Natural Disasters

     I thought since the east coast is bracing for Hurricane Irene right now, that I'd talk about natural disasters. I thankfully have never been in one. Three years ago, a tornado struck our neighborhood to the south and southeast of us. My dad, Charlene and I had left for Canton, TX earlier that day. My mom stayed home due to a funeral. As the storm hit that night, she huddled under the stairwell in the basement PRAYING. The storm did pass but caused a lot of damage near us. The damage ended at our property line. That's about as close as you want to get, if you want to get close at all. We had no damage at all. God's protection is priceless. The picture above is just an example of the destruction in our surrounding neighborhood.
     The world has had many natural disasters in recent years. Haiti's earthquake, Japan's earthquake, US flooding, US midwest tornadoes and more. They say its new and more prevalant but it isn't. God has allowed disasters to teach people, punish people and to draw people to Him for centuries. Whether you're enjoying a sunny day or scared in a hurricane, cling to Him the most. My Protector and Strong Tower.

Psalm 63:8(NIV)
⁸ I cling to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

Easy Paths

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

     I think there are a lot of people in today's world looking for a free ride. They want things given to them on a silver platter. The idea of working hard and not giving up till you get the job or whatever it is you want is becoming an 'old school' idea. I hear of young adults giving up or being depressed because life isn't as easy as they thought. Welcome to real life, my friend. Success is achieved, not given out. When you earn it, you'll appreciate it more.
     God will give you the grace and His strength if you trust in Him and His plan for you. Self-reliance is a recipe for failure. Go out there and achieve your goals...even when its not easy.

I do not ask for easy paths
Along life’s winding roads,
But for the promised grace and strength
To carry all its loads. —Meadows

Theft

 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.  Ephesians 4;28

     This week there have been two terrible cases of burglary here in Sherwood. One on Sunday in which a woman, who is still missing, was broken into at home. The suspects were caught by using her credit cards but her fate is still unknown. Today a burglar broke into a police officer's home and his foolish ways cost him his life.
     Why do people think they can take what is not theirs? Laziness, arrogance, greed, wickedness...just to name a few reasons. This verse tells us that we are to use what God has physically given us to provide for our needs and wants. If you can't afford it, then you either work for it or you do without. This verse also recognizes that people do fall on hard times through no fault of their own and need help. We shouldn't just spend it or save it all for ourselves, give to others who need a hand. Sharing is caring.
     I like both the movie and concept 'Pay It Forward.'  The idea is if you help two people and those two each help two, equalling four people and so on. If we all worked and all shared as we should, wouldn't the world be a lil better?
    

Rods

     A friend of mine has a grandaughter who is undergoing back surgery today. She is only about 6 yrs old. They are putting a titanium rod in to help correct her scoliosis. Pray for her today, her name is Angela too.
     I can sympathize with her because I too had scoliosis and back surgery. The summer between 9th and 10th grade, I went to the Leatherman Spine Center in Louisville, KY to have two rods fused to my spine to straighten it. I only remember bits and pieces of that time, which is a blessing. I recall the fear of the pre-op blood work and subsequently passing out. I remember reassuring my dad pre-surgery that I was going to be fine no matter what. I remember waking up in the recovery or ICU area? and banging the side rail for some pain medicine, not quietly either. My parents came in to see me and I was awake long enough to know they were there. [Later I saw the picture they took of me, scary is an understatement.] Have you seen Shirley McClaine in 'Terms of Endearment' screaming at nurses to give her daughter pain medicine? Well my mom didn't scream but there was a close reenactment of that scene at some point during my stay. I can't recall if I was there 1 or 2 weeks. We borrowed a friend's full size van to drive home because I had to lay flat. My dad and somebody carried me on a sheet into the house. That summer was one full of recovery and rehab. My surgery was a success and have had no problems since. Mercy and grace carried me thru it.
     I don't know what God's plan for Angela is today but I know He has one, and its for her good.

