Friday, June 22, 2007

I'm Back (temporarily)

Hi there!
This retirement thing has been keeping us busy. We have been blessed with seeing alot of our family. It has kept us on the road also though. The Texans minus their Dad came and stayed with us for a few days while their Dad was at a convention in San Antonio. We had a really good time. We took them to the Aquarium in New Orleans. It was alot of fun. We were looking for Bruce the Shark. We saw Nemo and Dorie. We think we saw Crush too. My Sunshine tried to pet a snake......on its head. The handler was sitting out with him. Maw Maw doesn't like snakes!

We went to Florida and saw Lilac Flower on Ultrasound. She is precious. She was trying to box in her Mommy's tummy. Do women boxers make good money?? We have some beautiful pictures of her and they told Alanna again that she is a girl. God is so good, she is perfect!!!

I found something that I had received from a friend and it really makes you think of the changes that we, as a society have made in our lives.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2007 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years. I've also heard that a computer is the most expensive deck of cards that people have bought in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three. I am spoiled by caller id also, I don't remember numbers anymore.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you. (or your family member in the other part of the house)

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee. (or Coke) You pay $4.00 for a Starbucks drink.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list. I think multitasking is the new life standard.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

My Mom had 2 lymph nodes removed at MD Anderson last Wednesday. The doctor looked all around her cancer site and said everything is looking good so we are very encouraged. Please continue to pray for her and my Dad, they will stay in Houston until next Wednesday to get drains and sutures removed. Thank you for all of your prayers, we know that He is in charge.

My Sunshine went to a pediatric dermatologist in Houston. It sounds like she is going to get some relief for her eczema. That baby has itches and can't relax. We are praying that she will get some relief from the new plan this doctor has for her. She also had allergy tests run on her blood but we won't have results for 3 weeks. Please continue to pray for her.

This is something else I received through the email, I am adding some of my own notes though. Italics Mine. Tell me what you think.

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. Are we showing fruit. Are we walking the walk or just talking. This week in Brother Jake's sermon he said that if you are sinning (Happily or continually) you might want to question your salvation because if Jesus lives in your heart, the Holy Spirit WILL convict you of your sins.

2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's me. Enough said!

3. Growing old is Inevitable. Growing UP is optional. I think men think growing up is optional...maybe they have it right.

4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. I stand at the door and knock....

Rev 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted. Less is more...I try to remember this but I have to fight my flesh.

6. Do the math? Count Your blessings. Amen

7. Faith is the ability to not panic.

8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging. Laughing is so good for you. It actually increases the amount of endorphins that your body produces.

9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

Phl 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Pray!

10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.

11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape. I struggle with this one because I have always been a schedule/itinerary type of person. Being flexible does make life easier and more enjoyable though.

12. The most important things in your house are the people. Amen!! I think this is an important lesson for parents.

13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. And it only saddens or hurts the one carrying it.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead. Amen!

Please feel free to comment and agree or disagree with anything that I post on this blog. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Remember you can send me your prayer requests also.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

God's Will

What is God's Will? This was what our sermon was about last Sunday and I found it very appropriate considering the fact that our pastor is leaving. I do believe that Bro. Jake lives in God's will. Bro. Jake used Jeremiah Chapter 1 as his scripture reference for this sermon. In order to be in God's will, first we are called to salvation, then in verse 5 we are called to sanctification, to be holy, set apart:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Once you are sanctified you begin to allow God to work in you.


Mat 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Mat 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

When God is working in you and you are living his will, the Holy Spirit will be your Comforter when you face opposition. And if you are living in His will, you WILL face opposition.

There used to be an old saying that if the devil was not attacking you, you must be walking with him.

I do try to live in His will and I do face opposition. One of my favorite quotes is from George Washington and he states: "In public, as in private life, I am persuaded that honesty will forever be found to be the best policy." Truth is a BIG deal to me. It seems that truth is not "politically correct" anymore. If you are truthful and honest you may offend someone. Well sometimes I am offended by what is politically correct. I do speak the truth and sometimes I suffer the consequences. Last week I was snickered at for speaking honestly. Being snickered at wasn't fun and probably felt a little hurtful since I thought I was with friends, but, I stand behind the truth and move on. I think that if we behave the pc way we are helping our young people to lose their moral values. Gray is not alright. According to the Bible everything is Black and White. The scriptures have not changed in light of political correctness.

One of my sisters just attended her 25th high school reunion. During the reunion one of her past classmates came to talk to her. When he graduated he was a boy, he is now in the process of becoming a female. He was dressed as a female at the reunion. She was very polite to him, she is friends with other members of his family and they discussed them. She had a nice conversation. After the reunion several people were going with him/her to see him/her perform at a club and my sister did not go. She was ridiculed for this, and told she was unsupportive. She told him she did not agree with his way of life, and could not support what he/she was doing. When I talked to her she asked if she had done the right thing. I told her that I felt she had. She had loved the sinner, by being nice and having a good conversation with him/her, but she had hated the sin, by choosing to not participate in what she knew was wrong. I don't know if yall will agree with me on this or not, but I think it is correct.

Our grand babies are coming today and we will be with them through Saturday. We are all going to our friends Anne and Hoppa's on Friday for a celebration swimming party. He is through with his radiation and will soon begin his chemo. Sunday, after church, we will be heading to Florida to see our granddaughter by ultrasound on Monday. How exciting!!!!

Our Floridians will celebrate their fourth Anniversary tomorrow, June 14. Congratulations to them. We love you!!!

Please continue to pray for my Mom she is at home in Mobile. She is having medication and sleep difficulties. She is still on a feeding tube and sometimes nauseous. She is scheduled to have 2 lymph nodes removed at MD Anderson on Wednesday, June 20.



I hope everyone has a great week and a wonderful summer.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

MY Baby's Birthday

Today is Alanna's 25th birthday (I must have been young when I had her!)!! We were all at Ashley's wedding last weekend. It was very nice.

I want to share some things with Alanna that come with age:

I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned...That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned. ..That under everyone's hard shell is someonewho wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone,you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned...That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned...That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned...That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned....That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks. (you'll see soon)

I've learned...That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned....That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned...That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned...That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned...That I wish I could have told those I cared about that I love them one more time before they passed away.

I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned....That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his/her little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned....That the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper.The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.


You are a wonderful young lady and I'm sure you will be a great, Godly, Mom. Take care of yourself, we all love you and your family depends on you. Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

We really enjoyed My Puddin' last week...she is a sweetheart. She is such a happy thing and she goes with the flow...I guess that is what a third child does.

My parents celebrated their 54th Anniversary yesterday. I don't know if celebrated is the correct word. My parents are at MD Anderson in Houston and my Mom had to have a "procedure" on her back. It was successful though and I talked with her last night and she sounded great! Thank you Jesus!

We are losing our pastor and his family to the Seminary. He is going to teach evangelism. He will be teaching future pastors. He is an awesome pastor and we think that our church is in the best place that it has been in 15 years. He is a Godly man and he has directed all of the attention in his ministry on God and not on himself so hopefully the church will support him. We hate to see him go but we are excited that he is seeking God's will and we know that God will use him at the Seminary as he has been using him here. We will be praying for him and his family in this time of transition.

Starshine and Sunshine called me last night to sing to me. They do that periodically and it warms my heart. Last night they sang part of an old Harry Chapin Song. It was beautiful.

Here is the entire song:

All My Life's a Circle
Harry Chapin

(Starts with 2 stanza chorus):
All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.
All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.

It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.
Chorus:

I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It's like a children's game;
As I find you here again;
A thought runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let's go 'round one more time.

They were just singing the chorus but it was beautiful. I thank God for the blessings that He has given to me in family.

This was probably a mushy blog, but sometimes you are going to get that from me.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

One more thing.....

I meant to add this before I hit publish, I am new at this so please forgive me.....

I've been thinking about life and how it is different for men and a friend sent me this, I hope you enjoy it.

Men Are Just Happier People--

What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be President.

You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.

The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You almost never have strap problems in public.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

Your belly usually hides your big hips.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Update

It has been a busy few days. We are watching Puddin' while the rest of her family is in Arkansas and we are watching Pumpkin and Porter while their family is in Texas. We haven't really slowed down since Al's last day of school. We traveled to MD Anderson last Wednesday to go with my parents to my Mom's check up. We received a "cautiously optimistic" report. Her healing is about 2 weeks behind schedule so they were unable to do certain tests that would give them a clearer prognosis. The doctor was unable to feel or see the tumors with his eyes though so that is Good! Thank you Jesus!!

It is now Tuesday and my Dad and Sister just called to tell me the doctors in Houston said that my Mom's voice box looks good but she has 2 lymphnodes that will need to be surgically removed on June 20. She is scheduled to have a procedure done on her back this Friday and I don't know if they will continue with that or not. Please continue to pray for her. Her name is Tokie.

We brought Puddin back to her "people" last night. It was great to see the other 2. Al and I have been blessed by great grandkids and great parents for them. We can't wait for "Lilac Flower" to get here so we can love on her also. I haven't had alot of suggestions for names for the new baby but the ones I have received I have forwarded to her parents. I can't really fuss too much at them for not telling us the name until she is born. Al and I did the same thing with both of ours.

Our church youth are at camp in Union Tennessee this week and we are praying that God will bless them in a mighty way.

My friend Tracy came to visit our church this week. It was so neat to worship with her. She is a great christian young woman with a wonderful spirit. I am blessed to count her as a friend. Brother Jake gave a great sermon on God's Will. Al and I enjoyed it but Abigail (7 months old) fell asleep. I think she already knew she was in God's Will.

It sounds like Alanna and Matt are having fun in San Antonio even though it is raining. She doesn't have alot of energy anyway so the rain will give her a break.

Our girl Janice is in town and we went to see and her husband, Stephen, Saturday. They look awesome! We miss them dearly but Indiana must be treating them right. It was good to catch up on their lives and hear how God is using them in starting a new church in Terre Haute, IN.

Al and I are liking this retirement thing. Today is kind of our first day of retirement, alone, at home, it is cool!!! We have waited 29 years to have time to just be together. We are praying that God will continue to direct us in this new portion of our lives.