Lost and Found!~ LOL

Ok, so the three months of receipts were in a new tax accordion folder. Where? LOL In my fabric cabinet. LOL Yaaaaaaah!~ At least I found em. whew!~ I was starting to stress so bad. I checked the file cabinet, the desk, storage cabinet, older tax records folders and so forth. I saw the folder in fabric cabinet and thought it was a new empty one. LOL Now I am ready!~ If I can only find free time to get started. Gotta get the ledger ready, the mileage/activity booklet reviewed, and make sure all is in apple pie order for the tax folks. Oh what fun!~

Tax Time!~ aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!~

I've been sorting, and organizing some of the farm tax records and that makes me crazy. I do keep them fairly organized most years, but, I am trying to locate three envelopes with receipts and I'm not having much luck. I was getting really stressed about it and decided to take a short break and start over shortly. LOL I have all the records for the past years all nice and neat, so it really befuddles me that I cannot find those three envelopes for last year.

Some senile old woman has evidently snuck into my paperwork and hid them from me. I know about her, she is forever ruining my days and I know she just laffs about it.

Tax time... time for the "give to Cesear (sp) that which is his" routine. I have always been organized with my paperwork and I can honestly say this is the first time I have lost three months of receipts. What could I have done with them? They are usually all in the same place.

In all fairness to the old lady, it could have been the grinch that stole Christmas. He is into this sort of evil prankster behavior.

Ok, I am dwelling on the problem...lol Will start looking again... Oh, woe is me!~

Wasting time...

Sometimes I get so caught up in keeping up with all the little things life demands of me I feel there is no time for me. That may sound selfish but it is the truth. I stay so busy with all the piddly stuff I feel that my "quality" time is zero. I know others feel this way because someone near to me told me recently that there was never time for quiet alone time for self. That is not a good place to be but this world is so busy and crazy sometimes it happens all the time.

I think I may have hurt someones feelings this week by not running in circles for them. I politely said, "NO!". I have not heard from her since then. But, I was so busy with my own demands that I knew I would get caught up in a several day duty roster that would leave me exhausted. I am just getting too old to run the roads all the time. I need to slow down so I excused myself and gave me permission to take care of my own family and responsibilities. This near and dear relative of mine will not call or come around for weeks or months at a time and then when in need expects me to come running. Am I being too selfish? I so hope not.

I know we are called to serve others, but I think there is a point in some relationships where being taken for granted becomes servitude. I hope I am not sounding too harsh. But, in a number of my relationships I am never sure where love starts and stops and being taken advantage of begins. *sigh* Argh!~

I am a rock to so many of my family members. I don't mind most of the time and am truly thankful that I am able to help. But, sometimes without thought maybe, the demands get too demanding for this old lady. lol I hope my cousin understands why I had to think of myself. I pray she will turn to some of her other family. I think it is time her grown daughter starts to accept some of the responsibility.

OK, this goes to my journal. I just needed to get it off my chest so to speak. lol

Prayin' my way thru the days...

There's been a bit of drama in my family. I obviously can't put all the details here in a public place on the Internet. But, were it not for my faith, I would be running around going' crazy like Chicken Little. And, I do not joke. I have to believe that My God is Able. So, I have been taking these things to him in prayer. I know that teens face so much temptation and peer pressure. They want to do what other kids do and fit in. So, there is a testing going on at the early ages. The battle between good and evil rages over my sweet young ones and all I can do is pray. IN all my praying the biggest worry I have is, I do wonder who will pray for my hubby, children, grandchildren, and other loved ones someday when I am gone?? I know my Mom prayed for me for so many years. I hope my kids know how much heart and faith I have invested in prayers for them and the grandchildren. I think my husband knows cause he lives with me. lol

In addition to the personal family drama involving my grandsons, my daughter has had her own heartbreaking situation.

Her Mother-in-Law had surgery on four discs in her back two weeks ago. After she got home she got sicker and sicker. Sunday morning she was back in ER so delirious she did not know who she was or where she was at. So ER evaluated and admitted her to the hospital later in the day. On Monday they did emergency surgery on her back to try and remove infectious matter. Later in the day the surgeon who did the first surgery admitted that during the initial surgery he nicked her. So, spinal fluids were draining into the area for the two weeks she was supposed to be recovering. Now tests have revealed she has Ecoli. At least they know what to treat and what antibiotics to use. What a nightmare for that family. Our church as been praying for her.

She has been in ICU. Yesterday they got her up and in a chair and she was awake for a "few" minutes. God is so merciful!~ She seemed to know who she was and appeared some better. Hers is not a church going family and I don't know what kind of faith level the family has or if they even have any faith. Scary to me to think of going through heartbreak like this without the foundation of having God in my corner.

