A NEW DAY!

Thank the Lord for new days.........a clean slate every morning.  I'm learning to be careful about what I think on before my feet touch the floor.  His mercies are new everyday......and I don't know about you, but I DO need his tender mercy and grace each day.  "Jesus, I thank you for another day to, hopefully, be a blessing to someone; to learn more about you.
A close friend of mine recently prompted me to get back to my blog.  You see, since I signed up on Facebook, I've been spending a lot of time there.  It is about the only place where I can go and see how my children and family are doing.  But I also tend to waste time playing a few of the games there.  I love any form of Bingo.  Downfall?  Possibly........time eater......DEFINITELY!  I can keep tabs on my family there and not spend so much time playing Bingo.  So, now you know what one of my worst sins is.....wasting valuable time.
Since I wrote you last , there have been a big change in my life.  My son, daughter-in-love, and my 5 precious grandchildren moved to Mukilteo, Washington to serve as missionaries in Restoration Ministries.  If you are not familiar with what Restoration Ministries is........you can find out more at:  www.restoration-ministries.info.  Look for the Flints!
Yes, my babies are about as far away from me as they can get.....however, I had known for a long time that God was working in their lives and sensed that he would call them into a ministry, just didn't know which one.  If I hadn't seem God's hand all over this one, it would be unbearable.  But I did, I saw His hand all over this move!  And the ministry is just suited for them.  Did you know there are only about 2% professed Christians in that area around Seattle?  My children are needed there....they have a unique ability to help those in trouble and that are lost.  They themselves have been through many deep trials and have worked in the Celebrate Recovery program for years as students and leaders.
I had to change my phone plan to accomodate the extra calls and texts.....:)...but would have paid anything to hear my grandchildren's voices.
We recently got Skype and have been able to talk to them twice now.  Technology is not all bad, I love seeing those precious faces!
Gotta go for now, but please don't forget me or my family........we need you.........we need your prayers.
God Bless you real good today!

OUR 38TH ANNIVERSARY AT "CALICO INN B&B" IN SEVIERVILLE, TENN., OCT. 13TH 2011

This B&B was set up on a mountain in Sevierville, Tenn., close to Pigeon Forge.   This was only the 2nd B&B we had been to, but were just as impressed with "The Calico Inn" as we were with the first place we stayed at last year.  Our hosts were so warm, caring hosts and went beyond the norm to make sure we were comfortable and felt at home.  The whole upstairs of this log cabin was open to the guests, to use for whatever they needed.  There was a full-sized kitchen we had access to, as well as a t.v. in the living room.  Our room........(and I can't believe I didn't get the beautiful picture of the swans on the bed that our host had formed out of our towels.  Chocolates on the pillows........absolutely 5-star breakfasts!  We spent a lot of time sitting on the front porch in the big welcoming rockers just relaxing and taking in all the beauty.  We did go to Dollywood one day, but were wore out by the time we got back.  I'd like to go again and just stay there, with maybe a few trips into Pigeon Forge to shop.......but not Dollywood again!  Just too much walking. 

"38th Anniversary at B&B in Sevierville,Tenn."

GREAT RECIPE FROM Good Morning Mary Sunshine!

I had recently been on Mary Sunshine's blog and found a photo of her mother's recipe for Boston Brown Bread.  I copied it (hope you didn't mind), and made it this afternoon!  I made two big loaves, and as you can see from the picture, this is all that is left....hahahaha.........no, we didn't eat the whole other loaf.  Sent it over to my brother and sister-in-law.  

If you have never visited Mary Sunshine's blog, I'm sure she would love for you to stop by and meet her and Handyman, and see the beautiful table runner she made!

And, if you want, I'll bet she wouldn't mind if you tried this recipe out yourself.  You won't be sorry:) 

God In The Little Things?

Is God really interested in the so-called "little" things in our lives?  I say a resounding YES!
You see, I pretty much just talk to the Lord off and on all day.........like carrying on a conversation with a friend:)
He IS  with us all the time, right?  Like last week.  I had lost my driver's license.......or at least misplaced it.  I went over the house from top to bottom....as did my husband.  Went through pocketbooks, jeans pockets, drawers....looked under furniture (with the help of the cat).  Oh yes, even the cat knew something was up!  And he wanted to be in on it :)  To make a long story short, I could not find my license anywhere.  I was sure I had put it in my "tote", but after going through it at least 3 times, nothing.
So, I prayed about it......I said, "Lord, YOU know where my license is, would you please lead me to it?"  The next morning I was telling everyone in Sunday School about the missing driver's license and asked them to be on the look out.  As we were beginning study, I heard a voice say, "Look in the box."  I thought for a moment, then knew exactly what box He was talking about......albeit very unlikely it could be in there.  Well, I took a box out of my tote, about the size of a credit card, which has folding flaps on the ends.  The box was closed  ...but when I opened it, there was my driver's license!   All I could say was, "Thank you Lord"....."Praise God".   Oh yes, He's interested in every aspect of our lives, even those things that seem so trivial to bother Him with.  
The same God who has healed my body  in the past, saved my younger son's life on three different occasions, led me down a path I didn't want to go, so I would be able to help others out of that same path, yes...He WANTS to be the God of your little things!  So, pull up a chair, get a cup of coffee or tea, and have a little talk with Jesus........He'll make it right :) 

Yes, the same God that created these beautiful flowers, and knows the number of

hairs on your head, is interested in YOU, in everything you do, in the good times as well 

as the dark times. 

PRAISE GOD From Whom All Blessings Flow!

I thank you, Lord, for the "bounty" of food you have given us this year in our garden.  I also thank you for the beauty of the flowers that bring joy to our lives.  Thank you for the bright colors, the wonderful aromas, and the goodness we taste from the food you have given us.  Thank you that we had an abundance over and above what we needed so that we could give to others.  Thank you for hands that can pull weeds, backs that can bend, legs that can walk......may we never take these things for granted....Amen

July 4, 2011 - Family Pics!

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD

As we get ready to observe July 4th, please try to take a few moments out of your day to say a prayer for all those veterans and soldiers who have fought for our freedom and are fighting now.   Freedom is NOT free, it has come at a very high price.  And with this freedom, comes responsibility.  We should always show respect for "Old Glory", our Pledge of Allegiance, and those who paid the ultimate SACRIFICE for our freedoms.  
So, as you're fixing that next hot dog up and getting ready to do fireworks, just remember that our country was founded on Godly principles to which most, if not all, our founding fathers adhered.  
GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!