A SINGLE DAD -

We pay tribute to people on our blogs all the time. I have done them to my FATHER, SISTER, and MOTHER. All these people are from my past and now reside with Our Heavenly Father in perfect peace and tranquility.





The person I want to pay tribute to today is our SON, Marc Stephen Joyce, who is currently in the crucible of a very difficult and unfortunate situation. Being a SINGLE DAD.


This role was thrust on him suddenly. He was given a one week notice. It was not a role he EVER thought he would find himself in or EVER wanted to be in. It is a role he has grasp with all of his being and is doing a fine and wonderful job.





How do you go from being a father, who has a stay-at-home wife, an 8 year old son, an 11 year old daughter, and works an 8 to 5 job, to being the one who does it all? You JUST DO IT!! One step-at-a-time and one-day-at-a-time and even while your own heart is breaking and you are reeling from the circumstances and the reality of what has suddenly hit you between the eyes.





In the midst of this grief and agony have been many blessings and many challenges. The first blessing was that he was given a huge pay raise and promoted to Firm Administrator at the company where he has worked for 12 years. In addition, he was given the opportunity of working his own schedule around the needs of his two young children. Technology is such a wonderful thing in allowing him to stay "in tune" and "plugged in to" his work with out having to have an 8 to 5 presence. His current schedule consists of rising very early each morning at 5 a.m. and getting in 2 hours of work time, via computer, before waking the children at 7 a.m. After preparing breakfast and seeing they are all dressed and ready he drops Aric off at his 2nd grade class and Oksana at her bus stop and then gets to work around 8:30. He works straight through, seldom taking time out for lunch, and leaves the office at 2:15 in order to pick Aric up at 2:35 and then Oksana up from the bus stop at 4.





It has been a challenging year. Oksana was promoted from her elementary 5th grade class into middle school. Based on her academic standing she was able to transfer into one of Tulsa's most elite middle and high schools. She tried out for and was selected for the 6th grade Pom Squad. Marc became the Pom Dad among all the Pom Mom's and has taken an active roll in the activities and requirements of this role. Getting her to and from all the practices, attending the various games and even a trip to Oklahoma City where her squad won the first place State Trophy for 6th grade Pom. He has held slumber parties, helped with homework and all the sundry requirements of a young pre-teenager growing up fast. Hair appointments, shopping, gift buying, birthday and other various parties, etc.





Aric was promoted from 1st to 2nd grade and luckily remained in the same school. He was Student of the Month for February. He has not required the extra-curricula activities of his sister yet and has been totally involved with not only making wonderful grades but excelling at various computer games, building very complex Lego and Connectx structures. Both of the children have their own computers!!! Unbelievable to Grandpa and I that they are a 3 person, 3 computer family. The direct result of Marc's IT prowess with computers at his place of employment, in addition to Firm Administrator. Next year Aric will be getting involved in Cub Scouting which will add another dimension to his life and Marc's duties.





I would like to tell you it has been 13 months of per bliss and no problems. I would be lying. There have been many emotional and behavior problems. There has been much adjusting and coming to terms. But there has been much growth and much progress and the horizons are looking clear and things are coming more into focus for all three of them.





It has been Grandpa and my joy and privilege to play a small helping role but by and large Marc has not only taken it on himself but has preformed honorably and with great distinction.

We are soooooo very proud of you three.

MARC - OKSANA - ARIC

400 Year Ago TODAY

April 29, 1607

That's right - 400 years ago this very day our forefathers arrived from England after a 4 month journey by sea.

Robert Hunt, Pastor

Stood on the shore of what is now Jamestown, Virginia and declared the following:

"From these very shores the gospel will go out

not only to these shores but all around the world"

It has! America has overwhelmingly been responsible for spreading the Gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ around the world. Our very nation was founded upon the laws of God as proclaimed by the Bible, God's Holy Word.

It breaks my heart to see what is happening to our nation and to the Church. We are becoming a desensitised people. You cannot tell any different between the average Christian today and Joe Blow. It is heartbreaking.

In 1945 sixty four % of Americans held a

Biblical World View.

In 2007 only 4% of Americans hold a Biblical World View.

GOD HELP US!!!!

As for my husband and I we take a stand this day to do what we can in our little world to make a difference and stand up for what is right, and good and HOLY.

The Names Of JESUS!

These are from the words of a song written by David Ingels. It is a song I love and speaks so to me. I trust these names of Jesus will bless you this morning.

Advocate Anointed Beloved

Bridegroom JESUS Captain Covenant

Deliverer Daystar JESUS Elect

Everlasting Friend

Faithful JESUS

Governor Gift of God Hope

Head of the Church JESUS

Image of God Judge Just

JESUS

King of Kings

King of Glory

Light Life

JESUS Master Messiah Nail Scarred Nazarene Omega

Physician Redeemer Shepherd

Unchanging JESUS

Very God YOUR SAVIOR

JESUS!!!!

In case you haven't noticed he used every letter in the alphabet except "q", "x" and "z". It is so wonderful that He can be all these things to us......it really is up to us.

OBSERVATIONS

The following are my personal observations and comments. We all have our opinions, and one thing about blogging is that we are free to express our opinions. One of the things I've observed in my almost 3 months of blogging is that bloggers seem to fall into various categories. These are my opinions of various categories.

SERIOUS BLOGGERS: These bloggers have strong opinions, usually on political or moral issues. They use their blog as an avenue to take and expound on the issue at hand. Most of them are good writers and their posts tell an interesting story and are not just rants or boring facts. I enjoy reading serious bloggers and have bookmarked many I read daily. They stretch me and make me think.

THEOLOGY BLOGGERS: I find these to be SERIOUS and very knowledgeable students of the Bible. They are good writers and have a way with words that captivates me with the topic being discussed. Some of them have regulars who comment and there is a lively flow of ideas and opinions back and forth. These theology bloggers captivate me and stretch me and make me think. I have several bookmarked. I have "lurked" on these blogs since the beginning and seldom left a comment. I am just now "Tip Toeing" in, a very little bit, because I feel I am way over my head. They are being very kind to me.

PREACHY BLOGGERS: These differ totally from the above theology blogs. They are throughly indoctrinated into their PARTICULAR denomination and/or belief systems. They do not view The Church as The Universal Body of Christ. They use their blog as a soap box to preach their particular beliefs that in their view are the "gospel". I do not enjoy this type blog and do not read them once I realise this is their format, soap box, and purpose.

FRIENDLY WELL ROUNDED BLOGGERS: Many bloggers fall into this catagory. They are very nice people who post a variety of posts. They can be serious, informative and very funny depending on their mood. My blogroll contains these and several have, and are becoming, good friends.

PRETTY BLOGGERS: These bloggers have pretty, eye appealing sites and present a lot of pretty and beautiful items for display. Sometimes they follow a particular skill ie; quilting, scrapbooking, a craft, etc. and give instructions on how to make various items. These fill a very needed niche for those interested and involved in like activities. I enjoy the eye appeal of these sites. They are a pleasure to visit.

ORGANIZERS BLOGGERS: These seem to have all their household skills together and are there to teach and enlist others to do like wise. They love encouraging others to set goals, make lists, etc. Some of them have huge followings and names for themselves so it appears there is a need for these blogs. They do not appeal to me or my needs so I do not follow them.

RECIPE BLOGGERS: This really could be a sub-group of the above.

KNOW IT ALL - END ALL BLOGGERS: Fortunately I haven't stumbled onto many of these but they are there. They have very big Ego's and think they know it all. Not only do they know it all, but the KNOW the know it all!!!! They take every opportunity to inform you that they know it all. Guess what? No, I don't have them on my blogroll.

BUSY BLOGGER SITES: These bloggers probably have some very interesting things to say but I find it almost work to plow through their blog because there is too much there. Too many pictures, too many items on the side bar, just too many of everything and too busy for my taste. Because I enjoy this blogging experience and find it fun I don't read many of these sites because it is work and it wears me out.

OUT OF THE U.S. BLOGGERS: This name is self-explanatory. It is all those bloggers who are located outside our borders. These bloggers expose me to locales, places, sights, ideas and views of our great big world that I would find difficult to get any other way. Actually, these fall into sub-categories within this broader group: 1) those U.S. citizens living out of the U.S. for various reasons; missionaries, jobs, choice, etc. & 2) people born and raised outside the U.S. These are absolutely my favorite bloggers. I have, and am, learning so very much from them. I am seeing sights, through their beautiful pictures, my eyes would never be able to behold otherwise. I am getting such a much broader view of our world and how very much alike we truly are. My favorite part of all: I am getting a REAL feel for The Body of Christ that I always knew existed.

PHOTOGRAPHY BLOGGERS: These bloggers who delight our eyes with the beauty they capture so well with their cameras and their skill in the art of photography. I so enjoy these sights and what they share with me.

HELPFUL BLOGERS: These dear souls have been a life line to me as I've struggled to learn (a little bit!!!!) of the technical aspects of blogging. There are others who I have reached out to for particular advise (apart from the how to of blogging) who have been so ready and able to offer me help when I've asked for it. I'd love to name names here (but that wouldn't be nice!) but YOU ALL know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!


