HAPPY HANUKKAH

 

Today is the last day of Hanukkah, which this year is celebrated from the 4th to the 12th of December.  As a young girl I celebrated Hanukkah with my friend Madie.  She also would come to my house to celebrate Christmas with me.

The story of Hanukkah does not start with the miracle of the lights.  It starts much, much earlier with the oppression of the Jewish people by the Syrians.

It was a terrible time for the Jews.  Little by little the kings of Syria condemned everything the Jews held holy.  Practice of their religion was reason to be put to death.  The king, Antiochus IV outlawed all Jewish traditions and tortured and killed those who would not obey him.  I've read a story of Hannah (Chanah) and her seven sons during the period of martyrdom. 

At last when Antiochus' men arrived in the village of Modin where the old High Priest Mattityahu told them that he and his sons would remain true to the Laws of God.  Then when one of the Jews, fearing his life, started to approach to the Syrians' altar, Mattityahu grabbed a sword and killed him.  His sons rose up against the Syrians, killing many while the remaining few ran away. 

From there, Jewish men, led by the Maccabees gathered together to make strikes against the Syrians.  As Antiochus sent his men out, theywere defeated.  Finally, he sent 40,000 men.  The old prophet Samuel prayed for the battle and the Syrians were defeated.

The Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to recapture their temple.  When they had, they entered the temple to rededicate it.  After clearing it of idols and building a new alter, they made a new Menorah.  They searched for oil, but found only 1 cruse of pure olive oil ~ enough for only 1 day.  However, God gave them a miracle . . . the oil burned for 8 days until new oil could be obtained. 

This is not just a tale of war and lights, it is rich and beautiful, the story of God's protection of His chosen people.

Bless all who are celebrating the last night of Chanukah tonight and all who are reading tonight. 

              

If you want to learn more about Hanukkah, go here or here.    Thank you Sugar, for the graphics

Tags: blogplugs, Hanukkah, The Miracle of the Lights

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Wonderful, Counsellor . . . Prince of peace

      

Many years ago, before Jesus was born people wrote prophecies about Him.   The scripture above is one of them.  We have heard it sung powerfully in one part of Handel's Messiah.

The Jewish nation was waiting for Him.  They wanted a powerful king to save them from bondage to the Romans.  They could not believe that this man, gentle and kind was their deliverer.  I don't know if I blame them.  They wanted a KING, a strong man who had an army of men who would come in and end their suffering once and for all. 

Born he was, to Mary and Joseph.  In humble surroundings.  Shepherds came to worship Him, and wise men -Kings - from afar.  Herod was afraid of Him, sought to kill Him.  Yet He lives.  He is the King of Christendom.  And this month, I will joyfully celebrate His birth.  He is what Christmas is all about for me.

. . . however we celebrate in another way this month.  We give gifts to each other.  Watch tear-jerker movies about the Christmas season and spirit.  We laugh at the Grinch, Frosty and Rudolph.  We see the spirit of celebration and joy in stores.  Happy Kwanza!  Happy Hanukkah!  Happy Holidays!

Don't you feel it?  I do.  I'm not doing any more shopping, so I don't feel the stress.  If you are stressing over the holidays, come on by, sit and have tea, coffee or chocolate.  Tell me all about it.  I care.  I really do.        

            

Tags: Jesus, prophecies, Handel's Messiah, Jewish nation, KING, Worship, Shepherds, Wiseman Herod, King of Christendom, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza,

JOY, WONDERFUL JOY

            1st day of Advent - Read Romans 13:11-14*  Krissy knows so much about Advent, the wreath and candles, and the church's traditions during Advent.  I will be posting scriptures that I found on the internet.

I just got the picture below this morning.  If you want to speak of joy, wonderful joy, here it is:

      From left to right the girls: Paige, Kailani, Heather & Ashley ~ the boys: Zachariah & Isaiah (Jason behind camera) Don't they look great?  I can't believe how grown-up my grandchildren are.  Paige has been accepted into Chino State University!  Kailani and Ashley are out on their own.  Ashley spent spent a year with us in Mexico when she was 8.  She learned Spanish quickly and it was great watching her grow.  Kailani also came down to Mexico for a year, but had to leave because of vision problems.  Paige came for a year, but only stayed a couple of months.  It's hard adjusting to life in a children's home.  Isaiah was in Mexico for 3 months.  He was still an infant (and an adorable tiger).  I have other grandchildren, but these 5 (I'm so proud of their Mom!) I know better than the others.  I haven't seen Athena since she was 4 months old.  Son Robert's kids I haven't seen in eons.  Actually about 11 years.  Wow!  I didn't realize it had been that long.  My greatest wish would be to see them all together at the same time.  Maybe in a year or two.

