PEACE

This last week I have been not feeling so good. Just kinda sluggish, tired and feel like I just can't fit in. You ever have days like that? I have lost sleep due to thinking about everything and anything. Seems like my peace has been stolen. I was reading one of my quote books & stumbled across this:

The Master said, "In the morning, hear the Way; in the evening, die
content!"

I realized my mornings had not been starting off like normal. Usually as I drive in the morning I start my talk with God. but last week, I was thinking about other things - my new postion - my home responsibilties - calling for doctor appts - planning dinner - etc. When I read this - I realized I did not start my day "hearing the way" talking with Him - asking for his direction on my day - so I lost my peace. We always hear about starting off the day with a good bowl of "Cheerios" or a large glass of milk - or something else that would feed our physical body but we really DO need to feed our spiritual body- So that is why I was feeling "just not right" So today - I am making a big effort to feed myself right - Cheerios and my prayers - Cause I dont want to lose my peace

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT PEOPLE CANNOT DO

I think it is amazing what prayer can do. I have a very close friend at work, Porscha. We became close probably about 3 years ago. She moved on our team & I was lucky she sat right behind me. For some reason, her & I just click. Now in Porscha's words - I am a middle aged white woman & she is a young black woman. But we have found a friendship. We talk about all types of subjects. I admire her because what I say she never repeats. She is who she is. Anyway - a few months ago we both were offered promotions to a new department. We knew there was a chance we would not sit together. During training we were told we would be on different teams. We both were disappointed. I was driving to work one morning - saying my morning prayers - when I just mentioned to God - could you please put her close to me - I told him how Porscha kinda covers for me when my memory just doesnt work. I didnt want us to drift apart. That very next day - the announcement was made for our positions and she is RIGHT BEHIND ME again. Now for my quote:

Jesus looked at them and said "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything" Mark 10:27

I can understand praising God. He looks at each prayer. He pays attention. He is not just up in heaven driving around in a Mercedes - talking on a cell phone to some angel - planning the feast for the evening. HE PAYS ATTENTION!!!! I can see him now - stopping the celebration in Heaven - Wait a minute - Brenda is asking for something - stop - I need to help her. What a moment. I just want to say that on this Saturday morning - I have been up since about 630 - I just want to praise him for what he does for me. For listening to me - when I pray about my grandson Dylan - or my daughter Shawna - he has never let me down. Why??? because God can do anything - even move a young black girl to sit by a middle age white woman.

You go girl - the world awaits

Have you ever thought if you go just go back 20-30-40 years ago - how would your life be different. I have thought that before but lately I have decided I would not do anything different. Because if I do - I would not have experienced the joy that my life has brought. Sure there were times that things were not so good - marriage was not the greatest - job sucked - no money - but all of that brought me to where I am today. If I had changed things - maybe I wouldnt have the same family - maybe I wouldnt have had ANY family. Of course, maybe I would have married someone different and had lots of money!! But I am glad I am where I am at this very moment. Tonite - our granddaughter Stacey was offered and accepted scholorship at Hanover College. She has the world in front of her - a new frontier to conquer. She is not going to get a "do over" This starts her phase where she is going to be fully on her own - making decisions - trying new things - new challenges - I hope when she is at my age - she will say - I wouldnt have done anything different. So today - my quote is

You go girl - the world awaits.

First kindergarten - then college

MEMORIES

Tonite, my husband & I stopped by our daughters to visit awhile. Naturally she had her kids, dog, husband doing dishes, 2 friends of her children, and babysitting her little "Baby Drew" Pizza arrived - everyone was talking, Baby Drew bouncing up and down, dishes being washed. We all were looking over photos of our granddaughter, Stacey, who will be graduating this year from high school. When we left, kisses were given, hugs too. As we drove home, I realized this time next year, things will change. Stacey will probably be at college, her friend Kelsey will be gone too. So the laughter will die a little. But tonite - a memory was made. We will look back on those nights & I think - How lucky can one family be? Good health we have , not much wealth but we are warm, fed and happy. Laughter outweighs arguments. So tonite my saying is:

"Good memories are like charms - you collect them one by one, until one day you look back & discover they have made a very long colorful bracelet"

Tonite - my bracelet got a little longer.

