The miracle of memories

Good Morning Friends!  Wondrously wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  A couple of weeks ago while going through some things I ran across an old picture of my sons, Shawn and Ira, young teens at the time.  Shawn is 37 now and Ira would be 39 on Sunday (Ira headed to his heavenly home about 10 years ago…stinker.  He is in fact my step-son, but to my heart my son); in the picture they are working on their yearly project books for 4H, undoubtedly they were due the next day!!!!  Well, I smiled at my handsome boys and stuck the picture in my bag to take to work….for some reason I wanted to take it with me…..no clue why until today.    A woman just came into our office to reserve the community building in Stonewall for the end of the year party for her 4H group.  I shared with her that my boys had been in 4H and soon we were sharing 4H stories, hers happening now, for me….memories from those wonderful,l busy kid years! Memories, gosh it didn’t take long until my mind was a buzz with our 4H years.  I asked her if they still had to do their yearly project books and she said yes.  At that point, my co-worker in charge of community center came to help her.  While they were taking care of business I remembered the picture of Shawn and Ira….working on their 4H books.  I got into my desk and pulled it out….this time my heart and mind overflowing with loving memories of my young boys….As she finished her reservation, I showed her the picture of the boys….we laughed about taking “event” pictures for the “whole ”year at one time and rushing to get them printed.  Of course, way back then  we didn’t have digital pictures….so I had to do the one hour deal….I think we had one hour….surely we did!  She asked how old the boys are now and I her told Shawn is 37, sharing that Ira had taken residency in heaven…holding back tears.  Her routine stop to reserve a building had turned into a precious time of sharing for me…..she has no idea how much that little extra time she spent visiting….sharing with me touched my heart….stirring precious memories within my mind….memories that make me smile…..from the inside out!   Just a little time….without knowing…..how often do we miss out on the “little times.”  Father, help us to slow down, just a little, so we don’t miss the smile making times!  And Father thank you for our boys, times to remember and times to look forward to! And Father thank you for the little miracle of memories.  To YOU all PRAISE, HONOR , & GLORY!

 

Whoever touches you touches the apple of God’s eye.  Zechariah 2:8.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything (including memories) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.  Proverbs 15:30  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be….(our memories, now that’s just awesome)  Psalm 139:16.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  2 Corinthians 9:15. 

Love you all!

Detours and road construction

Good Morning Friends!  Forever HIS, Friday!  I left a couple minutes later than I like to this morning, not bad though, so I wasn’t really worried about being on time to work….until I hit all the road construction on 3W!  Mind you, they have been doing road construction since last week, so I should have been quite aware what I would encounter on my commute in….I should have planned ahead, planned to leave a few minutes early, rather than a few late.....I was beginning to get quite perturbed, stuck behind a slow moving diesel with only one lane open….concerned that I might very well be a couple minutes late to work.  Oh well I thought….I will just tell them about the road construction, they will understand.  Whoa!!!!  Wait a minute!!!!!!  What did I just say….I should have planned ahead….I knew about the construction, I should have been prepared to leave the house early….not the construction guys fault or the diesel in front of me….I was not prepared to deal with the road construction in a positive way!!  Realizing my misconception, I felt my attitude begin to change and I took a couple of deep breaths to relax, willing to deal with the possibility of being a little late to work.  As my attitude was changing another thought came to me…….we face “road construction” everyday all through our lives, not just what’s on the highways…..detours caused by anger, miscommunications with friends, family, co-workers…..off ramps closed due to envy, greed, fear or anxiety for the unknown, flashing lights of temptations…..unplanned, but always lurking waiting for us to 'leave a few minutes late,’ unprepared tempers flare, stress mounts, worry clouds are thinking, hurt takes over where love should be, tears flow while joy is waiting on the edge……We can be prepared for these detours…..time with our Heavenly Father will give us the strength and wisdom to meet difficult situations in ways that give glory to Him.  Ways, that keep feelings, ours or others, from being hurt…..Time with Him in word and prayer our faith grows stronger, we can persevere through the construction stronger, wiser, closer to HIM!  Father, increase our desire to be closer to YOU, stronger in You, faithful to YOU, trusting and believing in Your will for our lives.

 

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:o8..  Everyone born of God overcomes the world (detours and road construction).  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.  Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:17.  God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.  Matthew 26:41.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:4. 

Love you all!

The smells of Spring

Good Morning Friends!  Warm in His love, Wednesday!  The other day when I got back to work from lunch, landscaping was mowing the lawn out front; oh my goodness it smelled so good!  So fresh and clean…… As I opened the door, I took a good deep breath relishing in the magnificent scent of freshly mown grass ……spring……it smelled like spring.  I was smiling as I walked in and sat down at my desk, thinking about spring coming…the wonderful smell was still fresh in my mind when a woman came in….she was smiling too as she said, “Oh my it smells so good outside….”  I replied, “Yes, like spring”  she said, “Yes, I am looking forward to spring…..it has been a long winter!”  I most definitely had to agree with her….we have had such a long winter…..snow, ice, cold….Utility bills have been so high and we have used 7 cords of wood!  That’s a lot for us!  As she left, I couldn’t help but think about spring, a time for renewing, planting, spring cleaning…..all things fresh and new after a long, cold winter….flowers blooming, gardens growing….softly, gently, I felt HIS touch…..I could hear HIM in the buzz of the lawn mower….”Kathie, my child”  spring is a wonderful time of the year….how about a spring time spiritually….You know, renew your faith by cleaning out bad habits and spending more time with Me.  Plant seeds of kindness, thoughtfulness, love and watch them grow and bloom more of the same!  Mow down angers, frustrations, anxiety and worry…..clean out those attitudes that bring you down and get in the way of doing your very best. Life’s winters can be so long and cold….come to Me let Me warm you with My love….let My SON shine on you, refresh you and give you peace.”   Thank you Father….whatever would we do without you!

 

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and His understand no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and wary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, the will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31.  There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1.  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth……And God saw that it was good.  From Genesis 1.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  James 1:21.  The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness.  Galatians 5:22.

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Do you hear what I hear?

Good Morning Friends!  Fabulous Friday, loved by HIM!  This morning sitting in the living room, in my house, with all the windows closed, I could hear one dog….one little bitty dog barking….in the kennel…..behind my house….the back side of my house, living room is in front…..behind the carport…..one little bitty, yapping dog….I could hear him plain as day……yipping….a constant, irritating yip….in my house….with the windows closed…..As I sat there irritated, becoming quite annoyed at the barking dog…..behind my house, behind the carport…..in  my living room with the windows closed…..I chuckled to myself….isn’t it funny that I can hear that dog….you know where……but quite often I do not hear my husband speaking to me when he is sitting a couple of feet away…….Now just how crazy is that!!!!!  At first I chuckled, then I thought….hmmm that little dog is irritating me in the house, but my poor husband often gets ignored a few feet away……I felt rather ashamed of myself….why can I hear that dog way outside, but don’t hear my husband…..Hmmmm….yep……because I choose, selfishly at times, to “not hear” “ignore” him….quite human of me…..while the dog continued to yip, my annoyance building I thought…OH MY…..Father……I too am a yipper…..whining and complaining to You all the time…..begging, pleading day in and day out!  Yet, You never get annoyed with me….never….Your love and compassion are endless, engulfing my life inside and out…..PLUS…..You NEVER IGNORE me either…..OH Father, thank you for hearing my constant yipping and answering my prayers!  Forgive my selfish nature, help me to listen compassionately to others.  All glory, honor, and praise to YOU!

 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.  1 John 5:14-15.  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.  Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  Galatians 5:13.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  2 Peter 3:18. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist

Administrative Services

Division of Housing

Baby bunny blessings

Good Morning Friends!  WOW, our GOD is an AWESOME GOD, Wednesday!  Some of you might remember that a year or so ago, we (well hubby’s idea), got Cooper a little bunny for his 3^rd birthday.  The bunny stayed at our house for fun visits from Cooper (as well as to keep mommy happy).  Well, my husband couldn’t be happy having just one bunny so over the year we have acquired 4 more bunnies….now all rabbits!  We have bred them several times without a lot of success, but finally…..last Thursday when Kim went in the coop to give them fodder he noticed one girl rabbit was pulling her fur.  OH BOY!  A sure sign she was going to have babies, so he put a nest in her pen……..Friday morning when I went out to feed and water before work……Wow, the nest was full of fur and breathing!  Well you know, I couldn’t really see babies, but I knew they were there because the fur was moving!  They were alive…..I could see there were several, but dare not touch them…..mommy rabbits do not like you touching their newborn bunnies!  As soon as I got in the car to head out, I called Kim and told him!  Cooper and Katy were with us over the weekend and they were just thrilled with the bunnies too…we explained they couldn’t touch them, but they were very content to just look at them….at least, as Cooper would say, a hundred, thirty, fifty, ten times a day!!!  That was ok with me though, because I am, I must admit, just as excited as they are about the baby bunnies….precious new life….spring is blossoming all around us and at my house I have precious tiny baby bunnies…..What an awesome God we have!  In the midst of the turbulence of our lives HE blesses us with baby bunnies, singing birds, blossoming trees and flowers, growing grass….Today, I am just stopping to acknowledge and enjoy these simple to us….but our MASTER mind created them….from nothing….without HIM we are nothing….with HIM our lives  NEW!  Father, Help us to blossom in Your love, to grow in faith, shower others with Your love in word and deed!  And Father thank you so much for the special little blessings You share with us, they sure brighten our days!  We Praise You Heavenly Father, keep us ever grateful!

