tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78845243485241971232024-03-13T15:35:03.471-07:00My World in a Nutshell- BevLife as I live it and Lessons LearnedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-2571636673001364762014-05-12T06:00:00.000-07:002014-05-12T06:05:32.723-07:00Opportunities Come In All Shapes and Sizes<div class="mtm _5pco" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
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Thank you all so much for coming out and supporting Blossoms by Bev at my little roadside stand on HWY 53 for Mother's Day. It was a trying 3 days at times. The wind almost beat me and my flowers to death. The sales were slow for the three days, but in the end, that didn't matter at all. The lessons learned and the people that crossed my path at that little roadside stand made it all worthwhile. In particular, there was an older man whose tired face had been darkened by the sun. He was driving a small work truck with a lawn mower in the back when he pulled up to my stand, walked over and pulled some change out of his pocket. It wasn't a lot of change. But he just needed to get his wife some flowers for Mother's Day. "I don't have a lot, Mam, but I just need to get my wife some flowers. It's Mother's Day. Here, it's not much. What can I get for this?" <br />
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He selected a single stem carnation and reached his hand out, palm open, to pay for it. I told him to keep his money, walked around the table, picked up a bouquet, and handed it to him. Tears welled up in his eyes and began to roll down his cheeks as he repeatedly said, "Thank you. Thank you so much. They're for my wife. Thank you so much." <br />
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I am convinced that opportunities come into our lives often and we make the choice of what to do with them. I haven't always done well in that aspect. But this few minutes showed me clearly that it wasn't about the flowers, the business, or the little bit of money that I paid for that bouquet of flowers. It wasn't about Blossoms by Bev at all. It never has been and I pray that it never will be. It's about doing what we can do to serve our God - whether at school, at work, at home, or at a little roadside stand selling flowers. There's always opportunities. I am grateful for that opportunity Saturday as the wind continued to howl and sales continued to be slow. <br />
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Opportunities... Find yours this week. Then take advantage of them. <br />
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Ya'll have a great week. -bev ((Hugs))</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-19509480101016482132014-04-27T12:39:00.002-07:002014-04-28T10:38:20.556-07:00Calling All Moms<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QDt9ZvNZkA7Q2h7i3dtnQ8vIE08Ux8rl4edU33a-zlGXPKXWyiY8aqqeGtGhszeH62Xxpgi0EC6OaC1AkSO2p9I7FNmzOp-BCvPpi3eXP34q3Kzb1jAgFNFop3RtE84bSdZ04f1YG8A/s1600/Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QDt9ZvNZkA7Q2h7i3dtnQ8vIE08Ux8rl4edU33a-zlGXPKXWyiY8aqqeGtGhszeH62Xxpgi0EC6OaC1AkSO2p9I7FNmzOp-BCvPpi3eXP34q3Kzb1jAgFNFop3RtE84bSdZ04f1YG8A/s1600/Mom.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's
the time of the year when the birds are chirping louder, the temperature has warmed enough for azaleas and
dogwoods to bloom, and that last hint of winter
has left...hopefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The official day
when Mom's are flowered, gifted, and banned from the
kitchen is approaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a time when
many of us take the opportunity to say "thanks, Mom".</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrations
are abundant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the time surrounding the day when we celebrate our Moms can be both a time of joy and a time of sadness. If you are mourning the passing of your mom; perhaps a
physical passing or an emotional passing by choice, it's difficult to welcome the day with open arms. Just a glimpse around me makes me realize that there are women who ache to be a
mom and hold a sweet babe in their arms; yet their arms remain
empty. There are those who have lost a child to death, possibly
their only child. This day can be a difficult one for so many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother's
Day, May, 2006 was the first Mother's Day that I spent without my mom. Patsy
Owens Sutton, Mom, died February 6 of that year. It was a hard, hard time for
me. I so dreaded that day coming. It wasn't that I wanted to take the celebrations away from those who were enjoying them; I just wanted it too.
The hole that her unexpected death left was still very large in my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the calendar could have somehow
miraculously skip that day, I would have welcomed it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having
a keen awareness of others and their difficulties in life, a friend of
mine, Ann, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knew that I would be
struggling with that day in particular. Because of that, she encouraged me
to take that Mother's Day and not dwell on what I didn't have
but think about all of the women past and present who have played a
positive role in my life. So, not because it was easy, but because I thought it
was really good advice on how "to get through it", I made it my goal,
that first Mother's Day without my mom, to focus on being thankful
for all of those women who had positively impacted me for so many years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And
there were so many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So
many that I didn't know where to begin. There were my grandmothers
whose love never stopped whether it was in the form of praise or
correction. There was the lady who was the "sweet, elderly lady" in
the church where I attended as a little girl in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:state>. She was the other half
the candy man at church (I think most churches must have them - sweet,
usually elderly men who pass out gum or candy to the little kids after church.)
There was the wife of an older man that we knew, who although she was long past
young children days, she never forgot what it was like to have those little
people under foot. She encouraged me religiously and I so needed it and
appreciated it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were the
women who opened up their homes and hearts to me as a young mom - the ones who
let me know that sometimes, being a mom was a battle - but in Mary Joe's
words..."<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You must remember, you
have to win</i>." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That advice was
given to me over 25 years ago, and I've never forgotten it. I knew that.
I also </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">knew that I would survive, but it surely did help to know that
others had walked down the same road that I was currently on and that if
I would just hang in there, I would eventually reach the end of that road
successfully. Their wisdom was valuable to me. There are young moms who
allow me to love on their babies. That sweet, innocent love never grows
old. And the list goes on and on.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
won't pretend that the women who give birth to us play only a small
role in our lives. Because their role is so large, losing them is devastating
or at least it was for me. Certain days of the year tend to make that sadness
come to the surface more easily. But that year, 2006, I began to look at
Mother's Day in a totally different light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may not be a mom physically but you can
still choose to celebrate those who fill that role. Your mom may not
be with you for whatever reason, but you can still choose to allow
your children and your husband to celebrate you and you as well can choose
to celebrate those who fill that role well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
am blessed that my mom was the kind that clothed herself with strength and dignity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She absolutely was the glue for our family. She
spoke with wisdom. She instructed us whether we wanted to hear it or
not! Her example to me of loving others by serving
them is firmly imprinted in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
am also thankful for the many, many women <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who were not related to me physically but have
played a positive role in my life. There is no shortness of mothers in God's family. They have loved
me. They have </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">cared for me. They have grieved with me and
hurt for me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
has been that during those times, I have better understood and appreciated
God's wisdom in providing us with a spiritual family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So,
as Mother's Day approaches, if your relationship with your mom isn't what you would choose for it to be, or if you mom is no longer here for you to spend time with, let me encourage you to think about all of the women who have been a source of encouragement and love to you. Then, you take what has been done for you and pass it on.
Think about that single mom who never gets out by herself. Fix a meal for her.
Take her kids to the park and give her a gift certificate to get a pedicure.
