tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77387461819887768752024-03-13T12:43:53.317-04:00Mountains-N-ValleysHelping others going through their valley as we have been through oursBlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-35322700357642187092017-08-19T17:49:00.001-04:002017-08-19T17:49:09.496-04:00New blogPlease follow us to our new blog<div><a href="https://mountainsandvalleys276.wordpress.com/">https://mountainsandvalleys276.wordpress.com/</a></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-68613852807666957832017-08-19T17:01:00.001-04:002017-08-19T17:01:45.424-04:00ContentmentWell, daily blogger issues. Exploring other platforms will post a link when I switch.<div><br></div><div><div>Patience and Hope</div><div><br></div><div>Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience</div><div>- James 1:2-3</div><div><br></div><div>What a strange command this is, to count (perceive, think) it a joyful thing when difficult and dark trials come your way. Trials, by their very nature, cause pain. Why would we be joyful to find ourselves in the middle of such an ordeal?</div><div><br></div><div>Thankfully, James gives us the reason for the command so that we can better understand and appreciate it. Know this, James says: this test of your faith is working (present tense) patience in you.</div><div><br></div><div>What is so great about patience? A good question, since James seems to think that, if we trade comfort and painlessness for trials and patience, we come out ahead. What makes patience so precious or valuable that it is worth the pain we have to go through in order to get it?</div><div><br></div><div>Simply put, patience means contentment with one's current situation (see verse 4).</div><div><br></div><div>Now there are many people who have good health, plenty of money, popularity, and everything else a person might think of as the key to happiness -- and yet they are miserable. Why? Because they have not found contentment.</div><div><br></div><div>On the other hand, we find men and women in the New Testament who are perfectly happy in the midst of miserable circumstances. Paul and Silas sing in prison, John rejoices in exile on Patmos, the apostles are thrilled to suffer for the sake of Christ.</div><div><br></div><div>Why? Because these saints learned to wait on God's perfect timing, wisdom, and power to accomplish His perfect purposes. This gave them total contentment, a patient and joyful spirit, even in the worst situations.</div><div><br></div><div>Are you neck-deep in a trial of your own? Count it a joy to learn contentment in the school of Christ.</div><div><br></div><div> http://www.baptistbiblehour.org/resources/devotional/patience-and-hope-6/</div></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-49004282301277269702017-08-18T08:39:00.001-04:002017-08-18T08:39:41.953-04:00Restore<div>Church Life</div><div><br></div><div>If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother</div><div>- Matthew 18:15</div><div><br></div><div>Jesus here gives the prescription for offenses within the body of Christ. Do you believe His medicine is effective? Will you apply its healing power to your life?</div><div><br></div><div>If a member of the body has injured you in some way, Jesus says to speak with him or her about it in private. Do not broadcast the injury around the church. Do not try to gather a group of people "on your side" within the church. In fact, do not bring it up with anyone else at all!</div><div><br></div><div>Tell him his fault between you and him alone. That is the first and necessary step toward genuine reconciliation and peace within the body. If this labor does not work, Jesus gives further instructions in the verses that follow.</div><div><br></div><div>But before moving on to the next "step" of discipline, consider this first and foundational admonition carefully. Have you spoken to the offending person, in complete privacy? Was your goal to gain your brother or sister, as Jesus clearly intimates it should be? Or were you simply seeking to offend someone in return?</div><div><br></div><div>Do you believe the Great Physician knows how to heal His own church? Then apply His cure liberally to your own heart and friendships and see its marvelous power to restore, refresh, and renew the body of Christ.</div><div><br></div><div> http://www.baptistbiblehour.org/resources/devotional/church-life-6/</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-55434399383561706252017-08-17T18:46:00.001-04:002017-08-17T18:46:42.407-04:00Serving<div>Serving Others</div><div><br></div><div>Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ</div><div>- Galatians 6:2</div><div><br></div><div>To bear each other's burdens means to emotionally, financially, physically, and -- most of all -- spiritually support one another in times of need. Are you ready for such a commitment?