just by age) who are you mentoring? It is not a choice....scripture tells us that that is what we are to be doing. And just to let you know...your eye to eye person does not have to be a mentor...........Just someone who walks in love and will hold you to what is right and true.
Bottom line...it is easy to hide who we are.
For years after getting out of the restaurant business I struggled with smoking.
I would quit and then times would get hard and I drifted back into the habit.
I knew it was not something that I should be doing to my temple....His body.
And yet, if no one knew.....it was easy to fade in and out of this horrible habit-a habit that I hated. The really horrible thing about this is that while I was doing it- I felt like such a hypocrite.
I never wanted to pretend that I was something that I was not.
Do I hand out the Word with hands coated with lies? It made me sick which pushed me further away from God.....I could not face Him.
So with the stress that happened in the last 8 months...what do you think reared it ugly head?
(Honesty......it is what is required for healing according to scripture.)
Yes, smoking.
I knew I needed an eye to eye person who saw this as I did....not someone who would pat me on the back and say, Well, we know everyone has their own struggles. They could not be "nice" about the whole thing-that would not help.
And God who promises us what we need.....He sent me one.
Right out of the blue I told her that I needed her to do something for me. I told her what my problem was.......you should have seen the shock on her face.....and asked her if she would hold me accountable. And she said, YES!
And you know what I found? She needed an eye to eye person too.
And so we are walking this thing out together.
And am I smoking now? Nope! And I haven't for awhile, because I am allowing God to fill and healing that area of my life. Could it still be an issue?
You had better believe it.......especially if I don't let God work in my life through the Spirit and my eye to eye person.
(Side note.......this friend was not the first person I went to to try and get help. I had gone to a group of Christians. After telling what was going on not one person stepped up to the plate. And that is o.k.....God had a certain one in mind. And so I continued my search.)

Years ago I would not have shared this because of the judgment that would come.
At this point in my life........that really does not matter to me anymore. I hope that God has wrung that out of my life for good......He taught me a lot after what we went through in our last church.
Why am I free of that fear? Because I know He loves me....and I know that the ones who have tasted that love will not dare go there.
Honesty guys...admitting that we all have issues! That we have not arrived at perfection....we are still a work in progress.
It is what's required to walk this thing out as He wants us to.
It is the thing that will bring healing.
What might have happened years ago if someone had come alongside Ted and his wife and walked this thing out according to scripture?
Think of all the hearts that would have been saved from heart break.

Thanks for listening.
Are you an eye to eye person for someone?

*Biblegateway.com

Sunday and the Spirit

You know I have known for awhile that I have the potential to be a real trial to a teacher.;)
Not this time. This time I am waiting patiently for the material to unfold and trying not to ask too many questions.
But honestly....this is killing me! :)
We show up for Sunday school for 9:45...and of course there is chit chat time(all the while I am thinking of the time we are wasting) and then prayer request time and then we finally get to get into the meat......after a review of the past week.
(what word would you use here for someone pulling out there hair in frustration?)
Guess that is the problem of teaching a teacher---I want to see a well formed idea...but for peets sake lets not wade in like the water is cold....anybody know where the diving board is? :)
And yes, I know that it is important to have everyone on the same page and our teacher is good at this...I was just being silly...but it is how I feel.

I love this teacher. She tells us that she is just the donkey Jesus picked to teach this class.....but I think she undersells what God has put in her. And yes, I told her so today.
I think He did a great job picking this someone. :)

So here is the back drop for this study. And I will try and keep it short.
The most important relationship you will have while here on earth is the relationship you have with the Holy Spirit. He is the one that Jesus sent to guide, teach and comfort us when He returned to heaven. Need comfort? The Holy Spirit is your source.
You get the idea.

So here is the steps we take in moving toward that relationship.
1. Know-this is the point where we become aware of God and that He is the creator.
2. Belief-at this point we acknowledge that we are sinners and that we need the saving work of Jesus for salvation. We must all get to this point of salvation in order to move further.
Most Christians get to this point and stay here. They have their ticket to Heaven and that is all they want.....sometimes all they know they can have.
This is a miserable place to stop.....I was here for years just building up information.
3. High Belief- This is where all the knowledge moves from your head to your heart and out through your action. Your belief becomes experience.
And who is the one who we have been given to move that knowledge into experience?
The Holy Spirit.....our guide and teacher.

