I am wide awake and it is 10:50 p.m.

STOP HERE - I think I am having a pity party....

Have you ever had one of those nights that just keep you awake? I am sure you have! I got so tired of tossing and turning. I just got up! I wrote 4 letters - snail mail! Now I figured if I wrote in "my blog" I could wear myself out.

There is so much going on in my life now with work. My boss leaving, 60 guys on the out-of-work list, two members dying this month, new program to learn, end of month reports, and knowing the Local is "low on funds" because the guys aren't working.

Jerry is still not sure if his hours will be cut. I thought that was resolved, but he came home tonight saying he thinks they are wanting one of them to quit - for they don't have to pay unemployment. So, he may just have too if they cut his hours back or at least find another part time job. He is not concerned for he knows God will provide.

I found out today that my cousin James' cancer is back. The doctor told him 6 months. Of course he fought the cancer before - but now it has spread. He is going to get another opinion and that is good. He is a believer, that is GOOD! I feel for my Aunt Gladys who at one time had him living with them - he is like their son. They have lost one son already, one daughter, and a couple of grand children - they don't know where they are. They moved and haven't contacted them - why I haven't a clue. Aunt Gladys and Uncle Wess are truly believers, but I know they are hurting.

I just got through crying for about 40 minutes - Jerry was sympathetic but I knew he had to go to sleep - why is it that a crying spell happens when you go to bed? I cried out to God, I prayed with my heart. I know He heard me.

Why can't I sleep? Is it the menopause? Is it because of another reason....questions, questions, questions - that is what is really keeping me awake.

I tried to call my family back in California - no one answers. My niece switched her number to an unlisted one. My nephew's cell is full. My brother Jerry doesn't answer his cell. My brother Kenny is not home - he is probably at his girl friend's house. My other niece hasn't talked to me in years. That's all I have left in my immediate family. How I long to be able to pick up the phone and call Mother - which is impossible because she has been in heaven for quite awhile. She used to keep me inform of what is going on with my family. I think being around Jerry's family so much this past weekend, I got homesick for mine. How I long to go to California - but time won't allow that - or finances because I don't know if Jerry will have a job....

Yep, that's it, I am staying awake because I am in a pity party huh? It is so late, no one is up, or they are gone - like in California. I have been praying...oh my, I guess I should stop blogging.

I hope you all had a good night rest! I love you all.....

WEEKEND FUN REVOLVING AROUND FOOD...IT SEEMS

This was some of the sweet stuff and Jerry's nephew's wedding reception. You dip all of these things in the chocolate fountain - mmmmmmmmmmmm

This is what I had on my plate - the first time - won't show you what all I ate, bad bad bad. Yet so so good.

I'm not sure what this was below - but it was like having little mini pizzas. Very tasty.

Of course these cake balls were delicious - tasted like little "ding dongs" but better. I only had one - because I went over to the stuff that I could dip in chocolate. They also had fruit kabobs over there too - that was good!

Those above items were good but here below at the "Fox Reunion" - oh my you wouldn't believe all the TASTY VARIETY OF FOOD HERE! That was just the "main dish foods".

These below are the ones that were my favorite. Here my Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law are "diving in". Oh yeah I had my share!!!
Here Jerry and I are at his cousin's Corvet, I liked it so I had our picture taken in beside of it. His cousin told me he only drives it twice a year maybe...I don't think I would want it. I want to DRIVE "my car". It was a beauty though...that is the original paint job - I guess that is important.

Besides eating - we did have a good time visiting his family and meeting ones we have never met before. We also played "corn holes" a game that is "like horseshoes" but you use bean bags and throw it in a hole thing like. IT IS FUN! Jerry is going to make us a game. I tell you it is the simple pleasures....

A night with the Chick-lits

THE CALL TO ONE OF THE AUTHOR'S OF "DESPERATE PASTORS' WIVES" -- CHRISTY SEANNELL. Linda is the one who arranged all of this -- way to go LINDA! We had such a great conversation with Christy - with Linda and Jeanne the conversation went smooth and fun. Christy answered the questions that we had and even asked a few. She really made us feel comfortable, relaxed and eager to read the other two books of this series. If anyone hasn't read this book - the CHICK-LITS recommend it 100%.

Here we all are proudly showing the book off and enJOYing the fact that we are the CHICK-LITS -- some were missing. We PRAY that they come back - especially for the next book "The Noticer" -- go on Linda's blog for more details!