</div><div><br></div><div>The church of Jesus Christ is not a social club or fraternity. It is the family of God, committing to one another that we will grow together, rejoice together, and hurt together as a body. No member of God's family should ever have to bear grief, or pain, or problems on their own.</div><div><br></div><div>Interestingly, Galatians is the New Testament's preeminent work on grace versus law. Paul is writing to the saints in Galatia and warning them against the bondage of legalistic, works-based attempts at salvation. Yet, in that very context Paul declares the need for us to "fulfill the law of Christ."</div><div><br></div><div>Which is it, we might ask? Law or grace? It is the law of Christ, because of the grace of Christ. Because of Christ's sin-bearing, yoke-sharing ministry to us through grace, we are to bear one another's burdens and reflect our Savior. We are to fulfill the selfless law of Christ's grace, which Paul has already summed up for us in the single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (5:14).</div><div><br></div><div>Do you grieve when you lose a loved one? Then you can help bear your neighbor's burden, as if it were your own. Do you struggle with discouragement? Then love your neighbor as yourself and give the same encouragement that you yourself would desire in the same situation.</div><div><br></div><div> http://www.baptistbiblehour.org/resources/devotional/serving-others-6/</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-9555301415096548212017-08-15T09:15:00.001-04:002017-08-15T09:15:40.404-04:00Test 2Will not let me post. Keeps crashing, or I'm being censored.<div>Back to looking for another blogging platform.</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-10472341879305259022017-06-20T19:05:00.001-04:002017-06-20T19:05:05.269-04:00And CountingTwenty-five years and counting....here are the memories of the celebration!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ZiMxQ5I72g/WUmqG30phZI/AAAAAAAABDU/0gtsAZnL1C4Si4j3JoCkWd8k4iXEoylDACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--882865500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ZiMxQ5I72g/WUmqG30phZI/AAAAAAAABDU/0gtsAZnL1C4Si4j3JoCkWd8k4iXEoylDACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--882865500.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VxHr3X4R5U4/WUmqFqmAN3I/AAAAAAAABDM/Js8hRUSvzigEgwMmSVfkbLfFM6aGxStGgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--160902038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VxHr3X4R5U4/WUmqFqmAN3I/AAAAAAAABDM/Js8hRUSvzigEgwMmSVfkbLfFM6aGxStGgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--160902038.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbY8mBRDY9E/WUmqHslSqoI/AAAAAAAABDY/ZTicEZlbcVMbqKSh35_nCYXq0mHdVNGWACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1787140101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbY8mBRDY9E/WUmqHslSqoI/AAAAAAAABDY/ZTicEZlbcVMbqKSh35_nCYXq0mHdVNGWACHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1787140101.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUKST5SfwrY/WUmqICXLYbI/AAAAAAAABDc/bXWrM2Jz0ssRMRjmbe17JC-jWYosHf8AgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1792516679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUKST5SfwrY/WUmqICXLYbI/AAAAAAAABDc/bXWrM2Jz0ssRMRjmbe17JC-jWYosHf8AgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--1792516679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DBQGBqDE6WI/WUmqGXG_7eI/AAAAAAAABDQ/d0SGHJvKIZMmHoQ5fdjZ_cXR_Sucv6qjgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-94894667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DBQGBqDE6WI/WUmqGXG_7eI/AAAAAAAABDQ/d0SGHJvKIZMmHoQ5fdjZ_cXR_Sucv6qjgCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image-94894667.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-39485917394820491532017-05-02T12:26:00.001-04:002017-05-02T12:33:16.136-04:00Test<div><br></div>Testing 1 2 3<div>Every time I try to post about our Silver Wedding anniversary, it crashes ....every time no matter what day I try.</div><div><br></div><div>So today after successfully posting this test message and then a subsequent crash of new post, I decided to edit my test post lol.</div><div>Silver Looks good on us!</div><div>Hope to have more pictures of the church reception, but here are a few other memories.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z-vQSuvL8gw/WQi0xE0HCNI/AAAAAAAABCQ/40qtB4Sy18U2KHa04XWzIMho551HTqETwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1891033080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z-vQSuvL8gw/WQi0xE0HCNI/AAAAAAAABCQ/40qtB4Sy18U2KHa04XWzIMho551HTqETwCHM/s640/blogger-image--1891033080.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_-6U7CP52g/WQi0yNkcRXI/AAAAAAAABCY/vCtZ6k_YyvkaUAdl-k6qsKFzco0f0QL-gCHM/s640/blogger-image--1149614321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_-6U7CP52g/WQi0yNkcRXI/AAAAAAAABCY/vCtZ6k_YyvkaUAdl-k6qsKFzco0f0QL-gCHM/s640/blogger-image--1149614321.