So high belief involves experience.
Kind of like this.
Many years ago when I was in culinary school we learned some pretty great things in the classroom. I could spout the recipe and even tell you step by step how to put the dish on the table. But now I know from my experience in running a kitchen......book learning will not get you to far when it comes to putting out an elegant meal that tastes superb.
Time in the kitchen......in the heat.....hands on is what it takes to take that knowledge into an area where I know that what I know really works. And along the way I have found that usually it takes more than one time with a dish to get it right. And you had better believe that my chef instructor let me know when I missed the mark.
But when I got it right......well, no one could take that feeling and wisdom away from me.
It was mine!

That is High Belief.
So here is what I would like to hear from you.....this is what we did in class.
I want you to look at your life and tell me about a time when you saw the work of the Holy Spirit/Trinity in your life. A time when you know what you gained came from a rooted, grounded, trusting relationship with the Holy Spirit------He had walked you from KNOW to HIGH BELIEF.
Lets not use salvation- because if we get to high belief we know we have been saved.

An example.....maybe you had a really tough decision to make and you know that scripture says if we ask for wisdom He will give it to us. So is there a time when you know you asked and received guidance from the Holy Spirit?
Or maybe someone was really sick and you know that scripture says that He is our healer..........and you experienced the healer.

Mine......the Holy Spirit taught me about God being my Abba Father.
I know some here did not have a close personal relationship with their earthly father.....and this can be a real hindrance to knowing God as a Father. In my life the Holy Spirit taught me the things in scripture that opened my eyes to God as my Daddy God in Heaven.
I could go on and on here....but I want to respect your time.


I look forward to sharing more as I hear it.
If you would like to do some reading on your own In Touch has some great short articles on the Holy Spirit. Here is the link.....In Touch Ministries.....scroll down to 68 and they have some great things. They are not long...and to the point.
Love you girl!

Now I am finished! ;)

What do I see?

I wish I could explain what is going on in me.

But I am not really sure.
There is a stirring that has been taking place.....thoughts and feelings swirling.
Kind of like a painting I am watching evolve.
I am looking at the marks of the artist....wondering how the sometimes angry looking slashes of color will ever come to resemble something I know to be real.And yet with each passing day I know that I am getting one step closer to the point my heart and my brain will be able to understand what is being put there on the canvas.
And the reason why it was put there when it was......that understanding will come too.

Each time a new piece of information fills in a part of the whole....I feel my spirit start to breath a little deeper. It is going to be good...this end. It is going to make me look back with such clarity.
Marveling at what He was doing all along.
And like the artist who puts his heart and soul into a work of art.......He is slowly by His Spirit putting His heart and soul into me.
If for a minute I could take a step back and look at my life through His eyes.
If for one brief moment I could look over at His face as He is looking at my life......the masterpiece He is creating. If that could happen.....I believe it would take my breath away.
The pleasure on His face would explode my heart.

Dear God let me see it......just once. Let US see it.

And yet.......I often get lost in the "angry" slashes of color.
And to my shame I look at Him like He doesn't know what He is doing.
Doesn't He see how what He is putting there will never match the vision I have.
And again, sometimes I misunderstand the look of glee on His face.
I see it as Him enjoying teaching me a lesson......
Bam! As He slaps the canvas with a new raw color.

And that about sums up the past few years of my life.

But now an image is starting to form....I think.
My mind struggling to understand what it thinks it is seeing.
Kind of like one of those pictures that asks what we see in them--the young lady or the hag.My mind is trying to catch a glimpse.......and yet the Spirit is saying,
Wait for it-wait for it.
I hear the excitement in His voice. He is enthralled by the beauty of what He knows is coming.
He stands in me and glories at the finishing touches of the Father at this stage.
He is working in what the Father is working out.
And so I wait.
Wait with anticipation as my heart begins to beat a little faster.
To the glory of the Father it will be marvelous!

We will be MARVELOUS! ;)

Snow day!

So today was a snow day. I got to sleep late and then I drove for the first time in the snow and went and got in a fabulous workout. I think Elayne was trying to kill me. :)
But we had some good laughs and I got to leave with some muscles that were going to be sore.
That is a good thing!
When I got home we decided to pack some snacks and head into the mountains to see what God had been up to.
We decided that He was truly showing off......just a tad. ;)
I will have to admit that there will be a bit more sore tomorrow than muscles that have been worked out. I was blown away by what I was seeing so I told Keith to stop the truck so that I could walk down the road a bit and he could take my picture. Yes, that is me standing in the middle of the road.
Now, it is very important to remember that as one is driving in snow it does tend to build up on the side rail steps of the truck. It tends to get a little thick which can some times give the illusion that it is ok for one to step on while getting out of the truck.
There is only one problem with this.......it gives way when pressure is put on it.
Thus sending the feet of the unaware- flying out from under them. Bringing their flight to an abrupt halt when their patoot hits the slushy cold ground.
(cry/embarassed laugh breaking the silence)
Thank heaven that there was no vehicle behind us to witness this graceful escape from the truck.
So...note to self......If your hind section is a bit sore tomorrow
it may not be because of the squats you did in the gym. :0

I guess cold can be therapeutic for sore muscles right?
Here is me doing a little therapy.
I have never made a snow angel before....so here goes.

Not too bad...but Julia did point out (when she finally decided to get out of the truck) that she does not have a head.
Then she forgot about me and she and Keith had a little fun. The snow was
a little hard to pack but they managed to smack each other around with it.

Meanwhile I decided to take some pictures.
Isn't this tree fabulous?

Did I mention that it was really cold today?

Here is my man......and no that is not dandruff in my hair. :) Not sure what the look is on my face......maybe it is because the photographer did not know what she was doing?

Now this was one of my favorites. I think Keith thought we were about to hit something when I yelled....stop! After a little effort we got back to this tree. See the apples......I guess everyone likes snowballs. Although it does look like they are wearing some type of furry Russian hat.
Anyone like frozen applesauce?

Here is Julia and I. Notice a theme of a scarf over my face?
I was graced with a lovely fever blister this week and so I though I would spare you and the camera. Between that and a horrible hair cut last week......I was feeling a little camera shy.

Here is the last picture.
There is just something about what snow does to the atmosphere.
It falls and things get quiet.....it is so silent outside.
There is something about it that brings such a sense of peace.
It is such an awesome piece of art work prepared by our God.
It just fills my soul......I had to capture it.

*6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'
and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

7 So that all men he has made may know his work,
he stops every man from his labor.

8 The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.

9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds.

10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.

*Job 37--NIV.

A Little of this and that

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who prayed for safe journey today.
Keith didn't have to work because of the weather..and so he was able to act as my driver.
And since my GPS and map quest seemed to have a problem finding the address I was looking for.....I was oh so glad to have him along. Two are better than one.
Then as the snow became an element on the way home.......I made very sure Keith knew I was glad to have him along.
So I got to meet my girl...she is a sweetie and the foster Mom was great.
And I got to spend 6 hours alone with my husband.....not a bad day. :)

I wanted to share a little of what we have been learning in Sunday School.
We are learning that we all have certain beliefs that we know and hold as truth in our heads.
But, the problem for most of us is that although we know those truths--they have never made their way to that inner part of us that drives our thoughts and actions.

So we have eternity covered with our ticket to heaven.
And we begin to learn about Jesus by reading the Bible and storing away truths.
But how do we get these truths from our heads into our hearts and lives?

We all know that a person is made up of three parts. I am a spirit who has a soul(the seat of my emotions and who I am) and those are contained in this body.
When I become a Christian the Holy Spirit comes to live within me.
God sent His son, the Son came and died on the cross and now sits at the right hand of the Father(does the seated position give the idea of completed work?).......the Holy Spirit is here now to be my teacher, counselor and comforter.
It is His job to conform me into the image of the Father or you could say Jesus.
So would you not say that it is pretty important to have a strong relationship
with the Holy Spirit?
If He is the one who is going to transform me.....do I trust Him?
Can I trust Him if I don't know Him?
So could we say that the most important relationship we will ever
have here on earth will be with the Holy Spirit?

