We've Been Working Hard

I'll try to catch up with posting and reading posts tomorrow......

My husband and I have been working for the last couple of days on our former carport , now patio. I'll bet we sweated off several pounds as well as built up some unused muscles in our backs and arms from moving pavers, stones and then moving them again when we decided to rearrange!

I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow morning and post them. It doesn't look like we spent all that time and effort, but we know we did!

And the thing is, all this will move out when we flip the front door/patio door later on. Our house is on the lot backward(we bought it this way). The front door is at the back of the house and the patio door is at the front. It will cost way less for us to switch the doors than to have the house re-set on the property. That's why the patio we just spent so much time on is only temporary!

A request for prayer

Tina and Dale

My friend, Tina, lost her cousin to a highway accident this week. Please remember her in your prayers. I understand her great loss, as I am also close to one of my male cousins. Dale was an incredible photographic artist who travelled everywhere to art shows to sell his art. No one did any work like his--it was unique and awe-inspiring. Even his frames were hand-made by him and were also one-of-a-kind works of art in themselves. He was a very personable fellow and she loved him very much. This is going to be very hard for her and she needs your prayers.
Thank you so much, anyone who reads this and prays for her!

Treasure Tuesday--my car

Treasure Tuesday is hosted by Faith over at http://faithfulmommy.typepad.com/

We were blessed to be able to afford our Magnum last year when we sold our house in Orange County and moved to AZ. It's the first new car either one of us has had in our lives. And since it is on the same chassis as the Chrysler 300, it drives like a luxury car. We looked at every SUV out there and decided that this would be our SUV. Since it's a wagon, we can put the back seats down and haul stuff. And we get an average of 27 miles a gallon.

We looked at little cars(Toyotas, Hondas etc) with better gas mileage but with 3 dogs and luggage on a trip to Mom's we decided that it would never fit. I try to visit my Mom about once a month. The 250 mile drive is so much better in this car. We looked at the Toyota, Honda and Nissan SUVs which didn't get good gas mileage and cost a lot more than the Magnum.

It's such a blessing to have a car that runs beautifully, is comfortable, has air conditioning that really works and I feel safe in. I thank the Lord everytime I drive it. I generally use part of my driving time to pray, which keeps me sane on the long drives I have to get to civilization.

Saturday Photo Hunt Subject-Love

My neice with her doggie that she got from the pound.

http://tnchick.com/

Friday's Feast #99

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you like your job? Job? What's that? I have been searching for one for a long time, with no success.

Soup
When was the last time you think you were lied to? I have a relative in my life who exaggerates and bends the truth all the time. I usually believe only about half of what that person tells me.

Salad
Share some lyrics from own of your favorite songs. How he loves us with great love he who sits enthroned above for our lives he spilled his blood sent his spirit like a flood Children of the Living God sing to the living God.....Fernando Ortega, "This Bright Hour" CD

Main Course
What do you do/take when you are in pain? It varies. Tylenol if it's not too bad, Aleve if it's joint or muscle pain and both if it's really bad. I cannot stand to take Vicodin or any of the codeine products--I hate how they make me feel.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: My Husband is very considerate. Right now, he is vacuuming. He already did the dishes!

Everyday Things--Coffee!

Coffee is my favorite everyday thing!

My indulgence is 100% Kona. No other coffee tastes like it. and it has to be Hilo Hattie's Kona. Several years ago, a friend (salesman whose territory includes Hawaii) brought me some back for my birthday. Forget those chocolate covered macadamia nuts--give me Kona coffee. I drink it hot and black. It bites back!

As coffee goes, Kona is very expensive, but by the cup, it's still a good deal--cheaper than a can of Pepsi. I used to live near a mall that had a Hilo Hattie store, but since we moved, I just order online.

Just like Carol at "She Lives" http://she-lives.typepad.com/she_lives/ I limit myself to 2 cups a day, or one cup if I plan to have iced tea or iced coffee in the afternoon.

Everyday Things is brought to you by: Everyday Mommy at http://everydaymommy.typepad.com/everyday_mommy/
Thank you!

Thursday Thirteen Why I Love My Spouse

I need to do this one. Phil and I have been sick for almost 2 weeks and I am tired of being in the house with him for that long.

