A LIFE

I always felt at home there.

She had one of these older homes, with wood siding, covered with beautiful Oak trees that hung heavily over the house and yard.

Scattered about in the yard, were chairs here and there, where one could always find a place to sit a spell...have a cup of coffee, laugh and talk a while.

Later on, she added a beautiful pond in her front yard with a bridge and a lovely gazebo right in the middle.

But mostly it was her laughter I remember the most.

She was so easy to talk to and relate to. She always made you feel at home. Comfortable.

And she loved her family, dearly.

Her name was Jennie and she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, sometime early Friday morning, November sixth.

She was mother to the sweetest and most beautiful ex sister in law a person could possibly have.

I love you Re Re

Our loss is heaven's gain.

~~~For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.Phil 1:21~~~

TRAGEDY

There's been a good deal of tragedy in the news this week for us all to absorb. And some even closer to my own home as well.

I know many of you ,as I, were saddened to learn of the shootings at Fort Hood.

I cannot imagine the unfathomable grief, to have a daughter or son returning from the battle field only to have them killed upon returning to their home base.

I have a son in the military. My heart grieves for those that grieve and are in such unspeakable pain and agony.

Might we remember to keep all that were affected, close in our hearts and prayers, this Sunday morning.

Have a blessed Sunday, ya'll. Hug somebody and tell them you love them.

Dona Nobis Pacem

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

***Today we celebrate Blog blast for Peace day. It is my first time to celebrate this day with other bloggers and would like to share the following thoughts of peace I recently read in my "Streams In The Desert" devotional.
Please visit Mimi Lennox's site to visit others who have participated in this special day at http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/

Cushion of the Sea

There is what is called the "cushion of the sea." Down beneath the surface that is agitated by storms, and driven about with winds, there is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When we dredge the bottom and bring up the remains of animal and vegetable life we find that they give evidence of not having been disturbed in the least, for hundreds and thousands of years.

The peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble and disturbance; and he who enters into the presence of God, becomes partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.--Dr. A. T. Pierson

"The Pilgrim they laid in a large upper chamber, facing the sun-rising. The name of the chamber was Peace." --Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

~~~Blessings of peace and all that is good~~~
Debra

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow, But...

...it's great to be home! Hello there everyone! I certainly did not intend to be away from blogging quite this long but what can I say except to say, time flies when your having fun!

New York was beautiful and we truly enjoyed our week there. I was a little sad to see it come to a close, but it was nice to come home as well.

We timed things just right as the leaves and fall foliage were in full bloom! Brilliant colors of yellow, gold, rust and red were every where!

I will soon be making my rounds and getting caught up visiting every ones blogs.


Me on vacation with eight million of my friends! It's what I love best about New York, the people.


Hubby being checked out at a deli by a very friendly cashier.


One of the first people to greet us in Times Square! Lucky for us the "Free Hugs" campaign was in process and we both got free hugs! http://www.freehugscampaign.org/


Beautiful church located in the quaint little town of West Point, NY. Right across the street was the West Point Military Academy.



Three brothers from Brooklyn, New York who happen to be visiting West Point also. They looked like mafia guys but they were some of the friendliest people we've ever met. It was kind of funny hearing their thick Brooklyn accent and our very southern drawl. Their wives were across the street shopping. They actually out talked my husband and that's pretty unusual!

Just a glimpse of the lovely fall foliage on our bus tour.


This picture proves I'm not really a hat person. But it was very cold and I needed not just one but two of them! Taken on a cold and rainy cruise up the Hudson River.

Blessings everyone, peace and all that is good!

Big Apple Thoughts!

Well folks today is the day my husband and I start to make our way to the Big Apple. New York, New York that is.

Apparently it has become our favorite vacation destination, since we have spent our last 3 vacations there, and now going back again this year.

This will most likely be our last. For real.

There is just so much to see and do there. So many people and so much life! We especially enjoy attending church there. One of our favorite churches there is the "Times Square Church". Another one we enjoy is the "Brooklyn Tabernacle".

We also plan to visit the Jewish Heritage Museum.

So, I may be taking a little blogging break. I am taking my beloved computer with me so I may still be by to visit some of you, but I don't know how much posting I will do.

I still get a little nervous about flying and all that, but not enough to keep me from going. So, I covet your prayers for a safe journey.

Blessings to all of you!

Saints Alive!

We've seen a whole lotta bad days at

the New Orleans Saints Superdome.

