What is Christmas?

I just heard this song tonight and thought I would share it with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyR0lwO-nXc

It puts Christmas into perspective....

May you be blessed.

Walking down Memory Lane

I thought I would post a link here to my other blog on the topic of paper dolls! I hope you will take a look and share your favorite childhood activity.

Blessings ~ J-ME

Voting - our right, our freedom

I am thankful that we have the right to vote in this country. We have had many freedoms. I wonder if because we take them for granted, we will be shocked when we begin to lose our freedom bit by bit.

Despite the thankfulness, I will be glad when tomorrow is over.... over the past few elections, I have not had complete trust and faith in any of the candidates. I know who I will vote for this time, even though I may not agree with all he represents. I will vote for what is right morally. How can I vote for someone who does not value human life? I don't understand how he can claim to be a Christian. How can I vote for someone who has attended and supported a racist church? Oh, yes, he has great speeches and great ideas, but that scares me. I see how easy it will be when the Antichrist comes and how people will be taken in by what sounds good rather than what is good and right.

I believe wholeheartedly that God is in control and that gives me peace. I know that He already knows who will be our next president. I also know that as God sent famines and other difficult times to the Israelites when they turned from Him. America is not exempt from chastisement. Perhaps this will be our time of "famine". I hope not. We already see spiritual famine throughout our land as morals drop lower and lower.... how far will we allow them to go?

One thing I just need to vent about as it has been going through my mind over and over. I hate how the media and many in our nation have been pointing fingers and blaming President Bush for all our economic woes..... have they forgotten September 11, 2001? Was that Bush's fault? Hardly. Our economy took a nosedive as a result of that dreadful day. And then in 2004, there was a change in Congress, so how can all the fault be laid at Bush's feet??

I have other thoughts that bother me: who is really funding one of our candidates? is there a connection between the events of 9-11 and contributions now? could it have been a ploy to make America more dependent upon foreign countries and products - forcing even more of our jobs overseas and causing Americans to lose jobs and become poorer (so they will be attracted to the Marxist theology that is being offered)?

Hmmmmmm...... just musing ......

Missing you!

I have missed my blogging friends, but there aren't enough hours in the day, or else not enough energy. I have thought of you often, but haven't made it past my email inbox to either write or go check on blogs. So though I have nothing specific to share with you tonight, I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am thinking of you! I am having a great time teaching and working with my special student from Thailand. He is making such good progress and is a joy to work with.

Although the leaves have mostly turned and fallen to the ground now in my area, I will share with you one of my favorite photos that I took this year. The colors were most magnificant early on. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you to Sharon for sharing this award with me.

I would like to pass it on to some other special friends: Lori, Ginny, and Jennifer.

And for a bit of fun..... What are you?? I am Mayonnaise!!! LOL! I found this at Deby's site:

You Are Mayonnaise

You tend to be a very quiet, introverted person. You're happy to sit back and let stronger personalities shine. You value loyalty and harmony. You try to bring people together. Your taste in food leans toward simple comfort foods. You love holiday meals as well as old school favorites like mac and cheese. You get along with mustard and ketchup personalities. You have an unlikely alliance with hot sauce personalities.

What Condiment Are You?

Change of Plans

How plans can change when you least expect!! A couple weeks ago, I was basking in the idea of time off. Even thogh school had begun and teachers were returning to work, I had nothing on my calendar other than one day of subbing last Tuesday. God had other plans! On Wed. I had a meeting about a possible position, and on Thursday I started in as a full-time one-on-one aide for a student who is new to the country and to the English language. What an interesting, challenging, and fun opportunity! I am thankful for the flexibility God has given me and the strength He gives day by day. My prayer is for wisdom and to know how best meet the needs of this sweet child.

Who Am I?

I have liked this song since the first day I heard it, and I just saw an incredible video at YouTube. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thankful Thursday

It's still Thursday, so I thought I would join in with Iris at Sting My Heart, and others. I so appreciated her verse on seasons. We are entering the autumn season here in the northeast with trees turning color early this year. Fall seems more like the beginning of a new year more so than January. I guess that comes form being a teacher and homeschooling. But I find myself in a new season, one I didn't know about ~ that of being an empty-nester SAHM with a husband too young for retirement! He's still a "workaholic", still so busy and often gone for meetings with one of his two jobs. Often I find myself alone. Generally I don't mind, but other times...... anyway, this is a thankful post, so what am I thankful for?
* God, who saved me and shows me grace and mercy
* my husband who works so hard
* having eyes to read with, ears to hear music, a tongue to taste all the wonderful tastes there are
* having the opportunity to work one on one with a student who needs help learning English
* my son, my one and only special gift from God, and his wife of nearly 2 years
* all the blessings we have that I take for granted

*for having music on my blog again - yea!!!

