My Father

This is a tribute to my father, Henry Harrison Errett, better known as H.H. Errett.

I loved my father dearly. I was what you commonly call a "daddy's girl". I was, and am, very proud of
my father. What he accomplished, who he was as a person and what he meant to me and my mother.

My father was born September 23, 1885 in Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of 8 children, 5 girls
and 3 boys. As a very early child he and his family traveled from Pennsylvania to Kansas by covered
wagon. As near as I can calculate the family must have traveled about 1250 miles in that covered wagon. I have no idea how long it took them to make the journey. Upon settling in Kansas my grand-
father began farming. The two older sons in the family remained farmers and stayed in the same area
of Gridley, Kansas for their entire lives.

My father did not want to be a farmer and left Kansas and ended up in New Mexico. The story of how
that transpired I do not know. In 1918, at the age of 33, he served in the 5th New Mexico State Legislature. He was married and had two daughters. He became a widower when his wife died of TB.

On September 19, 1935, 4 days before his 50th birthday, he married my mother, Pauline Dickey Banta.
My mother was a young widow with a 10 year old daughter named Marion. My mother was only 29 years old at the time of their marriage. This made her 21 years younger than my father and only a few years older than his two daughters from the first marriage.

I came along 2 years later. At the time of my birth my father was 52 and my mother was 31. I was born in a small town just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, called Espanola. We moved to Santa Fe when I was only a few months old and I was raised in Santa Fe.

My father was in the Real Estate & Insurance business. H.H. Errett Real Estate. His office was on the second floor of the Ganns building on the Plaza. The picture above was taken walking the sidewalk in front of his office. It so represents him: walking briskly, papers in hand, pens in pocket, hat on head, pipe in mouth and dressed in business attire. He was a very fast walker and consequently so was and am I. Mother use to always be saying, "You two slow down and wait for me". During my entire life I never saw my father dressed in casual clothes. Only one time, when we visited my maternal grandparents in Missouri and we went swimming and he put on some overalls to swim. He was always dressed like this or with an added suit jacket.

My father, like so many of his age, had lost literally everything during the depression. He had started over at the age of 50 and was quite successful. He provided a very wonderful life for me, my sister Marion and my mother. My father was just as wonderful a father to Marion and loved her and treated her as his very own. He had twin grandchildren, a boy and a girl, who were 1 year and 2 months older than I. It was always interesting when they would come to town to visit, which wasn't very often because their father was in the oil business and they lived in Peru, South America. They, being a year older than I, naturally were a head taller than I. So here was my father with these three children saying "These two taller ones are my grandchildren and this littler one is my daughter"!!!

My father was very outgoing and social. He was a Deacon of the First Christian Church we attended until his death. He was active in the Optimist Club of America and served some as the President. He loved to play pool and could quite often be found doing so. He was somewhat active in politics and a staunch Democrat. He was a totally honest man, and had an outstanding reputation with any and all who knew him, regardless of their status. There is a Errett Street in Santa Fe named after him.

He had a very full and happy life and died on June 17, 1972 at the age of 87. I was only 35 years old and my mother was 66 . My biggest regret is that because of his advanced age when I was born our two younger sons never really knew him.

My reason for writing this is two fold. I just find it so interesting if you think about how much life has changed in America and in society in general from his birth until now. During a span of two generations we have gone from covered wagon days to super-sonic jet travel. Telephone's with an operator putting through the calls on a switchboard, party lines. His office number was 616 and our home number was 1520W. The "w" representing we shared that party line with another family. The older lady next door was always picking up the phone and listening to my calls!! One, usually large, radio in the living room where everyone would gather around to hear the news or a few shows. I remember when we got out first black and white TV. What a big day that was. Cars with running boards and no air conditioners or radio. Wringer washing machines and clothes lines. Old Underwood typewriters. He would have no concept of me typing at this computer and this little tribute going literally around the world. Pipe organs at church. He would be very surprised with the many instruments used today to praise his God. Praise and worship songs in addition to the old standard hymns he knew so well. His two favorites were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In The Garden". The fast pace of life. Stores use to be opened only Monday through Saturday and then only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nothing was opened on Sunday. Most road were dirt and the highways were 2 lane. I could go on and on but you get the picture. Thanks for listening. to this "daddy's girl" reminisce about her father.

Nova Scotia

We're going to Nova Scotia and I am soooo excited!!!!!! Can you tell?

Now the back ground. We traveled to the Eastern USA & Eastern Canada in 2000. As most of you know, my husband and I spent 4 years living and traveling in our 30' Jayco 5th wheel, pulled by our 1 ton Dodge pickup. This trip we made in 2000 was joined off and on by our dear friends of 24 years (now 31 years!) Don & Barbara. They were traveling in a Class A Motorhome and pulling a tote (car for you who are not familiar with RV lingo!).

From the very beginning I was most excited and looking forward to visiting Nova Scotia. It just sounded so exciting to me. Our northernmost point of travel, on this trip, was to Meat Cove on Cape Breton on September 9th. While on Cape Breton I picked up a little flyer that was promoting a ship launching they were having at a small town called Pictou. I shared it with my husband, Mickey, and Don & Barbara and said "This sounds fun let's go". So off the 2 RV's and 4 of us go to Pictou.

