At The End of the Day

Monday, Monday ... Can't trust that day.

This Monday was absolutely chock full of STUFF to take care of!

After recuperating from the weekend trip, early this morning we began our day by taking the car to the body shop to get the repairs going. Next off was a serious business appointment concerning our options for the future and making big decisions! Whew! That is a huge load off my chest. We then had to go pick up a rental car for me to drive. It was a test of patience, but the lady at the car rental actually complimented me on my patience. All of the morning involved driving on unfamiliar freeways and toll roads which cause great STRESS! I came home to tend to some other boring details attendant to that and also realizing I have no garage door opener for the rental car. Aaaauuuugggghhhh! Next, a trip to the grocery store since the cupboard was getting a little bare. 

After coming home and putting away the groceries, I made a cup of coffee and settled down to find my recipe for chicken pot pie and print it out. HA! The next thing I know, the printer and I are having a big fat fight. Paper jams that would not unjam and then DH getting involved and causing him stress which he does not need at this time! 

After a good amount of time wasted pulling out lots of crumpled paper and more jams, finally got documents to print, worked on some BSF homework, put the pie together, halloween candy is out, the pie is half gone,  

and then these pics of the kids showing off the prizes they won for the FunRun at school. It was a fundraiser and the prizes were for donations they raised.

This totally made my day!!!!

Monday, Monday ... So good to me.

Let's see now. 

We have each other.

We have family.

We have a car - actually two.

We are able to have repairs done because we have insurance.

We are able to buy groceries.

We are able bodied to take care of these boring details in life, big or small.

We have food.

We have a computer and printer.

The list goes on! and on! and on!

Thankful!

Blue Monday

The Sea at Carmel

I've never been to Carmel, but a friend was visiting there last week and shared this beautiful photo. Our trip this past weekend was to visit the kids and watch soccer. It was all about soccer and costumes. Never before have I had any desire to visit one of those Spirit Halloween stores, but Sara and the kids were on a mission for costumes for the Spookout Soccer Tournament! Shudder!

Just being silly.

The Halloween store was outrageously expensive and so we ended up at JoAnn's buying lots of felt and making do with a costume for Snow White and homemade accessories for the dwarfs. We decided dwarfs aren't that picky about their wardrobe anyway. The hat, beard and belt were made of felt which Sara and I cut out. Pretty raggedy, but the end result was all right for a soccer tournament.

Noah wanted to be Grumpy and this is his grumpy face.

One of the coaches was okay with putting on the Snow White costume.

This young man is from Spain and is a really good sport.

Hold on to your hat!

The thing kept flopping down over his eyes as he played.

This adorable girl sat next to me as she watched soccer

and really got into that pizza.

Isn't her mother beautiful?

He won the prize!

Noah and I played Monopoly - he had hotels on Boardwalk

and Park Place, so you can guess who won!

Money, money, money!!

(I did manage to beat Brady at Checkers, though.)

Papa with the boys early Sunday morning.

So sweet to be with these two. I love it that they

still get up early to spend time with me early mornings in

that big comfy chair.

Friday Foto Friends

Yes! We did!! 

The lines were longer than usual for early voting, but it's worth the wait! And glad to have it done!

These are the lockers for your possessions at the mammography location where I go. Clever with the names you can choose for your locker. I chose Jane Austen and that is the strap of my red purse hanging out there! Of course, letting it all hang out is what happens there, right? Glad to have that done as well!

Doctor appointment this week and next week and finding out the steps we will be taking for my DH. He's not happy about what will be going down, but when we are home, he and Trudy manage to relax with each other.

Now I'm still dealing with that little accident I had a couple of weeks ago, but can you imagine having to deal with this? It happened down the street from us and I'm so happy I was nowhere near when it happened.

It somehow hurts to realize that you are at fault in an accident and, although the insurance company said that the other party does bear some responsibility, the majority of it is on me. Boo! I tried to miss a car and got smacked. They also said they will review my record and probably raise our rates. Oh dear! My thought about that was the fact that God does not hold my record against me any more. The record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands was cancelled at the cross! Hallelujah! That is the record that matters!

Two cuties dressed up and ready for Trunk or Treat at their church last night. I love these beautiful kids! Hiding behind that mask is a precious boy.

Yep! This one.

My friends know how much I love to see the rising and the setting of the sun. A friend sent me this one yesterday and I have to save it.

"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening fades,

you call forth songs of joy."

Psalm 65:8

Abundant Satisfaction

Who can satisfy my soul like You?

Who on earth could comfort me

And love me like You do?

Who could ever be more faithful, true?

I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God

Another busy week is over and the Lifeway Women's Conference as well. I was eager for it to be here and sad it is over, but it is now a treasured memory. So many good speakers and the praise and worship led by Christy Nockles was fabulously refreshing and very satisfying! The theme of the conference itself was Abundance and this morning as I did my devotions I couldn't help thinking about the two words, abundance and satisfy. 

