Do what you can do!

Good Morning Friends!! Totally loved by HIM, Tuesday!  Sunday afternoon, after a busy Saturday, Kim and I were taking it easy watching a movie when we had a surprise visit from Cooper, Katy and Mom!  Woo Hoo!  We were both excited to see them, heading right to the door to great them!  Papa was holding the door open, I was behind him, Coop rushed in first, “Hi Pop” he said as he passed Papa and charged to my open arms….I wrapped my arms around him as he snuggled in for one of those “oh how great it is to be a Nana” hugs.  My heart glowed with the warmth of his love.  We even got Katy snuggled in for a group hug, much better than the old western movie we had been watching!  I wonder if he has any idea what joy those hugs bring me…..This morning I was reading in Mark 14, Jesus was having dinner with friends when a woman came in an opened an expensive jar of perfume and poured it on Jesus.  The disciples had a fit, she is wasting that, they told Jesus, it could have been sold and given to the poor.  They couldn’t believe that Jesus didn’t get mad at her….It was Jesus response that grabbed a hold of me…..He told them, “Leave her alone…She has done a beautiful thing to Me…..She did what she could.”  (Mark 14:6-8).   Those words really hit me….she did what she could….What she did wasn’t earth shattering or spectacular, I mean she didn’t end world hunger or convert a thousand people to Christianity….but…..she did what she could.  Jesus was happy with that, those are HIS words….Hmmm, as I pondered this my mind was in a whirl….HE wants us to do what we can, no great expectations of us changing the world, or traveling the world spreading the gospels…..just do what we can….Now, if you can travel the world and spread the gospel, go for it!  Go with God’s blessings, but each of us when empowered by the Holy Spirit and filled with the love of God can do HIS work……we can do…what we can do!  And God will bless us, if we are inspired by the Holy Spirit….In the midst of my whirling this morning, I thought of Cooper’s hug on Sunday……makes me smile…I know how much Cooper loves JESUS….so I know that Cooper did what he could,  he was inspired by the love of Jesus to hug his Nana, so deeply, so lovingly that Nana has been smiling from the inside out ever since……So let’s take a lesson from Cooper and do what we can do….today, right now!  We just never know what a little act of kindness, inspired by the love of Jesus, can do for someone….an unexpected hug, a few extra minutes with a friend in need, volunteering to do a job that no one else seems to want, listening, hearing, sharing, loving, caring, smiling, laughing, crying, hugging….from the inside out.   Father, fill us with the Holy Spirit and give us the desire to do what we can…..to Your glory.

 

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Matthew 10 :42.  Keep on loving each other.  Hebrews 13:1.

 

Love you all!

Too many treasures on earth

Good Morning Friends!  Today, Tuesday, this day our Lord made for us!  Let’s get happy and rejoice in all HE does for us!  This morning my bible reading took me to Matthew 6:19-21….Jesus is teaching and tells the people, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”   Oh boy, this really hit me, as it pains me to admit, I am a bit of a hoarder….well of sorts, I don’t buy things, but I am so sentimental I just feel the need to keep everything….everything that was ever given to me or to someone I love and left to me, or used by someone I love….heck I have flowers in my mom’s old metal enema can…..yes I am serious!  And then there are the things that I might be able to use someday for a craft, at home with grandkids or at Sunday School with my other kids….did you know you can make really cool chains out of empty adding-machine paper rolls, and angels out of soda cans and you should see what you can do with paper towel rolls!  It’s amazing!  Last Sunday the kids were playing charades, one boy was trying to get them to guess he was one of the old testament kings.  He said, “Ms. Kathie I need to see you in your room.”  The room you see is where we store all of our “things.”  I went in with him and he told me he needed that old Burger King crown….My heart sank; I had kept that crown for years to use at Christmas, etc. until just a couple of weeks ago.  You see, my teachers and I were cleaning up, they not being the collectors that I am are always trying to get me to let go of some “things”  things that I always insist we might be able to use at some point and time.  Well, you have probably guessed, I was convinced to let the Burger King crown go….now Jacob needed it and it was gone!  I was devastated…he needed it and I had gotten rid of it….Dang it!!!  Thank heavens Jacob wasn’t as devastated as me; actually he just got creative with his hands and in just a short time they had guessed who he was….OK, so after reading Matthew this morning, I am thinking differently about what happened on Sunday.  The crown was old, battered, and replaceable…and Jacob just reached into his mind and figured out what to do, used his imagination which is always a good thing for kids, so I guess good stuff came from the purge…..Maybe I am storing up too many treasures on earth…..maybe it’s time for me to let go of some “things” and spend more time storing up treasures in heaven.  How many times do our things distract us from time with our Father, prayer, helping others (treasures in heaven)…..keep sakes are good, no one will ever convince me otherwise….it’s the place they hold that’s the problem…Father, forgive me when my treasures take away from my life with YOU!  You are my all in all!  Help me to let go not only of my things, but of my worries and fears….help me to let go and LET YOU!