Help that mom whose children live far away. Have her over for Mother's Day
lunch. Help that mom of little ones who hasn't slept for days because her
babies are sick. Help that woman whose mom is no longer present in
her life. You get the idea. But don't be surprised if you are the one who reaps the
benefits. That's just how it usually works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To
my mom...A day rarely goes by that I don't think about you. I wish that you
could see my life for the last 8 years as well as Nate's, Aaron's, Katie's and Mikaylas. So much has happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">I miss you.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the many, many other moms that have
influenced my life, thank you for your example and your love. I have taken much of it to heart and valued all of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And to Ann...thank you for caring enough to encourage me to see past my grief. I pray that </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have used your example and passed it on.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-bev</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-3450833339807333272014-02-07T06:34:00.005-08:002014-02-07T07:51:07.475-08:00The Golf Ball and Divine Intervention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjSbSGxDbuGXaHqf5BsnvzueK2UNFrx9eyaSRNdApoj_hYWKnf7M1nk1afx39mhaQ8LNiI1CMfL6zyaJOh87RVBeyXSqvZ0Ye9G8RT-6plAL7aKTAjI1IG0MX5-Ve00aSZVES5NJ5_Vw/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjSbSGxDbuGXaHqf5BsnvzueK2UNFrx9eyaSRNdApoj_hYWKnf7M1nk1afx39mhaQ8LNiI1CMfL6zyaJOh87RVBeyXSqvZ0Ye9G8RT-6plAL7aKTAjI1IG0MX5-Ve00aSZVES5NJ5_Vw/s1600/nate.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a>About 20 or so years ago, our oldest son, Nathan, proudly purchase a new golf club. Well, at least it was new to him. I think it actually cost him around a dollar at the local, used, sporting goods store but he couldn't have been any happier with his bargain. To him, it was a dollar well spent. And to that 9 year old a hard earned dollar wasn't chump change. </div>
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When Nathan arrived home with his club, Tim gave him instructions concerning how and where he could use the new toy as most parents would. Nate was basically given 3 rules concerning the golf club. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit61sMHQqkQT70Vwd-WoQMIWxB8QZl5U7lzB79QsORtlNAzB_kxLn2YZ8SDBmLoDfvf0Xc_5TqFTwuL0x39nZp4v_oS3zxDFBk-iVEtfIVQilUY8HnKlAbJN5v_wB0kiI0pQ2NVGeAsmk/s1600/mxZMkf51ZFsToZJPvOPjdJQ%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit61sMHQqkQT70Vwd-WoQMIWxB8QZl5U7lzB79QsORtlNAzB_kxLn2YZ8SDBmLoDfvf0Xc_5TqFTwuL0x39nZp4v_oS3zxDFBk-iVEtfIVQilUY8HnKlAbJN5v_wB0kiI0pQ2NVGeAsmk/s1600/mxZMkf51ZFsToZJPvOPjdJQ%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a>First of all, Nathan was to use the golf club only in the back yard toward the back of the back yard. We have a rather large backyard, and Tim felt that this was a relatively safe area for Nathan to swing the club. He wouldn't be close to the house or anything else for that matter, so nothing would be in the path of a flying golf ball. Secondly, Nathan was to use only "wiffle" type golf balls. You know, the plastic kind that have holes in them. </div>
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Tim knew that those balls would be much safer since they couldn't travel the distance that a normal golf ball could travel. They also weren't hard like a normal golf ball. So, if Nate happen to get lucky and really get a good hit on one, there wouldn't be any damage done. At the same time, Tim also realized that the chances of Nathan hitting the ball with any distance and with any accuracy were slim to none. The third and final rule for Nate was that he could not direct his aim toward the house. He was to aim the ball away from the house. <br />
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So with those rules firmly planted into his 9 year old brain, Nate proceeded to eagerly make his way to the back yard, golf club and wiffle golf ball in hand.<br />
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Katie, our 3rd child, who would have been about 4 at the time, and I were sitting in the den floor going through a newly received box of hand-me-down clothes. When our kids were young, we were blessed to have large group of friends who also had children close to the age of ours, so the clothes made the rounds among us. When my kids outgrew them, we would pass them on to the next group who were a bit younger than mine. What a blessing that was! <br />
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As my 4 year old and I were going through the latest box of clothes that we had received to see if she would be able to any of use them, all of the sudden and out of nowhere, a loud, crashing noise echoed across the room and Katie's hands immediately went to her face. Milliseconds later, one of the loudest screams that I've ever heard, came from lungs and mouth of my 4 year old with a cry following. My first thought was, "Oh my goodness! Someone has shot into my house!" I'm not exactly sure why I thought that. We have never had any reason to think that we would be victims of a drive-by-shooting. At the same time, I couldn't imagine what on earth had hit Katie in the face! After calming Katie, and calling for Tim, we together set out to determine the cause of the injury. Oh, and did I forget to mention that the glass storm door in our den, the one that leads to the back yard, was shattered also? <br />
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It didn't take long for Tim to discover that the deliverer of the "shot into the house" was Nate, our 9 year old, the owner of the used golf club. It became apparent, rather quickly that he had not followed the basic laws that we had laid down for him when he became the proud owner of the used golf club. </div>
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You see, the regular golf ball didn't just come sailing through the glass storm door. It came with a force hard enough to travel from the back of our back yard through the railing on the deck, through the glass storm door, ricocheting off of the glass pane back door and landing precisely in the face of Katie who was sitting in the den floor. </div>
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Now, you may be asking yourself..."future golf pro?". I would say, probably not so much. But you might also ask, "What are the chances of a 9 year old hitting a golf ball with such force that it sails through the back yard, through the deck railing, shattering the glass storm door, ricocheting off of another door and landing smack dab on the cheek of a 4 year old who is sitting in the den floor? I would say probably 600 billion to one. Not impossible but definitely not probable. That ball could have veered just a bit to the left and sailed past our house and we would have never known. But it didn't. Happenstance? I doubt it. Instead, I choose to think of this little episode as one of divine intervention. I really don't think it happened by chance. I believe God was absolutely trying to get a valuable point across to Nate. The point? That willful disobedience, in particular, at this specific time in regard to this specific thing was not okay. And of course when he was "found out", he reaped the consequences of his willful disobedience. </div>
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And what are the applications from this experience for us? There are many, but I want to concentrate on a couple. The first one is to parents of little people. Our little people have to be taught that actions have consequences. A 9 year old doesn't always look down the road to see the connection between those two... actions and consequences. That is our job as parents. And I have to say that I think we're sorely lacking in that area. We talk the talk - "If you do such and such, I will do such and such." but we don't walk the walk. So many times, we fail to follow through with whatever consequences we've laid out for specific actions. Let me encourage you to follow through parents. It is so important! Teach your little people that obedience is crucial for in this, you are laying the groundwork for them that obedience to authority in general is important. And who is their ultimate authority? God! </div>
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Secondly, <strong><u>complete</u></strong> obedience is vital- not half-hearted obedience or obeying only if it works for us. We knew what was best for Nathan and advised him accordingly. But as a 9 year old, he chose to do otherwise. In the same light, God absolutely knows what's best for us. He created us! But how often do we say both in word or in action - "I'm gonna do it my way!"? I know I've been guilty of this. But even though it may be painful at the time, I'm incredibly grateful for the ability of our Father to open our eyes and help us see. And I'm eternally grateful that when my heart is in the right place, God will help me to refocus my life so that my actions will follow.</div>
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I'm happy to say that Nathan survived that life lesson with a greater appreciation for the concept that actions have consequences. Now, if only we as adults could learn that. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-169795264765532182014-01-09T08:05:00.000-08:002014-01-09T08:21:38.809-08:00With Just A Little Love and PaintI've taken up kind of a new hobby in the last few months. Not that I <em>really</em> have the extra time to add anything else in my schedule, but this was one of those "wants to" kind of things. I had seen a lot about chalk paint, the ease of using it and the fact that very little prep to the furniture is needed. That last little phrase grabbed my attention - very little prep to the furniture is needed. I had (and still do have) some things that really need to be painted but I detest the sanding that I always thought was necessary before painting. Well...along comes this new kind of paint called chalk paint. I think it was originally discovered or put together by a lady named Annie Sloan. She actually has her own line of the paint, now. It peaked my interest. I did some research and I was hooked. It <em>is</em> very easy to use and hardly any prep to the furniture is necessary. I particularly like the old or distressed look that it can take on with just a little bit of sanding. <br />
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I've done 5 small pieces so far and I'm thrilled with the results. I have a couple more pieces that I am currently working on plus several others in the future as well as my kitchen cabinets. Can't wait to get started. Now, where's that time that I'm going to need? <br />
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# 3 Don't have the before of this one but it was a dark wood finish.</div>
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My favorite piece so far...</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-87283070631713019742014-01-06T08:33:00.000-08:002014-01-06T13:32:31.062-08:00Lost and Didn't Even Know It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems over the last couple of years, I have developed a frustrating habit of losing things. I can lay something down and 2 minutes later forget where I laid it or not be able to remember why I walked from one room into another! I like to think that it's not because I'm getting a bit older but that it's because I have so many things on my mind regularly, so many things to process, that some things just fall by the way. I always thought that when my children grew up, left home and started their own lives, that mine would slow down. How wrong I was. It seems that it has only gotten busier. I'm not complaining about that at all. Actually, I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that I'm not one sitting around being bored with seemingly nothing to do, no one to help, no one to encourage.</div>
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Having said that, my cell phone is one of my best buddies and one of my worst nightmares. It keeps me connected in so many ways to those I love and can easily get me to where I'm going as long as I plug in the correct address. The information of the world on any given subject is at my fingertips as long as my fingertips type in the correct word when I ask it to search. So, you ask, how can it be a nightmare? Well, I am probably one of the world's worst at keeping up with my cell phone, particularly when my mind is running in many different directions. I'll lay it down somewhere and forget where I've laid it. I'll put it in my purse and not be able to find it in the bottomless pit of my purse. Time and time again, I've had to call my cell phone from my house phone so that I could follow the ring and find it! I've even had to have others do this for me when I've been out somewhere and misplaced it. </div>
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Recently, I was at a local store here in Huntsville, and the following announcement was made over the speaker, "If you've lost a cellphone, please come to the front." Well, my immediate thought was - "That poor soul. I know they're frantic. I'm so glad it was found and more thankful that the one who found it turned it in! There ARE honest people in this world!" So, I go on about my business, pushing my cart through the store searching for the ultimate bargain knowing that my cellphone is where I had put it - safely tucked away in the side pocket of my purse. After a couple of minutes, I opened the side pocket just to be sure my cell phone was where I was confident I had placed it. Hmmmm...not there. Well, I must have just laid it in the main, larger section of my purse - the bottomless pit. It's the place where things are difficult to find regularly. ( If you're a woman reading this, you understand. If you're a man, you'll just have to trust me on this one.) It wouldn't be unusual for it to be there since I toss it in there sometimes. But after searching the bottomless pit and pulling most of the items out of it, MY CELL PHONE WAS NOT THERE! Okay, I have to admit that I was getting just a bit anxious at this point. At the same time, I was thinking - there's no way that could be my phone! I was sure that I hadn't used it in the store so I couldn't have laid it down anywhere!</div>
