Sunday, November 29, 2009

~ Blessing the Children ~


I went to church with my nephew and his family for dedication of their daughter, Allison. During the service, their church did the sweetest thing for the children. When it came to the time in the service when the children were being released to go to children's church, all the children went to the alter, and each child had someone from the congregation come and lay their hands on a child as prayer was said for the children, the sweetest prayer, blessing them, rededicating them and strengthening them. They do this every week.
I thought it was awesome.

~ I am inspired by this woman ~

I went to the funeral of a friend; she wasn't a close friend, but her life touched mine she impressed me over and over in her life; and after her funeral, I realized her life touched many others. I knew she had a desire to share her faith with others, but I didn't realize how much of a burden she had for people who did not know the Lord and the extremes she went to to spread the word. I say "extremes" because she did more than I ever have, or even ever thought I would to share her faith and love in Jesus Christ with others, all the way up through the end of her life. I was only beginning to get to know her when she left our church, moved in with her parents and her journey of her illness began. I knew her after that mostly through her blog and through the comments she and I left for each other occasionally. Shawna Mascalino was an amazing woman. I am sorry her life was shortened and that her last days were spent dealing with her illness, but I know she honored and glorified God through it all. What an inspiring woman she was to me.


So, in honor of Shawna, let me ask you, Do you Know Him?




Without Him I could do nothing

Without Him I'd surely fail

Without Him I would be drifting Like a ship without a sail

Without Him I would be dying

Without Him I'd be enslaved

Without Him life would be worthless

But with Jesus thank God I'm saved

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus

Do you know Him today

Please don't turn Him away

Oh Jesus, my Jesus

Without Him how lost I would be

Without Him how lost I would be

Monday, November 23, 2009

~ Simple Woman's Daybook 11.23.09 ~





FOR TODAY...
Outside my window... overcast, dreary, with a big smear the window cleaners left on my window last week ...
I am thinking ... I have a dull headache and hoping it will go away soon.
I am thankful for... for day with friends on Saturday.
I am wearing... black jeans, black shell, pale blue sweater.
I am remembering... the art show which I meant to go to this past weekend :(
I am hearing ... Sir Elton John singing Benny and the Jets
I am going... visit my niece at her first apartment tonight.
I am reading... After the Fire by Belva Plain
From the learning rooms ... I heard this weekend that peocock feathers are bad luck to bring into your home. It has to do with the beautiful, eye-shaped markings on the peacock feathers. Many cultures associate them with the evil eye, and to bring the evil eye into your home is to invite trouble and sorrow. Most of the info I read was all based on mythological origins, so according to how much stock you place on mythology, well... you decide for yourself. :)
I am hoping... this Thanksgiving will be a happy celebration even though we have just recently lost my father - his life was a true celebration and we know he is resting in Jesus' arms.
On my mind ... the upcoming holidays.
Noticing that... the leaves around my office are mostly gone from the trees.
Pondering these words...
From the kitchen... Thanksgiving foods - what will I make besides the sweet potato dumplings.
Around the house... needs a thorough cleaning which it will probably get when I put "christmas" up.
One of my favorite things ~ still this: the happiness my dogs show when I come in the door at the end of the day.




From my photo memories ...




My daughter and her sons, whom I miss very much. They live too far away!


Thank you for stopping and visiting my daybook today. If you'd like to read other daybooks or perhaps do one yourself, stop over to Peggy's at Simple Woman's Daybook today.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

~ Where are the kleenex? ~




Okay, I am definitely giving up Nicholas Sparks books! You just know you are going to cry when you pick one up. They are good books and well written and if they can make you cry, then well, they have succeeded in reeling you in and getting really into the whole story, which is what a book should do. But some authors should just provide the kleenex with the book! * sigh *

"The Rescue" was good. Just don't forget to have a tissue handy at some point in the book, you will need it.

Monday, November 09, 2009

~ Simple Woman's Daybook 11.9.09 ~

FOR TODAY...




Outside my window... slightly overcast, leaves falling, and a single bird flying away ...


