PERSEVERANCE AWARD

Channel of Healing has passed along this Perseverance Award to 8 of us. Her comment for me was: "Penless Writer you have truly preserved".



Thank you so much. I truly appreciate this award because it honors a trait that I truly admire - that of perseverance. "Perseverance" = to continue doing something in spite of difficulty, opposition, etc. This is another word for the fourth attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23



I am passing this award along to:



Mynra - Cherish the Word - Mynra just lost her beloved husband of 38 years, Lee, on March 22th. Mynra you have truly persevered during Lee's long illness and I know you will persevere during this time of adjustment with your loss.

Jennifer - Pen of Jen & Double Nickle Farm - Jennifer personifies the word perseverance as she and her husband have adjusted to life after her husband being involved in a horrible accident and now setting up a brand new life on their Double Nickle Farm.

Retha - Retha's Rambles - Retha is a young wife and mother who lives in South Africa. I must admit some of her posts bring tears to my eyes when I read of her struggles with the situation they find themselves in. You are truly an example of perseverance Retha as you cling to your faith.

Linds - Rocking Chair Reflections - Linds is another of my blog friends who lost her husband tragically a little over a year ago. She is facing the adjustments she has been confronted with not only perseverance but maintaining a wonderful sense of humor while doing it.

These are 4 wonderful, persevering woman I have selected to pass on this very special Award to. I am so thankful that each of you blog and that I have had the privilege to "meet" you via blogland and be inspired by your walk. Each of you 4 inspire me greatly.

Guidance

G U I D A N C E

(this is an e-mail I received and wanted to share with those of you who haven't seen it)

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, Both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back. Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness, And attentiveness from one person. And gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "U" and "I" dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.

I became willing to trust.

That I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and every day. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of life.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards; So let's continue to pray for one another.

And I Hope You Dance!

SHOW & TELL '08 - #12 - Stained Glass - Blue

Well it's Show & Tell Friday again. I must admit it felt a little strange last week not to be doing Show & Tell on Friday. Be sure and select something to show and tell, then go over to Kelli's and list in on Mr. Linky. Then be sure and visit the other's listed and see all the neat things that are shown.

On Show & Tell #10 (here) I showed a piece of Pink stained glass that I have had for about 23 years. Today I am showing a Blue stained glass piece that we purchased in Mexico in 2004. We originally purchased it for the window of the door in our 5th wheel while we were traveling. Blue has always been my favorite colot and I really like this blue Peacock. I did have it hanging in my living room on the patio door but since I got my French Doors I have moved it into the window of our guest bedroom.

Thanks for visiting today and letting me show you another item that we display in our little home.

PAINTING PROJECT

We recently replaced sliding glass patio doors with these lovely French Doors with double pane glass and the sliding mini-blinds between the panes. I absolutely am so pleased with my new doors. They are everything I hoped they would be. With the new doors came the need to repaint the wall they were on.

(all pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them)

Here you can see the original white wall of the living room, with white in the dining area with the blue bead board.

Mickey hard at work painting with the light tan color we selected.

Here I am painting the tan in the dining area. One of the hard parts of this project was having to empty the 2 bakers racks on either side of the hutch, and all the china from the hutch and buffet.

Here is the finished living room wall and the painted white new French doors.

Here is the finished dining area with the light tan on the wall and the darker brown tone on the bead board. We really like the way it looks and turned out.

Then, on the spur of the moment, I decided I wanted to take down the wallpaper from the kitchen area and replace it. Oh my, what a mess!!!!!

Here is another view showing the old wall paper.

The back kitchen wall with the matching boarder that still needs to come down. So we are still a work in progress and have been living with a torn up kitchen all week!!!!! Mickey and I have done a lot of painting projects over the years but this project seems to just go on and on!!!!

Part of the reason being I hadn't planned ahead of time to strip the wall paper and do the kitchen area. That meant I spent about 3 days shopping for wall paper. Came home with 4 different choices, immediately ruled out 2 and was debating between those 2. Went out again and found another I liked better so returned the first 4!!!!!