 

Therefore I tell  you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?.....But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own…..(give it to HIM).  Matthew 6:31-34.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13. 

Love you all!

The perfect "first responder"

Good Morning Friends!  Totally in HIS care, Tuesday!  Friday evening, I hadn’t been home long, had the groceries unloaded and frig things put away, but that was it…still in my dress clothes; the phone rang, it was Kathyrn, she was frantic…..”Can you go to the hospital with me?  Katy is hurt!!!”  “YES, we’ll be right there!” I responded, she told she was already on her way to get us.  I hollered at Papa, told him to come on Katy is hurt.  He wanted to know what happened, “don’t know” I said, “but she is hurt.”  We headed down our driveway just as she pulled in.  Katy was in the back holding a towel on her arm, crying desperately.  Papa jumped in the back by her and immediately started soothing her.  He looked at her wound and knew that she would have to have stitches.  I got in the front with Kathyrn and we flew to the hospital.  Cooper was so worried about his sister, I did my best to keep him occupied while Papa gave his attention to Katy, comforting her with his gentle words and explaining to her just what would happen when she got to see the doctor.  I was so glad we had our own “first responder” with us.  He took total control.  Dad arrived at the hospital (he was at work) about the same time we did; Papa hung back for him, I went into the ER with Kathyrn and helped her get Katy checked in….then the wait…..Cooper was a nervous wreck and itching to get himself into trouble, so Papa and I decided we could take Dad’s truck and Cooper and go home.  We hadn’t been home too long, when I heard from Kathyrn, they were in the examining room.  Pretty soon a picture came of Katy’s “boo boo” with a glowing report on the patient.  Soon they were headed home.  We were so thankful that Katy was going to be ok with a few stiches inside and out!  After Mom and Dad came and got Cooper, Papa and I rehashed the whole evening…..I was so proud of his expert “first responder” care-giving.  All his training has sure paid off!  I said a great big thank you prayer to our Father, and then chuckled to myself….My goodness we have the PERFECT FIRST RESPONDER…. On call….24/7!!!  HE didn’t need any training, no pager or cell phone….NOPE HE is our all- knowing, all powerful, healer, comforter, protector, ON CALL ready and waiting for us to come to HIM.  Oh you know I was praying all the way to the hospital and Cooper and I prayed for sister too……HE was there, with Katy, with us…..going to HIM comforted me…..knowing that HE is always there….gave me strength….peace.  Thank you Father for being our PERFECT FIRST RESPONDER for any need that we have.  Keep us mindful of YOUR presence in our lives….every minute of every day!  And thank you for taking care of precious Katy.  All glory to YOU!

Co not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the  peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7.  Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7.  The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  Psalm 145:18.  “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear,” says the Lord.  Isaiah 65:24.

Love you all!

What does He see in us?

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Thursday!  While I was talking with Hailey on the phone yesterday, Tucker woke up from a nap.  She got him up and was sweet talking him (makes me smile) when she laughed and said, “Tucker, look at your hair…..you got your ‘bed head’ from your Nana!”  She was laughing as she described his hair on the back of his head.  You see, in my family I am known for my “bed head”; my hair just gets in a big ol’ mess on the back of my head when I sleep or nap…..it used to bother me but not anymore and especially not now that Hailey sees me in Tucker’s “bed head.”  Now that is a Nana’s ultimate delight…..of course as Tucker grows up I hope that there are some slightly more significant traits he gets from me, but for now……the “bed head” makes me happy!  Hailey sees me in Tucker…….We love for our children and grandchildren to inherit the good parts of us, we love to see ourselves in them….As I thought about this last night I couldn’t help but think about our Heavenly Father…..as His children….What does He see in us?.....Does He see His love in us, in our thoughts and actions…..how we treat others is a definite reflection on how we are loving HIM……Father, help us to shine with Your love so that we reflect You in all that we do.

 

The Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.  Deuteronomy 26:18.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  He has given us this command:  whoever loves God must also love his brother.  1 John 4:21.  Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35.You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.  1 Thessalonians 4:9.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father I heaven.  Matthew 5:16.