To satisfy is to gratify wants, wishes or desires to the full extent; to supply possession or enjoyment till no more is desired. The adjective abundant is plentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply; in scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with.

Just last week in Bible Study Fellowship, one of our study questions was regarding what things we try to satisfy ourselves with. Most everyone agreed that it is about "stuff", but in addition to that, we look for satisfaction in approval and acceptance from others, love, significance, security, money, power and control. 

So I had to find some verses using those words. I am recording here only a few of them. Is it not a wonderful thing to think about the fact that when we surrender our hearts and lives to the Lord that He will satisfy our desires to the full extent? Not just a little bit, but overflowing! The desires of our hearts may be small or large or many, but if the chief desire is for Him, He will fully satisfy!

God is good.

"The Lord God is abundant in goodness and truth." Exodus 34:6. "My people will be satisfied with My goodness," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 31:14 (NASB) 

He is merciful, always supplying His lovingkindness and truth.

"You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth." Psalm 86:15 (NASB) 

I am weak, but He is strong.

"Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." Psalm 147:5 (NASB). "My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough--always available--regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” ‬‬2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

He came to give us Life - Real Life!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have [it] abundantly." John 10:10 (NASB)

God is gracious.

"the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14 (NASB) 

He satisfies my soul.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 (NASB)

Every day He satisfies.

"O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."  Psalm 90:14 (NASB) "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:16 (NASB) 

So His question to us is:

"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance."  Isaiah 55:2 (NASB)

Friday Foto Friends

On Thursday evening, I joined a couple of friends to attend the October Pink Impact night of worship, the theme being Encounter God. 

Questions we are to ponder as we wait on God are:

1. Is there a fear in my heart You want to talk to me about?
2. What do you want me to know about who You are?
3. What do You want to talk to me about?
4. Have I believed a lie about You?
5. Have I believed a lie about myself?
6. How do You see me, Lord?

As we worshiped and prayed, especially as we sang about God healing our nation, I know that no matter, no matter what happens, God will have His way! He always does. He is Lord! He is Supreme! And therefore, I do not have to fear. It says in Isaiah 8:12b-13 NIV that we do not fear what they fear. 

“Do not fear what they fear,

and do not dread it.

The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,

he is the one you are to fear,

he is the one you are to dread."

My circumstances don't define me. He is using them to refine and fulfill His purpose in me. 

What I know.

He loves me. 

He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness" Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

He cares for me and wants to take care of me.

Pinterest

But, it is not all about me. It's about His will, His way, His timing. Trust ... wait ... obey. Keep taking one more step. Have faith - that is what pleases God. Praise Him for what He has done in the past, for His faithfulness in the past and His faithfulness that He will show now and forevermore.

My Firm Foundation ... my Rock of Habitation ... 

underneath are the Everlasting Arms ... the Everlasting Father

who was, who is and is to come!

A Little Bit of This ... A Little Bit of That!

This week has been fairly busy. Tuesday was Ladies of Grace Bible study, and following that, a trip to the Body Shop to get an estimate on the bruises to our car in the accident last week. Tuesday also was the last day for eye drops in my eye and officially the day I could wear make-up, but I am going to hold off on that for a while ... just being precautionary. 

Tuesday afternoon was spent on the phone for a couple of hours with a tech about a message that locked up my iPhone. I will say that he maintained a most cheerful attitude throughout the whole time, but it's still annoying to try to resolve a problem like that.

On Tuesday evening, I had volunteered to serve for a leadership conference at our church. Each year, our pastor (church) holds a conference for pastors all across the nation. Specifically, pastors of small churches. The purpose is to not only provide them with leadership teaching, but more importantly, to let them know they are loved and cared about, and this is somewhat of a retreat for them. Every one of our members who attends the Wednesday night service receives a card with a pastor's name and the church he pastors. On the reverse side of the card are scriptures to pray for that particular pastor throughout the year. Daily. 

On Tuesday evening, our mission was to assemble 327 notebooks which had been prepared for each pastor. This is how our assembly line looked. A few of us showed up a little before 6. Then a few more. And kept adding to the group and voila! We were done by 6:25 p.m. That's teamwork!

I was reminded of a song we sang as kids

"When we all pull together, how happy we'll be!"

On Wednesday morning, it was Bible Study Fellowship, errands in the afternoon, and preschool that evening. As I stood waiting for children to arrive, I took a few pics of the hallway in the children's wing of the church. 

This is the walk of stars, a program whereby the kids master 11 objectives to earn a medal and a star on the Walk of Fame. Upon completing the course, a star is placed in the hall. I think it is a relatively new thing in the past couple of years, but it's so wonderful to see the names of children I have had in preschool. They are hiding God's Word in their hearts at a young age.