Everyone may be getting tired of hearing me say it....but I have to repeat it again and again. I am so thankful for each and everyone of you who bless me daily. You are so sharing. You share your ideas, your needs, your advise, your comments, your joys, your sorrows, your fears, your jokes, your photos, your stories, but most of all you share YOURSELVES with me and you allow me to share all of these things back with you.

YOU'RE SPECIAL TO HIM...

YOU'RE SPECIAL TO ME..

THANK YOU AND GOOD BLESS YOU!

Using Your Name - Game

I got this from Trella . ..it's harder than it looks! But Fun!

Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...they MUST be real places, names,things...NOTHING made up!

If you can't think of anything, skip it.

Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial.

You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question and you can't use a search engine... Now Go!

1. Your Name: Susan
2. Famous singer/band: Frank Sinatra
3. 4 letter word: soul
4. Street name: Sunset Blvd.
5. Color: Salmon
6. Gifts/presents: Silk scarves
7. Vehicle: Saturn
8. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Sea Shells
9. Boys Name: Stephen
10: Girls Name: Sarah
11. Movie Title: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
12. Drink: Soda Pop
13. An Occupation: Secretary
14: Flower: Sunflower
15. Celebrity: Sally Fields
16. Magazine: Sixteen
17. U.S. City: Seattle
18. Pro Sports Team: Seahawks
19. Fruit: Strawberry
20. Reason for Being Late for Work: Speeding ticket
21. Something You Throw Away: Soup can
22. Things You Shout: Shut the door
23: Cartoon Character: Snow White

Give it a try.

GREAT QUOTES

I, for one love great quotes. Here are 10 of them to share.

• The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.
• Winston Churchill
• In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing
• Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt
• I believe that unarmed truth & unconditional love will have the final word in reality.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Winning is not everything - but making the effort to win is.
• Vince Lombardi
• Those who do not know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either.
• Golda Meir
• Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.
• Abraham (Abe) Lincoln
• The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise then saved by criticism.
• Norman Vincent Peale
• When you're green, you're growing; & when you're ripe, you start to rot.
• Ray Kroc (founder of McDonalds)
• One truth stands firm. All that happens in world history rests on something spiritual. If the spiritual is strong, it creates world history. If it is weak, it suffers world history.
• Albert Schweitzer
• Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.
• Benjamin Franklin

I'd be interested in which is your favorite and why.

My favorite it Albert Schweitzer's "One truth stands firm. All that happens in world history rests on somethings spiritual. If the spiritual is strong, it creates world history. If it is weak, it suffers world history."

I feel we are in a stage of such spiritual weakness that we are suffering world history.

Get REAL!

The following is a devotion I read a few weeks ago in "The Word For You Today". It was so good I haven't been able to get it out of my mind so am posting it for all of you to enjoy.

"Make a careful exploration of who you are...then sink yourself into that."

Galatians 6:4 The Message

Are you living as God intended, or are you struggling to live up to other people's expectations? What would happen if you just dropped your mask and got real?

The story of The Velveteen Rabbit has a timeless message for each of us. In a conversation between a new toy rabbit and an old skin horse,

Rabbit asks, "What's real? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick out handle?"

"Real isn't how you're made," replied Horse.

"It's a thing that happens to you when a child really loves you."

"Does it hurt?" asked Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said Horse. "But when you're real you don't mind."

"Does it happen all at once?" he asked.

"It doesn't" said Horse.

"It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, have sharp edges, or have to be carefully kept.

Generally by the time you're real most of your hair has been loved off, your eyes drop out, you get loose in the joints and very flabby.

But these things don't matter because once you're real you can't be ugly,

except to people who don't understand."

King David said. "You made my whole being....in an amazing...way"

(Psalms 139:13-14 NCV)

Becoming real means accepting yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, acknowledging that in God's eyes you're a work-in-progress.

Paul writes: "Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed...parts...let's...go ahead and be what we were made to be"

(Romans 12:4-6 The Message)

Then he adds: Sink yourself into that,"

and God will take you places you never imagined.

CHRISTMAS in April???

CHRISTMAS

Has arrived for me!!

Funny thing to be saying on April 18th. Well, here's the story. Last Christmas when my daughter Suzette gave me my present, which was 2 separate packages wrapped together she said "Now Mom you have to open the packages before the card". A little odd but I thought "Ok". All my 4 kids always give me the most touching, lovely cards for Christmas, Birthday, Mother's Day, etc. and it's a big joke around our house because they know I'm always going to cry. So I figured she wanted me to wait for the card last so I wouldn't be crying. I opened the first package and it was a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Live CD. Now I love Mannheim Steamroller and bought my first CD in 1986. I was thrilled. Then I opened the second package and it was the DVD version of Christmas Live. Oh wow, now I not only get to listen to them but I can watch them actual playing the music.

Now I get to open the card.......

