Happy Birthday Joanne!

Today I must begin with wonderful birthday wishes to Joanne! If you remember, she had a stroke in January and I have been praying for her ever since. (That's her beautiful pic there on the right.) She is making remarkable improvements and you can catch up with her HERE. Only God...

So~

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you JOANNE!!!

We have been so busy over Spring Break with softball that I haven't posted in over a week. Hopefully those pics I promised will come soon.

Before I close for today, I need to post my new verse for SSMT~

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16, NIV

SSMT Day

I had a longer post planned, but will just have to finish it tomorrow. It has been another tough day at our house. Seriously, I know God is doing his best to grow me somewhere. Maybe that's the problem... I'm just not getting it!!!!!!

Tough stuff on our list today:
1) Today would have been our Abby's 10th birthday.
2) My daddy is in a VA hospital for terrible leg and back pain along with depression.
3) Hubby just got another job rejection where he had made it to the final 3.

 I think my new verse is just the right one. Especially today.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal. 
~2 Corinthians 4:18

**I don't know why some of you are getting a message that your comments aren't getting to me. I will do my best to check it out tomorrow and hopefully fix it! I appreciate your comments too much to miss them.

Cold is necessary for what, exactly?

Yes, it is cold here. Way too cold. I am missing the snow but definitely not loving the cold. Very thankful to have somewhere to live. Can't imagine being homeless through all of this. Ugh. Just so painful to think about.

I read a verse this a.m. during my quiet time that made me laugh out loud.

             A fool shows his annoyance at once,
             but a prudent man overlooks an insult.  Prov. 12:16

 If only I had read it before my little episode... I could have avoided the 2 hours crying in my car at the library! I almost considered making that my memory verse for SSMT this week. Decided to just work on that one on my own. My 3rd verse is actually...

            Be strong and take heart,
               all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24

No tips today

This used to be my "Tips Tuesday" but I am fresh out. It has been so long since I have been in that mode that I feel a bit brain dead in the tippy area. Oh, I could give you some tips I have learned in the past 6 months, but they might be frowned upon. Let's just say they might come across a bit whiny..... ish. So let's just don't.

Have you heard the WONDERFUL news?! If you haven't checked in on Joanne lately, you must. God is so powerful. And mighty. And awesome. And, well, C.O.O.L!  Hop on over here and get the full update.

With 2 teens, we are trying to take the time to make some memories. You know... good ones. Not the "Remember when we were walking through the desert?" ones, but more like the ones that will overshadow that kind. Anybody got any ideas for us? Inexpensive ones?

Just posted my 2nd verse today for SSMT (Siesta Scripture Memory Team). I had completely forgotten about doing this and so I am a bit behind. Had to get this verse commited to memory so that I will be ready on the 1st to catch up. Here's my #2:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matt. 11:28-30 NIV

This verse is on the Living Proof Live CD that I bought at my first Living Proof weekend in 1998. Beth reads these verses right before Tammy sings "Jesus, I am Resting". Oh, what an impactful experience that was. Well, I'll save that story for tomorrow.

Far from Wordless Wednesday

Today I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with things to say/share. I want to start by talking about Joanne. If you aren't familiar with this sweet woman, I encourage you to get to know her and the family that loves her. Life can certainly change in the blink of an eye. Please also consider praying for her and if you feel led, there are other ways you can help which are posted on her blog.

In thinking about Joanne, I realize even more how selfish my complaints are. You have been patient with me. You have "listened" and encouraged. You have reminded me of my blessings. I am grateful. Here's a pic of a couple of my blessings. I hope this doesn't seem inappropriate here in this post.

These are my beauties at Christmastime when we were able go back and visit Tulsa. Utica Square is a place to experience and one that will remain forever special to us. 

The next thing that is competing for my attention is how behind I am. I haven't been online much since the New Year... actually in the last 6 months. So, I haven't read this oh-so-important-to-me blog to realize that I haven't committed to SSMT. Yikes! Gotta get movin' on this one.

This is my first verse...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV