SHOW & TELL #29 - Angel jewel box

Show & Tell Friday once again. Go to Kelli's, There Is No Place Like Home, and check it all out. Write your blog and then place in on Mr. Linky and visit the other Show & Tell blogs and enjoy.

(click to enlarge)

This is another piece in my Angel Collection.

It is a small ceramic jewel box and has Three Little Angels

You notice the two to the left are praying demurely with their eyes closed and their Halo's on straight.

The little angel to the right has her eyes wide open and her halo askew.

Guess which one is me? Your right!!! She has that askew halo on her head!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS......

Count your blessings

Name them one by one.

That is what I am doing here today. Naming two very special blessings I have received just the past two days since my granddaughter, Oksana, came home.

#1 - Right after she got to their home and brought her stuff into the house she opened a book to show me her bookmark she had bought for herself. It was about 6" long and was cussive letters B E L I E V E. My heart skipped a beat. This was my granddaughter who would say "Grandma is too religious. She talks about God and Jesus all the time." Thank you Jesus.

#2 - Then last night when I tried to call their house, just before we left for Church, and got no answer. When I called after church I inquired if they had gone out to dinner. That is where I figured they were. My Oksana's reply was, "No, Dad was driving me to church." My heart skipped two beats!!!! My granddaughter went to Wednesday night church services with one of her girlfriends.

God is doing Great and Mighty things in the Joyce family!!!!

We are truly Re-Joyce-Ing!!!

I wake up each morning with anticipation of what the new day will bring.

It's been a long haul.....but GOD IS FAITHFUL if we just keep

BELIEVING

&

STANDING

ADDENDUM:

Maalie left the following comment on this post.

"Yep. That's the way. Indoctrinate 'em when they're young and you have 'em for life. So say the Jesuits.

I trust for their own sakes that they will mature to cast off the blinkers."

TO WHICH I ADD:

Maalie -

Almost!!!! It's from THE WORD
Proverbs 22:5 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

I have seen this be yet another of the many promises of God I have seen fulfilled in my life. I have stood on this promise for years and saw it fulfilled 60 days ago when our 43 years old son returned to God.

Even though he left the faith and travelled down many occult and philisophical roads he returned to the Faith and His God. God is faithful to HIS WORD.

David, the prodigal, is now David, heir of the living God.

A THREE FOLD CORD

Ecclesiastes 4:12 - "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a three fold cord is not quickly broken."

Oksana is home!!

Aric, Marc & Oksana

The three Joyce men

Marc, David, Mickey

Sons & Father

Susan, Mickey & GOD

A three fold cord that has stood for 49+ years!

HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY

1942 - 10 years old

Mickey Wayne Joyce - Born November 24, 1932

Happy Birthday to the love of my life.

I am the most blessed woman to have this wonderful man as my husband for 49 years and the father to our 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

1953 - 21 year old taken in Rapid City, SD serving as an Air Man in the U.S. Air Force



1958 - Age 25 - On our honeymoon Grand Canyon

1958 - Age 25 as instant father to two little girls.

1977 - Age 45

1984 - Age 52

1997 - Age 65 - 6 month trip to Alaska on retiring.

2007 - Age 74 - Oldest son, David, is home!!

2007 - Age 74 - Mickey & Susan 49 years married and still very much in love!

RE-JOYCE WITH US !!!!!

(this picture was taken August, 2006)

This day after Thanksgiving 2007 is truly a day that our family is rejoicing.

We are able to share the best news. Not one thing but TWO!!!

BOTH of our granddaughters are coming to Tulsa to live.

Our 12 year old granddaughter, Oksana, is coming home!!!!!! She will be flying in Monday, November 26th. You can go here to read about her decision last August to remain with her mother. Oksana is the daughter of our younger son, Marc, and sister to Aric.

This is another answer to PRAYER

Our 21 year old granddaughter, Jessica, is driving and will be here the same day! We have been trying to get Jessica to move here from Mississippi ever since her mother, Jacque, came here September 15, 2005 after Katrina. She made the decision two weeks ago and gave her notice at work. We are so delighted she is coming.