Today we have very high winds here in Ventura.  Did I ever tell you that the real name of this city is San Buenaventura, given by Father Junipero Serra as he traveled the state building missions.  The mission was the 9th and last mission (1782) that he built before he died in 1784.  It's still an active Parish.         Amazing, yes?  I always wanted to live in a distinctive place.  My mother took me to see as many of the 21 California missions as she could when I was young.  There is a lot of history in our missions.

Rob and I are sitting in the living room watching the USC/UCLA game while eating pecan pie.  One of the players is down with a head or neck injury.  He got kneed in the helmet.  Wow!  He's walking off the field.  His number?  #1  For me, college ball is more interesting than pro.  Maybe because they are not jaded yet by high salaries and sponsors.  Many of them are there for the joy of playing the game.

That's why I am here today.  Just for the sheer joy of writing, remembering and sharing.  God has filled my heart with joy even in the toughest of times.  Grieving? I had such joy knowing this person.  And I can wipe away most of my negatives with joy.  Truth is, without joy, life would be boring, painful and probably friendless.  Why don't we all jump for joy right now??  If you can't jump, make the kids or the dog jump.  Make your spouse jump for joy!  We'll all be joyful, smiling or laughing and stress-free for at least a little while.  Whew!  I'm exhausted now.

With all that my friends. please know that I think of you often, pray for you daily and miss you when I can't get on the 'puter.  Blessings to you all, 

                                            

*(Rom 13:11) And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. (Rom 13:12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  (Rom 13:13) Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

(Rom 13:14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Tags: 1st day Advent, Krissy, joy, family, California missions, Fr Junipero Sera, football, JOY

Christmas Season

         

This hasn't been the greatest of days for me.  On Tuesday, I did something to my back which has resulted in a painful few days.  I can walk a little bit, lie down, but cannot stay in a sitting position.  It's a major pain in the sit-down.  This too shall pass. 

 

Notice my ornament above?  It's most important to have your packages ready to go before Monday if you are shipping to Afghanistan or Iraq. The last safe date to mail off these packages to service men and women overseas is December 4th.  Also, send off your cards and letters at the same time.  For more information, go to www.usps.com

 

We are getting ready to put up Christmas decorations.  I'm really excited.  It will be so cool to see all those cheerful pieces in our living room.  I have a whole set of cherubs for Christmas and Rob has a whole set of nutcrackers.  The tree this year is about 2 ft high, ceramic with fiber-optic lights.  I like it a lot.  Since Andrea will be with her big sister Heather ~ there will be just the two of us to decorate for this year.  I hope to get some pictures for posting this year. 

 

Tomorrow is December 1st and we begin the Season of Advent.  When I was young, my mother would always purchase an Advent calendar at the Lutheran or Presbyterian church.  Each night we would open a tiny door revealing a scripture.  Mom would open the Bible while I sat as close to her as possible and read that verse.  It's hard to find those calendars today.  Most of them are filled with chocolate or cartoon characters.  Times have changed a lot.  It's nearly a crime to say Merry Christmas now.  Back then we just all greetedeach other with our respective holiday.  Happy Hanukkah, Lori, Merry Christmas, Krissy, it wasn't a matter of offending one another, it was a matter of sharing each other's joy.

 

So this weekend, I hope to share your joy for the month of December.  I celebrate Christmas in December as the birth of Jesus.  How and/or what do you celebrate?  I'd love to hear from you.  Blessings to you all,

               

 

 

 

Tags: Blogplugs, Back pain, Mailing overseas, USPS.com, whoo celebrates

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Prayers Needed

     

 This is a very serious entry for me to make. Our John and Krissy are in need of prayer. Most of you who know them, are aware of their 2-year struggle with cancer, bone marrow transplant and more.

