Love In Pure Form

I just remembered an evening about a year ago when God showed me Love In Pure Form. I had flown in and was visiting with my granddaughters for the week and sleeping on their bottom bunk bed. (It was the night before I had to leave). They were 5 and sharing the top bunk. I miss them and worry about them, and I know they probably have been to church only the 1/2 dozen times I took them before I moved away. I worry about their spirituality and wonder if they know about Jesus or God. I had flashbacks of my own son (at about their age) going to church for the first time at Christmas and saying, "Who are Mary and Joseph? Who is Jesus?" Tears, buckets of tears. Anyway, I said, "Do you want to say a bedtime prayer with Grandma?" I started to recite, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." Grace said (yes, they are twins named Faith and Grace) "I pray the Lord my soul to keep..." I was shocked, and thrilled, and with great surprise said, "How do you know that prayer?" She said, "C (her little brother) has a teddy bear that says it. Do you want me to go get it?" I said, "No." But, we finished our prayer.

Suddenly, it was clear to me that He loves them even more then I do! I mean bright light clear. How foolish I was to think that my prayers, my love, my hopes and dreams for them could even compare to His! Like I was their only lifeline to Him! (I'm so ignorant and gullible and mortal sometimes. I feel as if my brain is stuffed with cotton fluff). He told me, in that moment, without words; He will take care of them, protect them, guide them, and love them. My love for them is immeasurable and His surpasses understanding! He blessed me with children and grandchildren, and He blessed me with a glimpse of Love In Pure Form. It was so cleansing and humbling...all I could do was cry. Buckets and buckets and buckets of tears. Happy tears. For a good hour. I felt enveloped in the most beautiful expression of love anyone could ever hope to experience!

My Head Hurts

My head always hurts. I have a headache 4 out of 7 days a week. Sometimes, it's a full blown migraine. I have no idea why. Sometimes, I think it is a hormone imbalance...other days I know it's sinus/allergy, plus I have a degenerative disc in my neck and I know it (and my back) are out of alignment, still other times it's stress. I'm sick of headaches. Sick of them! I hate them. They are all consuming. Like they have a life of their own. No fun. Paralyzing. They make me cranky. Going to work and popping tylenol or asprin or advil every 3-4 hours (I push it on really bad days and take them an hour early), is a pathetic existence. My husband thinks I'm hypochondriac "like my mother". I'm nothing like my mother in that respect. But, his intolerance for "weakness" and "imperfection" only bring on more headaches. Sometimes, I wish God would just bring me home so I would never again have another headache.

Electric Light Parade

Have any of you ever been to Disneyland? It's Disney's 50 year anniversary this year, so after the Electric Light Parade (a nightly tradition at Disneyland...just an hour before closing they parade through the park with all kinds of "floats" made from thousands of lights) they also have fireworks. It was breathtaking! No matter how many pictures I tried to take, they just didn't do it justice. The light parade makes it a truly "magical" experience for kids and adults alike. It has synthesizers too and the people on or "in" the floats "interact" with the audience. I recommend it to almost everybody! Bring out the child in yourself!

Going on Rides

The kids had no problem on the kiddie rides. F even went on some big people rides (G got scared on Space Mountain and wouldn't go back on). But, Grandma braved the big ferris wheel for their sake. Here is J with the kids on one of their roller coasters. The lines are always horrible though. Especially for favorites like Splash Mountain! They accidentally took both the girls on this hotel terror ride and they ran off crying to Grandma...F says, "those people are NOT normal"!

DISNEYLAND VISIT

We had a wonderful time with the grandbabies at Disneyland in Anaheim. My grandson was a little young, but my granddaughters were the perfect age for it! I wish EVERY child could experience it once in their lifetime. I thank God that I was blessed by my husband and got to experience it with them (and my daughter/their mommy)!

Prayer Request

My cousin B and his wife were in a motorcycle accident and hurt badly in Green Bay. They are now out of ICU, but your prayers for a complete and speedy recovery are urgently needed. His mother and father, (my aunt and uncle-obviously), need prayer for health concerns as well.

My sister and I have had a disagreement and I would ask your prayers for healing and understanding in the hearts of both. Also, for direction and guidance over the issue that first began the disagreement. Lord, have your will and your way prevail in the outcome with clarity and peace as well as forgiveness for both.

Heavenly father, I lift all these things to you in solemn prayer. I praise you for your love and healing touch; may you heal/repair/strengthen my family in every way. It's easy for the carnal mind to get caught up in emotions and stress, to become muddled with anger and petty grudges. Release me from these negative holds and crush the advesary beneath your feet. Forgive my indiscretions and hold me close Father.

These things I pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Ma and Pa

I just wanted to say how much I treasure my Mom and Dad (we call them Ma and Pa...after an old family show Ma & Pa Kettle, a term of endearment). As they approach their golden wedding anniversary I've come to realize how much I've taken their presence for granted. I love them with all my heart and instinctively count on them "being there" whenever I need them. But, as I age and they age mortality suddenly comes to the forefront. And even though we share in the love of Jesus Christ--we'll be together in heaven one day--I still cherish the moments I have now! I'm endeavoring to call and visit more often then in years past, because despite all the problems or history we may have as a family I KNOW how much they love me and they know how much I love them. Thank you Lord, for giving me my parents. Bless them and keep them close to you always.

Milestone Anniversary

My parents will celebrate their 50th Wedding anniversary in January. That's a milestone! Not many people make it that far anymore. My sister put out a request for gift ideas and I'm copying the plea. We're on a very tight budget with little to spare and I'm afraid a big bash will be out of the question. But, I wanted to do something heartfelt and personal for them...so they would know the family is celebrating with them in spirit, even if we can't be there in person. I mean, there's always the traditional little gifts of gold, but I was hoping for something creative that just the two of them could do. Perhaps even a little romantic? Any suggestions?

Hollywood Heros

This came to me via email, and I couldn't copy the photos of the actors. But it's very interesting!

Alec Guinness (Star Wars~Bridge over the River Kwai) operated a British Royal Navy landing craft on D-Day.

James Doohan ("Scotty" on Star Trek) landed in Normandy with the U. S. Army on D-Day.

Donald Pleasance (The Great Escape) really was an R. A. F. pilot who was shot down, held prisoner and tortured by the Germans.

David Niven was a Sandhurst graduate and Lt. Colonel of the British Commandos in Normandy.

James Stewart Entered the Army Air Force as a private and worked his way to the rank of Colonel. During World War II, Stewart served as a bomber pilot, his service record crediting him with leading more than 20 missions over Germany, and taking part in hundreds of air strikes during his tour of duty.

Stewart earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, France's Croix de Guerre,and 7 Battle Stars during World War II.

In peace time, Stewart continued to be an active member of the Air Force as a reservist, reaching the rank of Brigadier General before retiring in the late 1950's.

Clark Gable (Mega-Movie Star when war broke out) Although he was beyond the draft age at the time the U.S. entered WW II. Clark Gable enlisted as a private in the AAF on Aug. 12, 1942 at Los Angeles. He attended the Officers' Candidate School at Miami Beach, Fla. and graduated as a second lieutenant on Oct. 28, 1942. He then attended aerial gunnery school and in Feb. 1943 he was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook where flew operational missions over Europe in B-17s.

Capt. Gable returned to the U.S. in Oct. 1943 and was relieved from active duty as a major on Jun. 12, 1944 at his own request, since he was over-age for combat.

Charlton Heston was an Army Air Corps Sergeant in Kodiak.

Earnest Borgnine was a U. S. Navy Gunners Mate 1935-1945.


Charles Durning was a U. S. Army Ranger at Normandy earning a Silver Star and awarded the Purple Heart.

Charles Bronson was a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps, more specifically on B-29s in the 20th Air Force out of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan.

George C. Scott was a decorated U. S. Marine.

Eddie Albert (Green Acres TV) was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic action as a U. S. Naval officer aiding Marines at the horrific battle on the island of Tarawa in the Pacific Nov. 1943.

Brian Keith served as a U.S. Marine rear gunner in several actions against the Japanese on Rabaul in the Pacific.

Lee Marvin was a U.S. Marine on Saipan during the Marianas campaign when he was wounded earning the Purple Heart.

John Russell: In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he received a battlefield commission and was wounded and highly decorated for valor at Guadalcanal.

Robert Ryan was a U.S. Marine who served with the OSS in Yugoslavia.

Tyrone Power (an established movie star when Pearl Harbor was bombed) joined the US. . Marines, was a pilot flying supplies into, and wounded Marines out of, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Audie Murphy, little 5'5" tall 110 pound guy from Bay City, Texas who played cowboy parts?

Most decorated serviceman of WWII and earned: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Star Medals, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Star Medals with "V", 2 Purple Hearts, U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 2 Distinguished Unit Emblems, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France) World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar, French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier, French Croix de Guerre With Silver Star, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Medal of Liberated France, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm.

So how do you feel the real heroes of the silver screen acted when compared to the hollywonks today who spray out anti-American drivel as they bite the hand that feeds them? Can you imagine these stars of yesteryear saying they hate our flag, making anti-war speeches, marching in anti-American parades and saying they hate our president? I thought not, neither did I!

The Testosterone Twins

Here are the testosterone twins. J (on the left) is 16 and B (on the right with one of his "pet" reptiles) is 15. J is my son and B is my stepson. They have to share a room and it is driving me crazy! Two teenagers in one room (and stepbrothers to boot) is enough to drive General Patton into a deep depression! When my other two sons were home and there were FOUR boys and my husband in the house, I would literally "escape" to my daughter's house for an estrogen fix. I ache for those days.
But, seriously, it's a difficult world for teenagers these days. Politics, drugs, television and video game influences...dysfunctional backgrounds from single parent households. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. We should be in prayer daily for our children, that's a given. But, we should also pray for their friends, teachers, neighbors, government leaders, and that they find God's purpose in their life. Lord, I pray that you surround our children with a hedge of protection and place a hand of guidance upon them. May they know you and love you completely, and may they meet people and make friends who would do the same. Help them find the mate YOU have chosen for them in the future. Lord God, we give their future over to you...for it is beyond our capability. Help us to be the parents you desire us to be. Thank you for being the omnipotent and omnipresent God that you are. These things we pray in His holy name, Amen.

Sunshine!

Sunshine always picks up my spirits. I've really been in a slump and kinda' down. But, the longer days and warm weather -along with the sunshine- help me trudge on. Thanks for summer God!

Vacation was Fun

BEFORE I make the decision to check out for good, I thought I'd share a photo from my recent vacation back "home" in California. This is me with my daughter and grandkids. The twins had gotten sick (G had 103 fever for 3 days and F was down for 1), but it was still fun just to be with them. My husband delivered a load nearby and we took a few hours to go to the zoo. 9 days just isn't enough when your heart is still planted there.

Checking Out

I'm seriously considering checking out of the blog business. It's supposed to be an online journal of sorts. My life is rather dull, pretty boring, and when there is some monumental piece to write...it's usually due to some catastrophe or calamity that just depresses everyone who reads it (and me even more then I already am). It's fun to share and see the lives of others (even when there is sadness and loss, it feels good to pray for the lives of brothers and sisters in Christ). But, I just don't look at it all that often and rarely if ever get comments or ideas or encouragement from anyone other then my sister or niece.

When Your Hut's on Fire....

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited
island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned
the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually
managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the
elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut
in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had
happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief,
and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the
island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the
weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going
bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even
in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your
little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal
that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider sharing/passing this on, because you never know who
feels as if their hut is on fire today.

Fly Away

EEEEEEeeeeeHAAAAaaawwww! I get to fly away to sunny California for an 8 day visit. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. I miss my kids and grandkids so much it actually hurts. I've gained weight and gotten depressed in recent months because of the loneliness. My husband is upset with me though, because I'll be gone for our anniversary. Originally, I had planned to take the days off to celebrate our anniversary. But, when it looked like he wasn't going to be able to get off, I asked if he had plans. He said no...but I guess he had a surprise in mind. He has a valid point , and cause to be upset. I AM being very selfish by going without him (he's on the road driving semi). But, a secret part of me hoped he would think of it as his anniversary present to me. He didn't. He resents it and now I can't wait to fly away even more, just to escape the barrage of verbal criticisms I'm getting on the phone. He makes me feel so guilty I feel like the worst wife in the world. Besides, he always manages to get a load out that way and visit for a few days with me (which will probably be the case again), but he is unforgiving. I just hope it doesn't spoil my visit.

More Devotionals

As Good Friday approaches and Easter Sunday is days away, I enjoy sharing these devotionals with you. Praise our Lord the risen Savior!

Scripture:"...as labor pains upon a pregnant woman."

Devotional: We have talked about this before. Once labor pains begin, the only become more intense and more frequent. The word is warning us here of the last days. The word says it will be like a thief in the night. We have heard that before, but in this context, to those of us in Christ, the day should not overtake us as a thief. Why? We live in the light. Not darkness. We are watchers. We are not asleep. We are not drunk. We are alert. We are suited up for the day of Christ coming to get us, OR us going to get Him. Either way, we win! We have seen many trials and tribulations in our world as of late. Tsunami's, hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorism, devastating fires, and the list goes on. The earth is groaning and alerting us to the day approaching. As destruction becomes more and more frequent, be a child of the light. Don't let the day take you off-guard. Even the things that await you today, this week, and the remainder of this year, be alert to what God is doing in you and around you. When sudden destruction comes.. "they" will not escape. As you see the world celebrate their sin. As you watch those around you enjoy the pleasures of this world. Pray for them. Their time is short. One way or another their time is short. Either their days of submitting to satan are about to be over, or they are on a countdown with an encounter with sudden destruction. You may feel foolish at times for what you see that others scoff at. Know this the scoffers have their appointment. That day will come like a thief. You however are not appointed to wrath. Jesus is our escape from the wrath to come. Watch the birth pangs as they become more intense and more frequent... know that the King is coming!

Prayer:That your eyes will be open to the things going on around you.

Reading:1 Thessalonians 5:1-12 ...read entire scripture.

One More Devotional

Scripture:
Acts 1:9-14 ...read entire scripture.

Summary:
"...why do you stand here gazing up into heaven"

Devotional:
Yes Jesus is coming soon, but what are you and I to do about it. The disciples here were standing and gazing into heaven. I mean, can you really blame them. After all the Man Jesus, who they had seen crucified, laid in a tomb, resurrected, appearing on an off to them, now speaks to them for one last time. Right in front of their eyes he physically is taken up into a cloud. Remarkable stuff. Then two men in white apparel... hmmm, I wonder who they could be? Either angels, painters, ice cream salesmen or...Col. Sanders (those are about the only people I know who wear white all the time). My belief is they were angles, told them to snap out of it.. Jesus would be back, and He would come back in the same manner He left..... in a cloud. They were given the news right then. He was not gone a few seconds and a promise of His return was given. So what did the disciples do. They stopped gazing, or looking with their EYES and began to prepare and LOOK with their HEART through PRAYER. They also got busy with the last command Jesus gave to them and that was loving each other and reaching the world.I think it would be a good idea if we did the same thing. Look (watch) for His return through prayer, and give ourself to the great commission. Our assignment is to be about the Father's business.Jesus is coming.... but we must see Him with our heart before we see Him with our eyes. We must receive Him in our heart before He is received again on earth. Jesus is coming.... can you SEE it??

Prayer:
To keep our eyes on Jesus

A Devotional from a Friend

Scripture:
"...redeeming the time, because the days are evil"

Devotional:
Most everyone reading this know of someone that should have had another day, week, month or year. If we could we would have had one more day with them. In some cases we did not know that last day would was going to be the last. The last time we would see that person in this life. Time is an important commodity. No one knows how much we have. We have already learned that life is a vapor... its here and it gone. Not only concerning death do we realize time is short. How many dads have walked their daughter wondering where the time went. How many moms see their little boys becoming men and wish they could hold their baby in their arms.... one more day. To be honest as I sit and write this tears are coming to my eyes because I realize either by death or by life, our time with each other is all to short. The word "redeem" in this scripture means to buy back. We can not actually buy back time with the people we love. People are only in our lives for a certain time. We only have so many moments with each other. But what if we looked at today as if we got it back. Suppose that a person you knew that you needed to share the gospel with moved, or worse ... died tomorrow. If you could buy back another day with that person. What would you do with it? Well, today is that day. The days are evil folks. Our time with our children are important. We only have so long to get them in church, rooted and grounded in the faith. Some only have so many opportunities to get in a right relationship with God. Lets wake up! Get ready, and make the most of this opportunity that has been given to us..... TODAY!

Prayer:
Strength to make the most of today

Reading:
Ephesians 5:8-21 ...read entire scripture.

Paul Harvey

Here is a pretty neat little thing
from Paul Harvey.

Paul Harvey Writes:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hannukah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.

From Blonde to Brunette

My husband has been bugging me to dye my hair brunette for years. So, as an early anniversary present ... I surprised him and did it. I've been a blonde my whole life (except one time years ago when my beautician messed up). I HATE IT. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. My son hates it. My stepson said it "isn't that different". I hope it really washes out after 20 washings like it says on the box. My husband hasn't even seen it yet. He'll be home tomorrow or the next day. I hope he enjoys his brief stint with a brunette ... because I'm going back to blonde SOON. (Before I go back home to California for a visit in 3 weeks)!!