Penless Writer

Re-Introducing SUZY BLUE

2012-02-01T15:00:00.000-06:00

After mentioning that we had once been involved in hot air ballooning and getting comments from people, some who I've known awhile in blogging, were not aware of that I went back to my older postS to pull out this post from July 9, 2007 about our Hot Air Balloon - Suzy Blue.

If there is some interest I have several other posts about our days of Hot Air Ballooning that I will re-post. Let me know.

Wednesday HODGEPODGE #4

2012-02-01T06:50:00.000-06:00

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Go here to participate and to read other's answers.

1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals? I did my own but now I have my son do ours.

2. This next question comes from Kansas Bob...he posed it in his response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge some day. Today's the day....
Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain? It would definitely be pain. First, from holding my marriage together 28 years ago, and Second, from going through the battle with losing our beloved daughter, Suzette, to cancer. That battle began on September 22, 2010 and ended on May 19, 2011.

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012? If you're not sure what tangerine tango looks like click here. You would not find this color in my decorating scheme in my home or my closet. Yes, I could see buying a new item to wear in this color.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly? Yes, I collect angels and have them both inside and outside my home. Yes, they get admired, especially my "beautiful angel" that sits on the TV console, and yes the ones inside get dusted a couple of times a week. I use to collect mugs, when we were active in hot air ballooning and also when we travel in our RV, but have given most of them away.

5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare? Sorry to say, most of the dishes I like to prepare are more along the comfort food line!!! One healthy one would be salmon patties,

6. When was the last time you had car trouble? That would be 2007 when we were in Kansas City on vacation with our grandchildren. We came home with a brand new car!!! You can read about it here.

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend? Less in the area of "have to do's" around the house but More in the area of reaching out in my Christian walk. I think it is a good trend or I wouldn't be doing it.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I am so thankful that The Lord never gives up on us and is constantly working in our lives to do, and accomplish, His good pleasure. Have a beautiful Wednesday!!!

IT'S DONE

2012-01-31T11:46:00.000-06:00

Thank goodness the 1/2 bath paint job is complete.

Note: I even painted the little bird picture frame edges to match in the drark blue.

Our before picture

The wonderful finished results!

The new curtain with the dark blue

Another view

My wonderful Mickey who finished up the job for me!!

I worked on painting Wednesday & Thursday. I hate to admit it, but all the time on my knees almost did me in. One coat did not cover it well. So, as so often happens, on Friday Mickey said, "I'll give the bathroom the second coat. I don't want you down on your hands and knees anymore." I am so blessed by my husband. He quite often has to step in and finish up some project that I so enthusiastically "start".

We are both delighted with the results!!!

5 YEAR BLOGGOVERSARY AWARD

2012-01-28T10:59:00.000-06:00

Drum roll please!!!

After 21 days of posting, I was too busy painting the bathroom to get the 22nd day posted on Thursday, the 26th, I celebrated my 5th year of blogging by drawing the winning name.

Having to do it the "old fashioned" way, and knowing I didn't want to get to the end of this and have to be writing down a lot of names I first drew out a grid on paper. Each day I would enter the names of those who left comments on that post.

Yesterday, I took the sheets and first cut the strips apart. Then I cut each little square, with the name in it......

and dropped them in this basket. I stirred them up a lot and then went in and asked Mickey to draw a name, holding the basket up where he could not see in it. He had to give them one last stir before he drew the name!

And the winner is!!!!!!

RETHA who is from South America.

Retha began blogging in February, 2007 and we have become good friends through our blogging.

Retha I'll be sending you an e-mail to verify your address.

Congratulations!!! I hope this book

Andrew Murray on PRAYER

blessing you as much as it has blessed me over the last 12 years.

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As a little surprise, which I did not tell any of you up front, I was planning to also send a copy of Andrew's book to the person who left me the most comments.......

So that book will be sent to

SYLVIA

(Sylvia was someone I didn't know - or at least I thought I didn't until I followed the link - HI!!!)

Sylvia please send me an e-mail with your address.

--------------------------

Thanks to all of you who read my blog this month and left me comments. I truly appreciate it.

FRIDAY FAVORITES #2

2012-01-27T11:58:00.000-06:00

Going to participate in my 2nd Friday Favorites. Go here to see others who are participating.

My favorite things have never been "things" although I, like all of us, certainly have many "things" I value, treasure and have sentimental ties to.

But my FAVORITE things would have to be people. I have been blessed with so many wonderful people who have touched my life and added so much joy, happiness, instruction, fun, and spiritual growth to my life.

Among these favorite people are the 17 people who are part of the WOW Woman bible study group that meets at my home every Tuesday evening. 14 of us are local and 4 are in other parts of the world. (I know your wondering why 14 + 4 doesn't add up to 17!!!! Well I am in this local group of 14.)

Here are 10 of us who were present the night this picture was taken. Back-left to right - Sandra - Britney - Cindy - Kathy - Betty. Front row- Connie - Thelma - Wantha - Susan - Jeanne.

Talking about FAVORITES one of my favorite scriptures is

Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

These woman definitely sharpen me each and every week and I am so thankful for each one of them. If you don't belong to a home Bible Study group you are missing a BIG blessing.

The Hardest Part of Getting Older

2012-01-25T15:38:00.000-06:00

Yes, one of the hardest parts of getting older is finding it harder to do things that require a lot of physical dexterity. The last major updates we did to our house were in April, 2008 when we changed the wallpaper in our kitchen, and changed the paint color on one wall in the living room and dining area when we had French Doors installed. Mickey had also repainted the exterior trim in the spring of 2007.

When we purchase our little home in Coweta in March of 1998 I just loved the little master bath with it's free standing sink, the flowery wall paper on the lower walls with white trim and walls above.

Fourteen years later we were absolutely SICK of the wall paper and decided to paint over the wall paper with a dark blue which would tie into a dark blue wall we have in the adjoining master bedroom.

Here I've gotten it all taped off to start the painting. I have a feeling we are getting into a huge job. Just being on my hands and knees doing the taping was a major chore and my body is letting me know IT did not like that bending and being on my knees at all.

If the finished product doesn't look too bad, I'll post a picture when we are done.

Wow!!! How I long for the days when we would tear into any project both inside or outside without even giving it a thought. I even painted my young girls bedroom with a 3" brush back when I was 27 and about 6 months pregnant with our first son. A 3" brush ---- and didn't think anything of it!!! Yes, the hardest part of getting older is not being able to do all those things you were so use to doing and could do so easily.

NEW THINGS

2012-01-24T08:26:00.000-06:00

Mickey & I have had a Tr*ac*ph*one for the past years. An inexpensive one that we purchased at Wal*ly and we prepurchased minutes for a year at a time. We had no ability to text (what is that?!) nor could you leave us a message. I, who does not particularly like to talk on a telephone much anyway, was perfectly content with what we had and especially the fact it only cost us $10 a month. To me the purpose of a phone is to leave a message or tell someone something important that I need to tell them.

Our son, Marc decided that we needed to come more into the 21st Century so he and Mickey went "shopping" at the phone store.

Here is our new phone, complete with the pull-out section for texting.

Mickey is already learning to operate the "thing". Me, not so much, YET!!!! So, which of you would like to come and help this grandma move more into the 21st and HELP ME?

I'm sure, like everything else, I'll get it figured out enough to do what I need it to do. Life is a series of new things and moving forward. Sometimes I'd just like to stay at status-quo!!

In all honestly, I'm thankful for a son who is making sure we adjust and more forward.

Oh, and it has a camera!!! You know I'll be learning to use that.

Earth Bound or Spirit Lead

2012-01-23T15:50:00.000-06:00

I saw this statement the other day and it made me think!!!

We will not be earth-bound in our praying, walking or talking.

BUT we are!!!! We are so accustomed to think of everything in terms of how we relate here on earth. How we relate to each other. How we relate to events. How we relate to problems. How we relate to joys. How we relate to what we hear, see, feel, smell and taste - those 5 fleshly senses.

But I want to be governed by The Spirit of God . Don't you?

Father, we will not be status quo, but respond to the deep call you put within us.

Help me to hear with Spiritual ears.

Help me to see with Spiritual eyes.

Help me to feel as the Spirit feels.

Help me to smell the sweet aroma of your Spirit.

Help me to taste and know that You are good.

You are looking for a great release of people to step into their place.

Lord, make Your voice loud and clear and help me to be lead by Your Spirit.

Spirit bound in my praying, walking and talking.

THIS IS MY PRAYER.

TEN WAYS TO LOVE - Spiritual Sundays 2012 - #2

2012-01-22T07:17:00.000-06:00

Once again participating in Spiritual Sunday. Go here to read other entries.

1. LISTEN without interrupting. Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning: and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

2. SPEAK without accusing. James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

3. GIVE without sparing. Proverbs 21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

4. PRAY without ceasing. Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you.

5. ANSWER without arguing. Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

6. SHARE without pretending. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth, in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

7. ENJOY without complaint. Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings.

8. TRUST without wavering. I Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

9. FORGIVE without punishing. Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: ever as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

10. PROMISE without forgetting. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

How Does God Speak To You?

2012-01-21T06:06:00.000-06:00

GOD SPEAKING

Of course, we know that God speaks to us: through His Word and through The Holy Ghost. Sometimes He speaks to us through others who have just the Right Word for us at the right time. Sometimes He speaks to us just through the beauty that our eyes behold, or the touch of someone in our lives, or the words or melody of a song. God speaks to us in a myriad of ways.

One of the main ways God seems to speak to me is through "things". Just mundane, everyday things.

Such was the case in the middle of the night

with these 2 very ordinary things!!!

This little alarm clock sits on my night stand, as does this TV remote. In the middle of the night when I wake up, which is quite often, I press the little button on the top, which lights up the face of the clock, and I can see what time it is.

I fell asleep Thursday night with the TV on watching the post debate remarks and commentary on FOX. When I awoke I, as always, picked up the little clock and pressed the top to see what time it was. Which at that time was around midnight. Then I proceeded to turn off the TV. At least I "tried" to turn off the TV. I must have hit that button at least 15 or 20 times. By this time Mickey had woken up and said, half asleep, "use the black one."

Duh!!!! I had been trying to turn the TV off using the wrong equipment and getting very frustrated at "IT" because "it" wasn't working!!!

God spoke to me loud and clear through this silly, in the middle of the night, incident.......How often Susan, do you keep trying to get a desired result but using the wrong means? And on top of that mistake, then getting frustrated when it does not work

I just love my God so much because He is constantly speaking to me, even in the smallest ways......if I will but listen!!!!!

What ways do God use to speak to you?

Hodgepodge #4

2012-01-20T08:34:00.000-06:00

Yes, this was suppose to be posted on Wednesday, but let's just say..........I'm running behind!!!

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? No, I did not. If you were a contestant what would your talent be? Playing the piano.

2. Do you have houseplants? Yes MANY. Real or fake? Real and my husband basically takes care of them :o)

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student? Oh, I was, an still am, definitely a speak up person!

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food? I prefer buffet and my favorite are egg rolls & chow mein with nuts.

5. How would you define a miracle? Something that is definitely in God's control and that we cannot do ourselves. What would it take for you to consider something a miracle? Not a lot because I believe we see miracles of God around us ALL the time.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? M-I-C-K-E-Y Mouse because of my husbands name.

7. I should have nothing yesterday. Because I do not run my life on SHOULD HAVES.

8. Insert your own random thought here. We spent last evening celebrating our dear friends, Jack & Mary's, January 15th BD, with another couple of dear friends, Don & Barbara. I am so very blessed with wonderful friends. What is one of your biggest blessings?

Thank you Joyce for hosting Hodgepodge and the privilege of participating. Go here to see other participants.

CHRIST - Throughout the Bible

2012-01-19T06:56:00.000-06:00

There are those who have gone through the Bible and traced the story of Jesus.

Genesis - Seed of the woman

Exodus - Passover Lamb

Leviticus - Atoning Sacrifice

Numbers - Smitten Rock

Deuteronomy - Greatest Prophet

Joshua - Caption of the Lord's Host

Judges - Deliverer

Kings - Promised King

Nehemiah - Restorer of the Nation

Ester - Advocate

Job - Redeemer

Psalms - Shepherd

Proverbs - Pattern

Eccleslastes - Goal

Song of Solomon - Satisfier

Books of the Prophets - Coming Prince of Peace

Gospels - One who came to seek and to save

Acts - Risen Lord

Epistles - Representative at the Father's right hand

Revelation - Returning Lord

HE IS MY LORD & SAVIOR

Still 8 days to get your name in the pot for my giveaway to celebrate my 5th Bloggoversary.

Go here to check it out!

A PITCHER OF LOVE - and potato soup!!!!

2012-01-18T10:18:00.000-06:00

I have to be the most blessed woman on earth ------

1. I was blessed with wonderful Christian parents who not only loved me but taught me basic values and responsibilities. Who held me accountable from an early age.

2. I was blessed to find Jesus in a BIG WAY at the age of 18 and to be able to build my life around HIM.

3. I have been blessed to have shared 53 wonderful years with my wonderful husband, Mickey.

4. I am blessed to be the mother of 2 daughters, 2 sons, 2 granddaughters & 1 grandson.

5. I am blessed to have been nurtured, taught and grounded in MANY different churches over these many years.

6. And last, but certainly not least, I have been blessed with many wonderful long-time friends over my life.

This pitcher is just one example:

I had the goal, on January 1st, to do a liquid fast for 21 days. Well, I only made it to day 12. 11 1/2 days success and 9 1/2 days short of my goal.