Add this good news to David returning to Tulsa just 55 days ago and you can see why we are rejoicing. We don't fully understand God's purpose in reuniting this entire family for the first time in years but we know He has a plan and we watch eagerly as it unfolds.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is having your prodigal son start his blog, Wider Than The Sky, which contains this dedication:

dedications
Where would we be as humans without our common experiences?To a new friend of mine who will know himself when he sees the following verse – the only verse, so far, I prefer in the ultramodern translation that I have used here:

1st Peter 5:7 - So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you, he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God, because he is most careful with you

Most of all to my mother and father, whose constant prayers built about me a cover of protection that kept me alive and who, to my sheer amazement and to God’s glory, never lost faith in God’s plan for one minute — even through ten years of utter silence, completely unaware whether I was dead or alive or where I was or if they would ever see me again. If I am alive today, it is because of the intercession of these two most sincere believers.
dj

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To ALL of you in blogland who bless me by reading my blog

and those who's blogs I am blessed by reading

I wish you a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am thankful for my LORD & SAVIOR, JESUS the CHRIST.

I am thankful HE has paid the cost of redeeming us to ALL who believe in HIM.

I am thankful for THE WORD OF GOD.

I am thankful for being blessed to be born in a country who's very existence is based on the Bible and Christian principles. A fact that is sadly so often forgotten today.

I am thankful for a wonderful, and long, marriage with my wonderful, Mickey.

I am thankful all 4 of our children will be together to celebrate our Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for good health.

I am thankful for a good mind.

I am thankful for a nice, warm, loving home.

I am thankful for all the other material blessings I have been blessed with.

I am thankful that God not only hears, but answers our prayers.

I am thankful for all the prayers I have seen answered.

I am thankful for the prayers I am currently praying that will be answered in the future.

I am thankful for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I am thankful to call you friend.

DAVID TELLS HIS STORY

Many of you who have been following the story of our prodigal sons return.

The first blog I ever wrote about David was about raising him as a child here.

Then I began the story of his recent return here.

David has now begun his own blog, Wider Than The Sky.

His story starts at the bottom of his page so please scan down and begin there with the Origin Of The Species.

This story, as you will see, is not a pretty one. What story of a Prodigal is?

But, as with all who turn their lives over to Jesus, it will have a wonderful ending.

These first four segments he has written are the beginning of the bad times.

He will be adding to them and I trust you will bookmark his blog and follow along.

Mickey, David & I appreciate your interest in our story and the many prayers that have been offered for us and our extended family.

It is a very exciting time for all of us.

We serve a wonderful, mighty GOD who can, and does reach out and snatch us from the very pits of hell.

This is OUR story.

HELP FEED THE POOR AND BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY

Today I have something that is both FUN & EDUCATIONAL.

I saw this on a blog, sorry I can't remember which one or I'd give credit!

I must warn you.....it is very addicting....especially if you are a word person like me!!

It also helps feed people!!!!

With a combination like that how can we lose?

So if you are a word lover like me and you want to build your vocabulary and you want to help the poor and hungry of this world give it a try.

Let me know how you do.

I've only gotten up to 40 so far but hope to increase my level.

Have fun AND be a blessing at the same time!!!

Addendum: I've done thousands of grains of rice......I told you it is addictive. My 40 score is the vocabulary level score on the bottom. The highest is 50 with most people not getting above 48.

SHOW & TELL #28 - Old lawnmower

Friday again!!! That means Show & Tell at Kelli's. Drop by here and sign up with Mr. Linky and then read and enjoy every ones items for this week.

My Show & Tell this week is this very old push lawnmower.

I found this about 15 years ago at a garage sale for $1.

The name on the handle reads

The Silent Yardman
The Yardman Co.

Jackson, Mich

I painted it to match our house trim and use it on the front porch as an ornament.

Addendum: Since posting this I've been ask in comments if I'd ever used it. The answer is NO. It was far to old and rusty to use and will barely turn.