Today, wasn't one of them!

New York Giants.........27

New Orleans Saints.....48





Saints Alive! YEY!

Autumn Remembrances

(4804 Gosnold Ave. Norfolk, VA)

It was a very late fall morning, just as it had been so many years ago, when we first began our journey there.

Standing in Target, perplexed, not really sure why I was feeling that now was the time to go. Time to return for a long over due visit. If not now, then never.


We were in Lynchburg, Virginia and just the night before we had watched our youngest son play football for the Liberty Flames.

Now,shopping in Target, it kept occurring to me that we were only 3 1/2 - 4 hours away from where it all began. All we had to do was get in the car and drive eastward. How hard could that be?

Often, I had returned there in my dreams! And in those dreams, it always looked the same. It was our first home together. Only a kitchen, bedroom, and bath. It was a grand old home, and the landlord, Mrs. Redford, lived on the bottom floor. She had divided up the second and third floors into small apartments. She rented to military couples only. My new husband was in the Navy and his ship was stationed there in Norfolk, Virginia.

Finding my husband in Target, I shared with him my idea. Yes, he agreed, let's do it! Why not? It'll be fun, a journey back in time. After saying our goodbyes to my son and daughter in law, we headed east.

As we rode along, questions raced through my mind. Would it be the same? Surely, it would not. How could it be? It had been well over 30 years since we had lived there. WE certainly didn't look the same. How could we possibly believe this grand old home would still be as lovely and beautiful as we remembered it? And why did it matter to me?

The closer we got to Norfolk, the faster my heart beat. By the time we stopped at a Mc Donald's just around the corner from our destination, I felt as if I might faint.

Looking back, I don't fully understand why it was so important to me to find that the house still there and standing in good condition. What if it WAS gone? What if it DID look horrible? Could it somehow reflect where my husband and I were at this stage in our life, looking woefully at an empty nest and old age just over the horizon?

It was late by now and darkness had set in. We had determined if we found the house, we would stay the night at a nearby hotel and return in the morning for a better look.

Rounding a few corners, we found the street, Gosnold Avenue. Nothing looked as I remembered it and I thought I might cry. We've come all this way on some silly, wild goose chase and for what, I was asking myself.

Desperately, I was straining to see house numbers in the dark, block after block. With each passing block I was chanting to myself, "you are an old fool"!

And then, suddenly, illuminated by a few street lamps, there it was! 4804 Gosnold Avenue. I literally gasped out loud! I could not believe what my eyes were beholding!

There she stood in all of her grandeur. Even through the darkness of the night, we could see, nothing was changed and it was beautiful and exactly as we had left it in February, 1972.

My husband pulled over to the curb. I was crying and laughing at the same time.We sat there in the car for a long time, just looking at our old home place and reminiscing about all the good and happy times we had shared there together.

We were young and in love. There were just the two of us then. As the years past by, we had become a family of three, then four and finally five. Now, all of our children were married with families of their own.

It had been thirty-four years and we had come full circle. Back to just he and I.

The house we started in was still there. It was beautiful, unscarred and unchanged...

...and for some reason, that was very comforting to know.

Above photo: top left part of the picture is my husband and I in 1972 sitting on the side porch steps at the Gosnold Avenue house. The main portion of the photo is he and standing in the same place 34 years later. The current landlord was kind enough to take pictures and give us a tour of the house. The very same step we were sitting on in 1972 is just to my left.



"There Were Two"

There were two
Him and Her
Waiting for their futures to occur.

Suddenly, there were one and two
And after awhile there were three, that joined them
And their joy was plain for all to see.

The daughter sang
And the sons played ball
Winter, spring, summer and fall.

And God was great, and God was good
As the years passed by
And together they stood.

Blessing upon blessings
Grace upon graces
And there were added
Many more faces.

Till again there were two
Him and her
Waiting, waiting, for their future to occur.

(Poem by Debra)

No Setting Sun

No More Night!

Each day I’ll do a golden deed,
By helping those who are in need;
My life on earth is but a span,
And so I’ll do the best I can.

Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days, and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.

I know it's fall but going through some pictures tonight, I came across these lovely pictures of sunsets I had taken while at Gulf Shores, Alabama a few years back. Stunning if I must say so myself!

While looking at them, that old hymn came to mind, to which I printed a couples of the stanza's above. No more night people...praise the Lord, no more night!


