Week Behind

I've heard it said that if satan can't make us bad, he'll make us busy...we'll, guess what last week was?!?! So, here I am a week behind and nothing really earth~shaking has happened...Hannah's last day of school was last Wednesday and our sitter was here Thursday and Friday...Hannah absolutely adores her and even wanted her to spend the night.

Saturday evening, Hannah's friend Landon came and spent the night...they had a blast and were the two most well-behaved 5-year-olds I've seen in a while.

So, here's the real news...dr visit on Monday came back with an A1CH of 6.3, which is AWESOME! But my LDL is still high....so back on trilipex for another 3 months and trying to find other ways to lower it...think I'll start having oatmeal or Cheerios for breakfast and see what happens.

I've also got to figure out a way to get our pool right-side up, cleaned and filled...it's not so much the cleaning and filling part, but the right-side up part that will be a true struggle since Kevin can't help much and even though it doesn't look it, that pool is heavy!!!

Before that happens, though, today is my first home-alone day in a very long time and there are so many things to get done...provider updates, dishes, and I'm taking back my house...after two years of things piling up...bags of empty plastic bottles in the garage, basket of newspapers overflowing on the hearth and unusable baby equipment, I vow, as I write, to banish it ALL from the house. However, I must be very clever how I go about doing it so as not to call attention to the vanishing hoard....I think I'll start with the living room, then Hannah's room...then on to, who knows!

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

God is so AWESOME! He gives us blessings, daily, that we don't deserve and sadly, a lot of them we don't even recognize. What will you find when you get to Heaven? God has a multitude of blessings for each of us, but many times we are too busy to receive them. Sometimes, we don't ask...what will you find left in your Blessings Box in Heaven....

This morning I rejoice, but with a heavy heart. We get good news that brings us to tears, then we get bad news that cause the tears to flow incessantly. We praise the LORD in them both knowing that God will Bless...those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV I hope the Field family can take some comfort in this as they mourn the death of their 12-year-old. So distraught was this young man, over something he was accused of doing and was suspended from school for.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3-4 NIV

Allow yourself time to mourn, it's part of the gift God has given us to heal ourselves. Take refuge in His mighty arms, cry on His shoulder...He is our loving, devoted Father and will carry us through all our pain.

So on this dreary May day that feels more like March with the cool temperatures, thunder and rain, I challenge you to open, wide, your eyes as you go along your journey's path and take special notice of God's gift in nature. Seek out those rainbows, this morning. Your "pot-o-gold" awaits you!

Imitating Christ's Humility...We Fall Short

Have you ever had one of those days when, by the time it's coming to a close you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you shouldn't have even thought about getting out of bed that morning? Yesterday was that day for me...too bad this morning's devotions weren't yesterday....

I'll spare you the gory details, mostly to save myself from further embarrassment, but I will share with you what stood out for me during quiet time this morning...A quick snippet from a woman who was dealing with two unruly teenagers who happened to be the eldest two of her three children...anyway, the additional scripture readings references Philippians 2:1-5, but after verse 5, I continued reading through verse 11...OH how I wish I would've read this yesterday morning...it's always there, in the back of my head and I always try to practice it, but for some reason, yesterday afternoon, my jaws just could not keep my mouth shut!

Philippians 2:1-11

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NIV)

I just keep reminding myself that our reward is not here, on this earth, but awaiting us in Heaven when we will feast, daily, from the smorgasbord of God's love!

Have a blessed day, my friends! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday

On this Wednesday of what seems to be the longest week in history, it's no coincidence that I opened my Bible for devotions, this morning, to "Full Loads, Empty Pockets" by Alma Barkman. Passage for the day is Ecclesiastes 9:7-10. Ms. Alma writes about laundry day in her house and all the treasures she finds in pockets as she prepares clothing for the washer. As she does, she reflects on her childhood when they had to melt snow in a copper boiler on top of the old wood stove in order to wash clothes.