1. He is considerate. In big ways and little ways

2. He loves dogs. Actually, he loves cats too. We used to have 2 kitties before they got very old.

3. He's easy going. I get MY way a lot!

4. He never makes fun of me when I go somewhere and get lost. My nickname is "WrongWay"

5. He lets me tell him how to drive. Sometimes, when he's had enough of it, he'll call me "Hyacinth" after that lady on the British comedy "Keeping Up Appearances" who henpecks her husband.

6. He watches the TV shows that I like. If I am watching home improvement shows, he goes in the den and plays games on the computer.

7. He doesn't mind if I do my own thing. I go visiting friends and family and he holds down the fort.

8. He doesn't mind if I have the light on to read when we go to bed, or if I can't sleep, turn the light back on. (That's a big one for me, because I have sleeping problems and reading settles me down)

9. He shares in the household chores. Everything except what I call poop patrol. He gets gaggy around the dog poop. I don't mind picking it up, so I do it.

10. He takes the trash out. I hate that job and will only do it if he's out of town. Probably a fair trade for poop patrol, don't you think?

11. He climbs the ladders. I am afraid of going past the second step on a ladder. I'm not afraid of heights, I'm afraid of falling!

12. Even though he is a non-believer, he never gripes or sabotages my attending church and church functions, nor interrupt me when I pray with friends on the phone.

13. He loves me and puts up with me, and that says it all.

Wordless Wednesday

To participate go to: www.reverberate58.blogspot.com

Matthew 13:47-50 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea........."

Works for me! Trifocals

These are my glasses and do they ever make my life easier! I have an astigmatism, but could always see pretty much okay without my glasses. Then I got old.....er, or rather my eyes got old and I couldn't read without glasses. So I first got some with bifocals. Those worked great! I could see really clearly, you know like seeing the individual leaves on trees and they made reading my tiny bible print super clear. It was fabulous!

Then, I noticed that when using the computer at work for the spreadsheets became more and more difficult to see clearly. I had a 19" flat panel and it didn't matter where on my desk it was, I was straining to see it, except if I brought it close to my face and tilted my head up so I could look at it thru the bifocals. That gave me neck problems after a while.

Then it was time to see the optometrist again for a check up. I told him my troubles with the computer screen and he said he had the solution, trifocals. He asked me if I wanted the blended lenses, but recommended the cut lenses for the first time user of trifocals. I got them, put them on and couldn't wait to get back to work to try them out. What a great invention--trifocals--they were made for computer work.

I have a friend who refuses to buy glasses. He cannot read any small print and uses whoever is near to read for him. He just bought a huge computer monitor and has the print as big as it will go. If he must read something and no one is around, he has a pair of his mother's reading glasses that he puts on, or if the print is very small, he uses a magnafying glass he keeps on the desk. One of my aunts never wore her glasses except when she was alone. Is it vanity or do they just hate something sitting on their nose? I never could figure that one out.

Treasure Tuesday

Here's 2 of my treasures. My nephew Dave and his son, Michael. This was taken on Mother's Day.

Dave is a wonderful guy. He is a giving and caring man. If you are his friend and you need him for anything at all--he is there. I am close with my neice and nephew because I was always very close to my sister. Growing up we always spent a lot of time with aunts and uncles and cousins. My son and I always spent a lot of time with my sister and and her son and daughter, almost like siblings. So I we were always close. He turned 30 last November and he has his own life. He lives in the next town over from his grandmother. I try to talk to him about once a week and see him when I visit my Mom.

He is a fine Christian man and he is a youth pastor at his church. I am so lucky to have him as part of my family and in my life!

I'm Full of Excuses..........

As I said! I have an excuse. A fellow(female) sufferer put this on her post about a year ago. I thought it was hilarious but true. I took a low-dose estrogen pill for a few years after my symptoms first appeared. Then my doctor and I decided about a year ago that I would go off the pill. When my mom was in her 70's she developed breast cancer--with no history of it in the family. I discussed with my doctor that she had taken HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for a really long time. I had heard the warnings about the link between breast cancer and HRT. Mom made thru and is heading for her 84th birthday next month. She detected it when it was still the size of a sesame seed, due to her active immune system. She went to the doctor to investigate a swollen lymph node under her arm, which led him to the cancer in the breast. She was going thru the surgery, chemo and radiation during the time that my dad was burned in a boat accident and subsequently passed away. My mother is a strong woman--I know that. Just try to argue with her to change her mind about something!

Anyway, I quit the estrogen pills a year ago. Last month, when I saw my doctor, we discussed the fact that I am still experiencing the symptoms in somewhat a lesser degree than when I first quit taking the pills, but still have them. He informed me that I may NEVER get over all the symptoms. I guess that why Mom took them for so long and one of my 80 yr old friends still takes them. And also, my body still remembers, "that time of the month", except that now it falls around the time of the full moon. I get PMS-ish, I crave chocolate (usually I am not that fond of chocolate--really!) and sometimes just a little crazy.

Yes, I tried Estroven, I even tried doubling it. I also tried the herbal supplements, even going so far as buying the ones that have special pills for daytime and special pills for night time. Pfffft! They don't work for my body. What works best for me is exercise every day, a relative low carb/nutritious diet and lots of water. Only small amounts of caffeine and no caffeinated soda. I have to keep my red meat consumption on the low side too. If I am using ground meat in a dish it is not hamburger, but turkey. I've found ways to make turkey burgers more palatable too. Lunchmeat is a no-no for me, as well as hot dogs, smoked sausage and brats--!!sigh!!

We eat lots of veggies (raw, steamed or stir-fried), Praise the Lord, I've always loved veggies. We also eat several meatless meals with either meat substitutes or beans as the protien. Why can't I lose weight, if I eat so healthy? Cause as the doc says, I still eat too much. Ding-dang it! What a drag it is getting old. Your metabolism slows down unless you do heavy duty aerobic exercises, you know, like going to a gym and "feeling the burn"???

There's no magic pill........yet. It's the old adage: Eat less, exercise more = lose weight

No excuses, just hard work!

Lord, today I pray to leave excuses behind. Give me Your strength to eat less and push myself a little harder when exercising. I know that if I have the faith of a mustard seed that You can do this for me, I can move mountains(of fat).

Here's the picture of Chickie

For everyone that commented that they couldn't see Chickie's picture, here she is.

I missed the Friday Feast, so here it is......

Keeping cool is an art form!

Appetizer

What is a word that you use that would not be considered common?

Hincky…..I use it to illustrate if something isn’t quite right. Then there’s this word that I picked up from a close friend……..Combustionated…..meaning someone is standing too close or a situation is making you feel closed in.

Soup

What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year?

Racecars in the office where the computer is and a free one on the kitchen fridge.

Salad

Name 3 people you speak with by telephone a regular basis.

1. Mom 2. Sister 3. Marlene

Main Course

If you could buy a new outfit for someone you know - who would it be and what would you purchase for them?

For my sister. I know her taste. I have bought her many things that she really likes and tends not to buy for herself. She looks great in color. I would probably buy her a turquoise or teal silky mandarin collared tunic blouse and a black flared or straight skirt in a soft and flowy fabric.

Dessert

What is the last beverage you drank?

Iced tea that I brewed this morning from tea leaves. A combination of Jasmine and Darjeeling. Put over purchased ice—no sugar.

Everyday Things

Are my poochies things? Well, they aren't people, so are they things. And since they are, they are my Favorite Everyday things!

First, is Chiquita, the Pekingese, we call her Chickie--we've had her the longest. We keep her hair cut short, so she may look funny for a Peke, but it's hot here and she likes to be outside. She is 10 years old and we got her from our vet when she was 5 yrs. She was blind when we got her(we had previously had a blind dog, so we knew what we were in for). She was a "dumped" dog. The people who brought her in wanted her put down because she had gone blind. She had been badly neglected and our vet kept her for 6 weeks after we said we would take her so that she could be nursed back to health. Now she has gone almost totally deaf. She wears a diaper in the house, because often she cannot find her way to the door to ask out. She is my lovey girl and like to sit on my lap and get petted. She asks for pets by putting her front paws together and moving them up and down. She like to sit outside and do some barking at least once a day.

Second, is Harry the Shih Tzu. 10 years old. We got him used when he was 8 years old from a guy who got remarried and her dogs did not get along with Harry. It was us or the dog pound. He is feisty and playful and talks a lot. He is a woo-woo dog(that the sound he makes when he plays--"Ah woo woo). He sleeps beside my husband at night and sits beside him on the couch. He is our alpha dog.

Lastly, is Teddy, the ???? Poodle/we don't know???. He closes his eyes when he sees the camera is going to flash. He has golden eyes. He was found at the side of a busy street near an unoccupied area and the canal, by one of the workers when our friend was building his house. They guy brought him to us, asking if we knew of anyone who had lost a dog. My husband took him and I snatched the puppy immediately. I knew he was going home with us. He was dehydrated and starving. When we took him to our vet, she said he was about 8 weeks old. So he is now 6 months old. He is a joy. He is full of energy and revs up the older dogs. He is sweet and full of fun. We've had many dogs in our lives, but never had a puppy. It's a new experience. Thankfully, I have several friends to give me advice and potty training was pretty easy with cage training.

I praise the Lord every day for my little companions. They listen to me when my husband is tired of hearing me complain. They hang out with me when I'm on the computer. They comfort me when I'm sad and rejoice with me when I'm happy. They're always glad to see me when I come in the house, even if I've just been outside watering the plants. They sit with me, give me puppy kisses. They entertain me with their antics. They are always happy. All the dogs in my life have taught me many things. How to love unconditionally. How to live in the moment and not worry about tomorrow. How to deal with death and loss. I know a lot about dogs and I understand that they are not just "little people". I know that their loyalty comes from the pack instinct. They want to please me because my spouse and I are the pack leaders. But they are my favorite everyday poochie-doodles!

Blogger.com got me good!

Well, let's see if this one sticks!

The last two posts I've done(Wed & Thurs) have disappeared from my blog. How about that? As I read more and more blogs, I have read about the disgust with Blogger.com, but I haven't had any problems with it, so just shrugged those comments off. I assumed (makes an ass of you and me) that since I hadn't had any problems in the past, I was good to go.

After I publish my post, I always go to my blog website and check to see if it posted and how it looks. I did that on Wednesday and on Thursday. But today, I went to my blog and the first post that came up was Tuesday's. Yikes! I've been robbed!

I suppose that I should look around for a new blog site? I know that Carol at "She Lives" uses Typepad, while other bloggers have their own websites. I am kinda lame on all this web stuff....oh I can get around it just fine and actually can find just about anything I want to look up. It's the programming end of it, where I fall on my face. I never could figure out how to put a picture of myself on my blog. Oh, blogger gives you a tutorial, sort of, and I thought I followed the instructions to the letter, but the picture never appeared. Couldn't figure out the links either.

Wonder if there is a class on web publishing at my local community college......I'll have to check it out.

Treasure Tuesday

This clock was a treasure. Yep I know the picture is not clear and if I had taken it to the Antiques Roadshow(which I watch), they would have said that I wasn't worth much. But, it was the only thing I had that belonged first to my great grandmother Sandford and then to my Grandmother. My uncle had it for a while too, but one time when he and his family were moving, I fished it out of the trash( he had thrown it out because it quit working).

I don't have it any longer either. It was stolen when our house was burglarized last year.

That burglary proved to me that where your heart is, is where your treasure lies. I realized that attaching memories to objects and then holding on to those objects can hold you down to this earth. I was a packrat. I had kept too many things. We had moved from a small house to this large one and it was still packed with things.

After the burglary, I watched an organizing show on TV and the person who was helping the packrat get rid of stuff told her this: "If it is so important, you need to display the object in a place of honor. BUT, things are not memories. You don't need things to keep your memories alive." I remember that when I want to packrat.

This helped me lately when we were unloading the container into our newly built garage. I was able to let go of a lot of things that I had made into treasures and they really weren't. I was able to pass on collections and clothing by donating them. And, more importantly, I am no longer the receiver of all the things my relatives no longer want.

So now treasures are real treasures. All my little ceramic and metal boxes were stolen and recently my aunt gave me a new one. It's a treasure that I don't have a picture of yet.

The Lord is Speaking to Me

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you." Proverbs 4:23-24

"We want to encourage you today to watch what you are saying. Your words have creative power and you can use them as a destructive force or as an instrument of blessing. If you continually speak negative words over your life, then eventual defeat will be the result. In the same way, if you speak words of faith and victory, you will see a harvest of blessing not only in your own life, but also in the lives of those around you. When you find yourself in a difficult situation, don't say the first thing that pops into your head. Learn to control your emotions and take those thoughts captive. When you use words of faith and victory God will fight your battles for you. You'll overcome every challenge that you face and you will live the abundant life that God has in store for you."

So, just as I was writing a comment on someone else's blog, about where I get my inspiration to write, and email came in with my 2 daily devotionals that come from Joel Osteen Ministries and The Purpose Driven Life. The above is from Joel Osteen Ministries.

I have been putting a lot of effort into curbing my tongue. When I get frustrated with a situation, I say bad words. As a matter of fact, as I was sitting here, typing, this particularly persistant fly wanted to land on my face. I waved him away a few times, then he landed on my lip. Honestly!
So I picked up some papers and tried to chase him down and swat him, with no luck. Can you feel the frustration level rising? He'd hide, only to come back, just as I managed to type a few words. That was it! As I stood, brandishing the papers to swat, I began calling him a string of words that would come out of a sailor's mouth.

The second I heard myself, I stopped and prayed a little prayer that the Lord would give me the strength to let go of anger and frustration, so that it doesn't pour out of my mouth. I know that there are things I need to let go of so that the Lord can fill those spaces with love and joy. Day by day, I am locating them and sweeping them out of my life.

God, make me an instrument of blessing to those around me. I praise You for giving me self control to hold my tongue rather than give life to negative thoughts. I want to have a positive life full of joy; let that be reflected in what I say today. In Jesus' name – Amen.

My thoughts on blogging and reading blogs

Carol at "She Lives" http://she-lives.typepad.com/she_lives/ asks(in orange type) My answers in lavender. Thanks, Carol for another stimulating topic of conversation!

--How do find the blogs you read regularly? I found Carol by going on google and putting in the search: Chrisitan women blogs--Praise the Lord that hers came up. I've gotten most of the other blogs that I read from her blog, either on the sidebar or memes.
-- When you leave a comment, do you frequently return to that post to check for the author's response? When I visit a blog for the first or second time, I rarely leave a comment. I save it as a favorite and usually visit it as often as I am on the computer. If there is something in the post, I will make a comment.
-- What types of situations might cause you to stop reading a blog that you once enjoyed? So far, I haven't stopped reading anyone's blog on my favorites. One of my favorite ladies disappeared. She had 2 blogs. I loved reading her postings. Veronica/Ronni was a gifted insightful writer and her blogs went blank and I have not been able to find that she is writing a blog anywhere on the net.
-- How much personal privacy do you try to maintain when posting on your own blog? I try to keep some personal privacy about where I live. You never know who could be reading in this day and age of identity theft and weirdos. I work at keeping the blog about my thoughts and feelings. Discussing information about relatives and friends is a NO NO.
-- What are your thoughts about encouraging offline friends to read your blog? I have told all of my friends that I have a blog and given the web address, but no one has said that they have ever read it. Oh well.....
-- What criteria do you look for in the blogs you enjoy reading? Or perhaps I should ask, what factors do your favorite blogs all have in common? Criteria and commonalilty is 1.) Christian, 2.) Women, 3.) Insightful writing 4.) Writing that stimulates me to think, pray and write.
-- Are there any blogs you read on a regular basis in which the author frequently expresses beliefs or opinions that completely contradict your own? No, I haven't come across a blog that completely contradicts my beliefs, since my criteria for finding blogs is VERY specific.
-- If you disagree with a blogger do you usually voice your perspective so they can see things from a different angle, or just ignore theirs and click away? If I have a different opinion, I would always leave a comment. Does the size of the person's readership influence this for you? Nope, size of readership doesn't influence me. I see it as they are still just one person, just like me.
-- Do you read and/or post on Saturdays and Sundays? Or are you predominantly at M-F blogger? I read all days of the week, but not every day. If my husband and I are driving into town, and I don't get up extra early to check in, I'll miss that day of blogging. Because I am a morning person and by evening, I don't usually want to even look at the computer.

5 Days of Blog

I have to apologize for signing up for 5 Days of Blog and then not posting all week. My days lately have consisted of heavy(and I mean that in pounds) physical labor. At the end of the day, my muscles--even in my hands are so sore that I literally cannot type! We have a very large container which was filled with items from our 3-car garage when we moved here last year. We have just finished putting up our new garage and have been moving everything from one to the other--not finished yet either. While we were at it, we also sorted through everything and so are no longer storing anything we will not use. So there's my excuse. I am so sorry for not honoring my committment. Next time, I will think about what is coming up in the week before I make an online commitment like that one. Thank you everyone who left your wonderful, encouraging comments.

Last night, I was reading in James about how what comes out of our mouths shows who we really are. I have a bad habit of using bad words (not using the Lord's name in vain, but rather talking like a sailor). It seems this last week as I am very tired, those words flow out of my mouth like water from a waterfall. I hear myself say them and flinch. I don't want to say them, but I do anyway. And I realized--I am trying to control this bad habit on my own strength. I haven't prayed about it, because, as usual, I think, "I can do this thing on my own--the Lord doesn't need to be bothered with something so trivial." But having read the verses, the Lord spoke to me about the words coming out of my mouth.

The verses were James 3: 5-13 "5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."

I have never had such a strong and immediate conviction. Continuing to use bad words in anger or frustration is a very poor witness for my unsaved spouse. He doesn't use ANY bad words. He has always thought it was funny that I did. But lately as my sore muscles and frustration level has risen, he has commented several times to me about my "anger". I try to excuse myself by saying I am just frustrated, but once I started hearing myself, it does sound very angry.

I pray, Father, that you give me your strength to let go of the need to vent frustration (and anger) by speaking bad words that spew a bad witness to my spouse. I ask, Lord that you put a lock on my lips and mind so that the words don't even form. Let me praise you instead. Let my life be a prayer to you, so that I may be a witness of Your Love and Kindness. Thru the name of Jesus I claim this. Amen

Post About Blogging

Ok, since Carol at "She Lives" brought up the subject "God reads my blog" and that maybe we should consider making it an uplifting testimony. I want to always be honest and forthright in my postings and as a Christian woman, I have feelings, opinions and thoughts that I would like to put down in writing. But when I post on a public forum, I am always aware that my post will be read by others. My blog is always going to show all sides of me. Sometimes, I just want to have fun and other times, I can be very serious.

At any moment, Mom, son, sister, niece, nephew, cousins, friends or people I don't even know could be reading my blog. Therefore, no disclosing of events in others lives is allowed without their written consent (e-mail) first. I know someone who really hurt a person that they wrote about. It's not even okay if I "change the names(and even relationship) to protect the innocent", because it's too easy to figure out who it in many instances--or--it can be misinterpreted to be someone you never intended. Gossip is gossip, no matter how it comes out. Best to speak for myself and myself alone. Address my own opinions and issues and leave others out of the posting.

My blog is not a sermonette. It is about my life. Sometimes, I am unhappy and discouraged. When I see it in print, I am encouraged to pray about that and to ask for prayer as well. I am forgiven by the blood of Jesus and I am not perfect. I am assured of everlasting life and look forward to the trumpet sound to call me up into the air to meet Jesus. But while I am still a sojourner on this earth, I will strive to be who I am--a Child of God who is a human being. This blog is a record of my journey. It may not be pretty or serious all the time, but it's me!

I have fought depression my whole life, even as a child. I have gone to psychotherapy and have taken various medications. I don't do either now. I have finally come to understand that my life has dramatic ups and downs--it's just the way I feel. Sometimes, I experience these ups and downs daily and other times, the cycle is longer. With the Lord's help, I have learned to ride the roller coaster of my emotional life. I know now I can pray and rest assured that when I am walking through "the valley of the shadow of death", I need not fear. The Lord comforts and protects me. I walk out of that valley into the "Son"light. I experience joy and serenity. These feelings do not have any power over me any longer. They're just feelings, they don't define me.

Hannah Hurnard wrote a few allegories; the first being "Hinds Feet in High Places". That's why I almost always think of Jesus as my shepherd who leads me into the high places. When I have a "down" time, I almost always ask Jesus to take my hand to lead me out. Sometimes, He has to carry me like a little lost sheep. I think of the companions that walk with the heroine of the story. Joy holding one hand and Sorrow holding the other hand. That story always said to me that in order to feel Joy, I will have to let myself also feel the Sorrow.

Father God, thank you for direct access through Jesus. I praise you today because of the constant blessings and insights you give me. I give thanks for the Christian women online who post and inspire me.

Friday Feast

APPETIZER
How funny on a scale of 1 to 10 am I?
I'm about a 5. Cannot tell a joke to save my life. I love to laugh at jokes. That's what attracted me to my sp0use. He can really tell a joke, and he can still make me laugh!

SOUP
A local restaurant I would recommend to a visitor?
We've been here a year now, and I have been very disappointed in the restaurants. I came from So. Calif and could name 100 fabu restaurants there. Coffee Shop--Mimi's in Goodyear. I'm still looking for a good Chinese, Mexican(or Southwest) and Sushi restaurants. For steak, you can't beat Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

SALAD
A lesson I was lucky enough to learn the easy way?
How to bargain. Almost everything you buy is negotiable. My former boss, Marco, taught me this. I used to think he was shamelessly cheap when he would bargain over purchases. Then I realized, that's how he got rich and stayed rich(good stewardship)--he never paid more than he absolutely had to for any item that he bought. I started doing it and save money all the time now.

MAIN COURSE
Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
Working as a Patient Advocate in a hospital. Either as a volunteer position or be paid for it. Patients who don't have family or friends to intercede for them with the overworked and understaffed hospital workers(RNs, LVNs, etc) can fall thru the cracks.

DESSERT
Headline on the front page of a newspaper dated June 2, 2106?
"THE 1,000 YEAR REIGN OF JESUS A GREAT SUCCESS"

Welcome Home to DD

WELCOME HOME!

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER AND HE LOVES ALL HIS CHILDREN

Love and prayers always,

Cathee

13 Things I Hate About Driving

1. It ALWAYS takes longer to get there than I think it's going to take.
2. If it's going to take longer than I think and I leave extra early, I get there way too soon and end up looking like I am loitering.
3. The Phoenix traffic is too fast, too slow.
4. Crazy drivers (I gave up being one of them--I am not crazy enough!)
5. Every place I go is far from my home.
6. The absurd cost of gas.
7. The traffic usually gets to me and I lose my temper.
8. Even if I am being a courteous driver, I cannot make everyone happy--someone usually manages to flip me off or honk at me.(for no reason that I can determine)
9. The drive used to be boring, but now I have found used books on CD--pretty cool!
10. Since the drive is usually long, I end up eating a meal on the road(don't make good choices about what to eat. Occasionally, I remember to bring something to eat)
11. I usually (almost always, for some reason) forget to bring something and have to turn around and go back home to get it.
12. My spouse always critisizes the way I drive, so mostly, I am the passenger.
13. The air pollution in Phoenix makes me want to hold my breath when I have to go to the City.

Satan's Victories Spoiled

For a few weeks now, our pastor has been going thru the effects of Satan on Christians. Last week, he talked about Christian marriages and how Satan can effect them. We see that the emphasis of Satan's current workings in our world is tearing down the family.

There are many ways for Satan to reap victory over Christian families. Today's society and the pressures of living on this planet are hard on Christian husbands and wives. The main push is to "take care of ME". Think FIRST about MY needs. What do "I" want? Is my spouse fullfilling MY NEEDS? I need to spoil myself sometimes......... That's what's put out there every day in all forms of media that is bombarding us. We take it in and it's stored in our subconscious.

Guess what? That is totally backward! If I am living for the Lord, I am thinking of others. I do everything as unto God, not for recognition, not for self-satisfaction or thinking that it will be returned in kind. I am to offer myself as a living sacrifice, every day, all day. If I can do this, how can I ever be dissatisfied, unhappy or depressed? If I am in His Will for me, Satan can NEVER have victory over me. If I keep my eyes on Jesus, give of myself and follow His teaching instead of listening to the world, I can live a happy fulfilled life.

Maybe my spouse will never accept the Lord and be saved, but I will continue to pray and treat him like the head of the household should be treated, with respect and love. I will be faithful to Jesus and offer my day to Him each morning and thank Him for the day when it's over. I am happy to be God's child and I know He will take care of all my needs. I don't have to expect my spouse to fulfill me or grant my wishes. God will aid me in my daily walk and lift me up on wings like eagles. He will take me to the High Places and I will walk with Jesus.

I claim this today as His daughter. Jesus has made me worthy thru His sacrifice on the cross. I would be ungrateful if I didn't not claim it and praise God for being a child of the King!