So how would you rate the depth of this relationship?
A. Very Deep
B. Deep
C. Casual
D. Shallow
C. Non-existent

To be honest.......I don't know that I could say B and of course I would love one day to be able to say A. But if my life is going to be truly change from the inside out......I am going to have to allow the Spirit to change my spirit, soul and body.
What is found deep within will make its way to the surface.

So, tell me how you are going about developing a relationship with the Spirit.
Do you know how?
Is He as real in your life as you would like Him to be?
And yes I would love to hear your answers.

Thanks for letting me ramble.......I am looking forward to what comes out in the rest of this class.
Have I told you that I love our Sunday school teacher?
She loves to hit the nail on the head!

Note to self

It is important to understand
that even when you have an electrical warmer on the water hose-
and the sun has come up-
and you are nice and toasty-
unless the temps are going to rise above freezing
SOON
NEVER, Never, never turn the water off.
It does strange things when temps never get out of the teens.
Talk about problems with hard water!

Note to self......
thank God for a hubby who knows how to deal with such difficulties
so that I can get a shower before our date. \o/

I know I haven't been here much.....but I have gotten a lot done.
I got my paper work handed in for court.....although after wards I found out we will have a delay.
I got to meet my GAL boy and Monday I will make a trip to the other side of Charlotte to see my girl. Three hours there.......20 minute visit.....three hours home.
Fun, fun!
But it has to be done....and God gave me a day to do it so I am going for it.
I'll get to make this trip twice a month.
Anybody live in the Stalling, N.C area?

I managed to work out with my new buddy 4 times this week!
Wahoo! It was very nice......the work out and time spent with a new friend.
Hmmm, maybe that is why I have not had too much to say here.
Her poor ears. :)
But it has been so good for my soul.

That is about it.....I promise next week to be here more often.
Thanks for being so patient.
I'll check in with you all soon~

Sweet nothings

The other day on the way to my brothers to watch the critters
I was overcome by some sweet thoughts for my man....who was still out
in frigid temps working hard for our family.
Now this is the nice thing about having cell phones.....I knew
I could call and leave my sweet nothings on his phone. (And I did) And when he got a break he could pick up his voice mail
and hear what was on my heart at the time.
Sounds so romantic doesn't it?
There is always one snafu.......instead of taking the time to listen to my message
Keith would rather just hit the phone number that is labeled -beautiful wife.(really)
Then when I pick up he likes to say, You called?
Now I don't know about you but that does not always bring to mind and heart all the previous things I left in the message. Life moves one and things get busy.
So what he usually gets is.....Oh, I was just calling to say I love you. (truthfully)
Why he does this........ I don't know.
Maybe he just is concerned and can't wait to find out if I am o.k.?
Uh...NO.
We all know that if there is a problem.....as females we know how to hit redial
till someone picks up. ;)
So, maybe he just thinks hearing my voice in person
is better than listening to a prerecorded message? (the whole men are from mars women are from Venus I guess-in other words...I don't understand)
I don't know but sometimes it just gets to me.

Why can't he just listen to my messages? He would hear the emotion in my voice and it would thrill his heart the way I intended it to.
He would hear what I wanted him to hear and it would be a pleasant surprise.
And it might just lock away a little something special in his heart
to save for those dry times that do come. Yes, you know what I mean!

And then it hit me.....really it did.
(I almost had to pull over in the middle of the curvy section of the mountains
where all the 18 wheelers like to have accidents...just to write it down. But I didn't. Phew!)

In my mind I could just see Jesus sitting there in visible form shaking His head saying.....