Hopefully I can show you the finished project by next week!!! Needless to say we've been doing a lot of eating out and not very fancy fixed meals when I have prepared them at home. But we are loving the finished project and it will be worth it.

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I am so far behind in my blog reading between our busy Easter Week and this painting project but am trying to get around to everyone. Please be patient with me. I miss reading your blogs and hate getting behind because it's so very hard to play catch-up!!!

A SURPRISE PACKAGE & 5 Questions Meme

Look what arrived in my mail box yesterday from Jennifer at Dust Bunny Hostage. It is an old Salvation Army Song Book that was dedicated in the memory of a Major Percy Holden by his wife on May 27, 1945. It contains the words to 730 songs and they are listed under categories.

It arrived along with this beautiful hand made note card. Thank you Jennifer I was totally surprised and very pleased. The book will be placed on my bookshelf next to the old small books I inherited from my father that I showed recently on Show & Tell.

I was tagged by Brenda, of It's All Good, for the following Meme. I think I did this one before but it's been months so I'll do it again!

Let's see...rules first.

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago:

I had just returned to work from a 6 month leave of absence where we took a trip in our RV to Alaska and we had just purchased our current home in Coweta.

Five things on my to-do list today:

1. Have bible study and prayer time with my husband when he gets up.

2. Post this meme and blog

3. Have coffee and a time of sharing with my son, David, around 9:30 when he comes over.

4. Try and select new wallpaper for my kitchen

5. Do ironing.

Snacks I enjoy:
1. Home made bread or rolls

2. Cookies

3. Potato Chips

4. Ice cream floats

5. Yogart

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Get a location for our 24 hour House of Prayer

2. Give to build the facility for Freedom House - a woman's ministry of our church

3. Set up an account for my 4 children and 3 grandchildren where they could use the interest but could not touch the principle and it had to be passed down to their heirs with the same stipulation.

4. Travel to Israel, Switzerland, Holland and all over.

5. Buy another house that had a smaller yard so my husband wouldn't have so much yard work to do........and then hire out the yard work that was necessary there......and get someone to come in once a week and clean house.

Five of my bad habits:
1. Snacking too much.
2. Lack of steady exercise regimen.
3. Back seat driving.

4. Not liking to make telephone calls.

5. Not checking on my neighbors more.

Five places I have lived:
1. Santa Fe, NM --born and raised

2. Albuquerque, NM - first years of our marriage
3. Denver, CO - for just a few years
4. Tulsa, OK and now Coweta, OK - since 1964.

5. In a 5th wheel traveling for 4 years.

Five jobs I've had:
1. Secretary
2. Realtor
3. Bookkeeper

4. Craft store operator
5. Staff Accountant at a CPA firm which I retired from.

Five people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!):

I choose not to tag anyone but invited those who wish to participate to do so. Be sure and leave me a comment and let me know so I can read yours.

BUSY EASTER WEEK

I live a very busy life, and am seldom bored, but this week was an exceptionally jam packed week, so here we go........

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

I was going to show my Easter decorations for Show & Tell but since we didn't have it Friday and Easter is now over I am only showing this to show the little girl & boy rabbit egg toppers. This is one of the many items I made and sold in our little Craft Store and I wanted to show them as some of you crafters and mothers might want to make some for next Easter.

This being Easter week our church scheduled Intercessory Prayer every day of the week at various hours. Monday at noon, Tuesday at 7 pm, Wednesday at 6 pm, Thursday at 8 am. Then Friday our Pastor had a Good Friday service at noon. I attended all the scheduled prayer times and Mickey & I both were able to attend the Good Friday service because he did not have to work. Added to this, the Intercessory Prayer group that we belong to met, on the spur of the moment, at 6:30 pm Saturday night at an empty building in a shopping center that we are looking at for A 24 Hour House Of Prayer. I'll be writing more, at a later date, about this exciting thing that God is doing!!!! We were privileged to be asked to join this small group on January 26th and so blessed and excited to be involved.
I can't remember when St. Patrick's Day and Easter were in the same time frame!!! Our good friends, Jack & Mary, had 11 of us over for the traditional Corn Beef and Cabbage dinner on Monday, the 17th, St. Patty's Day. This is a group of Christian friends from their church but we are often included :o) Mary topped it off with her delicious home made apple pies. Thank you Jack & Mary for being such special friends.
On Thursday, after the 8 am prayer time and a 9:30 hair cut appointment, I picked up a large supreme and medium cheese pizza and took it to my dear friend, Kahri, to visit her and her 4 children. Kahri is a very special friend from the church we use to attend and the one who is responsible for me getting a blog. Thank you Kahri!!!!!