***And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Revelations 21:25***


(Words by William Golden: From the song, "A Beautiful Life")

(Photos by Debra @ Gulf Shores, Alabama)

Morning News Or Matthew 24:6-7 ???

(Photo by Chris Higham)

Wars and rumors of wars. Nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in many different places!

~~~I'm not quite sure when I first became a "news junkie". As time goes by I find it more and more difficult to watch.

~~~So much negativity, discord, anger, deceit, betrayal, hatefulness on every hand, why do I watch, I often ask myself.

~~~Take Shawn Hannity, Rachel Maddow, Glenn Beck and Keith Oberman...please...take them all... away.

~~~I know it's not New Years yet, but I'm making a resolution. I'm going on a strict diet. Less, much less, TV News.

*Click*

There. That's much better now.

~~~Thinking I'll just stick with my Book. The Book. I've read the last chapter and guess what?

~~~ Everything is gonna be alright!

***Lord, help me please to keep my eyes on the prize***. Matthew 14:29-30

Some Say Bloggers, I Say Friends & Neighbors!

It's hard to believe it was only a short three weeks ago I found a blogger friend from Mississippi using the Blogger search tool. Turns out she not only lives in Mississippi but also lives in the same town as me. Please say hello to Kathy from over at Kat's Korner. She is my first blogger friend to meet in person along with Rose from over at Sugar Plum Cottage (sorry I did not get a picture of Rose that day before she had to leave to go to work).

Turns out Kathy's daughter and my son, Ben, attended school together and were even in the same classroom in kindergarten. That year of kindergarten was the very same year I went through chemotherapy and Kathy says she remembers praying for "Ben's Mom" that year. And to top it all off Kathy, Rose and myself all live about one mile from each other! Small world right?

Mississippi Magnolia Southern Belles Luncheon:

It's been a blessing to me meeting Kathy and Rose and through them I've been able to meet other bloggers from Mississippi. This past Friday Kathy, my husband and I drove to Flowood, MS and attended the Mississippi Magnolia Southern Belles Luncheon hosted by Lady Katherine from over at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor.


What a wonderful time we had meeting and getting to know each other. Pictured above from left are Kathy, Donna, from Sunny Side Of The Sun Porch, Christine, from Christine's Home and Travel Adventures, myself, and Lady Katherine.

Donna & Christine

Lady Katherine & Terry

Thank you so much Katherine for hosting such a wonderful and beautiful luncheon. Who knew when I read that fortune cookie, it would lead me to sitting at one of your lovely Tablescapes?

Christine & John

Kathy & I

I am so thankful for each and every blogger friend I have. When I first began this blog, I had only intended to journal some of my life experiences for my grandchildren. Who knew I would come to know so many beautiful people, not only through their blogs, but as an added blessing, a few in person as well! What a journey this has been!

Me & my Hubby

OF MARATHONS AND OTHER EPIC BATTLES

I sit in a dark car alone.
Not really though, as God is here.

It is hot outside and the air is so heavy.Every breath, is an ever so slight struggle.

Once in awhile, as I wait, a tear wells up in my eye

and I have to brush it away.

I'm in the parking lot of a large sports complex.

I try not to worry about her,

but mothers are prone to worrying about their daughters,

even when they're thirty-seven.

She's training for a marathon.

"I have to run eight miles tonight, Mom."

"I think I'll go to the sports complex."

"Well, at least let me go with you and I'll sit in the car, I answered. "

"Every few miles you can check in with me and I'll know your okay."

As I wait here alone with my thoughts, I wander back in time.

Vivid memories of a sixteen year old girl

taking her mother for a chemo treatment,play like a silent movie across my mind.

How she so carefully laid her mother in the back seat of the car,for the journey home, some forty-five miles away.

A time or two she had to stop and wrestle with me

in my drug induced state.

That day, she was the mother, and I the child.

There were other days like that, far too many as I recall.

But we were fighters, she and I.

I for my life

and she, her mother.

We all made it through, though, as a family and with the help

and grace of our good God.

"Mama, with every step I run in that race, I'm

gonna be beating cancer down in the ground!"

And God willing I'll be waiting,

at the finish line.

More likely than not,

brushing a tear from my eye.

NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS' MARATHON

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

***I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phillipians 4:13***

(introductory photo @ allposters.com)

Sweet Indulgences

Well...well...here it is another Monday. Had to work this weekend and didn't get to see much football. I know, so sad, right? I did get to see the last few minutes of the NY Giants snatching victory away from the Dallas Cowboys last night. Alls I can say is...how sweet it is. Gotta love those kickers. They call them heros or zeros. Last night was hero night for the Giants kicker. Again I say, sweet. Very, very, sweet.

And how 'bout them Saints? I promise you, I hear the sound of marching footsteps...I hear voices saying...this WILL be the year...this WILL be the year!

I know, I know, I know, there are so many things, so much more important than football going on right now.

I sometimes consider it just a sweet, delightful indulgence, to care about something, that I know, at the end of the day, really isn't going to make that much difference.

Win, lose or draw.

That's the beauty of football. For me. Anyway.

***Hope all of you have a beautiful Monday. It's way past my bedtime, with two more 12 hour night shifts ahead of me before off days. "Grace and peace be unto you" Philippians 1:2***

As Time Goes By

I don't know about you but I am acutely aware of the passage of time these days . It will be soon the end of September! Soon it will be October and then blink your eyes and it will be Christmas! Then it will be 2010!

Oh my!


Zoom, zoom, zoom!

***So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12***

To New York With Love

I never expected to feel at home there, but in hind sight I guess I should have known. I mean after all...I've always been a city girl. And Oh my! What a city it is!

The first time my husband and I visited there was in July of 2001, approximately 7 weeks before that awful day in history.

The day that would become known only as 9/11, the day that would forever change that beautiful skyline.

Also "the day" that would change hearts and lives forever, not only for those who lost friends, family and loved ones, but also would change the hearts and lives of a nation.

I love you New York!



And we'll be back to see you again very soon!













I'm pretty convinced that beauty will rise from ashes.

Politically Speaking: Because I Must

If anyone reads my blog on a regular basis, know I don't often talk about politics. I think I did one post during the primaries over a year ago and well...I guess this will be the one post for this year.

I'm keenly aware that politics brings out the worst in people. I know that, I'm just not sure why it has to. We're Americans and we should be able to voice our opinions , beliefs, and differences in such a way that does not incite people to hatred and violence.

Last night I watched a news report that told of a pastor, Steve Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church, Temple, Arizona, who was quoted as saying, in a sermon entitled "Why I Hate Barack Obama", that he prays Obama will die and go to hell.

I cannot begin to tell you how this statement grieved my heart. Oh, the number of untold millions of people that will hear this and say, "that's why I'll never be a christian,"
"I don't need to know this man's jesus".

I can say of a certainty, I don't know this man's jesus either. The Jesus I know would never say such things. The Jesus I know, is a Jesus of love, kindness and compassion. The Jesus I know loves even those who hate and are unkind and teaches me, as His follower, to also love the unlovable.

I understand there are those on the other side of the political spectrum that could be just as capable of saying such hateful statements and have not hesitated to do so when President Bush was in office. That is a given...but it still don't make it right.

In my own home, I'm quite in the minority. Somewhere along the way, my political views shifted. A very liberal conservative, some might say or a very conservative liberal. Most of my family, friends and my dear husband are quite the conservative, conservative. But we manage to love, respect, live and play together each and every day.

My grandson and I often enjoy discussing issues of the day. He is such a blessing to me and might I joyously add, he surrendered to the gospel ministry just this past Sunday! Recently during one of our discussions, he asked me the reasons why I was for health care reform. This post was to state my reasons why and I have many.

But I believe in keeping the most important thing, the important thing. And the most important thing is love, kindness, goodness and compassion toward our fellow man, whether he be lovable or unlovable, conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican, for health care reform or against.

At the end of the day, that which unites us, is so much more than that which would divide .

***May God help us all in these difficult days and may He help our elected officials to make wise and good decisions, may He keep them all safe and out of harms way.***

Leader Of The Dance

Every once in a while, you get an e-mail passed on to you that touches the heart in a special way. This is one of them I received recently and thought you might enjoy as well. Hope everyone has a great Labor Day holiday today! I worked last night and am now just getting home, so I suppose I will be sleeping! Blessings everyone!
Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

Both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

And attentiveness from one person

And gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "I".

"God, "u" and "I" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

That I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

And mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead

And to guide you through each season of your life.

***Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; Psalm 30:11

***Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5

Answered Prayer

Sometime the answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. This week it was yes. Not just once, but twice! My heart rejoices and I'm so thankful!

***Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.***

Butterflies And Boxes

I've always loved and been fascinated by butterflies. They're so pretty and beautiful! Their wings often make me think of the wings of angels.

This time of the year, here in the south, you will often see yellow ones fluttering all around. Why we even saw a few of them while driving down I-59 on Saturday.

I think about how light and carefree they seem as they travel about. I am often envious of that freedom.

Is it possible the reason I've always had such a fondness for these lovely little creatures, is too often, throughout my own life, I've lived in a box?

A box of my own making.

A box that allows me only to stick to that which is familiar. That which has been tested, tried and true. Oh, how I have loved that which is known and"comfortable"!

I've felt the gentle nudging of God recently to step out of my box. Leave this comfort zone. Do something differently, seek, explore new paths. See what I can see, do what I can do. Stretch out a little. Go where I must lean on Him and trust Him more.

There's no real freedom in boxes.

Really, there's not.
.

*** John 8:36 - "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

*** Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

***Isaiah 40:31- "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

(graphic @ allposters.com)

How Dare You?

After church today, my husband and I felt in the mood for some Chinese food. I cannot tell you how many years we have gone to these restaurants and at the end of the meal, had fun with the reading of the fortune cookies. Some of them can be so funny and at times, some can be quite profound.

Never before have we got the same little saying. Till today, that is.

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing".

We laughed when we realized we had both gotten the same cookie! And then we looked at each other kind of puzzled.

What does this mean? Does this mean it is high time we do something all wild and crazy like maybe parachute out of an airplane?

Bungee jump or parasail?

Nah, I say...it's just time we pay the cashier and hurry home so we can take a nap! That's adventurous enough for this almost senior citizen couple!

If you think about it though, life can be a daring adventure everyday. Life in Christ, that is. Living everyday of your life, doing what it is that God has called you to do.

Whether that may be preaching, teaching Sunday school, cooking hamburgers, working at home, garbage collecting or as in my own line of work, detoxing alcoholics and drug addicts.

I guess the lesson here is, do all that we are called to do as unto the Lord!

I can't think of a more "daring" adventure than that, can you?

***Hope all of you are having a wonderful and blessed Sunday! I know I am!***

Just A Country Court House

A picture I took recently while visiting Monroeville, Alabama. This is the towns court house.

What makes this court house so interesting is that this is the place that the courthouse scenes from "To Kill A Mockingbird" were filmed.

Monroeville, Alabama is also the home of the author of that novel, Harper Lee. I find it amazing that someone from such a small rural Alabama town, could write a novel that would become so widely popular and well read.

Another well know author also spent some of his early years in Monroeville and that is Truman Capote. As a matter of fact Harper Lee and Truman Capote were childhood friends.

And then there was my Dad. Not an author, but he was raised 10 miles outside of Monreville. Makes me wonder if any of them every run into each other as children! Probably not, but I just wonder.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Strange Happenings And Things That Go Bump In The Night

This is South Mississippi. Fall does not usually arrive till mid October, or at least that is the time the leaves usually begin to turn and a few begin to fall. I've noticed all around town, in recent days, hints of leaves beginning to turn colors. I don't think I've ever witnessed that happening this early. Does anyone know what this means?

Does it mean maybe the Saints will go all the way to the Superbowl? LOL! Just kidding! I will settle though for more games won than lost, if I must...

Isn't this lovely? I got up last night, going to the bathroom, half asleep, and somehow, someway, missed seeing the corner of the wall...thereby breaking my toe! Ouch.

Yes, I know, I otherwise have a beautiful foot! LOL!NOT!

I was determined all day to not go to the doctor. They don't do anything for broke toes, but it is, at this point continuing to throb and feel numb, so I may just have to reconsider. I don't know, will just have to see.

Hope and pray all of you out there in blogger land have a great weekend!

Blessings of peace & all that is good.

Senior Year Memories: 1970-1971

It's hard to believe, but my first grandchild will be graduating from high school this year.

His name is Brock and it seems like it was just yesterday he was a wee little thing. He doesn't know it, but I've been thinking a lot about him since this school year started . Praying that he will have an awesome year. One that he will look back on with fond memories.

Thinking about him, and this final chapter of high school days, has brought to remembrance my own senior year of high school.

My least favorite year, besides the year I took chemotherapy, would be my senior year of high school, 1970-71. Pictured on the left is my senior portrait. Pretty solemn looking, I know.

The year 1970, brought our country nearing the end of the Vietnam war. Unfortunately, the draft was still in effect and my husband got his draft notice two weeks before he was to graduate high school. This was not good news.

His family had no money to send him to college, there was no such thing as Pell Grants, and I still had a year left of high school, so marriage was out of the question.

He did the only thing he could do, he run down the nearest Navy recruiter and joined the Navy. That did keep him out of Vietnam, but it took him to distant shores and far, far away from me

September, 1970, my senior year, began what was to be the loneliness year of my life.

A typical day for me would be go to school, come home, go to work at 5:00pm, work till 10:00pm at W. T. Grants department store, then back home, sleep and repeat.

In my "spare" time, I waited by the mailbox. Literally. There was no Internet in those days, no cell phones, and it would sometimes be weeks before a letter from the ship would reach my house.

It would also be the last year my mom and dad would be married. The war overseas was winding down and the 25 year old war between my parents was also coming to a close. Neither war would end well.

I prayed a whole lot that year and read the Bible. Someone, I can't remember who, had given me a Living Bible. It was the only bible in our house at the time. I read it and it gave me much comfort. I would even sleep with it at night, along with a picture of my husband tucked under my pillow.

I have since learned that there are much better versions of the bible, namely King James (my personal favorite). I think, though, that is the reason why I have difficulty criticizing other versions of the bible today, because if God could begin to speak to ME through a Living Bible, ( one of the least accurate, in my opinion, now) who am I to judge?

I mean, let's think about it. We serve a God who could, and would speak through rocks and burning bushes, if necessary (Luke 19:40)(Exodus 3:4)! And God's good people spend time quibbling over versions?

Looking back, it's pretty amazing that the two worst years of my life, that of my senior year, 1971 and the year I went through chemotherapy, 1989, I experienced a closeness to the Lord, unlike any other years of my life. No, I was not yet born again at the time of my senior year, but God let me know He was there, and I felt His love for me in a special way .

In May of 1971, the U.S. Navy allowed my husband to come home for two weeks, so I could be his bride.

We got married on a Wednesday and two days later I graduated from high school. Crazy I know, but we only had two weeks and we wanted to spend them as man and wife. It's been a very blessed 37 and a half years.

I've been well compensated for that lonely year of high school.

God is good like that.

Psalm 142:4-7 4) I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5) I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

(Top introduction photo by the Denver Post taken of my youngest son on graduation day at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va. He's the one with the cross on his hat)

I love you Brock, and remember God has a plan. You may not know what it is just yet, but I assure you, He's got it all worked out. Fret not.

~~~~~~Blessings of peace & all that is good!~~~~~~~~~~~~

***My original post spoke of being given an "Amplified Bible". That should have read "Living Bible". Old memories...old brain! Sheesh! LOL!

A Soldier's Prayer

Prayer by An Unknown Soldier

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,

I was made weak, that I might humbly obey

I asked for health, that I might do greater things,

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,

but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself,

my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men, most richly blessed.

~~~As we visited a local church this past Wednesday night, the pastor concluded his message by the reading of this poem. It was a blessing to me and how wonderfully true it is. How often do we pray for a certain result and sometimes seemly quite the opposite happens.

~~~And we are perplexed.