Determined

     Have you ever been so determined to do something that you ignore the obstacles in your path? Sometimes it's good to press on but other times you need discernment to recognize maybe this isn't a good idea. I've done both, been the striver and the foolish. Here's a lil story with examples of both.
     In the summer of 2001, Toby Keith came to the fair in Springfield, Mo. I was a huge TK fan then. Admission to the fair, 5 bucks or so, included free concerts. So I anxiously awaited TK's concert and told a friend's son that I would take him too. Well the day came and I went to work that day. I was so sick with a 101 fever, ugh. I worked all day and forgot to go by the bank on the way home. All I could think of was laying down when I got home. I realized our lack of money/cash situation after I got home so I had my friend raid my childhood piggy bank, lol. We had two ziploc bags of change, one to get in and one for food. Okay, a few more minutes of rest. I usually hang my purse on my scooter but I hung it on a chair while I went to the bathroom. We left. After about 20 min of driving, I realized I forgot my purse with the ziploc bags in it. Are you kidding me? We are in town now so with no identification or anything, I went to my bank to get some money. Amazingly, they gave it to me. We now go get in the long, never-ending line of traffic into the fairgrounds. We get to a cop that made us turn left with everyone else, despite saying we needed handicapped parking. We get to the next cop who says we have to turn and go back. Refusing to go back, I saw two parking spaces together and said we can park there. I double-parked because of the ramp, despite the cop's disapproval. We got out and hurried to the concert to get seats. Handicapped seating does have a few perks. We got front row seats and had a good time. Yes, I was sick the next 3 days.
     I don't recommend pushing God's protection to the limits like this. Use discernment when the roadblocks enter your path in life.   

To Do List

     The video above is from Toby Keith called 'My List', if you get this blog by email and don't see the video.. let me know and go to the link http://youtu.be/GTLF76zLxYA .
     Work, errands, chores... they're all on our 'to do lists' in our daily lives. This song reminds us to take time, yes make time, for the really important things in life. Family time, relaxation time, friend time, prayer time and just quiet time. Its one thing to provide for your family but don't make them pay for it. Whoever is in your life needs to know that your time is not too much to ask of you and is available.
     Start living, should be the next thing on your list. It's time. Go make a memory.

Distracted

     We all get distracted, from what we are supposed to be doing, at times. We lose our focus. Just this week, a dump truck driver got distracted by a spider and forgot to lower the hoist in back. He crashed into a skybridge. I can't say a word on that. I got distracted by some guys while cruising in Levy once. They were saying something as I was looking back, then 'WHAM', I hit the car in front of me. In hindsight, I think they were saying 'watch out'..lol.
     I am more focused on driving now that I can't. My dr's office has a form with the question 'do you fall asleep as a passenger in a car?' NEVER..lol. I'm glad its my right arm thats weakest because I often hit the driver with my left arm when they're distracted or I think they are..lol.
     Stay focused out there but let God be your primary focus in everything.

Change

      I do not like change. Well, at least if its not my idea or expected. I do like to redecorate my room with the seasons. Other than that, I like things to stay the same.
     My first semester in college at UCA, I lived in the dorm. My assigned roomate and I had little to nothing in common but I tried to make the best of it. Her middle name must have been 'change.' I went home one weekend to come back to find the whole room rearranged, including my stuff. I didn't object because it was okay with me, except it was a little hard relocating my stuff. Well, it soon became NOT okay when every time I went away for the weekend this happened. I never knew a tiny room could have so many different arrangements. The final straw came when my bed was by the door, the two tall closets between us and her bed by the window. NO WAY. The room was put back to its almost original state and remained so.
     Its okay to try to be flexib;e with one another, but don't let yourself be bullied or taken advantage of. Speak up for yourself.

Girlfriend

I was making photo cds for my mom yesterday to take to California today. I came across one of my favorite pictures of Girlfriend. This is how I like to remember her.

10 Favorites

Okay, the following are 10 of my favorite things, in no particular order, to help you know me better. I hope you'll comment with your 10 so I can know you better too. Email me, if you cant comment on here.

1. Guacamole...........I think this is my favorite food. Santo Coyote makes the best and I can share or eat the whole bowl, made tableside, myself.

2. TiVo.......I think this is the greatest invention since the microwave. Watching tv without commercials and at your convenience, its wonderful.

3. My Pets.......Animals have always been a part of my life and I cant imagine a life without them. Each are special to me in their own way. I know God provided each of them, just when I needed them.

4. Canton, TX..........I love to go here. Its flea market heaven. The weekend before the first Monday of each month, the whole town turns into a shoppers paradise.

5. My Parents...... They've been there thru thick and thin for me. I've been to more places and done more than most people because of them. I love you.

6. Clothes..... Yes, I'm a clothes-horse. I love getting new clothes. I rarely outgrow my clothes so I give them away, usually to Haiti, to make room for new stuff.

7. Eating out....... I love to go out with friends to our favorite restaurants. Even if I can't eat, due to coughing, I love the conversation and fellowship.

8. Dulcimer lessons.......Phillip took a chance on me and I am so thankful. It not only challenges me but it is fun. Our conversations are an encouragement too.

9. Memory of Maui...... This was one of the best weeks in my life. My parents went to Hawaii when I was in 10th grade but I declined to go. I wanted to go somewhere like that if I ever fell in love. Fast forward to 1994, my parents sent Marc and I to Maui for my college graduation present. Snorkeling, parasailing, submarine, a drive around the island, the beach day, and more.

10. Friends..... Where would I be without them? You know who you are and you're priceless.

Teaching

     Awhile back we went out to dinner at The Villa in Little Rock. Its one of my favorite italian restaurants. Not only is the food great but its quiet and you never hafta wait. Well the tables aren't too far apart so the next table is within hearing range, at least for my good ears, without conscious eavesdropping. So that night, the table next to us was a grandmother and her about 7yr old grandson. I don't know why a 7yr old needs a cellphone for but whatever. The little boy played games on the phone the whole time they were there. Yes, she threatened to take it away but no follow thru. His ENTIRE meal got cold and ended up in a to-go box. As they left, she said 'you want to go get a scoop of ice cream?' He said, 'yes, but I want two scoops'.
     Are you as baffled as I was? WHAT are you teaching this kid?  DISRESPECT--she was just a meal ticket and not important to talk to, NO MANNERS--adults with cellphones at the table is bad enough, NO CONSEQUENCES--empty threats do more harm than good, and GREEDINESS--more, more, more, no, no, no.
     Kids learn in every setting of every day. Be careful what you're teaching them.

The Bus

     I thought I'd go down the memory lane of jr. high since school is starting for alot of kids on Monday. Riding the bus is a big part of a kid's day. For the most part, I only had to ride it home. Thankfully, my mom usually dropped me off in the mornings. [Once in her yellow robe, aghh, lets just say I had her drop me off in a location with no one around quickly, lol] I had a great bus driver, Mr.Dare. He lives down the street from me and that helped out when I got on the wrong bus one time. They give you your bus number and then when you go out to get on, there's ten buses with different numbers out there. Mine was what? The bus was not easy for me to get on or off of. Thats how I learned time management early on. I would figure out when I could do homework during the next day so I wouldnt have to carry alot home on the bus. This is not a fool proof system, lol. I had a friend, Lily, who would carry my books onto the bus for me so I could get on easier. Getting off the bus is no picnic either, I bit the dust on more than one occasion. The older boy who lived down the street helped gather up my stuff for me. My ego was left there on the side of the road, lol. My dog, Bosco, was always there waiting for me as I crossed the street and that made everything good again.
     So to all the kids riding the bus Monday, good luck.

He is watching you

Words

Ephesians 4;29   Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

     Often we don't realize what an impact our words can make on someone else, either to build them up or break them down. 'Think before you speak' can't be learned enough. We all slip up and need forgiveness but we must try to watch what we say. An encouraging word can be the highlight of someone's day. Everyone is going through something, big or small, and can use a compliment or just a word of acknowledgement. Words can also be destructive. I've seen the hurt and low self-esteem it creates in a friend of mine. Its just wrong.
     Let your speech be like a good song on the radio that makes you and others feel good, otherwise just shut it off.