I know there are so many other things I could write, but since it is late and I am now back to teaching (unexpectedly - to me, not to God!), I need to end for now.

summer's end

Teachers have returned to school; tomorrow will be the first day for students. The beginning of sschool symbolizes the end of summer, yet we are just now getting some good summer weather! I am glad I am just a substitute teacher. I am not ready to return to school. I am trying to go off an anti-depressant.... I'm not sure if it was working as it should have; I'm not sure if I should go off it now....

There is so much to do - not just things that should be done like the normal household chores, but fun things - crafting things, yet I sit or read or do nothing. I have much I want to do, but the motivation isn't there.... I can just sit and look at life around me - the trees, flowers, birds, etc. Why? I don't know. Why am I even writing this?? Who cares? I guess that is why I have been so quiet here. I don't have much to share, or if I do, I don't have the follow through to do it. I haven't got any great words of wisdom or encouragement or comfort. I haven't got any deep thoughts to share.... OK, I will share this:

I have been reading Ezekiel as I try to continue reading through the Bible this year. I have been reading a lot of fiction about the Amish. I think I am drawn to the quiet, peaceful, non-materialistic, simplictic lives they lead. Two books I have recently finished are Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray and Anathema by Colleen Coble. They both dealt with domestic abuse (not within the Amish families) too. I went shopping with a friend yesterday and we found some wonderful buys on flowers. I bought over $80-90 worth of flowers & 2 shrubs for $16.00!! Now I have some color on my front steps. On the way home we stopped to take pictures of flowers that look so pretty. Does anyone know what these are?

8/27 - Thank you Sarah for letting me know the name of these flowers..... Cleome or Spider Flower. Yeah! I'm so happy to know!!!!

God's Gifts

I never fail to be amazed at God's creation. My backyard is my sanctuary. I love to see the flowers, watch the backyard visitors, hear the birds,and watch the raspberries ripen. They are all gifts. Unfortunately we have been invaded by a pest that I am growing tired of - Japanese Beetles! It seems I spend much time picking them off the raspberry leaves and from the leaves of a tree in front of our house. The blessing from these pests came the other morning as I saw a dragonfly on a raspberry branch. It was sitting there with it's wings spread. I didn't expect it to still be there after I ran to get the camera, but it was! A gift! I thought I would share it with you. Gifts are best when shared, aren't they?

It's it beautiful? I've never seen one that stayed in one place for so long. So, in spite of the trials (bugs eating my leaves), there was a blessing. I had to take the time to be still, to slow down, and see the gift. I hope you enjoy the photos. God's blessings to you~

"Friendship is a Sheltering Tree" part 2

I decided to share with you the devotional I gave at the secret pal gathering yesterday.

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree

"Flowers are lovely; love is flower-like, friendship is a sheltering tree."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834

I have a tree in my back yard that reminds me of this quote . Though it is not very big, there is something about it's shape that looks so inviting. I thought this quote would be a good topic for our secret pal devotional. I decided to begin by looking up definitions of the words.

Friendship - a relationship between two friends. ** Don’t you hate it when you look up a definition and it uses a word that you have to look up and then that one uses another word and it goes on and on??!! OK, so, what’s a friend? **

**Friend – a supporter, a confidante, a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

One can be a friend to another, but in order to have a friendship, there must be reciprocation. Each one must be a friend to the other. It takes two in order for friendship to exist.

Shelter - to shelter means to cover, to protect from danger, to give security, to defend

Tree – a tree gives shade and protection; it is larger than a bush or shrubs. It is sturdy and strong. It can usually withstand storms and winds.

As I looked at these definitions, I can understand why Coleridge said that friendship is a sheltering tree. A true friendship is one in which each person attempts to be a secure, safe place of refuge for the other, a place of rest and relaxation, one that will remain throughout the storms of life.