Two tickets to the Fresh Air Music of

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

Created, arranged and produced by Chip Davis

on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

Mickey and I just returned from this WONDERFUL

performance. They did 14 numbers, took a 20 minute intermission, came back and did 10 more numbers. The crowd stood with a roaring standing ovation and they came back and did not just one, but two encore numbers. I am sooooo blessed.

I was going to post some pictures with this but blogger kept just putting up the little box with the "x" and no pictures. I hope my narrative, without pictures, portrays my joy. Thank you Dave and Suzette SOOO much.

I am still shocked!! and very delighted.

A Night To Honor ISRAEL

Last night we had the privilege, andd I do mean privilege, to attend this Night To Honor ISRAEL.

We have been anxiously anticipating this service ever since it was announced. The meeting started at 7 p.m. and we arrived at 5:45 hoping to get a close seat. (they had opened the doors at 5:30) Boy were we wrong. We ended up on the third and highest tier of the new Victory Christian Center Sanctuary on the 4th row. The fabulous design of this new facility made it possible for even here to not feel we were missing a thing and it was a "good" seat. By 6 there was no seating in the main Sanctuary and people were being put in the over flow rooms.

The entire evening was fabulous. The music was awesome (there was a full orchestra and choir), the dancing absolutely beautiful, and ALL the speakers words were inspired. It all began with the presentation of all the names and banners of the 12 Tribes. At one point in the evening the numerous bongo drums from the orchestra actually came up into ALL areas of the Sancutary. I just wish I had video to show you!

The attendance was 6,279 and it was one of the joys of our lives to be joining together with God's people, Israel, and God's body, The Church, as we lifted our hearts and voices in ONE accord to our MIGHTY GOD.

The branch and the grafted in branches together.

The keynote speaker was John Hagee, from San Antonio, who founded Christians United For Israel. He told how God has lead him, over the past 26 years, in working to bring understanding between the Jews and Christians.

You can't really read this verse that clearly but it says "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch". Isaiah 62:1

This verse says it all. For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake, I will not remain quiet. I would love to hear from others who have attended A Night To Honor ISRAEL I encourage any of you who have not to take advantage of doing so if you have the opportunity. Trust me...you will be blessed.

One other thing: the 6,279 of us gave an offering of $85,000 to the Mayor of Tiberias, Israel, Zohar Oved. Tiberias is the adopted Sister City of Tulsa. This is to help them recover from the last war with Lebonon where so many rockets were aimed at and landed on their city. He was literally speechless and almost in tears. That figured out to only $13.54 per person. (My old accounting background coming out here!) See how little it takes when we ALL participate.

Update to Randomized???

Tina has decided to withdraw and not participate at this time. I thought her e-mail to me was so sweet and said so much I asked her permission to share it with you. Here it is:

Hi Susan,

I am sorry but I won't be able to answer your questions. I have had so much fun meeting all the people I have through my blog, but now I have let it get to the point where I am spending too much time online. I have a husband and 5 children, and I homeschool. They are sometimes neglected because I am online. (in small ways) God has called me to this great task and I take it seriously. If I really want to be all those things I wrote in my real mum meme, I need to stay off this thing!!! My family IS my ministry. So I am going no internet for a week starting tonight before bed. And after that I will see, but at any rate, it will be very limited.
I am sorry... May God bless you!
Love,
Tina

Birthday Meme

Ginger's post said Who really cares? Oh YOU do? so here I go with another one of these.

Ginger tagged me, Penless Writer, along with Jungle Mom, The Butler's Wife, Just Mom and Momma Roar, (Can you imagine a NORMAL, (are there any of those in Blogland? I think not!)) person reading this list of prestigious names!! he he... whee long sentence) to:

1) Go to Sikipedia and type in your birth date only - without the years. Mine is December 25th

2) List 3 events that occurred that day:
A) 1223- St. Francis of Assisi assembles the first nativity scene. (THAT to me was interesting)
B) 1939 - Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is read from the radio for the 1st time . (CBS radio) C) 1991 - Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as president of the Soviet Union (the union itself is dissolved the next day. (Praise the Lord for THAT!)

#3) List 2 important birthdays:
A) 1821 - Clara Barton - Founder of the Red Cross (She left her good mark on the world)
B) 1890 - Robert Ripley, collector of odd facts (Wonder what he's think of Blogworld?)

4) List 1 death:
A0 1977 - Charlie Chaplin, English Actor

5) List a holiday or observance:
A) This one was so hard.....CHRISTMAS DAY!!!!

