MEDITATIONS AND MEMORIES

Hodge Podge

2012-01-26T05:44:00.000-06:00

This was my pansies from last year. We couldn't find any plants that looked good this year. We have mostly the ornamental kale that is pretty. Still plants from the summer. Our winter has not been bad enough to freeze much. Some of the farmers are getting their spring garden ready. I am anxiously waiting for my strawberries to make. I see plenty of blooms and a little fruit on them. We did them the old fashion way ~ with straw. Next year we are going to put down the black plastic.

We finally have one rooster crowing, 2 hens laying and 6 or 7 more hens to start. We had more roosters than we thought, so Silas gave all but one away. We still have plenty hens for us. when they all start laying.
The rooster we chose to keep is black with iridescent feathers. We are trying to find a suitable name for him. Since we got the extra roosters out we have peace in the hen house. Too many bosses tend to create chaos.

I am trying to get to my sewing room to work on quilt tops but seems my back won't let me sit for long.
I did a couple pot holders and dish clothes. I had several tops that were a heavier jersey. I had put them in the trash pile. I looked at them and decided to see what i could do with them. I cut the front and back
bottom and doubled the material and serge the outside. It made two nice size dish clothes. Then I cut the trim off. Thought I would save it maybe to go on a tote bag. I had stretchy pieces left so I cut them in strips and put them in my husbands bag he uses to tie stuff with. Bow, how is that for recycling?

So ~ instead of throwing everything away when you are cleaning out~ see if you can use it for something so simple as dish cloths or pot holders or dish clothes.

Have a blessed day.

GIVING PRAISE

2012-01-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

"Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." Psalm 30:4

"Sing O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains; for the Lord hath comforted his people; and will have mercy upon the afflicted." Isaiah 49:13

I was reminded of this scripture yesterday as we were going down the interstate. The traffic had come to almost a stand still. I started noticing the dead brush and naked trees on the side. (Stuff we just take for granted.) Trees that have shed all their leaves looked dead. But we know they will bud forth in the spring.

The thing that caught my interest were the few things that were still green. I noticed the wild holly with the red berries shining on the limbs. I noticed the wild palmetto plants. I saw several green bushes that I did not know the names of. Seem these stood out amongst all the dead debris and fallen trees that were rotting.
I would say that 98 % of the surroundings were dead or waiting to revive in the spring. This reminded me of the Christian shining in the midst of this dark and dreary world, letting their light shine.

I then looked up, way above the bushes and smaller trees and saw the pine tree. They had reached to the sun and were slightly waving their green tops in the breeze as if to give praise to the Son.
"What matter that all the surroundings lower down are dead or brown - we will stay above the shadows, in the light and lift our needles to the Lord." I could just about hear them say.

What about us? Are we looking up to the Son, today, and giving Him praise. Forget all the physical pain and the hurts and whatever trials might have come our way this week. Look to the Son of Righteous.

"Every day will I praise thee; and I will bless the; and I will praise thy name forever and forever." Psalm 145:2

CHOICES

2012-01-12T07:53:00.000-06:00

"I beseech ye therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:2

Sometimes we have the misconception when we start out on our Christian journey that all is going to be
easy and rosy. But as we go along, day by day, following the Lord we find there are a lot of rocks in the road. A lot of hard places ~ a lot of things we don't understand. What do we do in the heat of the battle ~ When things are not so easy anymore?

I have found in my Christian journey that God's way is the best way no matter what may come.
Just think of some of the Bible characters. They had hard choices to make. I think of the "Three Hebrew Children. The heat was on, literally! But they were determined to follow in God's path even if it meant being thrown into the heat. They would not bend their knee to a false idol. They did not bow - but, praise God, they didn't burn. The Lord was right there with them and delivered them.

Moses chose to folllow the Lord. For forty long years all he heard was grumbling and complaining. He was envied, he was criticised, No one really appreciated what he was doing, except Joshua and Aaron and maybe a few more.
What do we do when we aren't appreciated or we are criticised? What is our attitude then? Do we give up and say "What's the use. No one notices me anyway?" Or do we surrender it to the Lord and let Him handle the situation? It is easier to try and work things out within ourselves. I'll have to admit that I have done this more than once. I wonder why it is that we think we are capable of handling life's problems? The Lord is right here for us and wants us to let Him handle everything. I am always amazed at how the Lord works when we let Him.

I thought of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He was completely surrendered to the Lord. As they were stoning Him to death - he looked up and said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."   Oh, that we may have a right attitude toward those that do us wrong. May we forgive! The Lord forgave us! Why is it so hard for us to forgive others?   Not too long ago I found that I had an attitude of unforgiveness toward something that happened years ago. I thought I had forgiven, but in the recesses of my heart, the Lord showed me I still had a wrong spirit about it. I am so thankful for the workings of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest of all was the choice our Savior made to come down from heaven and all it's riches -
into this ugly, smutty world that has nothing to offer to really make man happy. So many are searching
for happiness but are looking for it in the wrong places. Jesus paid the Supreme sacrifice on Calvary that
we could be happy in what He has to offer. Salvation!   The greatest part is- it is free to anyone that will
make the choice to follow Him. It if cost money a lot of us would not be Christians today. It does not cost
money but there is a cost in following Him. Are we willing to pay the price to follow Him.? Are we willing to follow where He leads?   Our paths may not always be easy, but nowhere do I find in His Word where He told us life would always be easy. He doesn't promise us an easy path but He does promise that He will never leave us or forsake us!

There are so many examples in God's Word of choices Bible characters made. Some good and some not so good. I only chose a few.

I do not ask a place of ease
with nothing hard to do.
I only ask that in the test
that God would keep me true.

Dumb Ramblings

2012-01-07T10:44:00.000-06:00

Today I thought about the old home places. All the fun of being a child, growing into the teen age years,
my first day of high school. That was scary at first. So many different classes and three stories to climb.
Sometimes I still dream about not being able to find my class. I thought of the little town where everyone gathered on Saturdays. Mom and Dad to buy groceries and anything the family might need was their purpose.
We children and teenagers visited with our friends and had a coke and donut at the bakery in town. The thing that sticks in my mind is sitting in the car and just watching people. I don't know why that was amusing to me.

I can still see all the little shops and stores. The 5 and 10! I don't know why it was called that because very few items were 5 or 10 cents. I do remember the paper dolls. We could buy a book of dolls and clothes for twenty five cents. That was really a big thing with little girls back in the 50's. Did you ever check on paper dolls in our day now? I can't believe they are so expensive. Unless you grew up with paper dolls you really don't know what you missed. All the girls had them.

Better yet, you will be surprised what we did with Sears Roebuck Catalog. No, we did not use it for toilet paper. We cut out the models and the clothes and dressed them like paper dolls. Marbles? Yep! The boys played a lot of marbles. I use to play with my two brothers. Remember the big ole buckeye? We would draw a line in the dirt and who ever got nearest the line was first.

Do any of you remember hopscotch? What about jumping ropes? That was a recess game. We would stand in line for our turn, then we would have to name a movie star before we could jump in. Now, we were not allowed to go to the movies, and did not have a T.V. so what did I know about movie stars? Nothing! I just listened to the others and before long I could name as many movie stars as the next one. I had no idea who they were or what they looked like. I still don't know too many today. Oh, what about double jump rope? I loved it the most. My feet moved faster and I really enjoyed it. I think I heard someone call it Dutch rope. But it was just two jump ropes going ~ one and then the other right behind. Such fun.

Did you ever build your own play house with pine straw? That is the best kind because you can have as many rooms as you want. Just use the straw to divide the rooms. Leave a door opening into each one.
Find a log and a board and I had my table. Dishes? Whatever my imagination could find! Beds! Pile of straw and a rag over it for a sheet. No telling where my imagination took me. I was about eight years old and played by myself. The boys were out doing something else.

Oh, I did not mention the home made stilts. Did you ever walk on stilts? I remember walking down the street on stilts that a friend had. Seem I was five feet off the ground when in reality it was probably only
about two feet. Do kids know what they are today? I doubt it!

Did any of you ever do back bends? That was a hard one! I would practice and practice. Finally I came upon the idea that if I got in the ditch (dry) ~ my legs would be lower and I could touch the ground backwards. Yipee! I did it! Guess I was too tall for this. I never really conquered it ~ but it was fun trying.

Did you ever try to catch a bird with salt? I guess Mama wanted us outside, so she told us to get some salt and sit on the hood of the car and see if we could catch a bird. When we saw the bird we were suppose to throw the salt on his tail. Naturally, we finally threw it on the ground. I have often wondered what we would have done with that poor little bird if we had caught one.

Makes me wonder about the things kids do today for entertainment. Stay inside on computer or games or listening to music they ought not to listen too. I wish they knew what they are missing!

Just some dumb rambling! Don't know whether to post it or not ~~ but here goes! Dumb reading!

OTHER WORDS

2012-01-03T15:52:00.002-06:00

Since yesterday my husband has been finding the Greek meaning of words for his Sunday School Class.
I thought I would look at JOY in the Greek. I know, just a simple word!! But with lots of meaning.
Words that we need to keep before us.

1. To experience gladness. That which is pleasing
2. To be delighted. Enthusiastic
3. Cheerful ~ That which promotes good spirit.
4. Pleased ~Happy
5. Gratified ~ Opposed to sorry, or unhappy
6. Satisfied ~ Full to overflowing
7.Courage ~

To infuse life, courage, hope,solace and comfort.

We need to copy words like this and put them on our refrigerators, on our mirrors
or anywhere that they may be seen. A constant reminder to rejoice.

Have you rejoiced today? I know, I know~ I am stuck on Rejoice ~ but that is a good place to be.

Have a happy, joyous, cheerful day. Delight in the Lord and you will be satisfied.

REJOICE

2012-01-02T16:51:00.000-06:00

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say , Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory." Philippians 4:19

I have been made to realize this past year that the God of the valleys is also the God of the mountains.
When adversities come, when sickness comes, when our world is turned upside down ~ He is still God.
Who am I to question why certain things come to disturb my peace?   I will have to admit I have questioned "Why Lord," in certain situations this past year. I have also had to ask the Lord's forgiveness for not trusting Him more.
Did you notice the first verse states that we are to rejoice always. Did you notice, also, that it was repeated?   "Again I say rejoice!"

The devil does not want us to joy in the God of our salvation.   I call the book of Philippians the "JOY"
book. Way before I had a Bible with foot notes this book was one of my favorites. I went through and counted the times joy, rejoice or some other form of this word was found. I thought I had all the words counted, when I came upon another form of rejoice. Finally I came up with 18.

It is important in our Christian life to rejoice. We have so many things to rejoice about. Seems we sometimes take things for granted. But the more we rejoice ~ the less room the devil has to get us down and discouraged.
We might have to learn to look at life from a happier angle. Get off the negative track and get on the rejoicing track. Get on the B-I-B-L-E track that leads to H-E-A-V-E-N.    Start this year off right. Get in God's Word, bathe yourself in it. Then Rejoice in the Lord regardless of what He sends.

Philippians 4:19, a favorite to so many, has been proven over and over. God has supplied our every need. And the good thing is He will keep supplying our every need. How many "wants" has He given, also. I don't feel worthy and sometimes wonder why He is so good to me. Isn't there a song that says He treats me like I was His only child? He delights in blessing His children.

The beginning of 2012 is a good time to thank Him and rejoice in His Love and keep doing it everyday.

A NEW YEAR

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." (Philippians 3:13)

The year is like a journal. The page is white to begin with. At times I will write and then have to mark something out. It is then that I start over. But not so with each day. When the day is gone we can't go back.

Get a journal and let's begin!!

There are a few things I want to write in my journal this year. First, I want the will of God done each day.

Sometimes it isn't easy to know His will so that means I will have to spend more time in the Word and Prayer to get the will of God. This I want to do.

Next, I want to be more compassionate and thoughtful of others. I want to make a difference in someone's life. Do you know that just a "Thinking of you" card might make a difference in someone's life? It is not a great big difference so that others will notice. It is all the little differences that will add up at the end of the year.

I want to write encouraging words down. As I have grown older I realize that young people need to be encouraged. Pastors need encouragement. The Saints need encouragement from each other. A blogger friend might need encouraged. Let's be an encourager!

I want to write pleasant thoughts. Positive thoughts! I don't want to dwell on negativity. I don't want to dwell on self. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight."
If we would pray that prayer each day we might find ourselves saying less. I want to watch my heart and my mouth.

I want to be a peace maker. Sometimes being a peace maker is not easy. Especially when it comes to family. But if giving up something to keep peace in the family, then keep peace! It is worth all the effort. The lord will make up the difference. This is just a few things that I want to do in 2012.

I have always like this poem. It has such a good meaning.

THE BRIDGE BUILDER

"An old man going a lone highway,

Came at the evening, cold and gray.

To the chasm vast and deep and wide,

Through which was flowing a raging tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim:

The sullen stream had no fears for him;

But he turned when safe on the other side,

And built a bridge to span the tide.

'Old man' said a fellow-pilgrim near;

'You are wasting your strength building here;

Your journey will end with the closing day;

You never again will pass this way.

You've crossed the chasm deep and wide,

Why build this bridge at eventide?'

The builder lifted his old gray head.

'Good friend, in the path I have come,' he said,

There followeth after me today;

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm which has been as naught to me,

To the fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."

Now that I am older and have crossed many bridges that someone built for me ~ I realize how important it is to be a bridge builder for the younger generation. This I want to do. I may not accomplish everything I set out to do in 2012 ~ but we need a journal to write some plans. At the end of the year I want my journal to be pleasing to God. What will you put in your journal? At the end of each day, let's look back over our journal and take inventory. Whether our journals are written on the fly leaf of your mind, or written down on paper ~ let's just take a peek at it. Tomorrow is another day!

Adoring Him

2011-12-28T16:09:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. The most wonderful part about mine was going to church.
I did not know how many would be there on Christmas Day, but the church was full.. Our Pastor preached a message on Come and adore Him. He then ask if anyone wanted to say "I adore the Lord because"... and
you fill in the blank. Many testimonies of why we adore Him. Of course we only said one. But we have many
reasons to adore Him. Not just at Christmas but throughout every day.

Just began to think of the reasons why we need to adore Him! I am going to try at least once a week to write about something He has done and adore Him for it. If you want to join in let me know and we will have a time of praise at least one day a week. Or we can sent others to your blog. Let's adore Him this coming year.

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty god, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

To try and write something new about Christmas is beyond my ability. But there is something about the Christmas Story that never grows old. I'm so thankful for The Christmas Story.

We think of the circumstances of Jesus' birth. They are very important because His incarnation is the foundation of the Christian Faith . Had He been born an ordinary man, even though a good man, He could never had become our Savior. Sinful man can be saved only by the Sinless Man, and this Sinless Man could not have been born in the usual way. God intervened supernaturally to provide a lost and dying race with One who is able to redeem us from all our transgressions.

God sent an angel to Mary with a very special message. She was to bring the Savior of mankind into the world. It was Gabriel that brought the message to her. It is interesting to me that God did not choose someone from the nation's capital, Jerusalem, to be the mother of the Messiah. He went outside the religious establishment and chose one who lived in a place far removed from that part of the nation.

Mary did not understand a lot of things. She was already betrothed to Joseph. Bethrotal was as binding as marriage. Mary's reaction to this announcement by Gabriel reflects her godly, humble nature.
She was to have a son and she was to call His name Jesus. (Mary was not even free to name her own child.) But Gabriel began to tell her that Jesus meant Joshua, meaning "Jehovah saves." Mary learned that she was to bear a special Child and His greatness could not be compared with that of any others who had ever lived. His Name would be exalted above any other name in heaven and earth.
"He shall be Great, He shall be called the Son of the Highest and God will give Him the throne of David."