In 1 Sam. 20, we have a good example of friendship with Jonathan and David. Although Jonathan would be the likely one to succeed King Saul, he knew that God’s choice was David. Jonathan did all he could to warn and protect David when Saul tried to kill him. They made a vow to each other and David promised to take care of Jonathan and his family/descendants. They were true friends.

As I thought about friendship, I could see that it is a picture of what God desires with us. He is our sheltering tree. He is our protection, our refuge, our security and our defender. David speaks of the shelter he has in God.
Ps 61:3 - For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
Ps 61:4 - I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
Ps 143:9 - Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.
Joel 3:16 - … the Lord will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.

God is our perfect friend. He is loving and giving. He knows us well, accepts us, and loves us. He has given His best and sacrificed for us. …. But we are His friends?

Is it even possible to be a friend and have friendship with the almighty God? It’s hard to get a grasp of His greatness, all his “omni’s” (omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresent) and think about Him wanting us for His friends. But according to Scripture, we can be called His friends.
James 2:23 - And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.

Jesus said in John 15:14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you..

Through Christ, we can have a friendship with Almighty GOD. We can communicate with Him, listen to Him, read His word, share our joys and sorrows, & trust in His care and comfort. Because of His great power, God may not “need” or rely on us, but He can and does use us to be His hands, feet, eyes, ears & mouth to help accomplish His will. When we obey Him, we show that we are friends with God.

So the next time you take the time to sit and relax under a nice shade tree, remember that friendship with God is the best sheltering tree that we could ask for.

©July 1, 2008 J-ME

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree

Today we had a secret pal reveal at my house. For the past 6 months, some of the ladies at church have been secret pals to others. It is a fun way to remember and to get to know others. I decided to do a devotional for it.

Since I have a particular tree out back that I really like the shape of, even though it's not very big yet, it always makes me think of the quote, "Friendship is a sheltering tree" by Samuel Coleridge. Anyway, that quote kept coming to mind, so that is what I did the devotion on. It turned out to be not so much about friendships among women, but how God is the ultimate friend, and our friendship with Him is the best sheltering tree we could have.

Is He your "sheltering tree"?

No musings lately

Roses from my hubby on Mother's Day....
Hi! Have you missed me?
As you can tell, I haven't been musing much lately. I haven't been doing much of anything lately except for substitute teaching long term in 1st grade and existing! I had some crazy idea that 1st grade would be easier than 4th grade! LOL! What was I thinking???!! I spend 10-12 hrs. at school and come home exhausted. Now I am dealing with illness as we have one week to go, thankfully. This past week was difficult with being sick.

I am so looking forward to the time to take my coffee and Bible and go sit on my back porch and watch the flowers grow and listen to birds sing, or sit on my swing and listen to the music of water running in the "pond" my hubby made me.


I just wanted to check in since it has been so long. I'm not sure anyone has noticed, but hello anyway!!

Friendship

Thanks to my friend, Lori, for this "Circle of Friends" award. It's nice to have friends that we can get together with personally, to chat with, shop with, have coffee with, etc., but I have found that my internet friends are very special too. Sometimes I am able to share more with them than I can with people I see day to day or weekly. Some of my best friends are internet friends. Not all of them have blogs, so I can't pass this on to them, but some of the ones I do think of are:
Jennifer, who makes me laugh with the way she has with words!
Ginny, who has been part of my circle of internet friends for a long time, and whom I have been blessed to meet twice!
Deby, who has also been a long time friend and has given me encouragement over the years.
Thanks to each of you for your friendship.

Shoes, personality, and reality

I was visiting some favorite blogs tonight and found a cute quiz at Deby's. "What kind of shoe are you?" I like looking at shoes, but have a hard time finding them to fit now. I remember in high school, I had 26 pairs! When I would get depressed, I would go buy shoes.... hmmmm, I think I needed something else in my life - Jesus! But anyway, I took the quiz and here's what I am (supposedly. My comments are in color)

You Are Flip Flops

You are laid back and very friendly. (hmmm. laid back,true, but shy at first - then friendly!) Cheery and sunny in disposition, you usually have something to smile about. (I'd like to be more like that) Style is important to you, as long as you can stay casual. (casual - right on! I'm just a country girl!) It takes a lot to get you to dress up! You are a loyal and true person, though you can be a bit of a flake. (who, me??? a flake? No way!!! LOL) You tend to "play hooky" and blow off responsibilities a lot more than most people. (really?? well, maybe.... I sure would rather read than do housework...) You should live: By the beach (absolutely!!!, but I don't) You should work: At a casual up and coming company (hmmm. I wonder what that might be?? I'm happy being at home, being a substitute teacher and Bible study leader)

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Finding Spring

It has been awhile since I have been on blogland, partly due to being away on vacation. When we left, there was still snow on the ground - lots of it. How nice to return to no snow!