We had plans to celebrate our good friends, Jack & Mary's January 15th birthdays (Yes, they share a birth date) on January 16th with our other long-time friends Don & Barbara. Don was so concerned about what I was going to do about eating out at this lovely restaurant we were going to and not being able to eat.

SO, (unbeknown to me) he calls the restaurant to see if they have a liquid soup I could order. They did not have anything Don felt was adequate so.......

When we got to the restaurant this lovely White Pitcher is sitting on the table full of home made potato soup, made by Don, for me.

Now I don't know about you, but that is true friendship and love, above and beyond!!!!

Yes, I am truly the most blessed woman on earth.

Right Now

2012-01-17T04:48:00.000-06:00

Saw this on my friend Crystals blog and it looked different and fun so thought I'd give it a try.

RIght now, I am...

:: marveling At how much God loves me.

:: tired from cleaning our son's house on Thursday and still not total recuperated.

:: laughing after having just posted about cows running down our street the other day and police men and a patrol car "herding" them.

:: overwhelmed when I see the mess our country is in and not knowing if we are going to put someone in as President who can really make a difference.

:: pleasantly enjoying the wonderful life I have with my husband.

:: wondering just how many years we might have left here on earth.

:: grateful for the wonderful life we've had together these 53 years.

:: hearing the sound of the TV from the living room where my husband is watching TV

:: going out to dinner tomorrow night to celebrate some wonderful friends birthdays. The husband and wife share a January 15th birthday (and she is one year older - but don't tell her I told :o)
)
:: planning are having a less hectic week this week than we had last week.

:: digging around for new and different ideas to do in blogging......like this one!

:: sewing is definitely a thing of my past.

:: listening to be sure I'm in tune with God and what He speaks to me.

:: eating again after fasting liquids only for the first 12 days of this New Year.

:: saying I'm glad our after Christmas Christmas Party for our King's Kitchen ministry was Saturday night and a lot of fun but I wish more people would have come.

:: inspired on a daily basis with the wonderful woman God has placed in my life.

:: happy that we get to spend so much time with our youngest son and only grandson.

:: delighted to be hosting a Tuesday night Home Bible Study each week.

:: waiting to paint our second bathroom.

:: being able to save up our money for new hardwood floors for our living room.

Life in our Small Rural Town

2012-01-16T07:38:00.000-06:00

Is very interesting

and sometimes surprising!!

Last Sunday morning as I walked into my bedroom to get ready for church I looked out the window to see two cows in our front yard!

By the time I shouted to Mickey & we got the camera the cows were not only already in front of our house but we had added this police car & police man who had just arrived and gotten out of his car.

In this shot the 2 cows are being "herded" by the patrol car and 2 police men on foot down the road. You can see other neighbors had come out to see.

A second patrol car arrives as yet another, third, cow has arrived in the yard across the street, and just to the south of us.

With the patrol car pursuing this 3rd cow proceeds into the yard directly across the street from us and on her merry way.

Well, it was a surprising event and added a little humor to our early Sunday morning so I thought I'd share it with you.

Happy herding!!!!!

Spiritual Sunday - 2012 #1 - CHARLES SPURGEON

2012-01-15T07:46:00.002-06:00

"Do as thou hast said."

----2 Samuel 7:25

God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; He intended that they should be used. God's gold is not miser's money, but is minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation; He loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, "Lord, do as Thou hast said." We glorify God when we plead His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any the less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any the less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said "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 like crimson, they shall be as wool." Faith lays hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not delay, saying, "This is a precious promise, I wonder if it be true?" but it goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, "Lord, here is the promise, 'Do as Thou hast said.'" Our Lord replies, "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt." When a Christian grasps a promise, if he do not take it to God, he dishonours Him; but when he hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, "Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this, 'Thou hast said it;'" then his desire shall be granted. Our heavenly Banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word of promise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is His delight to bestow favours. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor the fountain of flowing. It is God's nature to keep His promises; therefore go at once to the throne with "Do as Thou hast said."

I am participating in Spiritual Sunday, sponsored by Charlotte & Ginger, for the first time in this New Year.

Go here to read other Spiritual Sunday posts and be blessed!!

If you would like to enter the drawing for the GIVE-AWAY to celebrate my 5th Bloggoversary go here to read about it and how to participate.

Yet Another Silly Meme - Love them or hate them?

2012-01-14T10:51:00.000-06:00

I saw this sometime ago on someones blog and thought I'd do it someday. Today is that someday.
A. Age: 74
B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: Anything where I have to get on my hands and knees: cleaning the bathrooms.
D. Dogs: None
E. Essential start to your day: 2 devotional readings, reading from the Bible, reading a chapter of the current book, and prayer. My husband and I do this together.
F. Favorite color: Blue
G. Gold or Silver: Like both
H. Height: 5' 5 1/2" (use to be 5' 6 1/2" scrinking with age!!)
I. Instruments you play: Piano
J. Job title: Retired
K. Kids: 2 sons & 1 daughter living and 1 daughter in Heaven
L. Live: Small town of Coweta, OK
M. Make of car: HHR Chevy
N. Nicknames: Princess & Honey by my hubby - Mama, Mom, Grandma
O. Overnight hospital stays: Major chest surgery at age 18 - 4 childbirths - pneumonia - gall bladder surgery.
P. Pet peeves: People who always complain about their problems instead of our Victory in Christ.
Q. Quote from a movie: Haven't the fainest idea!!!
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 3 half-sisters (but 2 almost as old as my mother and more like aunts) 1 12 years older than I who I loved as my sister and adored.
U. Underwear: White cotton
V. Vegetable you hate: Okra (can't say I hate it, but don't like or eat it)
W. What makes you run late: Sometimes taking one last look at fb or blog :o)
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Several
Y. Yummy food that you make: 3 cheese chicken enchiladas
Z. Zoo animal: Monkeys

Making a commercial? YES!!

2012-01-13T08:22:00.000-06:00

On Thursday, October 13th Mickey & I had the fun experience of having a little spot in being involved in the making of a commercial for Markwayne Mullin, a young man from our church who is running for Congress in Oklahoma's 2nd District.

This happened to occur during a visit when my forever, lifelong friend of 68 years from New Mexico was visiting. That made it even more special. I blogged about it here.

Here is the commercial. You'll have to look really close because it's just a brief second and if you blink you'll miss us!!!! We're sitting on a park bench and talking with Markwayne.

Markwayne Mullin commercial.

Make-up being applied and the camera man.

All this took place in Oolagah, OK a small town north of Tulsa. The entire experience took about 3 hours for our BRIEF claim to fame.

A very fun experience for Mickey & I, and our guests, and a privilege to help out this fine young man.

Don't forget to vote!!!

GIFTING

2012-01-12T05:19:00.000-06:00

GIFT - n. 1) something given; present. 2) the act of giving. 3) a natural ability; talent.

I've been doing a lot of thinking this New Year about GIFTS, especially as it pertains to the GIFT God puts into us. Yes, if you are A Child of God, then God has given you a gift that He wants you to be and share with His Body. Probably a lot of you reading this are thinking, or saying, "Well God didn't give me a GIFT" , or "God didn't put a GIFT in me." That is a lie of the Devil, and he has been a liar from the beginning. God created you to be in His plans and purposes for His Kingdom here on earth. He has a special and specific plan for your life and He has given you the perfect GIFT or GIFTING to accomplish His plan.

Our problem is we look at ministers, teachers, or someone who has a prominent place within our church or the Christian community and think that if God isn't using us in some big way like that then we don't have any GIFTS. Another lie!!! We are The Body of Christ and each and every one of us that are a part of His Body have a function to play. "For the body is not one member, but many." I Corinthians 12:17

So what is YOUR GIFT? Do you know what it is? More importantly, are you using it????

Maybe your GIFT is encouragement - maybe it is helping to clean up the kitchen after a Church function - maybe it's being a great cook and able to make delicious things for a pot-luck meal or to take to a shut-in or a friend who is ill. Maybe your GIFT is teaching - or opening up your home for a bible study or prayer meeting. Maybe your GIFT is making prayer shawls to be given to someone who needs one - or starting or leading a prayer chain. The list could go on and on but you get the idea:

WE ALL HAVE A GIFT or GIFTS, given to us by God that we are to use for His glory and His kingdom. "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." 1 Corinthians 12:18 When you do not use your gift The Body of Christ where you have been placed is not complete.

So, open up that GIFT that God has made and given to you and use it for His Kingdom and His Glory.

If you aren't aware of what your gift to the Body of Christ is ask God to show you. He will!!!

So what is YOUR GIFT? Do you know what it is? More importantly, are you using it????

Please leave a comment sharing what your GIFT or GIFTS are and how you are currently using them. Also, ways that you might extend your GIFT into other areas of ministry.

Hodgepodge #3

2012-01-11T07:11:00.000-06:00

http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?

Occupy - because it is being used, in my opinion, with a movement that is very harmful and destructive to our nation and is fostering and encouraging bad behavior on the part of most participants.
2. Are you easily embarrassed? No.

3. What is your go-to snack? The cookie jar. Not so these first 10 days of this new year as I am doing a liquid only fast. Hopefully, even when my fast is over I will leave the cookie jar alone for snacking.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?
Yes, The Library of Congress. We actually saw it by accident because we asked a patrolman directions to the Supreme Court Bldg and in giving us directions he said we'd go by the Library of Congress and to stop there and go in. He said it was the most beautiful building in Washington and hardly anyone visited it. We took his advice and did so. I stood on the upper balcony and actually wept it was so beautiful. I then wrote in the visitor book, "I do not believe my eyes will behold such beauty until I get to heaven." and I meant it. I ALWAYS recommend The Library of Congress to anyone I know is going to visit D.C.
5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least? lunges - I have never done a plank and never even heard of such a thing until recently. Don't believe I'll be doing one!!!

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten? It wasn't really that small, but one year our daughter Suzette talked to our other 3 children and they all went together and bought us a brand new ceramic top range with self-cleaning oven for Mother's & Father's day gift.
7. Have you ever been a blood donor? No. I went one time, in my early 20's, and when they tested my blood I was so anemic that they ended up giving ME a blood transfusion.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Since I am currently fasting I wonder how many reading this blog today have ever fasted and why?

Wednesday Hodgepodge is fun to participate in so go here to do so. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

NEATNESS

2012-01-10T07:07:00.000-06:00

Neatness, tidiness - just one of the many traits that my husband has that I appreciate and makes him so very dear and precious to me.

Here are all his clothes laid out on a Sunday morning before church.

What small, particular trait does your husband have that is special to you?

GOALS

2012-01-09T07:16:00.001-06:00

How would you like to change your life this year?

This is the 2nd Writing Challenge I have selected to do.

As we travel through life, and especially as we walk this walk of faith, Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, there are all kind of road sides and directional markers along the way. Some to help us and point us in the right direction and a lot to confuse and point us in the wrong direction.

I have been a goal setter all of my life. I have found setting goals for myself helps point me in that right direction that I desire to go. Do I always reach my goal? NO - In fact I probably fail them more than I accomplish them, but that being said, I do so much better than I would otherwise.

Now to the core of this 2nd writing challenge -

How would I like to change my life this year?

or as I usually put it -

What are my goals for 2012?

First - I am beginning 2012 with a 21 day liquid fast. Why? Because I wanted to start out this year with discipline. Doing a fast breaks my normal pattern and calls for a commitment to place more reliance on Christ and less on myself. This is the start of day 9 - How am I doing? I was perfect until Saturday evening when I broke down and ate a strawberry yogurt. That being said, I am back on the liquid only goal. I will keep updating this along these remaining 2 weeks.

Second - I not only want to lose weight, but I need to lose weight. I even hate to list this one because it has been one of my goals year, upon year, upon year. Accomplishing this goal would really change my life this year. I list this one 2nd, not in importance but because it will be helped and kick started with #1.

Third - To begin to live a more giving sacrificially life. Mickey & I are givers: we have always tithed and we give a lot of our time but I do not think I have ever given to the point of what could be called a sacrifice. To be honest, I'm not sure what that would mean or require of me. It is a goal this year to find out and be obedient as The Lord shows us. You'll notice I jump back and forth between using "I - me" and "we-us" because Mickey & I truly are one flesh and what I do effects we and not only me!!!!

Fourth - To be involved in Godly activities and service. These include:
1- First and foremost to attend regular church services, which in our church is Sunday morning small groups & main service, Wednesday evening and the 1st Sunday evening of every month. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.
2-The King's Kitchen - a ministry within our church, which my husband started in January, 2010, where each Tuesday we prepare and serve a hot meal to elderly shut-ins.
3- Continue the WOW woman's (Woman of the Word) Bible study in my home every Tuesday evening which I began on January 18, 2011.
4- Resume attending a Bible study every Monday morning at my friend Judy's home. She's starting it back up today. This group has been meeting for the past 3 years (with a few breaks) and I attended from the beginning but dropped out during my daughters illness.
5- Continue to step-in to teach the Senior Adult Small Group class as called upon to do so.
6- Attend the monthly meetings of Bridges For Peace at a private home each 3rd Thursday evening. We attended last month and were really impressed.
7- Attend a Friday 11 a.m. prayer group, let by a close friend of mine, at the Library.
8- To become more involved with Coweta House of Prayer.
9- To participate in as many small home groups meeting for prayer and/or Bible study that The Lord directs me to.

Fifth - To reach out on the social media networks. This would include:
1- Recommit to my blog with the same dedication I had in the beginning.
2- Continue to build the Hearts In "1" Accord fb prayer group.
3- Extend the WOW Woman group to those God chooses for the fb group.

