MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

This has truly been a great day. Timmy, Taylor, and I stayed home to celebrate. We continued our family tradition by opening gifts at midnight. Then staying up into the wee hours of the morning together. I finally got to bed around 4 am. We also made our annual trip to Walgreen's on Christmas Day. Then Tom, Steph, and the boys came to visit, eat, and exchange gifts. Moments like these make for great memories.

We are blessed, and I'm thankful for my family and friends.

It's Been a While

Well, it's been a while since I've posted a blog. Just been out of commission and in a funk.

I celebrated my 34th birthday this year. My grandfather and I always celebrated our birthdays and Thanksgiving together. This was the 1st one without him. I must say that it was difficult, but I had support from family and friends to make it through.

Christmas is around the corner, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Guess I'm just not in the spirit yet. Hopefully, it will bite me soon!

Love to all!

The Old Fashioned Way

Tonight we had hot dogs the old fashioned way...over a fire. Now we weren't exactly "roughing" it. But we did enjoy a nice fire in the pit on our patio.

It was a great spur of the moment thing to do. None of us really wanted to cook or eat out, so Timmy and I went to the store while Taylor started the fire. He was pretty stoked about that!

I can sit by a fire for hours. Something about it is mesmerizing. All the outside noise of life disappears, and I'm able to think about what is important in life.

I am making a conscious effort to enjoy more moments like these in life. Time away from the race, time to think and reflect, and time to make great memories with the family.

Party in Heaven

Well, I've had to finally come to a point in my life for which I've tried to prepare myself. But somehow, you can never really prepare yourself for losing a loved one.

My grandfather, Pa, passed away Saturday night around 20:30. His health had deteriorated in the last few months, but he was still getting around every day looking around the farm to make sure everything was just so-so. Wednesday morning he fell out of bed and broke some ribs...plus we learned that he had pneumonia in his right lung. It was just too much for his frail body to handle.

I received the call Saturday morning about his being rushed to the hospital because he was in so much pain. I rushed there to see this strong icon in my life reduced to a frail little man who couldn't speak. He knew who we all were and tried to communicate to us. All he could do was nod his head or shake our hands with affirmation. All day I watched the horror, as his last few hours were so painful...just to breathe, hurting from broken ribs, tired from living such a long life.

As I walked out of the room that evening to catch a breath of fresh air, I grabbed his soft, but leathered hand from all the years of work and looked him in the eye. I said, "Pa, I love you." He looked me in the eye and said "yeah." I knew then that would probably be the last time to communicate our love to each other here on earth.

I prayed that God would ease his pain and take him home to be with Him. Pa had lived such a wonderful life and being selfish at that point would not have been in his best interest. Before he passed, he looked around the room at those who were with him and looked toward Heaven and smiled...as if to say..."Don't you see it...It's beautiful". At that moment, peace came over him and he rested. Drawing his last few breaths with all of us around him, he peacefully left this world to be with Jesus.

Now as I sit here saddened and crying but relieved, I can only imagine the party that he's having with his Lord and Savior. We were planning a 100th party for him in November, but nothing we could have given him would ever compare to the party he's having right now. I can't wait to party with him!

I love you Pa. Thank you for always having that sparkle in your eye when you saw me. Your gentle loving hands to hold me and pat me as you said "I love you Sugie." I will see you soon. Enjoy the party!

Resist the Devil

James 4:7
Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

This verse has come up twice within the last 4 days. I guess God's trying to get His point across to me - He's always there but we must take action on our end too.

It's as easy as giving it all to God and then telling satan to leave you alone. Now that doesn't mean that he's not going to continue to try to tempt and bother you. But you don't have to handle things alone. No matter what the situation you are faced with, give it to God. And when satan tries to tempt you, tell that low down liar to leave you alone. God is always there with a means of escape.

Lord, help me to always remember that you are always watching over me. All I have to do is turn to you and lay everything at your feet. You will always take care of me and any issue I'm faced with. Give me guidance and strength in all situations.

A Childhood Moment

Watch your thoughts; They become words.
Watch your words; They become actions.
Watch your actions; They become habits.
Watch your habits; They become your character.
Watch your character; It becomes your destiny.

I read this quote today, and it was a profound moment for me. I was taken back to my childhood and remembered a simple little song we sang in "Gleaners" (yes COGOP peeps I know I'm dating myself).