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yvp7w8FHvAU/WQi0y8kjDSI/AAAAAAAABCc/mL4eSG9mVEECi4k-5tLnSMlHQMR7x1MfACHM/s640/blogger-image--986000725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yvp7w8FHvAU/WQi0y8kjDSI/AAAAAAAABCc/mL4eSG9mVEECi4k-5tLnSMlHQMR7x1MfACHM/s640/blogger-image--986000725.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y6wpLHlo0Tk/WQi0xkGcMPI/AAAAAAAABCU/qjrcLzHGsPcgs939JqXTzsQp4M4m-w6FACHM/s640/blogger-image--1576800779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y6wpLHlo0Tk/WQi0xkGcMPI/AAAAAAAABCU/qjrcLzHGsPcgs939JqXTzsQp4M4m-w6FACHM/s640/blogger-image--1576800779.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-81590581920374106732017-04-18T17:42:00.001-04:002017-04-18T17:42:12.399-04:00Easter 2017<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hosKN-AKEBM/WPaIM-SAExI/AAAAAAAABB0/CiMgnu9OUq4/s640/blogger-image--950184816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hosKN-AKEBM/WPaIM-SAExI/AAAAAAAABB0/CiMgnu9OUq4/s640/blogger-image--950184816.jpg"></a></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-44642154756886063102017-04-08T11:20:00.001-04:002017-04-08T11:20:51.271-04:00Spring 2017James is home!! Praise the Lord!<div>Ted is finally going to take the courses he needs to be certified in the IT world!!</div><div>God is meeting our needs!</div><div>So many blessings!!</div><div>Have you counted yours yet?</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-68136503719679562422017-03-01T11:41:00.001-05:002017-03-01T11:43:39.014-05:00AgainI haven't posted in forever because all my attempts were thwarted by the software or some other power. So I'm attempting once again. I was going to change to another hosting program but the setup was aggravating and I finally just deleted it. So, posting this short blurb, or going to try and if success then I will try a longer one. If unsuccessful, you'll never know .....<div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-79298622939050580342016-09-17T15:28:00.001-04:002016-09-17T15:28:19.229-04:00FaithfulThis week was super hard! Our very own hero Tim Brackeen was shot and killed in the line of duty. <div>Two churches or more joined together Wednesday night to have a beautiful, worshipful Memorial service, Thursday night the community poured in along with a sea of law enforcement to the visitation, his faithfulness was proclaimed nation wide.</div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday......about 8000 people gathered in the stadium, and multitudes watched on all the major news outlets as a funeral worthy of a president was held. His brother preached a Gospel message and gave the invitation.</div><div>Officers from as far away as Chicago and New York came to pay their respects in person, the Governor of North Carolina came and had part in the funeral. I'll never forget as the family walked off the field, the governor with no pomp or politicking or looking for media attention, slipped alongside Tim's brother and gave him a comforting hug. </div><div><br></div><div>Timothy Brackeen was faithful! Can you image the celestial reception he received in Heaven?</div><div> </div><div>I can't wait for tomorrow as we worship together and unite to let God heal us....may I be found faithful in God's eyes!</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WBTVMollyGrantham/videos/1446661148677697/">https://www.facebook.com/WBTVMollyGrantham/videos/1446661148677697/</a></div><div><br></div><div>A snippet from one of the many news channels that covered the funeral. </div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-5877456197688223852016-09-12T15:05:00.001-04:002016-09-12T18:13:36.355-04:00Be stillMy last day of work, one of my clients repeatedly told me how God told her to be still and let Him work. That stuck with me the last week, as I wait on the Lord to direct my path. <div>Today, time stood still when we got the news that one of our faithful church members who is a police officer died today from being shot in the line of duty. </div><div>My last memory of him was his praying with his little girl at the altar just a week ago. I am so glad to have that memory...</div><div>My day has been frozen for a bit as I stop to grieve, pray, and draw comfort from God's Word.</div><div>Pray for the Brackeen family, our law enforcement, and our community. </div><div> </div><div> <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4SZyKDslJCM/V9b8hi5GByI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Rfw-NgF64_k/s640/blogger-image-1930657839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4SZyKDslJCM/V9b8hi5GByI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Rfw-NgF64_k/s640/blogger-image-1930657839.