Flowers and such....Memorial Weekend for us...

Jerry in the garden - it is coming along rather well. We had radishes and onions out of it already! The side of our house by the garage - Jerry planted flowers there - don't ask me the name, I could go out and look - he did put those little signs by them - but hey I just like flowers, I don't care what they are called. All the flowers below are in our yard...
This is a closer look up close of the ones above - they are pretty.

These delicate little blue flowers are neat.

I love this one - of course it is more beautiful in person - pictures doesn't do it justice.

These are neat! They almost are see through flowers.

Chives

Delicate yellow flowers

We had a bunch of these on one bush they are "gone" but these are hanging on another bush.

These are roses planted from last year coming up again.
These are purple flowers on a vine - they didn't come back last year but they have this year. IThere are a few other flowers in our yard, but they didn't turn out that great when I took their pictures

NOW OUR KITCHEN PICTURES.....We did this Saturday and Sunday
WE TOOK OFF THE WALL PAPER THIS WEEKEND AND PAINTED IT PEACH! Even though these pictures make it look pinkish - it is PEACH!

I even helped with the painting! It was a good experience for me and wasn't that bad at all. Jerry was very patient with me and we worked rather well together!

Sam helped - he slept most of the day - which he stayed out of the way.

Ponder on this.....

Lamentations 3:21-23 (New International Version)

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Poet: Clay Harrison
Scripture reference: Proverbs 3:24

"Why Worry About Tomorrow?"

Why worry about tomorrow

And the rising of the sun,

Of anguish over past mistakes

That cannot be undone?

Why waste life's precious moments

On things that bruise the heart

When today is ours to fashion

Into a work of art?

Today comes but once, my friend,

It never can return--

So use it wisely while you can,

There's a lesson you may learn.

Let history record the past

And tomorrow come what may.

Be content to do your best

With what you have today!

Why do they have to die?

Oh LORD, on this Memorial Weekend I ask WHY?

So many military loves ones had to die.

I know Your answer, yes indeed I do,

Freedom has a high price for me and YOU.

Jesus died for our sins, and rose again to give us eternity.

Military ones die and we are reminded this is not a fraternity.

We are all here to die and go beyond to another place

WE are all going from which and what base?

My prayer for this day to remember and pray

For the ones left behind the ones who have a say.

I pray that they know just how much You gave

And to really know what it is to be saved.

Where are the ones who have gone before

The ones who have a cross on their grave, is it to heaven's door?

Or some of them lost forever, I cry at that thought,

Their lives were taken and their lives Jesus bought.

We won't know until the day comes for us to go,

Will I be one of them in heaven - oh yes, I know!

Jesus set me free for eternity and I love Him for that.

Many died for us to live, in peace on earth, that's a fact!

I am writing this and not going nowhere -

A soldier is dying somewhere.

Lord protect them or call them home,

Don't leave them on their own.

As he stands guard TO GIVE AN ALARM - Jesus stands guard and HOLDS ME IN HIS ARMS!

Blog Break - what's on my mind....

I had a "revelation" last night at His Hands dinner when the guest speaker, Dick Spaight, talked about many things but I heard - "grudges" - ouch! I heard God's sweet voice saying - "you are holding a grudge against your 'earthly boss' - time to let it go!"

Dick had us close our eyes, picture Jesus right in front of us - we were to hold our hands up, holding what we wanted to give to Him - of course I handed Him my grudge. I tell you what there was a peace that came over me that was so wonderful.

I came to work this morning and I saw "him" in a different light. I saw him through God's eyes. I was amazed, thankful and just downright full of joy!

For a couple of days or maybe even more, I held a grudge against him because I basically didn't like his behavior. I confronted his behavior about "cussing" so much in the office - he said I knew that when I got this job that there would be that. I told him I don't mind that, I just want to shut the door between us for I don't have to hear so much (some of what he said, just made me sick to my stomach). I could see it in his eyes, he was not happy about that. But he agreed. (Since then, it seems like I haven't heard that many cuss words come out of his mouth.) The grudge I had though lasted. My boss also reminded me of my "short comings" that day - it hurt, I will admit it. I have been praying about those short comings and I believe God is working on me with these issues. I won't get into it here because it is "union stuff' - the "truth" can hurt! (I wonder did I hurt him).

Anyway, today I feel like God has set me free once again.

So, my dear ones - do you have any grudges you need to let go? Any forgiveness that you need to do. Trust me - God had Jesus die for us - at least we could do is love others through HIS Eyes...not easy but we can try, practice, and PRAY about it. Lord I don't always see eye to eye

I don't see clearly and I know why.

I see the way humans see,

Which is wrong for a Christian to be!

I know that time, prayer and such,

Will keep me from this "human touch".

I seek Your face and Your love

Helps me in times of these I mentioned above.

Thank YOU LORD for all You do

Thank YOU LORD for loving me too.

Today, I start over and see the Spiritual side,

Today, I start over and I abide!

Daily Dozen - it's Wednesday....

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?

Frozen Amy's Pizza - they are healthy and quite tasty!

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)

Shoes - my feet are not tough enough to go barefoot - yet.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?

A hard one! I love to go to so many places and visit with loved ones...

4. Share one factoid of your family's history.

My grandma Hooper never learned how to read - that is so sad to me.

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."

wanted to be an actor - now I am just a "drama queen". :)

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?

My favorite gum - that way I could share with my "little church buddies".

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."

I feel horrible when I miss a day of exercising.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?

Not much.

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."

My cat Sam - he is always doing things that just cracks me up!

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?

Finish up my homework for Aid to Women Class (my last class is tomorrow night) then I get to shadow - I am so looking forward to that!

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?

Giving a book for her to read that meant a lot to me - I am actually going to do this at lunch!

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?

Going to lunch at Metro Buffet with my friend Tammy - whom I am going to give that book to - and TRY not to eat so much.....

Had to share - "Controlling a Complaining Spirit"

I don't know about you, but I have caught myself complaining way too much lately!!! God is so good to place this reminder for me - I want to keep it on my blog, I highlighted the stuff I needed the most...

Controlling a Complaining Spirit Glynnis Whitwer

"Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD,
and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp." Numbers 11:11 (NIV)

Devotion:
As we were getting ready to leave for vacation, one of my children asked for a new video game to play on the drive. Knowing all of our available funds were ear-marked for the trip, I told my child "no" and explained in a compassionate and clear reason why I would not be spending money on a video game prior to a vacation. I explained how much fun we would have and how much this fun would cost. Which, as I was sure he understood, did not leave money for buying video games.

At what I thought was a perfectly logical explanation, that same child, who should have been agreeing with me and trying to find ways to help make this wonderful vacation happen, actually got annoyed. With me. He said, with a very frustrated voice, that he never got anything he wanted. Accompanied with a heavy dramatic sigh, crossed arms and pout.

The tone of his voice, his negative words, and his dramatic body language, raised my eyebrows (I would have only raised one if I could). My back straightened and one hand rose to my hip. "Really?" I said in a low and deceptively calm voice. "You never get anything you want? On the day before we are leaving for an amazing trip that your father and I have worked hard to give you, you can actually say that you have nothing you want?"

Can I just tell you that an ungrateful spirit really is really hard for me to deal with? Especially when I know what is in store.

Sometimes I wonder if that must be how God feels when I grumble about what I don't get. Like when I went through infertility for three years before getting pregnant ... three times ... then adopting. In hindsight, God was really giving me three more years of wearing a size ten and a brain that could finish a complete thought. At that time, all I saw was emptiness.

The truth is, my child was just demonstrating a human reaction to being told "no" or "not now" by someone who knows what the future holds. Sometimes God withholds a "yes" knowing we need to be prepared to receive His goodness in His time. Other times, when we've been told "no" due to our own bad choices or those of others, God withholds a "yes" to teach us something. Or it's a permanent "no" to protect us. Whichever way, God is always working things together for the good of those who love Him.

I don't think my son ever fully understood why I said "no" to the video game. But over time, as he grew and matured, he learned to trust me more, and believe that I really loved him in spite of saying "no." Even as adults, we have trouble understanding God's ways. Sometimes we may never understand. When that happens, I choose to do a few things that help me mature as a believer. Maybe they will help you too:

1) I choose to not complain to others about God.
2) I am honest with God about how I feel, but I don't accuse Him of evil or being out to hurt me.
3) I choose to trust Him. When the doubts start to surface, I choose again to trust Him again.
4) I sing His praises. It reminds me of God's true character, which is always good.

Hearing "no" is never easy. However, as children of a loving Heavenly Father, we can learn over time to trust that He really does have something planned that we are going to love more than what we want right now. When we trust God is working behind the scenes for us, we can control a complaining spirit that threatens to steal our joy. And restore our faith in God's goodness.

Dear Lord, I know I'm often like a child when I get told "no." Help me to understand in my head and in my heart, that You truly love me, and that You are planning something good. Forgive me when I doubt you and voice those doubts in a complaining way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

If you are a mom who needs help dealing with common issues your child faces, you'll enjoy When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer

30 Days to Controlling your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues

Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog

Application Steps:
Read Numbers 11. Write God's response to the complaining of the Israelites.

Reflections:
What does complaining to others reveal about your character at that moment?

What are some things you can do to stop the complaining cycle and start being more positive?

Power Verses:

Psalm 142:2, "I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble." (NIV)

Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (NIV)

Anita - the calf....

Jerry's cousin, Sharon, named this calf Anita - she names all of her calves. They are milking cows so I am hoping this one when it gets older will produce a lot of milk! She commented on her e-mail that Anita will be mooving out of her "apartment" into a group home soon. I thought that was so cute! I think Anita is so cute! At first when she told me I just laughed, but really it is an honor to have a calf named after you. They named one Jerry too. :) I wasn't sure if it was a milker or not...ha ha.

Just something I wanted to share - the FUN THINGS IN LIFE!!!

Just another poem feeling....

I feel like this week has "flown" by

Something is in the air though that makes me cry

I can't put my finger on it at all

Looks like it is time to give God a call!

I think sometimes I think too much

I analyze myself too - all the time.

Then I ask myself why do I do such and such,

It feels like I just commited a crime.

I want to "be" in God's presence and just feel

But I don't do it because of what is going on.

I tell myself, "God is too busy for me, get real".

I know that is the devil's con.

So I go to HIM and sit there in and enjoy,

I talk to HIM like He is right there,

I smile up at HIM and I am not coy,

"Oh God, thank YOU for being everywhere!"

"What would I do without YOU?" I say,

"How could I just go one living,

Without YOU, what an ordinary day

I am so thankful for YOUR giving."

So now whatever "it was in the air"

It is gone for now because I talked to My Father,

I am ready to "move on" now I can bear,

All because I made the "call"...

Have you talked to God today?

Mother's Day - Hard for me....

I was going to try to find a picture of my son to post here - time got in my way.

Today I was able to go see my 28 - soon to be 29 year old son in the hospital. He is a diabetic and a couple of his toes got infected - not good for a diabetic. Anyway, he got to the hospital in time and they are getting the infection down, so both of his toes will be okay! I praise God for that - I had many prayer warriors praying for him.

He was going to go with us tomorrow to spend time with Jerry's family but now won't be able to. I am kind of disappointed about that because I really did want to be with him on "Mother's Day" - but he is where he needs to be now.

Now, I look forward to seeing Jerry's folks. It is nice now to spend time with them. Not too long ago that wasn't the case - but GOD IS GOOD and He repaired that relationship!

What is hard for me about Mother's Day - is the fact I miss my Mother on this day (well more days actually, but especially on Mother's Day - which is normal). As each year passes I can't seem to remember how her voice sounded. I used to call her every week - sometimes twice a week (she lived out in California). I can't even remember when the last time I actually saw her - that is a bummer. Anyway, I am thankful for the memories I do have - and I know I will SEE HER AGAIN SOMEDAY - so that always makes me smile when I remember that.

I praise God that I do have a son - I know I have been forgiven for the years I was not there for him - he affirmed that for me tonight. He kindly reminded me that I had things I had to do - he has seen much worse mothers...that bothered me. Anyway, time spent with him this time of the year was good - even if it was in the hospital. I know God is watching over him and I can sleep comfortably knowing this. I just pray that someday he realizes that - before that is too late.

HAPPY BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE AND THE ONES WHO ARE NOT --- SWEET MEMORIES OF YOUR MOTHERS!

WHAT NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER MEANS TO ME!

There is so much POWER IN PRAYER! Today as many people gather around to pray for OUR NATION I find it an HONOR to be able to participate in ours here at Cedar Rapids. Jerry and I were "able" to take a vacation day - which is a sweet reminder we have jobs (when there are so many without one). Today not only do we pray for JOBS, we pray for our President, Governor, Mayor - and so many more! We lift up the beautiful wonderful country that God has given us to live in THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! I know many cannot get off work to do this, but I also know that maybe during your lunch break or when ever you can pray - I know I did last year. There is something SPECIAL about praying together as many many of us know! I like to picture God up there with His arms around all of us - because we know He has HUGE arms - He is loving us and hearing every word we say. So my dear ones pray with intent, specific prayers. Pray that what is in YOUR HEART!