Kahri and 3 of the children; Brittany age 12, Emily age 6 and Ethan age 13 months. Kaedra was sleeping when I arrived and will join us later. Kahri is a Home School Mom and a true woman of FAITH. I put that in caps because her faith is BIG!!!!!! Here is the link to Kahri's blog, Our Pecuilar Life.


After eating we moved to the living room and Kaedra joined us: left to right, Kaedra age 3, Brittany, Ethan, Kahri, & Emily. Kaedra is truly our miracle child and if you have not read her story please do so here. "They" said Kaedra would never live and she spent the first 11 months of her life in the Children's ICU of the hospital. I told you Kahri and her husband, Michael, are people of GREAT FAITH.



Kahri & I. One of those precious friendships that transends age. We had a wonderful 2 1/2 hour visit!!!! We had a lot of catching up to do.

We had a WONDERFUL Easter Service. I have begun to go to the Intercessory Prayer room, instead of our Sunday School Class, before our 2nd service. Mickey is still attending the Sunday School Class. Our Pastor's message was ARE YOU LIVING AS AN ATHEIST? Not your typical Easter morning message but a very needed one. I invite you to listen to it via the link at the top of my side bar in the future when it will be added.
After church we went to our oldest daughter, Suzette and Dave's for a wonderful Easter dinner
Here is the table. Smoked spiral ham, mashed potato's, macaroni and cheese, fresh fruit, and not on the table yet, green bean casserole and rolls. I made the cake and got the recipe from Pea's Corner. It is an angel food cake with the top cut out and the core tunneled out and filled with a chocolate pudding mixture. Then you put the top back on and ice with cool whip. The only difference, I topped mine with crumbled Heath Bar instead of colored sprinkles because our family loves chocolate!!!! Thanks for the recipe Pea it was a BIG hit!!!!

I am showing this separate picture of the Macaroni & Cheese because our, just turned 13 year old, granddaughter, Oksana, said she wanted to bring a dish for Easter this year and choose this from scratch recipe. It was delicious and we were so proud of her for 1) offering to do so and 2) having it turn out just perfect. I had given Oksana a cookbook for her birthday last month and she has been doing quite a bit of cooking for their family. We're proud of you, Oksana.

Added to this very busy week is we were, and are, also painting a living room and dining area wall and redoing the wall paper and paint in the kitchen!!!!!! That will be a separate post in a few days. For those of you who were concerned because I was so quiet last week, only 2 posts!!!!, this busy week is why.

HE IS RISEN

HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!

Says is all!

On this rests our entire hope.

Wishing all of you a glorious Easter as we celebrate

The One We Love

The price He paid

The victory He bought for us

HAPPY EASTER

Glory to our God

FATHER

SON

&

HOLY GHOST

THE NEXT 20 YEARS

Now that is quite an interesting thought, THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS, coming from this 70 year old wife, mother, grandmother and most importantly Child of God.

Most people reflecting on the next 20 years do so at a much younger age. I have posted about my viewpoint and outlook on aging here on a post entitled In This Skin.

I am proud of my age.....I am proud of my gray hair.....even the Bible says "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." Proverbs 16:31 Mine is found in the way of righteousness, not because of me, but because of My Jesus who is My Lord and purchased that right standing for me. This truth is especially poignant as we celebrate the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.

If you read my "About Me", on my sidebar, you will note that I stated there, when I began this blog 14+ months ago, that I expected to live to be 120 years of age, unless the rapture takes me sooner.

God did not even begin to use Moses until he was 80 years old, and after he had spent 40 years in the wilderness serving his father-in-law and learning what God wanted to teach him.