Now Pictou was somewhere we'd never heard of and I doubt we would have gone there had it not been for that flyer. The ship launching was to be September 15th. We arrived in Pictou on September 12th and stayed 6 days. This event turned out to be the highlight of our trip.

The ship was the Ship Hector and was an exact replica of the original Dutch Ship Hector that had arrived on September 15, 1773 bringing the first settlers from Scotland. Hence the name Nova Scotia (New Scotland). This little town had been working on this ship for 10 years. Being land locked Okie's, I cannot tell you what an exciting time it was for the 4 of us to be part of this historic event. That is one of the most exciting parts of traveling as we did. Not just visiting all the standard tourist sites you have always wanted and dreamed of visiting but all these little unexpected things the Lord blessed us with along the way.

The launching was to take place September 15, 2000. Exactly 227 years from when it had first arrived after its long voyage at sea. Come the 15th it was POURING rain. Thousands of us stood in the rain and they kept waiting, and hoping that it would clear up so they could launch but that didn't happen. We all came back the next day, September 16th, and watched this beautiful replica of the original Ship Hector launch. Oh what a marvelous sight that was and so exciting

One of the festivities of the celebration was a "tattoo". Now I had never heard of a tattoo (other than the type you put on your skin!) before this trip. But as my good Lord would have it, while in Nebraska I was talking to a fellow RVer. When he heard we were going to Canada he said "If you get a chance be sure and go to a Tattoo". I, of course, said "What is that?". He couldn't really explain it to me but he did say it was the most fantastic show and display he and his wife had ever seen. Based on his word I was excited that part of this celebration was a Tattoo on the night of the launching. We had our tickets, it was outside, it is still pouring rain. I don't mean raining, I mean pouring rain. The 4 of us sat, under umbrellas, watching this spectacular performance. Of course all the participants were getting drenched and they didn't have umbrellas!! I kid you not, when we got back to our RV that night we rang the water out of our clothes. But the experience was just fantastic. Here is an explanation of what a tattoo is:

Why It Is Called "Tattoo"It began as a military "last call." In 17th century Dutch villages, drummers marched through the streets summoning soldiers to return to their quarters from evening gatherings in taverns and inns. A drumbeat signaling innkeepers to "doe den tap toe" or "turn off the taps," was eventually shortened to "tap toe" and finally to "tattoo." The phrase now heralds the extraordinary entertainment highlighted by marching bands, hundreds of musicians, and military competitions. What makes The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo unique and one of the world's largest annual indoor shows is the mix of hundreds of Canadian and international, military and civilian performers.

Now, as to our current trip. For Christmas one of the items Mickey and I got was a DVD/VCR recorder/duplicator. Mickey has been busy dubbing our old VCR's onto DVD. One of them happened to be the launching of Ship Hector. We had not watched it in some time. Needless to say it reminded us of the wonderful time and experience we had. Shortly after this we had Don & Barbara over for dinner one night and showed them the DVD. Then the four of us reminisced about the wonderful experience that had been.

When they launched the Hector it was complete except for the masts, which were to be added later. We had always kind of talked about "wouldn't it be wonderful to go back up and see it after they put the mast on it". You know, that dreaming sort of conversation. Toward the end of our evening Don said to Mickey "Would you guys go back up there with us?" We said no we didn't think that was in the play book at this point. I said if I went back I definitely would want to see a Tattoo. It has always been my dream to be blessed with getting to see another Tattoo.

The next morning I got up went to the computer and Googled "Tattoo" Of course I got all the skin ones. OOOPS!!! Then I tried "Scotish Tattoo" and up pops one in Edinburgh, Scotland. THAT would be wonderful but don't think that's in the budget. Then I stumbled onto one in Halifax, NOVA SCOTIA!!!!! AND it's going to be held July 1-8, 2007!!!! I get some air line fare prices and sit down and e-mail Don with something like "Okay, now you've done it. Let's go and here's what I found out about a Tattoo in Halifax". Discussion leads to more discussion and we decide we don't want to fly but drive and enjoy the trip coming and going. Don offers to drive because they have a nice roomy van. I don't think our '93 2 door red Cadillac Eldorado would make a very comfortable ride for 4 people that distance!

Here is a link all about the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Our bags aren't packed yet (ha) but we are making plans. We have already purchased and have in hand our tickets. We opted for the Prestige seating. We figured since we're driving thousands of miles to see this we surely wanted the beat seats they had to offer. We have our reservations made at the Residence Inn Halifax Downtown/.

We opted for the July 8th performance because it includes this Pipefest/. This will be something new to us and it sounds very exciting.

After spending the 7th & 8th in Halifax we will travel on to Pictou and view the Hector with her masts. We have no idea what wonderful adventures await us there and on the rest of our journey. The 4 of us always find exciting and fun things to do.

Why I Blog

I've noticed several sites where they have posted the 5 reasons they blog and I thought I'd give that a try.