(Sigh) I know, I have sooo been there.
It can be a tad frustrating.
Years ago Dad, the Holy Spirit and I decided that we would put all our thoughts for man down in living word. That way it would be available to all those we love. Knowing the things that each and everyone would go through we wrote down our thoughts of love and what they would need to hear from us when those dry occasions arose.
We captured the depth of our love and emotion in those words.
It was the perfect message for mankind.
But, we find is that very few spend time reading over all those messages we left them.
There are answers there that they could hide in their hearts and when the time comes and they need the answers- the Holy Spirit promised to remind them of what they had read.
So, times of testing come round....we promised that they would.....and how do they react?
They want a word! A new word...a fresh word.
Now don't get me wrong.....I love the tool the Father gave us with prayer.
He really does have some of the best ideas.
But, while it is a lifeline and a tool of communication.....it was not
intended to be a tool of last resort.
Why do ya'll have to make this walk harder than it has to be?
If you would just pick up the BOOK and read the messages we wrote for you in advance......you would have all the answers you need.
Plus, as a bonus....you would hear all the sweet nothings hidden in the words.
The passion behind them would overwhelm you.
And then if you still feel the need to discuss the directions that are there....you know that I am here because we promised to never leave you or forsake you.
Got it? :)
Oh, and while we are on the subject of cell phones..........don't you just love how lessons from heaven are still hidden in everyday objects? :)
Modern day parables.....you just got to love them.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoyed the parable .....time to open the book!

Remember when

Do you remember when you first started your blog?
Now some of you may have been computer savvy and breezed around with no problems.
Not I.
And some of you know that I still do not know everything about this world of blogging.
Thank heavens for those here who know what they are doing!
SO....imagine my surprise when one of the sweet ones I began with.....way back....gave me an award. One that celebrates those who have lent a helping hand here in blogdom. Regina from Regina's Family Seasons....is the sweet one. I am not sure when I first found her or vice versa.....but she has been around awhile with me. She speaks her voice and holds her convictions close. And I think it is pretty cool that her words attract both men and women bloggers.
That in itself says something about her blogging ability!
It is good to keep tract of those who began this journey with us. I am glad that- although we do not check up on each other every week-she has not forgotten about me. :)
I was really pleased and surprised to recieve the above award.
The Emblem of the Helping Hand award created by Sojourner's Place as a symbol of help, support, and encouragement to up and coming bloggers and appreciation for those who mentor those new to the blogosphere..
The Rules:

1. Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand then "Pay it Forward" by extending your "Helping Hand" to 5 additional bloggers in support and encouragement for their efforts.
2. In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog or blog author with a link for others to visit.
3. Each recipient must show the Emblem and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him.
4. Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.
5. If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll, Technorati Favorite list, or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.
6. Add your name to The Helping Hand meme at my new blog entitled The Emblem of the Helping Hand and don't forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.
7. Display the rules

Goodness.........Bloggers come in and out of my life and I hope I can find the ones who helped me.
1. This one is easy........it is D from Ds Health and Weight Loss Journey. She has been a great help teaching me the ins and outs and she has been a friend. And she has kept me around all this time!.....Now that is loyal. :)
2. I wish I could remember when I met Denise....ya'll know her as ShortyBears Place. She is a sweet one and she has been a help to me and so many other bloggers. Her post are full of her real life and her walk with God. She is an inspiration to those who know her journey.
3. This next one goes to Halfmoon Girl of Shore Stories.
I think we probably really learned the whole blogging thing together. Sometimes I would see something on her blog and she would let me in on the new info..........seems like I remember something about her helping me with linking...something like that. What I love the most about her is how real she is....she is just down to earth. So down to earth sometimes that it brings a smile to my face. I have loved having her incouraging self around. :)
4. Now this goes to Melanie of Livin' With Me.
I feel like I have watched her and her little girl grow up. She has taught me some of the ins and outs of keeping up with my blog. And she has filled me in on some important things.......a few of which I am sad to say....I have probably forgotten.
Did I tell you that she has fantastic giveaways on her blog? I don't know how she gets all the freebies......but I know she works hard to get nice things for her readers.
5. The last one goes to the one who shoved me into this blogging world.
No....not really shoved.....but he told me about a place I could go to let my inner person out.
And Walaaaa!.....here I am.
Thank you David....you are a great little brother. :)