Caleb at the age of 85 said "And now, behold. the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain," Josuha 14:10-12a

On September 19, 2004 a prophesy was spoken over my husband and I. It began: You're never too old", says the Spirit of God. "You're never too young. I'll never set a novice in an office and you're not novices. You've been in my presence for years and years and you know my voice well. You know my spirit well and you've conversed, one to another, about things of my spirit. You've talked and you've desired a greater walk, and you've desired a greater thing than what you have had in recent days. And you've followed my leading, you've obeyed my spirit and I've brought you to this place. And again, you desired more, and you desired more, and you desired more, and I've been faithful to you" says the Spirit of God "and I've given you more. I've given you more because you're faithful in that which you had, and it's required that a man and a woman be found faithful before they'll receive any more." There was a lot more to this. We began walking this out when this was given 3 1/2 years ago and know that God still has plans and purposes that we are being used for and I see the continuation of that for THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS, and beyond.

What I know for sure is that my life, the very next beat of my heart, the very next breath of air in my lungs, is ALL in the hands of My God. I look forward to THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS with hope and faith. I look forward to seeing the day that ALL 4 of my children, and 3 grandchildren, are serving the Lord with more love and determination than I am. I look forward to seeing the Great Harvest that The Word tells us about and that I have heard preached about for the 52 years I have been saved. I look forward to seeing the Bride of Christ (the Church) becoming Pure and Spotless. I look forward to seeing the miraculous with my own eyes. I look forward to hearing the trumpet of the Lord sound and we who are alive being caught up with him, and meeting those from the grave in the air. I look forward to knowing HIM better each coming day, week, month, and year, than I know HIM at this moment.

THE NEXT TWNEY YEARS, and forever more, I will be His child and he will be MY GOD!!!!

This post was written for Scribbits Write-Away Contest with the prompt, The Next 20 years.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

Thoughts on the sovereignty of God have been mulling around in my head for days. You know how something will settle in your mind and you just keep thinking and pondering on it and it just keeps popping up again and again.

Sovereign: 1) above all others; chief; supreme. 2) supreme in power, rank, etc. 3) independent of all others.

Now I doubt if there are very many who read my blog who do not believe in God as The supreme, chief, above all other God. Supreme in power and rank and independent of all others. But what does that really mean? What does it mean to my life? How do I fit this Sovereign God, who I believe in, into every aspect of my day.

I'm afraid too many see Him, and believe in Him, as this supreme, powerful personage but what does that mean to them and to their life? Kind of like we believe that The President of the United States is powerful, or the Queen of England, etc. But, it doesn't really have much to do with our everyday life or thinking as we go about our daily business. We do our thing and sort of fit God in on occasion and as needed.

What the sovereignty of God really means is that NOTHING happens to me, or in my life, that takes God by surprise because it all revolves around Him. This sovereign God who has numbered the very hairs on my head (Matt 10:30 & Luke 12:7); who knows my goings (Proverbs 20:24). This sovereign God who "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not, yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Isaiah 46:10

I have just shared the following in e-mails to two blog friends who are dealing with situations in their lives. One to do with illness and the other with a job situation. Totally unrelated issues and yet I could tell them each the same thing because it fits anything and EVERY thing we might be facing at any given moment.

I've been thinking a LOT lately about the sovereignty of God. There are things you and I know for sure. 1) God does not bring illness 2) God works ALL things together for good to those who are called according to His purposes 3) God will never leave us or forsake us 4) God is not a God that He should lie.. In times like this we have to lean on and rely on God's promises and what we know to be TRUE in the face of whatever we see or feel.

The greatest gift is salvation, God is bringing us to Himself and He is conforming us into the image of Jesus. What that takes and how that works out in our individual lives is in His sovereign will.

I know you've heard the example of the beautiful tapestry that God is weaving and yet we look at the back side and all we see is a tangled mess of strings going every which way with no beauty or design that WE can see. I cannot tell you how much I have been thinking about all this the past week or so. In fact, Mickey and I had a long talk about it just yesterday morning.

We KNOW in whom we have believed and we are persuaded!!!!!!!!

That really does sum it up for me.....