1. I was intrigued with the depth and caring that I saw reading Noah Steven blog
and wanted to be a part of that.

2. I love communicating with people and sharing ideas and thoughts. I love to hear what others have to say.

3. I thought it would be very interesting to "meet" people from all over the USA, Canada and the world.

4. I love writing and the power of words. I especially love The Word.

5. I am interested in learning about different everything. I believe to stop learning is to stop living.

I am loving the blogging experience and the wonderful people I am "meeting" and getting to know and share with. It has not only lived up to my expectations but far surpassed them. Thanks to you ALL. (You know I'm a transplanted Okie!)

Picture!

As you can see......after more than a month I FINALLY have a face!!:):) Thanks to one of my wonderful sons who came over and helped his, struggling to do this new thing, Mom.

Hopefully, now I can begin to post some pictures along with some of my blogs and introduce you to some of my family as well. I so have enjoyed "meeting" some of yours and the wonderful pictures and other items you show me.

Funny things kids and others say

Just received this via e-mail from a friend of mine. They were just so cute I wanted to share them with you folks. If you've seen them before just enjoy a good laugh again.


THE STORY OF ELIJAH:
The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times "Now, said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?" A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know! I know!" she said, "To make the gravy!"
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LOT'S WIFE:
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
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GOOD SAMARITAN:
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and b leeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."
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DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?" "No," replied David. "How could he, with just two worms?"
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HIGHER POWER:
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, " We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?" One child blurted out, "Aces!"
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MOSES & THE RED SEA:
Nine-year-old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school. "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." "Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked. "Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"
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THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD:
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Rick was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, h e could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Rickey was so nervous.
When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."
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CHURCH SMILES:
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments, " answered the lady.
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While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.
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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesso n was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
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Give me a sense of humor, Lord,
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And pass it on to other folk.

Is this God Speaking?

How does God speak to you? I know He speaks to us first by His word----that goes without saying, but God also speaks to me a lot in everyday things.

I had a good example of that this morning. I got up early, I always get up early! I wanted to make some brownies before going to church. I read the directions and proceeded to mix the brownie mix. Well, the mixture looked dry to me so "I" decided to add a little more water. Just a tab! They still looked dry so I added a little more. Put them in the greased pan and into the oven they go. Set the timer, came back and began reading blogs.

When the timer goes off I go to check and see if they are done. Water is bubbling on the top!!!! I re-set the timer. Go back. Still water floating on the top. I pour out as much of the water as I can without dumping the brownies into the sink! Back into the over. Re-set timer. Go back. Pour off more water. Back into the oven. Finally decide that it's as good as it's going to get and set them out to cool.

I now have a nice pan of brownies that are hard as a rock, totally unfit to eat and going into the garbage.

Now, "what does this have to do with God speaking?" you are probably asking. The first time the timer went off and I saw the water bubbling on the top I thought, "Yah, Susan, you think you know better than the instructions". My second move was "I'll fix it the way I think it should be fixed because it doesn't look right to me." The third step is "Well, it's a mess but let me see if I can salvage it". And finally realizing "I've just made a mess of this and it really isn't even salvageable".

Now, isn't that the way we do with God? God used this silly little incident to speak to me loud and clear, for the upteenth time!: "Do it My way"; "Quit thinking you know better than what the instructions (Bible) said because of the way things look." You know the "circumstances" as we see them. And finally we realize the mess we've made by not doing what God said in the first place. Then we repent and start all over again.

Excuse me while I go into the kitchen and make another pan of brownies that my family can enjoy with dinner today. Because His "goodness and mercy that follows me all the days of my life" Psalms 23:6 I just happen to have an extra box of mix!

My Personal Testimony

I want to share my personal testimony. Why? That's a good question I had to ask myself before doing this. The answer - because that's who "I" truly am.

I was born into a Christian home. I not only was born into this Christian home but I was raised in this Christian home. My father was a Deacon in the church and both my parents were totally active and committed. Our lives revolved around the church. I don't remember exactly what age I was baptised but I made a confession of faith and was baptised. I believed in God, I believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

After I married and had my two infant girls we bought our first home. As God would have it, he placed us between two Baptist families. One a Southern Baptist and the other an Independent Baptist. Back in those days the mothers would get together, almost every day, and drink coffee around the kitchen table. Meanwhile the children would play either in the house or the backyard depending on the weather.

It was during these daily visits that I began to realize and think to myself: "These two women (everyone was older than I back in those days because I married so young!) know Jesus in a way that I don't know him". They talked about Him like he was one of their personal friends! But I believed in God & Jesus and I went to church and I believed I was on my way to heaven. What's wrong?

Shortly after this realization was dawning on me the Independent Baptist announced her church was having a revival and she would like me to come. I did and I heard one of the Old Time Fire & Brimstone messages. I'm telling you, I ran to that altar and experienced the new birth. Nothing has ever been the same for me. The very next day I remember looking at each and every person I saw on the street and wanting to literally share with them what I had experienced. I began telling anyone and everyone that would listen to me about Jesus.