My scripture for the day that is holding me in place is:

Ephesians 6:13 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be all to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

I sent this to my kids, grand kids, and others who are on my text list this morning. Oh Lord, how I hope that seed is planted in their hearts.

One bright spot in my week recently is that a young woman I send the scriptures to in the mornings sent me a reply asking me two add two more numbers. I did not have any idea for several mornings who the numbers belonged to. But, it sure touched my heart that these little acts of service are reaching someone. *Big smile*

Actually Ephesians chapter 6 is the reason I do what I do. Specifically Ephesians 6:16-17-18. My sword is the word and I am doing the best I can to see that some of my loved ones get a word thru the one techno tool they are addicted to. LOL Cell phones!~

Runnin' amuck all week long...lol

It's been a busy week for me. Takin' Ric to school and picking her up every day. Taking BoBo and his Mamma for errands and stuff cause her car is down now. A friends' brother passed away and she had to travel to Arizona for the funeral and I got to spend time with her two little dogs twice a day for food and potty runs. Her oldest dog is so adorable. He likes to cuddle and looks at you as if to say, "I love u." Sweet old dog! her brother will be here today so my doggy runs are over and I got kinda attached to her babies. LOL I am such an old dog lover. No wonder my two dogs, especially my little one is so spoiled.

Yesterday while sitting at her house, waiting for the dogs potty run outside, I browsed all the local papers for this week. So heartbreaking, a policeman was found dead in his home of a gunshot wound to his head. ME has not yet ruled accident, or suicide or other. It must be devastating for his family and my heart goes out to them. On another day two construction workers died in a trench collapse while working on a septic system. Another heartbreaking situation for families.

It is sad that all this death brings people to emotional devastation but it does. And, then they seek God at a funeral. And, sadly it may be that many of them never give him a thought until a time when grief forces them to think about life after death. I too think about life after death and I do worry about my loved ones. I am secure in the knowledge that I am doing the best I can to worship and serve my God in my later life. I so wish my children, grandchildren and my hubby would take more time to worship and pray. This is at the top of my wish list in terms of prayer.

Society is so casual about God, and prayer and faith nowadays. It is scary. Taking God for granted. Whew!~ How can that be?There are even churches who treat faith issues as take it or leave it options. Mind boggling. My Bible reads the same now in 2010, as it did when I was a kid in the 1950's. Nothing has changed other than the addition of a few translations. But, His Word remains the same and the rules have not changed.

Yet people the world over are taking portions of the Bible and building institutions. Then calling them religious and using God and the Bible to back up their errant behavior. It scares me to think that well intentioned people like say, Oprah, go and build a church and do not use the entire Bible. Why is it that they become so out of touch with reality to use God and his word and leave out so much of what he has to say and TO OFFER. Amazing!~ Terrifying!~ Heartbreaking!~

To think that someone would ignore or even deny that parts of His Word do not apply. It is clear that these people have not studied wholeheartedly and sought his guidance. Words like... Lofty, Pompous, Ivory Towers, and Foolish, come to mind.

I don't know why I am rambling about this other than it sometimes burdens my heart because I was once just as shallow and self absorbed. I am not trying to be judgemental, but it does scare me that so many have lost touched with our Great God Almighty. Living in the world, and feeling the cares without his grace and guidance is a dark and dangerous place to be. Dangerous not only mentally, but physically and spiritually.

The Power of Prayer

My one and only New year's Resolution is this: To Pray More!~ I do pray every day and several times a day at that. My Morning Prayer is the longest and most committed. By committed I really take the time to get into thanks and gratitude, as well as offering up my prayer list for loved ones. But, the prayers throughout the rest of the day and even bedtime are just simple conversations with my creator. Now, that is a good thing and it has certainly served me well the last few years. I've had some major prayers answered just by being faithful in turning things over to Him.

But, I know I can do better than that and I plan to pray more. Not, that I intend to become some fanatic living in a bubble of prayer and excluding the world around me. Not at all. I just know now that he answers prayers. So, I intend to use the Power of Prayer even more, to strengthen. sustain, develop, and encourage myself and my loved ones. I need to grow in my own faith walk, and I have loved ones who do too.

I've studied on Prayer using the concordance in my Bible.

I Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

is good advice and I've made an attempt at that over the course of the last couple of years.

Acts chapter 6:4 "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

I am not in the ministry but when I consider what happened in the lives of the Apostles, and the people they preached to I am encouraged to pray more.

Not many people consider this chapter. St. John 17. The entire chapter is a prayer Jesus prayed during his final hours. He prayed for glory, for the strength and sanctification of the disciples and he prayed for us, his church. In verses 22-26, some of my favorites, Jesus prays,

St. John 17:22

22."And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one:

23. "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

24. "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world."

25. "O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me."