Love you all!

The old rugged cross! Jesus died on it, for us!

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Thursday!  Last week one day Papa and I picked up Cooper and Katy from school because Mommy and Daddy had to work late.  We got home and got a snack, preparing to get to homework.  Earlier in the day, close to where Katy sits, I had laid a cool, rustic cross given to me by a friend for Christmas.  I have been looking for the perfect place to hang it, somewhere I would see it often….in the meantime I laid it on the table near where Katy sits.  As Katy sat down she immediately saw the cross.  In an excitement that she could not contain, she shouted, “Nana, it’s the old rugged cross….!”  Smiling and pleased at her response to the cross I said, “Yes, it sure is, you are right!”  Without hesitation she said, loud and clear, “Jesus died on it….for us!”  This time I was the one that could not contain my excitement, to hear that precious 4 year old, confessing her faith…..loud and clear…..no hesitation!  My heart was over flowing with joy and gratitude.  I just had to give her a big hug….As I was holding her close, almost in tears, I felt our FATHER very close to us…..”Kathie, My child, I understand your joy in knowing that Katy knows that Jesus died for her…but My joy is compounded by the fact that she had no hesitation to profess her faith…..Oh, just think how wonderful it would be if all you adults….My big precious kids, would tell about Jesus dying on the old rugged cross like Katy did!”  Father forgive our hesitation in confessing You!  Increase our faith and bless us with brave, witnessing hearts so that we with Katy say loud and clear….”It’s the old rugged cross, Jesus died on it for us!”

 

Then Jesus came to them and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  1 Timothy 1:12.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bow.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16.

Love you all!

 

Our forever Valentine

Good Morning!    Last week, a day or two before Valentine’s Day, we got a Valentine in the mail from Cooper and Katy.  Of course, we love that!!!  I picked up the phone and called them to say thank you….after visiting with Mommy for a minute she gave the phone to Katy.  Katy was so happy to talk to me, I thanked her for the card and told her I had a Valentine surprise for her too!  She was all excited, we visited a little longer when I heard Mommy tell her to let Cooper talk too.   “Cooper, want to talk to Nana?”   she hollered at him.  I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard him holler back, “NO.”  Well for heaven’s sake I thought, little stinker.  I told Katy, “you tell Cooper he isn’t going to get his Valentine surprise if he doesn’t talk to me.”  Katy was most happy to deliver that message with the silly delight of a little sister whose  big brother was about to get in trouble!  Immediately, a little voice came on the phone and said, “Hi Nana.”  “Hi Cooper, how’s my boy?”  “Good, nana do you have a Valentine surprise for me?”  “I sure do Cooper, thank you for our Valentine, I love you.”  “ Your welcome, I love you too, Nana, bye.”  The conversation was short and sweet, but as I was relaying the details of how I had to threaten our little stinker to get him to talk to me, I suddenly felt sad…..Gosh, sure glad our Father doesn’t ever threaten us to get us to come to HIM….He waits lovingly, patiently yearning for us to come to HIM, sit with HIM…..unburden our troubled hearts, confess our sins, receive comfort and the most wonderful LOVE surprise, everyday not just once a year!  Father, oh I thank and praise YOU for loving us so abundantly….freely, always without a threat….just the promise of life everlasting with YOU!!  How good YOU are how Blessed are we!  I love you Father, all glory to YOU!

 

You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.  Psalm 28:7  The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!  Isaiah 30:18.  Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.  Job 22:21.  The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; d not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Luke:12:32. 

Love you all!

