Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A New Name

We went around the dining room table, on Thanksgiving Day, each telling something we were thankful for. I was thankful for God, for my family and friends. Most were similar but in their own words. But one was a surprise to me and to everyone. Elmise, adopted daughter from Haiti, with a smile and a clear voice, said, "I'm thankful for my new name."


Surprise! We applauded. I'm still in awe. She's a nine year old granddaughter of mine. She lives next door. She's loving and kind. She's pretty. She's smart. She can also be a little sassy at times. She can be a little disobedient at times. But mostly she's a sweet, loving, young girl. She now has the same name the rest of our family has! On July 27, 2011 she was given the name Elmise Sarah ------. I just didn't know it meant so much to her. I take my name for granted. My name was written on my birth certificate when I was born.


My name is also written in the Book of Life! Someday that book will be opened and my name will be read! But it wasn't always there. It was written down when I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. Will yours be read when the Book is opened?


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Tomorrow I'm Going To Collapse

Today was a very productive day, I think. First of all I put steak and gravy in the oven to cook while we went to church. Oh boy, did it smell good when we got out of the car in the garage! Dinner was almost ready. But let me tell about that in a few minutes.


Have you ever gotten the urge to check something out even if it's out of your character? I noticed a couple had left the sanctuary while we were still singing. I suddenly had the urge to go check on them... Was something wrong? Did they have a problem? It really wasn't my business. Yet, I found myself telling Jerry I needed to go out. He moved out of my way and I went looking for the couple. I went clear to the back where the children were. They weren't in sight. I walked back to the foyer and there I saw them at the other end, sitting, looking very downhearted. Again...very out of character for me, I walked to them and asked, "Is everything okay?" (It really was none of my business) 


The man shook his head no. Then the woman followed, no. They began to tell me how their morning had gone. Oh dear. I suddenly felt the urge to pray with them. They both agreed to it. I put my arms around them and prayed with them and for them.


The pastor's sermon this morning was so good...as always. Afterward the young man went to the front and I saw several men and the pastor praying and talking with him. 


Dinner was almost ready when Rob, Jessica, Haleigh, Elmise and Armon came over. Yes, I had invited them! We had a good time visiting, hearing about their cruise and seeing their beautiful tans!
The kids all hugged us like they hadn't seen us in a while! They had just spent their first night at home after staying with us for a week! Grandchildren are so wonderful!


They left and Jerry and I both laid down for a nap. The table was cleared but I insisted I would take care of the kitchen after I woke up from a much needed nap. 


Tim skyped us! What a treat! We visited for quite a while! It's so great. Skyping is a wonderful gift. 


After we said goodbye I hurried to the kitchen. I had all the clean-up still to do and company was coming at 6:00. Our small group met this evening. I was just finishing up when the first two arrived... We always have a wonderful discussion of the mornings sermon and how it applies to ourselves. Then we have a time of prayer for each other and any requests we know about. 


So tomorrow I'm going to collaspe! 


Lord, thank You for this beautiful day when we gathered together to worship You. Thank You for meeting the young couple at their point of need. Please continue to be with them. Thank You for the wonderful fellowship we had with both family and friends. Thank You for the technology so we can visit with family far away. I love You, Father.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Santa Parade Before Thanksgiving!

I love a parade! Santa parade before Thanksgiving? Today when folks shouted "Merry Christmas!" I shouted back "Happy Thanksgiving!" 


I don't think I've ever waited so long for a parade to start. We thought we were dressed warmly enough but we waited about an hour and a half in the cold for the parade to come down to where we were waiting, not so patiently any more! We were so cold. We all had winter jackets on and some had hoods but not all. Mine didn't. I was ready with my camera to take some good pictures. I did get a few, but not enough.


A group of good-hearted folks from my church go every year armed with buckets of hot cocoa! They offer it to anyone who would like to be warmed up with a good hot drink. We were close enough to be offered drinks. It was so good.


We watched the parade with some new friends, Josh, Heather and Kayden. Kayden is four and is a delightful boy. Another child is on the way. 


This afternoon Josh and Kayden came over for several hours. Kayden and Armon had a good time playing. Josh worked on my computer all afternoon! It works much quicker now, etc! Thanks so much, Josh!


I thank You, Lord, for my very good friends. The ones who passed out hot cocoa and Josh for working on my computer. Help me to be a good friend to them and to others who need a friend.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Hello

I haven't been on here in a while. I was thinking I'd quit this blog. But then just the other day I looked in on it and was amazed at nice it looked! It even asked, in so many words, to please write something new! I have another new blog at word press called allinthedayofme.wordpress.com


So, here goes. I have such a fear of hitting a deer with my car in the evenings that I don't drive after supper except when I have to. I'm on a committee that meets once a month in the evening...I go to that. I go to a few other events similar to that one. Otherwise I stay home after supper.


Two times in the same year I did hit a deer. Excuse me, the deer hit me, both times. Once was a few miles down the road from home. The other was way north of Midland on the expressway with a couple of friends. I was driving.


Now when I go out in evening I pray from the time I leave our driveway to where ever I'm going and then back home again. But I've been thinking about this. You see, I'm very paranoid about hitting a deer. I'm sitting very stiff, looking this way and that, sure one is about to pounce on my car. 


I'm also begging God to keep deer from jumping out of the woods into my car. But wait a minute. Yes, I'm begging Him to keep deer away but am I really trusting Him to keep them away?  


I used to be terribly afraid to drive through a storm. My former brother-in-law asked me an interesting question when we were discussing my fear. He suggested that I may have been just intensifying my fear... not really trusting God to protect us or to stop the storm.


Is that what I'm guilty of now? Instead of trusting God to keep deer away from my car, am I intensifying my fear that one is going to jump out in front of me? Hmmmm...food for thought.


Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
   and lean not on your own understanding; 

In all your ways acknowledge Him 
and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6