We traveled to DC for 3 days and then spent 3 days in York, PA. It was so beautiful - flowering trees and flowers, warm weather (in PA), and time to explore. God's creation is so marvelous. I just had to share the tulips and pansies in DC.

Spring finds us here in the Northeast, too. Crocuses at my son and daughter-in-law's home.

Where did all the aprons go?

I hadn't given aprons much thought until I started reading about them on some blogs. It made me stop and wonder why they aren't a part of our everyday life as they were in the past... Oh, I have a couple that I wear when I remember to put them on, but I have to admit that I have more food/greased stained clothing than I should. Where have all the aprons gone? (Suddenly the song "Where have all the Flowers Gone" popped into my mind with "aprons" replacing "flowers"!!!)

I suppose we can look to the feminist movement who wanted to make women look, act, and be more like men. Sadly, that meant the apron had to go. Then with the introduction of fast-food and pre-made cookies and pies, there was no need to protect clothing from flour spills and other "from scratch" items. A friend of mine recently forwarded the following to our email group. I don't know where it started, who wrote it, etc., but it was too good not to share. If you know of the author, please let me know. (9/8/08 I have seen this posted at Shipwrecked in South Carolina's blog, so perhaps he is the author.)


> Both of my grandmothers wore aprons a lot. I remember them doing some of these very things with them (right cuz's?). Good memories don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears .

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Send this to those who would know, and love the story about Grandma's aprons. <


How sad that many have lost the service, protection, comfort, usefulness, and welcoming nature of a simple apron. I so enjoy finding blogs of those who still carry on the cheer of apron wearing. So.... apron wearers unite! I would love to know who you are and to visit your blogs. I am so inspired by all of you!

Moments with God

The other day I was scanning through a book and some thoughts came to mind about friendship. Have you ever had a friendship just up and end? That happened to me about 8 years ago. I didn't understand then and there are many times since then, that I have lamented over it and still been hurt at the rejection. God's still, small voice spoke to me once again, as it has in the past, "There was a reason, my child. You were too dependent on your friend. You were in a relationship that focused on the negatives. You weren't growing. I had to remove her from your life so you would return to Me." Well, of course I didn't hear those words audibly, but the message was clear.

My lesson not learned, I soon found myself lamenting over another issue, another "loss" in my life, and the years I spent yearning after something I didn't have (more than one child), I said to myself, "I always believed God would give me another child and He didn't." Almost immediately, I "heard" that chiding voice again, "Yes, I did." Then he brought to mind a lovely young woman whom He had brought into my life years ago when she was a teen, and has kept in my life. I'm her "Mumdie". She has given me a glimpse of what it would have been like to have a daughter.

Since then, I have gained a daughter-in-law, and there are the children who have passed my way through Sunday school and through substitute teaching - children whom I can reach out to with an encouraging word or a listening ear. Although they aren't my own, I can reach out with Jesus' love.

We may not understand God's ways, but I know His ways are right. Psalms 145:17

Art Y Pico (Art & More) Award

A couple weeks ago, I thought, "I see so many awards going around in blog land. I sure would like one." LOL! poor me having a little pity party. How dumb! Since then I have been blessed with 2 awards! I was certainly surprised when I read that my friend Char has passed the following award on to me. The Art Y Pico Award.
Oh my, I don't think of this blog as being artistic or creative, but I am thrilled that she finds insiration here, and I do love crafts (see my other blog!). I had a lot of fun visiting other bloggers' sites who have been awarded the Art Y Pico Award, also.
There are 5 rules attached to this and they are:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/
5) To show these rules.

So, I started thinking of who I could pass this award onto. It needs to go to blogs that focus on creativity ... hmmmm...