Now for the next 5.
1. This goes to someone who means a lot to me.....and she is a helping hand to everyone who reads her blog......Leslie of Do You Weary Like I Do. I think she lives in my mind sometimes--then she gets out and I see those thougts on her blog! :) Love this girl!
2. Two goes to Jessie of Over Flow of A Forgiven Soul.
What a heart she has.......and it contains a big ole love for God. I love having her as a blogging friend......she has been a huge source of encouragement for me. Love this girl too!
3. Now this goes to Melanie of MelanieJoy. I do believe her blog is now closed so I won't link there......but she has become a pretty big part of my life. Love this one too!
4. This is a newer blog for me. I have enjoyed getting to know Julie from Mirror Of Grace.
She too has a heart for God. If you have the time go on over and check her out.
5. This last one goes to another new to me blogger. Mary of Mary's ~Weight Loss God's Way. Now not all of us need to pay attention to what has or is happening to our waist line...but I do. And Mary intorduced me to a really cool book...it is good to have someone to discuss this book with. She has a really sweet heart.....you'll like her too.

Goodness! That was a doozy!
Congrats to the new recipients of The Emblem of the Helping Hand award.

Going to the farm

I am going to be out for a couple of days.
My brother and his children are going to spend a few days being pampered
and we are going to spend the weekend at his home
feeding the farm animals
and caring for the foster children. Maybe I should be a little more truthful and honestly tell you I am going to be watching the children......and Keith will be feeding the animals.
Not particularly interested in putting on the big ole muddy boots
and stomping around in......well you know. :)
Hope you have a great weekend!

I want to leave you with this thought.......just something a little lite.....no worries!

Today while taking Julia to school I saw something for the first time.
Something that I had heard about and feared.
Now most of us would say......that fear is a-- No, No. (Yes, there are many Moms here in blogdom and we talk that way:)
But I would like to remind you that fear can be a good thing......it stops
us from doing dumb things.
The fear of the pain keeps me from sticking my hand in and grabbing the
falling log in a roaring fire.
And the fear of loosing control of my truck
and sliding off the side of a mountain keeps me alert to the clear enemy called-
BLACK ICE.
I have been concerned about this....not something I had ever experienced in Louisiana.
And as you northern girls know............it is usually not something you see before you hit it.
This morning I saw it in the school parking lot.
According to the Wikipedia dictionary this is definition of black ice......

Black ice, also known as "glare ice" or "clear ice," typically refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface, often a roadway. While not truly black, it is transparent, allowing the usually-black asphalt/macadam roadway to be seen through it, hence the term. It is unusually slick compared to other forms of roadway ice.

Because it contains relatively little entrapped air in the form of bubbles, black ice is transparent and thus very difficult to see (as compared to snow, frozen slush).

I know some of you are going...DUH!
But for someone who did not grow up in the cold regions.....it is something that I have wondered about. Who wants to be heading down the interstate at 70 miles an hour and hit something
that might allow you to have a free introduction to sky diving......without a para shoot?
Not I.
So how do you avoid this danger altogether? You could never drive during winter.
Not a solution? How about slowing down to about 10 miles an hour?
Not sure the people behind you would appreciate that.
And there is another partial solution.......only drive during the daylight.
I saw the patch this morning
because the beautiful sun came out and gave the hidden ice a beautiful glow. It could not remain hidden in the light.
So............... you already know where I am going.

There are some cold hard things going on right now in our world.
If you dare look at the news it hits you smack in the face.
As we seek to be out there doing the will of our Father......there are already some traps set.
Set with the intent to send you flying. Flying off track.
Conditions are just right........and you know this.
So what is a person to do?
You can sit still and do nothing, think nothing....live in a bubble.
You can slow way down.....and maybe miss a planned meeting. ;)
Or you can drive in the LIGHT.
Scripture promises us that nothing can hide from this light.
It is the light of the world and in it is no darkness at all.
Does this mean you will never feel a tad out of control?
I think we can all say without a doubt, NO!
But I can guarantee with His hands on the wheel
we will never find ourselves free falling
headed for spiritual death.
:) \o/!

2 Timothy 4:18 (New International Version)

18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

BibleGateway.com

How wide is your area of influence?