I KNOW and I am Persuaded that God is sovereign in my life.

How about you?

SHOW & TELL '08 #11 - Banks

Here we are at yet another Friday and of course that means Show & Tell hosted by Kelli. So get your Show & Tell item ready. Take a picture, write a post, and go to Mr. Linky and share it with all of us. Also, be sure to visit and see all the wonderful items that are shown each week.

My Show & Tell this week is 2 fold.

The two banks on the right are Mission banks. This is a project called Speed The Light. These are actually cans of Prin*gles and are used by the high school department of our church as a fund raising project for Missions. Those in the congregation who choose to participate are given a can. You take the can home, eat the Prin*gles and then save your coins. When your can is full you take it to the church and it is used totally for missions around the world.

The can on the far right says "Every Where" and has a world map as the background with 5 separate pictures of children from around the world. The next can says "Sacrifice" and has various pictures and the scripture "This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

1 John 4:10

You would be amazed how much money is raised for Missions with this project.

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The can to the left is one that I did just for kicks. I had an empty can of Prin*gles so decided to look around the house to see what I might use to cover it and make a little, cute bank. What I found was this left over piece of wrapping paper. You could use various things, wrapping paper, fabric, plain paper and put stickers or drawings on it, boys theme of sports or cars, girls themes of various things, just let your imagination go.

I know many of you like to have projects for your children and I thought this was something inexpensive and fun they could do.

PRAYER REQUEST

This young girl has been missing for two days. Please go to her mothers site, here, to learn more and then join in prayer for not only this young girl but for her hurting mother.

Dawn, had this link on her blog this morning. Thank you Dawn for posting this and alerting us and calling us to pray.

Addendum: Her mother just posted an additional picture of her with her sunglasses on but blogger is acting up and would not let me post it here at this time.

Here is additional information I did not have earlier:

Margarita "Magui" Martinez
DOB: 4-19 1994
MISSING: 3-10-2008
I am posting this picture of my Ladybug with her sunglasses on. Due to her RP, if outdoors, she will be wearing sunglasses. She has photophobia. She also has nighblindness and tunnel vision.

VAIN BABBLINGS

"BUT SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS: FOR THEY WILL INCREASE UNTO MORE UNGODLINESS." II Timothy 2:16

The reason for this post is two fold: 1) I have just started reading the book: RESPECTABLE SINS - Confronting The Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges. Someone on their blog (I wish I could remember who it was so I could give them credit :o( ) posted about this book and the title captivated me. Here is a quote from the book on Ungodliness "When I talk about specific areas of acceptable sins, one comment I often hear is that pride is the root cause of all of them. While I agree that pride does play a major role in the development and expression of our subtle sins, I believe there is another sin that is even more basic, more widespread, and more apt to be the root cause of our other sins. That is the sin of ungodliness, of which we are all guilty to some degree. "

2) I have been observing some real dissension among the Body of Christ on various issues. What the various issues pertain to is not the point. The point is the dissension. I just yesterday read a sweet blogger who is struggling with home schooling her children for the first time and apparently she is being criticised by other home school mom's for even questioning this. Several months ago there was a real confab going among some about breast feeding vs bottle feeding. The most recent issues seems to be around the political arena. Some of us conservatives (of which I am one) getting cross wise versus voting for McCain, now that he is the Republican candidate for President, or not voting at all or writing in another name as a protest. And the democrats getting into it about the Michigan and Florida primary votes, or lack thereof.

All you who read and follow my blog know I am one to stand and give my opinion on various issues.............I think we all not only have the right to do so, but to a certain extent, a responsibility to do so. That said, I do think that while we should state our opinion we should allow others to do likewise and not get into "profane and vain babblings" which according to the above scripture lead to ungodliness on ANY of these, or a mired of other issues.

"profane" = not concerned with religion: secular

"vain" = having no real value, worthless

"babblings" - To talk unwisely or too much

Yes, lets voice our opinions and state our views and then let us allow others to do likewise and realize that we are not all alike. We do not all see things exactly the same. We do have differing views on things. The main thing is that we allow each and every one of us to hear God's voice and to be lead by the Holy Spirit's direction to us individually in these matters.