Help me trust and believe

Good Morning Friends!  My oh my, what an Awesome God is our Maker, Monday!  Yesterday, Papa and I had Cooper and Katy all day!  Good times!  After church and a lunch of hotdogs, we all settled down for a cozy nap in the living room!  Papa put on an old western, Cooper’s favorite and we each snuggled into our little space and had a little nap!  Oh I do love those Sunday afternoon naps.  After naps we had the serious job of feeding all the cows and according to Katy, Papa really needs their help!!!  So we all loaded into the old feed truck, including the dog and headed out!  The wind was bad, but the sun was warm so it was a wonderful outing, in and out of the pastures dumping feed!  Thank goodness,  Cooper is really getting good at opening the gates gives the old Nana a break!   Job complete, we headed back to the house.  Cooper, Katy and I had our usual chores, chickens, bunnies, donkeys to feed as well as filling the wood box, silly kids love to fill the wood box!  Papa headed out to move some animals.  They grabbed their donkey feed cans and headed to the feed room, I opened the door and then the feed bin….Katy was in front so she reached in to fill her can…..she gasped, “Nana, look!”  I looked into the bin surprised to see several red wasps, feasting…..then it happened, Cooper began screaming, “And it just got me, it just got me!”  He was crying and jumping up and down in pain, I thought it was under his shirt so I was trying to get his shirt off, “No, Nana my hand, he got my hand!”  Bless his heart, sure enough already his little hand was red and his finger swelling.  I put my arms around him to console and head him to the house where I could treat it.  “Come on Cooper, come with Nana, I will fix it for you, let’s get to the house……”  He ran to the house, crying and shaking his hand, I headed him to the kitchen counter and began making my magic potent for stings.  I explained what I was doing, promising the mix would help his hand to feel better.  The tears continued, but he stood still and watched as I mixed the baking soda and vinegar…once I had it mixed I took his hand and began bathing it in the stinky mix….he didn’t flinch or fight me…..Cooper knew that I would take care of him….no matter how silly the method seemed to him, he knew that he could trust his Nana to take care of his problem…..No questions asked, no arguing or pulling away….he simply trusted and believed.  In no time at all he was smiling again and ready to go back outside…..as I cleaned up the mess, thankful that I could help him, my heart took a leap….That child totally trusted me to take care of him, no questions asked….why oh why can I not trust and believe in my Father like that……Oh Father, forgive me for all the times I pull away from You, question You, struggling against Your will….strengthen my faith Father, so that I trust and believe in Your will for me…..completely.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.  The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.  Nahum 1:7.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4.  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22. 

Love you all!

The beauty in a dead tree

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and Wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  Yesterday I told you about our wonderful Thanksgiving at the cabin, today I want to share a little story from that afternoon.  Last Christmas Eve Papa and I took Cooper and Katy to the cabin for the day to have an old-fashioned Christmas!  We cut down a cedar tree, took it in and decorated it with homemade ornaments, we decorated cookies, had hot chocolate and cooked lunch on the camp stove and even took our naps there!  A wonderful time was had by all for sure.  Well, as things go….Kim and I don’t always get things done in a timely fashion….I think I got the tree undecorated and outside about…..April…..Kim always intended to cut it up and burn it, but just never got to it.  The once pretty little cedar tree with a homemade base still on it was still lying outside the cabin…..Thursday while Mom, Dad, Nana and Papa were sitting by the fire Cooper and Katy were doing some serious exploring!  Guess what they found???!!!  Yep, last year’s once beautiful, now dead, brittle Christmas tree….Cooper was thrilled!!!  He hollered at us, “look what I found, look it’s our Christmas tree from the cabin!” He was so excited, it was precious….Papa and I asked them, “remember last year we spent the day in the cabin and made cookies and decorated the tree?”  Oh yes they both remembered and were so excited sharing things they remembered.  Cooper was holding onto the tree, trying to get it up.  Mom and dad told him to get away from it because it was on prickley….but as they spoke, right in front of our eyes…..Cooper made his move to the cabin door……he was on a mission…..the once beautiful Christmas tree, now to say the least unattractive was going back into the cabin for this year’s Christmas celebration!  Cooper only saw a Christmas tree……he saw only the beauty of a day with Nana, Papa, and Sissy….a day he treasured, more than we could have ever imagined, in his heart.  Of course we had to stop him from putting it in the cabin (with a promise of doing it again), but I couldn’t stop thinking about Cooper and that tree……Cooper saw beauty in that dead tree.  Oh Cooper, sweet boy, what a wonderful lesson you have given your Nana….We are so quick to see the unattractive, past actions, or life styles of people in our lives…..remembering hurts, mistrusts, poor choices while missing the beauty inside, the beauty and forgiveness that God offers everyone….Makes me sad to think of the opportunities I have missed to share happy, loving times with people that might have “unattractive” trees in their pasts…..judging what I think I see or know…missing out on what God sees, missing out on the blessing of sharing with another of HIS children.  Father, forgive us when we misjudge one of Your children, give us eyes and hearts that see as You do.

 

You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  1 Corinthians 6:11.  If you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6:14-15.  God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.  Acts 10:28.  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31.  How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  Psalm 133:1  Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Hebrews 10:24.  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  1 John 4:7. 

Love you all!