I don't know about you....but I have been watching this week with Oprah in order to see what is going on in her thoughts. I continue to pray for her and her great position of authority as she is leading the many women who watch her program.
She has the opportunity to influence so many lives.
As she began to drift in her thinking at first I just decided to stop watching her.
But her battle with her weight is something that draws many who have the same problem.
So this week I found myself tuning in as she was very public about the fact that riches and fame have not brought joy to her life. I pray this means our prayers for her are working.
As long as she can not find peace and contentment.....she will keep searching!
KEEP PRAYING FOR HER!!!!!

She has chosen to believe that her weight gain is because she has not loved herself like she loves others. And while this could be true......we know that there is only one Person who can help her love herself.
She continues to look to "spiritual advisers" for truth. And just to let you know......of the three individuals on her program yesterday....I know that at least two do not believe that Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life. DANGER!!! The message they share.....it is mixed with lies.
The problem.......they don't know the one who can set them free. And if they feel they are free it is because their eyes have been blinded.
So how will Oprah gain the freedom from her battle?
She must return to the TRUTH. I can't help but remember the scripture that says, Bring up a child in the way they should go and in the end they will not depart from it.
I understand she was raised with the truth. Imagine how much influence she would have for the glory of God if she returns to the truth?
Imagine her sorrow when she realizes how many she lead astray?

I know the truth and yet, even as a believer in the one who set me free.......I still battle with loving the one He created enough not to damage this masterpiece He is creating.
I don't love this body, soul and spirit like I should. Many times I concentrate more on the spirit and body than I do the soul....me.
I don't see or KNOW her "worthiness".
How sad because it was a gift that was given freely at the cross.

How can I really share the freedom and love I have been given if I am not walking in it?
So that is what I am working on now.
My prayer is that I really begin to see who I am through His eyes.
I do believe this is an important part of being able to get past "me"- so that I can see others.
Does anyone else understand the crazy battle that takes place when you are trying to see others as more important than yourself.....and yet still see yourself as something important in His eyes? Talk about pulling your hair out!
Don't think of yourself..........but think about yourself as the walking temple of God........(grrrrr).

How many times have I walked into a room and the major thought in my mind has been how my body and I measure up? Often.
But, I do notice that when I am walking close to Him......the battle is not so great and I just want to touch them with His love. I want them to know how important they are.
No matter what my body looks like......I need to be able to see them. See them as important enough in the scope of eternity that I share the good news....even if it is just to let them know they are important, loved and accepted.
The great battle against self will rage till the day I die I guess.

But even while I am walking through this learning process I want to be letting Him touch the lives around me. I can not hope to achieve perfection and then go out into those fields white ready to be harvested.
And I do believe I am doing this in a way now. It has been years since I was really out in the world. And now that I am......I don't want to miss an opportunity to share Him."home bound".......you can touch the world by prayer.
Pray for those in the public eye.
I have prayed often this week for the Travolta family. Prayed that through these events they would begin to think about the "truth" of what they believe.
At this point they believe that the spirit of their son will return to this earth in another body.
Dear God remove the veil from their eyes!
So ladies, PRAY! You won't know till eternity how many lives you helped.

I was over visiting Julie, at Mirror of Grace and she posted the following video.
Please take a moment to watch it...it hit my heart hard.
When you finish watching it......walk out the burden God gives you. It is your gift from Him.

I got nuthin

Just stopping in to let you know I am still alive.
Although if the rain does not stop I might just be swimming for my life.
Or we might just end up with a house boat. :)
I have been trying to do some catch up on my Guardian Ad Litem case. We go to court toward the end of the month and I have lots of ground work to get completed before then so that I can draw up the papers for the judge.
It looks as if I may have to make a trip into Charlotte to see one of my (GAL) children. She has some physical issues and that is the only place they seemed to be able that had a home that could handle her issues.
Kind of sad for her parents who are now two hours from her.
I'll get to meet her parents tomorrow. Please pray for them- they are Christians who have found themselves in the middle of a mess that they can not control.
Imagine someone coming in and taking your children?
It is rough.