Sixth - Mickey & I continue our morning reading and prayer time : The Bible - My Utmost For His Highest - The Word For You Today and what ever current book we are reading, and praying together. We both treasure this time and are so thankful to The Lord that we long ago established this.

Seventh - But by no means last, be open to the leading, speaking and direction of The Holy Spirit. To have eyes to see and ears to hear what The Spirit speaks to ME.

Some of these are changes for me but most are to continue in the things I feel God has called us to.

How would you like to change your life this year? I'd love to hear from you!!!!!

Be sure and leave a comment so your name will be in the drawing for the gift I'm giving away on the 27th to celebrate 5 years of blogging.

JOURNALS

2012-01-08T05:43:00.000-06:00

Did any of you ever have a little five-year diary with a lock and key?

This is one I just found on the internet from 1941.

I remember having several of them as a child, usually given to me as a Christmas present. I would try so hard to remember to write in it each day but never quite managed to keep it up and would get discouraged and give up. That was my first young attempt at journaling.

When I was a young bride and mother, I began keeping journals in a small spiral notebooks.

When I would awake, in the middle of the night, I would get my little notebook and pour out my heart on it's pages. Over the years they became records of the events going on in our lives, but also my dreams, my aspirations and my flustrations. Often I would refer to them to verify when a particular incident had taken place.

In the heat of an argument, during a very bad time in our marriage in 1984, one of the things that was brought up was how I had to keep a record of every single event that ever happened in our lives. In the heat of that argument, again in the middle of the night, I tossed ALL of my journals into the flames of the fire burning in the small metal fireplace in our bedroom.

As I reflect back on this event (these 28 years later!) I would love to have those journals and realize what a childish responce that was. Mickey has also been sorry he made that foolish, angry remark at me. Like so many things in life we cannot undo our actions.

While I no longer keep writen journals it has just truly dawned on me that this adventure of blogging, these past 5 years, is my modern day version of journaling. No wonder it has been such a blessing to me.

So, I am curious about your experiences with diaries and journals. Have you kept one in the past? Are you currently keeping a journal? Do you consider blogging a form of a journal?

DON'T FORGET to go here to get the information about my Bloggoversary Give-Away drawing on January 27th.

FASTING - FOOD - FAMILY

2012-01-07T07:10:00.000-06:00

As the New Year started I began a 21 day fast of only liquids. This is the start of my 7th day and I am pleased that the past 6 days have been victorious, with God's help.

Our lives are built around a lot of eating, and celebrating with food, so giving up food is truly a test and fast for me. I pray that I will be successful in this endeavor and Im listening for what God speaks to me during this fast.

I thought about doing a post just about fasting, but decided instead to share these very important occasions from our first week in the New Year of 2012.

First, our grandson Aric had minor surgery on Wednesday the 4th. We left our house at 6:45 and arrived at the hospital by 7:30. Aric had pre-op and the surgery was at 10. Everything went perfect and was successful and we give God, and the doctor, praise for that.

Aric had not eaten since 8:30 Tuesday night and he had said he wanted to go to Red Robin after the surgery. He was released at 3:30.

Marc & Aric at Red Robin. Now this was a REAL test for me on my liquid fast!!!! While my 3 guys are enjoying the wonderful fare of Red Robin, including the french fries that they bring even before you order, I dutifully ordered French Onion Soup (the only thing on that menu that was even close to acceptable) and ate only the broth.

Then Thursday Marc had asked us to come to their home in the afternoon to be with Aric as he had a prior dental appointment that he had to keep. We arrived about 1:30. I decided to ride along with Marc and visit one on one with him when he left at 3 and Mickey stayed with Aric.

Marc wanted to prepare dinner for us!!! Which he did.

The meal he prepared: Pork Loin cooked with sliced potato and a side of corn with black beans. Hot reheated rolls with butter. Please note my cup of beef broth!!!!

Another view of the meal and these 3 wonderful men in my life. 3 generations!!!! Isn't that wonderful? You can see Aric is doing just fine.

A sweet church friend had made these wonderful little treats and I took them over for the guys dessert. Aren't they the absolute cutest things?

So my first week has truly been filled with Fasting, Food & Family. A combination that could not be better.

FRIDAY FAVORITES - My Beautiful Angel

2012-01-06T06:35:00.000-06:00

On May 4, 2007, shortly after beginning my blog, I began to participate in what was called Show & Tell. The last time I participated was December 3, 2010. I loved not only participating in showing something of mine but seeing all the items others would show.

I was delighted yesterday (through my blog friend Mari)to discover Friday Favorites which was just started this month.

So in keeping with celebrating my up coming 5th bloggoversary, on January 27th, I am re posting that very first Show & Tell post.

This is my BEAUTIFUL Angel . She was a Christmas present to me this past Christmas from my daughter, Jacque. (that would have been Dec.25, 2006 so she has graced our home for the past 5 years)

I was stunned at her beauty and delicacy holding the gentle dove in one hand and the other resting near her arm. Her lovely blue eyes and faint pink lips. Her slender hands and fingers. The filigree of her wings.

At 17 1/2" tall she is one of my largest angels. The picture doesn't capture it, but she is totally white and silver with silver specks on the doves, wings and her flowing dress.

She has a very prominent place in our home and hearts.

Go here to find out how to participate in the drawing for the upcoming give-away on January 27th to celebrate Bloggoversary #5 with me.

BLOGGING Anniversary & Give Away

2012-01-05T07:32:00.002-06:00

I begin this year wanting to get back into a regular routine of blogging. I remember those first years and what a close connection was being established with so many of us in the blog world. I think there are many of us that desire to see that fervor return. I'm going to do my part in posting, reading and commenting.

As I was thinking on this I realized I will celebrate my 5th anniversary of blogging on the 27th of this month!

It never ceases to amaze me what an adventure blogging turned out to be for me. When I began I remember thinking, "Who cares what an old 69 year old grandma has to say?". Praise God even at 74 there are still people reading and caring.

I have been blessed to have met 12 wonderful blog friends in "real" life and am believing that I will get to meet more of you this year. Everyone of the 12 have been everything I thought they would be and more.
What a fantastic treat it always is.

So------to celebrate my 5th Anniversary I am going to be giving away a copy of one of my all time favorite books, Andrew Murray on Prayer.

I read this book, for the first time, back in 2000 and it was and still is such a blessing to my life and my walk with Christ.

Starting today - the name of every one who leaves a comment, telling me what they liked or didn't like about that days post, will be added into the drawing pot. There are 23 days between now and then so you can get your name in the pot 22 times, if you are faithful to read and comment on the post. I will record each days comment names when I get up the following day. In other words, all who comment on this post today will be added to the pot in the morning. So, you can't "cheat" by coming on a week from now and commenting on the past days post. Oh, and by the way....this is my second post for today so you can get your name in the pot twice today!!! :o)

The cut-off time for the drawing will be 9 p.m. on January 26th and I will announce the winner here on the 27th.

Here's to renewing old friendships and making some new ones.

Happy New Years!!!

THE BEST GIFT

2012-01-05T06:34:00.000-06:00

WRITING CHALLENGE - as I begin the New Year. Saw this writing challenge for the New Year on a friends blog! Decided to give it a whirl…

1. Write about the best gift you gave to someone else. What made it so special?

Back in 1986, when we were living in New Mexico, my husbands brothers & sisters were going to have a family reunion at a resort in So. Carolina. Mickey had decided we couldn't afford it and had told them he would not be attending.

First - Behind his back (yes!!) I contacted his boss and made arrangement for him to have that week off and to not tell him I had contacted him. He agreed.

Second - I purchased the plane ticket.

Third - I got a Chinese fortune cookie and broke it in half. I cut out a very small strip of paper and wrote on it "You will go on a VERY long trip very soon!". I placed it inside the cookie and glued the cookie back together.

Fourth - The Sunday, before he was to leave on Monday, after church we went out to eat. After eating I told him I had his dessert in my purse and took out the fortune cookie, in a plastic bag, and gave it to him. The look on his face as he cracked that cookie open and then read the "fortune" was, and is, priceless to me.

Fifth - Then I took out the airline ticket and gave it to him and told him what I had done. He left early on Monday morning.

It was absolutely the best gift I've ever been able to give anyone.

By the way, these 26 years later, that little slip of paper (with the glob of glue that held it in place!!) resides as one of his treasures in his jewelry box. I am sure one of our children will some day have it and be sharing this story.

2012-01-04T20:40:00.001-06:00

New Year New Hodgepodge Decided to do this after seeing it on a friends blog, even though I'm a late participant!!!

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?
Hardest - we lost our lovely daughter to cancer on May 19th
Overcomers - because our Triune God was with us every step of the way and with Him we are overcomers.
Debt free - Totally debt free!!!!

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?
I enjoy good fried shrimp when eating out. I don't really "prepare" it.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?
Due to this being our "first" Christmas without Suzette we choose to not put up any decorations this year. If we had they would have been down by Dec. 31st.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Not a big movie watch in the first place and definitely NOT scary ones. Didn't even like them as a child.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?
None - I enjoy sitting by the fire drinking coffee or hot chocolate :o)

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.
I had 2 - We had a chicken house that my father had converted to a darling playhouse for me. I spent MANY hours there and loved it. Second - my friend and I would climb up on top of the metal roof of our garage and watch the clouds, seeing what they looked like and telling our "secrets".

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
Anytime I am in a small group of prayer or Bible Study. My "special" private place is the large leather recliner in my living room with all my books & Bibles by my side.

Also, here in my office on this computer when I am motivated by some of the blogs I follow.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am so looking forward to this NEW YEAR and all that God will show me and where HE will lead me.

2011 IN REVIEW

2012-01-03T08:19:00.000-06:00

2011 Was the hardest year of my life, to date. As always, I am going to do a review of it, based on my blog posts for the year.

JANUARY - As the year began we were dealing with 2 sad things in our lives. Suzette was into her 4th month of fighting the battle of stage IV lung cancer and our granddaughter Oksana was left on December 31, 2010 to live with her mother. Oksana is still living with her mother in another state.

I began a Tuesday evening Bible Study in my home on January 18th called WOW Woman. WOW standing for Woman of the Word. It is still going strong and was a real blessing and support for me throughout 2011, and still is.

-----

FEBRUARY - The blizzard of February, 2011 was record breaking for our area. Schools were closed for days, and the area literally shut down. Mickey and I rather enjoyed being shut-in and not having to be on the go.

MARCH - I only posted one time during March, 2011 as we fought Suzette's health battle, my own small health battle, and family issues with the failure of our sons Marc's marriage.

Attending Benny's birthday celebration would be Suzette's last family outing. You can tell Jacque has been crying. Suzette, as always, was so brave.

-----

APRIL - April 1st would be the last really nice, pleasant, perfect day that Suzette and I would ever share. We attended a Cancer Workshop which was so good. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed eating our lunch out on a bench. I cannot tell you how many times I have relived this day in my mind and been so thankful that God allowed us to enjoy that day the way we did.

I can't believe I didn't take one picture that day!!!!!

On April 29th Suzette left the hospital after an 8 day stay. We had high hopes.

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MAY - May 19th at 11:30 p.m. our beloved Suzette breathed her last breath and was embraced in heaven in the loving arms of God and her Savior, Jesus Christ. Life for us will never be the same without her.

This picture was taken on October 4, 2010 as Suzette & Dave joined us to celebrate our 53rd anniversary. I was taken just 12 days after she was first hospitalized and 6 days after she was diagnosed.

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JUNE - I was blessed to have a time of refreshing with 4 of my 3rd Day Sisters Bible Study group at the 3rd Annual Holy Ghost Conference in Branson. I struggled as I was Trying to answer "why?" and dealing with pain.

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JULY - We were BLESSED with hosting blog friends, Kathy & Danny Wright and their two wonderful children, Bethany & Daniel, for 4 glorious days. The Lord knew just what I needed in putting this wonderful family in my life several years ago. We truly have a spiritual connection with Kathy & Danny. Their visit at this time was JUST what we needed.

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AUGUST - Was a busy month filled with activity and keeping ourselves busy. It was a wonderful month because we sold our 1998 30' Jayco and on August 8th we paid off our HHR Chevy and became DEBT FREE. Oh, what a feeling of freedom so long for worked toward.

My dear blog friend, Leigh Ann sent me this precious pillow she had made for me with my word for 2011 PERSEVERE. I wept when I opened it and it was the perfect timing to remind me that yes we had persevered and we would continue to do so!!

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SEPTEMBER - Just a busy month with lots of various family and community goings on. The memorable point was daughter, Jacque, & granddaughter, Jessica,( and three other friends) running in the Race for the Cure cancer run in honor of sister & aunt Suzette.

OCTOBER - A truly busy month - My forever friend, Joan, and her husband, Jim, visited us from New Mexico for 4 days, the 12th-16th. I treasure my LONG friendship with Joan which began in the second grade in 1943!!! She is truly "family" to me and we have shared all the joys and sorrows, everything, in our lives over these many years.

Then on October 19th-23rd Marc, Aric, Mickey and I made a trip to visit Mickey's side of the family in Tennessee. A fun, blessed time.

NOVEMBER - The LONG awaited day, November 23rd, when Marc's Tulsa house (which had been on the market for 18 long months) closed and he purchased his brand new beautiful home in Owasso!!!
Then the next day, the 24th, we celebrated Thanksgiving and Mickey's (79 how can that be?!) & Dave's birthdays. Certainly a day of celebration. Jacque had arranged for us to all have dinner at Forrest Ridge Golf Course which was a nice change of pace for us and so thoughtful of her. We needed a change for this "first" without Suzette.