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Slowly but surely I turn my cart toward the direction of the front of the store. Reaching the area where the lonely, found cell phone was, the following conversation took place.</div>
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Me: "I don't know if I've lost my cellphone or not, but I can't find it in my purse." </div>
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Person with cell phone: "What color is it?" </div>
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Me: "Pink" </div>
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Me: "Oh my! Where did you find it?"</div>
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Person with cell phone: "In the parking lot."</div>
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Me: "Thank you so much!" </div>
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After thanking the kind, honest young woman, I gave her a small token of my appreciation to help pay her expenses at the store we were both shopping in. It was the very least that I could do to express my gratitude to her. It was then that I remembered having it in my lap while driving to the store. Once I had arrived at the store and stepped out of my van, my pink buddy slid out of my lap and onto the pavement of the parking lot. I didn't even hear it hit the pavement because of the noise of the other cars around on the busy street. My pink buddy was lost and I didn't even know it.</div>
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That got me to thinking. How many people are lost and don't even know it -lost spiritually, that is. Well, God tells us a couple of things about that that I want to share briefly with you. He says in Matthew, chapter 7, verse 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter" It's not enough just to <em><strong>say</strong></em>...we must <em><strong>do, </strong></em>every day, the will of our Father to the best of our ability.</div>
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God also tells us in Matthew that few will find it. Matthew 7:13-14 says <span class="text Matt-7-13"><span class="woj">“Enter through the narrow gate.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23330C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-14" id="en-NIV-23331"><span class="woj"><sup>"</sup>But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." </span></span>How many is few, you ask? I don't know. I do know that when God destroyed the earth with a flood only 8 souls were saved. Yes, I would define 8 as a few! But you know, the actual number isn't the important thing. The important thing to me is that I want to be a part of that "few" regardless of the actual number.</div>
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I have a challenge for you - a good challenge. Read the Bible with me this year so you will know for yourself, from your study what God expects of you. Work as I do so that we can make it a part of who we are. I would love for you to join me in that endeavor. If you would like the reading schedule that I'm following shoot me a comment and I'll be happy to send it to you. I'd love some encouragement, some accountability to help me stay on track. I think we all need that sometimes. </div>
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Lord help me to read and study your word with an open heart so that I can know and be confident in what you would have me do. Then, Father, help me to make it a part of my life...everyday in everything that I do. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-54721601119868483412013-11-12T14:00:00.000-08:002013-11-14T11:59:44.924-08:00Hershey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am an animal lover but in particular, I'm a cat person. I learned early on that you either are or you aren't - a cat person that is. There's usually no in-between grounds. They can, at times, be very temperamental and almost scary to some folks. At the same time, they can learn to walk on a leash, fetch balls of aluminum foil and be very loyal, much like a dog. Tim wasn't a cat person but learned to tolerate them because of my love for them. He "married into" cats when we got married and we've had at least one, usually two at a time our entire married life. <br />
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Hershey, our tortoise, long haired cat is 17 years old. That's approximately 85 human years! She's been around a long time. Mikayla was 3 when we got her, Katie was 6, Aaron was 9 and Nate was 11. I was 37. Wow. She's lived her entire life in this house that we currently live in. She's always been a primpy, petite little cat almost strutting gracefully as she walks. In her younger days, she was curious, loving to get into places that she really didn't need to be...like in the middle of a bed full of clothes. As she gets older, I regularly find her sitting on an air vent during the wintertime. I think the warm air feels good on her joints. And she never gives up the opportunity to beg for the crumbs left on your dinner plates. </div>
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When it comes to people in general or our other cat, Bubba, we laugh about Hershey and say that she has to have a bubble of space around her. If Bubba, especially, invades her bubble of space, a hiss will soon follow. She loves to find a warm lap to curl up in but it has to be on her terms when she wants to do it. The kids have always said that she is a great "sick cat". When anyone in the family is sick, she seems to be aware of that and will come to where they are laying down and curl up next to them as if to comfort them. </div>
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Animals can be wonderful friends - the kind that love in spite of, the kind that give their human friends the benefit of the doubt, the kind that trusts completely. It is that trust that led me to decide after several months of off-and-on sickness caused primarily from just plain getting old that I was doing her no favors in prolonging her life. It was strictly for my benefit but neither humans or animal's organs are designed to continue to work indefinitely. I knew that intellectually, but consciously making the decision that enough was enough was painfully difficult even though the reality of her body breaking down and her worsening condition was plain to see.<br />
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So on Monday of this week, I gave Hershey a final, long rub on her fragile head - the kind that she would always lean into as if to say "more, more" and Tim, being the wonderfully, sweet man that he is, took her to the vet in the soft bed that she had spent so much of the last year in. When he brought her home, still laying in her soft bed, we buried her in our backyard, the same backyard that she grew up and played in for 17 years .<br />
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If you're not an animal person at all, it's hard to imagine this kind of emotion associated with one. My world in a nutshell changed this week. Animals are animals but when they've been around and a part of the family for as long as Hershey was, they have a way of tugging at our emotions. Hershey did mine. Monday was a hard day. I'll miss her. But when spring comes, and the flowers around the site where she is buried start to bloom, I'm sure that my memories of her, many of them captured in the photos on this page, will bring a smile. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hershey being her typical self in her middle-aged days...lazy and stretched out on a friendly lap...not a care in the world. :) <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-50711495492160066062013-09-13T09:18:00.000-07:002013-09-13T11:06:22.343-07:00Any Good Teachers Out There?<br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=B-t9EnE2QOtKJM&tbnid=nUnxU3M7xOTaxM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fphoto_9931702_a-teacher-on-a-white-background-vector.html&ei=xTszUtbLJ4y49gSbrIHICw&bvm=bv.52164340,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNHmwUpKLRg9I6MAyIVZHxtpVeuQvQ&ust=1379175743011023" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/dedmazay/dedmazay1107/dedmazay110700008/9931702-a-teacher-on-a-white-background-vector.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="183" /></a>To all of the educators in my family that have and continue to inspire me, to all of those that have taught my children over the years and are still doing so at the college level,</div>
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You do a good thing. When life in the teaching profession gets you down, as I know it does, remember that. YOU DO A GOOD THING! YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.</div>
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So often, I hear teachers being criticized as a whole.
The good ones are often criticized with the ones who don't care. I'm just
really tired of that. As in any profession, yes, there are bad teachers out
there. There are teachers who show up at 7:45 and hit the door at 3:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a public education system that needs
a major overhaul. </div>
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But let me give you the flip side of that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are teachers who would love to have the
opportunity <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to just teach</i>. In spite of the "broken-ness" of the system, they continue on. The paperwork necessary, the paper trails necessary to cover themselves is unbelievable. There are teachers
who spend many, many hours at the school - long before you arrive at your job and long after you leave, showing up at 6 or 6:30 during the school
year and leaving at 7 or 8 in the evening to prepare themselves to do the best job
they can. There are teachers who spend the summer working on the next school year. Their "lunch hour" during the school year is usually about 20 minutes, if they get that much. These same teachers are educating special needs students in their mainstream
classroom along with students of every other ability, being required to come up with separate
lessons and activities for those special need students, as well as
modifying their lesson plans to meet the academic needs of the other 15-20
students in the classroom with varying abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone please tell me how that works
successfully! I just have a difficult time seeing how that benefits anyone.
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These same teachers leave college with a BS in Education making less in one
month than most professionals make in 2 weeks or in a bonus check. So, so shameful! </div>
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Let me encourage you to walk a day, or
a week, or better yet, a school year in their shoes, dealing with the day to day life as a school teacher, making the salary that they make, and then<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>only then</u></i></b> have you earned the right to discuss how you would do things differently while being
forced to work "within the system". Maybe then, you could better see how giving a day every now and then to help out a teacher, to make a difference in
some children's lives and pay back what so many teachers have done for your
children would be beneficial instead of talking about how it's broken. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Any good teaches out there? You bet there are! </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-52177975970403568552013-08-21T09:16:00.002-07:002013-08-21T09:16:46.464-07:00<strong>Rag Quilting...My new hobby.</strong><br />
<strong>August 21, 2013</strong><br />
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I've taken up quilting...rag quilting, specifically. Now, I've made what I would call a real quilt - one. It was the kind where the top was pieced together to make a design, then batting and a backing was sewn to the quilt top, then all of it was quilted together by hand. That only took me about 10 years from start to finish!!! Needless to say, I wasn't serious enough about it when I started and got sidetracked often and for long periods of time. But I can say that I've made one.<br />
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Rag quilting is much more my style. The preciseness and "eye" that I believe is required when making regular quilts isn't required when making rag quilts. In other words, rag quilting is very forgiving. If there ever was a person who needed forgiving hobbies, it would be me. <br />
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I've made a few for baby gifts and graduation gifts and I must say that I'm really enjoying it. They look like they require a lot of time, a lot of know how, and a lot of precision. But I'll just keep all of that as my little secret!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-72060287367394946522013-07-31T07:35:00.000-07:002013-07-31T07:35:52.876-07:00Make me to know thy way...