John is in the hospital once again. Currently they are at the local hospital instead of Hershey. He is not stable enough to move right now. John's fever has jumped from 102.6 to 103 and is vacilating between 103 and 104. He has some sort of infection and is neutropenic, which means his body can't fight back. He is in a special room at the hospital. It has two doors - in the outer area, Krissy must wash up and gown up so she won't pass any germs to him. Staff, doctors, etc., must also go through the same processes.

GOOD NEWS!! As I have been writing this, John's fever has dropped! Krissy called to let me know. This does not mean that John is out of the woods. Right now, they are giving a general antibiotic. The type of infection has to be identified (1-3 days) and the proper antibiotic given.

Please keep John and Krissy in your prayers until thiscrisis is over. If you don't pray . . . will you make an exception and do this for our friends. Your prayers mean the world to them.

Blessings and thank you.

Tags: Prayer needed, John, Krissy, fevers, infection, Neutropenia, good news, keep praying

Thanks to Sugar for this lovely graphic

This is the day!! Time to give Thanks to the Lord for all we have today and all we have had ~ who knows what joy we'll have after today.

I am thankful for my mom who raised 4 girls by herself. Mom taught me how to live confidently, respectfully and Christian.

I am thankful for my sisters ~ Sylvia, Charlotte and Sharon ~ I learned a lot about life from them.

I have some friends (2 or 3) that have lasted the test of time ~ I am grateful for them.  Also in the last 3 + years, I have made friends here in J-Land. There are some I share with more deeply than others ~ they know who they are :) Funny how we can be so close when some are way way east of me. But I love them and am thankful for them.

We have some pets that we love so much that it can't be explained except by other pet owners. My little black Pommie (I named her Precious ~ Rob calls her Pee-Wee) is with me everywhere. I feel better when she is next to me.

I am grateful that I am alive in this day and age. I've seen so many changes since my childhood. I can't name them all but here are 2: We were the first in our neighborhood to have a television set. I thought that the people lived in there and that when we opened the doors and turned the set on they would come back in the same place they were when the set was turned off :) #2 ~ Sputnick Such advances in the span of 59 years. I'm so grateful to see it all.

And at the end of day when all is said and done.

My thanks go to God who sent His only Son

to save us and set us free.

I love and pray for you all and ask His blessings upon you. Even on those days that I am not online.

 

Tags: blogplugs, thanks to the Lord, Mother, Sisters, Friends, J-Land, Pets, Precious, this day and time, changes, 1954 television, Sputnik,

Thanksgiving ALREADY?

I've not been here in a while . . . for multiple boring reasons I need not share. I've missed a lot in the last 5 to 6 weeks. I missed Columbus Day. No big deal, but it is always fun for me to look up some obscure information to share along with, of course, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.

Then I missed Veteran's Day, for heaven's sake! I'm married to a Veteran. It is these times I like to write up what a wonderful job our Veterans have done and ask others to support and thank each and every one of them for their sacrifice.

I don't do Halloween, so I didn't miss that.  However I do love autumn (even though we don't see it much here in SoCal) and snagged quite a few neat graphics.

Isn't this one heartwarming? Reminds me of way back then when someone else's family was getting all the fun and a bonfire to boot! My son lives where there is winter, spring, summer and fall. I'm a bit jealous of him, really. He gets to see all the changes throughout the year.I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and I'd like to share some of that with you here. It's been a very stress-filled year fraught with illnesses and both big and small problems. That's the way it is. So here is my personal gratitude list :

We have a God who loves so much, that He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us.

1. I have finally begun to lose weight - 45 lbs so far

2.  I have seen how deep the love of family is . . . even when things are extreme . . . also the love of a friend is sweet when I need to talk and so precious when that friend is a trusted Internet buddy (you know who you are) that you have never met.

3.  The basic stuff is so important - there are a lot of people who have not even the least of these.  We have a roof over our heads, too much food in the 'fridge, hot water to wash our bodies and the dishes and we have a goodly amount clothing. We are comfortable here.  I can't tell you how grateful I am for all of this.  There have been time when some of this has been absent.

4.  I am grateful for my wonderful husband.  The Lord sent him to me had been widowed for over 3 years.  He takes care of me when I am ill or hurting, and cleans up when I am unable.

I'll  tell you more things I am thankful for in the next entry.   In the meantime, it would be so cool if you woul d write your list and let me know either in the comments, in  your journal, or in an e-mail..

I love you all and wish you all the Lord's blessings, 

                                                   

                                   

Tags: blogplugs, missing, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, God, Thankful list,

Breast Cancer, Respect Life & Where have I been?

  Thought I would start here for today.   My Auntie Merrie died of breast cancer 33 years ago next month.  There were not the advances then . . . I think radiation was the only course of treatment then.  She had a radical bi-lateral mastectomy 6 years before her cancer returned on its path of destruction. After the 2nd diagnosis, she lived only 3 months. 

This is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  We can help the research.  Information is on the website.  Just go to my side bar and click on the pink button to help fund mammograms for women who can't afford them.  I've had that site on my tool bar for about 3 years.  Go there.  Click.  Look in the store.  Buy something and help more.  Go on . . . you need to do this.

             

Today is also Respect Life Sunday.  I have been reading journals and their comments.  I have also commented.  My precious grand-daughter was born at 32 weeks gestation.  She had to be in the NICU ~ the doctors told us she would be there for months and that she might die in the next two days because her little lungs were too weak.  She came home in 12 days.  She's 22 years old now.  Should my daughter have aborted her?  She was just 17 years old - so very young!  I was young when I had my first son - 16 years old.  I didn't abort or keep him. I have the privilege of knowing him and his family.  We would have lost so much if we had scraped them away.  Enough said. 

              Okay now about why I've been gone so long.  No details needed except to say that I have been sick.  Not the best way to lose weight, but for now I'll live with it.  Truly I could not believe that it had been over a month since I had been to my journal and that was a meme.  I sometimes like doing them, but feel I have cheated in a way.

The house is still standing, the crisis has been put on the back burner for now and I'm 46 lbs less than I was in May.  We are thinking about moving somewhere not so costly to live.  We just don't want to live in a dust bowl.   Rents here take a great deal of our disability incomes.  There are some very beautiful places where we could make house payments that would be less than our rent.   I have read journals in the past month, but rarely comment.  I haven't been to great at comments anyway. 

I'm not making any promises about when I will write again.  I have good intentions, but get sidelined.  I love being a part of J-Land.  It's like home for me.  No matter where I go, I can open up the laptop and be "home" again.   Many blessings to you all . . .                  

                      

 

Tags: Breast Cancer Awareness, Respect Life Sunday, where have I been?,

Labor Day - and LOL Scattergories

   

 

          

     Remembering our nation's workers on Labor Day

 

I got this next from Donna's journal this morning while looking for graphics.  Donna got it from Marina's journal (private). I had a lot of fun doing it.  I hope you jump in on this day that we celebrate our American workers and Unions.

 

       

scattergories

          

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial.

You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

 

What is your name?  Penny

4 letter word: Putz

Vehicle: Plymouth (I know . . . shows my age, huh?)

TV Show: Paid programming (hate them)

City: Pasadena

Boy Name: Percy

Girl Name: Priscilla

Drink: * \ *Pop* / *

Occupation: Public Relations 

Something you wear: Purple unmentionables
Celebrity: Patsy Cline (on my cell- "Crazy . . .")

Food:  Plums oooh yummy

Found in a bathroom: Perfume 

Reason for Being Late:  Poor planning - I hate when that happens!

Cartoon Character: Pooh-Bear

Something You Shout: PUh-LEEZE!!!

 

Leave a link if you decide to put this in your journal.

 

It would be great if you also sent the link to Donna. 

 

   

Tags: Labor Day, Silly, Donna, Scattergories

Are you ready for this?

Good Sunday to all of you.  Most of you know that I'm a jump up and down, raise hands in the air, Bible-thumpin' holy roller.  No - I won't thump that Bible so hard - that I end up trying to shove it down your throat.  Holy roller is just what I am. If your worship is not the same or you are offended easily by people like me, read on at your own risk.  I make no excuses.  My God is the one for me.       

 

                     

I was reading a devotional this morning that really touched my heart and brought back some wonderful memories.  Even for some Christians, this may not be something liked or believed in.  I was the same way for many years.  I was brought up Christian, made my personal decision for him when I was 13.  My church was mainly Presbyterian with Lutheran generously sprinkled in.  Years passed & something in me changed.  This great change for me was this . . . are you ready?