DECEMBER - Our special month of birthday's and Christmas. It was so wonderful getting to have Christmas in Marc's new house. Another one of our "firsts". I turned 74 (how can that be?!) and received the heart with a tear necklace in memory of Suzette that I will wear forever.

Yes, in many ways 2011 was very difficult, but also we have many precious memories of happy times and events, too. Most importantly we were surrounded by family & friends. We are eager to see what 2012 has for us, our family. our church and ministries, and most important ---- what God has to show and teach us.

HE truly holds us in the palm of His hand and it is a safe place.

CLINGING TO THE WORD

2012-01-02T09:42:00.000-06:00

Many months ago I saw this picture and just loved it. It spoke volumes to me of clinging to God's Word throughout our entire life.

I saved it on purpose to someday take a similar shot of my hands on my beloved Bible.

My hands aren't quite as aged as the one's above, but certainly getting there.

I have spoken many times on this blog about my precious, treasured Bible that Mickey gave me on our first anniversary and many of you have requested pictures. It is a small, leather bound Bible measuring just 4 1/2" by 7 3/4". It is the Bible I use every Sunday at Church and in small group.

Many of the pages are paper thin and it is marked with many notes and markings. It has served me well, all these years, and is my most treasured possession. I have told my family I want it to go to the person in my family who is living closest to God when I am gone.

My hope and trust is built on nothing less!!!!!!

BRING IT ON - 2012

2012-01-01T17:17:00.000-06:00

For as long as I can remember, I've loved the start of a brand new, fresh page year. This could never be more true than this year. To say that 2011 was one of the most difficult years I, and my family, have had to walk through would be an understatement. No parent should have to bury their own child.....but we did.

Now, we get to start a New Year with everyone well. We learned a lot in 2011 about keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and keeping our faith strong, even when things didn't turn out as we had prayed. To trust God's love and faithfulness to us, even when His perfect will seems so imperfect to our earthly selves. One thing I know for sure, Heaven is more real to me today than it has ever been.

SO - bring it on 2012 I'm ready for any and all challenges you have for me and will deal with them with FERVENCY (the word God gave me for 2012), trusting in my Lord & Savior and the wonderful Triune God we serve.

MY WORD FOR 2012

2012-01-01T07:43:00.001-06:00

This is the 4th year that the Lord has given me a word for the year. The previous 3 have been: 2009 - Unity
                                            2010 - Vulnerable
                                            2011 - Persevere

This year the Lord said the word: FERVENT (fur'vant)Adj.

The definition, per the dictionary, 1) hot, burning
                                                       2) showing great warmth of
                                                           feeling; intensely earnest

Now, that I've had the 3 year history of these 3 words, I can reflect back and see how "right-on" the words have described my walk and journey with the Lord. It never ceases to amaze me the way our Lord and God works with us.

I was excited in 2009 with Unity because one of the desired of my heart is to see Unity within the Body of Christ. I can say, that as I approach my 4th year I am truly seeing that Unity occurring in so many various places and ways. That to me is so exciting.

I was NOT excited, or pleased with the word Vulnerable in 2010 because none of us like to be Vulnerable and I had no idea what I was going to be Vulnerable to.  As it turned out, it was my daughter, Suzette's, diagnoses on September 28th of that year of stage IV lung cancer.

Last January 1st, as I happily received PERSEVRE as my word, I was thoroughly convinced that we just had to Persevre through the chemo/treatments/prayer and walk for Suzette's complete healing. You, who follow me and our story, know that what we would be required to PERSEVRE would be her journey to Heaven on May 19th.  The hardest test of persevrence that not only I, but our entire family, would endure to date. And, I might add, we had already
persevered through a lot over the years.

So, as I enter 2012 with my word FERVENT I am once again excited ! I intend to use every experience I've had to date to be even more Fervent for my Lord & Savior and the calling He has on my life.

If you haven't ask the Lord to give you a word each year I encourage you to do so. It is so exciting to be able to look back and reflect, once again, how the Lord truly holds us in the palm of His hand and how no detail is overlooked by our Lord is we will just have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear".

Please pray about this and then let me know what word God gives you for 2012.

A Very Special "win" from a Very Special Friend.

2011-12-30T21:54:00.000-06:00

My very talented blog friend, Sunny, of Sunny's Studio, and Changing Lanes, recently had a drawing for a small 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" oil painting. I have been amazed at Sunny's art and I left comments each and every day. I WON!!!! And, when my oil canvas arrived and I realized it was the manger scene above I was just so delighted!!!

I have it sitting on the bookshelf in my living room, right in front of the small (6 3/4") antique books that belonged to my father. Trust me, it will reside there each and every 365 days of the year!!!!

I absolutely was thrilled when I heard I'd won, and then when I opened that package and saw WHAT I'd won. Thank you so very much Sunny. I truly treasure it and your friendship.

74th BIRTHDAY -

2011-12-29T07:47:00.000-06:00

I received such beautiful birthday cards from so many people. The one's from my daughter, son, grand daughter, and 2 forever friends were so special they made me cry.

Marc & Aric attended church with us, which was a special gift to me, and then Marc took us all out to eat. During lunch he said, "Oh, Mom I've got a little something and a card for you at the house."

Here is my little something !!!! This beautiful sterling silver heart with a tear drop, in a beautiful jewel box with the poem.

Presented to me by my youngest son, Marc, for my 74th Birthday, December 25, 2011, 7months and 6 days after Suzette going to Heaven on May 19th at 11:30 pm.

The Reunion Heart

Since Heaven has become your home
I sometimes feel I’m so alone;
And though we now are far apart
You hold a big piece of my heart.

I never knew how much I’d grieve
When it was time for you to leave,
Or just how much my heart would ache
From that one fragment you would take.

God let’s this tender hole remain
Reminding me we’ll meet again,
And one day all the pain will cease
When He restores this missing piece.
He’ll turn to joy my every tear,
And when I wear this necklace near
It will become my simple way
To treasure our Reunion Day.

As if that wasn't enough!!!! You open the locket and inside, where the tear is on the outside is a little piece of "missing" heart.

Some things are beyond priceless----

My Suzette

This necklace

My thoughtful, loving son, Marc who gave it to me

My Jesus who paid the price

Heaven, with our Triune God, where she waits for us.

I am a mother most blessed!!!!!!!

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS & a bit more Chritmas

2011-12-28T13:52:00.000-06:00

Several years ago Suzette started a tradition of us December birthday girls (Suzette the 13th - Jacque the 22nd - Jessica the 23rd - Susan the 25th)getting a manicure & pedicure and going out for lunch. I continued the tradition this year by treating the 3 of us with just that on Jacque's BD the 22nd. Jessica got a fancy leopard polish job (3 different colors), Jacque and I got the sparking Christmas red. Lunch was at a Mexican restaurant.

Then we came to the house to open packages. I got my girls black t-shirts that read "Peace, Love, Joy" and matched one I got myself.

Jacque's gifts from Jessica. This beautiful scarf & a framed picture of them running the Susan B. Kohlman cancer race in Suzette's honor earlier this year.

Jessica's fancy Paula Dean red cookware from her mom, Jacque.

A pretty new black dress with gray and black cape over-up from Jacque.

The new entertainment base & 42" TV that Mickey & I treated ourselves with for our 2 birthdays (his November 24th and mine December 25th) and our Christmas gift to each other. We purchased the base from Benny (who is in the furniture business). We love it and it match's the bookcases, on each side, pretty well.

Picture of the Cherry-Go-Round - annual Christmas morning breakfast treat for our family each year for years and years (way back to the 60's!!!!)

Grandson Aric playing his latest game equipment and games prior to church Christmas Day.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus before heading out to worship the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas.

Loves of my life - grandson, Aric & youngest son, Marc.

David was down in the back and couldn't attend church with us. Jacque had to work :o(

Marc took us out to eat on Christmas Day so I wouldn't have to cook on my Birthday :o) Neither one of us realized almost everything would be closed. Mickey finally suggested calling Luby's, after we'd driven here and there just to find them closed. They answered the phone and were open. Yeah!! We drove clear across town, and waited an hour in line but had a delightful meal, and of course the company was perfect for this mama.

My next post will be about my birthday gift from Marc. It's so special it deserves it's own post.

Christmas this year - 2011

2011-12-26T09:44:00.003-06:00

If you didn't get a Christmas card from us.....it's because we didn't do any this year!! If you came to our house, you did not see ANY Christmas decorations, inside or out, other than the Christmas cards we received from wonderful friends taped to the back of our front door!!

Mickey and I decided early on we were just not up to all that "stuff" this "first Christmas". This is the first time, in my 74 years, that a special Christmas tree and MANY decorations have not been a part of it.

But, we have just had one of the best, calmest, nicest Christmas and my birthday, on December 24th and 25th, that we have EVER had. The PEACE of Jesus has held and sustained us. The JOY of family and friends has blessed us. The HOPE of the New Year-2012, and what God has in store for us, thrills us. The LOVE all of you showed us helped make it so.

We celebrated Christmas at our youngest son's new, beautiful home and enjoyed most of our family being together, although the absence of Suzette (in Heaven) and Oksana (in another state) left a big hole.

Oldest son, David, who just arrived from his fight from San Francisco, California with his Dad.

Our 3 guys, David, Aric and Marc, just before we head out to enjoy the steak dinner from David at Logan's Roadhouse.
The tree and all the packages.

The whole crew, the make shift table this year - next year will have a brand new dining room full of furniture.
Left side from front to back: Oldest son, David - Youngest son, Marc - only Grandson and son of Marc, Aric - empty chair and photographer, father/grandfather/husband, Mickey - mom/grandmother,wife, Susan - son-in-love, Dave. Right side back to front: Son-in-love, Benny - Youngest daughter, Jacque - boy friend to Jessica, Aaron - oldest grandchild and daughter of Jacque, Jessica - room mate of Jessica - Julie.

David all dressed up and looking good.

Box of goodies that arrived at our front door from David and California.

Blogger will not let me put this up under the first paragraph where I wanted it !!!!

My favorite 3 men watching the gifts being opened - David, Marc, Mickey.

That's all folks.

Cherry-Go-Round

2011-12-26T08:28:00.000-06:00

Adding requested picture of Cherry-Go-Round.

Fresh out of the over. You can also add a sugar glaze frosting, but I never do because we like the hot yeast taste with lots of real butter!!

Instead of making 2 rounds this year I made 2 have pieces out of the one.

In response to my fb post about having everything done and ready for our Christmas celebrating, except the Cherry-Go-Round that I make for Christmas morning each year, here is the recipe:

CHERRY-GO-ROUND

Scald 1 Cup milk - Stir in: 1/2 Cup sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 stick margarine. Let mixture stand until Lukewarm.

Dissolve 1 Package Yeast in 1/4 Cup warm water. Add milk mixture, 1 egg, 2 Cups unsifted flour. Beat till smooth - Add 2 more Cups unsifted flour.

Cover and put in refrigerator - 2 hours or up to 2 days.

Cherry filling: Blend 1/2 Cup brown sugar - 1/2 Cup flour - 1/2 Cup chopped pecans.

Roll dough in two (2) 14"x7" oblongs.

Spread with 1 1/2 Cups (1 can) drained red tart cherries & sugar mixture (I have also used the cherry pie filling can).

Roll up and seal edges - Form 2 rings on greased baking sheets. Cut 2/3 through at 1" intervals - twist (this forms the wreath shaped rings). Cover - let rise in warm place until double - 1 hour.

Bake @ 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Sorry I don't have a picture - but I haven't made them yet this year!!!! I have been preparing these for MANY years for our Christmas mornings and especially to my son, Marc, it's not Christmas without the Cherry-Go-Rounds. I did not fix them last year, due to Suzette being so ill, but I'm making them this year. Marc & Aric will join us and be attending church with us. I am so happy that Christmas falls on Sunday!!

If you fix them------let me know what you think.

MERRY CHRISTMAS how wonderful to celebrate our LORD and SAVIOR!!!!!

I AM AMAZED

2011-12-19T07:59:00.000-06:00

I am amazed the way God works and moves in our lives. I am amazed, as I look back over my life, and observe how my life has unfolded.  As I anticipate celebrating my 74th birthday, on Christmas Day, I AM AMAZED at where God has placed me and what He has me doing.

Little did I know, when I began Penless Writer, posting for the first time on January 21, 2007, where that little, simple step, of getting brave enough to step out into the mysterious world (to me!) of blogging, would lead. I so well remember thinking, "Who in the world cares what an old 69 year old grandmother has to say?"

Who would have thought - that over these 5 years I would have the pleasure and joy of meeting, in real life, 12 people who I never would have known except for meeting them through Penless Writer.

Who would have thought - that I would have the joy of having blog friends Danny & Kathy Wright, and their children, Bethany & Daniel, actually spend 3 wonderful days with us at our little home in Coweta, Ok.

Who would have thought - that on May 13, 2008 God would stir me to begin a private prayer blog called Hearts in "1" Accord.

Who would have thought - that on November 11, 2011 God would lead me to take Hearts and convert it to a private fb group, that as of today has 48 members, scattered in various places, praying for the needs of others

Who would have thought - that Mickey & I would spend 6 months or more a year, traveling around the entire United States & Canada in an RV after he retired in 1996 until May, 2005.

Who would have thought - because of those travels, and falling in love with the small towns we visited, God would have us purchase a little house in a little town 25 miles SE of Tulsa called Coweta in March, 1998. By the way, that is pronounced CO-we-ta not COW-wet-a!!!