"Be careful little eyes what you see...Be careful little ears what you hear...Be careful little hands what you do...For the Father up above is looking down in love..."

When we allow little things to creep up on us, we don't realize the impact it is taking on us until satan has us bound by the things we see, hear, and do. These things can lead to traps that affect our destiny.

My destiny is HEAVEN; therefore, I must guard myself daily with God's word and prayer.


Ephesians 6:10 - 18

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere

Priority or Option?

"Never make someone your priority and allow yourself to be their option."

I've heard this quote and like it. But for some reason, I've heard it almost daily for the last week. It really spoke to me in a different way this time.

I'm so thankful that God doesn't live by this quote. How many times in our lives have we strung God along as option B, C, or even D? We have always been God's priority. Even after His perfect plan was tainted by sin, He sent Jesus to die for our sins to bridge the gap and create a way for us to be with Him again.

I know I've been guilty of having a "pocket Jesus" and pulling Him out only in times of need. But He desires that we make Him our top priority - just as He does for us daily. All we have to do is turn to Him and give all our issues to Him. He's always there.

Lord, help me to always make you my priority - I can't make it alone - I need You!

Under Construction

OK. It's been a while since I've posted a blog and some are getting on to me for that. I must say that the last month has been a huge life changing experience for me...I've been under construction.

God has been tugging at my heart about some things and has been doing a great work in me. Plus, I've taken a new position within the company and now have my own account. Needless to say, I've been very busy with this new position and haven't had much time to sit and write my thoughts about life.

Thanks to all my friends and family for continuing to pray for me and for loving me. I love you very much and couldn't survive without your support!

Until next time...

Fact of Life - Phones Don't Float

over the weekend i was reminded of the cruelty of gravity and that certain items don't float. and i'm sure some are still wondering how my phone ended up swimming with the fish....so here goes....

i enjoyed a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing weekend with my son and brother at greers ferry lake. went tubing, swimming, and caught some good rays. i made it the whole weekend without messing anything up.

it was at the end of the day saturday that life decided to remind me of that wonderful thing i learned about in science...gravity. i sat my phone of the dock box, so it wouldn't get wet in my pocket. little did my brother know that it was setting there when he opened the box. i saw this little red information packed device of mine (that i can't live without) fly through the air and heard "plop". as much as i wanted or willed it to float, the phone & memory card were sinking to the bottom to live forever more with the fish.

now many may think that i would get mad. but somehow, i found the humor in the situation and laughed as i told bobo that my phone just went into the water. of course, he felt awful. but it was my fault for leaving it there instead of a safer place.

i have been looking at phones the last month and was trying to decide whether or not to upgrade to a "big girl phone". i was able to make it back to alltel before they closed and made my purchase. so now i can carry my "big girl phone" while wearing my "big girl panties"...LOL!!!!

please send me your digits, since i am building my information database again.

My Favs

as i have had my reflective moments and chats with God lately, i have been constantly reminded of some of my favorite scriptures i learned as a child that have helped me throughout my life. so i thought i'd share them with you...may you find peace and comfort as i have.

thanks to my friends for being relentless in reminding me, always being there for support, and loving me no matter what! i love you dearly!

i am still amazed that when you have reached that moment of despair and teetering on the edge of the point of no return, God is there ever so gently tapping us on the shoulder and pricking our hearts to let us know that he is there with arms wide open ready to hold and protect us. no matter what mess we've gotten in to or what we may have done...all we have to do is take off the blinders and look for him. he is always standing there...we just have to turn and give it all to him. thank you God for never giving up on me!



Philipians 4:13
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.


Isaiah 40:31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.


Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Our Weaknesses...

St Paul had a weakness. He called it “a thorn in the flesh.” Nobody knows what it was. But we all find ourselves dealing with our own thorns.

Whatever the weakness was, St. Paul prayed for God to remove it. Here is his answer from God:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Here is St. Paul’s discovery:

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12: 10

Like St. Paul, no matter what physical, mental, or spiritual baggage we carry, when we decide to advance the mind and heart of Jesus Christ in whatever context we find ourselves, God’s power makes up for our weakness.

Thank you God for always being faithful and helping us through our weaknesses. With you, nothing is impossible.

Life...

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't.

Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

I'm Here!

ok. so i've been a member here since february 2007 but didn't do anything with it. since some of my friends don't like myspace, i decided that i would humor them and post blogs here too.

stay tuned for more of my world!