From Filling in the "O's" to Being Filled to Overflowing!

My experiences with the Church began even before I was born.  As far back as I can remember, I was taken to church by my parents and given a "living witness" of the love of Jesus Christ through them and others in our church.  As with a lot of children, possibly, (can only relate my own experience), I was somewhat bored with church and preaching and so I would amuse myself and try to sit still by "filling in the O's in the bulletins" each Sunday.

When I was eight years old, I gave my heart to Jesus, with all the faith an eight year old has.  As with many early professions of faith, there comes another time in your life when you actually learn what it means to have a CLOSE relationship with a risen Savior!  To actually walk with Him and talk to Him:) That time for me came when in college.  Won't get into all the details, let's just say I had a bad experience there which left it's scars for years.    I'm sure that all of you know what I'm talking about.  Those kind of scars that hurt deeply, but scab over and you kind of forget them, but the scar is always there to remind you--in my case, what never to do or where never to go again. 

It was during this time that my walk with the Lord became a very real and integral part of my life.  Oh, I've had plenty more scars come along during the years, but with each one, His mercy and grace have always been right there to pick up the pieces and teach me more about His Love!
I could tell you of many times through my life when Jesus has had his hand on me and protected me, even when being unaware. 
Our pastor said something this past Lord's Day that should have us all thinking.  "Are you any closer to your Lord now than you were a year ago?"  Oh, yes.........but it's a daily walk.  Because of the outpouring of His love into my life I strive to be more like Him in my everyday walk.
He has definitely filled me to overflowing, even though I am so undeserving.  When I'm "being still" and thinking of what He did for me........I mean REALLY thinking of what He did......taking my place on the Cross; dying there in my place for my sins; how do you say "thank you" to an act of love so profound?  He went willingly to the Cross.......so that his shed blood applied to my life makes me clean before the Father.  And because he did not stay in the grave, but arose, He is still alive today, and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
As I grow older, I care for "religiosity" less and a closer "relationship" with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords more!
I wish this type of relationship for you today.  Do I still stumble along the way?  YES!  Because I am human.  And in my weaknesses, He is made strong:

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee:  be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."  Isaiah 41: 10

Why not ask Him to be your source of Strength and your Savior today:)

HUBBY IN COOKING MOOD!!

Hubby got into an APPLE PIE cooking mood this a.m.  and, believe me, they're as good as they look!
This past late Nov. or early Dec., I've forgotten- we went to a local apple orchard and were able to spend all the time we wanted picking apples, ALL KINDS OF APPLES, from off the ground for $3.00 a bushel!  We picked McIntosh, Yellow Delicious, Red Delicious and Romes.  Of course, you know when they're that ripe, they won't last long, so they were cut up-put into freezer bags-and put into the freezer.
What a treat to have these FRESH apple pies today at the end of January when they are calling for more SNOW! 
I'd love to be able to pass all of you a piece right through the computer, but trust me, they are good!

PAW IN THE FACE!!

As I indicated in a post not long ago, we have been out of town on an emergency visit to help family.  Well, we are back home!  There really is NO PLACE LIKE HOME:)  As some of you know, I have a cat named "Leon".  He did not take too kindly to our leaving him home alone for three weeks, as was made most evident last night while trying to sleep.  First, he'd lay on me, then go over and lay on hubby, than back to me, back to hubby.......you get the idea. 
I realized he was suffering from "cat anxiety" and wanted to make sure we did not try to get up and leave again.