~~~And yet, we discover, to our amazement, that our prayers were answered exactly as they should have been.

~~~Isn't God good.

May the Lord our God bless our dear soldiers, comfort them, and hear their every prayer, and answer as only He can.

And most especially, this mother's soldier.

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24


(Photo by Debra at a nearby lake)

Interesting Day

Well, yesterday was an interesting day. Just full of surprises.

Leaving work at 6am, my car was on empty. It was very, very empty, so I stopped at a gas station to fill it up.

Simple enough you say, right?

No, you see, my husband thinks that there are people everywhere just waiting to siphon gas out of our tank, so recently he had purchased a locked gas cap.

Problem is, I can't get the lock to unlock. He says it's easy. But it's not. You have to turn the lock one way and then twist the cap another way, pat your head and tap your feet and then it will unlock.

Sooo...I drove home on fumes, a wing and a prayer.

******

I get home and upon entering the front door I smelled something funny. An odor difficult to describe. Not good, coming from somewhere around the fireplace. I go over to the fireplace and open the door to the insert, sticking my head almost all the way in, when I rest my eyes on some kind of dead creature!

I nearly fainted!

After much investigation, by my husband, seems a mother squirrel went down our fireplace and had babies and they died. Somehow one of them actually got through the damper and died in the part where we place the firewood. The one I made eye to eye contact with.

But we still have a smell. So there are still dead squirrels somewhere.

Isn't that precious?

******

Not long after getting to work last night, the floor finishing guy comes in and starts stripping wax off the floor. I thought he was just mopping. But no.

I'm allergic to this stuff. Throat started closing in, coughing, followed by nausea, topped with a violent migraine.

It bought me a ticket home for the night. Somewhere around 1:00AM I started feeling a little better. Praise the Lord!

Oh what a day! Oh what a night!


"My grace is sufficient for thee:" II Corthinthians 12:9

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
--Annie Johnson Flint
~~From Streams In The Desert August 5th~~

Catfish: Southern Style With A Northern Twist

This past Saturday my husband and I spent a lovely day together visiting antique and thrift stores in Jackson, Mississippi. We stopped at a very unusual restaurant for dinner. It was a seafood restaurant called "Jerry's Catfish House".


It was unusual because it was igloo shaped! An igloo, in the south, that is a restaurant! Imagine that!!


The inside was just as interesting as the outside. The walls were painted a bright yellow and trimmed in kelly green. The floor red. There were two levels for dinning,and all sorts of wild life were on the walls, fish, deer and moose.

And of course the fried catfish was wonderful. "All you can eat"! And we ate...a lot! This is a photo of the left overs mind you!

If you find yourself in Jackson, Mississippi and needing a place to eat, I highly recommend this igloo. I mean restaurant!

Farewell To Friends: 1994-2009

Today, will be a very difficult and sad day for my husband and I as we say goodbye to our little church family.

He has been their pastor for the last 15 years and we have been blessed beyond measure to have known them.

The most peaceful church we have ever had the good pleasure of belonging to.

The strongest and finest Christians anywhere.

We will miss them.

**Please pray for us as my husband and I seek the Lord's direction from here. Change is necessary, but not always easy.

**Blessings everyone.

I'm Still Here: Thank You Jesus

Got Jesus, got my husband, got my children, got my family and friends, got my house and job too.

Let's just face it...my whole glass is full.

Is It Fooball Season Yet? And Will Those Saints Ever Go Marching In?

It was November 8, 1970. My best friends older brother and her dad were going crazy in the den of their home. We could not imagine what in the world was going on. Rushing into the den to see what the matter could be, we found them watching a football game!

The New Orleans Saints were playing the Detroit Lions and with 2 seconds left in the game, the Saints were fixing to attempt an impossible, never yet to be been done, 63 yard field goal, to win the game. They were trailing by 2 points and needed 3 to win.

It was impossible in more ways than one. The Saints kicker, Tom Dempsey, had only a half of a right foot and no right hand. What were the chances he could take half a right foot and kick a football farther than anyone in the history of the game?

Well, he did.He nailed it! And the rest is football history.

That long ago day, I come to first love the game of football...and the Saints. Warts, losing streaks, and all.

Little did I know that 30 years later there would be a place kicker/punter in my own life. My youngest son kicked and punted for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The above photo is a picture of the last pair of shoes he wore while kicking.

Love those kickers. My heart always goes out to them. Even the ones on the opposing teams.

YouTube can be amazing. I had always wanted to see that kick again, and lo and behold if I didn't find it on YouTube tonight. The last time I saw it was 39 years ago in my friends den. I got chill bumps watching it!




It's a sickness...I know. My symptoms will be relieved once the season starts.

And who knows, maybe... just maybe...this year...will be the year the Saints will go all the way.

Hope springs eternal...

And God Said "Goodnight"

I've always been extremely fond of sunsets. There is something just so special and majestic about them. Over the 4th of July week-end I was blessed to have witnessed this one and was able to capture it with my camera. Also, my grandchildren were able to view it with me and well...how cool is that?


















We all watched together as the sun slowly faded out over the horizon. One of the grandchildren seemed perplexed that the sun was gone and turned to me and asked, "MeMaw, where did the sun go?"

Not knowing quite how to answer, I said the first thing I thought of. "Well, sweetie", "God just tucked it in for the night."

Photos by me

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Happy Birthday to a dear daughter in law!


Seems like it was just yesterday doesn't it? You guys look so young in this picture!


How time just seems to fly by when your having fun!

Here's hoping and wishing you a wonderful day.

We love you,

MeMaw & PePaw

Places Of The Heart: Revisited

There are places that you visited as a child that never leave you. Memories that stay with you forever. If your lucky enough, sometimes those places are still there even after 50+ years.

This is a picture of the old train depot I often played in when I was a child. Aunt Neta (my Dad's sister) worked there and when our family would come for a visit from New Orleans she would let us go to work with her.

I believe it is the only place my aunt ever worked. After she retired, they decided to close this particular train station, and because it held such fond memories for not only my aunt, but all of us, she actually bought the building and moved it to next door to her home.

Everyone from that era of my life is gone now. My grandmother, grandfather, aunts, uncles, my mom and dad. I look forward though, of seeing them again one day. What a great reunion day that will be.

But for now, I'll take comfort in the memories.




Much thanks and appreciation to my dear daughter for journeying back with me for a day, and being so kind as to drive. We, too, made a memory.



Blessings of peace and all that is good.

Crooked Paths

I don't know about you, but I've been on a few

crooked paths lately.

Right when I think that I've gotten it all figured out

I find the path starts to twist and turn on me.

Mild disorientation descends at such times...

until I get my bearings

and continue.

*Getting my bearings = consulting the book of directions. "The Book" that is.

The only book I know that has any answers.

I am reminded of this wonderful scripture:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not unto your own understanding

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

Hope all of you have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Watch out for those turns in the road!