Perserverance pays off

     I don't remember the exact date but it was about this time in August of 1994, 17yrs ago wow, that I graduated from Northern Illinois University. [Finishing college is a story of perserverance in itself but thats not my focus today] I was now ready to find a job and start my career. I sent out numerous resumes and went on both do-able and far fetched interviews. I went to one interview, where when I got there the building wasn't accessible. The interview was held in my van. Another interview was for a quality control tech in a chicken factory at 30degrees. I interviewed twice with St. Johns hospital to work in the tuberculosis lab. My job search also included attending a daily job training center to help me find a job. My search lasted two years, a long two years.
     Finally one day I got a call from a pickle company saying I'd been hired. To make a long story short, I couldnt do that job [climb into a vat] but thru them found out the temporary agency I signed up with wasnt sending out my resumes. I immediately went over there to 'chew some hide'. They knew they were caught discriminating and told me about a job they just got in that day at a lab. I got this job and it was the best job suited for me. I worked there 5yrs and loved it.
     So this shows God's timing is perfect and what He has in store for us is worth waiting for. We must be diligent in pursuing our goals, rarely does a goal get achieved from the couch. Follow thru even though it looks pointless, the experience may teach you something. Finally, just keep after it, perserverance pays off. 

piggy cupcakes

Arent they cute?  Strawberry cupcakes, strawberry frosting, almond ears, m&m eyes, half a marshmallow snout w/2 m&ms.
These are for my doctor's office today b/c they are so good to me. I think this is why I hafta go in every 2 months, lol, no I wish it was.

Prayer

Psalm 54:2, "Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth.

Do you believe in the power of prayer? I most certainly do. I know prayers on my behalf have been answered countless times. Prayers must be according to His will, not just our own, to be answered.
Last year I went into the hospital on a Monday and my doctor told me on Friday that he was going on a mission trip to Ecuador the next day. I rallied my prayer partners to pray that if it wasn't God's will for him to go, that he wouldn't because I needed him. Well, there was an uprising at the Ecuadorian airport that night and the mission trip was accomplished at a later date. I told my doctor that my worldwide prayer circle kept him here. God works in mysterious ways.

Romans 8:28

8 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. 

Cooking

I am no great cook by any stretch of the imagination. I don't particularly enjoy it and eating out is the preferred option. They say 'don't trust a skinny cook' so that's my excuse to stay out of the kitchen, lol. No, seriously, my chicken casserole is pretty good. I'll give the recipe at the bottom of this post. The best compliment Ive ever got on my cooking was from my friend's son, Charlie, on a chili pie I made for him. I know its just fritos, Hormel chili, and cheese but he said 'you're the best cook ever.'  I know its not true but it still puts a smile on my face to remember him saying it.  So remember to compliment the cook in your life.  'You're a great cook, mom'

Chicken Casserole
heat oven to 350
use 9x12 pan
cover pan with boneless chicken tenderloins
add 2 cans of condensed soup.......celery and mushroom, my preference but whatever you like
1 can of rotel
stir it all up in the pan
add cheese all over it
cover with stove top stuffing
put 1 stick of butter in lil pats all over
cook about 45min to an hour

Adaptable

     Do you consider yourself adaptable? Do you find a way to make things work or do you give up? I've had to adapt throughout my life, not being able to do things like I once could. We must try our best but we must also not be too proud to ask for and receive help from others.
     The best example of adaptability from my life is when I was learning to drive. My mom took me out to Camp Robinson to practice. I drove for a while with no problems. Then I went into an empty parking lot to practice parking. Ok, so park in that space..no, thats not a good one. Ok, so how about that one...no, its no good either. I was trying to stay calm yet freaking out inside. I couldn't put on the brake. Ok, just pick any spot. Too many circles around the lot makes one suspicious. My time was up, I had to confess 'I can't hit the brake.'  WHAT? She hit the brake and we went home. My dad figured out that the gas pedal was lower than the brake. So you had to lift your leg and slide it over to apply the brakes. What would you do, not drive or adapt? We adapted by raising the gas pedal to be even with the brake. I didn't get to drive alone for awhile until we were sure I was safe. Its funny in hindsight, lol.
     As we get older, we will all face things that are more difficult to do. If you don't believe me, ask anyone with arthritis. Learn to adapt, don't give in to the circumstance.

drive by alan jackson