8 stitches

8 stitches later I am free of the "butter bean" growth. Yea!!! I am also rid of those two unsightly moles :-) All went great and I am fine. I go back to the doctor next week to get the stitches out. The worse part is changing out the bandages (can't someone create a truly ouch less band-aid). Thanks for your prayers.

The end of the mole

Did I type mole? I meant month. Actually I meant mole. In less than two hours I will be in my doctors office having an unusual looking growth removed from the side of my face. My dad noticed it two years ago and told me I should have it checked out. After daddy died I asked Dr. J to look at it. His explanation was that an oil gland that runs along my jaw line got clogged and formed a "butter bean" type growth next to my ear. Needless to say Chris has kidded with me about my "butter bean" ever since. We had no indications of cancer or anything serious so I haven't been in a hurry to have it removed. However, now it feels like it is changing so it will be cut out today. Dr. J said I'll probably have 4 stitches. While under the knife I am also going to have, what dad called my "beauty mark" removed. I never thought of it as a beauty mark, to me it was an ugly mole. I would have had it taken off years ago, but dad didn't want me to and I respected his wishes. You know dad is in Heaven now (it's OK to smile, I am ) so today is the end of the mole. I loved my dad, he was my BIGGEST cheerleader. If I were having a bad day or if someone hurt my feelings or if work was going terrible; he would cheer me on and make me feel better about myself. He always encouraged me and told me he loved me. He looked at my ugly mole and saw something that made me his daughter. I miss having that; I miss having him. If you get anything out of this today remember to look past the moles. We all have flaws, external and internal. Find the beauty in everyone; you know it's there because God doesn't make junk. Say a prayer for my doctor around 11:30 Let's pray that he feels good and is having an accurate day :-) LOL

Blessings...

Long to-do list; no energy

You know when I post pictures from last fall I am pretty tired. I have had a full week and it's only Thursday. Last night I went to my First Place Class ... had weigh in and I did NOT jump up and down. I had gained one pound which put me at my ALL TIME most weight ever.??? Not sure what's going on except my sweet Chris said, I must be building muscles :-) I love him. Anyway, I am just in the beginning stages so I know as the weeks go on I will change my eating habits, lose weight and keep it off. Keep praying for me and my sweet tooth. Thanks.

My schedule for the rest of the week is so full I had to take a nap this morning, yes I really did. I was exhausted. Who knows what I'll be writing about, if I even have time to sit down to write. I have made this a habit though ( and kind of enjoy it ) so bare with me if you are a regular reader. If you are not then check back often; some days are better than others :-)

Today Olivia's school is hosting a family picnic (a first for us since we are new to the school). We are all looking forward to it this afternoon. By the way Olivia was on the news last week; her teacher won the Golden Apple Award and News Channel 4 came out and spent an hour with the class. If you go to her teachers website: http://www.hollandshappenings.com/ you can see the short clip and my girl in action :-) Olivia was so proud to be on TV . Of course I was proud too.

Well, work calls, so I must go. Have a blessed day. Don't forget to thank the Lord for fall ... isn't this a wonderful time of year. Let's get out there and enjoy it.

Blessings ....

Our grandparents

Virginia Trip last October

Golden Rod

About this time every year I notice Goldenrod growing by the side of the road. Instantly I begin to sing a little song that my mom taught me and I taught Olivia. It goes like this; "The Goldenrod is yellow, the corn is turning brown, the trees in apple orchards with fruit are bending down." there are more words, but that is all I know. Since I decided to write about it this morning I thought I would investigate this song to find out where it came from and how the rest of it goes. It turns out that it's not a song at all, but a poem called September.
I will post it below. It is very addicting to sing considering all the Goldenrod that grows in the South. It's amazing how a weed that grows by the side of the road stirs a song within me? A weed. I am writing about a weed today. A weed that caused a lady I never knew (Helen Hunt) to write a poem that my mom liked enough to teach to me and I taught to my daughter. Words are so powerful. We surely need to be careful how we use them and the influence they have on others. I have the following Bible verse on my refrigerator: Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Oh that I would do that!!! Lord please use the Goldenrod ( God's Golden Rod of correction, strong in color yet soft in correction) to remind me to watch my words. Thank you Lord for this beautiful fall day. Lord Jesus thank you for blessing me with a precious family, go with them throughout their busy day. Bless my friends Lord, those who read this blog and those who don't. May we all humble ourselves before you and recognize the beauty you have freely put before us. May we give you the praise that you deserve. Thank you for pretty weeds by the road that stir up songs within us and bring simple joy. In your precious and holy name I pray.I love you Jesus. Amen.

September by: Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)
The golden-rod is yellow;The corn is turning brown;The trees in apple orchards With fruit are bending down.The gentian's bluest fringes Are curling in the sun;In dusty pods the milkweed It's hidden silk has spun.The sedges flaunt their harvest,In every meadow nook;And asters by the brook-side Make asters in the brook,From dewy lanes at morning The grape's sweet odors rise;At noon the roads all flutter With yellow butterflies.By all these lovely tokens September days are here,With summer's best of weather,And autumn's best of cheer.But none of all this beauty Which floods the earth and air Is unto me the secret Which makes September fair.T is a thing which I remember;To name it thrills me yet:One day of one September I never can forget.

