Humming... "O Holy Night" with a bunch of beautiful Pearls.

thankful for laughter... it's contagious!

12,910,415 hits...


It's hard to be as mad as a hornet while listening to this baby!

xoxo

anticipation

341). first breakfast alone w/ my mother-in-law after married to her son for 10 years
342). taking Marie to her eye appointment
343). friends being free to openly ask for prayer
344). God opening a crack in the window letting His light shine on my future
345). thanking Him ahead of time for what He's about to do
346). Faith that if it's not what He wants He has something better in mind

Satan is sneaky

A weight was taken off my chest and I'm relieved...

I finally realized why I am having so much trouble with my Scripture memory verses. It's because as I try to remember them I get overwhelmed starting with the verses I memorized last time and I can't remember them let alone the new ones. I get discouraged so I give up. A thought came to me this morning (or a gift from The Holy Spirit). Do I really expect to memorize the entire Bible by the end of my life if I were to live long enough? Or even add 24 verses for every year for the rest of my life? WOW... That's expecting a lot out of myself. Satan was pretty sneaky this time. I'm going to refocus starting now, with my verses for this year only.

Six months later...

Dear Mom,

I started to say that I can't believe it's been six months on Wednesday since you passed away, but I can. Actually it seems like it's been longer. It feels like I haven't seen you in years. If a day goes by when I don't mention you, Lincoln will tell me that I say something that you would say. It's not a negative thing. He loved you and misses you as much as me. I miss your compassion the most. I miss not being able to call to take you to lunch or go for a ride. I miss you asking me about my job and the kids. Whenever you would tell me that parents love their kids more than kids love their parents it made me uncomfortable. Now I realize it was your way of telling me how much you loved us, even if you didn't always know how to show us.

We are still thinking about the cottage on Case's Island. I feel badly that I had an attitude towards you regarding it. You wanted us to have it to enjoy. I'm sorry for making you walk around the island when now I know that you obviously didn't feel up to it. You did it for us. I wish we had it now and that you could spend the Summer out there in the sunroom that you loved.

I'll never forget you, Mom and although I wouldn't wish you back here, it would be nice if I could give you just one more hug. And I want to ask you one more question, "How was it when you met Jesus?"

Love,
Annie

it's blogworthy...

Over a week later, something is still lingering.

We left for Florida for a nice long weekend on Ash Wednesday. For some reason our plane left an hour late.  I'm not judging here, but you should have seen how upset so many of the passengers were about the delay and the mix-up with first class.  I noticed one couple was obviously Catholic since they had ashes on their foreheads.  (By the way, they aren't who I am talking about-- they seemed very relaxed about the situation.) Wouldn't it be strange to see them freaking out because of an hour delay? None of them had young children traveling with them and at least they weren't driving!  I bet most of them were going just to have fun in the sun like we were. As I watched everyone's reaction it got me thinking...

What if all Christians went through life with His ashes on their foreheads... everyday?  We would definitely stand out. Would we treat each other differently?  Would we make the same choices? Would we act differently and maybe have a little more Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self Control? I know people wear crosses around their necks, but the ashes just seem more serious.

Lord, help me remember that people are watching!

xoxo

2011 Scripture Memory Verse #6

"Blessed are the meek, 
for they will inherit the earth." ~Matthew 5:5

One of the reasons I love weddings and funerals is because I love to see the Scripture verses people choose for the most important events of their lives and the lives of their loved-ones.   I sort of wish funerals took place before people died, so we could see the expression on their faces when they hear what people really think about them.

My sister knew her battle with breast cancer was almost over when she planned her funeral.  She wanted The Beatitudes read to everyone present.

The verse I chose (a little late) this time is really my prayer.  I want this verse to be true about me at the end of the day... or my life.

I looked up the word "meek."  If you are interested, you can read about it here.
"The Greek word translated "meek" in Matthew 5:5 comes from the root word praos, which means "mild," "gentle," and "soft." A meek person is gentle, tenderhearted, patient, and submissive. The Greeks used the word to describe a soothing medicine, a gentle breeze, or a domesticated colt."

No Matter What

The other day I came across a video Meghan gave her Dad and me for Christmas in 2002.  She surprised us with a slideshow (with music) she had made in her Media class her junior year of high school. It's the best gift I have ever received from anyone... hands down.  I hadn't watched it in years until tonight.  It brought me to tears again.  I wish I could add it here.  I remember exactly where I was in my heart and it's definitely not where I am today.  We were both going through a rough time.  When I heard one of the songs I tried to figure out what she was thinking when she added it.  The song is called, "No Matter What" by Boyzone.  I wonder if she was trying to find peace after her parent's divorce and praying for God's presence in the chaos.  It makes me sad for what we have taught our kids about marriage/divorce and happy for how far He has brought us.

