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