No more emails???

This may sound strange, but ever since I started my blog my emails have almost ceased to exist. I still send them out, but don't seem to hear back from anyone ( yea, you the one reading my blog :-) So how about letting me know what's going on in your life? I am very interested. The Lord has blessed me with so many good friends and I mean GOOD friends. You know the kind of people you can call on and they are there to help, to pray, to listen. Thank you for being one of those kinds of friends.

I went to my First Place class last night and weighed in :-( yuck ... I hope in about 11 weeks to get on those scales again and have something to jump up and down about :-) you'll know what I'm talking about if you read my blog yesterday. I have to keep a daily log of everything I eat and that is very difficult. Some stuff I'd rather not write down. I've even debated whether to write it down or just not it eat ... I guess that's part of the reason to have us do that exercise. Regardless, I am trying to eat better and exercise more. I love lifting weights and walking ... it's the time frame I have trouble with. Oh well ... it will all work out. I trust the Lord with my life and don't worry about it.

I know I am jumping around in my thoughts today ... kind of tired if you couldn't tell. Oh another thing, most of you know I have a degree in education. That's sad when you notice all of my spelling and grammar mistakes. Just over look them and know that i was good in art :-)

Have a fantastic day. Rest some, spend time with family, spend time with the Lord. Oh, and email me :-)

Blessings....

Jump up and down Joy

When I came back from taking Olivia to school this morning Chris and I were in the kitchen talking and something I said made him think of something he heard on the radio. It was a short clip from Beth Moore where she said you need to have "jump up and down joy". That made him think of a hunting show he had recently watched where a guy had been sitting for hours waiting for a Moose to come in close enough for him to shoot with his bow and arrow. As the Moose got closer the guy took the shot and made it; he was so happy he "jumped up and down".Visualize a grown man in camo jumping up and down in the woods :-) Chris said wouldn't it be great if we had that kind of excitement for the Lord? That really started my wheels turning this morning; what makes me jump up and down with joy? As fantastic as the Lord is and all he has done for us why aren't we jumping up and down for him? Pride, fear of failure, guilt ??? I don't know about you, but I am all for joy and happiness. I am going to start praying for "jump up and down joy" for the Lord. "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:8 I think in that verse in 1 Peter the word "inexpressible" probably means jump up and down. Let's find our jump up and down joy today :-) I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do. If you could post your jump up and down joys that would be great!! I know it will make me jump up and down. :-)

Blessings always ...

Pack Rat

Even though I don't like the term "Pack rat" I am one. I inherited the disease ( and it is a disease) from my precious mother, who in turn inherited it from my precious grandmother who at 92 has more scarves, pictures and cards than anyone has time to count. Over the weekend Chris & I decided to clean out the office (it's suppose to be his space with his computer equipment, hunting and fishing stuff etc.). Well, I found out on Saturday that not only was I born into the "pack rat" family I married one too. My sweet Chris is a paper and box pack rat. He has kept the box for every electronic device we have ever bought not to mention the paperwork, whew... it was quite overwhelming to see everything we had kept since 1996. Well not anymore; he and I boxed up and bagged up and took out the trash. Things are starting to look and feel better around here. He and I both said how good it felt to throw stuff away; it's very freeing. Not only do we have a closet where we can actually put the stuff we use; there is a little empty space in there as well :-) It's OK to have some empty space.

Life is so much like our weekend of cleaning out. As a Christian who is trying to do God's will I find myself not letting go of stuff that is just cluttering my walk with the Lord. How freeing it is to give that junk to the Lord and let him "take out the trash" of my life. He can fill those "empty spaces" with his goodness and then help us make better use of why we are here in the first place. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."Galatians 5:1 I want to be used by the Lord; not a slave to junk. As you go through out your day think of areas where you have some "junk" you can give to the Lord. Let him help "clear your clutter" so He can get through to you and use you.

Pray for me as I seek to be used by the Lord right where I am. I will be praying for you.

Blessings ...

The weekend is here :-)

Don't you just love the weekend? We all slept in this morning and it was great! I find myself checking the school calendar for another day off :-) Our weekdays are so full with appointments it's nice to have a day with nothing on the calendar. Who knows what fun we'll have today. I'm off to enjoy it :-) Have a blessed weekend.

Disney

SeaWorld

Remember 9/11

Good morning, I want to share with you a website called: www.myGoodDeed.org It was started on behalf of those families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. As a way to remember their loved ones they ask that we all do one good deed on 9/11. I signed up last year and remember my mom and I donated multiple bags of clothes to GoodWill. This year for my 9/11 Good Deed I am going to babysit for a friend while she has her hair done. The idea is to do a Good Deed ON September 11th. We also need to pray for those families who lost their loved ones on that day. I opened my Bible to Hebrews 13:1 & 2 this morning it says: "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Let's not forget those who have gone on before us, but we need to take care of and reach out to those here with us.

