Monday Musings

It has turned cold here in NC this past week, especially at night and into the early morning hours. Our hard frosts are the equivalent of snow, as we get more frost then actual snow or ice per winter season. We have scurried around looking for gloves and coats and winter attire for the few hours it's actually cold, before you turn off the heat and turn the a/c back on in the afternoons. I could not find any gloves around here that fit me, and Ted and I both figured we would need to head to the store to get us both yet another pair that will eventually get lost come springtime.
It was Monday morning again, and I did not wish to be cold all the way to work, so I pulled my heavy leather overcoat on and trudged out the door. I put my hands into my coat pockets and felt something soft and warm. I pulled out a pair of gloves! Momma's gloves!!! I couldn't remember what I had worn last year, it was because it wasn't until Momma had gone to Heaven that I inherited her winter gloves. I stood there with the gloves in my hand torn with emotions. Do I wear them? Do I stand there and cry and never get to work? I chose to thank God, and Momma for the gloves that I needed, and to laugh because once again even a year later she is taking care of me through God's plan.
The rest of my Monday was filled with normal Monday mishaps, but also interspersed with little delightful blessings. The ladybugs are migrating or whatever it is they do when they invade someone's living space. I have secretly enjoyed ladybugs crawling around in my office and on my desk. They haven't been pesky and they haven't gotten in the way. They have been little reminders of how God can give us joy in simple things.
As I reflect in this Thanksgiving season, I can't believe it's been almost a year already. Only God's grace and love has gotten us through this time of mourning, of missing, of memories, of melt-downs, and of moving forward.
Thank You, Lord, for your blessings on me.

My Adonai

One single drop of rain
Your salty tear became blue ocean
One tiny grain of sand turning in your hand
A world in motion
You're out beyond the furthest Morning Star
Close enough to hold me in Your arms
Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry
My Adonai
You're Maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom
Oh, my Adonai
One timid faithful knock
Resounds upon the Rock of Ages
One trembling heart and soul
Becomes a servant bold and courageous
You call across the mountains and the seas
I answer from the deepest part of me
Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry
My Adonai
You are Maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom
Oh, my Adonai
Oh, From age to age you reign in Majesty
And today You're making miracles in me
Adonai! I lift up my heart and I cry
My Adonai You are Maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom
Oh, my Adonai

Higher Ground

I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining every day,
still praying as I’m onward bound,
oh Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
(higher ground).

Verse 2:
My heart has no desire to stay,
where doubts arise and fears dismay.
Though some may dwell where these abound,
oh Lord, my prayer, my aim, is higher ground,
(higher ground).

Chorus:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand.
by faith on Heaven’s table land,
a higher plane I have found;
plant my feet on higher ground- higher ground.

Verse 3:
I want to live above the world,
though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
for faith has caught all joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground (higher ground).

Chorus
A higher plane that I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground(holy ground)
We are standing in His presence all around(on holy ground)
(I love You, I love You, Holy Father)

Lord lift me up, and let me stand
where the eagle flies
on the mountain high
from the world below
and all the evil noise
Lord lift me up and let me stand by faith on Heaven's table land
We are standing in His presence on Holy Ground
A higher plane that I have found, Lord plant my feet on Higher Ground

I started to play some music today that Ted gave me, as my heart was heavy. This song came on by a popular trumpeter, and I really did not want to listen to it for reasons I will tell you at a later time. Instead, God used it to speak to me, and I was able to worship Him in song, as He knew I just longed to be with Him, on Higher Ground.
I still have this strong overpowering feeling that those who are His children will not be on this earth much longer. This has also given me a sense of urgency for those of you who are still lost and do not call Jesus - Lord, and God - your Heavenly Father. I yearn for you to know Him and accept His free gift of salvation TODAY!!

The Double J's 2010

A Year in Review

I was thinking tonight about this past year, realizing how much we have gone through as a family. Without the help of God, it would be all have been completely overwhelming. After a particularly rough week, I am needing to stop and thank God for His blessings and care through this time.
Last September, we moved to this house and started another year of homeschooling. In December, we lost Momma in a tragic accident. Picking up the pieces and taking care of the family through this time was only accomplished through the daily and sometimes hourly outpouring of God's grace.
In April, I had surgery and had to spend more time then expected in recovery. It has taken a few months to let my body adjust to the changes.
The beginning of June we had some serious issues to work through as a family. By the end of June into the beginning of July, I was weighing the decision to resign my job that I have had for 4 years. In the middle of July, God gave me a brand new job. The training portion and new schedule has been quite a challenge these past couple of months. We have now started a new home-school term, and Justin is taking driver's ed. So, in the course of 12 months, we have gone through moving, burying a precious loved one, surgery, job change, and a lot of stressful moments in our busy lives.
Thinking back on this, I want to feel utterly overwhelmed, but I can see how God has worked through each and every situation, and I know that He will get us through whatever this new year holds.
My favorite passage of Scripture still remains 2 Cor. 4:7-9- "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;..."
Thank You, God, for taking care of me, and for sending Ted to be my help-meet through all the stresses of life.

Glory Moment

Happy Day to Y'all!! I had a glory moment this morning that I have been anxious to share with everyone! I got in my car to head to work, and I happened to glance up at the sun. It was a common scene of the sun behind the clouds shooting rays in a neat display that I particularly enjoy. I started thanking God for the beautiful morning, and I was overcome with such a sense of eager anticipation. I felt this urgent freeing in my soul. I really wasn't sure if I would even make it to work, before the trumpet would sound, and I would be called into glory. All the way to work, I kept my eye on the sun and just worshiped and praised the Son of God. After stopping at the post office, I looked back up at the cloud covering the sun, and amazingly, the rays pouring out were through a gap in the cloud shaped exactly like a huge smile!
I am so ready should He come today! ARE YOU???!!!!

August Rush

Dear Family and Friends,
Just an update for this month on the changes that have happened since my last post.
We are all doing well, and life is rushing by with very little time to stop and smell the roses.
Ted stays busy every day with his job as area supervisor for a Pizza Hut franchise. He tries to balance in family time and church activities, but ends up multi-tasking more often then not. I started my new job as office assistant for World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions. In addition to that, I am also the hospitality facilitator for their prophets' chambers. That is just a fancy way of saying that I keep the guest rooms clean. God has shown me how to be used for His ministry, and how to have joy in serving Him while I do it. It is not just a "job", it's a true ministry to people and missionaries around the world. I am both honored and humbled at the same time to be able to work in this capacity.

Our church had it's annual VBS earlier this month. For the second year in a row, I was delegated to coordinate the refreshment time. I had an amazing group of volunteers to help me. This year was by far the smoothest year we have had lately. 13 children were saved this year at our VBS, and we thank God for those new babes in Christ!

This weekend we look forward to hearing Tradition (Ted's quartet) sing at Crystal Seas Fish Camp in SC.

Ted and I have struggled with health issues and weight problems for the past few years. We have half tried various things, and usually end up back into our old unhealthy habits. With much deliberation and trepidation, we looked again at the Hallelujah Acres diet. This is a Christian organization designed to minister and aid in the health and well being of its clients. We are slowly working into this lifestyle change, and have both already lost 10 lbs each in the last month.
We are excited to see how this will change and help us physically, as well as, spiritually in the months to come.

James did not get either job that he applied for this summer, and has spent most of his days doing yard work for us and his grandfather. Justin just completed 2 weeks of driver's ed classes, and is waiting for the call when he will get the actual driving portion of his education. They will both start school the first week of September, and hopefully will stay committed to an intense year of education, preparing them for college ahead.
We extend birthday greetings to my brother David and his wife Carmelita, cousin Becky and her son Dustyn, my father, and Emily(our niece).
Special loving birthday greetings to my wonderful husband, Ted.
We love you so much and are so thankful to be with you every day!

Happy Anniversary to my parents!

I also want to mention that today is Ronn and Momma's wedding anniversary. Please continue to pray for Ronn and our family, as we continue to adjust to life without Momma. Also pray for Momma's family, her parents are not in good health. Ronn is supposed to visit them in NY the end of this month. Pray for his trip, and for healing for everyone.

Congratulations to my little cousin Gray on his recent wedding!

When Jesus returns will you go with Him?