And I want ya'll to know that I have been working out....I have the sore muscles to prove it. :)
But it is good to be moving forward again.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my gift from God.
Elayne..my work out buddy...and I are getting to know each other and I am really starting to feel relaxed with her.
Although she might have something a little different to say about that. :) She finally realized what a tight reign I keep on all my muscles the other day when she tried to stretch me out. Her response, Girl!..you need to relax! My response? I'm not? :)
Hopefully this will help me let my muscles and
the very core of my being know that it is time to chill.
I do hear that I hide my tension very well. Elayne said she would have never known.
The gym has now blown my cover!
I do love working out with her.. she is great at varying our work out so that it does not get boring....something I have always hated in the past.
A healthier me is on the way!

I have had a couple of ideas for posts but don't seem to have the gumption to put them on "paper". Hope that will change soon.
Till then...know that I am here and you are on my mind and in my prayers.

Gratitude

When I was in high school my three best friends were the brains of the school.
Notice that I did not say that my friends and I were the brains of the school. :)
I always had to work so hard for the grades. While they were taking Physics and all those college courses....I was just trying to make it through Algebra and French two. I am not quite sure how I made it into their circle....but I loved them even though they were brains beyond me.

Going off to college gave me a chance to step out of their shadows.
While they went off to become female doctors and spend years getting their doctorate in Physics....I was just getting to know who I was in God. My journey was so different looking from theirs. Here and there He used two teachers to reveal to me what He had planted in me.
The first was a History teacher at Bryan College.
I don't even remember his name....no, something I have never been good at. :)
But, I remember his face.
I had always hated history with all its names and dates. As far as I was concerned it was just a jumble of facts that I could never keep straight in my head. Why did I need to know who won the battle over 200 years ago and what strategy they used to do it?
Then one day this teacher told us a story. It drew me in and grabbed my attention.
I began to wonder what this person must have been like and the life that he had led.
I was hooked.
When it came time for the test......we had to pick 8 of 12 essay questions and write a page on each....I breezed through it. The details just flew through my finger tips.
And with the high grade I made on that test....my confidence soared.
Not only had he awakened a student but I had discovered a little more about me.

A few years later I transferred to LSU. What a shocker for this girl who had spent most of her learning years at Christian schools. Honestly I was almost afraid to leave my dorm room.
The campus felt like a city to me.
Needing to get some classes out of the way I took a literature class.
I remember that it was a 7:30 class and way down in the bottom of a building. Having it that early meant that there were not a whole lot of students that made it through to the end of the semester. :) There was nodanger for me because as we began to take those short stories and dissect them.......once again....I was hooked. Something in me had awakened.
I love pulling apart the stories and listening to what the author was trying to say with the words he had chosen. Writing papers became a thrill. No, not having to make sure I got all the punctuation right....but the pulling together of words was awesome.
I turned in my first paper and was terrified when the teacher said he wanted to have a meeting with me after class. Standing at his door before entering I imagined all kinds of horrible things.
Once inside he pulled out my paper and handed it back to me. I had gotten an... A!
I do not remember his exact words... but he said I had a gift and that he had never had a student who was quite like me. He said that I had the ability to see things in the details that he had never seen before. Hmm, now I can look back and wonder how many years he had been teaching. ;)
But, at the time I was amazed that he had seen that in me.
As you can see he left a huge mark on my life.

Why share this?
Well, this morning I got an email with a link to a video. I will leave it at the bottom and if you have time....go watch it and then follow what they tell you to do.
But this video really followed up on what God has been showing me.
Before time began He began a masterpiece......me.
In that masterpiece He planted talents, gifts and dreams. And then at the cross He gave me a chance to connect with this perfect plan. (Eph 2:10)
Along the way He sent people to open doors in my life
that would reveal bits and pieces of who I was created to be.
Some were friends, some teachers and pastors.....the greatest of course were my parents.
But many times we don't take the time to thank them.....and they never
know how deeply they have touched us.
I am who I am today because people were willing to touch my life and open the doors of awareness and understanding. Even today I am still discovering who I am and what He planted in me long ago....and ya'll are a huge part of this journey of discovery.
Thank you!
And remember to thank those in your life who have touched you.

(here is the link)
SIMPLE TRUTHS