 

The Sovereign Lord says, “I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill.  I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.”  Ezekiel 34:26.  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”  Lamentations 3:22-24.  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father we too may live a new life.  Romans 6:3-4.  Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God…For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Love as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).  Ephesians 5:1-2 & 8-9.

 

Little leaks lead can to big problems!

Today at 11:15 AM

Good Morning Friends!  Mighty awesome is our God, Monday!  I was anxious to get the water bill for the fire department this month (I am secretary/treasurer for fire department) because last month it was really high, more than double the usual amount…the reason, a leak.  A leak somewhere, but where?  That was the important part….where was the nasty water leak that was causing the water bill to soar???!!!  So the search was on, it was finally determined it was the flapper in the women’s toilet….a dumb little flapper caused that big of an increase….I was skeptical.  My husband fixed it right away…then the wait for the new bill.  That’s why I was so anxious to get the bill…..I was not as sure as him that that was the cause….for heaven’s sake a stuck flapper….a little leak in the toilet caused that huge bill!  Well, I knew the bill probably came on Saturday because ours did, so on my way home from church yesterday I stopped at the fire department to get the mail.  Sure enough, the water bill was there and….well for goodness sakes…..the bill was the usual minimum……so obviously the toilet was the problem….a little leak….a big bill!  As I drove home contemplating the leak situation, a thought came to me.  I wonder how many “little leaks” I have in my life that left “unfixed” could create big problems…..Seemingly  trivial gossip about a co-worker…..a grudge that stays stuck in my attitude…..cards and letters long over-due…..hasty judgment on a friend’s situation…..occasional skipped prayer time……habitual tardiness…..just little “leaks” right!  No big deal right!!!!  “OK Father, I get it!  “Little” seemingly harmless actions and attitudes can cause big problems for others….pain, anxiety, pulling us away from a life that makes You smile….a life that does not bring glory to Your Holy Name!”   OH Father, forgive our little leaks…..we want to do our best for You, but we are so weak….we mess up so often.  Father, fill us with the desire to live closer with You, so that You can “prevent” us from leaking so much!  Thanks for forgiving us when we mess up!  To You be all glory!

 

Jesus said, “My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:12-13.  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31.  Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  John 13:15.  Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Hebrews 10:24.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8.  Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  1 Thessalonians 5:14.  Jesus said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”  Luke 6:37. 

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

God's love and comfort

Good Morning Friends!  Fear not!  We are HIS Friday!  I told you about my sweetie being sick, well he is doing better….Thank you Father, but now, I am fighting it off!!!  Trust me, I am fighting, but I have a cough…kind of a yucky cough….a yucky cough that seems to always fire up in the middle of the night!   Don’t you hate that!  Well sure enough, I had not been asleep to long last night when I was awakened by that “special” feeling in my chest and throat…..that you are “fixin” to start coughing feeling…Yep, first one…then another!   UGH!!!!!  In the darkness I reached onto my night stand and felt for a cough drop….Ahh….there’s one….again, I fumbled in the darkness and got it open…POP….into my mouth.  Almost Immediately I could feel the soothing relief permeating my irritated throat and chest…Cough drops have always amazed me…..how they know right where to go to get the “special” feeling….no chewing or swallowing , just put it in your mouth and the relief gets started….how the heck do they do that….As I drifted back to sleep, coughing subsided, a sweet thought over- came me….God’s love and comfort…..in life’s darkness….when we are fumbling in life’s darkness….His love is there….no chewing, swallowing (maybe our pride at times), no begging, no price to pay…got to buy cough drops….no buying God’s love and comfort…..POP…..feel trouble stirring in your heart and mind….POP…..God is right there waiting to soothe and comfort you….get you through the darkness…fears subsided…..get you through the darkness into the marvelous light of HIS  LOVE…….permeating our hearts and minds, soothing comfort for all of the dark times……Warm Love engulfing us….sweet peace….through His mercy and grace…..Oh Father, thank you for Your sweet love and comfort when we need it most!  Forgive us when we try to do it without YOU…..Father, all Glory to You!

 

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your disease, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  Psalm 103:2-5

Love you all!

 

Kathie A. Johnson

Receptionist