These two girls - took our pictures afterwards - Phoenix closed her eyes and I didn't get a good picture of this beautiful young lady - Jill's granddaughter - and my "adopted" one for fun. I can't remember Phoenix' friend there - bummer! She is a very nice girl too! They enJoyed some of the treats below.

What would a book club be without food? Janet brought in the healthy ones. Jeanne made some delicious treats - VERY SWEET, Linda brought in doughnut holes, Deb brought cracker and chips and salsa. I didn't bring anything ---sorry about that. Jill brought in some Sunshine chips but her and I ate them all---sorry about that.

Well there is more to tell about tonight - I am hoping the other women there will blog about that too. Linda has blogged already on hers - good reading! Thank YOU CHICK-LITS for making my evening fun and eventful.

In one of the devotions...wanted to share....

The Lord said:

You pray for revival

Yes we do Lord

I will not bless you with it

Until I see you on your faces

Praying for what “I” want

I must see true repentance and

Pride in leadership laid down

Before me!

There must be an emptying of yourselves

I must be the “ONLY” focus,

Not buildings, not schools

Not programs, not committees

JUST ME !

He showed me a sanctuary where

All chairs had been removed, and

I asked. Lord , why are there no chairs?

My people need to be on their faces

I felt the Lord weeping, and asked,

Why when He sat in Glory,

Did He weep?

He said,

“my people won’t pray”!

-----God Bless You, Carla Curry, Staff Writer

I read this and I have realized I need to get "down on my face" and pray! Maybe not literally but then again why not? I truly enJOY and NEED our "corporate prayers" at church. I admit I do "struggle" praying by myself. Most of my prayers are written down, or I say them in my head. Of course Jerry and I pray before we go to sleep. But wow, on my face...

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain...what else can we do?

It is raining HARD!!! Just look at this puddle of water outside our office door. The parking lot looks like a lake.

FREE CAR WASH!!!


When they said SHOWERS, they meant it. Now I am so thankful to be in a dry, office! It helps me to work better too.

Instead of my walk - blogging is the next best thing here - a nice break!

I can't get over how much better I feel today than yesterday! I truly believe I was just exhausted from the fun weekend! That is good!

Jerry didn't go to work today - bummer! He just didn't have any work orders - no work orders, no work, no pay. I am sure he found something to do at home. He is hoping to do "odd jobs" for people when he is not working and of course "looking for another job".

Now, I will just share a few cat pictures....you know I love them!
This is a long hair cat with his hair cut. He belongs to Jerry's niece Jessica. He is so friendly cute and cuddly! Here is he trying to give me a kiss.

This is Linda's cat - she is deaf. But so friendly and rather old. Linda has taken really good care of her - she too is very lovey.

Okay, enough of this...it's time to go back to work...GOD BLESS YOU ALL TODAY!!! I hope and pray that you are making the best of the rain.

I will leave you with this scripture:

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the speech of the upright rescues them. -- Proverbs 12:6

Rescue someone today - let your words out of your mouth be KIND, CARING, AND LOVING.

Picnic in the park....

Sheila had some really good pictures on her blog - I didn't get my camera out until it was over --- darn it! Doesn't Sheila look good here? Jill is talking to Marlys. Here Marlys and JoAnna are talking - great to just relax and talk!

Here you can see JoAnna and Michael - he is actually talking with Jerry and Dale - which I didn't get a picture of.

Here is a picture of Bridgett, she is so ADORABLE!!!

It was a fun time together. You should have seen all the food! I think we sent the "teens" off on to their mission trip with a nice meal! The day was just right for a picnic that is for sure! I DO LOVE THIS WEATHER!

My pedicure and manicure

I was very excited to show off my manicure. Jerry thought I was "rather silly" - go figure!

Here I am having a wonderful time getting my pedicure - if you have never had one - by all means go and get one!!! Don't wait for 54 years like I did! Here is what they looked like when I was done - I did get a manicure too - boy my legs are WHITE.

PARTY IN WATERLOO

Jerry's family - Jerry, Betty, his mother - Lavera, Penny, Bonnie, his dad Robert, and his brother Jeff. Jack was missing....he lives in Texas! It was great having 5 here though!!! This is what they looked like way back when - Penny, Jeff, Bonnie, Jerry, Bonnie and his Mom and Dad. Look at Jerry - he reminds me of John Denver.

This is Linda who set the party up and made the scrap book. She is married to Jerry's brother Jeff - who celebrated his 50th by the way. She really worked hard on this party and it was a good one!

This is a picture of a picture of course - it is Jerry's folks, I can't get over how nice they look! The picture above is their farm. I'm putting this in mainly for me. :) THEY WERE CELEBRATING THEIR 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - it is actually Dec. 18, 2009 - but better to celebrate in the summer than the winter. Here I am with Jerry's niece Angie on the left, and his sister Betty on the left. I felt like a giant!

Here we are having such a "good time" - notice I am showing my manicure though, ha ha ha.

Jerry's brother-in-law Bill, his brother Jeff, and his sister Bonnie.

Here are Jerry's three sisters, Betty, Bonnie and Penny.

I know these pictures may not interest any of you all...but you know, we did have such a good time with FAMILY. I hope to see some of your family in your blogs...they mean a lot to me. :)

GOTCHA....

I am going to quote Barbara Johnson in her book Boomerang Joy - this one today hit me right between the eyes! I added the color and the bold to get my attention more than anything else.

"Life never fails to getcha. The best advice in order to face each day is this: hope for the best, get ready for the worst, and then take whatever God sends. What happens when life is going great and then - whammo! - some big problem hits you, knocking you into a deep valley? You can cheer yourself with the thought that the richest soil is there because that's where the fertilizer. Try to find the funny even in the midst of a fiasco. Keep alive the enduring hope that somewhere ahead is a blessing waiting just for you." Jerry came home last night telling me that his hours will probably be cut August 1st because of so many changes in the company he is working for. He said it is definitely time to find another job. Of course in today's economy and jobs being scarce as they are my heart "fluttered" BUT we have a POWERFUL GOD ON OUR SIDE and HE will PROVIDE the right job for him!!!

Another quote from Barbara when I start negative thinking or listening to others saying that jobs are so hard to find now:

"Develop a windshield wiper in your mind to slosh of the bad thoughts that splash across your life. Keep driving, and you will move right out from under the cloud that shadows your life."

Please blogger loved ones do keep us in prayers as we go through this valley with the fertilizer.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. -- Job 23:10

CHRIST METHODIST WORK TEAM!!!

These are just 6 of the teens that helped with Valley View's "makeover"!!! I didn't get all of them, I really would have liked too. I'm sure there are other pictures that people have. I was so glad that I got to go last night to see them and "sit in on their worship time". It was fun and I personally got the thank them. Isn't it great to have the young jump in like that and work so hard - and have that fellowship? And to think "our teens" in Cedar Rapids, will be doing that kind of work too! I am sure there are 10 homes that were flooded that really appreciated them.

According to their Youth Leader below, they had 11 teams I believe and mainly they only work on houses - but since one "house" didn't "pan" out - Valley View was picked - A GOD THING!!!
Here below we have two very talented "men". The one on the left his a worship leader I believe, he writes songs, sings ---very talented. I believe he is working on his Masters'. The violinist is a young teen but boy he could play that violin!!!

Even though I was "wiped" out from yesterday's work - God gave me the energy to go and I was so glad I did! These "kids" are GREAT!!! I thank the adults too - the people from our church as well that helped out. I can't wait to see "the make over" Sunday.

I feel like...

I "feel like" that little tiger cub. I am beat, and oh how I would just love to be able to cuddle in what I picture as "God's arms". I have had one of the "busiest" weeks that I can remember at work. Since my "earthly boss" will be retiring soon, there will be many changes ahead and a lot of work involved. That's okay, I have no complaints - well a few...but I am trying not to focus on them. I'm keeping my eyes on MY REAL BOSS and praying that I "can keep up" and still enJOY each day as it comes.

So, that's all I got for today....except:

Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (NIV)

Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the [woman] who takes refuge in him." (NIV)

Taking a "Blog" Break, Sticking "my neck out"

I'm sticking my neck out here to SAY HI AGAIN TO MY BLOGGER BUDS!!! I needed a break from this mailing that I am doing. If you all only knew how much you "help" me get through these kind of days...please KNOW now that I APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! Of course I am thankful for a job like this that I can take a break like this! God has truly BLESSED ME IN SO MANY WAYS.

In my devotional this morning I was reading about SPIRITUAL FITNESS - how important that is! I exercise for physical fitness, but how much do I spend on "my spiritual fitness?" It got me thinking (that is what a good devotional does I believe): I know reading the Bible, listening to God's Word, PRAYER, STUDYING HIS WORD, and hanging out with Christians are wonderful ways to get my Spiritual Fitness in! Without Spiritual Fitness - it's hard to do anything else I have come to find out too.

The other thing that hit me this morning was how beautiful this July has been! I got a real nice walk in today. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Also, before work - on my CHRISTIAN FITNESS TV this morning, they had where you sit in a chair and ride a bike - a pretend one. Try it, your legs feel like 100 pounds, but you really get a good work out! They always have you work out for 2 minutes, rest a minute, then 2 minutes, rest a minute, etc. I really broke a sweat! I am so thankful that this is another exercise I can sneak in during the day as I do mailings....or whatever.

WELL, BREAK IS OVER....

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

If you falter in times of trouble,
how small is your strength!—Proverbs 24:10

I have you know....

Okay am I addicted to blogging? I have you know I went to bed at 9:30 pm and realized I hadn't blogged today -- I don't want to miss "the challenge", so yes I am up and I am blogging! Am I a "fruitcake" for this? I like this fruit bowl...it is pretty and what an elegant way to serve fruit.

Anyway, ladies, I didn't get a chance to read your blogs though - I was so busy at work today - by the time I got home and went to prayer, then watched "America's Got Talent" - well there went the evening. I will look forward to reading them tomorrow though, I truly enJOY reading them. I am thankful for the challenge and will "hate to see it end"....when does it end?

Here is something that I wanted to share before I "turn in" this time for sure:
May the favor of the LORD our God
rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for
us -
yes establish the work of our hands. -- Psalm 90:17

Trust me I used my hands a lot today, I am doing a mailing for the LOCAL - over 400 members...have to finish it up tomorrow...tomorrow....tomorrow...God willing of course....I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT DAY, AND I PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A "WONDERFUL TODAY" tomorrow...tomorrow...tomorrow.

MONDAY MADDNESS...

Look at my work area, not fun... So much paperwork had to be done - feast or famine at my job.....
So I had to leap in....

Really hopped to it...

Lifted up some prayers....

No lion, God came through for me!

So now I am home - ready to crawl in my "hole"...

Life now is just ducky....

So, no more bull for today -- HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

SonDay...

Well, today was a WONDERFUL SonDay!!!

We had our first class at POWER HOUR this morning on "Self-Control" - there were 6 women ready to learn what God wanted them to. I really think it went well. God is teaching us that is for sure!

We had a guest speaker, for church and he gave a wonderful testimony. Only God can change us!

Jerry and I went out to lunch with Marlys and Dale at Zoey's - very good food BUT I truly enJOYED being with Marlys and Dale the most. How I "treasure each moment I can when I can be around my "Christian family"!

I had my Sunday "Nap" - I admit this is something I have tried to break...please pray for me on this. I am not saying naps aren't good, but I get carried away. My 1/2 hour naps turn into 1 or 2 hours, and POOF there goes the afternoon. BUMMER!

At the Gathering tonight we had a great discussion on Psalm 51 --- we "related to David as he was confronted by Nathan"....What really hit me was the reminder that when we sin we really are violating God, and how that sin can hurt so many people and so much more that we are not even aware of. Then of course God forgave David, because David CONFESSED and ASKED for forgiveness - would he have if Nathan wouldn't have confronted him? hmmmm

Now it is almost 8:00 pm time to close up here and SAY GOOD NIGHT! LET'S ALL REMEMBER TO "DIE TO SELF" DAILY AND LIVE FOR GOD...let us never ever forget what Jesus did for us. LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL OF MY BLOGGER PALS!

Decisions, decisions....

Here it is 7:30 a.m. - been up for 3 hours. Now I have this glorious day in front of me. How will I spend it? Well, I did want to share the following with my blogger friends, this is probably a good time as any I have "colored" the points that I want to really pay attention to (I don't know where I got this - I am sure from one of the many books that I have read or e-mails - it is good):

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day.

I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil.
And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of YOU.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray.
It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those who don't believe.
But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that You change people and You change things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love, and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

WALKING IN THE RAIN, WALKING IN THE RAIN...

Okay, I am not the "smartest chick" that is for sure! I looked out "my window at work, it looked like the rain had stopped. One of the members that was paying his dues said, "Oh, I looked at the radar and it is blowing over so you should be able to go." So after he left off I went....

Boy did God "fool me on this one". But did HE? It did blow over, right over my head!!! Yes, God was probably chuckling up there at me. That is okay - HE PROTECTED ME FROM LIGHTENING! Also, I don't think "that many people saw me."

Well, that leaves the rest of the day to dry off, do my job, and to remember, "When it rains, it pours."