Springtime.. and replanting..

There is just something about digging in the earth. (I like calling it earth. Dirt, sounds so dirt-like.  Earth, rings with the sound of God speaking it into existence!) That was profound.  None the less, there is just something about the feel of the soil breaking within your fingers.

Charlie and I have spent the past several evenings and week ends digging, getting rid of the old lifeless flowers, breaking up the soil, replanting, fertilizing, and admiring our gardening skills.

This is what I've learned:
1.  We all go through seasons.  With each season, we require some tweaking from the Lord.  We have to DIG into God's word to know what needs tweaked.

2.   Some of our flowers might be dead and lifeless, so we need to pull them.  They may have been good for a season.  But, if God says pull them; pull them!  He has something better for us to plant.

3.  Clear the clutter.  I've had to clear the clutter in my mind.  Clutter can be good stuff, but it can sound like static from a radio.  When you have static, it's hard to hear from God.  Breaking up the clutter with God's word, has freed my mind to listen to God. 
 In the following weeks, I've read several things that talked about cleaning the "clutter" from our minds, so that we could hear God.
That my friend, is confirmation.

4.  Replant God's Word in your heart!! I am now on verse 5  on memorizing God powerful word!  I can definitely attest that this is the work of God.  I could not memorize without God's help.  He has put a desire and yearning for his word in my heart!!!

5. I pray God's word in my prayers, which is the fertilizer to my soul.  I can't GROW without God's Word; it nourishes my life, so that I can be what God wants me to be.

So, I am thankful for Spring, the Pollen, the Sneezing,(ok, maybe not the sneezing) but most importantly, the beautiful flowers, that are a reminder to me of how God is using them to speak to me.


As an added bonus, Charlie and I have had a blast working in the yard together.. We even went off-roading it in the ATV. oh yah.. that was fun!!!  

God wants us to have fun!!!

Pity Parties are not from God

During my morning devotions, I had an "ah-ha" moment.  Now, for me that doesn't mean the sky parted, an azalea bush was burning in my front yard or a voiced boomed over my iPhone.

God spoke to me the same thing through three different short devotions.  Yes, I said three.  I know, I know, I know.  You are thinking... you have GOT to be kidding me.  I barely have time to say, "Good Morning God, HELP"

Well, I have three devotional readings I try to read from, usually not all in the same morning, but this morning was different.

The first was from my devotion, Jesus Lives: by Sarah Young. It doesn't matter what day it is, this devotional hits it out of the ball park every time. 

God has used this one to "talk AT me" more than once.

The other was from my online: Daily Hope by Rick Warren and then I began a new book about When A Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh.

They all stated the same thing!

GOD IS GOOD!!

EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD, IS FROM GOD!

GOD CAN ONLY DO GOOD!

GOD'S WORD IS ENCOURAGING!

I know, you are feeling quite sorry for me about now.  You are thinking, Really??  You are just now getting this?  How old are you?  You've been in church how long? You should have learned this in Sunday School, when you were...like.. four!

So, just back up the truck, honey.  Let me explain.

I struggle more times than I care to share, about looking at the bad in things more than the good. It's a little crazy, in some areas I'm extremely positive and others, yah, not so much.

Have you ever had a pity party and no one came but you?

It doesn't even have to be anything major. (Parking places, broke nail, someone didn't speak to you when you smiled at them, having a feeling fat day, bad hair day, I should have done this, or that... the list goes on.)

Pity parties are not from God. OUCH!!

God is the Perfect Party Planner!! He has a Enormous Party planned for all of us!!

Here's the "ah-ha" moment.

When I put my focus on what is WRONG in my life, then I am taking my focus off what is GOOD. 

God is what is GOOD in my life!

Satan loves for me to focus on what is wrong. 

He is what is wrong. He's the author of lies. 

That little bugger! He's been lighting the candles on my pity party!

When I read my Bible every day, and fill myself with God's goodness,mercy and grace, then the focus is on God! That pleases God.  I'm all about doing that!

So, I am now in a:

Pity Party Free Zone!

God is my Focus, not the imperfections in my life.

Wooooooo Hoooooo !!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.  

Philippians 4:6

Everyone Needs a Friend Like This.

              Everyone needs a friend like this!

                                         I borrowed this from someone... somewhere...

                    1. When you are sad, 

I will jump on the person 
who made you sad, 
like a spider monkey 
jacked up on Mountain Dew!!! 

2. When you are blue, 

I will try to dislodge 

whatever is choking you. 

3. When you smile, 

I will know you are 

plotting something 

that I must be involved in. 

4. When you're scared, 

we will high tail it out of here. 