Jesus' virgin birth, through the agency of the Holy Ghost, is something beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Yet, His coming to earth as a babe is something with which we can identify. We, who have children know the process of growth and development that took place through the years. But perhaps we have not stop to consider the significance of Jesus coming as an infant. By doing so, Jesus fully identified even with the earliest of human experiences. Jesus knows what it is to be human. He understands the struggles we face. And because He understands, He is able to help us in our times of difficulty.

I'm so glad for a young maiden, Mary, that was willing to go through whatever came. She put her reputation on the line. She went through the years with Jesus - knowing she had a responsibility in raising Him. She suffered heartache and sorrow and felt pain just like we do. I have often wondered what Mary's thoughts must have been as Jesus grew up. She knew He came to earth with a purpose in view. I know she has been lifted up as a saint.

I'm not trying to minimize the part she played as the Mother of our Savior, but she surely is not the one to pray to. Roman Catholic theology teaches that Mary, herself, was full of grace and is now the giver of grace to others. Wrong! Mary was the recipient of grace, not the giver. She was "highly favored " as the one that God used. Highly favored in Ephesians 1:6 literally means "made us acceptable" or "graced us".
Her high favor and praise are the result of God's grace being extended to her.
In dealing with Mary - God was saying that He would go to them that sought Him. Those who fear Him enjoy His mercy

It is still the same today. He comes to where we are and lifts us to where He is.

Thank God for His faithfulness especially during this Christmas season when we celebrate His birth. Keep you focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Like the song writer,
Merry Christmas All Year Long. Wrap the gift of me and place it under the tree.

THE DARKER THENIGHT ~ THE BRIGHTER THE LIGHT

2011-12-19T16:45:00.002-06:00

Christmas, to me is about Love. The more I seem to go through ~ the more He shows me that He lets some things happen because He loves me. I somehow have changed my focus of a Babe in a manger. I think more now on that Babe becoming our Great High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Our weaknesses, our failures, our helplessness. He knows how frail we are, yet we are His child and, He, like a earthly father should, takes our hand and leads and guides us. I am so thankful for that Leadership.

I love Him because He first loved me! I cannot comprehend His Love but I am so glad He Loves Me! Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."

This scripture means so much to me. Several years ago I was going through a trial and had no idea what to do. It seem mighty dark to me. It seemed that I was weighed down and this trial was consuming me. I prayed and prayed and could get no peace. I read the Word but just could not latch on to anything. One morning, in my devotion, I was all alone. I took my Bible and went before the Lord. I remember praying outloud and saying "Lord, this is your Word and I know there is an answer for every situation found here. Please help me~give me an answer~I can't bear this without your help."

You know those dark days that come in a Christians life? We are all alone not knowing which way to go or what to do! Not wanting to do the wrong thing~we do nothing but carry on. That particular morning after praying for awhile I opened the Bible and was reading in Jeremiah.

I read down to about the 15th verse when suddenly I felt impressed to stop and go back. I realized that I did not know a word I read. I started Chapter 31 over and verse 3 stood out like it was outlined. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with tender mercies have I drawn thee."

He loves me and there's more! His love is everlasting. I started dwelling on His Love and before I knew it I was weeping and thanking and praising Him for His love. I don't know how long I was in His presense~I just know His Sweet Presense was there. Suddenly I realized I had forgotten all about the heavy load~I was just bathing in His Presense. Did I get an answer to my problem? No~ but He loves me~Did I know what to do? No~but He loves me! I knew that He was all I needed. The load that I was carrying suddenly became lighter and I knew I could trust His Love. His Everlasting Love!

Just to think that He loves even me. A nothing, a nobody~ I am reminded of a song that a couple sing in church."Nothing but a speck of dirt, but He loves me." I had never heard that song before but it touched me.

I want to remember some things this Christmas and not just take them for granted.

His Love, His Tender Mercies that are new every day, His way of answering prayer. I am amazed at how the Lord answers prayer. Sometimes we come to Him with a problem and go our way just knowing how He will have to work to solve this particular problem! In our egotistical pride we think we know the answer. May I say, He never works like I thought He would. He works in His time and in His way and I am always amazed. I want to remember that I can't even walk without Him holding my Hand.

I have no idea what 2012 may bring. It may bring heart ache, it may bring sorrow, it may bring sickness ~ But it may be this very year the Lord will come. Until then we must carry on and not give up the battle. Just remember He Loves you and me with an Everlasting Love, a Love that will not let go. Go in His Love and be a blessing to someone. If the night gets dark, remember the darker the night, the brighter the light, when we walk with Him.

TWO BABES

2011-12-16T09:31:00.003-06:00

Two Babes In a Manger

The author of this story is not known but I came across it and thought it was good.

In 1994 twoAmericans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics in the public school. They were invited to teach at prisons, and a large orphange. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused and left in the care of a government- run program were living in an orphanage.They related the story in their own words.

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable,where the baby Jesus was born, and then placed in a manger. Through out the story, the children and orphange staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

Completeling the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, which was cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Some squares of flannel, cut from worn out night gown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought form the U.S. The orphans were assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about six years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately ~ until he came to the part where Mary put the Jesus in the manger, then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said... "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had no place to stay. I told him I had no mamma and pappa, and I have no place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have have a gift to give him like everyone else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good gift?" And Jesus told me "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody has ever given me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and told me I could stay with him~ for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that fell down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his little shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abondon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him ~~~for always

I've learned that it' not what you have in your life, but WHO you have in your life that counts " Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5: 16-18

What gifts would you bring to the manger?