             The baptism of the holy spirit

First let me tell you - if you accept Christ, right then you receive the Spirit of God in you.  The devotional uses Ezekiel 36:26, 27 as an early example of this.  Basically it says he will give you a new heart and spirit in you and you will walk His way and live by His statutes.  It was a promise to the Jews back then and to all of us now.  This in 1Cor 5:17 where the word says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."   

Look at Acts 1:4,5.  Take time to read the whole chapter.   At that time, Jesus tells the disciples they will soon be baptized not in water, but fire.  It's wonderful!  I have known that promise and that is why I am writing this today.  I would like to share my memory of that day.

While reading,the devotional the Lord brought to my mind the day I received the Holy Spirit.  I had been so resistant . . . my old church? "others" out there who told me how stupid it was . . . too Holy Roller!  In the end it wasn't any of that.  It was the fear of what would be required of me . . . I was so close.  It was a Saturday afternoon, the fourth day of camp meeting.  I was in the parking lot  talking to Brother Robert, and he said to me . . . "you're not using the gift the Lord has given you!"  he placed his hand on my stomach, the other hand on my forehead.  Oh what a feeling!  Something rolled through me and I began to groan and speak words I did not know.  What power and joy overcame me!  I can not speak or write words sufficient to share the feeling.  Others saw it in me and gave thanks.

It wasn't the way I thought it would happen for me, in the church with people surrounding me in prayer.  I was in a parking lot speaking with an itinerant preacher and evangelist touching me gently and without another word . . . he let me find what was probably buried within me for many years . . . the Holy Spirit bubbled up from deep within me to set me free and give me the power He meant for me. 

Lord, as your Spirit comes from within me today, let me be all you want me to be for you.  Allow me to represent you by offering Jesus to all I meet, that they might feel your Spirit welling up from their very souls. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord  In Jesus' name I pray   Amen

               
                             

 

Tags: Bible thumpin' holy roller, read at your own risk, Christian, Presbyterian, Lutheran, baptism of the Holy Spirit

Rants, Needs and Thanks

                   

This is a mild rant.  Just some short things that bug me:

   Bathroom sign meaning it has handicapped facilities.  Why then is the handicap stall way at the end?  If I am pushing my walker it's a long way.

 Some days I am able to walk and when I can, I do.  Guy with a cane starts bi***ing at me telling me I should have saved that space for people who were really handicapped.  What?

AOL Well, you probably know.   It didn't let me put graphics last night.  So I wrote an entry anyway.  AOL sent it into the hinterlands.  I got angry and went to bed.

That's it for today.  If I have to think more than 15 seconds, there are no more rants.

          

I do need help with something . . . to save my computer, it had to be reformatted.  Brought it back to the original . . . as it was when we took it out of the box.  I could not find discs to pull off my graphics so . . . can you help?  I need graphics!  Do you know how hard it is for me to journal without graphics?  UGH!  Can you send some?  I would appreciate it.  I'm heading over to Sugar's  to snag some.  I even lost my precious taggies.  OK ~ enough.

Our huge family crisis has been downsized to from hurricane 5 to a stong tropical storm!  We feel like we can breathe now.  Still there, but God is on our side.  We still need prayer, however.  I want to thank those who have commented or sent an e-mail to let me know they will pray.

This is going to be a wonderful day!  Yesterday I adopted a kitty.  She's about 1 1/2 yrs old, tortise shell color and seems to ignore the birds.  I love her.  Pictures later. 

Guys you can't possibly know how much I appreciate and love you all.  I pray your needs and some of your wants are met.  Blessings,

            

Tags: Rants, Disabled, AOL, Help, Graphics, Thanks, Kitty, Prayers

Pumpkins Meme

      

                Special thanks to Donna - I borrowed this tag from her

I got this from Joann's Journal who found it on Donna's Journal and came from Dawn's Journal, linked below.

Pumpkin made a meme of her own and made me promise to put in my journal. 

She would also be very excited if some of you do it, too.  It is only 10 questions.