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We regularly sing a song at church. The lyrics of one of the
verses goes...<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Because I trust in thee, O cause thou me to hear<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They loving-kindness free when morning doth appear<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Make me to know thy way wherein my path should be<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Because my soul each day do I lift up to thee<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I close my eyes I see His majesty<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I close my eyes and feel His love for me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The song talks about our need to listen to God in order to
understand what He would have us do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
third line, "Make me to know thy way wherein my path should be"
caused me to think about some things. </div>
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Can I honestly say that I want
to know what God thinks my path should be? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or am I just looking for a God who makes me
feel good... One that sees to it that I never have a bad hair day, that I
usually get the best parking space, and that nothing bad ever happens to me or those I love
while the rest of the time basically leaves me alone. Is that how I see God? <br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=vfbZ_NNmFWqjBM&tbnid=8mhqdKTl3HbhjM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneriezelle.wordpress.com%2F&ei=WRn5UfLDMoiI9ATrxIHQAg&bvm=bv.49967636,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNHL0fmPeujVB092Z5Qen26NWRH-Ow&ust=1375365733673717" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="213" id="irc_mi" src="http://neriezelle.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/feel-good-quotes-today-favim-com-269061.jpg" style="margin-top: 30px;" width="320" /></a><br />
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We live in a time where we can been made to feel unloving if
we venture to say that something is not as God would have it be. To many, the
umbrella that covers it all is love. Many have the mindset that a loving God doesn't
condemn, doesn't judge, doesn't say anything to cause another to feel
uncomfortable. </div>
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It is true that I don't want to be offensive in what I say. I
don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Those traits in our lives can run people
off from us and the very thing we're trying to teach them. But while those can
all be admirable goals to strive for, it may have reached the point where we are
taking it to the extreme. We no longer consider what God has to say about
matters in general unless it fits into the kind of God that we want to have. We
want a loving, caring, feel-good God who turns a blind eye to whatever we
choose to participate in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to
make it okay for folks to live however and be whatever.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Let's think about this for just a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I have a problem with lying, my believing
that lying isn't wrong doesn't make that true. It still is considered a sin by
the Creator. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still is an act that
needs to be turned away from. The Creator has the right to set the rules for
His creation. That doesn't make me a terrible person for lying, that makes me
human. But upon learning that, it should cause me to do my best to turn away
from that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>if I want to please God</u></i>.
That is a distinguishing characteristic of one who is a child of God. When I
know better, I do better. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=cL-eANYEdmdP3M&tbnid=KQVWzzlAQKoHIM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftruthpressure.com%2Ftag%2Fgods-love%2F&ei=_Rn5UfSqCY7k8gS63AE&bvm=bv.49967636,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNE89-BO6U4ND2_HPwZp_YN2NJihzg&ust=1375366001846169" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="236" id="irc_mi" src="http://truthpressure.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/gods-love1.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p>Yes, God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> a
loving God. His love for us is hard to comprehend. Just stop for a minute and
recall his ultimate act of love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
unimaginable! But that same loving God is holy and he tells us to be holy so we
can have a relationship with Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
see a holy God and sin just don't mix. To believe otherwise is only believing a
lie. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-71071633912495822272013-07-01T13:02:00.003-07:002013-07-01T13:09:26.624-07:00It gives me great pleasure...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The long weekend has been full of emotions only matched by the continual realization of the awesomeness of our great God and thankfulness for His love, His goodness and His mercy. As a dear friend said, Tim and I joined a somewhat odd club giving away a daughter this weekend...a perfectly good daughter at that! We not only gave her away but had clothed and fed her for years, had her formally educated and actually paid to hand her over to a young man with no exchange of funds! And we are so grateful for every step of that process.<br />
<br />
Tim and I were somewhat teary, off and on. To those of you who know us, not a big surprise, huh? Not tears in a sad way though but I think it's just difficult not to be. I told someone that the emotion level is so high from every corner. They come like waves of the ocean that overwhelm at times causing our hearts to almost burst wide open with happiness. At the same time, they cause us to think about the seriousness of what is about to happen as well as relive in our minds the past years that have led up to this point in life. Yes, overwhelming is an accurate way to describe it.<br />
<br />
The day was practically perfect in every way. The rains did come but the staff at Mt. View Gardens and Ballroom were incredibly <span style="background-color: white;">accommodative</span>, drying off 200 chairs after it rained 30 min. or so before time for the ceremony to begin. The wedding party came in, many of the girls having been friends their entire life. <br />
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<br />
Tim walked KT in ...the last time he would be holding her arm as Katie Smith and gave her <br />
hand to Jarred, the one who has promised to love and protect her, as Christ does His church. If you've been there, you know how that feels. If you've not, there's no describing it. <br />
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Promises were exchanged and "I Dos" were said with emotion-filled voices and love-filled hearts. <br />
<br />
Even though my friend has a valid point in our being members of a somewhat odd club now, I like to think of our role in the event as one of support, not one of giving away. In my mind, it's easier that way. As a matter of fact, Elijah Aaron, the minister, asked, "Who supports the marriage of these two?" <br />
<br />
On June 28, 2013, Katie and Jarred recognized and celebrated the promises that they had already made to each other. They did that in front of many people who love them. Tim and I are so thankful to our family and friends who shared it all with us and to our God. I am confident that it is because of Him that they are where they are this day and am also sure that He smiled on it all. <br />
<br />
So, without further delay, let me proudly introduce to you, Mr. And Mrs. Jarred McCrary!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-73954566458065006952013-06-09T18:35:00.000-07:002013-08-25T06:08:00.046-07:00"Joe-Daddy"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqfE5unRSVWgVk1XXOdV9Ln5oADLtXmLwM1mERReb21_YZ__jhmvXQkymLqgbtbQxMPX3Jc1CtNx0DQ7sQmPzotg8yK6ERs2d5yF_cS1pQrXNkgkjQBvC4t1DSYbBa_spBLROPpx3ca0/s1600/Graduation+Day---May+23,+2011+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqfE5unRSVWgVk1XXOdV9Ln5oADLtXmLwM1mERReb21_YZ__jhmvXQkymLqgbtbQxMPX3Jc1CtNx0DQ7sQmPzotg8yK6ERs2d5yF_cS1pQrXNkgkjQBvC4t1DSYbBa_spBLROPpx3ca0/s320/Graduation+Day---May+23,+2011+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary and Joe <br />
May, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From the time I met them over 30 years ago, I knew something was different about them. They just seemed to get along so well...two peas in a pod. They didn't just love each other, they really did enjoy one another's company. It was rare when you would see one without the other. What they did, they did as a couple. When they were thought of by others, it was usually as a couple, not individuals. They were very different physically. He was tall and slim. She was quite petite. He was a few years older than she was but when she caught his eye, he knew that she was special. <br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
That couple has been married for 58 years now. That tall slim man is 83. His hair is white, hers is gray. He walks with a little less pep in his step these days and sometimes forgets things but their love for one another has not diminished. It has, in fact, grown stronger as the years have passed. The love that they now share is not the same kind of love they had when they were married for those first 20 years. It's more of a caring, nurturing kind of love. It's the kind where she fusses at him for trying to do things that he really shouldn't try to do. It's the kind of love where he still tries to comfort her when the worries of life get her down. I have no doubt that either one of them would willingly give their life for the other.</div>
<br />
Their example to me has been a great one of what it means in a practical sense to no longer be two individuals going their separate ways but to cleave to each other as a married couple. During the time that I've known them, they haven't "done their own things" without considering the other. They've loved and supported each other, even showing support to the extended families that they married in to.<br />
<br />
That's a lesson we can all learn whether we've been married for 1 year, 25 years, or 50 years. We live in a world that encourages us to do "what's best for us", to put "us" at the top of the totem pole. I think we've forgotten what it's like to put another person's needs and desires above our own. There's no other relationship where that is more important than in the marriage relationship. It may be in reference to a specific need or sometimes it may just be a desire of our spouse, something that we'd really prefer not to do if we were thinking only about ourselves. It's times like those that I need to remember the examples that I have been fortunate enough to have in my life and specifically the example of my mother and father-in-law, Mary and Joe Smith. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0DJJTFJI6PhXcoLt3dCDq5skztlG7yCmqiwTY02eNd8oBhBkkV-nYm6mkSyjHg1XLZISebG4-OdR3FoTnBLbzYF19hEscy0fRE-Wl7v9bLLF4PzMefgI6sLBQbWP8_eT6-9akq2bUUc/s1600/Mamaw+and+Grandad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0DJJTFJI6PhXcoLt3dCDq5skztlG7yCmqiwTY02eNd8oBhBkkV-nYm6mkSyjHg1XLZISebG4-OdR3FoTnBLbzYF19hEscy0fRE-Wl7v9bLLF4PzMefgI6sLBQbWP8_eT6-9akq2bUUc/s320/Mamaw+and+Grandad.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November, 2010</td></tr>
