Bread Crumbs, NOT!

I received some garden zucchini this week and got ambitious. A zucchini tomato casserole recipe looked great so I got out all the ingredients. Since my husband is a carnivore, I added some ground beef to the mixture. When I got down the bread crumb topping, things got dicey. It's a good thing I tasted the crumb/butter/onion concoction before I sprinkled it over the top of my beautiful dish. It wasn't bread crumbs in the container. Someone used the container for spicy, and I do mean HOT, barbeque rub. What the hey, I sprinkled a little on top anyway, a very little. Added just the right amount of oomph. Husband liked it. Score!

A little unexpected discombobulation is a good thing once in a while. We readjust, make do, suffer or gain, but it breaks up boredom. I for one, love a little shaking up once in awhile.  

How are you shaking things up these days?

Fearless Anna

Fearless Anna

     "Live life to the fullest!", "Carpe diem!". I hear it all the time. I sometimes wonder how people do that when they have problems,  have a mortgage, a difficult job, etc. Everyone has something. I'm a generally happy and grateful l person, but I sometimes get irritated at the mantra 'live every moment'.

    I saw it in action on the 4th of July weekend, watching my two-year-old granddaughter.

     On our Independence day celebration she was very brave. She wandered too close to some of the fireworks her dad was doing, but mostly she obeyed. The most fun thing for her were the sparklers. She loved them. Her dad lit one after another for her. She held them way up into the sky and as soon as they went out she dropped them to the ground. When she wasn't doing sparklers, she was oohing and ahing over the fireworks display down the hill from our house in the park. When we all finally went inside, she sat next to me and asked if she could play a game on my phone, and then she promptly fell asleep, her head on my shoulder. A few minutes later her father picked her up and carried her to the car.
     It occurred to me how she enjoyed the day. I know part of it is her personality, but also I think the fact that she has no fear gave her freedom to just enjoy. Anna has wonderful parents who keep her healthy and safe. Her face reflects the love that is in our family. She's not afraid to try new things because she has the assurance that her mom and dad are watching her. All her needs are met, and so she is free to wonder at the sparkling fire before her.

     How many hundreds of times in the scriptures does it say, "Do not fear?"  I want  to be like fearless Anna. - to live in a an abandoned way knowing that my heavenly Father has me safely in the palm of His hand - to hold life's miracles in awe before me, and to drop and discard things that no longer matter. I'd love to be able to live in such a fearless way, and then drop off to sleep at night without fear, having spent and poured myself out in the miracles and challenges of everyday.

     What a life - to wake up to every day, knowing that we are blessed, secure, and loved and that when it's ove, He will carry us to heaven. Anna made me think of  that scripture "I will lie down and sleep in pie peace, for you Oh Lord are with me.' (Psalm 4:8)

     Thanks so much Father and thank you Anna. Yes, we can go do bubbles now. 

The Next Thought

 Just sharing a poem about perspective. I like to encourage us to look at life through love colored glasses. It all starts in our thoughts.

 The Next Thought
Sometimes our thoughts are darkness
And shackle us to sorrow.
The manacles of things that happen
Bind us from tomorrow.

It's the next thought that matters
In the moments of our days,
The fleeting jewels of time we're given
To walk in Father's ways.

It's the next right thought that fuels
The next right word we speak;
That power over which we set
The course of life we seek.

The thought, word and then the deed;
One moment changes all.
We build a life with thoughts
And kingdoms rise and fall.

What can you look at differently, through love colored glasses today?

His Harvard Daughter

Donnie Bailey

He told everyone his daughter was going to Harvard. I suppose it was truth in that I was going there every day - to work as a secretary in the Law School. I did get to take a couple of classes as a Harvard employee. The point is he was so proud. Whatever I did, he was always very proud of me. He told me many times that I could be whatever I wanted to be. 

He was a fighter. A WWII Veteran, he lived through the Depression, fought asthma, MS, a brain tumor,  alcoholism - and won. A man of faith later in life, his love of God's Word was an inspiration. He was a story teller, a comedian, and a cook. 

I remember when he promised that if I left for school without making my bed, he'd come fetch me. One school morning the intercom called for me to come to the office. There he was. I'd forgotten. He drove me home in silence. I made the bed. Smiles broke out all over his face. He was not one to hold a grudge. He cooked a breakfast for me and than took me back to school. One of his many lessons in responsibility. 

I remember the night before I started school. He sat me on his lap and told me the best advice he could give me, aside from doing my best, was to keep my mouth shut. I wish I'd listened to him.

He once gave one of my sisters, who was about to marry, a gift; a tiny pair of overalls, with a note that said, "Fill em up." We honor him still by giving that as a gift to his granddaughters on those kinds of occasions. He never met with grandchildren without a brown paper sack of candy for each one.

There was a whole lot more to my daddy, but suffice it to say that I love him and miss him. I wish he could be here to see my dream come true in a few days. He'd be so proud.

The Dreaded Hair Incident

Taking a little break to tell a funny that happened to me yesterday. Actually, it was something I dreaded, but when it actually happened, I had to laugh.