The main theme of this story is not how to wash clothes in snow or dry them in the dead of winter. Actually, it's more about that evil, wicked thing we deal with on a daily basis S~T~R~E~S~S!!! This devotional also references these two passages:

2 Peter 1:5-8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Psalm 55:12-19 If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave, for evil finds lodging among them. But I call to God, and the Lord save me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them--Selah. (NIV)

Now, I tell you. I was pretty encouraged when I read 2 Peter 5 because it was a reminder to keep my focus on God and all these things I could add to my mental filing cabinet and life would be so much better. When I read Psalm 55, though, I was taken aback...it talks about a man, a friend, attacking David and how it would be so much easier if it were an enemy attacking him...for some reason, actually probably the exact message God wanted me to hear...I realized I am my worst enemy...I have been trying for, well, all my life, but diligently since last summer to lose weight. For many reasons, but one of them being that I hate taking medication and if I lose enough weight I could stop taking the meds that have been added to our medicine cabinet in the last year...well, I might as well be climbing Pikes Peak! At first, it was easy...God removed my incessant cravings for chocolate and I measured and weighed every morsel before I put it on my plate...I had lost 20 pounds. My daily glucose numbers were good, but at my check-up, my average was up...what?!?! I couldn't believe it! Well, I lost stamina because I worked really hard and the enemy was still winning...then the holidays came...I love to bake...that's all I'm going to say about that, except that by my February check-up I had gained back 10 pounds...UGH!!!!! Since then, I have struggled. Lost a pound, gained 2, lost three, gained 1...I think this is where I get my true dislike of roller coasters...my whole life has been one giant, long roller coaster ride...I WANT OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

So today, I pray, for myself and those of you who have been riding that same roller coaster with me that right here, right now, as I write this, as you read this that God will stop that roller coaster and allow us to step off. That He will give us the discernment to listen and hear His still, small voice and more importantly, that we will head His guidance and allow Him to guide us through our journey to a healthier and happier life.

I hope you all have a blessed day!

Angels

Hittin' the keys early this morning...yesterday was a long and stressful day here in Central Oklahoma. Our prayers go out to those who have been affected by yesterdays storms...which I guess means everyone....We are all affected by tragedy at some level. Whether our homes, businesses and lives take a direct hit or you narrowly escape injury, to those across the nation and around the world...we can all identify with tragic circumstances.

As I view the devastation across eastern Oklahoma County, more specifically, Choctaw, I whisper a prayer of thanksgiving that Kevin's day was timed the way it was. If he had been 20 to 30 minutes later, he would have been standing at the Love's, pumping gas when the tornado hit, and I keep hearing in my head, the chorus of the Amy Grant song, "Angels Watching Over Me". "Angels watchin' over me, every move I make. Angels watchin' over me! Angels watchin' over me, every step I take. Angels wtachin' over me!" The next line in the song, right after the first chorus "God only knows the times my life was threatened just today."

So I leave this with you this morning. Lyrics written by Donald Lawrence & Co.:

Say A Prayer For Me

Lord I come to you I ask you to grant my request.

The prayers I pray today is different than the rest.

The enemy is threatened by the gift you placed in me,

hear my earnest prayer, cover me.

Jesus, say a prayer for me, you know what I need.

Go before the Father, intercede for me.

The enemy desires to sift me as wheat, but

like You did for Peter, say a prayer for me.

For those that you've called,

those fully equipped to fight the wind and the rain,

to captain the ship.

So I don't mind the storm,

I'm willing to sail, God, cover me so my faith won't fail.

Jesus, say a prayer for me, you know what I need.

Go before the Father, intercede for me.

The enemy desires to sift me as wheat, but

like You did for Peter, say a prayer for me.

Ooooh, Ooooh, Ooooh Holy Spirit pray for me.

Ooooh, Ooooh, Ooooh Holy Spirit pray for me.

Ooooh, Ooooh, Ooooh Holy Spirit pray for me.

Like You did for Peter, say a prayer for me.

Happy Mother's Day

As many of you know, I am a music freak! I love most all kinds of music and my husband has come to tolerate the music I like that he doesn't...mind you, he's not developed an appreciation for it, probably never will, but all I ask is that he not grumble, gripe and reach over to turn it off when I'm listening...Here is just one of my favs and part of my Mother's Day gift. I'm not a big fan of summer temps, but this CD brings back memories of the summer before my senior year when we would pack up the car and head out to Birch Lake.

One of my other passions is reading, which I don't get to do much of these days, but when Dr Dobson came out with his book "bringing up Girls" I thought it might be wise to read, so I mentioned it and...here it is....