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On this 9th day of June, 2013, Mary said good-bye to "Joe-Daddy". Her partner of 58 years left this earth to start a new life, one that will never end. One where the memory doesn't fade. One where drugs aren't needed to help you live in a comfortable manner. One where sad hearts don't exist. The saying good-bye part is difficult - not just for Mary but for all of us who loved Joe. It's just the human part of us. We'll miss him. He truly was an example of a kind, gentle man that loved the Lord. I couldn't have asked for more in a father-in-law. What a blessed thought to realize that our loving God knows and cares and that He has prepared a place for his children...one where Joe will never have the desire to leave...even if he could. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBu9FurEwQPJXbX9nzwv5zZJS_0sn5pammb3PwbtjmpAgnO85YmqeoQFJf-D7DN4S5tWyBXU1VsLpL0y_dhE_5gOEV50bD495HuNEsSKQNxVMxG_LmbOmHj13_SiiGTRnRGdk1y20ogQ/s1600/photo%5B1%5D+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBu9FurEwQPJXbX9nzwv5zZJS_0sn5pammb3PwbtjmpAgnO85YmqeoQFJf-D7DN4S5tWyBXU1VsLpL0y_dhE_5gOEV50bD495HuNEsSKQNxVMxG_LmbOmHj13_SiiGTRnRGdk1y20ogQ/s320/photo%5B1%5D+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and "Joe-Daddy" Spring, 2013</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-28099719726307904142013-05-24T07:04:00.000-07:002013-05-24T07:16:19.730-07:00Some Thoughts About Marriage... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWkoey_7h_WtNgorEByzhknueGyBtIm381bINNi_gTzvB2N_5KcMOdPk43Crf68d7AMI2cxYhs05NVB9tDU1nD2uV60uj0yL80X3OllUaTaIRH7R3IfKQ2SNZK1zRHiU-D_SnAtMdil8/s1600/marriage-search-marriage-records%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWkoey_7h_WtNgorEByzhknueGyBtIm381bINNi_gTzvB2N_5KcMOdPk43Crf68d7AMI2cxYhs05NVB9tDU1nD2uV60uj0yL80X3OllUaTaIRH7R3IfKQ2SNZK1zRHiU-D_SnAtMdil8/s200/marriage-search-marriage-records%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
With so many sweet, young friends of ours as well as some of our own kids, either having married recently, getting married soon, or talking about getting married, some thoughts about marriage and the seriousness of it have popped into my head.<br />
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I'm not an expert on the subject. That's probably not a news flash to 99.9% of you. For the other .1%, I'm not. I came into my marriage a beautiful shade of green which was probably not uncommon for a young lady who married in the early 1980's. I really do believe that I loved Tim as much as<em> I</em> knew how at that point of my life. It wasn't until I had been married for some time that I understood how little I knew in what loving my husband was all about. I believe most couples who have been married for any length of time will probably say something similar. The real shocker to me was when I realized that it wasn't about me at all! It went from being about me to being about Tim...and us. <br />
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Let me preface what I am about to say by saying that I do believe that most of those sweet, young friends of ours and children have made wise choices in their selections. That's a thrill for us to see. They have been able to not just see the present and have the fairytale feelings that go along with getting engaged, planning a wedding and getting married but to look down the road and "see" this person that they are planning to spend the rest of their life with. They have been able to look at some real life concerns...What kind of leader will he be in our family? Would he be the kind of father that I would want to raise my children? What about God? Would he/she lead me to God or away from God? Would he/she lead our children to or away from God? Is he/she one that will "leave his/her father and mother" and cleave to me? <br />
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Some of what I will say <em>may</em> offend. That's not my intent. I'm concerned. I'm concerned that far too many are failing to look at God's word when it comes to the seriousness of marriage. I'm concerned the most when I see both young men and women placing their trust, their confidence, their heart in the hands of one who, from every appearance, has given little, if any, thought to the God who created them. That's scary. Girls, what are when you thinking when you willingly submit yourselves to a man who hasn't submitted himself to God? You're placing your life, your welfare, your soul in the hands of a man who has chosen not to have God as a priority in his life. <br />
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We know from Ephesians 5 that males and females are equal in their relationship to Christ, but God gives specific roles to each in marriage. Verse 23 gives the role of leadership or head to the husband. Does this mean he can be a dictator or condescending to his wife because he is the head? Absolutely not! He's commanded to love her as Christ loved the church. He's commanded to love her with an "agape love". That love is the love that seeks what is best for her. It is chosen. It is a love done on purpose. There are times when, in a marriage, you have to choose to love - not because you necessarily feel it at the time, but because God has commanded you to love. (If you've never been in that situation, you just haven't been married long enough!) Verses 28-29 tells men to love their wives in the same way that they love their own bodies, feeding and caring for them. Girls, think about that. Don't be blind. Is he the kind of man that will care for you in this way? Guys, are you willing to love her in the way God has commanded? <br />
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Girls, you are told in Eph. 5:33 to respect your husbands. Is he the kind of person that you truly respect for who he is, the kind of life he leads, the example that he shows to others. Will he lead you to God or will he lead you away from God? If he isn't this kind of person, what are you doing???<br />
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The wonderful thing about my marriage though, was and still is, that we were both trying our best to serve God. Although we were and still are far from perfect, our goal has always been to please God and when that is the goal, the frustrations and difficulties that come with marriage are small. They can be worked out, usually easily, because the heart is trying to please God. When that is not the goal of both the husband and wife, the frustrations and difficulties can turn small hills into mountains to climb.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for folks, young and old who have lived their lives in their marriages as Godly examples. What a joy it is to see real love between a husband and a wife. So many people come to my mind when I think of what it is to really love your spouse. It absolutely can be a taste of heaven on earth. At the same time, it's heartbreaking to see folks, young and old, make poor decisions that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Marriage is one of those life long decisions. God intended it to be for life. We've allowed easy divorce to become a part of our culture. How sad. That was not in God's plan at all. Please, please treat the thought of marriage with the prayer and the seriousness that it deserves. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-18987989925992247862013-05-08T15:40:00.002-07:002013-05-08T15:44:11.466-07:00Our world took on a smiley face. <div style="text-align: center;">
Hey ya'll! It's been a while, I know, and I'm a little bit late with our latest news. Things have been kind of hectic around here! Our world took on a smiley face on March 25 when Jarred McCrary asked our Katie to be his wife. Their wedding is planned for June 28...yes, I said June 28. And yes, that's only 3 months! So, we had to kick it into high gear really fast! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdePu8sTdq5keAqCENQoOajX4-UJDrR9uCkrWwoLy6ZjuginzzIeewLD3q7bXUtwAIHIrY575o2w15rlKgPXkxUwK9pYdQpds4wlYiu9CjgVO7qL2A_B0eQSP5UxQ-ZOS8jnW6_W4ACM/s1600/P1110402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdePu8sTdq5keAqCENQoOajX4-UJDrR9uCkrWwoLy6ZjuginzzIeewLD3q7bXUtwAIHIrY575o2w15rlKgPXkxUwK9pYdQpds4wlYiu9CjgVO7qL2A_B0eQSP5UxQ-ZOS8jnW6_W4ACM/s1600/P1110402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdePu8sTdq5keAqCENQoOajX4-UJDrR9uCkrWwoLy6ZjuginzzIeewLD3q7bXUtwAIHIrY575o2w15rlKgPXkxUwK9pYdQpds4wlYiu9CjgVO7qL2A_B0eQSP5UxQ-ZOS8jnW6_W4ACM/s320/P1110402.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
I've had so many sweet friends let me know that they will gladly help in any way. Thanks ya'll! I've already called on some of you and will definitely be asking for some more help...so much to do! <br />
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Anyway, we're terribly excited for them and thank God for his loving-kindness and care. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a peak at some of Katie and Jarred's engagement photo session. The photographer is Cindy Shaver Photography of Huntsville, AL. Yes, she's awesome!</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kooCcL4bK4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kooCcL4bK4</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-30415410251334512832013-04-06T05:36:00.000-07:002013-04-06T06:19:10.101-07:00It's so hard... <br />
As a lot of you know, I've had a roller coaster issue with my weight for many, many years. I guess most of my adult life. I know I'm not alone. I've heard many of you talk about the same thing, up and down, up and down. It's so frustrating! It seems like when I think I have conquered it in the past, it crept back up again, and there I was as heavy or heavier than I was before I lost the weight. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS4iutzjMFbd0QP8aJ4zsYYQAldeBkBCzdjZyZ8AKXJ1AeR4bNaKnCpAcOU96a8yCNg0jzOcbdVNoOYuk2avny_WfG1qj_b3zcRm2JqLdrGUBqeigCcA7FoMgWpcV4vwW96aSY49NMR4/s1600/ab5e9c3b5da7525d125fe5061e6a46a2%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS4iutzjMFbd0QP8aJ4zsYYQAldeBkBCzdjZyZ8AKXJ1AeR4bNaKnCpAcOU96a8yCNg0jzOcbdVNoOYuk2avny_WfG1qj_b3zcRm2JqLdrGUBqeigCcA7FoMgWpcV4vwW96aSY49NMR4/s320/ab5e9c3b5da7525d125fe5061e6a46a2%5B2%5D.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Some contribute excess weight to genetics, some to environment. Others to just consistently making really poor choices or feeling as though they are addicted to certain types of food. My thoughts? All of the above. I really do believe that all of those factors play a role in our physical bodies. Children who have heavy parents tend to be heavy themselves. Food, bad food is all around us and constantly advertised. It is just so difficult to consistently make good choices when our world, especially the Southern part of the US has no function unless food is involved. It IS all around us! But then I got to thinking...you know, a person could easily have those same thoughts about things that we, as a society, consider really detrimental to our health., like drugs. My parents were "druggies". It's all around me! I have such a hard time making good choices when it comes to doing drugs. My body craves them. Hmmm...<br />
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I found this the other day when I was reading a book that Katie gave me years ago. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"Self-control is kind of like a gravy boat. Sure, you've got it, but you don't ever use it. We battle with our conscience, bargaining for one more minute of sleep, one more hour of television, one more piece of pie, one more new sweater...We know that we shouldn't, but we find the most imaginative (and illogical) ways to justify our actions and push self-control out the window. More often than not, self-control often loses the inner debate.</em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
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<em>There's a line from an old children's song that defines self-control this way: 'Self-control is just controlling yourself. It's listening to your heart and doing what is smart.'" </em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><u>Legacy of Virtue, A Devotional for Mothers</u></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>by</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Amy Nappa and Jody Brolsma</em></div>
