Autumn and change

Well, yesterday kicked off the first day of fall. What a wonderful time of year. I can't help but thank the Lord for giving us different seasons. I see each one as a special gift from Him. Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. I enjoy the cooler temperatures and watching the trees in our yard as they change from green to orange to red ... Only a God like Him could do such wonderful painting. He puts it out there for ALL of us to enjoy. You could be rich or poor; young or old ... it doesn't matter, it is God's free gift to us. I can't help but marvel at his creation and think how blessed I am to be a child of the King. He loves me, just as I am ... sinner Susan. He lets me enjoy this world and all that he has created.

Just yesterday Chris and I received the results from some blood work we had done for a life insurance policy. I found out my Triglycerides were very high, 238 (the normal range is 10-190). My actual cholesterol was 228 ( the normal range is 120-240) so that wasn't high, but not far off. Seeing those numbers really got me to thinking about my life and how I live it. I consider myself to be an active person as Olivia and I play tennis and we walk often. I eat fruits every day and love my veggies. BUT I suppose the chocolate, chips, and fatty meats may be the contributing factors to my higher levels. I had many people on face book share with me different diets, exercises and even to take fish oil. So ... I will see what works for me. I will be 40 this December and would love to lose 20 pounds by then. I guess this is my motivation to eat better, get more active and lose the weight. Time for change.

This morning Olivia and I went to my grandmothers apartment to go through clothes and other odds and ends to help my mom empty it out. Grandmother has been placed in the nursing home and will not be back to her apartment. It's really sad going through her belongings, but I am thankful to do it with her still alive. I took one of her favorite dolls to her Monday night and she just hugged on it. She is doing well at the nursing home and getting lots of visitors ( which I am thankful for). What a season of change for her life and for us.

Change isn't always easy, but is necessary. We can't expect to make a difference in this world if we don't make changes. What can you do today? Go be a blessing...


Happy Fall Y'all :-)

The sound of the piano

Olivia and I are taking a quick break from school. I am checking emails and obviously updating my blog and she is playing piano. Her piano teacher, Mrs. Sandra Welch, is a precious christian lady. She uses a variety of musical styles in teaching and hymns are my favorite. When I hear Olivia playing a hymn it soothes my soul. Good music is like medicine. She is playing Joyful, Joyful we adore thee right now. That makes me question myself? am I joyful? do I adore Him? Honestly I am not always joyful and I don't always give the Lord the adoration that He deserves, but praise God he is never changing and accepts me just as I am. The music is a great encouragement and reminder of WHO we serve and HOW we are to serve Him. Thank you Lord for giving us many ways to praise you.

I need to get back to teaching; we are heading outside to study then to find insects for our terrarium. What a wonderful calling...

On a different note: If you would please pray for a loved one of mine who is going through a tough time right now. I know the Lord is teaching this person something and sometimes the learning process is difficult. If you would pray that they would know the Lords will. Thank you my praying friends.

God bless you.

Crick in my neck

Ok so I'm going on day 7 of this crick in my neck. I thought after 2 days it would be gone, but it's not. I can't figure out why I have it or how to make it go away. I've had some stress lately and feel fed up with face book, email, cell phones and communication in general. Do you have days where you wish no one could "get a hold of you"? I do. Yesterday was an extremely stressful day for me. I won't get into the details, but when a situation makes your daughter cry and then makes you cry you know to many people are bugging you. Yes I like to be helpful and yes I like to do good, but when MY child suffers due to the quick decisions of others, things have gone to far. Life is more than all this technology and word typing.

We are in the midst of a missions conference at our church and I have learned so much already from the 6 missionaries I've had the privilege of meeting. You can bet they are out there living life without technology. They have given up all "worldly" things to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. What have I ever given up? What about you? Now is the time to share with your neighbor, your nephews girlfriend, your cousin, that lady in Ingles who rings up your groceries week after week. No, I don't feel called to fly overseas, but yes there is alot of work to be done in my city, my community, my family ... What about yours? Who have you ever told about Jesus? anyone? I know it's not something I do easily. Not sure why ... I love Jesus. I am so thankful for my salvation, but I'm not shouting it from the rooftops. What's wrong with me? Why don't I go and tell?? Pray for me to be bold in my witness. Pray for those in your family or your neighbors that are lost. Prayer does change things. Pray for this crick in my neck to go away :-)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day.

Soapbox ... protecting children

What gets on your nerves? what stirs up that emotion that causes you to want to DO something? Child abuse and neglect is what sets a fire in me. Everyday it seems there are multiple stories of children being abused, neglected or killed by a parent or companion of a parent. What is this world coming to? I just read of where a mother left her 3 children ages 4, 2 and 1, unattended from about 3 to 4:30 a.m. Thursday. Yes, she just decided to get in her car and leave the house with those babies asleep. Last week or so I heard on the news of a boyfriend who was left to care for a 6 month old girl. He decided to hit her in the stomach and she died (he shouldn't have hit her anywhere she was only 6 months old!!!). What do we need to do to protect these children. Just this morning I had a prayer request from a friend to pray for the protection of a 10 year old from her mothers mood swings and rage. What are we to do ? Can we help? Yes, I believe we can. We have to #1 realize that these "mean" people are lost and in need of a savior. If they had Jesus living in their hearts they wouldn't want to hurt their children. We need to be about the father's business of reaching out to the lost. #2 We have to be vigilant. If you see a child in a situation that looks questionable, then question it. Protect that child no matter what. My heart is broken for these little ones who can't help themselves. Just yesterday I got an email about one of my daughters friends whose mom is an alcoholic. I know the mom, but didn't know she was an alcoholic ( she hid it well). My mother just last night told me of a family with 5 children who live on her street (they just moved in). The parents are never home and leave their 13 year old daughter to care for all of her younger siblings. DSS has been called twice. The 13 year old told my mom's neighbor that they didn't have food because her parents spend money on beer. My mom's church took them groceries. Y'all it is all around us ... people hurting ... little innocent children suffering. What will we do? What will I do? Join me in praying for the children. Join me in praying for the salvation of the parents. My heart breaks for the children.

"When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, 'Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.' And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them."
Mark 10:14-16