AN AWARD

I want to thank those of you who left me comments yesterday on my blog about Stinking Flesh.

I do know who I am in Christ.

I do know the price was paid IN FULL for me on Calvary by Christ's blood.

I do know I cannot and am not trying to earn my salvation.

I am just keenly aware of the fact that our wonderful Savior and God continues to conform us into His purpose.

My life verse is:

Philippians 1:6

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

==============================

In the midst of my fiery furnace Sharon, of Rose of Sharon , gave me this wonderful beautiful award. Thank you so much Sharon. It is especially touching to me since it came at a time when I am feeling (in the flesh AGAIN) so Un-Amazing.

BUT my GOD is AMAZING and GLORIOUS and

LONGSUFFERING.

IN HIM, AND HIM ALONE, DO I PUT MY TRUST.

STINKING FLESH

On September 26th I wrote a blog called Reflecting. At the end of that post I wrote the following:

And I weep, for them, but I also weep for myself .....because I have to wonder if I could walk in the faith, steadfastness, determination and Love of God that they demonstrate to me day in and day out. Something to think about isn't it? Surely does make me think and WEEP!
I have wanted to be real, to be transparent to all of you who read me or just stumble on this blog of Penless Writer.
That is what I am today: REAL, WEEPING & TRANSPARENT.
I pray I can meet any test or trial Jesus would call on me to walk.

When I wrote this I knew that David was coming home, which he did 4 days later on September 30th. I knew that with David's return our entire family, and especially Mickey & I, were going to be facing a lot of issues, problems, heartbreak and also joy, happiness and true victories. I knew that satan was going to attack us with all he had in every one of his arsenals. This Reflecting blog was my acknowledging that to myself and fortifying myself for the battle ahead.

No amount of fortifying could have prepared me for the true battle I have found myself facing.

Oh, we have faced all the issues and problems I had anticipated: repossessed car, expired drivers license, mood swings of Bipolar 1, difficulty in getting established with a new Psychiatrist, finding a job, etc. These we are dealing with in a timely step by step manner but I must tell you we have faced difficulties every step of the way. Murphy's Law has been in effect, time and time again.

In connection with the joy, happiness and victories there have been many: the ease with which the drug addiction left him surpassed our wildest hopes, his returning to God and accepting Christ as his Personal Savior came sooner and easier than we dreamed, Nicole's salvation, his joy at being home, his gratitude for his family and the part we are playing in his recovery and restoration, his not only willingness but eagerness to attend all church services with us, his joining us in Bible Study and prayer each morning, his participating in the Overcomers Class at Church. .

We still have massive hurdles yet ahead of us: finding the proper job in his field (we will know on Friday about the interview he went on Monday) , getting the car released, getting his license re-instated, and locating a psychiatrist.

The entire point of this blog, and the lesson I am learning, is about my own stinking flesh. After having lived as a Christian for so many years and dealing with a lot of defeats and victories over those years I never dreamed how very much this current experience would show me that I haven't YET truly DIED TO SELF. My old, stinking, sinful, sin nature is still too alive and well. I am having to face that brutal truth head on day, after day, after day. I see it in my getting my feelings hurt. I see it in my getting anxious and nervous on the inside. I see it in letting my nervousness flair up in irritation and down right anger. I see it in crying buckets of tears. I see it in my asking, "Why me Lord" when I know the WHY question is one that God never answers, even to his own son on the cross.

I desire to truly be able to say: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galations 2:20

I know I am, but I want to truly die to this sticking flesh.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL!!!

Jill, what a wonderful husband you have!!!

I was willing to place his birthday greeting here on my blog today but I am not computer knowledgeable to do so!!!!! (Sorry Doug)

So this will have to do for today!!!

I truly wish you a wonderful Birthday.

You, and your blogging, are a wonderful delight to me.

I am happy to call you friend

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL

Drop over to Jill's blog, Who Could Ask For Anything More,

and wish her Happy Birthday.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To Ann - who left me a message yesterday but no way to contact you.

If you read this please leave another comment with a bloglink or an e-mail address. I spoke to Marc and yes he remembers you and would like to get in contact with you.