<em></em><br />
As much as I hated to admit it, when I made the spiritual application to my life concerning self control with what I allow to be taken into my body, it seemed to click for me. Is it easy? No. It continues to be difficult for me every single day...every single day. It's an area in my life that I really struggle with. But children of God, true children of God live to please their master, not themselves. Pleasing Him is their top priority in every aspect of their life. If we are taught to add self control to our lives, how can we justify falling short here? It's just one of many things that we're told to add to our lives, but it is no less important. The question is, "Am I willing to make the application in this area of my life?" <br />
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<em><span class="text 2Pet-1-5"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, </span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-6" id="en-NKJV-30486"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, </span> </em><span class="text 2Pet-1-7" id="en-NKJV-30487"><em><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.</em> 2 Peter 1:5-7</span></div>
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<span class="text 2Pet-1-7"></span> </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-56907604728803765052012-04-27T04:39:00.002-07:002012-04-27T04:41:11.837-07:00365 Days...<br />
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Sometimes, 365 days seems like a long time. Other times it
seems impossible that 365 days have passed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I've heard so much lately about today being set apart as a special day "to remember".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those
whose lives were touched by the forces of nature last April, it's not just a day
that the remembering takes place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'm sure there </span>
hasn't been a day that has passed in the last 365 that those who bore witness to such chaos haven't daily thought about it. They were not just
touched by the forces of nature; their lives were dismantled. </div>
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Even though a year, 365 days, has passed, I continue to pray
that our Father will keep on reaching out and wrapping<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arms around those who still hurt, those
who still grieve, those who are trying their best to move forward and that He
will not only lead them in the direction they need to go but that He will make the path
clear for them.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>365 days later, I<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>still
fervently ask for that and I still <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know
beyond doubt </i>that He will do that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Understanding how isn't important. Continuing
to have the faith necessary to believe that He will though is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything.</i> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-82841006323537841952012-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:002012-01-12T07:10:55.568-08:00Just another game?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In the overall scheme of things, it was just another football game. Granted, the stakes were higher this time. The two teams were playing for the right to be called National Champions but still, in my opinion, the importance of all football games are miniscule compared to most things in life. <br />
<br />
But to most of the alumni, to the students, to those who live in that college town, and to those who have had <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Tuscaloosa</place></city> in their hearts since last April, it was more than just another game. It seemed to take on another level of importance. If you don't fit into any of those categories, it may be difficult to understand but those young men played with an intensity that I haven't seen in a long time (and I'm a graduate from many moons ago). It seemed like it was an effort that said "We've been knocked down by the kinds of things that will change us for life. We've been knocked down so hard that sometimes we wonder how we'll ever get back up but one thing is for sure tonight...YOU'RE not stopping us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will leave no doubt when it's over."</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Remember, those same kids out on the field lived in that college town too when Mother Nature wreaked havoc last spring. They saw the devastation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew personally of the deaths. They lived it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I would never say that others haven't experienced devastation and sorrow like <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Tuscaloosa</place></city>, I think when something of that magnitude happens to us or someone we love, and it's still very fresh in our minds, it causes us to possess an emotion that is hard to find otherwise - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not impossible, just hard. And emotions can give a person motivation. They can help a person reach deep down and accomplish some things that probably under ordinary circumstances would be very difficult. It was like those young men had a fire inside of them, a fire that was not going to be put out until they were done. It seemed as though they were playing with a whole different attitude - an attitude of giving something to others. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I've heard Saban speak very highly of the kind of kids that were on this team, the service that they often did for others. I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>don't know the kids personally so I can't speak to that. What I do know is that they put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces and allowed a lot of people to think about something else...something fun and good for a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while most folks would look at it as just a football game, to those who hold the Crimson Tide and the people and city of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Tuscaloosa</place></city> dear in their hearts,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> January 9, 2012</span> was a refreshing evening of pure enjoyment!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0BsgX3NJZAb63ESRYfrIiDsEM7Egs2B9CQgs6j6WZaL5abrnBwAm5mFVjRVSt0qDYskIn9Vu4_sve8Z4Zx8kBfL3jH5pOFH79h-eSh1sCRwXEYZpS-VFK5HzYQ8d4Sr6ER09pdPg5XI/s1600/APTOPIX_BCS_Championship_Football_0d41f-18640%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0BsgX3NJZAb63ESRYfrIiDsEM7Egs2B9CQgs6j6WZaL5abrnBwAm5mFVjRVSt0qDYskIn9Vu4_sve8Z4Zx8kBfL3jH5pOFH79h-eSh1sCRwXEYZpS-VFK5HzYQ8d4Sr6ER09pdPg5XI/s320/APTOPIX_BCS_Championship_Football_0d41f-18640%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-27139343549225505442011-11-21T05:59:00.000-08:002011-11-30T07:26:56.615-08:00Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZF5KpdQEkw02dZpiHhGMIgdTL_Ckd9BUJmhh_DG-7L04N2x_UMDuuufVcEfrkIxd50AW0OFVt5IpwgjeGzsYWkz42j_IBEs6zBuDhLn7OjsVwX-vttD0PlPe0NTHoANcJG4_YZuJh_o/s320/overflowing_cup_option_cartoony_v21%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;"> As the national day of Thanksgiving approaches, I think it causes us to look more closely at who we are, where we've been and where we're going. It's not about the stuff we have although we have been supplied with things so far above what any of us could have imagined, so much more than our daily needs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> I pray that we've taken the opportunity this year to grow into more of the kind of person that the Lord would have us be. We're not promised tomorrow, you know, so we need to be doing our best to wisely use the time that we know we have.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;"> So, here are some things that I have become more keenly aware of recently, some things that I have come to greatly appreciate. </span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">O Lord, I thank thee...</span></div><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for not only surviving but thriving to the "empty nest" phase with the love of my youth and for his willingness to lead our family by example. Actions speak so much louder than words. He's a keeper, for sure. </span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for my oldest who has kept on despite history and the odds. </span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for those young men and women at KSR who continue to rise to the occasion as they're given opportunity. You're growing and you amaze me!</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for those not-so-young men and women at KSR who continue to work toward the goal even though their bodies are frail and weary at times. You encourage me to want to do better. </span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for new found friends and old faithfuls.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for being patient with me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for a young man's willingness to meet us on a stormy nite at an Interstate exit with a 5 gallon can of gasoline. I have no doubt that you were truly a God-send.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;">- for my children who understand what loving family is all about. You went far above and beyond...</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for increasing my trust and helping me understand, really understand that You are faithful.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for my family in Christ who has exemplified love. Where would we have been without you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #783f04;">-<span style="font-family: inherit;"> for my child who has walked a path that </span></span></span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">few her age will ever walk with grace and a stronger dependence on You. With Your guidance, she continues to put one foot in front of the other. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for the passing of time, because it helps.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- to have known a sweet, smiling, gentle, young man named Marcus. What a joy! </span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: inherit;">- for loving me so much.</span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">My cup runs over Lord.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-85907355697557555952011-08-24T05:08:00.000-07:002011-08-24T16:01:25.148-07:00The Table<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have this table in our kitchen that is probably close to 20 years old. It's an oak table with a leaf in the center. The table will easily seat 6 and <em>can</em> seat up to 10 or so when extra folding chairs are placed around it. Our oak table has served countless meals to our family with high chairs pulled to its side. As the years passed, booster seats were added to the chairs so the kids could reach their plates. As the kids grew, many a class project or homework assignment was done around that oak table. Our table has offered its' service as a resting place for foods like pizza or hot ham and cheese sandwiches that the teens would snack on after singing praises to our God on the first Sunday nites of the month for the last 10 years. That oak table has also hosted many a conversation, some serious and some not-so-serious for many, many years. It has even been the place where events of long ago have been revealed by some of our kids. They would typically begin with something like, "Did I ever tell you about the time...".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z63ySmPxrvILWmfNgb23k0veKIKV9UFZOOkkiR4ZyfSYV_unUpAYdJTYHKP_pXtnXkt73iDqrwPSkCkCFIG4NZRvBG317QRj0NQp3DXSIMj22eJNCtIG23oUEwmm1vCXK-cQQk0hucM/s1600/P1080083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z63ySmPxrvILWmfNgb23k0veKIKV9UFZOOkkiR4ZyfSYV_unUpAYdJTYHKP_pXtnXkt73iDqrwPSkCkCFIG4NZRvBG317QRj0NQp3DXSIMj22eJNCtIG23oUEwmm1vCXK-cQQk0hucM/s320/P1080083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A couple of weeks ago, I took the leaf out of that oak table. Tim and I no longer have the need to have the larger table in our kitchen anymore with just the two of us at home now. I actually took the leaf out a few days before Mikayla, our youngest, left for college. She didn't like it. It was not okay to her for that large oval table to now be a small, round table.<br />