1. Delfí - I have visited this blog since I began personal blogging. It was one that I found when I clicked on "next blog". Although I have been puzzled by the language, the photographs are stunning. Please go see them.
2. Barbara - I'm not sure how I found this blog, but I enjoy her stitchery and family photos.
3. Lori - a fellow stamper who has lots of good ideas.
4.Ginny - a crafter through and through, even in midst of trials.
5. Lisa - who somehow finds the time to make beautiful cards!

Thank you all for inspiring me.

Musings on Deuteronomy

The other morning as I read Deut. 26-29, I cringed when I thought about all the things Moses warned would happen if the people turned away from God. Yet, we know they did, and they suffered just what Moses told them God said would happen. It’s easy to think - oh, how could they have turned from God when Moses was giving them God’s word personally. But….we too have God’s Word given to us personally, and how many times do we turn away. Deut 29:18, 19 really hit me: “Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn statement blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of the moist and dry alike.”

How many times have I walked in the stubbornness of my heart thinking I will be OK. But the rest tells me that my own actions do not affect just me, they affect others as well. That made me stop and ponder this section.

Verse 29 made so much more sense to me now. I don’t know if I ever really understood it before…. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Granted, we are not “under” the Law, but we are to obey Christ’s commands. We are to teach them to our children, to share them with others. We may not understand why certain things happen in our lives - those are secret, only God knows - but He has revealed to us many other things. Are we using them? Teaching them? Sharing them? Living them?
This was my “aha” moment a few days ago.

Blessed by an Award

I was so blessed today to receive a "good neighbor" award from Lori. Please go to her blog to read all about Mr. Rogers and the award. As I read, it brought back good memories of when I used to watch it with my son when he was little.

To all who have been faithful in reading my blog, if you have not yet received the "Good Neighbor" award, I pass it on to YOU with many thanks for supporting me in my new blogging endeavor.

Great Things He Has Done

God has done great things for us. Stop for a moment and think...... what has He done for you? Of course as we approach Resurrection Sunday, I think of the Cross. Jesus died on a cross in my place. All my sin was put onto Him there.

To be honest, I have always had a difficult time reading about the events that took place and that happened to Him after He was arrested. I never could bring myself to really read it and dwell on it. Sadly, I would skim over it. How can I read what He endured in order that I might be set free? When I saw "The Passion of The Christ", I had to look away many times. How could I watch what my sin cost Him? Although seeing, hearing, knowing is difficult, it can not come close to what He went through for me. Why did He do it?

LOVE. Love for me and love for you. Though it is still hard for me to read and hear those words of that crucifixion day, I know why they are necessary. And joyously, I know that the story doesn't end there. As "The Passion of the Christ" ended, it made me feel so sad and dejected. Although the film did portray the empty tomb, I felt like more of the story needed to be told. I wanted to jump up and shout, "That's not the end! The best part wasn't told. Jesus isn't dead! He's Alive! He lives!"

So as we approach this wonderful Resurrection Sunday, I am reminded of the great things God has done for me.
He has given me the greatest gift of all - salvation - through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
He has given me the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
He has given me His Word, and not only one Bible, but many!
He has given me a husband, a son and a daughter-in-law, and a "daughter by love" & her husband.
He has given me a home and extended family.
He has given me the ability to teach, even when I have doubts.
He gives me strength for each day.
He has given me His love.
He has given me many opportunities to serve Him.
He has given me my senses that I am able to enjoy His creation.
Great things God has promised. Great things God has done. There is no way I can list them all, but my heart overflows, knowing that He loves me and is with me all the time. For that I am forever thankful.

And so, I ask again.... what has God done for you? Rejoice and be glad!
Blessings to you on this special weekend as we celebrate God's love for us.

Tagged!!

Lori tagged me! Want to know more? Check out my other blog. This is more like a scavenger hunt!

Spring Countdown

photo taken March 2, 2008

Now, does this look like a Palm Sunday should look? Perhaps that is why I can't believe that it is today, and that Resurrection Sunday is only a week away! Tonight, we are having an Easter Cantada at my church. Regardless of the weather, we can rejoice that we have a Risen Savior!

When I posted a photo of our house a few months ago, I thought we had a lot of snow. It has steadily increased, making me very happy to have a snowy winter, but I must admit, I am ready for spring. Signs of spring are in the air - birds singing, snow slowly melting, water puddles in the potholes, and slightly warmer weather.