6) Tag 5 other bloggers; and the winners are.....
Learning for Lifetime Susan (You didn't think I'd let YOU off, Susan).
Frazzled Farm Wife (Now you're REALLY part of this crazy blogging!)
Pear Tree Cottage Lee-Ann (Another Lee-Ann from WAY down under!)
Word of Truth Christian Academy Trella (What goes around comes around!)
Mountain Mama Bev (Join in the fun)

Should you choose this assignment, I hope you'll let me know so I can come learn about your birthday and get my History Lesson for the day.

Seventeenth Century Nun's Prayer

One of my newer blog friends, Portrait of Peter. posted this poem this morning and I asked his permission to copy it.

Now I'm not from the seventeenth century, but the 21st century, and I'm not a nun, but I am a daughter of the King of Kings so I thought I could lay claim to it because of that!!!!

"Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older,

and will some day be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something

On every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from the craving to straighten out every body's affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody;

Helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all,

But thou knowest,

Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;

Give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing,

and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains,

but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory,

but for a growing humility and a lessening cock sureness

when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet;

I do not want to be a saint -some of them are so hard to live with-

But a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places.

And talents in unexpected people.

And give me, Lord, the grace to tell them so. "

I ao can echo these words and thank Peter for showing them to us and letting me share them with you.

Happy Sunday, one week after we celebrated Our Lord's Resurrection-

He is alive and reigns!

Feeling Randomized???

As you know Susan of Learning for Lifetime posted a Randomization meme on her blog. I was naive enough to volunteer to participate!!!! Now three brave souls have stepped up to the plate and the challenge to be Randomized by MY 5 questions.

For Aisha, Kahri, & Tina here goes:

#1. If you could re-do your life, what I thing would you do that you did not do. And why?

#2. Of my 5 answers to the questions asked of me by Susan, of Learning for Lifetime, which did you like best? And why?

#3. Do you screen your comments before they are published? Why or why not?

#4. (This one is not original since Susan answered on her blog and then asked me and now I'm asking you because I think it's the best question ever.)
What are five things you would do if "money were no object"? And of course, why?

#5. If you were forbidden to live in the United States, what country would you choose to live in? And why?

Good luck to you 3 brave hearts and be sure and let me know when you get your answers posted and pass this one on. We were passing around Thinking Blogger Awards. This Randomization meme FORCES you to think!!!! Hope you get more than 3 brave souls that will step up to your challenge and your questions.

What's In A Name?

As you know, if you've been reading my blog any time at all, I have been totally fascinated with this new World of Blogging that I gingerly stepped into on January 21. There have been so MANY unexpected things it has brought.

ONE of those is about my name, Susan. In all of my long life I have "met" very few other people with the name Susan. In fact, until 5 years ago, there was never another Susan that I personally knew. The last church we attended had a Susie

So it has been very surprising and interesting how many Susan's, or derivatives of that name, I have "met" here in Blogdom in these past 91 days. Here they are:

• Susan - By Grace - British Columbia, Canada - Minister's Wife
• Susan - Learning for Lifetime - Florida - Minister's Wife
• Susan - A Place Called Home - Virginia
• Susan - Living the Adventurous Life - Pennsylvania
• Susie - A Pink Carnation - Texas - Minister's Wife
• Susie - Susie's Place - California
• Susanne - Living To Tell The Story - Canada
• Suzanne - Sincerely My Thoughts -
• Suzanne - Suzanne's Shambles - Virginia

Then today Jungle Hut had this link where you can see how many people share your name. I went to check mine out and boy was I EVER surprised to learn that 1,197,320 people have the name Susan and that it is the 25% most popular name. 48,154 share my same last name Joyce. That drops down into the 716% most popular.

The biggest surprise was that 192 other people are named Susan Joyce. I have yet to meet any of you in Blogdom but it you're out there I'd surely be delighted to know where and meet you.

I also found this information today:

Name: Susan
Gender female
Origin Hebrew
Meaning lily
Similiar Names Susannah, Susanne, Susanna, Susi, Suse, Suisan, Suzanne, Suzanna, Sosana, Susette, Suzette, Sue Anne, Sue Ellen, Susy, Susie, Soos, Susy, Suzie, Soozie, Sue, Sukie, Sukey, Zsa Zsa

I know that all you that aren't named Susan might not find this that interesting but have some fun and go check out your name and how many you've met on line and the other information and let me know.

As I keep repeating over and over again. I just find this World of Blogging such a fascination and joy.

Feeling Randomized???

Susan at Learning for Lifetime offered a challenge and Leigh Ann, Carrie, Melli, Jill, Tammy and I all stepped forward. Actually Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee posed 5 questions to Susan and others. Susan in turn was to make up 5 questions and Randomize others. Here are the 5 questions she made for the 6 of us..........

1. What's your worst pet peeve? Someone who does not tell the truth. One of the sayings on my blog header is "A lie is ANYTHING contrary to the naked truth". I try to keep that it mind all the time and live by it.