Scrap Heap Projects

2011-12-14T13:43:00.000-06:00

These are the tote bags that I made out of old jeans
that I picked up at the thrift store. These are for my grand daughters. I am going to fill them with bath stuff and different odd and ends that I think they might enjoy. I might put a gift card in the pocket. The black is the front and back. The pocket is on the
back. They are square at the bottom.

These are the bigger ones. The jean one I cut so the pocket of the jeans would be the back side. Then I sewed a pocket on the inside. The trim covered the seam that showed. I them took the trim material and
finished off around the top and the straps.

The red one is canvas. I put the pocket on the outside and also a pocket on the inside. They are closed at the top with vel-cro sewed in so they won't come open. I re-did and old bag that was still good.
I will not use canvas again. It is too heavy to sew.

I had planned on trying to perfect this project but my plans got changed. Maybe during the year I can work on it. In the adult ones I might put footie's or whatever I see when I go shopping. My imagination might improve a little more and I will get them like I want them. Just thought I would show you my scrap heap projects.

2011-12-13T00:19:00.000-06:00

Doesn't this verse, that we all know by heart, sum up what Christmas is all about?   We are so blessed.

God gave us His only Son that we might have live forever with Him.
Had Jesus not come we would have no Christmas. Jesus is the Light of the world. We would be in darkness had He not come. He came that we might live. We would be dead in our trespasses and sins had He not come. He came because He loves us. Oh, what Love!

I cannot comprehend His love and His blessings but I sure am going to enjoy them. Not that I am worthy, but because He is a God that loves to bless His children.

I suppose I have thought more on how to be more compassionate this Christmas. I see so many needs. So many needy people. They are just waiting for someone to show them a little love.

What are we doing with our time? In the hustle and bustle of the season ~ are we taking time out to send someone a "Thinking of You" card? Will it hurt us to take a little time out to make a phone call and check on the sick? Will it hurt to give someone a hug? Will it hurt us to take a few dollars and buy a Christmas gift for the needy? Look around in church and you will find needs if you look for them.

Last week as I came home from the hospital I was weak and did not have the strength to do much. But I felt I wanted to bake a cake and send it to a friend from church who has been sick. I got the cake baked and ready for my husband to bring it to her. Before he could go ~ this friend pulled up and knocked on our door. She said she just wanted to get out and she just decided to stop by. She had never been here before.
As we sat and visited we found we were an encouragement to each other. Today I sent her a thank you card for being such a blessing

It just takes a little time and effort to encourage someone. I feel I have failed along this line but the Lord is helping me.

Today I sent a couple cards to some that have been sick, some that are going through decisions that aren't easy.   One young lady is having to put her Mom in a Nursing Home. This is not easy because I have gone through this and I know the heartache of having to do this. So I sent her a card trying to encourage her.

I am not tooting my own horn ~ I am just trying to do what I think the Lord wants me to do.   I want to have compassion and make a difference. To do this will have to be on purpose. We will always find ourselves too busy with our own things. Let's take time to show a little more compassion and pass around a little more cheer and love.
We never know what a difference we might make!   It might make someone have a little more Christmas cheer. Give it a try. At least, you will feel better. I am always reminded of the little song :

JESUS AND OTHERS AND YOU

WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPELL JOY,

JESUS AND OTHERS AND YOU

IN THE LIFE OF EACH GIRL AND EACH BOY.

J IS FOR JESUS FOR HE HAS FIRST PLACE.

O IS FOR OTHERS WE MEET FACE TO FACE.

Y IS FOR YOU IN WHATEVER YOU DO.

PUT THEM TOGETHER AND SPELL JOY.

LETS GET BUSY AND SPREAD SOME CHRISTMAS JOY!

Cold and Blessings

2011-12-09T07:03:00.001-06:00

Don't you like this picture? It looks so friendly and cozy. I do love   the snow and am I imagining a little smoke coming out the chimney?   We, yes, we southerners have been having weather in the upper twenties.   I know some of you from the cold part of the US ~ that is nothing to you. But with the rain and the cold together ( which Louisiana is known for) the chill factor is even lower. But it is cozy to be able to sit by the fireplace. Do you ever see things in the fire? Pictures, I mean!    It's like the clouds. I can imagine so many things in the clouds.

Christmas is getting near. I know it is a time when we celebrate our Savior's birthday. But my mind has been on those that will have no Christmas. Those that have lost their jobs, their homes. I am made to realize the needs that are out there. Wondering how compassionate are we as Christians? Sometimes we get wrapped up in our own little world and forget that not everyone has family. Not everyone has a home to call their own.
Some cannot afford to rent a place. Some will not have food for Christmas, much less gifts.

We know several that are really needy. What can we do? What will we do? We are so blessed! We want to pass some blessings along to others. We can do with out gifts. That has never been our big thing too much for each other.

I know we all like to get something. But I have always said that having the family together and just to have
my children to hug me and say I love you would be the nicest gift I could get.    What about those that have no family? I want to center my focus on others and be more compassionate and be a blessing.   The needs are out there. We might not have to look far to see then.

I just want to praise the Lord for touching my body. I have been in bed almost a month.I was not able to function by myself at all. I was getting weaker and weaker. I know my heart was in A-Fib, and when I went to the doctor Monday he put me in a wheel chair and brought me straight to the hospital.

Sunday (the day before) as I was in bed meditating, it seem that the Lord brought a blood pressure med I have been on for a few years to my mind. I started researching. Silas came in from church and said something to me about the same med ~ not knowing I had been thinking along the same lines. We found out that it could cause everything I have been experiencing for a year or more. I went to the Cardiologist Monday and he took me off of it and that is when he put me in the hospital.
The med that I was having trouble with could even caused the fast heart rate that I have been having. I have been home two days and yesterday I stayed up all day without getting so breathless and weak. I even walked in the yard several times. I made coffee for my husband this morning.   So again, I just want to praise the Lord and thank you for praying for me. He is a God that still specializes in healing, not only our souls but our bodies.

I am thinking better now so maybe I will be on here more often. Blessings to each of you.

                       Always, Aliene

What a God!

2011-12-02T10:20:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Adam, my grandson that I am homeschooling, had to quote this passage of scripture for his Bible class.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal.

But made Himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men;

And being fashioned as a men, He humble himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven,and things in the earth,and things under the earth;

That every tongue should confess That Jesus Christ is Lord,

To the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2: 5-11

We sat and talked about how that God, Majestic and Eternal ~ was willing to become man just for our sake.

What a God!

His humility and willingness to come and suffer that we as unworthy sinners would not have to go to hell.

What a God!

He left heaven and all it's glory and riches and came to earth as a poor carpenter's son.

What a God!

He served mankind, yet was rejected and hated.

We thought how that in our wildest imagination we can never know what He went through just for us.

What a God!

Yet, we so often are puffed up with pride and think we know best about the problems that come our way.

Stinking pride is one thing the Savior hates.

As we pondered, we were made to realize what a Great God we serve. We need to fall down before Him, Worship and adore Him.

O come let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

Not today or just through this Christmas season, but every day, all through the day ~ sing His praises. He is worthy!

Always, Aliene

JUST COULDN'T HELP MYSELF

2011-12-01T09:54:00.000-06:00

I know, I know,   more grandchildren. Nope! Same ones but just a new picture I got yesterday. Yesterday I showed you Caden, the day before was Tessa Rose. Today, here they are together. Don't you love that smile with his teeth showing?   Well, if you don' t- you ought to! Naw! You don't have to ~ Just let me brag.

When their Grandpa was born, (our son,Rick) I remember my Father in Law walking around at camp meeting showing Rick off. When we were in church one Sunday when Ricky was just learning to talk ~he saw his Paw-Paw preaching. He hollered out "Paw Paw."   His Paw-Paw just smiled and kept on preaching. Caden and Tessa are the 5th generation.   They have their own Paw- Paw now. Also greats.

Well enough about my sweet hearts. One day I just might post pictures of Silas and me~ when we met etc.
If I do that ~ will someone call the patty wagon?    What ever that is! Do you know where patty wagon came from?

I just want to tell you that I have been pretty sick.. I did not want to post all negative stuff ~ so I would not post. My heart has been going into A-Fib (fast heart rate) for months. I was in the hospital a couple days just to monitor my heart and get it back into rhythm. I was okay a week or so ~ but it happened again.
The meds reacted on me. I have not been able to get up because I was so short of breath. Went back to Cardiologist and he put me on a new blood thinner, since I can't take Coumadin. My weight jumped up with fluid and he put me on a fluid pill. In two days I had to double it. Yesterday I was in despair. We decided to go to E.R.   But felt like we needed to call the doctor again before we went. We were advised not to go to E.R. They sent out something for my heart to slow it down. It won't keep the A-Fib, but will help my blood pressure and slow heart down temporarily.   This morning I can get up and walk some without huffin and puffin.    I know this is not life threatening, but it sure makes you feel like your breath may be the last.. We are asking the Lord to heal this if it is His will. He has helped so many times when we have prayed.
We know He is a prayer answering God for He is real in our life and He loves His children,

I'm so glad I am a child of the God. We have so much to be thankful for. We praise Him everyday. He just blesses and blesses until sometimes our blessing cup runs over. We lift our hearts to Him everyday and place the day and whatever it brings into His hands. He is so worthy of our praises.

We had a Christmas Miracle at church Sunday night. You remember little Logan Watts that I posted about quite a bit. In April he feel on his head and there was little hope he would live. Doctors gave up on him. Said he would never come out of the coma, (he did) ~ then his motor skills were gone, he would never be able to function (he does) he would never hear again (he does) ~~~ I could go on and on. The days of miracles are not over. Sunday night he sang AT THE CROSS on the platform in church.   Every word was very clear. Logan asks that everyone pray for him to be able to walk again. He can walk with someone holding his hands, but that is not what he wants. God has brought him and his parents this far and I know He will not fail them now. I have never seem such faith as these parents have. They have been a blessing to the whole church family.

This is a hodge-podge post. Hope you can untangled it. Have a blessed day.

NANNY'S #2 SHOW OFF!

2011-11-30T11:24:00.000-06:00

"Please Nanny, can I get up now? How come adults want so many pictures, anyway? I know you want a picture of my bald head. That came from Daddy. He was 4 when he finally got hair. Beside, who cares, I don't have to shampoo or comb my hair. That sure saves me time for others things that I can get into. I know, you aren't through yet but please hurry. I mean how long can a little boy sit still, anyway! Whew! finally finished!"

That was in April. He was 2 November 7. We saw Caden Thanksgiving day and he has blond hair and curls. He is a love bug. I hope we can see them Christmas. I don't know why I am posting grand children pictures now. Guess they are on my mind. He is Tessa Rose's little brother.

She is in the previous post. Well, all I can say is I am a proud great grand parent. Guess you know that by now.

NANNY SHOWING OFF!

2011-11-28T13:29:00.001-06:00

Here she is practicing her poses for when she gets older. I just know she will enter a beauty pageant and win! Ha! Aren't we grand parents proud? This is our great grand daughter, Tessa Rose. We get to see her about one time a year. We saw her and her little brother Thanksgiving Day. He is 2 yrs. old. I will post a picture of him when I get a good picture.

Guess she is thinking Hollywood in this pose. I hope and pray not. At this age they are so innocent. It is not too early to pray that she will live for the Lord and not get into all that mess of the world.

Forgive me, but I just had to show off a little bit!

Oh, by the way, she looks like the Sanchez! Now, I really am showing off!

2011-11-23T10:40:00.000-06:00

Sending you greetings from our house to yours this Thanksgiving Day. I know a day is set aside but really every day should be Thanksgiving. We surely have had many blessings this pass year. Even in the times of trials and testings, God is good. In the time of sickness this year ( seems like this has been my year for that)

but the Lord touches and if He doesn't see fit, God is still good.

We wake up every day thanking the Lord for life ~ both physical and spiritually. We have a home the Lord has given us, clothes on our back, shoes on our feet ~ we could go on and on. God just pours out His blessings and keeps pouring! God is so good to us and we feel so unworthy. I don't know why He is so good to us but I do praise Him for He is worthy to be praised.

As we sit down with family and friends, or maybe you are by yourself ~ think of God's blessings and how good He is. Have a blessed day!

53 Wedding Anniversary

2011-11-15T10:58:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was our 53rd Wedding Anniversary. God has been so good to us. We know that He is the reason
that our marriage has been such a good one. I can't believe it has been 56 years since I first met Silas. We were Sophomores in high school. His Dad was a pastor in Shreveport, about 300miles away. I had gone with my pastor and his family to a church convention. They were starting a new church and worshiped in an old theater building. I had no idea he would be my husband then. He said he knew when he first met me that I would be his wife one day. Do you believe in love at first sight? Guess I was a little more conscious. Anyway, almost 3 years later we were married at my home church in Ponchatoula. I have never regretted that day!

I could go on and tell you all the good things and bad things we went through but I will just say that I am so thankful for the 53 years the Lord has given us and look forward to many more.

MEMORY

2011-11-13T08:03:00.000-06:00

I put this on the KJV Blog over a week ago. Thought I would post it here.

Do you have trouble remembering things? I don't mean a major memory lose. For example, if I am working in one room and need something in the laundry room I head out to get it. By the time I walk through the living room and dining room to get to the laundry room ~ I have forgotten what I came after. Guess what? I have to go all the way back to the original room and it suddenly dawns upon me what I need. So ~ I say the word out loud of what I needed in the first place and it sticks in my mind. I go after it. This time I remembered. Do you think it had anything with me saying the word out loud?

My husband and I were lying in the bed one morning this week. Somehow we started talking about our favorite verses. Many of you know that Psalms 37:4 is mine. "Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of thine heart." He said right behind me, "Commit thy way into the Lord, trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass." ( Seems those are his favorite, also.) Then we started quoting Scripture that we had memorized as young people. Verses and chapters like: Psalm 1, 121, 23 and others. John 14 and I don't know how many we ended up with.

I am so glad that we remembered those verses that are stored in the memory banks of our mind. When we need them the Lord brings them to our attention. I don't have to run to the Bible and find what the verse really says. (It is not like things I hunt for in my house. Running here and there to find what I am looking for.) It's right there for me to draw on.

It is important to teach our children the Scripture. It is something that will be with them the rest of our life.

2 TIMOTHY 2:15 "STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD."

Crazy Post!

2011-11-10T11:09:00.000-06:00

It is a beautiful day here in the LA. Suppose to get to 35 tonight. Usually when the forecast puts that out it is changed into the upper 30's. I have been waiting for the fire place to be burning. Although we might have a chilly morning ~ before the day is half over we are back in the 70's. Too hot for fireplace heat. So I guess I wait. Most of our leaves have not fallen yet. I like to watch them fall. Brings back memories of a big pile of leaves that Dad raked and we children running and jumping in. That was many years ago.

I have been trying to make tote bags out of old jeans. I have two finished. They turned out real cute. I want to make them for the great grand daughters. I plan on filling them with hair stuff, maybe socks, bath supplies that smell good. They like that, especially if something makes bubbles. For some crazy reason ~ I like bubbles, also.

(Not the chewing gum kind) Do any of you that are a little older remember the crazy little song? I only remember four lines of it.

Does your chewing gum lose it's favor

On the bed post over night

When your Mama tells you to spit it out

Do you swallow it in spite?

If any of you remember it ~ let's finish it. Do any of you remember lines of songs you heard as a kid?

Let's see how many we can get.

I remember a commercial on the radio. It was advertising Real Kill,the bug getter. Do any of you remember that?

Mama, mama, come quick, quick

Bugs are in the kitchen sink.

Oh, my dear, what shall we do

Too kill these bugs and others, too.

Mama, mama, Get Real Kill.

All right,my dear, I Will.

Mama, mama, get Real Kill,

All right,my dear I WILL.

Oh, and I can't forget IT'S YANKEE DOODLE TIME.

We have just finished our first quarter of home schooling. It went by pretty fast. Only three quarters to go for the 10th grade.

Seems like I am roaming all over on this post. But just have to tell you one more crazy little song. This must have been my husbands favorite. He was in the first grade. Christmas time was approaching. The teacher ask if anyone wanted to sing a little song. He raised his hand. This was his song.

Super Suds, Super Suds

A'int no soap like Super Suds.

Made me wonder if they needed washing powder. Which reminds me. I made my first batch of Home Made Detergent. Am doing my first load of laundry with it. Sure is cheaper than buying the liquid. I did like my sister in law does. I made it more concentrated by not adding as much water. Hey, Ya'll! that might be a good Christmas gift. Maybe Silas' song was not too far off. LOL.

Since I have been to China and back I'll go for now. Let me hear from you out there in blog land. I don't have my list of MY Blog Friends up. I put it up twice and it disappears. But I do have you under My Favorites.

So don't think I don't want to hear from you. I do!

Blessings!

2011-10-23T16:57:00.000-05:00

It has been a week since I felt like posting. We are waiting for time to go to church. Had a good Sunday School Class on the Prodigal Son this morning. The girls listened and answered the questions. We are teaching the Books of the Bible. Just in four weeks since promotion three of the girls have learned the Books of the Law and the Books of History. Looks like I might have to buy more trophies at the end of this coming year.

Besides being present, bringing their Bibles, learning memory verses ~ We work on The Books of the Bible, The Ten Commandments and The Twenty Third Psalm. Plus have our lesson.

Had a good worship ~ I guess I enjoyed it so much because I have missed two Sundays.

Which gets me to the reason which most of you know. I had A-Fib and wound up in the hospital. I am much better. It is not the life threatening kind. Although while I was in A-Fib I felt like it was. I am on medication for it to keep my heart in rhythm. Hopefully and with the Lord's help I can get off that before long.

Just wanted to keep in touch. Thanks for praying for me. God does answer prayer.

Blessings until next time.

A Trip I had not planned!

2011-10-16T09:30:00.001-05:00

This is another good Lord's day. I am not able to go to church today but will watch the morning service live at 11:00
Since I blogged last I had to go to the emergency room. My heart went into A-fib. My rhythm was way up and I was so short of breath I could not do anything. This has been going on for awhile but my PCP thought it was my blood pressure and she was trying to regulate it. I think this has been bothering me a long time but I just thought it would go away.
They kept me overnight and monitored my heart. I saw a cardiologist and he said it was Atrial fibillation. If it is not attended to it could lead to blood clots. Then there would be a possibility of stroke. As far as I understand it is common in women more than men. But not life threatening. Naturally, never having heart
problems it gave me quite a fright.
With the Lord's help I know I will start feeling better. I want to be able to get back to housework and hobbies.
Just keep praying for me.

Lazy Chcikens

2011-10-13T09:14:00.000-05:00

Seems I am having trouble keeping my blog list up. I put some back on and then they disappeared.
Guess I will try again. Has anyone else had this trouble?

The hens are not laying yet. They were hatched the early part of April. It has been over six months.
My husband is feeding them what you are suppose to feed them. The rooster is crowing good. They all just want food all the time. Which is natural, I guess. Does anyone know anything about when hens are suppose to lay? Different people tell us different times. Some are saying they won't lay until Spring. We are ready for yard eggs.

I have not felt too well. Would you pray that I could get my blood pressure under control? It started vacillating for some reason. The doctor put me on a weekly patch. Hopefully it will level out.

I hope all of you are having a good week. Let me hear from you.

2011-10-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

I posted this on KJV blog and thought I would share it here.

"Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross." Hebrews 12:2

Taking up one's cross means simply that you are to go to the road which you see is the straight one;

Carrying whatever you find is yours to carry, as well and stoutly as you can: without making faces, or calling the people to come and look at you. Above all, you are neither to load or unload yourself,
nor cut your cross to your own liking. Some people think it would be better to have it large; and many, that they could carry it much faster if it was large, and even those who like it largest are usually very particular about it's being ornamental, and made of black ebony.

All you have to do is keep your back as straight as you can, and not think of what is upon it - above it-
not to boast of what is upon it.

It is not His cross that is heavy,

It is those our hands have made.

That hinder us on our journey,

On our aching shoulders laid;

There is strength for the load He gives us

And balm for the thorn He sends,

But none for the needless burdens

And none for our selfish ends.

For His yoke is easy to carry

And His burden is light iin weight:

He will do His share of the labor,

For He is true yoke mate.

Are we weary and heavy laden?

Are we anxious and full of care?

That is not the cross of His giving,

But the one we make and bear.

I don't know who wrote this poem but it is true. Sometimes we carry needless burdens and they get mighty heavy. But if we yoke up with Jesus He carries the heavy end. I have found this so true in my life. When the burden got too heavy I knew I was trying to carry it by myself. But His yoke is easy, His burden is light. I found it so, I found it so. He leadeth me by day and by night where living waters flow.

Have a blessed Lord's Day!