The other day, my mom and I passed the car in the photo below. It had more snow around it then and didn't look quite so dirty; a bit more of it is showing today. I thought it was so funny to see just the front end of a car sticking out from a snowbank. It's a wonder that the snowplow never clipped it. There is a sidewalk between the street and the car, but still ....
Anyway, I thought I would share the signs of spring here in the Northeast with you.



Wishing you a wonderful day.

Life is short - what's on your list?

Something must happen around the age of 50. First of all, I find it hard to believe that I am in my 50's. When did that happen? There have been various instances in the past couple years that have made me think about the things I hope to accomplish, the books I want to read, the places I want to go, etc. Today as I was looking at Deby's Apples of Gold blog, I found a link to Chatty Housewife's blog which led me to another link!

I was quite inspired by some of the ideas. 101 things to do in 1001 days, Identify 100 things that make you happy, Reduce your worldly possessions to 100 items - whoa, that's scary. I don't know how I'd do if I tried that. I have too many sentimental items.

I am looking forward to having some time for myself again soon. I finish one long term substituting stint in 2 days. The next one begins in late April. I will have some time to reflect on these lists and see what I can come up with.

Have you ever read the book, Jacob's List? I found it inspirational, along with the songs, "Live Like You were Dying" and "When the Sand Runs Out", both of which are on the cd "Three Wooden Crosses." All of these have made me think of making a list of what I want to do.

How about you? Have you ever made a list of things you want to accomplish? Tell me about it.

Dear to my Heart

As Valentine's Day approaches, I want to share with you a ministry that is special to me. It is His Hands For Haiti .

In 2000 and 2001, I went to Haiti on mission trips. It was a life changing experience. We worked in Pignon which is in north-central Haiti. Since my first trip, I felt like I left a bit of my heart there. It's hard to explain. I haven't been able to go back again, but I am willing should the Lord open the door for me to go. Since my trips to Haiti, I learned about this ministry right here in Maine that seeks sponsors for children to help provide an education and one meal a day. Sometimes, that is the only meal a child receives. If you have seen or read news stories recently, you may know that there is a terrible food shortage in Haiti right now and food distribution is very difficult. We have so much that we take for granted....

This little boy is one of the 3 students that I sponsor. Can you believe only $80 a year provides schooling for them? I urge you to go take a look at the site. Pray for these children. I know, they are just a few of the thousands who are needy all over the world. Perhaps you are looking for a special love gift to give on Valentine's Day. What better gift to give someone, or in memory of a loved one, than the gift of education to a child who has nothing.

Ageing Gracefully

God must have a lesson for me today .... Earlier in the day, Mrs. B challenged me in her blog entry about an impromptu lunch and how important it is to be a flexible help-mate with a good attitude to my husband. Of course I knew that, but needed a gentle reminder....

As I visited some blogs this evening, I came upon a reoccurring theme - accepting myself as I am, as I age. I have to admit I have sometimes stood looking into my mirror arguing with God that I just can't be 50+; it CAN'T be; NO, it can't BE! Regardless, it is the truth. Do I feel it? Do I act it? It most likely depends upon the day, but in my mind's eye, I am not 50+!

I visited Nancy and read her post "the gift", then went to see Michelle who has some thoughts on aging at the top of her blog, and then visited Sharon who has a beautiful video/song and reflective thoughts at her site, "The Real Me." I think I am afraid to visit more blogs! LOL! Interesting, I never would have given this topic any thought today until I read what I did today.

Yes,, I did go to check another favorite site - Sunshine on my Shoulders, and there, Diana is giving the opportunity to share what God is doing in my life - "Him in My Life" Mondays. So, here I am. I don't know for sure what God wants of me, but I know I need to be open to His leading and teaching. I know that I need to accept who I am right now as a 50-something! I also know that I have some work to do in the area of accepting myself as He does. I am such an approval seeker when it comes to other people, but the only one I need to truly seek approval from is my LORD. If I do that, I know all else will fall in place.

I'm thankful to the ones He put in my path today.

A Bump in the Road

Winter in Maine brings many bumps in the road, especially with frost heaves. Last Wednesday, along came a bump in our Life's Road. I had a call from my dh at work, after school, which was very odd, since he wouldn't call me unless it were important. I knew he had scheduled a dr. appointment for 2 that afternoon, so figured it must be related. He was being very vague, but to make a long story short he had gone into the ER at 11:30am and a blood test had shown that something was going on with his heart. Little did I know what that meant, and it still wasn't clear when I got to the hospital, but then as a bit of time passed, it came out that he had had a heart attack and was being transported by helicopter to a heart unit at another hospital. WHAT???!!!! I guess I got into a bit of my own adreneline rush then!