Here goes:

1   What's your favorite movie???

My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn

2    What's your favorite color???

RED!!!!  :)

3    What's your favorite ice cream flavor???

Caramel swirl with Butterscotch topping . . . mmmmmmmmmmm!

4    Where do you want to go on vacation??

On a tour of the 13 original states ( Betsy Ross, anyone?)

5    What's your favorite animal???

Spider Monkey - my grandmother had one when I was about 9 years old.  He was very cute.   

6    What's your favorite T.V. show???

The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel and all animal shows 

7    What's your fav. drink???

Diet Coke, Caffeine Free -- Water and Gatorade

8    What's your favorite flower???

Snap-dragons - have you ever pinched one to see its mouth open?

9    What's your favorite pet???

Currently my 4 doggies (Precious is my special Pomeranian)

10   What's your favorite book???

The Bible and one called Katie the Kitten that I had in my childhood.

I pray that many more of you will answer this beautiful little girl's meme.  I'd love to know if you have, but send your links to Pumpkin please, at her mom's journal, Carpe Diem.  Go on now!  What are you waiting for?  I'm finished here.                             

Tags: Pumpkins Meme, Joannes Weight Loss Journal, This, That and Hockey, Carpe Diem

Another Sunny Morning

                            

Good morning my friends!  This will just be a short entry to let you know I am alive and kicking.  It's a beautiful sunny day here near the ocean in Southern California

Our lives at the moment have been turned upside down.  There is nothing we can do to change it, so we are just putting one foot in front of the other.  We pray every morning, throughout the day and before we go  to sleep.

               

Please don't think me selfish as I ask you not to ask questions about this disaster.  Simply pray for all of us, Rob, Penny and Andrea. Those prayers are like a sweet, sweet song to Him.  If you don't know how to pray, just ask the Lord to watch over us.  If your between a pillar and post and wonder if Jesus is right for you, talk to your Christian friend or neighbor or a Pastor to explain it to you.  I will pray that you will ask Him into your life.  The difference will be amazing!  Oh - and if you want to talk to me - I'm here.

Some of you will remember when there were marches spreading all over because of what Martin Luther was saying (gee, am I that old?) .  I marched for black equality, singing "We shall overcome . . ." time after time.  So this is what I want to say right now:  we are over comers!  We shall overcome this present tribulation and will have a story to tell.

I thought this was going to be a short entry . . . oops.  I have typed what came to my mind.  Now I ask a blessing for you all, straight from my heart.  In the love, joy and service of

                

 

 

Tags: Sunny So-Cal, lives upside-down, Prayer, Selfish, Prayer for us, Ask Jesus into your life, Martin Luther King, Overcomers, JESUS Name Above All Names

                                     

                                                        Thanks, Sugar for this lovely graphic

I have been chewed out by the best in J-Land for the lack of entries.  My life has been on overload for a few weeks.  I'm not going into all of it right now.  Suffice it to say we've been busy around here.

This will be a short entry, because although it is only 6 p.m. here, I am tired.  We did a lot of work this morning, went out in the afternoon and worked a bit more.  Busy day.  Maybe I'll join  these little guys and take a nice nap soon.                      

We took Andrea on her first trip to Disneyland in the first week of the month.  She loved it so!  She wanted to go on the roller coaster in California Adventure, but she couldn't talk me into it.  I don't deal with coasters anymore.  I actually stopped when I was 25 or 26.  Took the kids to Six Flags Magic Mountain.  A lot of walking there and very hot in the summer.  Water rides are on the top of the list.  We go on one that didn't look bad, rode around, got splashed then reached a place where the stoped the ride.  I had time enough to look down the long drop and said to myself, "I don't want to do this" and the ride operator said, "Too late now" and let us go.  I was sick to my stomach, had palpitations etc,.  So there!

VBS Camp started a couple of weeks ago and Bible camp starts next week.  Just time enough to get all the laundry done and go again.  I feel like I have been washing for years.

We are all feeling well if tired.  I've lost a little weight and that helps my pain level.  Also the Dr has modified my medications to help them work to my advantage.  Rob has lost a bunch of weight . . . I think he passed a bit on to Andrea. 