I am thinking ... well, because I am at work, I am unfortunately thinking about work;


I am thankful for... my salvation; grace, forgiveness


.I am wearing... long denim skirt, sandals, black sleeveless top with black cardigan and turquoise jewlerly;


I am remembering... some happy times with my Dad - it's been a month;


I am hearing ... soft music playing from my radio.
I am going... get ready for my Red Rooster weekend;


I am reading... still - The Rescue (Nicholas Sparks)


From the learning rooms ... no matter how many times you read the Bible, there are parts in that will come across as a new revelation and give you an "ah ha" moment;


I am hoping... that today will be a great day.


On my mind ... too much to write for now.
Noticing that... my desk is a mess!


Pondering these words... Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


From the kitchen... making a mexican lasagna tonight ... that's all.


Around the house... it is slowly getting cleaner


One of my favorite things ~ spending a day alone - every now and then.


From my photo memories ...





Remembering a fun day with my daughter, several years ago up on Monte Santo Mountain, one of our favorite places to go, just me and her.


Thank you for stopping and visiting my daybook today. If you'd like to read other daybooks or perhaps do one yourself, stop over to Peggy's at Simple Woman's Daybook today.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

~ Some beach memories ~

Gary and I went to the beach back in September (Labor Day week) - was a nice get-a-way. Never posted these photos ...


It rained a little and God gave us a rainbow ...





and then the sun shined ....


It was a nice few days away.

~ A Visit to a Friend ~

Mom and I took a ride up to Tennessee to visit a friend last Saturday. She lives deep in the woods ...
This is her driveway ....



This is her pretty little rustic home ...
and this is our friend Lynda (with my Mom).


It was a good visit and a fun day.

Friday, November 06, 2009

~ Happy Birthday to Me ~

Wow! Aren't birthdays awesome! First to have my whole FB wall filled with birthday wishes from my friends; I kept logging on FB off and on all day just to read all of the good wishes again; made me smile all day. Then my husband surprised me with this:
It a Keurig Elite B40 Brewer - ooh lah lah - I have been coveting this little coffee maker for several months, but it was just too expensive and I couldn't make myself spend that much money on a coffee maker that just makes one cup of coffee. But, the coffee is great, and now I don't have to stop at McD's every morning to get my first cup of coffee. Love it! I was expecting a pair of earrings. I liked this so much better.
Then dinner at Carrabbas with my husband. Potato crusted halibut. Can we say, yumm?
My daughter, Lisa, sent me a package containing some beautiful jewelry; and dinner at Mom's with my sister and my oldest best friend, Ann - and that meant more presents - yay! Plus, another great friend sent me a package containing all kinds of art supplies for painting ... YAY again! My boss and his wife gave me a beautiful oil painting, which I will try to post a photo of - its a beach scene and I love it. And, I got some gorgeous silver and black earrings from my co-worker. I am so freaking spoiled this week, I am not worth 2 cents!
I almost hate for this week to end, its been more fun that Christmas!
So, happy birthday to me! I don't deserve all of this, but I sure have enjoyed it!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Monday, November 02, 2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook 11.2.09




FOR TODAY...
Outside my window... sunshine, clear skies, beautiful shades of autumn on trees.
I am thinking ... how beautiful this day is; how productive I hope I will be today.
I am thankful for... for friends and family.
I am wearing... long grey skirt, black blouse, black scarf, black jacket, black boots ...
I am remembering... a very pleasant weekend.
I am hearing ... the quietness of morning.
I am going... get a lot of work done today.
I am reading... The Rescue (Nicholas Sparks)
From the learning rooms ... I really don't know what this means ... but something I am trying to change is to try to take life a bit more slowly, quit over scheduling myself ....



I am hoping... that today will be a great day.
On my mind ... my attitude needs to change.



Noticing that... I have been a negative, stressed and impatient person lately.
Pondering these words... Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
From the kitchen... I have no menu plans this week; I made steamed crabs last night and they were pretty tasty.
Around the house... still haven't started on my dining table and chairs, may have to start with a smaller project just to test my distressing skills first.
One of my favorite things ~ the happiness my dogs show when I come in the door at the end of the day.


From my photo memories ...






Remembering a fun camping trip with my grandson, wish we had more of them.



Thank you for stopping and visiting my daybook today. If you'd like to read other daybooks or perhaps do one yourself, stop over to Peggy's at Simple Woman's Daybook today.