I love my church. Leadership training begins at an early age and never stops for those who are willing to grow and learn.

This morning My DH had a follow-up CT scan to see where we are in the development of a certain aneurysm. This is serious stuff and my prayer is that it is remaining at its current size. While we were waiting, I happened to notice a man in a wheelchair next to us and after a minute, recognized him as one of the attorneys who worked in a law firm where I worked many years ago. He and his wife were surprised to see us and we chatted as we waited, going over what our lives had been like for the past 20 years. One of our friends has made the remark many times that people of our age always end up talking about the same things ... our health and our grandkids. No surprises there and that's what we shared this morning.

I had promised DH early this morning that if he felt like it, we could stop on our way home for breakfast at one of his favorite places, Norma's Cafe, We did and it made it fairly easy for me to shop for groceries on our way home after that. I loaded the top of a small basket, but I noticed that it always happens this way. I load the top of the basket, but then when it is sacked up, it won't fit in the top basket. It made me wonder whether I care more about placement of the food AFTER it has been paid for than when it was simply riding around in the cart!

Tonight a couple of friends and I will be attending another Pink Impact evening for ladies at Gateway Church and then tomorrow, one of my longtime friends, Connie, will be staying with us. Connie and I will be attending a Lisa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 ministry, Abundance Conference in Frisco. This should be a wonderful and refreshing event with some good speakers and worship leaders.

Happy Birthday to my Sister!

A very happy, happy birthday wish for my sister, Roberta. We have been sharing life since Mom and Dad brought her home from the hospital that October day many, many years ago. We didn't have a birthday party every year, but Mother always baked a cake and we always celebrated with family.

On her 4th birthday,

holding up that birthday cake

baked with loving hands by our Mother.

Holding very proudly that

coveted baby doll.

Ooops! Tears on your birthday aren't good.

She had to share the doll with her little friend, Peggy.

(I'm the pouty one in plaid because it's not my birthday!)

Notice all the girls are wearing dresses for this simple neighborhood party.

Happy Birthday, Roberta!

All my love to you!

A Sensible Hodgepodge

How can it be that another Wednesday is already upon us? Time is truly speeding by so quickly these days. But it is what it is and another Wednesday means it's time for fun with the Hodgepodge questions from Joyce. Thank you, Joyce, for the great questions each week.

1. What would you say is your strongest sense?

Definitely not smell! I was always the one who didn't "scents" when the babies had dirty diapers. It therefore stood to reason that I would be the one least bothered by changing them!

I think my sense of touch.

2. Do you believe in the idea of a 'sixth sense'? Yes.
Why or why not? I think it's intuition.

3. When do you most feel like a slave to time? In the mornings.

Explain. Mornings are my favorite time of day and very precious to me. I really like having a couple of hours in the morning to drink coffee, read my Bible and pray, so I make it a point to arise early each day to allow for that. However, it seems lately that I'm a slave to the times set by others, i.e., most mornings are when doctor appointments, Bible studies or other appointments are invariably scheduled and I have to get in the shower, get ready, fix breakfast for DH and do the rush around.

4. Have you ever worked in a restaurant? No.
How would you rate the experience? If you could own a restaurant what kind would it be?
A tea room/bakery might be fun.

5. Ever traced your family tree?  No, but my Grandad did.
Share something interesting you learned there.

That the first of the Leverich line came over as a missionary to Indians and that there was some connection to Ben Franklin's family ... I don't remember how and it doesn't matter enough to me to check it out. The family tree is interesting, but I'm not interested in tracing it down myself. It has been in the back of my mind though to do a DNA test to see what the mix is in my family as I have a blood disorder which is found in people of Mediterranean descent. I would be interested to find out about that.

6. What did your childhood bedroom look like?

Our bedroom was simple. Flowered wallpaper, hardwood floors, a bedspread of some kind, the piano and a dresser. My sister and I shared the room and the double bed. When I was 12, we moved to a new house and our bedroom had blue walls, white curtains, a white chenille bedspread with pink and blue floral design. New bed and new dresser. Very small and therefore again, very simple.

7. Anyone who knows me knows I love_______________________?

Jesus, my family, and CHOCOLATE!!

Or just give me a bag of these!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Do you ever wish you could do a redo or undo in life? 

Our fun weekend activities ended on a sour note as we left the class reunion on Saturday. A car pulled out in front of me causing me to slam on the brakes and be rear ended. Bummer. The plus is the guy who hit us was very polite and so we were able to exchange information without any drama. Now we have to go through the business of car repairs and it's a big inconvenience. Wishing we had stayed at the reunion a few minutes longer ... or left earlier ... Or maybe not gone at all. Blah, blah, blah. Wah-wah.