Who would have thought - that God would place us in a little church called Church on the Way that March, 1998 and Mickey would head up a food program in that church giving out groceries once a week to those in the Coweta area.

Who would have thought - when that church closed it's door, God would have us attend a small store front church, Our Finest Hour, and be involved and participate as they built a LARGE beautiful church on HW51 in Coweta.

Who would have thought - that while at Our Finest Hour we became Care Leaders and serving in that capacity one of the people we would meet was a young mother with a small child in the hospital for 11 months. That mother was the one who introduced me to her blog and encouraged me to start blogging!!!!

Who would have thought - that God would work on us for months about leaving Our Finest Hour and we fought it hard. We knew He was telling us to go and we didn't know where.....but on a Wednesday night, December 23, 2005, we walked into the service, during the praise & worship, at Coweta Assembly of God and have been there ever since.

Who would have thought - that in November, 2009 God would tell Mickey to start a feeding program once a week of preparing a meal for those who needed a noon meal called The King's Kitchen . For 4 weeks that noon meal was prepared and NO ONE - ZERO came!!

Who would have thought - that "failure" would be moved to taking in a wholesome meal each and every Tuesday to local shut-ins and the elderly. The first King's Kitchen meal was delivered on February 9, 2010 and currently five 2 person delivery teams deliver to around 50 people a week.

Who would have thought - that in January, 2009 I would be asked to join a small bible study at the home of a woman I didn't even know from our church.  At the first meeting, on the 12th, there were only 3 of us.

Who would have thought - that the Klothes Kloset clothing ministry would begin from this group in September of that year. That ministry is still going strong and still being manned by woman from this bible study.  We have ordered the book "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer and will begin our 3rd year of meeting every Monday morning, at Judy's home, on January 9th.

Who would have thought - that in March of this same year, 2009, another friend from church, Sandra, would tell me she was beginning a bible study in her home on Tuesday evenings. She lives 30 miles from me but I told her I'd come the first time just to support her. After the first meeting I knew I was not going to miss these studies. Thus was born 3rd Day Sisters. I attended until she discontinued the latter part of 2010.

Who would have thought - that I would begin WOW Women (Woman of the Word) on January 18, 2011 and 4 of the 12 of us that began that evening were 3rd Day Sisters. This group is growing strong. We finished our 1st study, "Born for Battle" in
September and began our 2nd study, Crazy Love.

Who would have thought - that as we were waiting to began Crazy Love the Lord would put on my heart to invite my dear friend, Kathy, to participate with us in this study and be included in the private WOW Women fb group. She did so on October 11th, reading along with us and commenting on the fb group.

Who would have thought - that since adding Kathy in October the Lord would have me add 3 more woman from afar: Shari from another small Oklahoma town 160 miles away; Betty in Japan; & Karen in Alabama.

Who would have thought!!!! I don't know where God will lead and guide as I begin my 74th year of life and my 14th year in this little town of Coweta but one thing is for sure.......as long as I have breath in my lungs I will cling to HIM and HE will lead and direct me and  I WILL BE AMAZED because HE is an AMAZING GOD.

DECK OF CARDS

2011-12-01T06:51:00.000-06:00

Deck of Cards

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard.

The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.
As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then an army sergeant came in and said, 'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?'
The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.'
The sergeant said, 'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.'
The soldier said, 'No, sir . You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country,
I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.'
The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?'

ACE - You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

TWO - The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments

THREE - The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

FOUR - The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John ..

FIVE - The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

SIX - The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

SEVEN - The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

EIGHT - The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth..

NINE - The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

TEN - The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

JACK - The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

QUEEN - The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

KING - The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.
There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.
The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.'

Please take a minute right now and say a prayer for all the men and woman who are currently serving in the Military and are sacrificing to protect our nation.

YOU'VE GOT TO PAY FULL PRICE

2011-11-30T12:33:00.000-06:00

The following was in one of the daily devotional I read "The Word For You Today" and was so good I wanted to share it here on Penless.

The poet wrote:

"When you get what you want in the struggle for self, and the world makes you king for a day;

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself, and see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife, whose judgment upon you must pass;

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life, is the one staring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please; never mind all the rest, for he's with you clear to the end.

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test, if the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, and get pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears, if you've cheated the man in the glass."

THE BITTER - and THE SWEET

2011-11-29T18:15:00.000-06:00

It seems more and more that 24 hours in 7 days is just not enough time any more. Do the rest of you have this issue? Or is it just us?

This last week-end was certainly one of these times for us.

THE SWEET - our excitement and involvement with Thanksgiving at the Glass Veranda set up by our daughter, Jacque; lots of family time; Marc's new house; involvement in the move and set-up; and a special evening spent with 23 of us going to ride the Christmas Train at Willie George's Dry Gulch. (which is about an hour from our church in our new this year people mover). Then of course Sunday small group and church and then out to Marc's where all the family gathered once again. It was all wonderful, rewarding and a blessing

THE BITTER - #1 - Because of all the above we were unable to have the joy and pleasure of getting to spend at least a 1/2 hour or so with my wonderful blog friend, Ginger, and her husband, Dave, as they traveled back to their home from visiting their daughters in TX and were within 12 miles of our home :o) We had been hoping to do this for several months and missed the opportunity of meeting on their way down on Tuesday because Ginger got to feeling bad and then on the return on Saturday we were already committed with our Church small group outing. We had met these 2 about 2 years ago, and even though it was short it was so sweet. We are still hoping for another chance in the coming years.

THE BITTER #2 - Since we went out to Owasso and the family gathering right after church we missed a phone call from another blog friend, Lisa, and her husband who live in TX. They have been on vacation and called us from Joplin and were heading our way as they were heading home and hoped to meet up with us. We had also had the pleasure of meeting them, and their 3 lovely daughters, a couple of years ago. So sorry we missed this second opportunity.

I know God has His perfect timing and plans and I hope my future includes getting together sometime with both of these two dear blog friends.

ANOTHER BITTER - I am having trouble leaving comments on some of the blogs I read. If I read your blog I always want to leave a comment to let you know I've done so and how I've enjoyed the read. Just recently I cannot leave comments on all of them. IF your blog does not read as follows regarding comments: CHOSE AN IDENTITY and then shows Susan(GoogleAcc) Sign Out.

If it shows: CHOOSE AN IDENTITY and then has a drop down box, but doesn't give me any choice I cannot leave a comment. I don't know if the problem is on my end or the sending blog. If I need to do something on my end to clear this up and any one knows what I'd love to know.

Just wanted to explain why quite a few of you, who know I left comments, are not hearing from me any more. I decided to post this here in an effort to clear up the problem if I can.

HAPPY BLOGGING AND HAPPY COMMENTING!!!

MOVING DAY - The Work Begins

2011-11-28T19:41:00.000-06:00

The long awaited day has finally arrived. At 9 a.m. on Friday, November 25th the movers arrive at the storage building where many of Marc's items have been living for the past 14 months. Marc & I run errands picking up shelf paper, etc. and return to the apartment, where Aric has been waiting, just in time to receive the call that the storage is now packed and the movers are heading for the new house. Marc & Aric and the dog leave for the new house. The cat & I remain at the apartment & I pack up the last boxes of kitchen items.

After unloading all the items from the storage to the house, which included the refrigerator, and washer & dryer the movers took a lunch break. Marc & Mickey return to the apartment but leave Aric & the dog at the house, so the dog can become familiar with her new surroundings.

The movers return, after their lunch, and load up all the apartment items and all of us, except the cat who we leave at the apartment, head for the new house. The cat ran away once since they've been at the apartment and Marc was so worried about that not happening during this move.

Backing up the moving truck into the drive way for unloading of the apartment items.

The moving crew. Why are moving guys always skinny?!! But they got the job done in 4 and 1/4 hour and did a good job.

Marc has kept very few items and is going to be buying new furniture. Two side chairs, the antique chair he just bought at the auction last week, a flower vase and an old antique check printer sitting on the mantle. Can't remember what Aric was plugging in. Probably checking out some connection for one of his games.

This is my fathers old antique solid oak desk and chair that I had given Marc when we sold our big home in 1997 when Mickey retired and we went on the road in our RV.

The desk alcove that I did not have a picture of in yesterday's post.

An old Antique chest that had belonged to Aric other grandmother and Marc has been keeping for her.

The tiny little breakfast set that they had in the other house looks so small in this huge dining room but will do until he gets large new dining furniture. The chair in the corner, which you can hardly see, is the other antique chair Marc bought at the auction.

Three concrete acorns and bench that will be placed in the yard somewhere.

My job was lining all the kitchen cabinets and shelves, all the pantry shelves, and try to get a few dish items in place so they can manage until all the boxes get unpacked and everything fnds a home.

We worked 12 hours on Friday and we were all bushed. We did take time out and had a lovely meal mid-afternoon at Olive Garden.

Saturday we worked from 10 to 2 but had to leave because we had tickets to go to Dry Gulch and ride the Christmas Parade and have dinner with our small group. We left the church at 4 and didn't get home until 10:30. We were 2 tired puppies.

We'll go back some time next week and get the laundry (which has cabinets on both side), linen closet, and both bathrooms cabinets lined and done,

Sunday the whole family came out in the afternoon: Jacque, Benny, Dave, Mickey & I.

What a wonderful time of rejoicing over this blessing for Marc & Aric. I love my family and I am so thankful we get to share in so much together - the happy & the sad. God is so good to us.

NOVEMBER 23, 2011 - Closing Day of Marc's New Home

2011-11-27T21:53:00.000-06:00

Marc's New Home

Front Room looking into the Dining Room with the bar area of the kitchen cabinets.

Dining Room with door opening onto patio.

Kitchen view from Dining Room looking toward Pantry (with etched glass door) and Laundry (with door open). The laundry opens onto the 3 car garage. Stainless steel sicks and dishwasher, granite counter tops, ceramic tile backspashes and open above sink into the Living Room and Dining Room.

Kitchen view from pantry door looking to Dining Room with stainless steal & black gas range with microwave above.

The house is 4 bedroom with 2 bedrooms and master bath on the East - Master Bedroom

Master Bath - the large tub is across from the lower sink. Large walk-in closets.

The 2nd large East Bedroom which Marc is going to use as his office/game room.

Another view of the Living Room looking toward the large entry (there is another window right of the door that I did not get into the picture) The small alcove to the right contains a small built-in desk with cabinet above.

The other 2 bedrooms are on the west side of the house and are identical in size. This wing of the house will be Aric's. The one toward the back of the house will be his bedroom and the one to the front will be his game room.

The main bath which will be Aric's.

Back view - To the left of the patio with the 2 separate windows is Marc's Master Bedroom.

Covered patio area opening off the dining room and backing up to the living room. Double windows to the right is Aric's Bedroom.

Since these pictures were taken the contract called for installation of a wooden privacy fence on the right side and back, connecting to the post and wire fence to the left.

Yes, the closing of this lovely home was something very special for all of us to celebrate on Thanksgiving the following day!

FINALLY

2011-11-24T22:13:00.000-06:00

I know we all have those "finally" culminations of things in our lives. Something you've waited, and waited, and waited for.

Our family has just experienced a "finally"!!!! Marc's Tulsa house has been on the market for 21 months, yes 21 months, (making house payments on it plus renting an apartment for all those months so Aric could attend school in Owasso) and 3, yes 3, contracts (2 fell through at the last minute) but it finally closed Wednesday afternoon, November 23rd.

1 hour later he FINALLY closed on this beautiful new home in Owasso. Let me tell you, Wednesday was one happy day for all of us.

This was taken several months ago, while the 4 of us were having brunch, after Marc had taken Mickey & I to look at the beautiful new home he was going to make an offer on.

This was taken a few days later, when we were over at the Tulsa home moving some more things and he was getting a counter offer on the new home.

Mickey (dad) sitting across the table from him with pure joy as he watches Marc calculating all the costs and figures!!!

The Tulsa house that Marc owned for 11 1/2 years.

Mickey & I are meeting Marc, Aric and the movers at 9 a.m. in the morning and all their furniture will be moved from the storage building (where most of it has lived for 21 months) and the apartment into the new house.

Yes, the whole family celebrated Thanksgiving today rejoicing over this FINALLY and looking with much anticipation to the future for these 2 special people in our lives.

You will be seeing a LOT of pictures of this lovely new home.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy FINALLY!!!!

THANKSGIVING & Mickey & Dave Birthdays 2011

2011-11-24T17:47:00.000-06:00

Mickey & Dave share November 24th as their birth day. We have celebrated it together on Thanksgiving ever since Dave & Suzette married in 1994. This year Thanksgiving was on their actual BD.

Mickey in the new shirt & tie Jacque gave him last week.

Susan dolled up and ready to go!

Bless our daughter, Jacque's heart!!! She decided since this was our first Thanksgiving and birthday celebration without Suzette we needed to do something ENTIRELY different so she made reservations for the 9 of us at Forrest Ridge Golf Course.

Mickey & Susan.

Julie (Jessica's room mate) & Granddaughter Jessica.

Jessica & Jacque.

Benny & Jacque.

Birthday Son-in-Love Dave with Grandson Aric.

Jessica & Dave.

Aric & Marc

Marc, Aric & Mickey as we leave the Glass Veranda after our wonderful Thanksgiving celebration of thanks & family.

I did not cook one single item this year for the Thanksgiving feast we all enjoyed, nor did we have to wash or pick up one dish. Yes, it was a delightful time for all 9 of us. But, no left overs!!! There is always a down side isn't there?

