Dreams

What are your dreams? Do you still have them or are they lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday living? I absolutely love older 2 story colonial style homes with wrap around porches and pecan trees. My dream is to run a Bed and Breakfast. When Chris and I first married we always stayed in B & B's when we traveled and I got spoiled. I love the large rooms, cozy window seats, claw foot tubs, fireplaces in the bedrooms, the antiques and of course breakfast. Every family we've ever stayed with in a B & B has a unique story to tell. Since I have many stories to tell and enjoy cooking and cleaning as well as entertaining guests, I think running a B & B would be the perfect job for me. I'd like to have a big home on acreage with a small pond for fishing and paddle boating. We'd also have a pool and tennis courts for our guests and us (one of the perks of the job :-) I don't know if my dream will ever come true, but that's it. If anyone reading this is filthy rich and wants to make my dream come true I will gladly except your contribution. :-) LOL

Ok go be a blessing...

Good rainy morning to you

I have much to do today starting with getting my sweet girl off to school ... We won't be leaving at 7:15 like yesterday morning since she's moving slower today :-) Oh well... I want to share that the Lord gave me two more opportunities to invite people to church yesterday. One was a neighbor who was in front of me in the carpool line and another person at Olivia's piano lesson. Sometimes us stay at home mom's think we aren't going to have an opportunity to share about Jesus, but when we seek the Lord and ask for opportunities He provides for us right where we are. So, don't belittle yourself or what you do in this world. The Lord places us all in different roles to meet the needs of our family and those around us. As I've heard many times "Bloom where you are planted". That sounds good to me and it's easy.

Go be a blessing (pray before you leave and the Lord will go with you :-) Isn't He so good? Love ya...

You'll be blessed ~ I promise

You know how I end my blogs with "go be a blessing" ? Well ... I have a story to tell. We have a program going on at our church right now where we have tickets to give out to invite people to church on Super Bowl Sunday. Obviously we are to invite people to church all the time, but this particular tool is to use the Super bowl as a means to bring others to come to know the Lord. People are passionate about sports and this is a good way to get their attention. Our church printed up tickets with all the information a visitor would need to visit (Sunday school times, worship times and even a map with directions to our church). We as church members write our name and telephone number on the "ticket" and give them out to those we'd like to invite. I have to say this is right up my ally. I grabbed a hand full of tickets last night and this morning couldn't wait to hand them out. Here's my story. I was in Ingles grocery shopping and found myself on an isle with a lady and her son. He had gauze in his mouth and was holding a balloon. It was obvious he had some issue with his mouth that required care. The mom and I spoke in passing. I have to admit I wondered what had happened to the little boy, but nosey me did not ask. The next isle over we passed again and then again. We both ended up at the meat counter wanting a small package of ground beef, but there wasn't any. I told her we should just shop together since we kept running into each other. I then proceeded to call over the meat man to request some ground beef, but he said all they had was ground chuck. Anyway, she and I stood there examining the meat and I looked up at her son (who must have been 2 1/2 ). She then volunteered that he had just come from the dentist and had to get his front teeth filled. I told him I hoped he'd feel better soon. I looked back at her and then looked at my list. I told her I probably wouldn't be seeing her anymore because after I grabbed milk and eggs I'd be gone. So we said good-bye. Well... on the way to the milk the Lord prompted me to give her one of those invitations to our church. (Problem: it was raining when I got out of my car so I left the stack of invitations on my seat). I went on about gathering groceries only to realize I needed batteries so as I stood looking for the right size, she came by and said "I thought you said you'd be gone by now"? I told her I had forgotten batteries. I ended up in line behind her and saw that she had on a jacket with a sports team on the back. Well ... the Lord was giving me another opportunity to say something like "hey I see you like sports would you be interested in coming to our church for Super bowl Sunday," But at that moment a girl I knew walked up behind me and began a conversation. She talked until the lady and her son walked out of the store. I started praying and hoping my opportunity hadn't just walked out the door, but I felt such a strong connection to this girl that I knew the Lord would make a way. Sure enough as I pushed my cart outside she was parked right in front of me :-) I hurried and put away my groceries and grabbed that ticket. I put my buggy in the buggy return (which was right beside us) and went right up to her. She was on her cell phone, but I said. "I'm sorry I see that you are on your phone. I go to church right over there (and pointed to our church) and want to invite you and your family to this event we are having on Super bowl Sunday. My name and number are right there, we have activities for your son too. Hope you can come." Bye. She smiled and thanked me and continued with her call. We both got in our cars, waved bye and parted ways. What a blessing to me that the Lord worked that out. I just knew he would. I don't know what it meant to her, but it blessed me. I prayed for her and her son as I drove home and I hope that she will call me and come. It was fun and exciting to try to take my own advice and be a blessing. Let's keep it up. If you have a similar story to share I'd love to hear it. Post it here.

