Hello, hello, hello,

I am taking some family time.  Going to see a sister, go to Florida with daughter's family, and then hopefully go see another sister.

That means you get a break from reading my blog --- OR --- you can go to the side, pick a month, and try an oldie but a goodie.

I will post again November 2.

Remember, celebrate each day,

Mary

TAKE A PILL AND FEEL BETTER

I have ongoing sinus problems.  Just part of me.  I can sneeze 7-8-13 times in a row.  When I start sneezing, hubby starts counting.  13 is the highest.  Sneezing makes my eyes water, my nose run and …  Well, you get the picture.  It is just part of me, until this last weekend.

For some reason I felt lousy.  My head hurt.  My ears hurt.  My eyes hurt.  And I was not sneezing.  A call was made, an appointment was open, the doctor agreed with me, and a prescription for an antibiotic was written.

Take a pill and feel better!  I wish there were pills for things other than sinus infections.

Take a pill and quit hating – I do not understand hate.  There are people and actions I do not like, but how can anyone hate another person because of the color of their skin?  God made each one of us – we are His children.  When did hate between the political parties become acceptable?  A difference of opinion does not mean you quit respecting the person.  I wish there was a pill to end hate.

Take a pill and enjoy life – I do not understand those that only find the bad in life.  How do people become so bitter that they do not see the wonder around them?  How can anyone not feel the gentle breeze or stop to enjoy the sky turning gold and pink and purple?  I wish there was a pill to restore joy.

Take a pill and be thankful – The words “thank you” are slowly disappearing from our vocabulary.  Why should I thank someone?  They only opened a door.  Why should I thank mom/dad?  They are my parents.  Why should I thank the minister?  It is their job.  I wish there was a pill to instill gratitude.

Take a pill and be changed – Oh how people do not want to hear the word change.  It actually makes them shudder.  I always eat at 5:00!  I will not go to the earlier/later service at church!  I …..  I wish there was a pill to make people realize change can be good.

Take a pill ----  Oh, wait.  I have a better idea!

Read the Word of God.  Believe me – you will be changed!  And with that change you will become thankful.  You will find joy as your eyes are opened to the wonders of God.  You will put hate aside when God’s love fills your soul.

So, take the Word of God and call me in the morning.

I LOVE

I love –

            wiggling my toes in mud,

            watching a gentle rain and how the air smells after a storm,

            the laughter of children,

            the wrinkles of life,

            the hymn Here I Am Lord,

            finishing a jigsaw puzzle

            reading, learning and technology,

            music and quiet,

            driving back roads,

            and my family.

I love –

            wine,

            sleep,

            conversation,

            cheesecake,

            a glass of cold water,

            leaves in the fall,

            the ocean and the mountains,

            buffaloes,

            swimming,

            numbers,

            and friends.

I love –

            watching a sunset,

            coffee,

            wind blowing my hair,

            and God.

This list could go on and on.  Life is so full of blessings to enjoy – to love.  How do I describe standing on the edge of an ocean or looking up at a mountain?  How do I explain the feeling of holding the hand of a loved one?  How do I tell you the feeling of being on a ship in the middle of the ocean?  How do I put into words the power of a buffalo?  Life is so full of blessings to enjoy – to love.

Wow God!  So many blessings in my – our – day to day lives.  Some we take for granted like that morning cup of coffee.  Some we hold close and pray we never forget like the laughter of children.  Some we are guilty of never seeing because they are so common like a glass of water.  We daily thank you for the biggies:  family, friends, home, health, but today we thank you for all the joys, blessings and gifts you have so generously given us.  Amen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

My grandkids told me that September 2, 2019 they are going to throw me a 21st birthday party.  That means I am 20.  Well, maybe a bit more than that.  Cliff notes:  During surgery, September 2, 1998, I died.  Bet you guessed I did not stay that way.  I am not unique.  Many people have died and lived to tell about it.

When the young man was wheeling me out to the car, he asked, “Did you see a light?”  Told him, “No.  Figured God was not done with me and the devil didn’t know what to do with me, so they both refused to keep me.”

This has made for many jokes and remarks.  One grandson told me I like technology and continue to learn because I have a young brain.  (Wish I had the young body to go with it.)  My daughter once told me that if I had stayed dead she would have buried me with shoes on.  (I realized she had finally dealt with her fear.  I hate wearing shoes.)  My son put on a stiff upper lip and was manly.  (But I saw right through that act.)  Hubby, on the other hand, would like to wrap me in cotton and protect me.  (I am so blessed to have him!!!)  And my reaction?  I realized how precious life is.  Even more, I realized I did not need to fear dying.  Been there.  Done that.

But when I do – and news flash:  we all will die – I will see the scriptures fulfilled for me.

Therefore I will not lose heart.  Though outwardly I am wasting away, yet inwardly, I am being renewed day by day.  For my light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what I see is temporary, but what I do not see is eternal.   2 Corinthians 4:16-18

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because to come to him I must believe that he exists and that he will reward me because I earnestly seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

Personal Statement of Faith

I believe Jesus is the Son of God.

I believe Jesus walked on this earth and that he brought the love of God

to all who will accept it.

I believe Jesus can heal souls and bodies.

Although I may have times of doubt or times of disobedience,

I believe the love of Jesus is unending and never fails.

I believe Jesus is my salvation.

I believe Jesus died so my sins could be buried with him.

I believe he arose and is with his Father.

I believe Jesus lived so he could present me to his Father

as a forgiven, cleansed daughter.

A disclaimer here.  I am fine.  Well, other than a little of this and a little of that, but we all have this and that.  I am not ready to die, but when I have fulfilled whatever it is God has for me to do, I will be ready to live.

I will see the twelve gates and the walls of jasper and gold as pure as glass.  I will pluck fruit from those trees.  And I am taking the biggest drinking glass I can find.  I will dip that glass in the crystal clear river and be refreshed by the water of life.

Then I am going to ask God to retire that 2 X 4 He uses to get my attention.