My close friends and family know I've lost a lot of my hair because of some health issues (not the life threatening kind) and so I wear wigs. I've gotten used to it and now I love the convenience and variety of it. But living in windy West Texas, I always feared the rig blowing off my head. It finally happened yesterday.

I left work and walked outside to a raging wind. Since both my hands were full I wasn't  holding on to my "hair" as usual in that situation. Off it came and blew away from me so fast I knew I'd never be able to retrieve it. I threw my purse and, Heaven be praised, it whacked that rug right down to the ground before it blew into the street. I couldn't put it back on fast enough. 

We Baby Boomers have to learn to laugh at these getting older issues. What are you dreading? It might not be as bad as you thought:)

P.S. Looking for a new style...these were interesting. What do you think?

Hitting Rock Bottom.

Did you ever have a day when everything just came crashing down on you at once? That's how my novel begins. The heroine loses everything in one fell swoop. 

How would you counsel Bailey Brown if she came to you with her sad story?

Wobbly Plates

Baby Boomers will remember the popular "plate spinning" acts on variety shows of our day. If plates could represent areas of our lives, then THIS USED TO BE ME:

However, now, THIS IS ME:

I'm glad I found this funny one that made me laugh. It helped put things in perspective. I've got a lot of wobbly plates these days, but I'm so grateful that the Father has said that I can cast all my cares on Him, for He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). I'm grateful for my husband who still thinks I'm Wonder Woman even though he has to fend for himself a lot these days. I'm grateful for all my friends and family who've said "I want to help." I'm grateful that I have plates to spin!

Do you have wobbly plates right now? I'd love to pray for you. Jody

Oldie But Goodie (Not me, lol).

Still working on my workout playlist. I never paid much attention to the verses of this song, but I love the chorus. The dancing and fashion is a hoot. Yes, I'm dating myself. Enjoy!

"Nothin's gonna break my stride
Nobody's gonna hold me down, oh no,
I've got to keep on MOVIN'!" 

Still could use your inspiring music suggestions.

We're Givin' God All That!

Hellooooo, Monday! So inspired after our church gathering yesterday. God always gives me what I need. He's amazing that way, right? Full time job is gearing up for Spring events, Summer Reading Club, and Piano Recital. Gotta get a book finished by the end of April, and do a wedding in May, AND my debut novel releases June 28!! Plus, I'm tackling health issues with a vengeance and rockin' the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. 

Nothing is impossible with God.(Luke 1:37 NIV). We heard God's Word yesterday about being positioned to bless and be blessed. I was struck by Psalm 84:6 (NIV) As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

Ah, Baca means weeping so definitely a low place. But we make it a spring! Through Christ, we can turn anything into living water. Something about that reminded me of that Newsboys song Wherever We Go. That's my motivation this week. Hope it blesses you:)

HELP! Can you suggest some upbeat music to coast me along on my journey? Thank you!!! Jody

I usually listen to sermons, music, or audio Bible while I workout at the gym. Sometimes I listen to inspiring commencement speeches. I ran across one Dolly Parton did that was fun, and I love the song she sang at the end. Enjoy this sweet inspiration.

I've been listening to inspirational speaker Andy Andrews lately. He spoke at a church in Dallas and made this statement. "The power of our thoughts is so strong that we cannot act against it." I took that sentence to prayer. I realize that that is one of the reasons that I will still make a wrong choice, or a choice that takes me aside the path I'm traveling to my goals. What is it that I believe, or don't believe, that sabotages me, even after all my planning and prayer? I'm convinced that I need more washing of the Word in my mind and spirit. How wonderful that there is an answer!

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

What derails you on your path to your goals?

My Piano Teacher

She wasn't my music teacher because we didn't move to Kirbyville until I was in high school. My younger siblings did have the honor of having her for an elementary music teacher. Mrs. Burres Bean was known to everyone in our small community for her love of teaching, her kindness, class and grace. She passed away last week at the age of 102.

One of those silly graduation rites of passage is the "Most Likely To..." print out at the end of the year. I believe mine was "Most likely to take Mrs. Bean's place at the elementary school." That prediction came true, although there were several before I taught music at Kirbyville Elementary. I took piano lessons from her when I was working on some personal music goals. Our lesson was the highlight of the week. 

Mrs. Bean had the ability to make you think you were the most important person in the world when she listened intently and gave you full attention with her beautiful eyes. Her comments were always kind. She had a delightful, amusing personality, and had a caring heart for everyone in her life. You could not leave her presence without feeling valued and encouraged. I smile as I think of how she is the only person I've ever known who could rock wearing white pants:) Beautiful inside and out, Mrs. Bean left a mark on all who knew her, and she will be missed. 

So long for now, Dear One, until we see you in Forever. Thank you for everything. Jody

Which is yes.

I thank God for this most
amazing day;
for the leaping greenly
spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;
and for everything
which is natural, which is
infinite, which is yes.

e. e. cummings

2 Corinthians 1:20 
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

What YES are you looking for this week?