PROVERBS 3. 5-6

I have told a story over and over about an incident with my husband. He had been employed for about 22 years at a job that was not the best. But he went to work everyday to support his family. He started to look for another job many times, but for some reason, never was hired. Now you have to know my husband in order to fully understand - he is such a hard worker, shows up everyday, and pays his dues. So we never could understand why he wasnt offered other jobs. Well, all at once, he got an infection in the lower part of his leg. It was really bad! Kept going to the doctor - for about a year but no healing. Then one day - he received a call after an interview, and he was offered the job. He loved it!!!! It was in a hospital and easy on his health. Anyway, one day a doctor saw him limping & ask what was going on. He took a look at the leg & immediately sent him to a specialist. Ended up - after tests - he had a 5 bypass heart surgery - two days later - almost died - and had a pacemaker inserted. Now this leads up to my quote for the day

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS (PROV 3.5-6)

God was looking down at my husband - seeing ahead - charting everything out - putting all those people in place - to take care of my Dan. After he had the surgery - the people where he worked donated their vacation time - so he never missed a paycheck. Never forget - in the darkest of the hour - God is directing your path. Just stand still - let him move everything around to where it should be - he will work it out.

DANIEL E ANDREWS

Havent did a posting for a few days - snow storm here - kinda distracted by snow, ice, driving etc. It is very strange how someone can make an impact on your life - without even knowing. As I stated before - I love to read - and that means the newspaper. I saw an obituary some time ago (not sure how long) about a man named Daniel E Andrews - they stated he life his life by tidbits of philosophy. He died suddenly in Seoul Korea at the age of 30. One of the tidbits he lived by was:

"LADIES FIRST OR MY MOTHER WOULD KILL ME"

What a great piece of advise. My husband is one of the best in being a gentleman. He never lets me work on the outside of the sidewalk. Always when we shop - he lets me out at the front door of the store - then parks the car. Always opens any door for me. This trait, I believe, shows character. My son,Jaimie, saw this - and now he does the same. I have also seen my grandson, Dylan, do the same. I still have Daniel's obituary in a book I keep of sayings - just to remind me the importance of manners.

How many times do we make mistakes??? I dont know about anyone else but I make them all the time. That is why I chose this next one.

DO EACH DAY WHAT YOU CAN LIVE WITH FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Seems like if we had this posted on a giant billboard when we drove into work or posted on the fridge at home - or in our car - or on our computer, our everyday life would certainly change. How many times do we do something that and within seconds - we think - Gezzz I shouldnt have did that. But we are lucky - we all get "do overs" So tomorrow - I am gona try and post this on my desk - just to remind me

Today is Tuesday Jan 20th - today we got a new President. So much on his shoulders to carry - we all need to add him to our prayer boxes for strength and guidance for him & his family. My words today are - SO WHAT IF SOME OF THE CRAYONS ARE MISSING - USE THE ONES STILL IN THE BOX. MAYBE THE WORLD NEEDS A PURPLE HORSE......

Hope this year gives me a lot of purple crayons - I learn to use whatever I have to make my world peaceful - and always realize no matter what - I am so very blessed.

Trying to learn something new

Well, it seems like everyone is doing it!! One of my goals for 2009 is to try something new - whenever it is offered. My son, Jaimie, has a web site which he updates with his art work. Due to his busy life (and mine) the site is how I can keep up with is work. My daughter started a web site of 365 photos for the year 2009. So instead of just reading theirs - thought I would try mine. Mine is going to be on words. I LOVE READING!! I usually have a book in my purse. I read on my break,lunch hour and after my husband leaves for work (he works 3rd shift) I can go into a book store and stay for hours! But usually a book will have a quote of somesort that stays with me. As the books are finished - the quotes are not remembered. I thought - what a better way to remember and reread by putting them on a blog. So today I am placing a quote by Randy Pausch from "The Last Lecture" "Dance with the one who brung ya!!" It is a reminder about being loyal. To truly be a loyal person - can mean sharing secrets & never telling anyone else - watching their children when you are dog tired - going to dinner with an old friend who has changed over to years to someone else but yet you know deep down inside of him - that old friend still exists. When you sit with your friend or family member, remember you are there with them at that very moment - it will never happen again in that same manner - dance with them!!! Talk - listen -laugh - value that moment !!!