10 Roses

LaWana Dorsett wrote: When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure ... either God will provide something solid to stand on or we will be taught to fly.

10 Roses

I give these roses to you because you are a special person! Each rose symbolizes a special wish from me to you.

One Rose for Long Friendship
One Rose for Unconditional Love
One Rose For Financial Wealth
One for Everlasting Happiness
One for Success
One for Knowledge
One for Beauty, inner and outer
One for Family
One for Honesty
And the last one for a long and healthy life!

Hockey Game

I saw my first ever hockey game last night. Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Since I'm a Californian ... I was rooting for Anaheim in a stadium FULL of Dallas Stars fans. But, it was fun. I'm glad I got to experience a "live" hockey game. There was only 3 or 4 fights (which I guess is hardly any). I can't ice skate AT ALL, so I admire the skill it takes to skate all over the ice and control the puck. It was like watching soccer on ice skates. Unfortuantely, my team lost. The score was Dallas 2, Anaheim 1. Oh well!

Story of the Week

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy "one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat of the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money. "The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by five little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would." With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. "How much?" asked the little boy. "No charge,"answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

Visiting

My friend and I visited with her sister and I realized the importance of maintaining family relationships and ties. My family is very important to me. My sister (and my daughter) is my best friend (bar none). Too often we get devoured by the stresses and struggles of daily life. We forget to make the effort to strengthen the bond...with our family AND our friends. It's a rare few that get to live right next door to friends and family. The television version of Mom and Pop living across the street, stopping by or coming to dinner every day is a thing of the past. It saddens me that our society has become so driven for success, fame and fortune that our family and children are low on the priority list. In retrospect, I'm frustrated with myself for getting caught up in the quagmire. Imagine how it saddens our heavenly Father when we treat him with the same indifference with which we treat each other? I pray for forgiveness and the opportunity to strengthen ALL of those relationships that need reparation!

Austin and San Antonio Visit

A friend took me on a weekend road trip to visit her friends and one of her siblings in Austin and San Antonio. On the way back, we stopped at a neat little antique store. Behind the store was an Episcopal Chapel made from antique wood and brick (and it had antique stained glass windows, pews, and various religious artifacts within). With Easter upon us and the events leading up to the Resurrection, I thought it fitting to share the photos with you. It was a fun weekend and an excellent way to wrap up a weekend of "firsts".

Treasures in Darkness

TGIF Today God is First, by Os Hillman

I wanted to post something meaningful today, but as I'm busy working and living life my creativity evades me (if only for a moment). This was emailed by a friend and I've decided to share it with you as well.

Treasures in Darkness
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. - Isaiah 45:3"I have never been in this place before. It is new ground for me, and I find I am way out of my comfort zone. I am scared to death to trust Him at this level. I had to confess to the Lord I have not been able to accept or believe His love for me in this area." Those were the words I expressed to a friend when I was in a difficult place in my life. That day when I confessed those words, God led me to this passage of Scripture. What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am the Lord...who summons you by name." You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every opportunity to demonstrate this to us. Has God brought you into a place of darkness? Trust Him today to reveal that hidden treasure that can be found in this darkness. Let Him summon you by name.

E-Mail Blessings

"Instead of a gem, or even a flower,
cast the gift of a lovely thought...
into the heart of a friend."


To Each His Own
I cannot change the way I am,
I never really try,
God made me different and unique,
I never ask him why.

If I appear peculiar,
There's nothing I can do,
You must accept me as I am,
As I've accepted you.

God made a casting of each life,
Then threw the old away,
Each child is different from the rest,
Unlike as night from day.

So often we will criticize,
The things that others do,
But, do you know, they do not think,
The same as me and you.

So God in all his wisdom,
Who knows us all by name,
He didn't want us to be bored,
That's why we're not the same
~Author Unknown~

Dealing with Unpleasantries

I'm sure everyone has encountered an "unpleasant person" in their lives. You know the kind, generally of a sour disposition who will not respond to pleasantries or attempts to befriend them in any way. Pretending to be a friend or concerned person until you do something with which she doesn't agree.
I work with such an individual and her demeanor is rude and offensive to almost everyone. She converses with her friends on the phone for hours every day. She conducts her own personal business (Ceramics/Art/Dog Bowls) on company time (creating brochures, mailing them on company postage, web pages, shipping packages with company supplies and on company dollar). What is so frustrating, is that she gets away with it and has for years! The morale of those around her plummets whenever she is in and becomes a celebration when she's not!
Furthermore, she doesn't believe in God and when someone mentions anything related to Christian she says, "Please stop-I find your conversation offensive."
Lord, please help me to love and pray for this individual. Please grant me patience, forgiveness, and strength. Keep me from gossip or retaliation. Allow me to be a witness for your glory!

Grandaughter's Tears

My grandaughter G had mommy call me the other night because she was upset. She got on the phone and between sobs said, "I miss you Grandma, I want you to come back." Please pray for her. She's been having trouble adjusting to my absence, even though it's been over a year. She gets in trouble at school and with Daddy, her twin sister bosses her around and she doesn't say anything (just stuffs it all inside). God, bless this precious little angel. Help her cope and learn to use her words in order to express herself. Assist us both with the hurt in our heart. Surround her with people who would bolster her up, teach her about Jesus and support her with love (at home, school, and play). I pray for my daughter and her family, Lord please assist them with the daily stresses of life. Teach them to look towards heaven for their needs and to be thankful for all that you have given us. Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for counting every tear we shed and for your glorious omnipotence that covers us with each breath we take.

Texas Weather

Texas has a saying "If you don't like the weather, give it a minute." It's really true too. It could be sunny and warm, you blink and it's windy and rainy. It could be in the 70's one day, and by evening it's 40 degrees. I'd sure hate to be a meteorologist in the Lone Star State. You never get anything right!

I long for my sunny California home. Pray for my personal endurance. I miss my home, my friends, and my family there. I miss my church and my job, the whole life I left behind!

Kid's Say the Darndest Things

These have to be original and genuine - no adult is this creative!

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you have to look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six."

STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom goodnight. "I love you so much, that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain-killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?"

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my
teeth cough."

DREW (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what will happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for awhile and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust" He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) Leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, what is butt dust?"

How to Love Meanies and Misfits by Jack Klumpenhower

Are you like me? I often find myself edging away from people who aren’t fun to be with. I avoid those who don’t fit in or might not be nice to me, but Jesus said, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). Such love isn’t easy. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding” (Philippians 1:9, NLT). You see, the Bible links loving with getting to know and understand Jesus, which is a lifelong process. Thankfully, the Bible also points out markers along this road—truths we can learn and pray about and begin to live out—that help us love those meanies and misfits.

Here are four of them:
1. Understand your own failure. Jesus told the proud Jewish leaders, “I know you don’t have God’s love within you” (John 5:42, NLT). Pride and love don’t mix. As we realize how deeply we’ve failed God and how he loves us anyway, we become less critical of others. When we stop being judgmental, we’re able to love other messed up people.
2. Know where your security lies. Paul told the Colossian believers that their love came from their confident hope in what God had reserved for them in heaven (Colossians 1:5). Loving hard-to-love people is risky. We may lose money, time, reputation and privacy. Only a deep assurance that God will take care of us and give us great rewards will free us to sacrifice self-security for the sake of other people.
3. Live in community. The Bible says, “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24, NLT). We cannot overcome pride and self-security without other believers to help us. We must admit our struggles to each other, daily if possible, and encourage each other with God’s promises.
4. Most importantly, believe your status in Jesus. Jesus is the best there ever was at loving meanies and misfits. He befriended smelly fishermen, prostitutes, dishonest tax collectors, and the thief on the cross next to him. If Jesus were anyone else, this would make us say, “Why bother? I could never love so well.” But Jesus is our Savior who died and rose for us, so the way he loved becomes our résumé. What’s more, God “has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5, NLT). Who you are—both your standing before God and your heart itself—has fundamentally and forever changed. Until we reach the next life, our love for meanies and misfits will be a struggle. But we go at it with confidence because we know it is our calling and our true heart. Never think this love is beyond your grasp. No! You are a child of God. Love for others is your birthright, your anthem and your destiny.

From My Friend Sherlane

St. Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you know that living the life God has planned for you is the only way to true happiness and joy, and God has a specific plan for each of you.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you forgive others so that God will forgive you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let his presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.