I suddenly saw the problem. Oh, I believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. That he lived and died for the sins of the world. But I came to realize I believed ABOUT him as a historical Jesus. The same way I believe there was a Christopher Columbus who discovered America, a George Washington that was our first president, etc. I didn't believe IN him as my personal Savior. What I didn't see was that it was for ME that he came, and if I'd been the only one he would have come and died for me. I did have to believe that with all my heart, soul and mind. When I saw that fact and truly accepted him for what he'd done for me I was truly born again. Now I did know him as a personal friend of mine, just like my two neighbors did.

I need to explain further....The reason I did not mention the denomination I grew up in is that when I went back and attended services with my parents, after my new birth, I could see that they did preach salvation. They just didn't do it in a bold enough way for THIS young 18 year old woman to get the message. "By hearing you shall hear and not understand" Matthew 13:14b KJV "Your ears are open but you don't hear a thing" The Message I know many in that denomination are born again. I just didn't happen to be one of them. I also know many are not born again, as is the case in every church and denomination.

I am NOT giving a testimony for the Baptist either. I learned a lot from my Baptist background over many years. The main thing I learned as a Baptist was a love for the Bible and learning to memorize scripture at an early age when it was easier than it is for me now!

During these ensuing many years God has directed our paths and our walk with him. For whatever his reason God has seen fit to place us in various churches and denominations at different times. I feel our walk with our Lord has grown with each step we've taken. It is certainly one of the reasons I have such a love for The Universal Church and The Body Of Christ.

It is always with anticipation that I wonder "What God has in store for us next?" He is such a good God and he's good ALL the time!! Of one thing I am sure, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me". John 10:27 JKV

I am so thankful I am one of his sheep. He is my shepherd, my Savior and my LORD. I know that if he is these things to you that you will rejoice with me. If he is not these things to you I pray that today will be the day you will believe and accept him. In so doing you will truly find "The peace of God, which passeth all understand, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:7 KJV "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." The Message

I know I've been basically preaching to the choir, as they say. But I also know that too many people who think they know the Lord really only know about him.

Addendum

This is the conclusion of my post yesterday about the challenge of raising children. It is really two examples about how life changes and how often we have to adjust our attitudes, either good or bad.

#1 - During the time my two daughters were very young I had a very dear friend, Bev, who had a little boy, Larry, 1 year younger than my girls. As stated in the original post my two little girls were usually very well behaved and obedient. Larry, on the other hand, was a typical, rambunctious little boy. The type that was always getting into some type of adventure that usually ended up with his getting in trouble.

Fast forward about 10 years...... my David is the age Larry use to be. One day Bev and I were shopping. David was doing the usual: peeking under the dressing room doors, hiding under the clothes rack, just being his normal rambunctious self. Suddenly my dear friend said, "Susan this does my heart good!" I said "What do you mean?" She related how when Larry was that age and we'd be out together and I would act like I didn't even know her. I said, "I DID not". To which she replied: "Oh yes! For example, I remember once in a furniture store when Larry was jumping on the furniture and you, with your 2 girls, just walked about 20 feet ahead of me and pretended like you didn't know me". I didn't specifically remember doing that but I probably did!!! The moral of this one......be careful of your judgements on other people the circumstances can change and you'll be "eating your words" or in this case, my actions.

#2 - I had the 4 children. Their ages were about 2, 7, 15 & 16. David's friend, Rodney, (who I spoke about in the previous post) was an only child. His mother, Mary, and I became friends. Rodney's father was a lawyer and they lived in a much bigger home down the street from us. When I would visit at Mary's everything was always in perfect shape. Everything clean, shiny and in its place. Not a speck of dust on the Ethan Allen Furniture. Mary would come to my home and it always seemed like I was in the middle of folding a large pile of laundry, toys would be strung out across the living room, the girls school books would be all over the kitchen table. You get the picture. Seems like I would begin each visit apologizing for how messy everything was.

Fast forward about 6 years.........Mary had 3 more sons in a space of about 5 years! Right after the birth of her 4th son I went down to visit and see the newest baby. Her mother had come in from another city to help out, there were wet clothes hanging all over the living room, the other 2 infants were banging items or rolling cars on the Ethan Allen Furniture. You get the picture. I said to Mary and her mother, "This does my heart good!". They said, "What do you mean?" and I relayed the story of how I would feel years before when Mary, with her only child, would come into my disheveled home of 4 children. The moral of this story.......times and circumstances do not remain the same and I've learned not to be so harsh, critical or judgmental of either myself or others.

The Challenge of Raising Children

I was blessed this morning to begin my day seeing this beautiful sunrise compliments of Seeds From My Garden. Next to seeing it with my own two eyes was getting to view this beautiful shot:-)

Ginger has once again inspired me to write in an entirely different direction than I had on my mind. Go over and read her lovely post about the child in the Dr. office and then the comments relating to that post, especially hers about her third daughter Jenna. Hence my story!

I had two little girls born 1 year and 9 days apart. I use to say it was like having twins the hard way. Suzette and Jacque were basically very obedient and docile children and naturally, being mine, I adored them. Because they were obedient and docile I took great pride in being such a good young mother!!!

Fast forward............8 1/2 years later our first son was born. We were so delighted. We had wanted a son and had waited a long time for him. Well, almost from the beginning David was a challenge to this young mother and her pat child rearing skills.