 

Crocodiles in My Kitchen: Believing in what you don't see

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in HIS loving arms Wednesday!  You all remember Cooper and Katy right (in case you don’t Cooper 4 and Katy 3 are our “adopted” grandkids.  They live nearby)?  We live in an old farm house that we heat with wood.  We have a good air tight stove in the living room that for the most part works well, but sometimes when it is really cold we have a fire in the old stove in the kitchen…..until this year we had not done that for years.  Well, quite some time ago, Cooper took a keen interest in that stove and since we never used it we let him open the door and look in.  Well, way over a year ago, one day while playing with his new flashlight upon opening the stove door he discovered crocodiles residing there!  He was quite excited and of a course Papa and I played along with him, admiring the lovely crocks and offering pretend food for him to give them.  The next time Cooper was over, found his flashlight and went right to the stove to check his crocks….and each time we all took a look, playing along with his imagination.  This went on for month after month until finally his sister Katy had her own flashlight and was big enough to join in….Cooper opened the door and showed his sister the crocodiles.  His excitement was uncontainable and Katy joined right in with him.  Now this has been going on for over  a year, never ever do those kids come to our house whether together or alone ,that they do not check on their crocks.  We just smile and thank God for the blessing of children!  Remember the big snow and awful cold we had before Christmas?  Well, I was off work, but Coop and Katy’s mom had to work so Papa and I were keeping the kids.  It was so cold that morning that Papa thought maybe he better light a fire in the kitchen.  I cleared the top of the stove off and he built a nice fire…As he was getting it going it hit me the crocodiles!!!!   What would those babies think if they came over and a their crocks were all burned up….I asked Papa, “think I better get the crocks out and put them in something else?”  At first he laughed and said no and then decided….”yep, you better.”  So, I found an empty trash can and got a towel to cover the top….carefully (lol) I moved the crocks from the stove to the trash can!  When the kids got there we immediately explained that we had a fire in the stove, it was very hot, so they had to stay away…..but…before they could get upset….I showed them where I had moved their crocks!  They were delighted.  Immediately taking the towel off, checking them, holding them…of course we all did and then covering them up and placing them in a perfect place in the kitchen.  Sometime during that day………oh my gosh…..the discovery was almost too much for them!!!  The crocodiles had babies…..precious little baby crocodiles!  What a glorious day in LULA!  I have tried upon several occasions to move crocks and babies back to the stove, but with no luck!  For some reason they like them in the trash can in the middle of the kitchen!  I was telling my sister the croc tale the other day, gramma of 2 four year olds and a three year old, she totally understood and relished in their imagination.  I said to her, “I have been trying to figure out how to get a today out of this wonderful story.”  Immediately she responded, “Faith is believing in what you don’t see…..”  Wow!  Why didn’t I think of that??!!  Those precious children set a perfect example for our “faith” life.  We cannot see God, but with Holy Spirit filled faith we KNOW that HE is our ALL in ALL!  We cannot see HIM with our eyes, but we see HIM through the wonders around us, nature, kindnesses of others, special little blessings….the imagination of children…..Father, keep our faith strong so that we believe without seeing….trust without answers……forgive as you forgive us……LOVE others as YOU have shown us to LOVE….to remember….”Faith without works is dead…”  James: 2 17.

 

Though you have not seen Christ, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:8-9.  It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8.  We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1. 

Love you all!

June 21, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  I have been looking forward to this weekend for a while!  Katy J is staying with us all weekend while the rest of her family makes a fast and furious trip to a family wedding!  Katy has been so jealous of Cooper’s alone time with us since Cooper stays with Papa, so she has really looked forward to this weekend too!  She arrived bright and early at 5:55 a. m.  Mommy told her she would be going to Grammi’s today, like usual while Nana and Papa worked, but she didn’t quit get that!  The fact that it is Friday, a work day, just doesn’t make any sense to her….she was going to Nana and Papa’s to stay with them all by herself….I promised I would pick her up right after work and would have a surprise….one down!  On Saturdays we often take her and Cooper to breakfast, so this morning she thought we would be going to the Kountry Store for breakfast……again the difference between Friday and Saturday just didn’t make sense to her.  While she was watching me put on my make-up, I told her she was going to Sunday School with me….not even thinking that she had no concept of “Sunday.”  Nope she was ready to go to Sunday school right now!  I tried to explain to her about the days…”today is Friday, we go to work, tomorrow is Saturday, we go to breakfast, and then it’s Sunday and we will go to Sunday school.”  She just looked at me in total confusion……she wanted to go now....and just couldn’t understand it wasn’t time…..My mind filled with God’s words from Ecclesiastics ….”There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”  How can I expect Katy to understand that it’s not time to go to the Kountry Store for breakfast, when I constantly whine to our Heavenly Father about what I want and when!!!  I too get confused when HE says, “My child, not just yet….it’s not time.”  Our time is not His time……It’s time for us to be still, to listen, to hear HIS timing for us…He loves us with a Perfect Love and His timing is Perfect for our lives…..Father help us to wait for Your will in our lives with joyful hearts.  Help us to reassure others that the sad times will pass and joyful times will return…..be still and know that His timing is Perfect for us.  Thank you, Father for special time with Katy…a time to laugh, a time to love, a time to keep……

 

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:9.  Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of jy.  Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”  Psalm 126:2.  Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  Psalm 143:10.  Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17. 