<br />
But it wasn't the size of the table really that mattered. It's what the table represents - that table that has been a part of our home for as long as our children can remember. I would be telling less than the truth if I said it didn't sadden me just a bit to see its shape change from oval to round. It seems that taking the leaf out gave the whole situation a sense of finality. Tim and I really are in the "empty nest" phase of our life. That's so hard to believe!<br />
<br />
It's such a strange feeling with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I'm so thankful that my children are growing and learning and leaving. I wouldn't want it any other way, really. I'm grateful for the kind of human beings that they are working on becoming -"remembering their Creator in the days of their youth". I'm grateful of the fact that I do believe they have come to understand that walking with God doesn't make the difficulties of life go away but it does make them bearable and that sometimes, here on earth, it's just not going to get any better than that ...bearable. I hope realizing that puts a longing in them for a place so much better.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, the house is quieter, the closets are more empty, the table is smaller. All of that kind of leaves a void but I'm working to fill that void with useful, good things. I would never want to waste this time of my life resenting the fact that my children are no longer at the physical place where they grew up. The place where they really are and will always be is a place that can't be seen with the eyes but only felt with the heart.<br />
<br />
For now, the extra leaf for the table is in a cool, comfortable resting place waiting for the time when it's pulled out again and put to work. Who knows? Maybe even decorating cookies or coloring with grand kids? I'm looking forward to that time when I can expand it again to it's rightful size!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-36084055708058270172011-08-01T11:22:00.000-07:002011-08-01T11:42:01.520-07:00Blossoms by Bev... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw5i_tJkoSiGMbtUn8QLnyhwbVMN8jSrOSj1Gj1ya0VTq4xJHYcKlDA1XujyIZsujU9_l8nNt_8pTCNIlO1a2E6AKlbWzza7uxdPeDlbQXz6wuYhqLA-wajjOTsZrB7zoDOlawfqxFzE/s1600/P1070812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw5i_tJkoSiGMbtUn8QLnyhwbVMN8jSrOSj1Gj1ya0VTq4xJHYcKlDA1XujyIZsujU9_l8nNt_8pTCNIlO1a2E6AKlbWzza7uxdPeDlbQXz6wuYhqLA-wajjOTsZrB7zoDOlawfqxFzE/s320/P1070812.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Alisha Gayle Grant, <br />
escorted by her grandfather, <br />
Mr. Stan Dvorak</td></tr>
</tbody></table> A young lady that we've been fortunate to know her entire life married last week. We watched her grow from a little girl with a loud laugh to a young woman whose desire is to serve the Lord. This "second mom" was so thrilled to be able to witness the union of Alisha Grant and Tyler Loveless last Thursday at Stonebridge Farm in Cullman. Everything about the evening was beautiful...the bride and her attendants, the venue, the reception...everything. And of course, the guys have never been more handsome. <br />
<br />
I had the opportunity and was given the honor of putting together the flowers for the entire wedding party. I was very pleased with how they turned out but more importantly, the bride was pleased. I've posted a few of the photos from that wedding.<br />
<br />
Love you Alisha and Tyler!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dA-LNBl6OSVErEimEI52Fdj02n_DX9B2NO2mrntxTRUK3uCBj-iSz67vF96NsmAx3Q-iA3CwWd6jPp1Hg-Y-NtUlNQ6VA3qqKf0GGUNVycTLsXtYm9YOdG0o6fwwgD0_mp7MUxhxAAY/s1600/P1070761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dA-LNBl6OSVErEimEI52Fdj02n_DX9B2NO2mrntxTRUK3uCBj-iSz67vF96NsmAx3Q-iA3CwWd6jPp1Hg-Y-NtUlNQ6VA3qqKf0GGUNVycTLsXtYm9YOdG0o6fwwgD0_mp7MUxhxAAY/s320/P1070761.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridal Bouquet - View 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridal Bouquet - View 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Loveless</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Groomsmen wore yellow boutonnieres.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridesmaids carried yellow bouquets. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groom's Boutonniere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alisha's Attendants</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-85668764289193229132011-07-20T13:30:00.000-07:002011-07-20T14:59:21.794-07:00The South...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I found a coffee mug recently that had a definition of "the south". I had to have it. It reads...<br />
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"THE SOUTH"<br />
(TH EE SAU TH) NOUN<br />
<br />
The place where...<br />
1. Tea is sweet and accents are sweeter.<br />
2. Summer starts in April.<br />
3. Macaroni and Cheese is a vegetable. <br />
4. Pecan Pie is a staple.<br />
5. Ya'll is the only proper noun.<br />
6. Chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy.<br />
7. Everything is Darlin'.<br />
8. Someones heart is always being blessed. <br />
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Although some of it's a little bit strange to others, most of these definitions really are what make up the beauty of the south. It's not just a place, an area of our country, it's a way of life. Sure, you can move away but once it's in your blood, it never leaves you. I was just thinkin' and added a few more definitions to those above.<br />
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My south is the place...<br />
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9. where fields as far as the eye can see are covered with "southern snow" in the fall<br />
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10. where it's hard to let go of stuff that belonged to grandma or grandpa. It is just stuff but it's also a part of who you are. <br />
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11. where you break a sweat in the summertime just walking to the mailbox. <br />
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12. where vegetables from the garden like fresh green beans, fresh corn, okra, turnip greens, squash and sliced tomatoes make regular appearances on the table. <br />
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13. where eating is very much a social thing. A true southerner wouldn't think of inviting someone over without offering them a meal or at least dessert and coffee.<br />
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14. where jams and jellies, pickles and relishes are of the homemade variety. <br />
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15. where people know how to hug you...real, hard, genuine hugs...the kind of hugs that you feel all the way down to your bones, the kind of hugs that let you know somebody else really does care.<br />
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16. where people pull together when it really matters.<br />
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17. where I've been honored to spend most of life. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-53277942411444049232011-05-24T13:53:00.000-07:002011-05-25T14:28:20.306-07:00Blessings in a Whirlwind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><u>Blessings in a Whirlwind... Some things I've been thinking about.</u></strong><br />
by Bev Smith<br />
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I've been thinking a lot lately about blessings. What do we typically think of when we think of God blessing us? I think it's safe to say that we usually think of God sending His blessings when positive things happen in our lives such as the birth of a child, financial success, healthy family members, a new job coming through, safety from a storm, etc. I know from experience that it's easy to praise God when things are going well in our lives. But when our lives take a path that we never envisioned and we're forced to deal with events, situations that we would never have imagined or dreamed, we might begin to wonder how the same God is with us? Why do we have so much more difficulty finding blessings and praising God in those times? That, I believe, is what will define us as children of God. Trust in God is at the very root of what makes us His children. And although it can be difficult to do, we have to be able to see through those truly heartbreaking times and know that God is faithful. We <em>can</em> come out of what may be a tragedy with our trust in the Lord strengthened but we have to determine to do that. <br />
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The last month has been a difficult one for my family as well as many others. If you're not from Alabama and reading this, our state had a devastating line of tornadoes on April 27, 2011 killing 238 people in the state. A violent F-4 tornado swept a 1/2 mile wide, 5.9 mile long path across the city of Tuscaloosa. On that night, many, many families' lives were forever changed. Ours was not exempt. In Tuscaloosa, Marcus Smith, my daughter, Katie's, boyfriend of over 2 years was killed. Katie and Marcus met at church during their freshman year at the University of Alabama. They loved each other deeply and were planning a future together. <br />
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I know intellectually from the scriptures several things. I know that God's children are not immune to "time and chance" (Eccl. 9:11) and that God sends the rain on the just and unjust. (Matt. 5:45) I also know that it is possible for God to change His will in regard to events on earth if He so chooses. Two examples of this were when King Hezekiah's life was extended by 15 years after he prayed to God (2 Kings 20:1-11, Isa. 38:1-5) and when God stopped the rain for 3 years and 6 months when Elijah prayed to Him. (James 5:16-18). <br />
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While I know these things, I don't pretend to be able to explain all of the whys - why God allows some things to happen and chooses to intervene in others. The older I get, it seems the less I understand at times. But I'm not convinced that it's "the whys" that even matter. What matters is that I trust. <br />
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Even though the fervent prayers for many days of so many Christians did not bring us what we desperately desired - for Marcus to be found safe and alive, I know that the Lord used those same prayers to shed a glimmer of light when those days were the darkest that Marcus' family, Katie, and my family had ever seen. Those same prayers gave a father, a mother, and a brother the strength they needed to find him. Those same prayers held up our arms when we could not hold them up on our own. The prayers helped us feel the love of the family of Christ by knowing that so many were with us in spirit. Those blessings didn't come in the physical sense though, something we could touch, but they surely found their way to our hearts. And to a child of God, that is a blessing that cannot be measured.<br />