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4SZyKDslJCM/V9b8hi5GByI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Rfw-NgF64_k/s640/blogger-image-1930657839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-05kgBPvQKQQ/V9b8iNIuSHI/AAAAAAAAA8g/D9vQbDOanFY/s640/blogger-image-596623663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-05kgBPvQKQQ/V9b8iNIuSHI/AAAAAAAAA8g/D9vQbDOanFY/s640/blogger-image-596623663.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As our church gathered in prayer yesterday as our friend, brother, and protector hung onto life, a precious young girl next to me sobbed and begged God to let her take his place so that he could live.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My spirit was smote within me at yet another example of true love and self sacrifice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Would you lay down your life for another?!</div></div></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-27763000230140515882016-09-06T11:27:00.001-04:002016-09-06T11:27:36.240-04:00Answered Prayer?!Reflecting back over last week, it seems like a wild ride on the roller coaster of faith.<div>I abruptly resigned my job that I had almost 2 years, due to personal safety concerns. I cried a lot, prayed with almost every breath, and even tried to go job hunting. </div><div>This week, Ted took me with him on his business trip. I had been wanting to go with him for a very long time. Just didn't expect this way of God answering that prayer. I had been yearning for a break from work.......again, not anticipating resigning my job to make it happen.</div><div>I really don't like roller coasters, the twists and turns and loops don't bother me, it's the huge free falling, rip my stomach out through my toes, sensation I absolutely can't stand. Right now, on this roller coaster of faith, I'm hoping to hang on to my harness, trust like never before and see what lays beyond the next hilly curve.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>James was honorably discharged a bit early from the army. He is living in Missouri and desperately needs a job.</div><div>Justin is super busy with college and work, then he got super serious about his new girlfriend and they wanted to jump into wedding plans. Ted had to sit him down and look at the cold hard facts. So as of right now, they have slowed down the mad rush. </div><div><br></div><div>Choosing to be thankful and trusting God...</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-75164400214809547542016-08-15T15:24:00.001-04:002016-08-15T15:34:15.003-04:00What is a friend?<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have we trials and temptations?<br>Is there trouble any where?<br>We should never be discouraged<br>Take it to the Lord in prayer.<br>Can we find a friend so faithful<br>Who will all our sorrows share?<br>Jesus knows our every weakness<br>Take it to the Lord in prayer.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Are we weak and heavy laden,<br>Cumbered with a load of care?<br>Precious Savior, still our refuge<br>Take it to the Lord in prayer.<br>Do your friends despise, forsake you?<br>Take it to the Lord in prayer.<br>In his arms he’ll take and shield you;<br>You will find a solace there.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What a friend we have in Jesus,<br>All our sins and griefs to bear!<br>What a privilege to carry<br>Everything to God in prayer!<br>Oh, what peace we often forfeit;<br>Oh, what needless pain we bear<br>All because we do not carry<br>Everything to God in prayer!</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(Joseph Scriven)</span></p></div><div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-77548286728516404682016-08-05T22:01:00.001-04:002016-08-05T22:01:40.729-04:00Charge!Rough day.....had to buy a new car battery before leaving for home. Way too expensive! Trip home seemed to take forever with lots of rainstorms. Stopped to celebrate Ted's bday with some special "in-loves", got home, started laundry, tended animals, unpacked, and collapsed. <div>Love being home, dreading returning to life and all its daily drama. </div><div>Still wish I could be a hermit.</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-49996324207825349362016-08-04T22:29:00.001-04:002016-08-04T22:29:32.419-04:00VertigoHeading off to the dinner cruise, and found that we were being charged $51 for parking next to the hotel!! Yeh boy! Hotel only told us it would be $17 total! Then as we pulled away from dock on the cruise liner, I started having some wild feelings. One of our sweet dinner companions also had it and had experienced it before. I have had a few issues recently usually at home, very mild and attributed it to fatigue or low blood sugar. Tonight, however, I was introduced to the wild phenomenon known as vertigo! I was able to go up on deck for a few minutes after dinner. Things finally settled down as the cruise ended. Then we found my car battery was dying, thankful for the jump from another family.