On Twitter:


"louiegiglio Louie Giglio 

For lent I'm giving up."

giving thanks

321).  seeing pink flamingos with my own eyes
322).  butterflies
323).  early morning golf
324).  evening golf & sunsets
325).  Arnold Palmers (lemonade & iced tea)
326).  hitting the club on the sweet spot every once in awhile
327).  long putts
328).  a friend who can tie a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue
329).  generous friends & invitations to their condo in Florida
330).  fine dining
331).  home cooking
332).  games
333).  snacks
334).  being able to afford to go on vacation
335).  learning about different wines
336).  fishing
337).  palm trees
338).  lunch on a beach
339).  friends who laugh together... and cry together
340).  beautifully manicured golf courses

Thankful for my dear friends

Rich & Reg, Sue & Pat

Reg & Susie

Susie & Me

Rich after fishing... :)

Lincoln & Pat

Lunch at The Turtle Club in Naples

He loves them more

At church this morning I was reminded of the scariest day of my life.  My daughter was close to two years old. We were on Macinac Island for the day with our friends Ted, Sandy and their girls.  We were in town shopping.  John was in the stroller and we all took turns holding Meghan's hand.  All of a sudden I noticed no one had her. To say I panicked would be an understatement. I can still remember the exact outfit (pink with flowers matching her capris and pigtails) she was wearing as if it were yesterday. We separated and asked everyone if they saw our little girl. I ran back to the store with the baby dolls.  I was sure she was there. No.  It felt like everything was in slow motion.  I wanted everyone to stop what they were doing and help us find her but nobody did.  They just went about their business. I was sure someone kidnapped her since she was so adorable.We finally found her sitting at a picnic table with a police officer.  She wasn't the least bit worried. She was probably gone for 7 minutes tops but it felt like a lifetime.  We went straight for the bar.  Now as I recall that day I believe we should have gone straight to our knees to Thank God for protecting our little girl.

A week later Meghan choked on a life saver when John was getting baptized. It was the second scariest day of my life.

I know how much I love my kids.  Anyone who has children knows the terror of this story. The thing is, God loves them a million times more than we do!!   If you haven't read Luke 15 it will help you better understand.  I'm praying for lost children everywhere tonight.

Lord, help us to care about what You care about.  We want to be a Blessing to others!

TY

310).  laughing with my husband
311).  rainy Saturday mornings
312).  "body pump" & "perfect core" class
313).  checkbooks that balance
314).  peanut butter
315).  dancing in the kitchen
316).  uneventful days
317).  excitement in adult children's voices
318).  husband going along with my random ideas
319).  the UPS store
320).  toilets and George the handyman

Book Study 1000 Gifts Chapter 8

You can watch the video of Chapter 8 with Ann Voskamp and Jessica here.



Seed: "Because remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust- to really believe."

Water: When I remember where God has taken me and how He has proven trustworthy in the past, I cannot help but trust Him for my future. I think that's why I like to blog. I do it so I will remember God's presence in my life.  I made each of the four years I have blogged into books because I thought I might want to have something in my hand to remember.  Funny though, I've never looked back at them.

Growth:  I have grown to trust Him so much through blogging, but mostly by writing these gifts and remembering what He's done in the past. He will never abandon me in the future.

These statements also made me stop and think:  "What if remembering doesn't kindle gratitude?  What if remembering just leaves third-degree burns?"

Last night I was looking for a photo of my son and our first dog, Max.  They were (are) so unorganized! As I looked through the pictures I noticed the pictures that had dates on them.  I saw many with the year 1993.  That was the year my ex-husband told me of his two year affair.  My kids were very young when I went through the divorce. Seeing those pictures didn't leave third-degree burns... anymore!  Honestly I was aware of a little sting, but for the most part I felt gratitude for all of the healing that took place.  I believe time does not heal wounds but God does! I'm grateful He got my attention.  He was with me every step of the way.  In the remembering... I trust Him!

306).  hearing birds singing across a phone line
307).  tiny women who are very strong
308).  dads dancing with their daughter
309).  happy tears

2011 Scripture Memory Verse #5

In honor of the book, Crave by Lysa TerKeurst I decided to memorize this next Scripture.  I was going to add it last year but changed my mind.  I notice as I am sneaking up on 50 years old things are beginning to change.   :)

"Everything is permissible for me" but not everything is beneficial.  "Everything is permissible for me" -but I will not be mastered by anything. ~1 Cor 6:12 (NIV)