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 ...