2. (For Susan (me) who thought I should extend my Thursday Thirteen to others.)
What are five things you would do if "money were no object"? 1) I would pay off our current church building debt of approximately $850,000 and buy the 2 lots for sale next to our church property and pay to have a building built to house a place to help woman in need. This is one of the things we are currently working toward and praying for. We have started with a 3 bedroom house and a ministry called Freedom House to house the home mission woman and two ladies. 2) I would take my husband and I, and anyone else that desired to go with us on a trip to Israel. I have always dreamed of walking where Jesus walked and visiting all the various places in the Bible, especially I would like to see Massada. 3) I would rent the entire Chateau on the Lake Hotel in Branson, MO and organize a convention for my blogger friends from all over to come for a week. All expenses paid. Can you imagine what a blast that would be?!!! 4) I would always have several thousand dollars on me to be able to help, on the spot, anyone the Spirit of God directed me to help. 5) I would support various missionary work around the world. Again, as God by the Holy Spirit would lead.


3. If you could be an inanimate object, what would you be and why? A Bible. Because I can't imagine anything better than to be the source of containing every jot and tittle, every promise God has left us, and God's covenant to us His body, in written words.


4. OK, fess up, some people have eaten crayons or tasted glue. What's the strangest thing you've ever taste-tested? Where were you and why did you do it? I'm afraid you've stumped me on this one. I'm not all that adventureous about even eatting strange foods much less tasting something that wasn't edible. Sorry!

5. And because I LOVE music and Linda used music: If you were standing before all your friends and family and they asked you to summarize yourself in one to two songs, what would you sing and why? Life is Big, Rich and Wonderful..In the presence of failure, In the presence of weakness , God prepares a table before me. In the face of confusion, In the presence of fear, God prepares a table before me. In the presence of turmoil, in the home, on the job, And all that the senses may being. God prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Life is big, rich and it's wonderful, with my hand in the hand of God. My heart has found its haven, with Jesus on its throne. With my mind fixed on my Father, and our words in one accord, Life is big, rich and wonderful, with my hand in the hand of God. (words and music by David Ingles) Farther Along. When we see Jesus coming in glory, When He comes from His home in the sky. Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion, We'll understand it all by and by. Further along we'll know all about it. Farther along we'll understand why; Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine, We'll understand it all by and by. (old hymn by Rev. W. B. Stevens) The first one because life for me is big, rich and wonderful and God does all those things for me that song says. The second one because I, like all of us, have faced things and been through things that I've wondered why. I know further along I'll understand why.

Boy, Susan, this was HARD!!!! Okay, now that I've said that, do any of you want to play along and meet this challenge? If so tell me in your comment and I'll come up with 5 unique questions of my own to "Randomize" you. Happy playing!!!!!playing!!!!!

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.

They have the compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Added footnote: Several have commented about the picture. It is just a picture that came with this writing. It is not us or anyone I know. Just wanted to make sure everyone understood that.

Who Is Jesus?

In chemistry, he turned water to wine.

In biology, he was born without the normal conception.

In physics, he disapproved the law of gravity when he ascended into heaven.

In economics, he disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5,000 men with two fishes & 5 loaves of bread.

In medicine, he cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs.

In history, he is the beginning and the end.

In government, he said that he shall be called wonderful counselor, prince of peace.

In religion, he said no one comes to the father except through him.

So, who is He?

He is Jesus!

He is my Lord and my Savior.

In God I've found everything!

This Facinating World of Blog

On January 31st I posted my first blog. I had been following my friend, Kahri's blog for about a year. She knew I kept up with her, on a daily basis with it so I didn't have to disturb her with a phone call. I never left a comment. I didn't know I was allowed to. I never asked but I just surmised that you only left a comment if you had a blog, too. Wrong.....for all you lurkers out there, that read the various blogs, we would love for you to leave us a comment.

When I started my thoughts were "No one is going to care one bit what a gray headed 69 year old grandmother has to say:". During the year of reading Kahri and her friends blot I just knew that everyone blogging was basically a SAHM in their 20's or 30's. Wrong again. I have found this blogging world to be full or all ages, all shapes, all sizes, both genders, and certainly every opinion under the sun. THAT is what to me is so wonderful.

Blogging has offered me so much. Now that I try and think about it I can't even remember what I really thought it was going to offer me. I guess I thought of it as my own personal journal, but in the form of a blog that maybe my children would read and learn a little more about me. As so often in life,we don't get what we expect; my children do not seem to be very interested in my little blog at all. Conversely in life, we get so much MORE that we can hope and think. "Now unto him that is able to do exceedinging abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20

#1 - I have made so many new friends. That feature about it never entered my mind and yet it is such a big blessing.

#2 YOU have allowed me to "see" and visit so many beautiful and wonderful places through the wonderful and beautiful photography that many of you post.


#3 - YOU have given me an "insiders" view of other areas of the world we live in. Showing me both the good and the bad but most importantly the real.

#4 - YOU have made me think and hopefully expand my thinking.

#5 - YOU have made me laugh and smile and enjoy real wholesome humor.

#6 - YOU have made me cry, along with you, in your pain and confusion.

#7 - YOU have opened your hearts and your minds and let me voice my opinion and even shared your thoughts and comments with me.

#8-One of the most astounding things has been how far reaching our blogs are. It absolutely blows my mind that my little blog has "ventured" into 20 foreign countries. How mind boggling is that!!! I've often wondered if I've actually reached all 50 of our great United States.

#9 - It's so interesting to me how very diverse we are, and yet within that diversity so very much alike.

#10 - Most importantly I want to close by saying: You have shared your hearts and yourselves with me and for that I THANK YOU!!!!

I Was Tagged

i WAS TAGGED ON sUNDAY BY Candy, OF cANDY & rOSES, AND ON sATURDAY (ALTHOUGH i WASN'T INFORMED UNTIL THIS MORNING) BY Connie, OF cONNIE'S tHOUGHTS fROM THE hEART, FOR THE Thinking bLOG aWARD.

i AM SUPPOSE TO PASTE A Thinking Blog Award picture HERE BUT i DON'T KNOW HOW SO THIS WILL HAVE TO SUFFICE. gOES TO SHOW i DO A LOT OF "Thinking" BUT NOT REAL GOOD AT "figuring out" ALL THESE BLOGGING TRICKS.

i FIND THIS AWARD ITSELF TO BE SO INTERESTING. tHE REASON BEING BECAUSE IT IS, IN EFFECT, JUST ANOTHER mEME. bY THE WAY, CAN anyone GIVE ME THE DEFINITION OF mEME? i HEARD SOMEONE ELSE ASK THAT SAME THING. i, BEING NEW TO THIS GAME OF BLOGGING, THOUGHT IT STOOD FOR "It's all about ME". Then someone else said, "That's not what it means", but I still don't know what it means. To me it appears to be just a chain letter, of pyramid type thing.

I looked back this morning and I have posted 54 blogs since beginning this adventure on January 21st. Of those 54 blogs 5 have been Meme's and all were posted during the month of March. That is significant because March is when I've been so occupied, and pre-occupied, with scanning a lifetime of photos. The reason I posted these 5 Meme's is because I was busy, and didn't have the time or the desire to take the time to 'THINK". It is easy to answer questions like those because it's all about ME!!!! I must say, I TOTALLY ENJOY READING OTHER PEOPLES MEME"s because it gives me a little insight into some of the people I find interesting, amusing, funny, and some who make me think. I don't know about you, but the blogs I choose to read on a pretty consistent basis fall into these categories.

Now for my list of 5.

My first has to be Kahri who writes under The Lynn Family Blog: Our Peculiar Life. Kahri is a young woman who, along with her husband, Michael, gave us the privilege of walking, and praying, through a VERY difficult time in their lives when they were told their new born baby girl, Kaedra, would not live. Kaedy spent 11 months in the hospital but is one of the most adorable 2 and a half year olds you'd ever want to see. She still has a few issues but she is truly OUR MIRACLE BABY!!! Kahri is literally the one who introduced me to blogging. Before she came into my life I'd never even heard the word. Wutgiyt Kahri there would be no Penless Writer!!!!

My next choice is Marallyn who writes under Shalom from Jerusalem. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have contact with her. I have a great love for my Jewish brothers and sisters and am FU::Y aware I am a branch grafted into their tree. . Marallyn is a gifted writer and is teaching me much. I thank you Marallyn.

My third choice is Susie , A Pink Carnation, and truly a flower in my bouquet of blogging friends.. You must go and read her "My Titles Story" on her side bar. If that doesn't move you, you must be made of stone.

My fourth choice is Liana, A Transformed Woman. I just recently "met" Liana through Susie who posted her link and said "check it out". I did and have been so blessed. This young wife and mother is living in China and really GETS it. She doesn't blog a lot, but I check her every day because when she does she has soooo much depth.

My fifth choice is ONLY YOU KNOW!!!! This is that lurker out there who has not yet taken that step of first commenting and then jumping into the blogging world. I, for one, WANT to know what you're thinking and have to say. I, for one, am EAGER to "met" you and get to "know" you.

To my dearest and best, Ginger & Leigh Ann...Candy beat me to you Leigh Ann!!! And you, Leigh Ann, beat me to Ginger!!! You both know my thought toward you and that I begin,, and usually end, each blogging day checking into what marvelous thoughts you've posted.

To all of you who blog and post so I can read and be blessed and to you who come by to read my thoughts I just say 'THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART".

Now you 5 must go here to see the rules & nominate 5 of your choice. Happy picking!

HE IS RISEN!!

HE IS RISEN111

Were more wonderful words EVER spoken?

Perhaps when HE said "IT IS FINISHED"

Both necessary for us to be REDEEMED

May you have a wonderful Easter as you celebrate all HE has done for us!

If you do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior I trust this Easter Sunday will be your day!!

To us that know HIM and love HIM may this also be a new day for us

to live more completely and fully in ALL that HE wants us to be

and more importantly has made us to be.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL WHO PASS BY THIS WAY TODAY.

WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED!!!

Quoting from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers:

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane,

and saith unto his disciples.....tarry ye here, and watch with me".

Matthew 26:36&38

"We can NEVER fathom the agony of Gethsemane, but at least we need not misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and Man in one, face to face with sin. We know nothing about Gethsemane in personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary, stand for something unique; they are the gateway into Life for us."

PRAISE-PRAISE TO OUR GOD

FATHER - SON - HOLY GHOST

WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED!!!

HAPPY RISEN LORD'S DAY

I, like I'm sure all of you, have spent the last few days really reflecting on my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS the CHRIST,. What an awesome thing to call HIM not only SAVIOR but LORD, and to have HIM call me HIS child. That blows my mind still today after being HIS child for all these years.

As we (I) meditate, these last few days, on ALL that HIS BLOOD purchased for us (me), my most fervent PRAYER is that not one stripe, not one spit, not one cursing, will have been in vain on my behalf. That I might live up to EVERYTHING that HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD purchased for me. Not only in the life to come but here and now, TODAY!!! My greatest hope and desire is to hear HIM say, "Well done".

My wish, for each and every one of you that pass by this little tribute of mine to MY RISEN LORD and MASTER, is that you know and experience HIS LOVE and FORGIVENESS for you.

HE truly PAID IT ALL, once and for all.

I wish all of you a WONDERFUL, BLESSED, HAPPY RISEN LORD'S DAY.

Christian Entertainment

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Psalms 23:6

Two couples of our friends had bought tickets several months ago to attend the Bill Gaither Concert last night. About noon, one of the men called us and asked if we had any plans for the evening. When we said "no" he said someone else they knew had bought tickets and was not going to be able to attend and would we like to join them. Well yeah, who wouldn't? Free Bill Gaither Concert tickets. Thank you Lord. I am constantly amazed at how the Lord blesses Mickey & I above and beyond what we can hope or expect. We see it so often in our life.

The performance was a really good show (as Ed Sullivan use to say) and very entertaining. The harmony was outstanding, some of the individual performers were very good and the kind of slapstick comedy back and forth between Billand some of his band members was fun. Just a real enjoyable evening.

As much as we enjoyed the performance I've been thinking about it a lot today. I realized it was just that. A performance. It certainly was not any kind of spiritual or worship occasion. It was paid entertainers entertaining. Certainly nothing wrong with good clean entertainment. We had just enjoyed that a few weeks ago at the Debby Boone performance. But Debby's performance did not carry the Christian tag, even though the song she is knownfor was a Christian song, "You Light Up My Life".

It struck me with full force how much of Christian Worship Programs have become just that...... paid entertainers. What has happened to the worship and service to our Lord. Very different from the truly worshipful two evenings we had spent earlier in the month when we went to hear The Singing ChurchWomen of Oklahoma and The Singing ChurchMen of Oklahoma. Now those were worship services that moved not only the soul but the Spirit.I might add there was only a free-will offering taken, which was to be used to spread the Gospel and not pay the performers. An invitation to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior was also given at the conclusion of the evening.

Now again I'm not saying there is anything wrong with good paid Christian Entertainers. I just think we need to give credit wherecredit is due to those who give of their time and talent with no monetary gain in mind.

I also have to ponder what

Jesus would have to say about all the Christian Entertainment of

today and how literally thousands of us flock to see and hear it.

You might say I, who live in a glass house, am throwing rocks.

I have to admit I am because we certainly accepted the gift of free tickets with enthusiasm. We flocked with the other thousands fighting the bumper-to-bumper traffic 3 miles from the by-pass to the ORU Mabee Center, finding a place to park in the overflowing parking lot and then walking quite a way to get into the auditorium to find our seats and watch professional Christian entertainers entertain us.

Just something that has been heavy on my mind today as we celebrated Psalm Sunday and get ready to celebrate Passion Week and the Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior then His glorious Resurrection next Sunday.

Thank God for Jesus!