He is now fine; it was a mild attack and the blockage was in a spot that did not need to be/could not be stinted without causing more damage. So, now we make some dietary changes, as well as some lifestyle changes. At 51, this was a wake up call (for both of us), and we are praising God that it was not worse and is treatable.

I am so glad that God knew all abut this beforehand; he had mentally prepared my son & I for it, so though it was a shock to have to face it, we discovered as we talked, that we really weren't surprised that it had happened.

Heart attacks happen at any age. Know the signs. My husband didn't have "pain". He had what he called a "sensation", sort of a burning feeling on the surface of his chest and some back pain/achiness that he thought was from shoveling snow, working on a plugged sewer at our rental property, putting logs into the back of the pick-up and then unloading them, etc. So we joke now about his "sensation" and "episode" - such vague terms he was using, but it was very real, and could have been worse had he ignored it longer than he did.

My advice: Be aware, and if you suspect something, get checked out!!

And a child shall lead them....

A few days ago, I was forwarded a YouTube addy to watch and finally did so today. Perhaps it has already made the rounds, but I just had to share it here. The message is so simple, yet the cornerstone for the whole Bible. God loves us so much, He gave His son for us. I hope you will watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY&NR=1

Have a "SON"filled day.

Where do you go on Sundays?

Two Sunday's ago my pastor told us he wanted us to make a resolution to stop going "to church"! Imagine the surprise we felt at hearing that. He then went on to explain while asking the question, "What is the church?" It is apparent that we are the church - not a building. So, rather than go "to church" he'd like us to "go to worship." I've been pondering on that.

Last Sunday, he continued on the theme of worship ... what constitutes worship? Some people may find a very traditional church service the best way to worship, and others may find more contemporary services help them worship. What about the various aspects of the service? More things to ponder as he taught us....

Everything that we do should be a form of worship: our singing, our praying, our giving, our listening, our learning, our reaching out to others, etc. None of these can be worship though if our hearts aren't right. So, we can't say we've been to "worship' just because we took part in the service. So now come my musings .....

We have to look inside. What will we find? A stubborn spirit or a teachable one? A willing heart or a complaining spirit? A heart that is open to changes that will bring glory to God, or a spirit that is holding fast to "the way things have always been done" even if it's apparent that those "traditions" aren't necessarily right? A heart that is content to stay the same or one that yearns to learn and grow?

I pray that I will have a teachable heart, a willing spirit that seeks to glorify God, and a heart that yearns to learn and grow. How about you? Are you going to church or to worship?
Is your heart going with you?

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

A Glorious Day in Maine

It is if you like snow! This is our house this morning after another 10" of fresh snow. Today is blustery and sunny. that makes it a good "Pooh" day ~ huddled inside with a pot of honey (tea/coffee/cocoa!)I do. Hubby had to get up extra early to get the driveway snowblowed out.

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I don't like to see a brown winter which we have had the past few years where we end up getting snow late Feb. - April. By April, I want Spring! So I look at the snow as a blessing. It also reminds me that Jesus has washed me "whiter than snow". Wow! That's WHITE!

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So, I am enjoying a snow day catching up on odds and ends, putting away some Christmas decorations, writing thank you notes, hemming some new comfy, corduroy pants, and yes, playing on the computer. But I did do my bible reading first. OK.... I did some of it. I guess I better be totally honest. I am easily distracted. A very big problem for me..... anyone else?

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I have a Chronological Bible that I like a lot, and I am going to read chronologically again using a guide I found online. For Christmas, I bought a new Nelson's Study Bible for my hubby and me. It looks like it has some awesome study helps which I am anxious to start reading. I still love my John R Rice Reference Bible which has been my guide for the past 25 years and will remain a favorite, but I do like reading others as well.

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If you are interested in joining me and some of my friends in reading through the Bible this year, here is another site with many guides and here is one that you can listen to while you read. I will say that this last one is not KJV if that is what you want.

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Well, I must go accomplish more of my list of things that need to be finished. Have a wonderful day.