Well guys, I have yet to clean the kitchen and fold the clothes.  I don't mind if you pop over to remind me that I haven't posted.  I've missed you all.  Many blessings to those I love so well,

 

                                             

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Disneyland, overwhelmed, rollercoasters,

FATHER'S DAY

                              

                To all dads: 

       HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

You know what?  You men are great!  I hope and pray that you have/had a good relationship with your children, grandchildren and your fathers. 

For me . . .  well,  my father left before I was born.  The few times I wanted him to be there, he wasn't.  I never felt abandoned, though I guess we were.  I had Dearie.

My grandfather on my mom's side was the closest thing I had to a father.  He filled in where and as often as he could.  He was an engineer and an inventor.  He designed the bread machine for baking that is still in use today.  I used to look up to a picture of that machine with rows of bread in various stages of the baking process.  Rows and rows of bread wrapped around the machine - it was like conveyor belt that went around into the ovens.  I loved that picture!  My grandfather made it and I loved him so much.  I would talk about him and his machine at school when we talked about fathers.  We called him Dearie.  That's what he and his wife always called themselves.  We called my grandmother Boosie.  That's another story.  This is Father's Day.  I would like to honor him today.  His real name was William Kurtz Booth.  Dearie, I loved you then and I love you still.  We will meet again, I have no doubt.

   This is a picture of my husband Robert and daughter Andrea.   

 

                          

Rob is an amazing father!  He always told the Lord that he wanted a wife . . . and maybe a little family.   He had lost his only daughter to cancer, probably from his exposure to Agent Orange in VietNam.  He never remarried for 30 years.  When we married, we had 13 children.  I was a missionary in Mexico running a home for children.  He was an instant daddy.  He loved those kids like nothing imaginable.  We had a baby come to us at a time when we already 17 kids.  She was cute as a button, but cried - no screamed - 24/7.  I was sick when she came in so Rob or one of the older girls had to take care of her.  They brought her into the room sometimes for me to hold and soothe.   She cried.  We tried, but decided we would have to send her home or to the state child services.  Poor tired Rob!  He said, "No more babies for a while".  Then this tiny preemie came . . . he said no.  I had such deep Holy Spirit touch that I had to take her.  Rob said I would have to do all the care for her . . . she was 3 months old, but she only weighed about 3.5 to 4 lbs.  I did all the care.  Then one evening after we went to bed, Esperanza (hope) cried for a bottle and change.  I changed her and laid her on the bed, asking Rob to keep an eye on her while I made the bottle.  He told me to hurry.  By the time I got back, Rob had her in the air talking to her.  I said "What happened here?"  his answer "She smiled at me".  The man is a natural dad!  Andrea loves him so much.           Happy Father's Day, Rob.                                         

This is my son John.  He's a stay-at-home-dad.  He has many accomplishments in this life, but the most important is that he's home with his daughter Athena.  He's a great dad.  He and Athena do some pretty silly things together.  As well, he's there to see that she learns.  She's grown up right before my eyes right here on the Internet.  You know, I had not heard the term ~ stay-at-home dad.  I couldn't be prouder of him .   Happy Father's Day, John.

My son Robert lives in North Carolina with his blended family.  I won't go into the who's who, but there 5 great kids in his home.  Well, I will tell a little . . . he has 2 step kids and 1 son from a previous relationship.  He has 1 stepson and 1 daughter now with Michelle.  He's a great dad.  Happy Father's Day, Robert

My new son-in-law Jason has come into a family of 3 girls and 2 boys.  I know he is up to the challenge.  Two of the girls no longer live at home, so he's got a little less stress.  He knew them all for a number of years before he and Heather married.  But once you marry . . . well, it's just different.  He's a loving man and likes to be with the boys.  Happy Father's Day, Jason.

What I want to say is this:  if you have a dad in your life, let him know how much you love him!   If you don't know your father or he left the family or he passed away, you still have a Father who loves you unconditionally.  He will listen to your every gripe, to your anger or sadness.  His ears are open for your cry for help or forgiveness.  He created you.  When you are weak, He is strong.  His arms are open to receive you.  He doesn't care who you are or what you've ever done.  He is now my only Father.  He was always there, but after Dearie died I needed Him more than ever.  When my late husband died, my Father stepped in to comfort me and give me strength.  Sometimes Iwould feel like I was resting in His arms and it was peaceful.

