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

Good morning

Hello friends, I have had some really cool topics cross my mind over the last several days ... if I only had time to blog :( There is so much going on in my life. My grandmother is still in the nursing home and it looks like she will be staying. She is enjoying all of the visits from family, friends and church folks (way more visits than she received when she was at home. Of course her little apartment is still sitting there full of her stuff. All of her pictures, cards, mementos from 92 years of living ... Not much of it is valuable in the sense of worldly terms, as she lived on a meager income, but it does mean something to her. She has an excellent mind, but her body is weak. Pray for her as she adjusts to this new way of life in the nursing home.

Home school is going well! It would be awesome if all children could be schooled at home. Just this morning around 6:30 I heard some kids laughing outside; I looked out the window to see them on the corner waiting for the bus. It arrived at 6:43 to take them to school. Those same children won't be home until after 3:00. What a long day for them. Oh well... that's another story.

Like I said earlier I wish I had time to blog ... maybe soon I'll get to sit down and tell you a story. Until then go be a blessing and know I pray for you daily.

P.S. if anyone wants 2 free cats I have a friend who needs to find a home for two very quickly. Let me know and I'll send pictures/ information.

Charles Billingsley - God of the Ages Album Preview

Seeing clearly through the blur

Well, it has been a long day around the Neal house. We made it to the eye doctor and on the way home Olivia's eyes were still blurry from being dilated. I told her I was happy that she had perfect vision and she said, "funny thing is right now everything I see is blurry" ... It's strange how she had to go through having blurry eyes to find out that she has good vision. That made me think of life. Don't we sometimes go through blurry times that end up helping us see things more clearly?

My thoughts turn to that sweet couple I asked you to pray for earlier today. They found out that their unborn baby girl who is due late Dec./Jan. has a heart condition called Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. Right now I am sure that family is in the fog. They have one healthy child and just went in last week for a regular ultrasound when they got this unexpected news. My heart truly goes out to them, yet I can't shake this feeling that everything is going to be ok. I am a woman of faith and I know the Lord is a God of miracles. I am praying for a miracle. Right now this is a blurry situation for all of us, but God in his mercy will help us all see things clearly in the plan he has for baby girl Bentley. I trust the Lord and know He is good, all the time.

It is their prayer that we pray for them with the words from James 1:2 which says; "Count it all joy"..."when you meet trials of various kinds", please pray that they will have "JOY" during this trial and through that "JOY" He will get glory.

God is faithful.

Be a blessing ... guard your heart ... say your prayers .... love your neighbor ....

Let's pray

Hello all, please be in prayer for a friend of mine who will find out today at 3:30 if her unborn baby girl has a heart condition. On her routine visit to the doctor last week the ultrasound showed the possibility of the baby having Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. That is the same condition as Emma Kate and Charlotte; two babies that I have requested prayer for in the past right here on my blog. Emma Kate's picture is on my blog and Charlotte's story is listed under the blogs I follow under "Sam the peanut". I know this precious friend will appreciate your prayers. I don't know what it is (and I could be wrong) BUT I feel strongly that when they go to the doctor today that the results will be that their baby is 100% healthy. I am not ready to accept this diagnoses and will not, until it is confirmed. The baby could have been turning oddly or the ultrasound may not have worked clearly ... I am praying and expecting a miracle. Please pray with me.

Also at that same time today my Olivia has an eye doctor appointment. She complains with headaches quite a bit (like me) so I want to have her checked out. Our appt. is at 3:15. She is nervous as her eyes will be dilated and all. So if you'll pray for my sweet Olivia I would appreciate that.

Home school is going fantastic! We are loving it so much. If the Lord has ever put that thought in your mind; please don't ignore him. Pray about it. It is really blessing us and teaching me so much about my daughter and myself.

Ok, my lunch hour is almost over. Busy schedule to keep. Oh my grandmother is still in the nursing home, but she is progressing wonderfully. Olivia and I visited her yesterday and she had been up and out of bed. Praise the Lord. She will probably get to go home in 3 weeks. Keep praying for her too.

Lots of prayer concerns. Let me pray for you ... share and I'll add you to my list and lift you before the Lord.

love to you ...

Busy weekend

While Chris and I enjoyed The Great Marriage Experience this weekend Olivia enjoyed spending the night with her friend Abbey in the NC mountains. We got to hear comedian Dennis Swanberg (who is such a blessing) you gotta laugh to live. Then my favorite singer Charles Billingsley was there (we love Charles). His new CD, God of the Ages is awesome. We listened to it all the way up the mountain; I predict a #1 hit. It's such a perfect praise and worship song. The entire project is great; I also enjoyed a new song called "Bless the day" ... check out his stuff at www.charlesbillingsley.com you'll be glad you did. Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg were our conference leaders. They shared from their own life experiences and biblical principals about marriage. We had a great time hearing from them and fellow shipping with other married couples around us. Thank you Lord for blessing us with such a great weekend retreat.

Chris, Charles and I at the marriage conference at our church
Charles and I

Jessica and Emily

Olivia and Abbey at the fair in Spruce Pine, NC

Me and Nena

Gary & Abbey, Chris & Olivia at the fair in Spruce Pine, NC

Updates

Hello friends, I want to ask that you pray for a friend of mine who is struggling today with some unpleasant news. I really can't say more at this time, but she is a child of the king and needs to be covered in prayer. Thank you.

On to my grandmother; she was put in a nursing home yesterday. Olivia and I stopped in to see her and she looked tired, but was at peace with being there. It is very close to our home so I plan to visit her often. Keep praying for her. She is suppose to be there temporarily (for 3 weeks) while she recovers from all that's she has been through, but we are taking it one day at a time. Again thank you for your prayers.

Our first week of home school was excellent! God is so good. Thank you Lord for your greatness. Chris and I are going to hear Charles Billingsley tonight at church and then to an all day marriage retreat tomorrow. Very excited.

Have a great weekend. Go be a blessing...

My grandmother

Hello all, my grandmother is still in the hospital where her condition changes daily. When I visited with her last night she was very weak and in a good deal of pain. I really thought she wouldn't make it through the night. Today she has been eating and out of bed taking a few steps. So ... thanks for praying. I do not know what the Lord has in store for her. She is a tough lady. The great news is that she is a christian and when she passes from this life she'll go right into heaven. I am not ready to let her go. She is my last living grandparent. I love her and will miss her like crazy. She has a great mind and can carry on a conversation with anyone and I mean ANYONE. After a visit with my aunt and cousins in grandmothers hospital room on Saturday Chris commented on "how he knows where I get it from " ... Oh well ... the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Keep praying for her to be comfortable.

On another subject Olivia and I have started home school this week. We are loving it..... Can't thank the Lord enough for calling us to do this. What a praise.

I hope you have a blessed week.

Go be a blessing...