Happy Thanksgiving & Happy 79th and 58th Birthdays to my wonderful husband, Mickey, and our son-in-love, Dave.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2011-11-24T07:24:00.000-06:00

Mickey Wayne Joyce

1932-2011

Happy 79th Birthday....

To the most wonderful Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, and most importantly, Child of God.

I am so blessed and honored to have this wonderful man as my husband for these 53 years.

Yes, count your blessings, name them one by one, and be THANKFUL

on this Thanksgiving Day -2011.

I posted here in 2007 if you'd like to see a lot of pictures of him over the years.

AUCTION

2011-11-23T14:45:00.000-06:00

We have only been to a couple of auctions, and then with others and only as spectators, but last Saturday Marc, Aric, Mickey & I attended an auction with Marc looking for some good furniture buys.

He was able to get 2 great antique wood chairs: this one and a smaller one that he put in his trunk and I didn't get a picture of. The second one was a straight back chair with no arms and solid wood. He got both chairs for $50 and was very happy with his purchases.

Mickey & I just "went along" but when Mickey saw these two pieces of yard equipment he decided to bid on them.

This power edger - He got for only $20!!

This perfect small size John Deere tractor for $175. Both the edger and the tractor started right up on the first try!!!!

The edger after he'd gotten it all cleaned up and spiffy looking.

Mowing his front yard for the first time on his new little green tractor. I am so relieved!!! I'd been wanting him to get a riding mower as we have a pretty big back yard and it was getting to be a little hard on him, in the hot summer, pushing the push mower. He always told me that riding mowers were too big and not of any use to him. Well this one was perfect.

So - Marc was blessed with 2 chairs and Mickey was blessed with 2 pieces of lawn/yard equipment which will make keeping our place up so much easier for him.

Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father above!!!

Thank you JESUS.

NO TEARS IN HEAVEN

2011-11-19T15:11:00.000-06:00

This is a counted cross stitch peace I did back in the late 80's and it hangs in our main bathroom here at our home. I did this piece during a period when I was healing from a great hurt and shedding a lot of tears and it brought me comfort at that time.

Since our beloved Suzette left us 6 months ago today (May 19th) I look each day at this PROMISE from the Living Word and it brings comfort to know Suzette is in a place where she is not shedding any tears!! Our oldest son, David, made reference to this on the phone to me the other day and spoke of thinking about how much it meant to him that hangs there and made such an impact that he hadn't really thought about until now.

More importantly, it is an encouragement to be happy and enjoy the life I have: my wonderful husband, Mickey, the children and grandchildren, my wonderful church, the ministries I am involved in, my many friends. Just the wonderful life God allows me to live, day in and day out, in spite of the worse loss imaginable, that of a child.

Since there are no tears in Heaven and we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses it becomes doubly important to me that Suzette is looking down with great happiness, watching and observing all I am doing. I know that this will not be possible if I am sad or crying because that would make her cry and there are no tears in Heaven!!!!

So I CHOOSE, you know it is a choice, to be happy and grateful for the years I had to be her mother here on earth and the eternity I will spend with her in Heaven.

THERE ARE NO TEARS IN HEAVEN

The King's Kitchen & the blessings

2011-11-17T14:25:00.001-06:00

I have been wanting to do an update on The King's Kitchen ministry where we feed between 50-54 shut-ins a hot meal each Tuesday.

Here we made a small change and sent them a fresh salad of lettuces and carrots with cucumber, tomato, and sliced ham on the side. Dressing choice, garlic bread, a dessert and milk also accompanied the salad.

Here is our ever faithful Kent getting the hot buttered rolls ready on another occasion.......

as our faithful cook, Sherry, is taking a second look at the lasagna that is the main dish this day.

Mickey busy putting some of the milk into the cold chest. Our delivery teams carry 2 chests: the blue for cold items and the red for the hot meal. Earl, 1/2 of the husband and wife team of Earl & Ruthie, standing by for action.

Betty & Jacki, ready to deliver the meals, but I had to get this picture because we thought it was so cute they both showed up with boots on. We have 5 teams of 2 people each who deliver for us.

Every post I've done about The King's Kitchen has talked about the way God has blessed this ministry above and beyond what we could have ever expected. It has been self-supporting, with individual donations, from day one and not 1 cent of tithe money has been spent on this ministry. That is such a marvel to Mickey & I as we see this happen each and every week for the past 21 1/2 months since beginning.

We were in for a blessing that surpassed our wildest imagination this week, Tuesday - November 15th - when we walked in to the kitchen to find 4 huge garbage size bags and a huge box full to overflowing from Pa*ner*a Br*ead!!! Our Pastor's wife, Michele, has just launched a new ministry, Right Direction, which is an after school program of tutoring for 1st through 3rd grade children from the 3 elementary schools here in Coweta. It is being held on Monday & Thursdays and began with 85 students on November 7th. Our church had been on the waiting list for over a year to receive their day old items and in God's timing it became available this Monday, November 14th.

We had already begun to sort through the bags, which were a mixture of everything before I thought to begin to take pictures. Here are some of the partial opened and emptied bags.

Kathy, who works in both The King's Kitchen & New Directions ministry as she is sorting and bagging the bagels.

A huge tray of muffins, cookies, bear claws, etc.

Bags of sliced loaves of breads.

An assortment of round breads and bagetts'.

left to right-KENT w/King's Kitchen - MICKEY director of King's Kitchen - STEVE Pastor - JACKI Children's Pastor - NANCY Kid's Pastor - JENNIFER w/The Food Pantry & New Direction - SHERRY w/ King's Kitchen

Some of the staff and team as we rejoice and celebrate the Lord's abundance to not only New Direction but The King's Kitchen, The Food Pantry, Thanksgiving with the Humphrey's and other ministries of our Coweta Assembly of God.

You can see the wonderful time we have as we serve our Lord and enjoy His abundant blessings and each other. Mickey & I are so very honored to be part of this Body of Christ.

THE BEAUTY OF AUTUMN

2011-11-08T15:35:00.000-06:00

The beautiful Autumn Blaze maple tree in our back yard as it shows off it's beauty in the bright morning sun on an autumn day in November.

Another view showing the contrast between the green honeysuckle and the bright yellow Silver Maple tree in our front yard.

As I looked at this Autumn blaze of color I thought of Mickey and I being in the Autumn years of our lives (soon to be 79 and 74). I pray that as we live out this period of our life spans we will bring joy and the beauty of our Lord to those who look upon us.

He also took a picture of these two roses, close together, which are all that are remaining of the climbing rose bush which is usually covered with blooms. To me this was a symbol of how God is allowing the 2 of us to remain , side by side, into these autumn years.

Thank you JESUS

THE POWER OF BOOKS

2011-11-07T11:49:00.000-06:00

I've posted a lot about the books God has used over the years to influence me in my Christian walk. On September 9th I blogged about the book Forgotten God by Francis Chan and commented on this very thing.

What has been equally as interesting is that a young man, who helps us with The King's Kitchen, Kent has been instrumental in my reading all but two of the last 11 books I've read. During our time in the Kitchen I discovered Kent loved reading as much as I do and he began sharing his recent "finds" with me. I just LOVE the way God works, because some of these books, especially starting with Not a Fan, Radical and the two I am going to share today I probably never would have picked off the shelf myself because of the titles and the covers. Thank you Lord for using Kent in my life in such a way.

This is the 15th book I've read this year. It's another good one but, in my opinion does not measure up to Not a Fan or Forgotten God. After reading Forgotten God, by Francis Chan, I had to immediately go to the Christian bookstore and buy Francis book, Crazy Love. Kent had been telling me about it and I knew it would be one I had to own myself and will read many times over what years I have to come.

This is absolutely one of the most powerful books I've read to date. Of course, as God does, it has come into my life at just the right time!!! My WOW (Women of the Word) Tuesday night Bible Study group was just finishing up the book, Born For Battle, which we had been studying since I began the group on January 18th.

After reading Crazy Love I knew it was the next study for us. Here is a recent picture of the WOW Woman as we begin this newest study.

(back row) Sandra, Britney, Cindy O, Kathy R, & Betty

(front row) Connie, Thelma, Wantha, Susan & Jeanne.

(Absent and not in the picture) Norma & Carmel

(Also participating with us from afar - in AZ) Kathy W

We are all excited about what God has done in each of us already this year and know He has just begun in molding and making us in the vessels He wants us to be.

I'll keep you posted............GET THE BOOK and find out yourself.

COOKING PUMPKINS

2011-11-04T00:07:00.000-05:00

Last year Mickey & I tried cooking the pumpkin to use it for baking. We had a terrible time and when we were finished it was a lot of work and did not taste good at all. At my bible study Tuesday night I asked the gals if they'd like to have my pumpkins and immediately 2 of them told me I should cook them and make puree to cook with. SO......with their instructions we decided to give it another try.

First Mickey cut the top off, and cut it into 3 pieces.

Then I took the pieces and cleaned out the pulp and seeds.

Mickey cut the large cleaned sections into these smaller pieces ......

So we could boil them. It took about 45 minutes until they were soft.

Then we dumped the first pan full into the sink and let them cool as we began boiling another pan full. This food grinder that we used to puree was my mother's and has to be probably 50 years old and it works like a charm!!! They don't make appliances like they use to.

Mickey is using the food processor as I am peeling the skins off and handing them to him.

This is what the wonderful result looks like as we puree each pan full.

Four pan fulls later here is our finished product, ready for the freezer and to be used for delicious pumpkin breads and I might even try a pie, although I'm not a very good pie baker. We ended up with these five 3 cup containers and the one 2 cup or a total of 17 cups of pumpkin. Thelma told me pumpkin was selling for $2.50 a can this year and this would be equivalent to 11 cans or $27.50.

Thanks Thelma & Betty for encouraging me to take the time and effort to prepare this!!!

When I bake the first item I'll let you know if the final results are good. I'm believing they are going to be great!!!

Tennessee Trip - October 19-23, 2011

2011-11-03T16:35:00.002-05:00

Son, Marc, Grandson, Aric, Mickey & I left bright and early at 6 a.m. on Wednesday the 19th for Tennessee to visit Mickey's 3 nephews (son's of his deceased sister Jane and deceased brother-in-law, Ronnie. Jane was the youngest & only girl among the 6 children) and his younger brother, Jerry, who live in Clarksville. Mickey & Jerry are the only remaining siblings.

The trip had been planned and when the word got out wonderful things began to happen: we picked up our sister-in-law, Helen, in Memphis; another sister-in-law, flew in from PA, and a niece flew in from TX. Another niece who lived about 100 miles away was suppose to come but didn't make it.

At Memphis, when we picked up Helen, Mickey & I switched to Helen's car and Marc & Aric followed us on to Clarksville and our destination at Nephew Wayne's beautiful log home.

This is Uncle Jerry (in the hat) giving Marc his greeting hug as he returned from the Nashville airport after picking up his daughter, Mickie, from TX and sister-in-law, Sally, from PA. Diana, Marc's cousin and wife of Billy in the background. Jerry & Mickie had spent the afternoon at the airport after her plane landed at noon because Sally's departure had been delayed and she was late in arriving.

Mickie, Susan, Sally, Helen & Diana with Nephew Wayne, who was our host.

Marc & Aric having a ball riding the 4 wheeler at Waynes place with horses, a donkey, goats, chickens, ducks, & 2 dogs. A real change of pace for our city boys!!

(left to right back row) Nephew Wayne, Nephew Billy, Grandnephew Jake (younger son of Billy).
(middle row) Son Marc, Susan, Mickey, Grandson Aric, Brother Jerry.
(front row) Kaycee Step-daughter of Wayne, Sister-in-law Sally, Sister-in-law Helen, Niece Mickie.
Wayne's wife, Laura, was talking the picture and Katie, her daughter, had already left for school.

Aric & Kaycee at a separate table at the cafe as we were eating breakfast because there were so many at our table we ran out of room.

Marc & Aric had gone with Wayne early one morning on some business and then to pick up his Jeep which was at the shop being lettered. Then we met them at the grave site when Jane & Ronnie are buried.

Billy has a beautiful 100 acre farm, they purchased, in addition to their lovely 2 story with basement home in Pleasant View. The farm had an old log cabin on it and Billy & Diana have restored the 2 story cabin, along with modernizing it with heat, air, etc.

The gang on the front porch of Billy's cabin: Aric, Helen, Susan, Sally, Wayne, Jerry, Mickey & Marc (Mickie was taking the picture)

Friday night we drove into Nashville to attend the Grand Ole Opry. First we all went out to eat at this fabulous, and delicious, fish restaurant. (left side) Billy, Wayne, Sally, Helen, Marc, (end) Kaycee (right side) Jerry, Jake, Katie, Susan, Mickey, Aric. What a grand time and the show was so good!!!!!

Mickey with Nephew Wayne, Jane's oldest son and a carbon copy of his father, Ronnie. We met Wayne & Laura in Branson 2 years ago when they got married. You can see that here. It was a very special time.

Saturday we made a trip north into Kentucky where the 3rd Nephew, Joe, lives and leases many thousands of acres that he farms. All the guys before we left: Jerry, Mickey, Marc, Wayne & Aric.

Marc driving one of the huge John Deere tractors with grandson, Aric once we got to the farm. There was another huge computerized tractor that the farm worker was operating and he took 2 at a time with him. Amazing what the equipment does. That one was drilling wheat as various ones rode along in it.