First of all he never really crawled. He would kind of scoot but never got up on all fours. What he did do was begin walking at about 7 months and by 9 months he was running. He was into life and finding out all about this great big world in a big and fast way.

I also found out very quickly what a strong willed child he was. The first real test that I remember was we had a small TV on a TV stand. The stand had a shelf where we kept the newspapers. David would pull down the papers....I would say "no-no" and slap his hands and put the papers back on the shelf. Suffice it to say, he could hold out much longer pulling down than I could putting up. His little hand would literally be red from my slapping it but pull he would still do.

By the time he was two years old he was climbing the fence in our back yard. He would climb over the fence, run across the next yard, climb that fence and be into the 3rd yard before I could hardly get the back door opened and myself outside. An aside, years later when he was grown we ran into the neighbor who lived in the 3rd yard who said "I always will remember David for climbing the fence like he could!".

When he was 5 years old our second son, Marc, was born. Shortly after Marc's arrival my in-laws came from Tennessee to see our new son. I had put David down for a nap and the 4 of us were visiting. Sometime later I realized David was still napping. He usually didn't nap that long so I went to check on him. Guess what greeted me?.......an open window (he had opened the window) and no David. Across from our house was another row of houses and behind that was empty fields. He had opened that window, climbed out of the window and was gone. We hunted and hunted and finally found him playing in the dirt in the treed field. He was like "What's the matter? I'm just playing."

This incident occurred when he was in the first grade. His bestfriend was a boy, Rodney, who was the same age and lived down the street. Rodney went to a parocial school. One day I get a call that David is not in school. First grade and this kid is playing hookey!!! The story....the parocial school had a holiday that day and Rodney didn't have school. David decided he didn't have to go to school either and had gone to Rodney's house. His sister's at the time said "Well, look at it this way Mom, maybe he's going through the bad teen years early." That was a nice thought but it turned out not to be true.

Another very vivid insident I remember is this one. We had one of those above ground plastic swimming pools. A big one that was about 2 feet high. One day David threw our cat into the pool. I was horrified. I'd heard these programs on TV about kids that were mean to animals turning out to be murderers, etc. and I just paniced at the fact David had thrown the cat into the pool. I became a screaming manic myself as I yelled, hollowed and spanked him. Years later when we discussed this incident David said in his mind he was just having such a good time playing in the pool that he wanted kitty to share in the fun!!!

David has a brilliant mind. So often the really adventuress ones, the what we call, misbehaving ones, are very smart. And as Ginger so aptly stated they are exactly the way God made them to be.

By the way.....my Marc turned out to be the most docile, gentle child of our 4. He would entertain himself for hours playing with matchbox cars, etc. God knew that I was not up to handling another David.

Universal Body Of Christ

It was one month ago today that I tentatively entered the World of Blog. When we begin something new we have certain expectations of what the experience will bring to us and what we will bring to the experience. In my case my expectations were: 1) to make contact with others with the same interests and passions that I have; 2) a chance to share my thoughts with others; and 3) hopefully, to be able to share some knowledge I've been blessed to learn during my walk these many years. I was also hoping to make contact with people from a wide range of geographic areas, especially outside the US.

So how am I now feeling as I enter my second month? It definitely has lived up to those first three expectations. So far I have not made contact with anyone outside the US that I feel I have a lot in common with. I certainly hold that out as an expectation that will be fulfilled.

BUT the #1 thing I have been blessed to learn, and get a better grasp, is the Universal Body Of Christ. For years I have been aware of the importance of having a wider, broader view than just "our" individual church and/or denomination. In one short month this truth has been driven home to me with even a greater impact.

I live near Tulsa in what is called the Buckle of the Bible Belt. We are blessed to have MANY huge churches, Oral Roberts University and Kenneth Hagin's Rhema Bible College. We have more "big" nationally, and internationally known ministries coming to town than we can possibly attend all the meetings and conferences and still be the active, committed members of our local church we need to be. In the midst of this I think sometimes people here begin to feel we have an inside track on God. One month of blogging and reading so many wonderful posts and I certainly know that to be false. It is wonderful to realize and see just how very alive and well the living, breathing Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is. PRAISE GOD

I have been blessed to witness true honestly, searching and striving to become ALL that Christ intends for us to be. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" II Corinthians 3:18 KJV "Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him." The Message It is so healthy to see such openness and shedding of the masks and phony facade.

It is with even greater anticipation and excitement than when I began that I look forward to my on-going journey. This journey of sharing, learning from others, getting to know you better and your getting to know me better. What joy and how you bless me. Thank YOU! :-)

I Can Only Imagine

We sang this song in church a couple of weeks ago and I so relate. Wanted to share it here. Probably a lot of you are familiar with the words but they are certainly worth of our pondering:)

i can only imagine!

i CAN ONLY IMAGINE

wHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE

wHEN i WALK BY yOUR SIDE.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE1

WHAT MY EYES WOULD SEE

WHEN YOUR FACE IS BEFORE ME.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You, Jesus?

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

To my knees will I fall?