<div>Returned to our hotel, no parking spots! Finally found one, then vertigo in the elevator! This has been a most memorable evening LOL!! Ted however enjoyed his birthday, in spite of the adventures we always seem to embroil ourselves in.</div><div>Drinking some milk, getting a headache and wondering if this is the start of an ongoing issue.....</div><div>Dramamine it seems is to be my next new friend.</div><div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-72510730488647203632016-08-04T14:57:00.001-04:002016-08-04T14:57:39.088-04:00Observational NuancesWalking through a city so steeped in history, you tend to analyze in layers. I just couldn't seem to get acclimated or even interested in a place that I thought surely would thrill me. Today was much better, went to Jestine's Kitchen for lunch, and the leisurely stroll there and back awakened my desire to return to this city for further exploration.<div>Many places we vacation in, scream loud, noisy tourist town. This city seems to blur the lines and stifle the normal, boisterous, redneck clientele we usually run into. I am a people watcher, and was looking for the seedy underbelly that usually prevails blatantly in most places these days. I only saw some possible signs of homelessness, even then they weren't panhandling, or looking like they lived there in that spot. I am not even entirely sure they weren't just hanging out. As for the sexual revolution, no obvious signs of prostitution, and only 1 tranz so far. Although, I did not see an overwhelming display of the devil's playground as we usually are lambasted with, I did sense a very spiritual need in this city so full of long standing historical church buildings. Are they just monuments to a lost time in history, when people here worshipped and prayed as hard as they made a living? </div><div>Curious about our dinner cruise tonight.....will I peel back more layers to a sweet onion?</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-31013589510388275352016-08-04T00:16:00.001-04:002016-08-04T00:16:47.005-04:00Celebrating Southern StyleToday is my husband's birthday. He decided to celebrate it with a jaunt to Charleston, SC. We have talked of visiting this city for years, but always changed our minds.<div> We have tired of Myrtle Veach, Gatlinburg, and even Knoxville. </div><div>Last night, we are at Indaco....uhm, eclectic, upscale, and probably not a repeat destination.</div><div>This morning, we walked a mile to the carriage companies, and took a tour of the old city via horse and carriage. Then we walked one of the main market squares, and ate at Low Country Bistro for lunch. Again, wasn't overly impressed with the fare. The tourists and clientele are very upscale and yacht club status. We often feel conspicuous and out of place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h5vsQIX60f8/V6LBq5AejNI/AAAAAAAAA7s/QzSeQnfgTNM/s640/blogger-image--696927295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h5vsQIX60f8/V6LBq5AejNI/AAAAAAAAA7s/QzSeQnfgTNM/s640/blogger-image--696927295.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Tonight, we went to Joe Pasta for his birthday dinner. This place was more our style and taste. I would go back again. We found a gourmet, eclectic ice cream shop called Jeni's, and have enjoyed the myriad of blended flavored offered.</div><div>Tomorrow, we plan to go to the popular farmer's market before launching on a dinner cruise. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x76dlZXKgzs/V6LBrgBijmI/AAAAAAAAA7w/e2mzjYRIqFI/s640/blogger-image-73419754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x76dlZXKgzs/V6LBrgBijmI/AAAAAAAAA7w/e2mzjYRIqFI/s640/blogger-image-73419754.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Birthday Darling, it's been wonderful to celebrate together in this auspicious location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-9385129154399083302016-07-30T16:52:00.001-04:002016-07-30T16:52:47.090-04:00Lessons learned this week1. Bossing people around does not make you the boss<div>2. Controlling people is not the same as being in control</div><div>3. Ministry and Christian service is not a competition</div><div>4. Raising your voice to be heard, does not mean you are yelling out of irritation</div><div>5. In the midst of the devil trying and succeeding in sowing discord and disharmony, 36 souls were saved!!</div><div>Sadly, these lessons should have been learned by many others, instead of observed by the innocent.</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-72950608501173544712016-07-23T19:17:00.002-04:002016-07-23T19:17:59.635-04:00Hmmmm!Seems I have been away longer then I thought! Blogger removed the American and Christian flag picture from my design and will not let me add it. You can see the warning symbols of where they will not display what we have had there for years!!<br />
Will be interesting to see how long it will be before my spiritual posts are deleted or censured. <br />