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The days ahead will be mixed...some more difficult than others but I know that our God and Father who is over all will bring us through. I don't know how He'll do it, but I know, without a doubt that He will. He is faithful. <br />
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So when you speak with the Father, if you would continue to remember the family of Marcus Smith and our family, "that He would bring us up out of a horrible pit and put a new song in our mouths", we would be forever grateful. <br />
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<em>"1 I waited patiently for the LORD;</em><em><br /></em><em>And He inclined to me, </em></div>
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<em>And heard my cry.</em></div>
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<em>2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,</em></div>
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<em>Out of the miry clay, </em></div>
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<em>And set my feet upon a rock, </em></div>
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<em>And established my steps.</em></div>
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<em>3 He has put a new song in my mouth—</em></div>
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<em>Praise to our God; </em></div>
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<em>Many will see it and fear, </em></div>
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<em>And will trust in the LORD."</em></div>
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Psalms 40:1-3</div>
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P.S.<br />
On Sunday, May 22, 2011, another violent tornado hit the city of Joplin, MO. According to news reports, over 120 people have lost their lives and approximately 30% of the city has been destroyed. My heart hurts for them. Hold on...God is faithful. <br />
<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-5923862671525296032011-03-14T07:30:00.000-07:002011-03-14T07:30:27.965-07:00It Depends Whose Hands It's In!I don't remember where I saw this, I've had it a while, but I felt that it carried a valuable message. Enjoy the short read. <br />
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A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.<br />A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.<br />
It depends whose hands it's in.<br />
<br />
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.<br />
A baseball in Roger Clemen's hands is worth $475 million<br />
It depends whose hands it's in<br />
<br />
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.<br />
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.<br />
It depends whose hands it's in.<br />
<br />
A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog,<br />
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.<br />
It depends whose hands it's in.<br />
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A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy.<br />
A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.<br />
It depends whose hands it's in.<br />
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Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.<br />
Two fish and five loaves of break in Jesus' hands will feed thousands.<br />
It depends whose hands it's in.<br />
<br />
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.<br />
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.<br />
It depends whose hands it's in.<br />
<br />
As you see now, it truley does depend on whose hands it's in.<br />
While something in our life may seem insurmountable, <br />
When we put it on God's shoulders, in His hands,<br />
It becomes much lighter and much less of a burden. <br />
<br />
So, put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,<br />
your families and your relationships in God's hands,<br />
and then trust. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-84866664211356080072011-01-08T04:50:00.000-08:002011-01-08T04:50:29.241-08:00Forever and a day...<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/MsgXbSUMzR4/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MsgXbSUMzR4?fs=1&hl=en_US">
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<strong>January, 8, 2011</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
Twenty-eight years ago today, that sweet man that I'm honored to call my husband, you know him as Tim, picked me, picked ME to be his helper, his confidant, his love, his partner, his encourager, his friend, his wife - for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better for worse...you know how it goes. How fortunate I was!<br />
<br />
Those of us who are married said those vows to each other. We voiced those words out loud so that our family and friends could hear them, but I'm not sure we really thought about the ramifications of what we were saying...the nitty gritty of it. For richer or poorer...really? What about losing our house and car because we've lost our jobs. Are we willing to do what it takes to pull together? What about when a spouse acquires an illness that requires round the clock care. Those kind of circumstances takes not only a financial toll on the marriage but a mental toll also. What about when appearances change somewhat as we age, when the stresses of life take it's toll on the physical body. Are we willing to stay in those circumstances? "Life" can be hard on marriages. It can pull couples apart if you allow it. <br />
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When my kids were small and the message I needed them to hear was very important, I would sometimes hold their little face between the palms of my two hands and physically turn their face toward mine so they would be forced to both look and listen to me when I was talking to them. So to my children physically and to many others whose voices have echoed off my walls in their "growing up years", listen to me (as I hold your faces in my hands). You<strong> must</strong> decide early on that when you marry you will pull together not only in the good times but probably more importantly, in the difficult times. That's a conscience choice that you must make! Life happens. Bad things happen and the world is not on your side when it comes to having a thriving, loving marriage. It will do it's best to pull you apart but <strong><em>you can</em> <em>choose</em></strong> to hold on tight to each other as you weather the storms so that nothing...<strong>nothing</strong> will come between you. If you don't make that determination, the wind will blow your relationship as far apart as it can be blown.<br />
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I've seen way too many marriages that have not survived, marriages of those that I always thought would have stood the test of time. It makes me so grateful for the patient love of the one who chose me and thankful for his refusing to sleep on the couch early on in our marriage. <br />
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Contrary to what we might think, couples don't grow apart overnight; it happens gradually. We get busy with life and forget the important things. We stop nurturing the one and the relationship that should be the most important person and thing on earth to us. We run at a rapid speed in so many different directions and allow only minimal time for each other if any. Then, we wake up one morning 20 years down the road and wonder why we have nothing in common. It's not rocket science. Take the time to let that one know how much you cherish them. Do it often. Do it now. There should not be any room left for an ounce of doubt.<br />
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I'm thankful to God that both Tim and I were in the same place at the same time many years ago and that he not only pursued my heart but captured it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-48145122089560847932010-12-31T19:15:00.000-08:002011-01-01T15:39:25.046-08:00The Sail AdjusterElizabeth Edwards died recently, in December, 2010. She was the wife of presidential candidate of 2004 and 2008 John Edwards, senator of North Carolina. Mrs. Edwards lived a very public life as political candidates and their families do. <br />
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Mrs. Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer originally in 2004. Her battle with breast cancer was a roller coaster ride with it returning in 2007. It was also during this time frame that she was forced to deal with the unfaithfulness of her husband. In 2010, at the age of 61, her fight with breast cancer ended. <br />
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While I didn't agree with much that Mrs. Edwards stood for politically, I found her role as a mother to be inspiring. From all that I could tell, she seemed to truely love and care for her children. She tried to protect them, shield them...something any mother would do. I could relate to that. She had a 28 year old daughter and two other living children, a daughter and a son, who were 12 and 10. <br />
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Her memoir, <u>Resilience</u>, was released in the spring of 2009. When asked the question about what she considered was the most important lesson to teach her children, Elizabeth Edwards responded this way.<br />
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<em>“I have said before that I do not know what the most important lesson is that I will ever teach my children, Cate and Emma Claire and Jack. I do know that when they are older and telling their own children about their grandmother, they will be able to say that she stood in the storm, and when the wind did not go her way — and surely it has not — she adjusted her sails.”</em></blockquote>
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<em>He asked her if that’s still the message she hopes people come away with.</em><br />
<em>It is,” she said. “I hope that it is when bad things happen, you have the strength to face them."</em></blockquote>
<em></em>I read that quote and thought, you know, that <em><strong>is</strong></em> one of our main jobs as a parent - to teach our children how to adjust their sails when the wind does not blow their way. I've heard it said that life is 10% what happens and 90% how we respond. Sometimes when life happens, it's in our favor; sometimes it isn't. How do we respond? When we respond inappropriately, we teach our kids the inappropriate way to respond. It's that simple. <br />
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Don't know about you but I think I have some work to do in the sail adjusting department. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7884524348524197123.post-85871433365094632682010-12-23T16:11:00.000-08:002010-12-23T16:11:26.491-08:00What They Were Saying in 1957...Below is an excerpt from a story written by my Dad, Jerry Sutton. These are some things he remembers growing up. These are just a few of the things that folks were saying back then. Kind of makes you smile just to think of them. <br />
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1. I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.<br />
2. Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2,000 will only buy a used one.<br />
3. If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm gonna quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous!<br />
4. Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?<br />
5. I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.<br />
6. It won't be long before young couple are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.<br />
7. The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.<br />
8. No one can afford to be sick anymore! $35.00 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood!<br />
9. If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0