Will I sing Halleluiah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine!

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

WHEN THAT DAY COMES

AND I FIND MYSELF

STANDING IN THE SON.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE1

WHEN ALL I WILL DO

IS FOREVER, FOREVER WORSHIP YOU.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

I've been thinking about this on this Sabbath day. I can ONLY imagine!!! but Oh what a glorious day that will be!

Will The REAL Person Please Stand Up?

It is strange where our motivation of what to write about comes from. Being so new to blogging (mine is less than one month old) I have a lot of things and ideas rolling around in my thoughts.

This morning I was reading one of my small bookmarked list of people, Ginger, and her blog on Is That Really You? It really touched me and I thought immediately that I wanted to write about that so here I am. After all my heading reads "A lie is ANYTHING contrary to the naked truth". The devil is the father of lies "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it". John 8:44b KJV "He couldn't stand the truth because there wasn't a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies." John 8:44b The Message

Years ago, most of you probably are too young to remember, they had a TV show called What's My Line. They had a panel of, I think it was, 4 celebrities. Each week they would have a person on with a funny or unusual occupation and then 2 others who were impostors. Each of the 3 participants sat together behind a table and would be asked questions by the panel of celebrities. The celebrities were trying to pin-point and figure out who was REALLY the person. At the climax of the show they would say "Will the REAL person please stand up?" That's what we're talking about...the REAL you coming forward.

I doubt that there has ever been a person, other than our Lord Jesus Christ, who has not dealt with this issue. I wonder, " is it harder to be "real" today than at other times in history?". I do feel that our society today starts out at a very early age trying to put us in the acceptable mold. Comments and statements like "Don't act like that.", "You shouldn't feel like that.", "Don't say that.", etc. Shouldn't we be asking questions like "Why are you acting like that?", "What is making you feel like that?", "Why are you saying that?". I know myself I was told a LOT, not only by my parents, but later by my husband, that "you shouldn't feel like that". It bothered me a lot. It bothered me because it made me feel like something was wrong with me. That I didn't measure up. I did feel "like that" and why was I being told I shouldn't?

My "break through" came at the age of 44. My mother was ill and getting to the point where she was unable to live alone. My husband was converting our double car garage into a very lovely living area, small kitchenette, bedroom, walk-in closet and bath for her. It had its own private entrance from outside and was also separated from our main living area by a mudroom. It made a very nice arrangement where she could live with us. We were in the process of disposing of her extra furnishings, private effects, etc. and I was having a huge garage sale at her home before it was put up for sale. I was under extraordinary stress. Anyone who has had to dispose of their parents items at a time like this, or at the time of death, knows what I mean. My husband and I were driving toward my mothers house and I was holding a set of metal canisters in my hands. I don't even remember what I said but my husband said to me (for the upteenth time) "You shouldn't feel like that." Something exploded in me (I'd mostly been a pretty controlled person) and I suddenly found myself screaming "DON'T ever say that to me AGAIN" as I began to beat the canister set against the dashboard, smashing it and causing my hand to bled. It wasn't a pretty way or sight, and I wish I'd had the courage to have done it much earlier in not so violent a manner, but let me tell you.........it set me free!! I finally was able to express what had been bothering me for years. It so shocked my husband that I don't think he has ever said that to me again. If he has, it hasn't really mattered because I've been able to tell him not to tell me what I should or should not feel. We are ALL entitled to our feelings. Right or wrong, they are our feelings.

Do you know what coming clean and getting honest does? Well, those around you, especially those closest to you who have loved you the way you "were", suddenly don't really care for the changes they are seeing. After all it rocks the boat. The tranquil waters are suddenly getting sloppy and splashing out on them and they are getting wet. Sometimes they are getting drenched! After 24 years of a very tranquil, and I felt, happy marriage we were on stormy waters for a period of 6 or 7 years. For those of you who don't know, we have now been married 48 years and after weathering the storm we do now have a very tranquil, happy, completely honest marriage. Any of you struggling with the "storms" I am living testimony to ride out the storm and let the anchor hold (a dear friend of mine just sang that song in her church a couple of weeks ago. Boy, I didn't know I was going to be writing about my anchor holding!) Especially in the beginning there were so many times I wanted to just give up and leave. Everything "fleshly" in me was screaming for me to do just that..........BUT I clung to not what I felt but what God's word said and what I knew to be right in my heart and spirit.

I would like to tell you I am now completely honest and real with everything and everyone. That would be an enormous lie. I am not. I still have area's where I hold my tongue. I still have areas where it is difficult for me to be totally honest. BUT, and it is a big but, I am working on it and more importantly Christ is working in me, and "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you (ME) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ". Philippians 1:6 KJV "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you (ME) would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." Philippians 1:6 The Message This is truly my Life Verse.

What I like best about this new, to me, blogging world is the freedom it gives us to work on becoming the real person Christ had in mind when "we were yet in our mothers womb". I am so thankful it is His work. We just have to be willing to put ourselves on The Potter's Wheel and sometimes we just have to start with being willing to be willing. I agree with Ginger's statement "God has brought us together in quite an unusual way". In my case he is bringing us together. I am so thankful and extremely excited to see what God is doing and going to do.