I'm glad God did not make us carbon copies of each other. If He had wanted us to be that He would have done it. Our God, who has created 1,000's of various varieties of flowers, can certainly handle not having one size fits all mentality among His children.

With a lost and dying world out there, let's not spend our time disputing other's views on issues that in the end do not count for that much. All that really matters is: Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior?

THIS & THAT & ABOUT THE CRAFT STORE

It's been a typical busy week at our house so I thought I would recap it here.

A week ago last Friday night our Church hosted what we hope will be an on-going thing. A gospel singing group. They were from Nashville and were very good and we had a large crowd for the first time. Our Tulsa friends, Don & Barbara, came out and joined us and we ate pizza at Mazzio's before attending the concert.

On Saturday Mickey and I both worked at Angel Food Ministry. Our church is involved in this ministry for this area. People sign up the first of the month and pay $30 and then on the last Saturday of the month come and pick up a complete box of groceries. It is a real help and aid to people and they come from all the little towns around here.

On Sunday we had David, and Marc, Oksana & Aric over for a pot roast dinner after church.

On Tuesday I worked at the church from 11 to 2, along with another woman, for people to sign up for their Angel Food Box at the end of the month. This was also the day we awoke to the beautiful 6 1/2" snow fall.

Wednesday of course was Church. Our pastor has been teaching a series on the miracles of the Bible on Wednesday nights. His teaching tonight was "Not the Miracle You Expected" and it was sooooo good.

Wednesday was also the day we had to pull our Mike Huckabee sign out of our front yard since the Republican side of the campaign is now settled. We do not yet have a McCain sign but we will obtain one and we do and will support McCain.

Thursday was Grandparents Day at Aric's school. The 3rd graders were from 10:30 to 11. Mickey went into work late so he could attend. I can't believe I forgot the camera, but I did so no pictures!!!! Early that morning the phone rang and it was Aric telling me (Grandma) to be sure and bring some money for the book fair they were having because he only had $11!!!!!! When we got to the classroom Aric had to stand up and introduce us to his class. Then he had a series of questions to ask us. What were the prices of the following when we were in the 3rd grade: 1)bread (I wasn't sure of this one but thought it was 25 cents) - 2) soda pop - 5 cents - 3) postage stamp - 3 cents, and 4) a gallon of gas - 25 cents. WOW!!!!!! Then we went to the gym for snacks. At this point Grandpa left to go to work and Aric and I went to the Library for the book fair. I told him he could buy one book with his money and I would buy him another book. He selected one for $8 which he bought. Then he selected the one for me to buy. As we were waiting in line to pay for the 2 books he found another he wanted so I bought him 2 books. Yes, grandma was sure to bring some money with her for the book fair!!!!

After leaving Grandparents Day I then went over to Marc's work and he and I went out for lunch. I always enjoy my lunch dates with my son, Marc.

Yesterday was a BIG DAY in Coweta. Our new Walmart Super Center opened it's doors at 7:30a.m.!! We had a small Walmart but it carried very little so the entire community is excited to have this store and super market. I checked my mileage when I drove over and it is 3.3 miles. I'm so glad I won't have to drive 25 miles round trip to go to the grocery store any more. With the price of gasoline climbing weekly this is a real blessing. When I got there the parking lot was packed full and I had to hunt for a parking place.

Last night we had Suzette and Dave over for dinner and I fixed Enchiladas, pinto beans and flan for dessert. All very good I must say!! We had a delightful evening just visiting with our daughter and son-in-love. When they left there was a light covering of snow again.

Today at 3 we will be attending a wedding of a young couple in our church. As you can see, we live a very full, happy and busy life.

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Several people commented on my Show & Tell yesterday about our having a craft store. It is something I always thought would be fun to do and a desire of my heart. Mickey & I have always been willing to step out and do things and to take chances. We have had the attitude that life is for living and that a rut is just a grave with the 2 ends knocked out and we never desired to fall into a rut.