~~~~~~~~Blessings of peace and all that is good ~~~~~~~~~

Five Thousand Fourteen

Army Spc. Joshua L. Hazlewood, 22, of Manvel, Texas; assigned to the 614th Automated Cargo Documentation Detachment; died June 25 in Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.


Army 1st Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw, 24, of Steilacoom, Wash.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska; died June 25 in Kheyl, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

A reminder, of sorts, that not just an international entertainer passed away on June 25, 2009.

There were others just as important and deserved just as much reconition and attention.

Wanted to take a moment to honor a few of those fallen troops that also died on June 25, 2009 while serving in "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and "Operation Enduring Freedom". How I thank them and their families for paying the ultimate price to ensure the freedom that we so take for granted in our country. I extend my most heart felt sympathy to their families. May our Lord provide them with much grace and comfort.

~Total number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualties as confirmed by U.S. Central Command: 5,014~

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*Condolences also to the families and friends of all the entertainers and professional athletes that have passed in recent days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anything That Is Dead Ought To Be Buried!

Many, many years ago, I heard a sermon in which the preacher made the following statement, "Anything that is dead, ought to be buried."

At the time, I thought it rather in poor taste for the preacher to put it quite that bluntly. He was referring to a church that had lost its love for the Lord.

It has been nearly 34 years since I heard that statement but I've thought of it many times through the years. I have found it to be a true statement in various and sundry situations.

One such being today when we arrived home from visiting with our children and their families at the beach. Upon walking up to our front door, I found that my petunias had died.

They bit the dust.

They were so beautiful and full of blooms when I brought them home from the store. I had tended to them very carefully. Watered them just as the directions indicated. Placed them in the proper sunlight vs shade. Gave just the proper amount of plant food.

No matter. Soon they started to wilt. I could see the end was drawing near, but I kept thinking they would come around and live after all. I was in denial and just did not want to give them up. I had failed and that too was difficult to accept.

But the preacher's long ago statement once again rang loudly in my ears. They were no longer just wilted, but completely shriveled and dried up. Gone.

It hurt my heart but I did what I had to do. I uprooted them and placed them in a trash bag.

Tomorrow, I'll plant something new.

...a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July, I know I did. Any day I can spend with my children and their families is a really, really GREAT day!

God bless our troops and may He keep them safe and under His wings at all times. Might we all remember they are someones son or daughter, someones husband and daddy, someones brother or sister, someones aunt or uncle.

We love you son and pray for you daily.

God bless America.

Oh Tired Heart

The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,

Oh tired heart, believe,wait and pray,

Peacefully, the evening chime still rings,

Though cloud and rain and storm have filled the day.

Faith pierces through the midst of doubt that barsThe coming night sometimes, and finds the stars.

The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,

O trusting heart, the Lord to you has told;

Let faith and hope arise, and lift their wings,

To soar toward the sunrise clouds of gold;

To the doorways of the rosy dawn swing wide,

Revealing joys the darkness of night did hide.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us (2 Cor 1:20)

~~~taken from the devotional "Streams In The Desert" poem by Bessie Porter.