The REAL me is standing up. How about you?

To Be A Disciple!

I just read a wonderful devotional from The Word For You Today and wanted to share it.

COME, FOLLOW ME

Matthew 4:19 NIV

The word "disciple" means being an apprentice to someone. And it was easy to tell if someone had done that. Peter, James and John make a decision to spend every day with Jesus in order to learn how to be like Him. Now, they did the same kinds of things you and I do. They ate, slept, worked, played, and learned. They just did all of these things with Jesus. And now it's your turn. What happened to those 3 fishermen 2000 years ago can happen for you. And your season of life, your temperament, your job - these are no obstacles. Throughout history when people came to understand what Jesus was really offering they would sacrifice anything - money, comfort, home, security - to get the chance to be an apprentice to Him. And this is your chance to follow Him too.

Read these words from a young pastor in Zimbabwe, Africa, who was later martyred for his faith. "The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made - I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, depend on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power." That's what it means to be a disciple of Jesus!

I liked that it pointed out it didn't matter our "season of life, temperament, job". What does matter is that we make the choice.

"But As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Joshua 24:15b KJV

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve - and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshipped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD." Joshua 24:15 The Message

I don't know about you.....but I've decided.

Our Funny Language #III

The following comments are from a teacher who taught English to foreign students.

HEY! WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!

dO MY TEENAGE STUDENTS get WHAT i SAY, OR DOES MY LANGUARE throw them for a loop?

These colloquialisms make no literal sense to very literal language learners and I CATCH MYSELF using them.

On CHECH-INN day they are told to SIGN UP and CHECK IN with the registrar. The nurse will CHECK OVER your immunization records. She'll CHECK OFF the shots you've had and CHECK your eyes and ears.

The counselor will CHECK your transcript and CHECK WITH your former school to get your records. CHECK IN with him for an appointment. While your waiting CHECK THROUGH the Course Selection Guide and CHECK OFF the courses you might be interest in. CHECK carefully


Oh, CHECK IT OUT! We have a new international student! He's the one in the CHECKED shirt. Maybe He's a CZECH!

CHECK IN with me if you need help. I'll CHECK UP ON you in a day or so. I hope you don't mine this system of CHECKS AND BALANCES.

Fast forward to a typical day in the classroom.

Good morning, class! HAND IN your work before the bell rings, and RAISE YOUR HAND if you have questions. I don't want to GET ON YOUR BACK, but I expect this assignment to go HAND IN HAND with the other ones. Remember, always PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD. As high school students it's important to STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET. And don't be TONGUE-TIED! Don't just WRING YOUR HANDS and stay at ARM'S LENGTH from help. STICK YOUR NECK OUT when you need help. Help is always AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

CHIN UP! Don't worry about having EGG ON YOUR FACE. Our scores put us NECK AND NECK with our rival schools. If you put your NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE, you'll never have TO LIVE FROM HAND TO MOUTH and people won't RAISE THEIR EYEBROWS when they see your scores. (They should KEEP THEIR NOSES OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS, anyway.) In this country, the best learners use a lot of ELBOW GREASE. I hope you will too. I'd GIVE AN ARM AND A LEG to start all over again.

So, I'll HAND OUT the work and you'll HAND IT BACK IN tomorrow. I've got to HAND IT TO YOU for even trying to study in English. Keep your HEAD ABOVE WATER and hold your head high. Good luck.

Our Funny Language #II

Yes, let's face it - English is a crazy language! Here are a few more items of note.

There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes we find; that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?
One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.

If you have a bunch of odds & ends and get rid of all but one what do you call it?
If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?
Ship by truck and send cargo by ship?
Have noses that run and feet that smell?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and an alarm goes off by going on

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.

That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"?

One last one - Why do we park on the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Have a blessed day.

Our Funny Language

Cleaning out files, which I am still involved with, is uncovering some unique items I'd forgotten about so I'll share another one today with you. Really makes you think.......try reading them out loud and they become tongue twisters.

This little treatise on the lovely language we share is only for the brave. It was passed on by a linguist, original author unknown. Peruse at your leisure, English lovers.

Why the English language is so hard to learn:

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.

19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy lauguage.

Lets have some fun with this now and see if any of you, out there in blog land, can add to our list.

The Center Of His Word

I've been cleaning out some old files today and found this. Some of you may already be aware of this truth, but wanted to post it for those who may not know. Be blessed.

The Center Of His Word

Question: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
Answer: Psalms 117

Question: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
Answer: Psalms 119

Question: What is the center of the Bible?
Answer: Psalms 118

There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118.
There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118.
Add those numbers up and you get 1188.

Question: What is the center verse in the Bible?
Answer: Psalms 118:8.

Question: Does this verse say anything significant about God's Perfect Will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find God's Perfect Will for their lives and want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center if His Word!!!

Psalms 118:8: "It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in men".

Now isn't that odd how this worked out!!!.....

(or was God in the center of it all?"

Blogging World Etiquette

I became vaguely aware of a blog page when a friend of mine at church told me she had one about 1 1/2 years ago. I have been reading hers since and found it a good way to keep up with her due to her busy schedule and not wanting to bother her by phone a lot. Then a couple of weeks ago she had a link on hers to http://noahsteven.blogspot.com. I went to it and was captivated with the writing of this young woman, wife and mother. It truly showed me what "blogging" was all about and I thought "I want to be a part of this wonderful world of blog!"

I've been gently tip-toeing my way into it and began to link on a few blogs here and there. Then Friday I came upon another that totally captivated me again. I have just spent hours and hours, for 3 days, reading everything this woman has posted since April of 2004. That's a LOT of reading. My wonderful, patient husband has been his usual wonderful and patient self and has put up with me being totally absorbed at this computer. I told him yesterday, "This too shall pass! Be patient, the newness will wear off."

My biggest problem at this point is I'm so new and so green. I especially am very concerned about the proper etiquette of the blogging world. For instance, I did not know if itwas proper to put this woman's link in this post, so you can see I didn't. The other thing is my husband & I need to learn how to put pictures on these blogs. I would love to have my picture on my profile but we have been unable to do so to date. I would have loved to post a picture of my red Caddy I wrote about. You can also see from the http I typed I don't really know how to properly link! I have also been having trouble posting comments on some of the comment pages. Not all. They seem to take my e-mail address but not my blogspot name. Oh de4ar, as I write this I realize how very confused and inept I am.

If any one can point me to something about blogging etiquette I will greatly appreciate it. We will eventually learn more of the technical aspects of it but I truly am concerned about the etiquette! My gray hair makes etiquette a very important factor in my life!!

Thanks for any help any of you can offer me.

The Secret

I don't know where the original of this came from but thought I would share it because I so totally believe that it says.

THE SECRET

One day, one friend asked another,

"How is it that you are always so happy?

You have so much energy,

and you never seem to get down."

With her eyes smiling, she said,

"I know the Secret!"

To which she replied,

"I'll tell you all about it,

but you have to promise to

share the Secret with others."

"The Secret is this:

I have learned there is little I can do

in my life that will make me truly happy.

I must depend on GOD to make

me happy and to meet my needs.

When a need arises in my life,

I have to trust God to supply

according to HIS riches.

I have learned most of the time

I don't need half of what I think I do.

He has never let me down.

Since I learned that "Secret", I am happy."

The questioner's first thought was,

"That's too cimple!"

But upon reflecting over his own life

he recalled how he thought a bigger house

would make him happy, but it didn't!

He thought a better paying job

would make him happy, but it hadn't.

When did he realize his greatest happiness?

Sitting on the floor with his grancchildren,

playing games, eating pizza or reading a story

a gimple gift from God.,

Now you know it too!

We can't depend on people to make us happy,

Only God in His infinite wisdom can do that.

Trust HIM!

And now I pass the Secret on to you!

YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!

That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!

But it's not really a secret...

We just have to believe it and do it...

REALLY TRUST GOD!

Works-For-Me-Wednesday Love Sweet Love Edition

This is a first for me and I am attempting to participate in Works-For-Me-Wednesday from http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com site.

Since I have celebrated my 48th anniversary and since I have a wonderful marriage I feel I know a little bit about what it takes to write about Love-Sweet Love.

The secret is really so simple......Your husband should be your best friend! I would rather spend my time with my husband than anyone else in the world. My husband is the first person I want to share each and every thought with, each and every happy moment, each and every experience and even each and every sad time.

It is really important to LIKE each other. I have known people who love each other, but don't really like each other. I have also know people who have grown so far apart during their marriage that by the time they retire the wife doesn't truly even like having the husband around on a full-time basis. How sad.

The other success secret is not to keep a laundry list of "faults" or "past mistakes". Yes, when something bad happens that disappoints or hurts you (and trust me it will!) speak your mind and let him know that you didn't like it and why. BUT then forget it and never speak of it again. God throws our sins into the sea of His forgetfulness "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."Ps 103:12 We need to do the same with those hurts, shortcomings and disappointments. A good saying to remember is "Put a zip on your lip". We had a pastor that said that and it is such good advise.

Of course the main thing is build your love and your lives around Jesus. "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken". Ecclesiastes 4:12 With the 2 of you and the Lord you cannot fail.

Happy Valentines and MANY happy anniversaries!

A Soldier in God's Army

Our Sunday School class name is "From Sheep to Warriors". Isn't that a wonderful name. You know sheep are among the dumbest animals. They have to be lead by the sheep dog (who gently guides them) or worst yet they blindly run into the gate before turning, only to run headlong yet again into another gate. Certainly not "hearing the still small voice" or "My sheep hear my voice and no other shepherd do they hear." I want to hear God's voice.

Our teacher gave us this poem last week and I thought it was so good I wanted to share it.

A Soldier in God’s Army

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this Army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there.

I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier.

I am not a wimp. I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom.

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards or candy. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed.

I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into His Army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead. I will win.

My God has and will continue to supply all of my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion mw. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me. Hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier.

Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, he will promote me to Captain, and then allow me to rule with Him. I am a soldier in the Army and I’m claiming victory

I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound.