I Fell Down

...and it wasn't pretty. I have lunch with my prayer group every Wednesday. My parking space was a gift, right by the restaurant door. I stepped out of my car and took a step, tripped, and crashed down on my bad knee, then sprawled prostrate on the concrete.Slow motion, surreal, floating. On my way down I saw two grown men come out of the restaurant, look right at me, and then they turned and walked...away. No, it was more of a saunter, toothpicks protruding from their mouths.

Not me...google free image, lol

The disbelief, hurt and anger actually helped me get myself up. A kind woman rushed over and picked up my purse that went one way, and papers that went another. I'm afraid I did call in the direction of the two men, "Thanks for your help." I don't know if they heard me, but they just kept on keepin' on.

Oh, well, I was fine. I went in to the comfort of my friends.  Knee hurt the next day, but I got over it. When I finally got home that night, I cried about it. I had to sit down and figure out why.

I've heard of this happening before. We've all seen Facebook videos of people being beaten to a pulp while others walked by without rendering aid. The value of human life has diminished to a great degree. I know there are all kinds of reasons for that. But what I want to talk about today is this:

The feeling that came over me as I lay on the ground and watched those two men walk away was shocking to my system. I felt completely worthless, abandoned, afraid, just down right hurt. Angry too. Prayer helped me forgive those two guys, but there was more working in my spirit. What could I learn from this?

I sensed the Father telling me that

1. There are people all around me feeling abandoned and worthless.

2. Many can't pick themselves up and enter the comfort of friends and family.

3. They need the love of Jesus, and I am to be a vessel for that.

So, I'm not quitting my job and joining the Peace Corp or anything, but I am motivated to try and be aware of the those around me needing to be "picked up off the ground."  Father, open my eyes:)

Nerdy Inspiration

Here's a little poem I wrote for myself several years ago. It keeps me on track with my goals (not in the order of importance). I was inspired by the Narnia, Prince Caspian movie. I'll be sharing in weeks to come what each of these phrases mean, and why they help keep me on track. I know, I'm weird:)

Drink only diamonds
Eat from the earth
Dance in the moonlight
Sing every verse

Spin pretty yarns
With pen and with hook
Soften the faces
Upon whom you look

The Word of the Lion
Hide in your heart
In all your connections
Do more than your part.

©Jody Bailey Day

What do YOU think some of these phrases mean?

Surprised by Fear

I'm turning 57 on Sunday (19th). Those numbers have never bothered me. Strangely, though, I didn't expect this about getting older. Didn't see it coming. Fear. Yes, I'm a person of faith,. I know we're not supposed to be afraid and I do know where it comes from. Still, I struggle with it sometimes. Just being honest here.

Health issues, finance issues, the state of our country, our children, our spouse, the future. The list is infinite if I let myself think about it. Am I the only baby boomer struggling with fear? I doubt it. I just don't hear anyone saying so. 

It's my thinking that's the problem. I have to remember that the same thing is true now that was true when I was young and strong.

1. God is in control. He's got my back.

2. His steadfast love never ceases, never comes to an end.

3. He has a plan for my life. Random is not in His vocabulary.

I wonder if this struggle is why dear old Prue Benson always sang the same song when it was his turn for a solo at church. "His Eye is on the Sparrow, and I KNOW He watches me." Praise God!

Are you ever afraid?

Embracing the Uncomfortable

So we've got our goals written down, our mind pumped up, and the new year looks victorious! Then...we get leg cramps from going to the gym after a 5 month break, we come home from work exhausted and would rather drive through than eat the salad we diligently prepared ahead of time, and our word count is lacking for the day. The recliner looks better than the computer chair. UNCOMFORTABLE = QUIT!

Somebody posted a cute, and very true, snippet on Facebook last week. "It's time for my traditional January 1 through January 3rd diet." Something like that. I don't want to give up this year on my goals. I know you don't either. We have to face the fact that our pumped up drive and resolve will face the Enemy. 

Maybe we could look at UNCOMFORTABLE as our friend. He (let's make him a 'he', good looking, and our cheerleader, lol) gets us there, teaches us discipline, wants the best for us. Wait, that's Jesus! He's beautiful, encourages us with His Word, so wants the best for us. 

So I'm wrapping my arms around Uncomfortable. Are you with me? Normally I try to write about encouraging things, life through Love Colored Glasses. This is maybe a negative take on it, but it's where I am now.

Where are you? How do you fight the Uncomfortable?

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

Go ahead, say it:)

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas! I've said it as many times as I possibly can to any and all. What a joy! 

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

Luke 2:11

Go ahead and say "Happy Holidays" if you want. It means "Holy" day, anyway, so you can't keep Christ out of Christmas if you wanted to. But why would you want to? He loves you, offers you freedom and eternity and you're gonna say, "Uh, no thanks." Really?

Well, yeah, really. I, for one, say 'no' to him often in my choices, attitudes, lack of gratitude. Still He loves me, knew me from my mother's womb, knew how I'd fail Him, knew all that but still made my salvation possible. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life." Reallly? YES!!

 

God Bless YOU! 

Easy Peasy

Tomorrow's the big day. I'm looking forward to being with my family. We've grown so much that this year we're all pitching in to rent a place so that we can celebrate comfortably together. The older I get, the more simplicity becomes my mantra. This year I ordered our dinner. It seemed extravagant until I added it up. The cost of purchasing all the ingredients for our traditional meal was way more than what I paid the restaurant.  Less expensive and easy peasy is always a good thing. We'll still make some of our extra favorites, but the lionshare of the time will be spent loving on my family.

May your day be filled with grateful worship and love, full hearts and stomachs. From our home to yours, a most blessed thanksgiving. God Bless you:)

Fights Like a Girl

Met a terrific lady today!
Jamie Batson dropped by to check out the library meeting room and make plans for her book signing on November 25th. Don't you love her pink boxing gloves?


 This is an irreverent, often humorous look at breast cancer through Jamie's eyes as she progresses through this life-changing disease. It is brutally honest and frankly describes the events and processes faced by a survivor.

I'm halfway through this awesome read and am mesmerized by the ordeal she went through, and the humor and insight with which she deals with it. I'm glad I met this wonderful woman. Her book signing will be at Fort Stockton Public Library, Monday, November 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Pressed Down, Shaken Together

Bundles of Joy

So this is what I've been preoccupied with these last several months. Scarlet Laine Hamilton born October 13, and Isaac Nathaniel Ontiveros born October 27. We couldn't be more proud or grateful. Grandchildren numbers 8 and 9!

Talk about the windows of heaven opening! Our family is reveling in

baby love. 

Want to get your childhood sense of wonder back? Sit and hold a baby for a few minutes. Watch them pucker their lips as they wake up stretching. Thrill at a dimpled grin that delights as they dream. Is there anything softer than baby skin?  

 "There's really nothing quite so sweet as tiny little baby feet." Unknown

"A baby is a little bit of heaven on earth." Unknown

Children are a gift from the Lord;they are a
 reward from him. Ps.127:3

"Granny wuvs you, you widdle darlin' sweetums poo." Me

Overcome, we give thanks.

Two, Count 'em, TWO!

Say hello to Sarah Day Hamilton and Jessica Day Ontiveros. These two daughters of mine are due within a few days of each other. I'm been reflecting on all the love poured out on these two by our friends and families.

Our great friend, Kay Boswell, otherwise known as the Shower and Tea Party Lady, along with a host of friends and family, blessed my girls with the most amazing showers.

Sarah, due October 5 and expecting a girl (Scarlet), her first,  was given a sweet tea party shower.

 Jessica, due a few days after Sarah, and expecting a boy (Isaac) was given a Mother to Bee Shower.

Jessica, with her son Micah and daughter Lily.

 I'm a very blessed woman:

Me and My Girls (Not Shown: My handsome son Nathan)

Randy and I will have nine grandchildren by Christmas, and we couldn't be more exited and grateful. Thanks to Kay and friends, and to the awesome husbands who loaded all the presents at the end.  

My love colored glasses are clouding over thinking of the many blessings we have. Above all, thanks be to God. Makes me think of this:

What are you looking at through love colored glasses today?

See Things Differently!

My little friend Peter clapped his hands with excitement as he talked to my husband. "Do you want to see what I'm going to wear to church tomorrow? I'm going to look so handsome!" And he did:)

Don't you wish we could get a little of that enthusiasm back, the kind we had as kids?  Everything was wonderful, exciting, and there was so much to look forward to.

The only real difference is that we stop expecting wonderment and awe. The tremendous joy of little everyday things disappears. It's all about how we look at life. We begin to magnify problems instead of solutions. We forget to be grateful and thankful.

I'm purposing to look through my love colored glasses and magnify the ONE who is in control, who works all things together for our good, who loves us so much He gave his life for us.

"Do you want to see what kind of day I'm going to have? It's going to be amazing!"

What are you looking at differently today?

I had a wonderful time talking about Washout Express at a Rotary club meeting last week. Such fun people! They were abuzz with plans for their fundraiser, the ever popular Cruise Party.  I'd never been to a Rotary gathering before. I absolutely love this from their Guiding Principles:

The Four-Way Test

The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

and they added a 5th one at this meeting:

     5. Is it fun?

LOVE IT! That relates to my Love Colored Glasses platform so well, and mirrored the talk that I gave. 

I smiled as I drove back to work. Had to take a few minutes to sit and listen to the rain gracing my car.  Rain is an event where we live. We thank God for it.

So...what are you looking at differently today?

Bittersweet Giveaway

My agent, Terry Burns of Hartline Literary Agency, represented Dianne Price, author of  the Thistle Series. Ashberry Lane released the first of the series, Broken Wings, just a week shy of her passing on to Glory.

Ashberry offered Dianne the contract knowing she had terminal cancer, and did everything in their power to get that first book out.

We all knew they were pretty much dropping everything to get this done for her. I had the privilege of visiting with her on Facebook a few weeks before she died. I was inspired and amazed at her humor and faith. She joked with me about it being bath day and feeling so wobbly she might drag the nurse down with her.

She told me that bed baths are called "cat licks" in Scotland, and we shared about Oregon where she lived. I'd lived there too as a child. I knew this was a kindred spirit. One of her greatest joys, flying, is one of my greatest fears and I'd hoped to share that with her. But God called her home. I know we'll be friends in Heaven.

 You can read more about Dianne and her books, and excepts as well,  at this Ashberry Lane link. I'll be giving away an e-version of her Broken Wings on Monday, September 16. Just leave a comment between now and then, and I'll have a drawing. Blessings, prayers and hugs to Dianne's family.

Beloved Author Gone - Her Books Live On

Celebrating Fall, 2013

I celebrate Fall in a big way, I love it. I don't exactly live where there are leaves that change colors. Actually not a great area for leaves, or trees for that matter, but I still love Fall! So Snoopy kicking a big pile of leaves is my PC wallpaper, and I've downloaded a falling leaf screensaver. I made cinnamon toast (shared with my grandson who looks like Opie Taylor) and drank coffee from one of my many Fall themed coffee mugs given me by my best friend.

So celebrate with me. Post a few of your favorite Fall things. Photos, poems, recipes, memories. Join the party. Well, gotta go flip my Thomas Kincaid calender to Sept. 1.


Ah, this month the painting is called "Courage". This is a 2004 painting. This is what he said about it.

"In Courage I use a vocabulary of personal artistic symbols to convey this message: God rewards our perseverance with His gift of courage. A storm-tossed sailboat has come within sight of a lighthouse; the beacon of divine love will guide it to shore." Thomas Kinkade