If you don't know my Father, I invite you now to know him.  I'm here.  Others who know Him are near to you.  Talk to them.  Don't spend another Father's Day alone. 

         

                              

              

Tags: Father's Day, fathers, sons, my Father, invitation

Just Blathering

              

             

Again I have made no post this month!  I think part of it is laziness and the rest pain.  All I type has been two finger chicken plucking!  Today I have two fingers on each hand.  Praise the Lord!

Our plan today is to drop 25 bags of clothing at different charity organizations.  While we were yet in Mexico, Hank collected clothing, shoes and other items we could use.  When Jon and Arlene came to take over the ministry (you remember it was time for us to retire), Hank continued to collect items for them.  For about the last year or year and a half, the border officials have not allowed any used items to pass.  Hank had a hard time saying no to donations and we want to give them to the places that will see that there is help for our homeless.

Then I have an appointment with physical therapy.  This will be a long and busy day for me . . . and I can't help with the unloading  :(    I also am having a pretty good day.  I am up, fasting until 4:00 and am looking outside at one of the most beautiful days we've had in quite a while.  Everything is clear, the sun is bright, birds are singing and there is a very slight breeze.

                   

Had to leave before I could finish this.  Catholic Charities took all 25 bags.  We went to the store to buy "3" things . . . had to race back to put the cold and frozen stuff away.  Then we jumped on to the freeway, got off to get gas, back on the freeway to get off nearer to the physical therapy.  Rob waited in the car while the therapist tortured me (she really did!).  We went thru the carwash and came home.

Andrea came home today with her first ever year book!  Of course her school picture was in there, but she was in several of the on-campus pictures as well.  I am very happy for her to have that book of memories.

Well folks, that's my "blather" for today.  You are all in my heart and in my prayers. 

               

                       Thanks to Missie of Missie's Magical Creations for this tag

Tags: laziness, pain, fasting, donations, Catholic Charities, shopping, Physical Therapy, Andrea, yearbook

MEMORIAL DAY

Okay, okay!  I haven't posted since Mother's Day.  That's what I planned for this morning.  I've had some rough days if you must know . . .

You're right, today is the day we celebrate Memorial Day: 

General John A. Logan Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. © 1994 - 2007 David Merchant
Updated 28 April 2007

There are a lot more stories and information on the site, including the claim that it was originally called Decoration Day.  The women of the south would go on this day to lay flowers on the graves of those who died in the Civil War. You can go to this site to learn more.  I found it very interesting.

Memorial Day to me is not a day for picnics, getting drunk or for going 400 miles away from home only to race back Monday night to make work on Tuesday.  Yes, we all enjoy the days off, and picnics and trips happen, but what happens to the true explanation of the day?  For the most part it is forgotten and our children, grandchildren don't understand at all . . .

Every ounce of freedom that we have can be laid on the grave of a man or woman who gave life so that our country could be free.  It's hard to understand that just a few steps away, over the border from the US to Mexico there is a vast difference.  I lived in Mexico for 15 years.  Little by little I got used to their culture and little by little, I forgot the freedoms that we have as US citizens have.  When election time came around, I began to understand that in Mexico there is no real freedom of speech.  Christians are persecuted (especially those who went there to preach or teach the Gospel)  When I came home, I began to see what I had forgotten.  Some loud and brassy woman at the store began to tell the checker what to do politically.  In an insistent voice.  I was unhappy with the dialogue, not because she was right or wrong, but because she slowed the line down a lot.  In the car, I was so happy!  If you did that against one of their politicians, you'd be shot or sent to jail.  WE ARE TRULY FREE!!

There are young men and women dying now for our freedoms.  They are fighting against cruel dictators like Saddam Hussein and against terrorists who would see America and all Americans dead and gone.

Stop by a grave if you haven't already done so.  Say a prayer, write a dedication.  Do something to remind you what Memorial Day is about.  Teach your kids.  You will never regret it.

                    

This is my husband Robert.  He is a Vietnam War veteran.  He fought for our freedom, saw others die and came home from a war others despised.  This what is happening now.  Our brave military personnel are coming home from a war others despise.  Instead of counting the war dead, which we all do, let's start counting our freedoms.  Pray a blessing over those that have died in ALL wars and thank them and their families for making the ultimate sacrifice.

 

 

Tags: Memorial Day