Go, go, go be a blessing to others.

Random pictures from March of 2007

I didn't have anything in particular to blog about tonight, but wanted to type so I decided to open an old file of pictures (March of 2007) and pick one picture of each of us. Chris was fishing which doesn't surprise me. I was standing by the stove which doesn't surprise me either. Olivia took that close up of me because I had just gotten my hair cut. I can't believe it was that short :-) The picture of Olivia was taken at the Neal Farm with their new baby goats. Those goats are huge now. Wow, what memories all of those pictures bring to mind. It reminds me how fast time passes. Hold on to every moment and live it to the fullest.

I'll probably take a break from blogging for a few days. Lots to do. Remember to be a blessing and if you don't feel like it, then count your blessings and I'm sure you'll change your mind. Since you are reading this you need to be thankful for your computer, electricity, Internet, eyes and ability to read ... you have more to be thankful for than you realize. Take care.

My future

As I finished my quiet time this morning I sat at the kitchen table thinking about what I would blog about today. It's a new year and time to think of the future. Every night I write out a daily check off list of the tasks I hope to accomplish for the week. If some things don't get checked off of one day, I'll just move them to a more realistic day to get them taken care of. Along with that list I have some short term goals like cleaning out closets and organizing the playroom. I have some long term goals such as seeing myself 35 pounds lighter (not sure how long this will take) but I am walking on the treadmill daily and working out with my core secrets exercise ball and video. All of those things are good, but when I truly think of the future I like to reflect on these verses found in John 14:1-3 King James Version " Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." That's my true future :-) What complete joy that brings to my soul. I didn't always think of heaven with such joy. Sure I wanted to go and meet Jesus. I like the idea of living forever in paradise vs. the heat of hell, but now as I've gotten older and wiser in my faith I view heaven for what it REALLY is; my future home. So as I start the new year with the bad economy, bad news on the TV, evil on every headline, I know that all is well because the Lord is in control. He has a plan and when he is finished with me I'm going home to be with him. Is Heaven your future home? I pray it will be because I'd like to see you there.

Be a blessing right where you are today.

Happy New Year - 2009

Soon I'll be at my mom's eating collards, black-eyed peas and buttered cornbread. Yes, I am a true southern girl. The old wives tale is; if you eat greens in the new year you'll have more "green" in your pocket book. I can't say that has ever been the case, but then again all my needs are met so maybe it is :-) I didn't always like collard greens or even green peas for that matter. When I was in college I met a guy who really stole my heart. He was a football player and had big dreams to make it in the pros. Well, we spent allot of time together and on more than one occasion we'd eat dinner at each others homes. One night his mom served peas ...yuck I thought, but to be polite I ate every one of them. I tell you they were delicious and I guess because I was in love I came to love peas. Well, new years rolled around and my mom cooked her traditional collard greens. When my guy walked in my parents home he said I smell collards ( you can't help but smell them). Guess what? he liked collards. So we ate collards and you guessed it I loved them. Why am I talking about my old flame? Well mom brought him up in conversation last night because of how he always liked greens and we were talking about collards. Right after he and I broke up I went on 2 dates then I met Chris. I knew from that moment I had met the man the Lord intended for me. Chris may not have been my first love, but Chris is my forever love. So this new year I thank the Lord for my Chris and our life together. I thank him for Olivia. I thank him for our family. I thank him for all of the wonderful people in my past who helped shape me into the wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend that I am today. I thank the Lord for special memories and I look forward to a new year to create more. I look back over my life and I feel blessed. I am who I am because this is who the Lord created me to be. Be who you are and who the Lord wants you to be. Be real.

Go be a blessing.

101 post

Well today marks my 101 post since starting my blog this summer. I have enjoyed writing and hope to continue blogging throughout 2009. As I reflect on 2008 I remember it as a year of change. Chris's father found out in January that he had cancer and was told he had 3 to 6 months to live. We were with him as the doctor's prediction came true 5 months later when he died on my dad's birthday May 28, 2008. The summer brought us some fun as we took Olivia to Disney and Sea World for the first time (it was my first time to go also :-) Olivia decided over summer break that she wanted to try public school, so ... after 4 years in Private Christian school we let her go. She has really enjoyed it and wants to go back next year. She is in a gifted class all day on Tuesdays and will be tested in January for a gifted art class ( all I can say is her stick people look way better than mine :-). I was able to finally get a new vehicle this year and have been very thankful for reliable (and updated) transportation. Chris is working hard to keep up with the demands of me and Olivia. God bless him, he is a good man. He has a boat and four wheeler and all the necessary equipment a professional hunter / fisherman needs. I am happy for him because he deserves those things. He works hard for all of us. As I reflect on this year I couldn't be more thankful for my family and friends the Lord has surrounded me with . God is good. Don't let your circumstance rule who you are ... let the Lord. Keep Jesus first in your life and seek his will. Enjoy your family and think of others.

Go be a blessing today. Happy New Year

Is Christmas really over?

No, Christmas isn't ever over; Christmas is what we Christians carry around in our hearts all year long. Sure the gift giving will slow down and the baking will cease for awhile, but the JOY of what Christmas means will stay with us (if we let it). I choose to keep Christmas in my heart all year long. I want to start 2009 pondering Jesus. I am thankful for the opportunity to have a fresh slate and a new year. The possibilities are endless of what I can do. Will I finally lose those pounds I want to lose? Will I get bolder in my witnessing? Will I be a better wife and mother? Will I be a better friend? According to Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I am told in Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." How can I go wrong in 2009 if I let Jesus direct my paths?? I can't go wrong with Jesus and neither can you. Lastly Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Wow, did you catch those last 3 words? will of God. He sent his Son Jesus as a babe, to live as a sinless man, to die for us sinners on the cross, to raise from the dead and join God the father in Heaven; all for me and you. And that is not all; he sent us the holy spirit as our comforter and his Holy word as our guide. We can't go wrong in 2009 if we keep pondering Jesus in our hearts and seek him first. May God be with you in the new year. If you don't have a relationship with Jesus email me. susanbneal@gmail.com

Go be a blessing ...

Merry Christmas everybody

Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

This is our tree. Can you read the date on the bottom of the picture? It says November 15th 2008. Yes, our tree has been up for over a month now. Not only that, we put it in the bay window in the kitchen this year??? go figure ... Since our 9 year old doesn't believe in Santa anymore there are lots of presents wrapped and under the tree now. She has requested a Nintendo DS and asked if we get her one to leave it unwrapped ... gee someone still wants a little of that Santa surprise stuff, huh? I have to admit I always enjoyed playing Santa, but hated lying about it. A good friend of mine who was born in Germany asked me about our Santa tradition last year. She and her family don't celebrate Christmas the way we do. They don't even put up a tree until the day before Christmas and the gifts start coming after Christmas and into the New Year. Unfortunately for me she and her family are visiting Germany for Christmas this year since her parents aren't able to travel. If she were home I'd ask her to tell me again how they celebrate because it was very sweet and sacred sounding, not commercial like Santa. Don't get me wrong ... Santa is ok, but in the scheme of things Jesus is the one we should be talking about and focusing on. The way her family celebrated Christmas made Jesus the focal point. We read the Christmas story right from the Bible each year and we talk about Jesus and give thanks for his life and death and resurrection, but her celebration approached Christmas from a different angle. Since Santa isn't in our tradition this year; I want to change up the way we do things. I'm not sure how, but I'm praying about it. God will let me know what to do and when he does I'll share with you. Maybe some of you have some special ways to honor Jesus at Christmas ... let me know what you and your family do. We learn from sharing with each other.

Merry Christmas

Old sayings and nuts

There's a saying on my flip calendar that reads: Families are like fudge... mostly sweet, with a few nuts. I don't know why, but I really like that saying. I guess because there are many "nuts" in my family. Our issues go way back. I have distant relatives who were so quirky it is hard to believe they lived the way my mom described them. My great aunt Bessie was a sweet lady who enjoyed company, but apparently her 3 old maid siblings did not. When they saw someone walking up their sidewalk they would pull the shades down and shut and lock the doors. Whoever rang the bell or knocked at the door was ignored until the visitor gave up and left. How unusual was that? Mom said they wouldn't receive guests unless they were expecting them.

Let's move on to "old wives tails". Surely someone in your family told them to you when you were growing up.

Here are some my mom told me when I was growing up. Did you know if:

you are a single girl and someone sweeps under your feet with a broom, you'll never get married?

Coffee will stunt your growth.

Cats can steal the air from a baby's mouth.

If you go outside with wet hair, you'll catch a cold. *(I believe this one)

If you cross your eyes, they'll stay that way.

Cracking knuckles causes arthritis.

I know for a fact that when my left index finger hurts we're in for a cold spell:-)

I guess by now you are thinking "where is she going with this"? To be honest I don't know. I just like to share tiny bits of my life ... this is my history, this is part of what makes up me. I have a 9 year old daughter who some days doesn't seem to like anything about me. The other day she asked me to help her make a blog :-) Can you believe it she wanted a blog? She wants to be just like ME. I pray daily that I will be a light for Jesus, because that little girl is examining me through a microscope. When I slip up; she let's me know it. She is so precious to me. When she looks at my life I want her to see Jesus in me. We're making history right now and I feel so very blessed to have her. Time is flying ... literally by the minute. Enjoy your children, make memories. Go outside and jump rope and play ball. Act like a kid. Act like a nut. Yes, families are like fudge ... mostly sweet, with a few nuts. How boring life would be if we didn't have a few nuts.

God bless you. Go be a blessing.