However, the old cat paws and LOUD purring at 3:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. is what had me up so early this morning. 
 By 4:30 a.m. I could take it no longer, so I got up and sat down with God's Word!  You know, some of the most precious, intimate times I've had with the Lord Jesus have been early in the morning (in Jewish tradition-during the 4th watch- 3:00am-6:00am).
I am getting ready to make a very difficult decision in my life and I need His guidance and could use your prayers! 
When I was a junior in High School, I gave my life to total service to the Lord with the musical talent He gave to me.  I went to a Christian college and received a Church Music degree (which you cannot get there now).  I have played the piano or organ somewhere every Sunday and Wednesday since I was a teenager.  My husband and I have longed to work in a ministry TOGETHER.  You see, I usually end up in the music ministry at church and he ends up working with children's church or young people's class.  We have a deep desire now in our latter years (not too latter...lol), 62 and 63, to either work together in a nursing home ministry or somewhere where we can minister to others in a one-on-one situation TOGETHER. Please pray for me as I plan to resign from my current position at our church and branch off into another area with my husband.  Please don't misunderstand me, because I think traditions are a good thing to a certain point-- but I am beginning to think we have "traditioned" the Holy Spirit right out of our services.  I, at this point in my life, am not so interested in belonging to a denomination, as serving a living Lord.  That doesn't mean I've not been able to serve Him in a denomination, I have.  But I have a sense of urgency about sharing Christ with others in more ways than just with my music.  HE IS COMING SOON!!  And we, my husband and I, want to have a more "hands on" approach to sharing  Christ with others. 
When Joshua was at the point of assuming Moses' responsibilities and lead the Jewish people into the promised land, the Lord said, "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Whenever I have earnestly sought God's will, He has never led me astray.  So I am trusting Him to take us in the direction He wants us to go.
He can do the same for you, my dear readers.......just have faith.........and if you don't have enough faith, He will give you that too!  He says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Don't forget to spend special time with the Lord each and every day!

COLD MORNING - BUT BIRDS DIDN'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

This is what I woke up to this morning..........

Now who but me could find beauty in red-winged black birds:)  I'm enamored by all God's creation!

And let's not forget the Robin, first sign of Spring to come!

"Let Everything that has breath Praise the Lord!"

My Wish For You Today

DaySpring E-Cards-click here!

Please Forgive Me

Please forgive me for not having posted in a while.  I was sick over Christmas and then very shortly after the New Year we had a family emergency which took us from home for about three weeks.  My cousin was in intensive care for over a week and then my dear Aunt discovered she had cancer.  However, I want to praise the Lord for putting my husband and me in a position where we could go and help.  He took an early retirement - we got rid of,  gave away, sold most of our "things" and moved into a trailer next to my brother.  What a relief to not have so many "things" to cling to.  AND, because we sold our nice home, we are now completely out of debt! 
You know, it's so comforting to know that  Jesus sees so far into my life and makes a way, a path to do His will.  I have looked back over the years and, what seemed at the time like tragedies, have ended up "working out for our good."   Because in our weakness, He is made strong! 
Yes, it's very hard when you are in that trial or valley to truly understand all the "why's" and "what if's".   But isn't that where our faith comes in? 
Well, just wanted you dear folks to know I've thought about you.....I do pray for any needs sent my way, and hope this post finds all of you well and joyful.
Please pray for my husband and me as we continue to seek His will for the "now" time in our lives.
And, by the way, I haven't seen my grandchildren since before Christmas.....and I miss them so much!!!   Hopefully, we will be able to return home soon and then "Mimi" and "Grandpa" can go visit their little "munchkins!"

Special New Year's Bloom!

MY SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S BLOOM!

Now why would I be so excited over one tiny bloom?  Because this special "Christmas" cactus, that did not bloom until yesterday, was a re-root of my mother's original.  And, since my mother passed away 13 years ago this past October, I have tried to keep her plants going.  When her vines or flowers have begun to wane, I would take a cutting and, after gaining new roots, would plant again.  All had been successful except this particular plant.  It is from a re-rooted leaf.  I'm not sure why it has taken so long to put out blooms, but I think once I changed the type soil it was originally started in, and then placed it outside during the Summers, I now have a blooming "Christimas" Cactus!  It was well worth the wait, and looks as if there will be several other blooms coming soon.

You see, I'm just kind of a flora nut.  I love flowers, birds, fungi, trees, well  I guess just about anything God has made brings me to an "awestruck" stage.  Can't wait until the crocuses, daffodils and tulips come up!

If you have a pic of a special flower of yours, and possibly a story to go with it (or not), send it to me, would love to see it:)