My friends have left blogger, I may have to take my future posts elsewhere as well 🤔.Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-41516328635131237502016-07-23T19:07:00.001-04:002016-07-23T19:07:47.574-04:00Popcorn ChristianityI have the privilege to teach the teen girls who come to our bus ministry at church. God has given me some amazing lessons over the years. I refuse to teach anything unless God gives it to me. <div>The lesson this week was simple and practical, and I was able to share it first with a client yesterday, then today in class.</div><div><div>Today's lesson:</div><div>Each of us start out as simple seeds. When you add the oil and the heat of Holy Ghost conviction, you either burst out of your hard shell into new life, or you harden your hearts and refuse new life. Un popped kernels are a waste and end up burned and discarded (people who harden their hearts and refuse to be saved will be discarded into a burning hell...what a waste!) Matthew 13:18-23</div><div>As we allow God to use the oil and heat of trials and testing, we can burst into a full piece beautiful and enjoyable. (Romans 5:4-5) </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Some people do not respond well to trials and testing and will not grow into their full potential. Others let trials burn them, and leave them unpalatable and they waste away. </span></div></div><div>Now popcorn is good, but tastes even better when you add butter and salt. Christianity is meant to be enjoyed and to give joy. No one enjoys stale popcorn either. Keep your relationship fresh, alive, and full of the Holy Ghost every day! (Psalm 45:7, Ezekiel 16:19,and Luke 14:34)</div><div>Lastly, popcorn is meant to be shared....are you sharing the good news of Christ's love?</div><div>Mark 16:15-16</div><div><br></div><div>Which piece of popcorn are you?</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SHW4v4E3o84/V5P4wjS8knI/AAAAAAAAA7U/oyEQ6h9-_XU/s640/blogger-image--1417217978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SHW4v4E3o84/V5P4wjS8knI/AAAAAAAAA7U/oyEQ6h9-_XU/s640/blogger-image--1417217978.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Picture was taken 7/16/16</div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-15219922493553109742015-09-25T14:18:00.001-04:002015-09-25T14:18:35.920-04:00Peace?!This whole situation weighed so heavily on all of us. I begged God to help me stop stewing about it. Over a period of a whole week, He consistently answered that prayer with timely sermons. I begged Justin to listen to them. I even hoped Ted would listen to them since they helped me so much. I know they haven't yet, but Justin is doing better. Ted finally took a vacation, and I knew he would need to process everything including the unbelievable behavior that we endured. Unfortunately, his stewing got me stewing and losing sleep over it again. With so many unanswered questions, it's hard to just let it go.<div> In the meantime, vacation has been good, but not looking forward to its swift approaching end. Puttered around the house, ran off to the mountains for a couple of days, helped pack up a missionary family heading to the field, and dressed up and went out on a fancy date last night. Tonight, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">we are going to check out some thrift stores and have a more casual date. With church activities the next two days, this is really the last day of vacation. </span></div><div>It's hard work, trying to relax and not do anything. There is a huge list of things to do around the house, but Ted prayed last night that he and I would get some rest. I enjoy being bored since I so rarely have time to be bored. Ignoring all the projects is the only way to truly rest up. Today is the first day I have truly felt relaxed.</div><div>Until next time....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DzzSDTGMHjo/VgWP-bvbXMI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/cwmOd-smmwY/s640/blogger-image-385850588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DzzSDTGMHjo/VgWP-bvbXMI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/cwmOd-smmwY/s640/blogger-image-385850588.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-51644576867603384392015-09-05T17:33:00.001-04:002015-09-05T17:33:48.153-04:00Summer StormsThis summer was intense! Not with bad weather as the title might suggest, but with the storms of life. <div>June </div><div>This month saw James home on leave from Korea before he headed to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for his next station. Personality conflicts with his girlfriend kept us all wondering why they were even together. The night before he left, he admitted things werent right, but decided not to change them. Our hearts remain burdened for his spiritual health and the future of their relationship.