Winter is Here!

My roses are just as pretty now as those above! We have had just enough cold (no freeze) to make them bloom out. These are located next to my house yet in the direct sunlight (they stay warm from the concrete walls emitting heat after the sun goes down.) I have had these rose bushes so long, I don't remember the name. They start out with a bright orange bud, changing to a light orange then pink as the bud opens. Just before the petals fall, they change to a cream, then white! I have never seen so many colors one rose can have! What a view for the New Year!

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Happy New Year to you and yours!

Christ Every Day, Every Moment.

Without resting day or night , they say "Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD GOD Almighty Who was and Is and Is to come." Revelation 4:8

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Worship GOD, not self or others. Pray without ceasing, may it be in my subconscious if not my consciousness. Worship of GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit is my priority. In doing so, may He be the Witness to others and not me, myself. Let it be His Glory and not mine own. May I die to self and live for Christ so that others will see GOD in me.

Three Days and Counting!

So much joy is occurring everywhere as we get closer to Christmas! The rush is beginning to become at panic stage as some have not gotten all of their gifts, or have procrastinated and haven't even started as yet! The menu of items have some being able to be prepared ahead of time. While most of the food has to be done just before you sit down to have a meal together and remember the blessings GOD has given each one this passed year. However, the greatest gift can not come from any of our family or friends. That being the gift of GOD in His Son, Jesus Christ who would become the Salvation for mankind. Those who recognize their sin and His gift of taking away our sin will not have to spend eternity separated from Him, but will spend eternity with Him forever! What a fantastic future we have set before us, all because the Christ Child was born that night in a stable. The greatest gift that only our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD could give!

Christmas Delight

Whoops! I forgot to take a picture before I ate one, ha! This is from a recipe I have had for years! It's very simple and very tasty! It depends upon you with what flavor of apple you like. It can be the Delicious apples, Granny apples, or the tart apples. I get the smallest apples I can find.

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Recipe: Coating for 6 apples

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

6 small apples

Pare and core apples. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll apples in the sugar mixture. Spray a glass pie dish with an oil coating and place sugared apples inside. Put the rest of the sugar mixture inside of each cored apple.

Cake Mixture

2/3 cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 egg

3 Tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine dry ingredience. Separately mix egg, butter, vanilla. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well.

Place some of the batter inside each apple. Place rest on each apple and allow to coat the sides of the apples. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve hot with whipped cream or ice cream. It is also great to eat after it has been refrigerated. The coating gets really chewy like candy.

The Animal's Present at Christ's Birth.

Looking to the picture above makes me wander about His Creation of His animals in Genesis (which include these barn animals present at His birth.) I used to be so saddened that the animals I have had in my life were gone forever when they passed away; as also the innocent lambs doves in the Old Testament that were slaughtered to cover the sins of the people. I was always so concerned when I would comment to my LORD, "Jesus, why can't they be saved to eternal life as are we?" He quickly leads me to Romans 8:21-22. It tells of GOD's whole creation being delivered, "Because the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the Glorious liberty of the Children of GOD!" I believe GOD's animal creation will also be on His Glorious New Earth! It wasn't their fault that man fell, bringing down their animal kingdom as well! Our return with Christ is spoken of as riding on white Horses! Many of the angels in Heaven are portrayed with certain aspects of "eagles" and others.

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Adam was not prepared to realize all that would come into being by his sinful decision that brought about the fall of mankind. Just as Christ's birth, death, resurrection, and ascension has done more than man could ever realize and not just for mankind only, but the whole creation itself!

King of kings and LORD of lords!

Even the kings of the earth saw His Star and sent their emissaries to seek out where the Christ Child was. "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His Star and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2) How little did this king know that his spies would not return unto him for they feared GOD more than man when, "having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." (Matthew 2:12) How much more than just a babe in a manger this true King was, is and will be! "At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the Glory of GOD the Father." (Phill. 2:10-11)

Shepherds in the Fields by Night.

To me, there is nothing more beautiful than to look up into the sky on a crisp, cool night and literally feel the Greatest of GOD! The sight is overwhelming! I can only imagine what the shepherds must have felt night after night, but then...on That Night to see The Star as well as hear the Angel and Heavenly Host singing, "Glory to GOD in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests! Luke 2:14.

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Praise our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD!

The Star of the East

I can only imagine what it must have looked like to look up into the sky and see such magnificence of the Glory of GOD as He directed mankind to the humble stable of Christ's birth. In Matthew 2:2 the Magi replied, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

Thanksgiving Day's Thankful List

While celebrating with family, we were asked to be ready to share 10 things we were thankful for.

1.I am thankful for my Creator GOD's foreknowledge that I would belong to Him. Eph. 1:4 says, "Before the world was, I knew you." I can't thank Him enough for His saving Grace and Mercy. It makes me ponder, have I always existed even if only in the past mind of Almighty GOD? Then I Cor. 2:7 says, "GOD destined our glory before time began!" Praise you again and again, LORD GOD that I will be with You for Eternity!

2. I am thankful that Forgiveness is Forever! Micah 7:19 says, "Our sins are cast into the depths of the sea and remembered no more." So should we be with one another as we strive to be more like Christ. In the LORD's Prayer, He said, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. (Matt. 6:12) It is a lesson that we forgive, forget, and never bring up again or it truly was never forgiven. I would hate to think if our GOD were to treat us in the same manner.

3. I am thankful for family, especially 2 new members this year, Megan and Jerry. GOD again has "predestined us in love to be adopted as His sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ." Eph. 1:5 The Family of GOD is the best family ever!

4. I am thankful for my friends. Proverbs 18:24 says, "True friends stick closer than a brother (or sister.)" My thought is, "True friendship is not what you can get out of it, but what you can contribute to it!"

5. I am so thankful for the constant work the LORD has given to me my entire life! 42 years of work!

3 1/2 years Neisner's dept store (Junior/Senior year high school, 1 1/2 yr after)

3 1/2 years at my college. If I wasn't in class, I was processing books in the Library

1 year at Haverhill Baptist Day school (right after college)

6 years for Monroe County (right after the Day school)

1 year at the Duval Home for special need students

1/2 year substitute teaching in my current county.

25 1/2 years same county up until retirement!

6. I am so thankful for retirement after 42 years straight from my Junior year in High School right up until this passed June 1st! Now the need for rest! Numbers 8:25 says, "...they must retire from their regular service and work no longer." Even though this speaks of the Levite priests who were constantly involved in moving the tabernacle, it is a word for us today as well, probably more so with the stress that is associated with today's fast paced world. Stress is known to be the #1 cause of blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even some cancers. Since I have retired, my blood pressure has dropped as well as my cholesterol! I now can participate in things I never could before: spending hours in my home Bible reading and prayer journal, Attending Bible studies with fellow Christian ladies, meeting out for brunch with different friends who have retired before me or the ladies in the church. What a blessing the LORD is giving to me!

7. I am so thankful to the LORD that we had no hurricanes this year. He stayed them all out in the Atlantic upward to the cold oceans where they dissipated. Matt 8:23-27 speaks of where Jesus rebuked the storm. Thank you, Jesus for rebuking the hurricanes this year!

8. I am so thankful for the protection GOD has given me over all my life, even the protection of my property, house, belongings, and animals. Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are not all Angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation!" Praise you, LORD, for what I can't see: Your protecting Angels around me, lined along my property, even at my doors and windows. Protecting my plumbing and wires in my house, keeping out any intruders. Thank you, Father GOD for loving me so much!

9. I am so thankful for the neighbors I have had for these years. We built first on the culdesac, then George and Lillian's house was built, then Alice and Boddy, and last Linda and her family. We all (but George and Lillian) are the original neighbors for the passed 27 years (George and Lillian for 17 years!) We all are like family. It is such a blessing all know the LORD and actively worship the LORD (except for one.) The LORD says, "Forsake not yourselves to meet together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching!" Hebrews 10:25

10. I'm so thankful the best is yet to come! Revelation 21:1-4 "Then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth for the first heaven and earth had passed away and there was no more sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from GOD, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the Throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of GOD is with men and He will live with them. They will be His people and GOD Himself will be with them and be their GOD. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow, or crying or pain; for the old order of things have passed away!'"

Thank you my Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD!

I'm so Thankful For Such an Awesome GOD!

I'm so thankful that my Creator has included me in His Eternal Future. I'm thankful for my final destination and only passing through this temporal universe. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered the heart of man what GOD has planned for those who love Him."

I Cor. 2:9

The Camouflage of Fall.

What beauty, to not know where one tree ends and another begins! It doesn't only happen with trees!

Do you see what I mean! HA!

One Thankful Pooch!

Doggy Long Legs!

Answered Prayers...

Praise the LORD! The baby feral cats are okay. My last blog on them had to do with a falcon grasping one, but due to the "pride" springing (literally) into action, the hawk dropped the baby. I hadn't seen them after that for about 5 days! I thought surely the others had been snatched by this bird of prey!

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We had a few nights in the low 50's and upper 40's, so I guess Mamacat had them safely in a "den" of warmth somewhere! The trees limbs hang low around the trunk and it's like a brier patch to get into its undergrowth! The falcon has not been back.

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It is so great to see them running and stalking one another in play, tumbling over one another like there's not a care in the world. There is always larger cats around them (babysitting) when Mamacat is not present! What a sight to watch a mini version of a "pride of lions!"

Let Me Try This Again!

First try. Left out the cup of pumpkin! It is a little flat. It still tasted good, only like spice pound cake. (I could have let it bake a little longer too! It was a little on the heavy side!

Second try! Yeah, that looks much better. (Tastes better too, even though I didn't have any pumpkin.) I substituted unsweetened sweet potatoes, if that makes sense, ha! When I told my neighbor friend, Alice about my baking, she asked, "Where's mine!" (She's always cooking and baking, sharing her specialties with me!)

I told her I had to do it again because of the mistake! So, the second time around, Alice got her delicious "Gramma Jo's 'Pumpkin' spice cake." (Even though it was with the sweet potatoes.) I gave her the one on the left! I'm just about ready to make some more, but this time using the PUMPKIN!

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1st time, no pumpkin.

2nd time no pumpkin, sweet potato substitute.

Third time's the charm! I'll let you know!

I Am Thankful for My Family

Children are a blessing from our LORD! Dad, Mom I know you are witnessing the continuation of your family! What a joy when all of the Family of GOD will one day interact with one another in Heaven with our Creator!

I Am Thankful for My Friends!

Thanksgiving has us busy with baking throughout the month! I used Bonnie's recipe for this delicious spice bread! It is so goooood! I had to freeze one loaf so I wouldn't "pig-out" on it, ha!

The Ghost Everyone Should Have!

At Pentecost the Holy Ghost came like a mighty rushing wind and all of the followers of Jesus Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit, third person of the God-Head (Trinity.)

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What a joy for every believer today that knows the salvation our LORD has freely given to us and all who will receive Him as the sacrifice for their sin.

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After Christ's Resurrection, He told His disciples that He must go so that the Comforter may come (the Holy Ghost.) After His Ascension, the Holy Spirit (Ghost) came and enter the 3000 people who were His followers at Pentecost where Peter was preaching the salvation of the LORD. What a revival, and ever since each person who has accepted the LORD as their Savior has the Holy Spirit enter into them and reveals the truths of our Almighty Creator!

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The greatest truth is soon coming, the Rapture! If you know our Creator you know what that is. If you do not know your Creator GOD you need to ask the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and ask Him to save you from your sins and ask the Holy Spirit to come in and guide your life. Upon doing so, your life will change in an instant. Watch this miracle when your friends question about the change in your life even before you have had the chance to share with them what has happened!