Love you all!

May 29, 2013

Good Morning Friends!!!!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms Wednesday!  Remember I mentioned a few weeks ago that Cooper would be staying with Papa a few days a week since Hailey has gone back to Alaska?  Well, Katy is just not to fond of the situation….Kathyrn drops Cooper off about 6:30 and then she and Katy head on into town where Katy stays with Grami…..she really has a wonderful time at Grami’s two little girls her age to play with and 2 babies to love on all day, but when Cooper gets dropped off with Nana and Papa, Katy is not happy!  I don’t get to see her every morning, but this morning I was late getting in the shower, so I ran out to get some sugar!  Oh my….the look on her face was pathetic and that bottom lip stuck out…way out….there was no getting a smile out of her…nope it was a full on pout! Cooper was outside side running crazy with the dog….”Papa what are we going to do to today?!!!!”  Papa’s answer was the straw that broke the camel’s back!!!!  “Cooper, we have to go take puppies today!”  The pouty face, if possible, immediately looked graver and now tiny tears began to stream down her cheeks, Katy declared, “I want to go take puppies too!”  Mommy told her she was going to Grami’s and I tried for a kiss….but it was not happening!  Oh that just broke the old Nana’s heart…..As I got in shower I could not get that precious “pouty” face out of my mind!  Such a scowl and that bottom lip…..not a pretty picture…..Hmmm, then it hit me……my goodness……oh my goodness!  How often does our Heavenly Father see us with a “pouty” face……”I want……a new car, new furniture, bigger vacation, more clothes, bigger diamond, less hamburger more steak, I’m tired of working, gas is too high, too much work to do, I hate to exercise, I want to look like her, why do the neighbor have a nicer house…..” Get it!?  Oh Father, forgive us for “pouting” when You give us so much!  Oh goodness…..how yucky we must look to You when we stick out our bottom lips and whine…..Help us to get into our attitude of gratitude modes and give You glory and praise all the time!  And Father please be with my precious Katy as she adjusts to this new situation…..we don’t like her to be so sad! 

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  God will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.  Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of singing.  Isaiah 51:3.  Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!  Revelation 7:12.

April 2, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully His, Tuesday!  I didn’t realize that it had rained during the night, but when I got up I could hear it on the metal roof of the porch….I said a thank you prayer.  As I drove into work the rain was steady….not too hard, so visibility was ok, but steady enough to be a good rain….I said another thank you, grateful for the rain for our dry pastures and low ponds…..My thoughts turned to the pasture Kim and I had checked on Sunday….I smiled as I envisioned the fragile, green- grass yearning to emerge through the dry grass…..I felt my shoulders relax and even though when I left the house my husband was worried and anxious, I could feel a smile forming in my heart….yearning to break out in joy…….My heart and mind were consumed with the many blessings our Heavenly Father rains on me every day…..doesn’t have to be a torrential down pour, the gentle blessings are so wonderful too….you know…..lunch with an old friend…..a call from a grandchild…..fresh coffee delivered to your desk…..dying Easter eggs with grandkids and then hunting them……something you really need going on sale……a visit with family you haven’t seen in a long while…..notice of on-line donations to Rely for Life popping up on computer…..fresh eggs from the chickens you thought never would lay…..homemade ice cream…friends that pray faithfully for and with you…..new tires……the Good Will Store……volunteer firemen…..sweet puppies….good jobs…..French toast made with rye bread and powdered sugar…cold water in the fountain at the touch of a finger…an unexpected box of goodies in the mail from your sister…….gentle rain falling on the pastures…..sunshine that follows the rain……green grass…….Thank you Father for the good little blessings that bless us every day.  Forgive us for being too busy, too dry to appreciate our steady blessings……to Praise and Thank you with grateful hearts….Shame on us Father….Thank you for loving us still!  All glory, honor and praise to YOU!!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His;  we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100.

Love you all!