</div><div><br></div><div>July</div><div>Justin came home on leave from Korea, for 3 weeks. He surprised his girlfriend and thus ensued a beautiful courtship with the promise of marriage in a year or so depending on his deployment schedule. Before he left to head back to Korea he even picked out an engagement ring for her. There was a huge kerfuffle among her close knit family and church, but God intervened and it seemed that all things were right and stronger. His girl and I spent many hours discussing wedding plans and ideas and she we visited together as much as our schedule permitted. She started calling us Mom and Dad and spent time with us even after Justin left. </div><div><br></div><div>August</div><div>August was one of the roughest months of my life. I had prayed for Ted's job situatuion that would require him to be out of town to be delayed until after the boys left again. God answered that prayer, but what ensued was a month where Ted and I saw each other about 24 hours each week and most of those were sleeping or going to church. I did not handle this separation very well. Then Justin's little cat died and I had to bury it by myself. God and I had many numerous talks, I would often raise my voice, but He always remained calm and comforting. </div><div>Justin's girl came last weekend to see us, she had some concerns about their relationship, but I thought she was in for the duration. She went to pick out his wedding band and look at rings with us last Friday. </div><div><br></div><div>September</div><div>Unfortunately, in the middle of this week, she started acting reallly strange and called Justin yesterday and broke it off with him. She has then gone to the extent of acting like none of us were ever in her life! I mourned for this all day yesterday and through the night, and Ted and I have actively kept Justin bolstered through this shocking turn of events as he is 8,000 miles away and can't do anything. Needless to say, this is yet another storm in this short summer time. God has truly been my comfort. </div><div>I also went back on my diet and have been trying to exercise and lose weight and stay healthy. I also started a diary. This way I can vent to God and put my thoughts on paper and not keep them bottled up inside. I can then go back and see how God has worked these situations out or how He has taught me or consoled me through them. We are earnestly praying for God to put Ted in a job that will not keep him out of home and church and family. This job literally consumes him and he can't do anything about it. </div><div>I had so many beautiful pictures I wanted to share from this summer, but with all that has happened just this week, those pictures are just a memory of what could have been. </div><div>I do not know what tomorrow will bring, or how much the thunder will roll, or where the lightening will strike, but I am safe in the boat with Jesus, and I know I won't drown. My boat may be full of water, and seem like it's sinking, but I will just trust in God to get me to the other shore.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kO226OCiqCI/VetfuccIz2I/AAAAAAAAA54/TwXNe4nCSrc/s640/blogger-image--224802266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kO226OCiqCI/VetfuccIz2I/AAAAAAAAA54/TwXNe4nCSrc/s640/blogger-image--224802266.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-36639556989076403082015-05-09T18:39:00.001-04:002015-05-09T18:40:37.512-04:00Sweets to the SweetHappy Mother's Day!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aZMHqoNFAk/VU6MnWRHieI/AAAAAAAAA4M/qbejL-4JfJ8/s640/blogger-image-2111714198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aZMHqoNFAk/VU6MnWRHieI/AAAAAAAAA4M/qbejL-4JfJ8/s640/blogger-image-2111714198.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738746181988776875.post-32819721654730995732015-04-30T15:56:00.001-04:002015-04-30T15:56:48.228-04:00Give and TakeAfter a feeble attempt at a vacation, Ted was thrust neck deep into work. I too went back to work, and going to Crossroads Rescue Mission Jubilee at night. We encountered some drama that we knew would come eventually, but it doesn't make it any easier even when you know it's going to happen. It has been rough on both of us, but God gave me strength and peace. Ted came home last night, while I was at the Jubilee. When I came home, he was in a very flirty mood! It was good to see him taking a few moments to act carefree. He brought home a beautiful hyacinth tree, a huge bowl of chocolate truffles, and a gorgeous pendant and earring set. He also had written me a sweet letter thanking me for praying for him, and my humility. We then sat together on the couch cuddling and letting him talk over all that he has been dealing with this week. <div>Do you earnestly pray for your spouse every day? Do you ask others to join you in praying for your spouse? It really matters and really makes a difference in your marriage and your lives.</div>Blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01203698667754405564noreply@blogger.com0