I took 126 pictures and they were all so great and we had such a wonderful time. It was hard to select just 12 shots to try and tell a little of our trip and time. Except to say it was fabulous and we plan to "do it again" next Spring but next time our daughter, Jacque, and son, David, will also be making the trip with us

Hope you enjoyed my little travelogue.

A BLESSING & MORE EXCITEMENT - during my friends visit

2011-11-01T14:40:00.000-05:00

Not only did our friends, Joan and Jim, get whisked off to Oolagah the day after they arrived but they were awakened at the bright and early hour of 7:30 a.m. with 6 workers on top of our roof, banging, scraping and making all sort of loud noise. Of course, we had warned them of this happening the night before when we all went to bed!!!!

Men at work at day break

Lots of noise and activity early on this October 20th morning.

The joy of all this is that they were completely finished by 4:30 that afternoon. They had removed the 2 previous old roofs and replaced them with a brand new one. The shingles are actually a rust color, to blend in with our reddish trim and the brown stone, but the sun was shining too brightly in this picture and it looks grey.

A better picture, from the back, showing the true roof color.

Now for the BLESSING part of our roof story. MUCH to our surprise this brand new roof was covered 100% by our insurance coverage rebate!!!! All we paid was $40 to have 2 extra vents put in over the garage.

Our God DOES meet all our needs and blesses us above and beyond just as The Word proclaims.

A SURPRISE & SOME EXCITEMENT - during my friends visit

2011-10-31T08:57:00.001-05:00

I left out one day of my friend Joan's visit to do this separate post.

A little back ground: a young man from our church, Markwayne Mullin, is running for Oklahoma's 2nd District in the U.S. Congress.
On Wednesday evening, after church, I receive a phone call from a woman, Debbie, from our church who is working on Markwayne's campaign. They were going to be filming a promotion in Oolagah, a small town 45 miles north of Coweta, and she said Markwayne wanted to know if we would come and participate. My first reply was, "Oh, he wants some older faces in the crowd!" followed quickly with we would be delighted to but we had out of state guests who had just arrived. Debbie said that would be fine "just bring them along."

So, the four of us, Joan, Jim, Mickey and I, met Debbie at Mullin Plumbing in Broken Arrow on Thursday morning at 9:30. We piled into her car ,stopped to get another young woman from our church, Lisa, and the 6 of us head for Oolagah.

Joan and Jim watching the excitement as they take an unexpected side trip to Oolagah, Oklahoma!

When we arrive, we are surprised to see just a small group of people, as we were expecting to be part of a large group of spectators. Here is Markwaye speaking with one of the men. We then find out they are doing several individual promotional shots and we are to be in one.

Makeup has to be applied!!! Mickey is always such a good sport.

Now it's my turn!! What fun.
Who'd have ever thought!!!

I would love to show you a picture of us doing our shot........!!!! But in all the excitement we failed to have someone take a picture, so I'll just have to describe it for you!!!!!

They had the 3 of us: Markwayne, Mickey and I sitting on a park bench in front of the bank. Markwayne is on the end of the bench, facing us, and I'm next and then Mickey, with his arm around me on top of the bench. In the first scene Markwayne is talking to us and in the second scene I am talking to Markwayne.

It was such fun and certainly an experience we never expected to have. We are so very blessed each and every day by the exciting life The Lord is allowing us to live.

For your information: Mickey made a commercial years ago for a bank with our hot-air balloon, Suzy Blue. You can go here to read all about that.

Blogger is being VERY mean to me this morning and deleted the following pictures and copy from above and I am having to re-add them here!!!

One of the camera men.

Two more of the camera crew working with these sun reflectors.

Straightening Lisa's hair as one of the camera crew, standing in for Marcwayne, explains to these 2 business men and Lisa about their upcoming scene.

GREAT FRIEND - Great fun & times Visit

2011-10-28T10:56:00.000-05:00

My forever friend, Joan, who I've known since the 2nd grade (folks that's 68 years!!!) and is truly like a sister to me, and her husband, Jim, came to visit us for 5 glorious days.

Just arriving at the airport. They got here just in time for us to all rush home, put up their bags and head for Wednesday night teaching by our Pastor Steve on the 7 churches of Revelation. We ate a light supper after getting home from Church.

I'll be posting a separate blog about our unexpected adventure on Thursday, October 13th!!!!!!

(left to right) Jim, Joan, Susan, Mickey, Barbara & Don

Mickey & I celebrated our 53rd anniversary on October 3rd, but because I knew Joan & Jim were coming we put off "celebrating" it until Friday night, October 14th, with the 2 couples we've know the longest. Don & Barbara had met Joan years ago in Albuquerque but have heard about her for years. We had a wonderful time and a wonderful meal at Logan's Road House and then came back to our home and talked and talked for hours.

Joan having fun with our King's Kitchen crown.

Saturday, October 15th we showed them around Coweta starting at the Pumpkin Patch.

That evening I fixed my beef strogenoff dinner for the family.

Marc & Jacque with "Aunt" Joan who they'd not seen in a long time.

(left to right) back row- Jessica, Benny, Jacque, Jim, Marc - front row - Joan, Mickey, Aric

Shot of Mickey as 6 of us (Mickey, Susan, Jacque, Joan, Jessica, Aric) were playing Phase 10 - the rest were watching sports on TV.

BEAUTIFUL flowers, a gift, along with a lovely card, from Joan & Jim in honor of our 53rd.

Jacque, Susan, Jessica, Joan (3 generations)

So missed Suzette & David not being here.

Sunday, October 16th, we went to Bro*ken Egg for a fabulous breakfast before taking them to the airport for their flight home to Albuquerque. They promised to come in 6 years to celebrate our 59th!!!! Believe me, I will hold them to it.

An OCTOBER SATURDAY with Mickey & Susan in Coweta, Oklahoma

2011-10-09T19:05:00.000-05:00

The day begins by doing a load of laundry.

Wash & hang the clothes on my wonderful outdoor lines. I love the whiteness and the fresh smell of the laundry dried outside in the fresh air.

As you can see, I always hang my laundry by type and in order. I find this makes the actual folding and putting away so much easier. I know a lot of you do not use a clothes line any more, but those who do I'm curious whether you hang your clothes by type or just randomly.

Next, it was to the church property behind our buildings where a Pumpkin Patch was being set up.

The money earned from this Pumpkin Patch will go toward a missions trip in the summer of 2012 to El Salvador.

More decorations and items will be added and I'll post another picture later on. The Pumpkin Patch will officially open for business Monday, the 10th.

Then we drove a short distance to the center of our town for a Classic Car show that was being held. They had two city blocks blocked off and about 30-40 Antique Classic Cars on display. Can you believe I did not take ONE picture of the cars :o( Let me tell you, there were some beauties and some really OLD cars. Some even older than Mickey & I :o)

A little park just off main street. Children playing on the playground equipment.

The band really blasting the music out. Look at the young boy who's guitar was almost as big as he was.

Another view of the park and tables.

Across the street were these blow-ups and pony rides for the children to enjoy.

A military memorial in the center of the park.

Everything at this festival was FREE - the car display, the blow-up games and pony rides, the music playing AND free soda pop - chips of your choice and hot dogs & a Blue Bell Ice Cream truck handing out ice cream bars of your choice.

We LOVE our little town and are so blessed that God has planted us here in this stage of our lives.

It was a beautiful day of blue skies and temperatures in the 80th.

WOW - Woman of the Word Bible Study

2011-10-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

This past Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. the WOW Woman met at my home for our weekly Bible Study.

This was a special Tuesday evening because we had finished up the book we had been studying , Born for Battle by R. Arthur Mathews, the Tuesday before and we decided to take a one-week break for a Party/Social time and to make a decision on what to study and do next.

So we celebrated with Banana Splits with lots of choices for toppings and some danish bites. I just love to get to use my special blue banana split dishes~~~

Carmel, Kathy & Sandra

Connie & Britney

Sorry I didn't get pictures of the other 10 of us: Thelma, Betty, Jeanne, Wantha or myself. I'm not a good photographer because I get to involved in the "occasion" and forget to take pictures!!! At one point I picked up the camera again, but they were all in the midst of eating and I said, "I won't do that to you!" then promptly forgot to even think of pictures by the time the eating had stopped.

When it came time to discuss what to do next we had so very many good ideas:
1. A dvd & workbook series - Feasts of the Lord by Mark Biltz
2. A cd series by Benny Hinn - Feasts of Israel
3. The book - Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets - We dismissed this one because Jeanne, Thelma, Betty & I had studied this book previously.
4. A 1983 cd series The Authority of the Believer by Kenneth Copeland
5. A Bible Study topic of our choice - vs by vs.
6. Different members of the group taking a week by rotation and bringing a topic and subject of their choice.
7. The book - Crazy Love by Francis Chan

MUCH discussion and we were having difficulty making a decision so we voted by secret paper vote. We were to write down our choice and if we desired we could choose a 1st & 2nd choice.

The final results were:
1. Crazy Love    7
2. Feasts of the Lord & workbook 4
3. Authority of the Believer, Bible book by verse, & Topic of rotation all got    2

Then Britney suggested we do the Crazy Love book but have some breaks inbetween when someone else takes the week for a special topic and we all thought that was a great idea.

We are taking next Tuesday off, because it is election day and 3 of us work the polling places from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.!!! We will begin our newest study on Tuesday, October 11th.

This group started out with 12 of us and one girl dropped out after the first week due to the long traveling distance from her home to mine. Over the course of our meeting we have added 3 more woman. We will begin this newest study and group with 13 if us. We usually average 10 to 12.

I'm excited about this very challenging area of study and where The Lord will lead us. I know when a commitment is made to REALLY begin to look at the issue of "lukewarmness" our enemy will be doing anything and everything he can to hinder or stop what God is wanting to do. He (our enemy) wants us to be lukewarm but we know God says "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15-16   Lord may each and everyone of us 13 be RED HOT for YOU.

QUALITY

2011-10-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

This is probably going to turn into a griping and complaining post, I dislike getting into that frame of mind and I don't allow myself to do so very often, but I'm also wanting to know if it's just me, the quality of items I'm purchasing or are you experiencing the same thing.

What I am wondering about is the quality of merchandise we are now receiving. So here goes.........

Back less than a year ago I decided to purchase new bath accessories; towels, throw rugs and shower curtain. Now nothing was wrong with what I had, I was just wanting a change in how it looked color wise. The towels I was using I had purchased years before and they were still good and had not really become worn. I just wanted something new. The first time I washed the new towels my lint filter was packed with lint!!! This continued for about a month or more. They also began to fray along some of the edges within a couple of weeks. Long and short, after less than a year they are nowhere as good in quality as what I had previously had for years and discarded!!!

Now further about these towels: I usually shop at Wall*y Wor*ld but this time I thought, no I'm going to spend more and get something a little nicer. Suzette actually went shopping with me for them after one of her earlier appointments. So I deliberately spent more money and went to another store thinking I'd get a better quality.

Now from towels to socks. I am a sock wearer. I buy white socks and wear them around the house. You will never find me in shoes at home!! Because I wear so many I have an entire drawer of just socks. I have some in that drawer that I have had for several years but, as with the towels, the newest and latest socks are wearing clear through and having to be thrown out.

True on the socks I continue to purchase them at Wall*y Wor*ld but I've purchased them there for years.

Is it just me????? or is the quality of what we are buying just awful????? I'd really like your feedback and comments.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE (except it's Friday)

2011-09-30T09:01:00.001-05:00

A blog friend of mine has been doing this an I thought it might be fun to participate in for awhile.

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America, but if you do what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world?

I do not have a lot of favorite memories of this summer because it's been a rather rough one for us. See my precious post as to why.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right? I love pecans and use them a lot in baking.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test? To get into a narrow open space where I might fear falling.

4. How would you describe your sense of humor? I laugh easily and often. Natural humor is the funniest to me and if I really get tickled I have a hard time shutting it off.

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question? Why would you want me to ask a stupid question?

6/. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose.
Rollger skates for sure but I've done and enjoyed all three.

7. What's your most sentimental possession? My leather bound King James Version of the Bible that my husband gave me on our 1st wedding anniversary in October 1958.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Thank you for letting me participate in this, even late!!

BEING REAL

2011-09-28T21:15:00.000-05:00

This is the one year anniversary of the 2nd worse day in my life - September 28, 2010 when our beloved oldest daughter, Suzette, was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer.

I struggled a little bit each day last week as we were approaching this day and I shed tears.

I was actually dreading today because I was afraid I'd wake up today and completely fall apart. Surprisingly enough I did not and in fact I woke up and was keenly aware that this was a new year and to truly rejoice that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, where Suzette is and how glorious happy she is and that the last thing she would want any of us to be doing is mourning for her.

Suzette & Dave, at dinner with Mickey & I as we celebrated our 52nd Anniversary, October 4, 2010, 8 days after her diagnosis.

Yes, we miss her terribly and I know the Holidays this year will be difficult and that we will always have that empty place in our lives and at our table ...... but I also know that some day we will join her in that glorious place with our Lord and Savior.

WE LOVE YOU, HONEY

and

WE MISS YOU

and

WE'LL SEE YOU SOON.

A REMINDER

2011-09-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

While helping our son, Marc, pack up things at the house he is selling, a few weeks ago, I stumbled on this picture.

It was taken Christmas of 1996 with my 2 granddaughters. Oksana was 10 months old and Jessica had just turned 10 on the 23rd.

Just a reminder to me of how time flies and how very precious every moment is. Also, a huge reminder of how very much I've aged!!!! I was also celebrating my 59th birthday that December 25th.

Very happy memories.

Yet another MEME of questions

2011-09-25T07:16:00.000-05:00

I saw this over a year ago on a friends blog and thought I would do it "sometime". I guess "sometime" has finally arrived!

1) What is your biggest pet peeve? People who are not straightforward and honest would be #1 and #2 is someone who constantly complains about all that is wrong in their life.

2) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Right here in Coweta, Ok because it is close to 2 or our 3 living children, and because of the church family we have and the wonderful church we attend. Plus it is a nice, small town that still has a lot of christian values and principles.

3) Have you ever been searched by the cops? NO!!!! I have only been stopped by them a few times over my life and that for a driving infraction.

4) What is the one thing on your mind right now? Struggling with the loss of our daughter, Suzette. It will be 1 year (on the 28th) that she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. This has been one difficult year.

5) What is your favorite song right now? I Can Only Imagine.....because I truly can only imagine!!!!

6) What talent do you wish you had? I have always thought it would be so wonderful to be able to draw and/or paint. Just to see the beauty of God's world and capture that on a canvas must be a really wonderful feeling.

7) What is your favorite drink? Mickey & I are avid coffee drinkers. I also drink a lot of water. If I do drink soda, which is not often, I like the lime/lime flavors.

8) Describe yourself in one word? Perservering.....and I have a pillow to prove it!!

If you desire to play along and do this let me know so I can be sure and read yours.

LIFE IS ..........BUSY (Part II)

2011-09-24T09:58:00.000-05:00

Last week, Sept. 12-14, Marc was in Fargo at their home office. Mickey & I went to Owasso each afternoon to stay with Aric. Since it is about 40 miles from our house to theirs we decided to just spend the night there. That was easier than having to get up so early to get to school and get us back here on Tuesday morning by 8:30 for King's Kitchen.

Then on Tuesday, since I have the WOW Women Bible Study, we decided it would be best for just Mickey to go up after school and spend the night. On Wednesday we both went up and waited for Marc to arrive home about 9 p.m.

Coweta Fall Festival was held from Thursday evening, the 15th, until Sunday the 18th. Some wonderful friends of ours from church who have started Koweta Work Force (which is a program to train developmentally challenged youth) had one of the food booths to raise funds. We called & told Marc about it and he and Aric came down to Coweta to have lunch with us and help support this effort.

It rained, and it poured rain!!! You can see the main area almost completely deserted.

Nevertheless, we bought our meals. Marc & Aric are literally standing under the canape of the food trailer to try and stay out of the rain as they eat. We were soaked to the skin by the time we got home, but you can tell we were still having fun and enjoying ourselves.

Last night, September 23rd was our dear friend, Don's birthday. Mickey & I took he & Barbara out to dinner at Zio's and had Marc & Aric join us. Don & Barbara are truly "extended family".

Wonderful friends for many, many years and also wonderful prayer warriors.

Marc & Don

Susan, Mickey & Aric

Marc & Don with his birthday sundae. I always tease Don because he's OLDER THAN I by 3 months & 2 days. That counts......doesn't it?!!!!

Aric having typical 12 year old fun where ever we go or whatever we're doing.

Then we came back to the house for cake & coffee. I made a cake called "Preacher Cake". A new recipe and it was so good. A fun, enjoyable evening. Life is good.

LIFE IS.......BUSY

2011-09-23T09:16:00.002-05:00

About 6 weeks ago the Lord prompted me to go to our Pastor Steve and offer to volunteer 1 day a week helping in the church office. He was delighted and said he'd run it by the Office Manager, Melody,

and if it was okay with Melody he would then present it to the Church Deacon Board for approval. It was okay with Melody and the Deacon Board did approve me. I have worked the last 4 weeks. The first 2 weeks I worked on Wednesday and the past 2 weeks on Monday. I will be helping each Monday.

The King's Kitchen is still running smoothly. We have been blessed with such a dependable, faithful group of kitchen help and 5 delivery teams of 2 that help us week after week. We have now been operating this program, of sending a meal each and every Tuesday to shut-ins, for past year and 8 months. Pictured is a salad we delivered to them recently. Of course we also always have milk, bread of some kind, and a dessert.

I am still hosting a Bible Study every Tuesday night in our home of 12-13 woman. I'll try and post a separate post about this in the near future.

My favorite Bible Teacher, Perry Stone, was in Tulsa at a conference September 9th - through 11th. We went to hear him Friday evening at 7 pm - then Saturday we watched the streaming video for both the 10 & 5 services - then were able to attend on Sunday evening at 6. What a blessing to hear him in person. We had only seen him in person one evening 2 years ago at a conference in Arkasas. We were NOT disappointed!!!!

Our daughter, Jacque, and granddaughter, Jessica, participated in the Race for the Cure last Saturday, September 17th in honor of Jacque's sister and Jessica's aunt, Suzette. They asked me to join them but I felt that was a little too much for me :o) I am SOOO proud of them for doing this. They were joined by 3 of Jessica's friends. Jessica & Jacque are the 2 on the left.

Yes, our lives are very busy & very full.

To answer Ginger's question about my working 1 day a week in the church office - No, this is not a paid position - I volunteered.

Transforming our back yard

2011-09-22T09:11:00.000-05:00

When we sold the 5th wheel on August 8th and it was removed from our backyard it exposed 82 1/2' of driveway and the very long and overgrown flowerbed behind it. It had been parked there for the past 7 years so this was a BIG change of view.

I always forget to take "before" pictures when we were weeding and cleaning up the area. The nice rains we had helped a lot and I was able to help Mickey with some of the weeding.

One thing we did was buy 5 more dark crimson crape myrtle plants to go with the one we had back there. Mickey is planting them here.

The other thing he had to do was thin out this monkey grass and then replant it along the bare spots above, where the trailer actually blocked this area.

We had some stepping stones to the barn but he moved 5 others which lead acoss the lawn to the RV and filled in the space where the pavement ends to the barn. The distance from the drive to the barn is 27 1/2'.

It is looking so nice. Mickey is such a hard worker and takes pride in keeping our property looking in tip-top shape.

Our lovely morning glories that greet us with their bright faces each morning. They are much fuller than when I took these shorts some while ago.

Mickey loves his birds and feed them from the seed feeders and the humming birds from this feeder but he was beside himself this summer when he had this beautiful Baltimore Oriel not only visit but also eat from the humming bird feeder.

Just sharing a little more of our little piece of God's earth that we are blessed to own and occupy.

A GIFT from one of my GIFTS

2011-09-21T11:19:00.000-05:00

My four children and 3 grandchildren are undoubtedly the biggest gifts my Lord & Savior has given me. I cherish each and everyone of them with my whole heart. The thing I find the most captivating is how very different and individual they each are!!! God, in His wisdom, knew just what children and grandchildren I needed to make my life what He intended, and intends, it to be.

I began walking daily on July 7th and walked each and every day for 65 days until September 9th. I began by walking .4 mile then increased it little by little until I was walking 1 mile a day and then up to 1.5 miles per day. It was so hot that I would leave just as the sun rose each morning around 5:55 and watched as the days grew shorter and then I was leaving at 7:05 a.m.

My kids and my husband were all so proud of me doing this. It was a blessed time for me as I walked and prayed each morning. I have never been a tennis shoe wearing and so was just walking in a pair of black loafers.

NOW to the title of this post: One of my GIFTS, daughter Jacque, called to tell me she was so proud of my walking each day and she had bought me a GIFT - a pair of tennis shoes!!!

They fit perfectly and I love them. I never would have gotten them for myself because I wouldn't have known where to begin, or what to get!!!

Even though I've been unable to walk the last 12 days I truly hope to get back on schedule to walking each and every day and it will be even nicer and easier in this GIFT from my GIFT, Jacque.

Thanks sweetheart - I love you.

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I participated in Alphabet in August in the hopes of getting disciplined to blogging each day - well it didn't work :o) Here it is the 21st and this in only my 5th blog for September and 2 of those were finished up Alphabet!!

A LOT has been going on and I have much to share and will attempt to catch up.

LORD DO NOT LET ME BECOME COMPLACENT

2011-09-09T09:27:00.000-05:00

One of my constant prayers is

"Lord do not let me become complacent in my walk with You."

One of the many tools God uses to accomplish this is putting the RIGHT book in my hands at the RIGHT time. This is not something new; I had observed this truth at the very on-set of my salvation and it continues as I walk out this journey with Him.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan is just such a book. We just finished reading this one.

What is truly amazing me is the fast pace that God had given me 3 life changing books in a row!!! I've talked about them before but here are the other two......

by Kyle Idleman

And the 3rd is

RADICAL

by David Platt

I am unable to download the picture on this one for some reason :o(

The 4th book that has so impacted my life this year is

I purchased this book last December, in the midst of Suzette's battle, and was so stirred and moved by it I thought "I've got to share this book!". That was the launch of the weekly Tuesday night Bible Study that I began on January 18th in our home for 13 of us hungry for God woman.

If you truly want to get out of your normal, average, routine, comfortable walk and complacency with God I cannot encourage you enough to read these 4 books. (Or at least 1 of them!) It will definitely move you to a deeper, higher walk and commitment to your Lord & Savior.

We started another one yesterday!!! It is going to be just as powerful but I'll save telling you about it until we finish reading it.

Please let me know if you have read any of these 4 or if you do.

Books 11 - 12 - 13 for 2011

2011-09-03T10:35:00.000-05:00

Participating once again in Spiritual Sundhttp://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ay hosted by Charlotte & Ginger.

Book #11

This book was an important read, especially after having read "Heaven Is For Real" and "90 Minutes In Heaven". The reality of Hell needs to be burned into our minds so that we will do everything within our power and influence to show people the way to Heaven.

The pictures for book # 12 & book #13 would not download this morning for me so I cannot show you the covers.

RADICAL

by DAVID PLATT

Book #12

This book goes right along with "not a fan" that was my #11 book. These books have been shaking me out of my "comfort zone" and that is a very good thing. I would highly recommend this book if you are serious about following Jesus and not just content to "go to church regularly".

THE BLESSING

by Gary Smalley & John Trent

Book #13

This book is about the importance of speaking words of Blessing over those we love: our spouse, our children, our extended family, our friends, the people we work with, our church family, literally everyone who is in our lives and we care about. It stresses the importance of not only our words but our actions an the effect we have on ALL who's lives we touch on any level. Our words are so important and we literally speak blessings or cursing with those words.

WORDS

2011-09-01T21:16:00.001-05:00

After having just finished all those many post on the Alphabet I thought I might try to write something using the various words I had selected during Alphabet in August. I may be a glutton for punishment on this exercise :o)

I am AMBITIOUS in trying to use all my Alphabet words. I will not let it take away from my BIBLE time and I think I am CAPABLE enough to do this. I won't have time to DISCUSS anything but am EAGER to give this a try. It certainly will take a little FAITH to do this.

My GLASSES are sitting on my nose as I HUMOR myself that I got this GOOFY IDEA! Oh my!!! My friend Retha pointed out I'd missed 'J' and in looking it over I saw I'd also missed 'I" Where or where is my INTEGRITY in doing such a thing. This little IDEA is not correct and misses the IDEALISTIC goal in leaving out not only one, but two INITIALS!! You be the JUDGE if this is a good enough JOB to finish off this JOURNEY and bring JOY to not only Susan JOYCE but to JESUS in correcting my mistakes. So please show me KINDNESS as I study each LETTER, MANAGING to meet this NEED.

Yes, I take full OWNERSHIP of this exercize and while I didn't take the matter to PRAYER I have thought about it today in my QUIET moments.

I trust I will not REGRET this and that you will SIMPLE say, "Oh that SUSAN you never know what she'll come up with." So I am TENANCIOUS as I strive for the ULTIMATE use of each letter. Some calming VIOLIN music would be soothing to me right now!!

I probably should WALK but it's already dark and far to hot. I absolutely hate to have to type XMAS here in this post. You know how I feel about using that word. I'm almost finished as I sit here and look at my basket of YARN just waiting for me to have the ZEAL to begin that 10th prayer shawl.

Well, I know it's been silly but it's also been fun and truthfully it was easier than I thought. I hope my little ditty didn't bore you to death!!!

Until next time.......

'X' - 'Y' - & 'Z' is for ...................

2011-09-01T07:40:00.000-05:00

Well, it is now September 1st and I am posting my last 3 letters for ALPABET in AUGUST on Cliot's Run. I tried hard to finish in August, but didn't quite make it !!!! This has been a good "exercise" for me and hopefully gotten me back into posting on a more consistent basis.....we'll see!!

XMAS - It was very difficult for me to even type that!!!! I dislike seeing Christmas written like that and I do not do it. To me it is disrespectful of the most precious and important thing in my life - Christ - and the relationship I have with Him and all He means to me.

YARN - Represents the 9 prayer shawls I have made so far.

The one I gave to our daughter, Suzette, on September 28th last year, the day she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer.

The last one I made for my dear blog friend, Kathy, when she, Danny, Bethany & Daniel visited us in July.

I have small amounts of yarn left in 7 colors and I plan for my next prayer shawl to be made out of them as a Joseph's Coat of Many Colors. I just haven't had the heart to get back to making another yet, but hope to as fall and cooler weather arrives.

ZEAL - Eagerness, enthusiasm, ardor and zeal!!! I love that, don't you? I believe that is the way we are to live our lives and the way I endeavor to live mine each and every day. Reminds me of one of my many favorite Bible verses:

Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might; for there is nowork, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

I have endeavored to participate in ALPHABET in AUGUST with ZEAL and it has been a good exercise for me in