So this morning I have had a very successful Mother's Day, even though I had to fix my own breakfast...I don't have to do the dishes, though.

Well, I'm posting this today since I got so involved in my book that when I realized it was time for the bedtime routine, I had to set aside my goal of posting this before I went to bed.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day and to my friend Shirley, a blessed birthday as well!

No, No, and No

Okay, so no one likes to see their children suffering, but are there any other moms out there besides me who are absolutely anxious over a little fever and vomiting or is it just the control freak in me going nuts because I can't fix it and make her better?!?! I mean, seriously...Hannah was in bed before 7:30 p.m. last night and once she was asleep, Kevin and I sat down to watch a movie...I had little twinges of guilt all evening because I wasn't righ there by her side. She hadn't started puking yet, just fever of 102, but still...shouldn't I have been right there when she had a bad dream? Yes, self-talk did help...every time I felt that guilty twinge, I would tell myself that she was where she needed to be to get better and no amount of my hovering would make her better any faster. Then I whispered a prayer for healing and mentally re-engaged in the movie.

This morning started out at 5:30am with Hannah begging to get out of bed, then deciding she might need to throw up...yup, let the puke-fest begin...actually, it's not been that bad. As a matter of fact, I think the worst part was when I dozed off after setting my half-drank cup of coffee on the arm of the sofa. I was startled awake by Hannah coughing, thinking she was about to throw up...well down went the coffee cup and coffee between the arm of the sofa, me and the pillow...drenched my pjs, pillow and the sofa cushion...UGH! Why did I put that cup there to begin with?!?!

So, now we're hungry...it's time for breakfast. Kevin has gone to the auction in Perkins.... Those of you who know me know that I don't have any problem telling Hannah, "No." when it's necessary, but this morning she's asked for pancakes and biscuits and gravy several different times...this is after a morning of throwing up water, mucus and those two bites of banana we had her eat to try to help the dry heaves go away....The weekends are the only time I make those foods, so I did not like having to tell her that she couldn't eat those kinds of foods this morning because they might be too heavy for her upset tummy...so she asked if she felt better tomorrow, would I fix biscuits and gravy then.

Today we were supposed to go to Lahoma for a graduation...it's a beautiful day outside and I'm not sure we're going to be able to get outside and enjoy much of it. The birds are singing, the sun is shining and it's a cool, May morning. Thank you, LORD for your gift of today. Thank you for removing Hannah's fever and the virus that is making her tummy act like the Silver bullet at Frontier City!

Hope you all have a blessed day!

Wagons and Ruts

Well, after 3 days with a death-grip on the rear gate of the wagon, I've finally managed to work my way back on. This wagon hit a big rut about Wednesday, lunch, which completely caught me off-guard and I went flying into the air, fortunately I was able to grab hold of the gate and hang on for dear life!

My glucose levels have remained well within the recommended range, but my food journal has gathered dust and cobwebs...the spider, though, has been exterminated and the dust is now blowing in the wind, southward. My pen is at the ready and my hand is feeling better...today is a new day.

We got word, yesterday, that Kevin will be returning to work after being off for 2 years and 2 months due to the back injury he sustained while working in Virginia. He will have restrictions as far as lifting, etc., which is why it has taken so long for them to find a position for him. He starts back to work on Monday.

Yesterday, I started the process for finding a Nanny for our 5-year-old. I have a peace about the whole thing and know that God will provide the perfect person to care for her this summer. Just another rut this wagon has hiccuped over this week.

So, my friends, I say all of this to show you how good and faithful God is to His promise. This morning, He gave me a beautiful sunrise to start my day. He gave that sunrise to you as well. He has given us a new day to explore, breathe in and enjoy. Take time, today, to accept and live His gift...as you venture out on your journey today, whereever you may be going, take a deep breath before pulling out of that drive-way. Open your mind and let all of your worries become His. Take special note of God's creation around you. As you sit at that stop-light, look around at the trees, flowers, grass, sky and clouds and give thanks to God for His abundant gifts to you. Even if your sky is filled with gray clouds, even if you're in the middle of a whirl-wind, He is there and He is waiting to take it all on His shoulders for you...GIVE IT ALL TO HIM and He will sustain you.