Blessings...

Blog, blah, blah ... Nope, I choose blessings :-)

Do you ever have one of those days? You can't quite figure out why you feel the way you do? It's cloudy today and I'm already moving slower than my normal fast pace. I know I haven't written a blog update in a while, but who reads this stuff anyway? Let's face it; it's therapy for me. I believe writing your thoughts down is very healthy and helpful. For one thing what I'm going through today might be something you went through last week. Maybe my words can help you or you have something to say to help me. Shouldn't that be what life is about anyway; helping others? I believe so. Right now I am really missing my daddy. He loved fall and everything outside is reminding me of him. The mornings really trigger my memories of him, especially when I sit down to this computer and read the newspaper online. I read the obituaries and it reminds me of what daddy would say everyday. He'd say; "Well I read the obituaries this morning and since I didn't see my name I ate breakfast". He was really something else. He was the last of an "old school" generation. Don't get me wrong I know he is in Heaven and he wouldn't want me being sad ( but some days I am). God(my God who holds my future, who plans everything out for me) He is so good. Years ago God gave my father a desire to plant fruit trees and so even though daddy is gone; I can still eat apples off of his tree. To me that's a gift from God. This day is a gift from God. So I am going to get up from this desk chair, go cut my mom a piece of chocolate cake I baked last night and visit with her. We choose how we are going to live and how the day will turn out. I can sit and be blah or I can take cheer to someone else; I choose cheer. I choose Jesus; the joy of my life. I can do all things through Christ who encourages me :-) Have a blessed day. Let me encourage you to do something nice for someone this week. Let me know what you do and how it changed your day. Let's spread cheer. Smile, God loves you and so do I.

Blessings aways ...

Loving the Unlovely

Do you know why we are here? The Bible tells us that Jesus commissioned believers to continue His work on earth—sharing the good news about Father’s saving grace (Matt. 28:19). Following this command isn’t easy when we come across people whose lifestyle is distasteful to us. It often feels more convenient to befriend someone who shares our values. Yet a lost man or woman may be led to restoration through a Christian friend or acquaintance.

Jesus got involved with men and women whom society avoided. He ate dinner with tax collectors (Matt. 9:10; Luke 19:5) and gently spoke His message of hope to an adulterous woman (John 4:7-27). And to anyone shocked by His associations, the Lord explained that He “did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). ~taken from Charles Stanley Intouch devotional.

Oh did the Lord step on my toes with those words. How many times do we (I) avoid eye contact with folks who look a little "scary" for lack of a better word. Those are the very people we should say hello to and give a smile too. I'll never forget being in Ingles once and smiling at an elderly man as he approached me. He stopped and looked right into my eyes and said; "I had the prettiest smile and it just made his day". Well, of course what happened was he had just made my day. We never know what a small act of kindness can do for another person. I know if Jesus were on earth today, He’d be ministering to the needy, the addicted, and the downtrodden. I want to be like Him. If you pray for me, pray that I'll be more like Jesus. Thank you.

I want my daughter to be like him. Please pray for my Olivia as she is in her new school as a witness for the Lord. She has always been in a Christian school where Jesus was taught openly; now she is the one teaching (so to speak) as she shares her faith with her friends. Christian school was a good foundation for her, but for now I think public school is her mission field.

Blast from the past continues

Blast from the past

A Long weekend

What a joy to have Chris and Olivia home for a long weekend. We went out to eat with some good friends on Friday night to Lake Bowen Fish Camp. Saturday Chris somehow talked Olivia and I into going to Pauline, SC to a fundraising banquet called "Hunter's for the Hungry". It was held at Philadelphia Baptist church. We heard from a "famous" turkey call guy ( sorry I can't remember his name :-) anyway, the food was great and we had a fun time. Olivia got a free fishing pole, all the children did, and Chris bought her a t-shirt. Sunday after church we attended the funeral of Richard Long. We had been to see him in the hospital the Sunday before. He had colon cancer and fought it for many years. His wife Vicky is a precious friend to us please pray for her and their family. Colon cancer is what my dad had ... get checked.

On to more exciting news: Yesterday we took the boat up to Lake Bowen. We packed a picnic and had a fantastic time out on the water. Yes, everyone was there and it was crowded, but the Lake is huge so we had plenty of room to play. I must admit I am not always the first to jump in the boat and head to the lake, but after yesterday I'd love to live up there. We saw several homes for sale; one was a gorgeous log cabin it only cost $ 595,000 we won't be moving to the lake anytime soon :-( but at least we can enjoy it whenever we want to. Olivia and Chris played in the water while I tried to capture as much sun as possible. It was a great day off. I forgot to take the camera so no pictures. Well, I have much work to do after taking the weekend off to spend with my family. I'll post more exciting stuff soon.

Have a great day.

Blessings ...