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Yes, there is a Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit! Invite Him into your life today, now!

"Pumpkin in the Oven!"

Do you think I got too big of a pumpkin, lol!

It did bake down after 2 1/2 hours! I put in the pre-fried (in olive oil) fresh garlic, onions, and lean hamburger meat. I also put in summer squash, red bell pepper, fresh mushrooms, cauliflower, and the rice. Whoops, it was not "quick" rice. So, I think that is why it took so long to have it finally be cooked!

No, that's not oatmeal, ha! Even Jerry stayed at bay, ha (only a picture!) It did taste very good! I think next time I will not need to put as much water (2 cups for the rice.) The vegetables have water in them! Also, I will get a smaller pumpkin, lol!

I Can Hardly Wait!

I am so thrilled to have another nephew! This Saturday Jimmy and Nellie are having Jerry and DeeAnna's Wedding Reception at their home! Nellie has really been on 24/7 with the planning of this wonderful family event! I can hardly wait to celebrate their marriage!

Soon and Very Soon...

What excites Christians more than anything else? If you're a Christian, you know that answer right away! If you are not, it is called the Rapture! If you are a Christian, you know right down to your very soul, The Event is not a fantasy, not a story passed down through the ages! If you are not a Christian, the Bible says it is as foolishness to you. Do you want the wisdom of the ages? Do you want the excitement of your very Creator within your soul? You will be a changed person! You will know our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy, Father GOD! He will show you things your heart has never felt or your brain has never contemplated! The Joy that His Children knows, brings an exciting tremble to their souls! You can only receive His personal Love by receiving His free gift of an everlasting, eternal life through the salvation that Christ gives by being the sin bearer of all mankind. Fallen man wants to offer you longer life in this fallen world. Who wants to live that long in a fallen state when you can have eons and eons of time in Eternity with our Amazing Creator (and that length of time can be compared to a single atom in this known universe!) The LORD says, "Come unto me all you who are tired and heavy laden. I will give you rest." That doesn't mean nap time!!

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The Trumpet shall sound. All those who have gone on before us will rise receiving their new bodies and then we shall be changed in an instant meeting with them and Christ in the Heavens! What a Wedding Feast is to come, Christ and His Church!!!

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If you don't know the Joys that go beyond this world's understanding, accept Christ's penalty that He paid for your sins and you will become a new person. Be ready for the Joy of the LORD to become manifested in you! Do it quickly! You don't want to be left behind!

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Hear that Trumpet sound,

Rather than seeing clothes hit the ground!

Dr. Adrian Rodgers on Legislation

Dr. Adrian Rodgers said, "You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving...You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

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This country was set up for those who had the will to become prosperous by their ingenuity and hard work, not to just have it taken away and given to people who choose to refuse to work from the womb to the tomb. Just because a family business out of their home went to an office, then a company, and finally a corporation; these generations it took to become prosperous should not be punished by being forced by the government to pay 70% of their income back into taxes to cover for those who choose to do nothing with their lives. That goes completely against what this country was established under.

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I think it is a disgrace that this country's government continually rewards these people by giving them free housing which they trash within 5 or 6 years costing the tax payers billions of dollars over the country; free "food" cards which they can use at "certain" stores that record the cigarettes and alcohol they purchase under other identification numbers; young girls (12, 13) having 6 or 7 children by the time they are in their mid twenties (and not really remembering who any of the different fathers are) just to collect money from the government (not to mention the children being put on to Medicaid of which their parents have never contributed a cent to the system, but are sucking it dry causing those who have paid into it all their lives to get less if any benefits by the time they reach 66 if that age isn't raised higher by the government.) They receive free cell phones and service. Obama wanted to give "them" free cars and auto insurance when he first came into office! The congress wonders why the country is going under when you have 46% of the population not contributing to the tax base and they're bankrupting the other 54% by over taxing to pay for those who refuse to work! It may not be listed in the income tax, but it surely is listed in everything else you purchase; food, gasoline, electric bills, water bills, cable bills, phone bills, clothing, everything people purchase today has an added tax to cover for those who don't pay anything, but the government gives them everything at the tax payer's expense! The government makes more money this way than going the income tax route! And, on top of that they are coming out with new legislation that would do away with those things we were always in the past able to claim off our income taxes!

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It's time every thing came to a screeching halt. The Bible does say in II Thess. 3:10, "If you don't work, you don't eat!" It's time that this country went back to people being responsible for themselves and those they bring into the world. If the government refuses to do so, the working people need to go back to trading the oranges off their tree for another person's eggs that their hens lay; you fix my car, I'll fix your roof, etc. No exchange of money to be taxed.

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You wonder where the inventions have disappeared that would have your entire house running on its on electrical power from different simple independent sources, your automobile running off of water with more power than gasoline. All of this would make people self-sufficient, something the government doesn't want because they could no longer receive taxes from it.

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The government has gotten to powerful over the people. That again goes against the Constitution. It's government by the people. When these senators vote in things that don't allow the people their freedoms, the people should immediately be able to vote against their decisions without having to wait for four years. Senators have just gotten too sloppy with having too many different things composed within their writing of laws. I wouldn't be surprised that the earthquake that occurred in Washington D.C. and up the coast wasn't the forefathers rolling over in their graves at the ridiculousness of today's congressional bickering! I think one of my previous blogs said it all with the statement that said, "Go GREEN, Recycle Congress!"

Consider the Son's Flowers...

The beauty of the creation of GOD's vegetation!

How much more so when made anew!

GOOD NEWS!

This morning I was in tears. Sam has been in distress to the point of not eating or drinking water. He could hardly stand up, much less walk. I called and made an appointment with my vet (not getting it until 4:40!) I was sure I was going to have to have him put to sleep. So, I did nothing but cry all day. I sat next to him as he was sleeping. He didn't even realize I was there. I was wondering how I was going to get him into my truck. I jingled my keys and he perked a little bit. He always like riding around. I lifted him under his chest and he pushed off with his front feet giving me time to grab his hind quarters lifting him into the back door. (My truck is 4 doored.) I can't believe he stood the whole ride. I met the assistants at the back door because I knew he couldn't walk very far on their slick floors.

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Once Tom came in, his immediate response was, "Hey, Sam, what's up with you buddy?" He listened to his heart and checked his respiratory and said it was the same as it has been recorded before. (Wouldn't you know, Sam was standing the whole time on the slick metal lift.)

Tom took some blood and gave him a shot. I was so ecstatic I forgot what he said the shot was for. He told me to stop the medication he's on for Cushion's Disease. I'm thinking he may not need it as much now and it may be the factor that has Sam in the lethargic manner he's in. I'm so glad it isn't his age (91.)

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He's now walking around, eating, and drinking water. What an answer to prayer! The LORD used Tom to answer that pray. I'm so thankful for veterinarians and especially Christian friends who are!

Uptown!

My! I haven't been to restaurants before, where you have waiters instead of waitresses! And they were in jackets (expensive) and ties at that! I begin to look around and see if anyone noticed my feeling of being "out of place." I almost felt like maybe I could have dressed up more elegant or had different responses that didn't seem so.........unsophisticated! When I was asked what I would like to drink, I replied, room temperature water. I was looked at with a questionable expression and asked, "You want no ice!" I said, "Yes, no cold either!" I could see I was greatly entertaining Alice! When he left, I asked her, "Where do you find these places?" If I stop to think, they (waiters) probably ask, "Where do these people come from!" LOL

I Think It Speaks for Itself!

Retirement is Great!

From sunrise to sunset I will praise my GOD! I thank my LORD for all of the things He is now leading me to do. Before, I never had time for anything outside of work! I am being so blessed in the ladies Bible study class. Learning truly never comes to an end when learning about our Almighty GOD! There is so much about His Love, Joy, and sharing with His redeemed children! I can't imagine what Heaven will be like when we all (in our new bodies) will continue to learn things of our Almighty GOD that our now fallen bodies could never begin to comprehend!

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I am coming along well with my medical coverage by getting involved AGAIN with GOD's people in the Medi-Share Medical Plan. What a difference to work with Christian people (whether they are the helpers with my coverage, or doctors that have been called to doctor in the name of the LORD!) It acts with full coverage as well as, when you change to Medicare, Medi-Share will pay what's left!! Praise GOD that the originator of this program saw the need for us to carry through with His WORD by Christians caring and sharing for one another in this manner!

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The LORD takes care of His own.

Now, 91 years old!

It doesn't seem like it has been that many dog years since I went to the Humane Society and found this beautiful little pup! But, it has been 13 years ago this day (91 for him!)

Now my "old man" has the problems of us all when we reach the age of senility. His hearing isn't so well, he can't find his way around in the dark, he just barely makes it to the edge of the driveway into the grass to take care of his business.

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One positive note for my buddy...his smelling instinct is still as good as it always was! I can't sneak anything into the den to eat without his nose going up into the air and detecting the food I have brought in! However, the old age has his concentration on the food with every bite I take and he forgets to swallow...you know what that means! A string of slobber, yuk!

If I'm lucky, I wait until he is sleeping and wagging his tail in his sleep. THEN I sneak the food in! As I sit down to enjoy my snack I turn to see Gracie, Dolly, and Xena sitting there looking at me! It's a no win situation, or... could it be a great diet idea to sale, lol!

Easier Than You Think!

Retirement

The years of stress have taken its toll.

Now, I can rest, but only behold

All the duress of my tired soul!

Hurricane Irene, 2011.

It looks like a galaxy swirling in space.

But it's not, it's a devastating storm on earth's face.

The horror inside a galaxy's black hole

Is just the opposite of Irene's peace to behold.

What makes the bands of the galaxy safe,

When the bands of Irene ravages every place?

The destruction that occurs when galaxies collide

Is beyond imagination until seen by man's eyes.

Irene's collision with earth's land mass

Brings once more a hurricane's past.

Clean up begins

With prayer that it ends.

Yet two more have formed

And we pray they bring no more harm!

Susan Todd

I pray for those who have lost everything, especially

loved ones. May the Love of the LORD and His Church

assist all they can to help these people who need our

love, support, and help.

Teacher Volunteering, ME?

My first day volunteering for my kindergarten teacher friends! I did some assisting with stamping worksheets that will go home for the first 5 weeks! I was in an inner pod room while I stamped the papers for the parent signatures on the homework pages. It was really nice to hear the children's voices and the teachers teaching (setting class rules and helping the children to remember every few minutes, ha). It was great to not have to be in the room doing what they were doing, though I could walk right through the process in my mind; having done it the passed 34 years!

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I pray for the teachers and the daily workload that has been placed upon all American Educators. The older teachers have weathered many storms over the years, while the younger are building stamina to do so. You can already see the toll taking place on today's younger teachers. They are counting the days for the weekend to come and the rest it will bring. This didn't occur with "yesterday's" teachers until recently when the ever increasing workload became heavier than it ever has in the past. To show the workload they are now under, I came across many of my other grade level teacher friends asking me to come and help them out if I possibly could! It was almost like a cry for help that I, myself, am very familiar with!

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Pray for America's teachers and the new evaluation they are coming under which will promote (what the news has reported will bring about) 80% of our school systems becoming "D" and "F" schools; not due to the lack of teacher ability, but lack of teacher support for the unacceptable challenges the political system is forcing upon the educational demands of our students who are neurologically impaired, juvenile delinquents, and children whose language is not English! Their goal of "All Children" being college material is just not realistic when teaching children that will be a 7 year old their entire adult life due to neurological deficiency. Their same goal for juvenile delinquents are not realistic; and even worse, they support the irresponsible parent and child over assisting the public school system with these unacceptable behaviors. Children who don't speak English are doing good if they get 30 minutes help a day, the rest of the day they are on their own and teachers held accountable if they don't learn.

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I pray daily for the teachers and capable, willing students who participate and cooperate with their eagerness to learn. May our classrooms again become this atmosphere of joy and no longer that of the teachers attention being continually diverted to student conflict, special need students' outcries, and those speaking to one another in their own language due to not understanding English.

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The government's will to "please" all of these people rather than correcting the problems is making it a failing system. The politicians are too concerned with getting votes from these people instead of correcting the problems with their children being in specialty schools, delinquency facilities, or language schools . In correcting it, they know they will lose votes and possible election (or re-election) to government positions.

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Our capable, willing, and joyful students should not be punished by this governmental system due to them losing out on learning because the teacher is having to continually deal with so many political born issues in the classroom before any teaching can begin.

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I say, GOD BLESS AMERICA'S TEACHERS! There's many things politicians could learn if they were forced to go back to school (let them teach for nine weeks in the classroom; I dare say they wouldn't last a week!)

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I thank so very much all of the parents who have brought their children up to respect them. In doing so, they respect their teachers.

Please Pray for a Servant of Our GOD.

Please pray for Doug who has bone cancer. He has been struggling with it for the past 18 months. He was my assistant principal, he is a fellow Christian, husband, father, and a Pastor in his church. He loves his LORD so much, you can see it in every aspect of his life. Pray for his wife Linda, and his three sons. It's so hard to understand why these things happen. Doug is a mighty witness and testimony of the love he has for our LORD. In his witness for his LORD, may many people he comes into contact with be brought into the Kingdom of GOD.

Love to All of My Family and Friends!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEEANNA!

I am so thankful for family and friends! To those I can't hug in person, may this little bear do the job for me! I saved it from one of my blogger friends to use on my blog! I think the greatest hug of all will come from our Heavenly Father when we go into His Holy Presence! If only the Love of our Awesome GOD through us would be accepted by all of those that face the troubles of this world! I pray for Stephen Hawking who denies so Mighty a GOD. He says, "There is no GOD." I can't understand how such a prominent physicist believes everything came from 2 tablespoons of super condensed mass (that has no intelligence) could always exist, but refuses that our Almighty, Awesome, Creator, Savior, Holy Father God with intelligence (which we will spend Eternity learning about) doesn't exist! He chooses to accept no intelligence over that which has intelligence (?) Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world GOD's invisible qualities (His Eternal Power and Divine Nature) have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse!" Please pray with me for His salvation. For once his eyes are opened, He will feel such an awesome power enter into him, he himself will wonder why he waited so long to have this personal relationship with our Almighty GOD! Praise GOD, So be it, Amen!

Separation Anxiety

The teachers started back to work today! I feel like I should be too, but I'm so glad I'm not! I miss the interaction with my friends at school, but I don't miss the ever increasing job load. I plan on helping out a couple of days a week. Surely will be different and more enjoyable to be working with them rather than the kiddos.

Roller Coaster Ride!

I have felt so much better since I have turned everything over to the LORD to worry about! It even makes me want to have a cup of coffee, but coffee makes my heart anxious; gee that's what the stock market has done to me, lol! At least I can enjoy the flavor of coffee, ha!

Thankful For Loving Friends and Family

GOD is so good as He shares through His people. I can't thank Him enough for Bonnie, Janet, and Nellie. I didn't want to offend with how I listed names, so I did it aphabetically! That's amazing; not only do the letters in Joy stand for Jesus 1st, others next, yourself last; they are alphabetical too! I have learned that "happiness" is temporal, but JOY is Eternal!

Cool Thoughts for a Hot Day

I'm not sure where this govt. is leading our economy, but I leave it up to the LORD! Prayfully it won't wreck our retirements too badly!

The Power of Prayer!

I have seen dogs that were trained to pray, but I have never seen a bunny do so. Was the bunny just tired? Only our GOD knows!

Wrinkles in the Sand

It is amazing how the winds of the desert can have such a contrast in the sands. It's almost like thinking about the past and present; our youth and older age. The cheeks of my face are as the smooth side on the desert; however, the wrinkles do appear around my eyes and under my chin.

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There's no telling of the storm it took to bring about the beauty in this arid picture, though it gives a since of calm. So goes our lives while in this world.

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Our LORD and GOD tells us to keep our faith in what happens in our lives, no matter what it is. For He has a purpose for it all and that purpose will bring Glory to Him!

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I'm so glad that GOD (and not man) knows all things past. present, and future; and that He does not twist the truth as does man. Praise be to our Holy, Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Father GOD!

The Wonders of GOD

The Heavens shall declare the Glory of GOD, therefore they are without excuse.

Everlasting Life

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many that enter therein. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to Life, and only a few find it." Matt. 7:13-14

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The Bible's testimony has most of humanity going down that wide path. I can't imagine the broken Heart of our Creator for the majority of mankind that will have rejected His free gift of Eternal Life when the Books are opened and the Book of Life is opened with their names blotted out of the Book of Life.

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God knew the end even before the beginning of His Creation ever occurred. He's All Knowing; past, present, and future are all in the same to Him (a concept that man just cannot understand.)

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What I ponder on, is why would so many people be created by our GOD when the majority of them would reject Him? Did it take so many lost for so few saved to realize the Greatness of our GOD through Jesus Christ?

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I am so blessed to be one of those that have entered the narrow path. I can't thank my GOD enough! I hold myself right now in account to live my life by the leading of the Holy Spirit to be a positive witness to anyone I can (thank you too, Nellie), to invite them to enter that narrow gate as well. The GLORY that will be opened to us when the old things pass away and all things become New, has not now entered the heart of man!

Rememberance.

When we are in the "Forever Eternity" of Heaven,

will we remember anything from this evil,

sinful world?

The Truth Hurts

How do people react to the truth?

It depends on their point of view (whether it's right or wrong.)

They can accept it or they can reject it.

What things come into play when accepting or rejecting the truth?

Emotions, opinions, facts; you notice I listed facts as last.

That's due to sinful man wanting to rely on his emotions and opinions when he has no facts

to base the emotions and opinions on, or right out denial because he does not

want to believe the truth.

I'm so glad the LORD's Truth will come out. When it

does they will be without excuse and before Him they will admit the Truth.

The Passing of Time.

My oldest clock was my mom's that my brother had gotten her when he was stationed in Germany. It was 50 years old at that time (1970). The bevelled glass in front of the pendulum had gotten broken, so we just had a plain glass put in to replace it.

My uncle put this grandfather clock together from a kit. When he passed away, my mom inherited it. I had to disconnect the chimes due to the fact it kept me awake all night!
Some years ago, I started collecting clocks I saw in magazines I received. This next clock I use at Christmas. On the hour it plays the chorus of different Christmas songs.

Since I love animals, I couldn't pass this next clock that has different nursery rhymes with mewing kittens.

This is such a cute butterfly clock! On the hour it flaps its wings with a cute song.
You can't have a kitten clock without a
puppy clock! It also plays nursery
rhymes but with barks!
This next clock has the different calls
and whistles of birds. I really should
have it in the birds room, but they
have their own clock.

This is the clock in the bird's room, the
Looney Tunes characters! I haven't
had it working in awhile due to not
replacing the batteries. It works
today and Max (my macaw) has
been laughing up a storm every
time it plays, lol!
This is it again with a wall picture.

In the bathroom (which is tropical) I
have a butterfly clock. It has different
sounds you hear at the beach, in the
woods, forest, or meadows.

Last and most important,
I have a clock that
portrays the different times in Jesus'
life. It starts with His birth, goes
around to when He was speaking
in the Sanhedrin as a child, His
prayer for "This cup to pass, but not
my will" (this was when he "sweat"
the drops of blood), carrying the
cross, death on the cross, His
Resurrection and Ascension! On
the hour it has angels come out
from behind the center singing
the hallelujah chorus!