Summer Began Last Night

I know it's only April 12th and summer doesn't officially arrive
until June 21, 2010 7:23 a.m. but it visited my house last night at approximately 6:45 p.m. That's when the coals were ready
to grill out the first hamburgers of the season.....Oh does summer ever taste good! :)

Blowing Smoke

I read an article this morning of how when we are called to Heaven we may possibly be allowed to scoff at just how silly the Evil One tried to ruin God's plans in Isaiah 14:16-17 "Those who see you stare at you [Satan], they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?"

This opened my thoughts to see just how messed up that some of the events in my life are nothing more than Satan "blowing smoke" to set fear in my heart. To get me to believe I am ruined as a person, or my life is of no value. I wrote this today to my son who is in prison: "this puts a different perspective on what power Satan has on us...to think that we will someday look at him and say "I was scared of that?" But the power he seems to have right now...I can so easily get afraid of what this evil one could do that it paralyzes me to the point of not being of any use for God, but when I think about how he is really just making illusions appear in situations, it makes it seem easier to get through life. But the chaos he can send our way is pretty painful at times...just like your time in prison, what a whirlwind of a mess for you now, but in the realm of all eternity you may even laugh in Satan's face when you step through Heaven's gates to see that it was all worth it and how God used you there to touch others and helping them see their eternal needs. I know you are in a hard place, but God can use you in this, just like he can use me going through my life feeling alone....it has made me more aware of how deeply others are hurting. So please keep on trusting my son and don't give up hope. Please stay in touch with God for he understands our hearts, that's what it's all about. I am trying also, even though I know my actions and thoughts aren't always pleasing to him, He still loves me and longs for me to stay in contact with Him...He wants to be our best friend. Please don't forget you are there in prison on a mission, to step in where God may not be able to go and be light to those that feel hopeless in life. That's all we are asked of, to be usable...nothing more. I love you so much and so very proud to call you my son." Mom :)

Days in Fear

I'm 51 years old and have seen a lot in life. I've had hard times and lots of good. This past couple of weeks has had it's share of stress and worry. My mother has always taught me I have a guardian angel always watching over me. I became a Christian as a small child and can say I know I have God's watchful eye over me and a peace in my heart. But this week, I wavered a bit on my belief of God's ability to make something good out of something so wrong or bad. I received the phone call after having my mammogram. They informed me I needed to come back and have more testing done. A lump had been found. I cried the first 24 hours off and on, but the few days that followed my mind seemed to be off somewhere besides the present. I was given the awareness of what really mattered in my life and all my children were so supportive and actually prayed for my strength to get through whatever I had to face. I stopped longer to listen to people's answers when I asked "how are you?" I looked up longer to see the clouds, the newly arrival of the tree buds and songbirds. I walked with an awareness that people mattered more than things. My youngest son drove me to the clinic early Thursday morning and we chatted and listened to music of my teen years. I situated myself for the ultra sound and had one of the nicest technical person talk me through the procedure. What seemed like all day but were mere minutes, the technician returned with the news that I had nothing to worry about it was only a fluid cyst. I am to return next year for a follow up. My stress melted away on the ride home with my son. I've been given more time to enjoy life to it's fullest and I plan on keeping my head held high and enjoy the wonderful gifts that have been given to me, that being my children and my grandchildren. God, I want to just tell you thanks for allowing me not to have to face the battle and fear of cancer.

God Does Have a Sense of Humor

Can you tell what this is? If I hadn't taken the picture myself I would never believed it. This mystery picture is of the beginning stage of something God created. I looks nothing like it will in the end...it's sort of like my life. Mostly like the inside of me....somewhat unrecognizable until the finished product will be revealed in the end. This creation of God will be in it's final stages in just a few short weeks, but the end result will be completely different from what it started out as. I just pray I can say the same for myself....that I will be completely different and better than when I started out. I'll keep you posted with pictures of what this strange item will eventually become.....stay tuned....and as for me, well it may take many more years for you to see the final outcome, I just pray I am changed into a more loving and useful person for Christ.

This is the beginning of a pine cone.....imagine :)