We opened this little Craft store and called it Crafter's Showcase. We not only had some of our own craft items but we had booth spaces for other crafters. We signed a 2 year lease with great hope and expectations. In addition to the store we would do other local Craft Shows. Well we had a darling little shop and we had a good time but we did not make any money!!!!! In hind sight (isn't it always good) we had picked a location that was not on a main street and was a poor choice. Because we had signed the 2 year lease, and because we are people of our word and our commitments we continued to stay open the full 2 years. We basically were supporting the shop from Mickey's salary. I do not regret for one minute that we did this. You will not always be successful at everything you try but you must try.

Another desire of mine has always been to work in a bookstore. I still hope I will get a chance to do that at some point. This past September I had picked up an application for our local Christian bookstore to apply for a part time job over the Christmas holiday. Before I had filled out the application we got word that our son was moving back from California and I knew I had a more important job to fulfill.

SHOW & TELL '08 #10 - Stained Glass - Pink

It's that time of week again, Friday, to meet at Kelli's for Show & Tell. Come and join the fun!!!

(click to enlarge)

Today I wanted to share with you a piece of stained glass that hangs in our dining area. This is not the best picture with it peeking out between the lace curtains. If you look close you can see a red cardinal in the tree outside!!

When we lived in Albuquerque, in the 80's, I had the opportunity to own and operate a little craft store. This piece of beautiful stained glass work was made by one of our crafters. The outer rim is solid glass and then the green stem and pink flower are solid suspended with space around them. I just had to have this piece of art work because I thought it was so different and beautiful. I enjoy it as much today, 20 years later, as I did when I first purchased it. As always, thank you for letting me share with you one of the little treasures that adorn our home.

READING

I have been reading MY HEART'S CRY by Anne Graham Lotz. This is the first book my Anne that I have read. It will not be the last!!! She is a wonderful writer. She writes with such a clarity and yet in an almost melodious, soothing way. The subtitle of this book is Longing For More Of Jesus. Isn't that what all of us long for? I know I do!!!!.

I am currently in the 7th chapter, "More of ......His Fruit In My Service", and just had to share the following two paragraphs about "Abiding in the Vine Consistently" with you guys.

"The branches of a vine "abide" by just remaining connected to the vine. Permanently. Consistently. Day after day, week after week, year after year. They simply rest in their position, allowing the sap of the vine to flow freely through them. They exert no effort of their own. The fruit that is subsequently borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within.

To abide in Christ means to remain connected to Him so completely that the "sap" of His Spirit flows through every part of your being, including your mind, will, and emotions as well as your words and deeds. The "fruit" that you then bear is actually produced by His Spirit in you through no conscious effort on your own. If you and I want to be fruitful, we do not concentrate on fruit-bearing, we concentrate on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

She has said it so well and so simply. I think we so muddle and complicate everything so much, in trying to "DO" for the Lord when all He truly wants us to do is ABIDE and CLING.

I AM CLINGING!!!!!!

FRIENDSHIP & SNOW!!!

This picture does not do it justice, but I received this lovely red rose, with silver leaves and stem, in the mail yesterday from a wonderful blog friend.

YOU know who you are.

The card reads: "Friend - You are a special gift sent from above. Thank you for your kindness and your love." I was so surprised, and so touched with this lovely token of our deep and growing friendship.

YOU know what the card reads is what you are to me.

This rose is from an

"Iron sharpenth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

friend. I praise God for your sharpening my dear friend.

THANK YOU for being that type of friend to me!!!!!

Look what we woke up to this morning. The rain gauge on the table is an 8" gauge. I stuck a ruler in the snow on the table top and it measured 6 1/2". This is at our home in Coweta. They received NO snow in Tulsa, 25 miles to our NW. Go figure!!!!


The view of my back yard with the beautiful snow. Since we get very little snow here it is a treat for us. I know all my friends in the North are laughing at this Okie making such a big deal over a 6 1/2" snow in her yard. The nice thing about snow in Oklahoma.......it doesn't stay around very long. They are predicting 60 degree weather for Sunday. Go figure.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool". Isaiah 1:18

The Lord has blessed me with these 2 blessings and I praise and thank Him for both.

WHAT A GOD WE SERVE!!!!!!!!