ANSWERING A COMMENT

Blogging has been a real eye opener to me since I began this adventure 9+ months ago.



1- It has opened up my eyes to the Body of Christ, which I love so much.



2- It has opened up my eyes to the Big Wide World we live in and the fact I have so much in common with others around the world.



3- It has opened up true friendships of which I never would have imagined



4- It has opened up to me that fact that even though I was old and grey my thoughts and values were appreciated or at least tolerated.



5- It has opened my eyes to the animosity with which some non-Christians have attacked my strong faith and belief in Jesus, the Christ.



last, but not least



6 - It has opened up my eyes to this:



Karen said...
Susan, I usually enjoy your wonderful blogs. They are typically deeply spiritual and often times heartwarming. I even occasionally chuckle at the more light harded posts. However, I am somewhat concerned over this show and tell. Would Jesus really want to be shown in such a comical manner? He is Our Savior and Lord. A glorious one to be taken seriously. HE IS LORD. Not Paul Lynde. I mean no insult I am not here to judge, just comment. Perhaps next time you might not want to share things that depict Jesus as a clown. Your sister in Christ,Karen
November 10, 2007 8:36 PM




On this beautiful Sabbath morning, November 11th, at 5:30 a.m. I logged on to my blog to find the above comment awaiting me.

As a background, on Friday, November 2nd, I posted a picture of a Smiling Jesus on my Show & Tell. You can see the picture and review the post here. When I posted this picture I was aware I might get a negative comment or two. As it turned out I had 41 comments, none of which were negative until this 42nd comment, which came 8 days later on Saturday, November 10th at 8:36 pm.

If you have followed my blog very long you know I have NEVER censored or deleted a comment. I have also taken a very strong stand against hiding behind anonymity. It is my firm belief that anyone can say anything on my blog comments as long as it is not vulgar or cursing. It is also my firm belief that we need not hide when wanting to speak.

I have on my side bar a large envelope with my e-mail address. If "Karen" wanted to discuss her views with me I would have been happy to do so by receiving her email where I could have replied directly and privately to her. Since she did not choose that avenue........I must address this publicly in this way.

Another thing that I dislike about the anonymity is that I have several very good blog friends named "Karen". Thank goodness I have a site meter so I could isolate where the comment came from, and at what times. The comment came from Andover, Mass. To my knowledge I do not "know" this person. I find it interesting that "Karen" logged into my site on Saturday, November 10th at 2:34 am and again at 5:31 pm. She left me the message at 8:32 pm and then checked back in this morning, Sunday, November 11th at 2:50 am, at 11:06 am, and again at 5:09 pm. Now today, Monday, November 12th you visited me at 7:53 am and again at 10:04 am.

You were probably looking for my answer "Karen". This is it: I would be more than happy to discuss your viewpoint with you.

STANDING ON HIS WORD

Standing on HIS word is something I've been doing for years. It has really been brought home these past 40+ days just how crucial it is to do just that, moment by moment.

I remember years ago studying Bible Memory work under the Navagators and learning a very fundamental visual lesson that has stood the test of time. I thought I would share that with you today. Those who have heard this, it will refresh your memory, those who have not heard it I hope it will be something you can cling to

Picture your hand, and the 5 fingers on your hand. Each finger stands for a truth about Hiding the Word in our hearts.

#1 - HEAR the WORD - Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

#2 - READ the WORD - Ephesians 3:4 "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." & Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

#3 - STUDY the WORD - II Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

#4 - MEMORIZE the WORD - Psalms 119:9-11 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

#5 - MEDITATE on the WORD - Psalms 143:5 "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all they works: I muse on the work of thy hands." & Psalms 119:99 "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation."

The times of testing will come and when they do it is the WORD OF GOD that sustains us and gives us strength to stand.