 

5. When you are worried, 

I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse 

it could be until you 

quit whining, ya big baby!!!! 

6. When you are confused, 

I will use little words. 

7. When you are sick, 

Stay away from me 

until you are well again. 

I don't want whatever you have.... 

8. When you fall, 

I'll pick you up 

and dust you off-- 

After I laugh my rear off!! 

9. This is my oath.... 

I pledge it to the end. 

'Why?' you may ask; 

-- because you are my FRIEND! 

Welcome 2013... More.. Less

Welcome 2013!
I'm so glad you decided to join us.  You're predictable like that. Dec. 30,31... then January 1st.  Just like the calendar predicted. We knew it was coming. No surprise here. 
So, what are your resolutions for 2013?
One of my many resolutions, I found in this Post:  I love it!

Now, I realize, not everyone will make me happy, and that's fine too.  I want to be a true servant of God, and I want to be "that person" in the Post:  I want to make people happy, laugh, help them in need.  I never want to take advantage of anyone.  I want to truly care. That is my hearts desire.

For this to happen:
I made a list of things I need More of... and things I need Less of...

More and Less... List..

More Jesus.... Less Self.
More Intimate deep conversation with my husband, and less idle chit chat.
More HUGS to loved ones..... less busy walking about..
More Walks on the beach with the ones I love... Less sitting and asking the sun for more wrinkles.
More quiet time with God... Less time on Facebook.
More reading good books for fun.... Less time reading study books.
More running with my husband... Less thinking about it...
More self acceptance... less worrying about what others think.
More talking to strangers... less looking at others, and wonder their story.
More inviting people over... Less concern if my house is clean.
More thinking before I speak... Less talking off the top of my head.
More listening... Less being too busy to listen.
More going to sporting events... Less watching them only on TV
More dancing like no one's watching ....Less Disco Points!
More kissing grand babies... Less kissing Gracie..(sorry Gracie)
More looking FORWARD... Less looking BACK
More face to face time with friends... Less e-mails and private messages.

More watching the sun rise and the sun set... Less being in the house.
More Laughing... Less being serious....
More driving with the windows down and the wind blowing in your face.. Less stuffiness
More blowing bubbles with your bubble gum... Less mints.
More being spontaneous .... Less making LIST!!!

What do you need More and Less of?

 It's gonna be a GREAT Year!

H.A.P.P.Y

H.A.P.P.Y

Things that make me happy.

1.Jesus loves me, this I know.  (ya know ya wanna sing along!)

2.When my hubbie smiles that sweet smile at me. :-) wink-wink

3.Grand babies giggling!  (and kisses)

4.The sound of crunching leaves under my feet.

5.Cool breeze blowing on my face.(I'm pretty sure I could hang my head out the window of the car while it flies down the highway at 65 miles an hour and smile at the breeze like Gracie. Only to find myself being committed to the nearest mental hospital.)

6.Happy toe tapping music!

7.Walks on the beach with the love of my life.(Charlie)(note, there is a breeze on the beach too!)  I feel a pattern here.

8.Running with my husband.(he encourages me, and pumps me up!) Note: more breeze while running..

9.Laughing.  I love to hear people laugh! Life is too short to not laugh.  Bahahahahahaha!

10.The smell of a new puppy.  They smell so sweet, you can't help but grin.

11.Christmas!!!  Christmas makes me happy!!  I love looking at Christmas lights!  The more the happier!

12.Laying in the hammock with my husband and grand babies.(another cool breeze moment)

13.Going shopping with my grand daughter.(she makes shopping fun)

14.Charlie Brown Christmas.

15.Listening to my grand babies sing. (it doesn't get any sweeter than that!)

What makes you happy?  Make a happy List.  By the time you're finished, you'll be Happy!!!

Happy Happiness To You!!

Half-Marathon!!

This Half-Marathon... is just the beginning.

 Half-Marathon 13.1 Here we come!!

This was my goal.

I've never done anything this athletic in my life.

I knew I would be turning 50 this year, and I wanted to accomplish something BIG!

This my friend.. was BIG for me.

I had a great coach! (Charlie, my sweet and wonderful husband of nearly 31 years!)

He encouraged me and pushed me to my goal.  (I could tell by the twinkle in his eye, he was proud of his wife.  That made it worth it all!)

My daughter and her husband, also trained for the race.

She was one of my biggest cheer leaders!!

It was fun to have Randy and Melissa Beane there too! 

This is only the beginning Randy!!

Melissa is the little energizer bunny!!  She zips around the course like a jack rabbit!

Notice... before the race began... we are all smiles..... clean... not red in the face, sweat is not dripping off anything.... yeah.. this will be short lived...

And we're OFF!!!

One last hubbie and me pic.  He was great!  he would run ahead of me, turn around with his phone and take my picture... He was documenting my greatest athletic accomplishment!!  He's so cool.

this is after the race....
I finished in 2:43 min.
Megan in 2:32
Jeremy in 2:20
(I'm sure I have the times off a little...they'll correct me.. no doubt.)

Who knows? Maybe this time next year, I'll run the Full Marathon.  Stay tuned.

Then off to Charleston for the rest of the day.

Note:  We all walked a little slower..... and moaned and groaned a bit... well, all except Charlie, who was laughing at us...

God's Humor at SAMS Club

Today as I walk into Sams, I look carefully at the corral of shopping carts. Picking the wrong cart, can make a shopping trip immensely difficult.  I calculated the wheels, the cleanliness of the cart.  Yes, this one would do.  Seconds later I realize, my "math" was lacking.

The cart strongly pulled to the left.  Not the direction I was fond of.

As I placed a large case of computer paper in the cart, I became highly aware of how difficult my task was becoming.  Pushing the cart, became a sporting event.  Pushing, pulling with all your might to the right.  Bring your left leg up and squarely kick the carts lower left area then shove to the right.

This would guide the cart ever so slightly to the right.

Take two steps and repeat.

As I'm doing my Sams Club aerobics throughout the store, I gained the attention of a Greek looking woman.  This woman apparently thought we were friends.  She, with her hair swooped up on top of her head with an enormous scarf tied neatly on the side of her head, spoke with a thick Greek accent.  I understood every third word. (or less)

I would grin, and walk, judo-kick, push,pull and shove my cart to the next aisle.  

Finally, a sweet Sams employee took pitty on me and helped me transfer my items into a new cart.  I thanked her and went down the next aisle.

Everything was fine as long as I didn't try to turn left.  This basket, unlike it's sister basket. Refused to turn left.  It pulled toward the right.

Again, I pass my Greek friend.  She speaks, (loudly, I might add) I nod, grin and walk, judo-kick, push, pull and shove my newly improved cart to the next aisle.

I finally make my way to the check out stand. I place all my items on the belt.  And wait... and wait... and wait... 10 min. to be exact.  Not that I kept staring at my phone for something to do.

When it was my turn, they shut the lane.  Saying the cash register was broke.

Really???  I mean.. really???

So, I place all my items BACK in my cart, all while my new Greek friend is two registers over.  She begins to talk to me LOUDLY and points to my muscles and tells me something about being young and strong.  Seriously???  Young?  I'm almost 50 flippin' years old!

Silly me, thought I'd make small talk to the cashier, and said today was "my Monday".  The poor confused cashier, stammered around and asked...?? What?? Today's Monday.  I thought today was Tuesday?? on and on and on.. until, I said... "No you're right.  It's Tuesday."

They didn't get it.

I was too tired to explain.
Then out of NOWHERE came a Hot flash.  I went from normal to the towering inferno! The poor cashier has no idea how lucky he was that I did not rip my shirt off and use it to wipe my face!  I frantically dug in my purse and grabbed a pony tail holder and pulled my hair up in the sorriest pony tail known to man. Awww relief.  

I paid, and followed my Greek friend out to the parking lot. She talking Loudly, all the way out.

You guessed it, I parked next to her.  My luck.  Happens.  As I try to quietly put my things in my car, my Greek friend, begins yelling!!!

Oh my gosh!!  Like me pushing, judo-kicking and pulling my cart in the parking lot, wasn't drawing enough attention.  This crazy lady begins Yelling at her car!!! Really!!?? Lady??  Really??

Apparently, she received  a ticket, because she was parked in a handicap spot.

Trust me on this one... there was a handicap here!!!!

Somewhere in all her broken English, I learned that she did indeed have a handicap tag, she just forgot to hang it from her car.  I tried to assure her that if she took her handicap tag with her to pay her ticket she could probably get it dismissed.

She continued to yell.

I just got in my car, and left.

As I drove, I asked God..."did I miss something?"

Was there a "God" moment here?

Had he placed these people in my path for a reason?

I thought... waited for God to speak...

Then, I got it.

I think I was there for his humor.

I didn't get mad, I just looked at everyone like they we're stupid.

I looked at them like "they" were stupid??

I didn't see anyone else, Walk, Push, Judo-Kick, Pull, and shove their cart with a big grin on their face, with a LOUD Greek woman following them through Sams.

Thanks God. Glad I made your day.  :-)