==========

God is so very faithful to encourage us and to send us tokens of what we need along the way. David has had two of these special tokens from God during the past weeks he has been home. (1) He and his brother were at the bowling Alley and "out of the blue" (?) no......from God!!......a man came up to David and said "God loves you and I love you." (2) Last week Aric, David and I were standing in line at M*c*D*o*n*a*l*d*s and I was telling Aric what a fine young man he was and then I said "Is Uncle David a young man?" A young man standing in front of the 3 of us turned to us and said, "We are all young since we will never die". We began talking to him and found that he was a Prodigal that had returned to God. He talked about the words, prayers and teaching of his mother never leaving him. David was almost in tears and saying, "Everywhere I turn God is confirming himself to me."

Last Sunday, November 4th, David officially joined the church. Another momentous day in our lives. Our Pastor's wife said to him, "We are expecting great things from you, David."

I cannot tell you the joy it is to have David join Mickey & I every morning at 7:30 for our Bible Study and prayer time. We have longed for this day as the three of us join hands and pour out our tears of gratitude to our God. He has been in every Sunday morning and evening service, and every Wednesday night and even went the last Saturday of October to help with the Angel Food Ministry.

He has a very important job interview Monday morning at 9 a.m. We ask that you join with us in praying about this. Our prayer is that God will open the door he wants David to walk through and will close the ones he does not want him to walk through.

I know many of you are praying with us, and for us, during this time. I want you to know how very much that means to us and how very much we appreciate that fact

SHOW & TELL #27 - Old very small mirror

Happy Friday everyone!!! Friday means Show & Tell. Drop over to Kelli's at There Is No Place Like Home, sign up on Mr. Linky and visit all the blogs that post their items today. It's always such a treat.

My Show & Tell for today is this tiny 4" mirror.

This tiny make-up/purse mirror was a Christmas gift to me when I was 13 years old. That makes it over 50 years old. It was a gold color, but you can see it has aged----as have I!!!!!! I treasured it as a young teen because it came from 5th Avenue. I have no idea whether Edward Steiner is still in existence but this is a happy memory for me. Thanks for letting me share another childhood treasure with you.

HELLO!

I don't need to tell you that I haven't been able to blog much or able to read very many of your wonderful blogs.

I miss you all very much.

BUT

when satan has lost one from his grip, which he did BIG TIME time with our Prodigals return,

he does not leave silently and without a fight.

We are in a very big battle and the victories are BIG and WONDERFUL but the fight is also real and hard. We continue to covet your prayers.

YE ARE OF GOD, LITTLE CHILDREN, AND HAVE OVERCOME THEM: BECAUSE GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD. 1 John 4:4

BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER: FOR LOVE IS OF GOD, AND EVERY ONE THAT LOVETH IS BORN OF GOD, AND KNOWETH GOD 1 John 4:8

JESUS IS LORD!!

YEA, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US. Romans 8:37

SHOW & TELL #26 - Smiling Jesus

Show & Tell Friday is here once again. Go over to Kelli's and sign up on Mr. Linkey and then visit all the links and see the amazing things people Show.

This is my Smiling Jesus picture that hangs in our home.

I first saw this picture about seven years ago and just had to have one.

I loved this depiction of My Lord the minute I saw.

It is especially wonderful for me to post this today because I knew that Jesus threw back his head and smiled just like this upon our household this month

as our Prodigal returned.

All of us in this household are joining in on this smile and joy.

My prayer today is that Jesus is smiling as big on you and yours as He is on us.

OCTOBER, 2007 A MONTH TO REMEMBER

=============

On another note:

I've been blessed once again!!!! Heather's Brain notified me yesterday of the following:

WINNER
Congratulations to...(drum roll please)Susan at Penless Writer.

I won Heather's monthly candle give away, at Is That A Candle I Smell?, for October. YEAH!!! I love candles. Thank you Heather.

I loved what my lovely friend Karen, from New Zealand, said on my comments:

"Congratulations on your win! I saw that you were the winner and it felt so right, the flame is getting brighter in your life, oh so fitting. I got so excited for you!"

Yes, Karen, the flame is getting brighter and brighter in my life and family. I serve a wonderful, faithful, loving God. Bless His Holy Name: Father, Son & Holy Ghost.