26. "And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Only after reading and thinking on these verses and pondering the verses did I see so many powerful words. So much information too. These few verses are packed with information about My God, his love, and his dwelling place, not to mention his plan from the beginning (foundation). Amazing. So, knowing how Jesus prayed, and knowing that having found glory in this life, I will strive to pray more and find more glory and watch for prayers to be answered.

Jesus prayed this prayer right BEFORE he went into the Garden of Gesthemane, where he then prayed for hours. I am so thankful this prayer is in my Bible. I take such comfort and encouragement from his very words. It means so much that in his final hours before his agony in the garden, and his sacrifice on the cross, he left this immortal prayer for me. I am so blessed and so are other followers who read and take his comforting words to heart. Ihad to study and reread the verses over and over to see his intent. I think the darkness that tries to invade my mind, sometimes clouds my perception in gleaning everything there is for me in scripture. So, again, I need to pray and pray and pray.


footnote:
If anyone reads this they may be wondering about the comment "having found glory in this life", I will wait for another time and post to elaborate on that one.

Been sick!~

Whew!~ It's been a few days since I posted because I've been sick. BoBo came back from Tish with a bug and I got hammered with it too. He was so sick he made two trips to the doctor and still ran a fever for a few days after the last trip. Poor little fella was so puny. I was worried, so worried about that fever. His Mom was sick too. They both seem better now. And, I am now starting to show signs of life. LOL

Book of Remembrances! My roof!~

For the last three or four years we have tried to save for a roofing fund. Our roof has been on the house since we bought it 20 years ago. It seemed that every time we got it built up someone in the family had a financial crisis and the money would dwindle. It was very frustrating. But, you have to help your family right? With the economy like it has been the last year or so it has been crucial to keep all of us afloat.

After Hurricane Katrina the cost of roofing materials and replacement costs in some cases tripled. We heard that the cost of oil was part of the problem. Either way, we were fighting a loosing battle with the problem of our roof.

Early one November morning last fall I took my granddaughter to school. On the way home, I topped a hill and felt strongly that I needed to pray about the roof of all things, and turn the situation over to God. So, I did, in a simple and quiet request, I asked him to help us figure out how to find the funds to replace our roof.

I came home and got on with my day. About four hours later my doorbell rang. When I answered it there was a very pleasant and cheerful young man standing there in a shirt with a business logo and a clip board. He told me he was with a roofing company and they were doing a door-to-door visitation to ask if residents would like a "free estimate" for roofing. I tell you truely it really happened. I thought, ok. WE didn't have the money and I knew that, and I told him so. He then said that I would at least have some idea how much it might cost. So, I gave him the go ahead.

After about 15 minutes he knocked on the door. He handed me an estimate and the cost just blew my mind. It was around $11,000. Whew!~ Then he told me that I had quite a bit of hail damage and I might want to talk to my insurance company. That because of the damage, insurance might cover part of the cost.

I talked to my husband that night and we decided this might be part of the solution. So, the next day I called our carrier. The very next day the insurance rep called and had someone here the following day. By the following monday I had an estimate from them. It was for about two thirds of the total cost. We decided it was now or never.

I talked to a lady at our church about doing our roof, but, they were booked and busy and we really needed to get it done soon. Winter was coming and if it was a bad winter (and it has been), we would be in trouble. And, Spring follows winter with stormy weather. Soooo, I called the young man, and he came and we talked. The roofing company ended up doing our entire roof for the amount that the insurance company estimated. We got a 35 year roof for the money from the hail damage check.

I serve a God who is Able!~ He answered my prayer in the same day within hours. I think that using our fund for helping others had something to do with his timely response. We used the money for unselfish reasons and it came back pressed down and running over.

St. Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

A non-believer might call it a coincidence, or just plain dumb luck. But, I know, as in times past, a prayer with sincere intent was heard and answered. I am humbled to share this with anyone who might read this post. My God is so good. I have a roof just because I asked for help without clamour and waited.

Sunshine with a chance of snow on the way?

The sun has been shinning today and it has been so nice. Oh, how I dread the snow in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. I got out and ran errands this morning.

BoBo was here Wednesday night and we had a wonderful time. No biting, or head-butting, or hitting. He is so good and all he needs is a little attention. He sure slept good too. I think the out of town thing makes him restless and he acts out for mamma. *sigh*

I was so worried about everything going on his parents lives. Then during my morning prayers yesterday, I got two words in my heart and head. "Only believe!" So, I am trying to walk in faith. God is in control and he has a plan for all their lives. Maybe things are not on my timetable, but, I know he holds Mitchell in the palm of his hand.

My daughter has been referred to a surgeon again and this time for a biopsy. So, now we pray some more and wait. I don't know how long it will be until her appointment. Prayers needed all around here.

My son finally had a breakthrough and answers to prayers. He has struggled with no work for months and now he has several jobs lined up. Praise the Lord!~ New construction in this economy is almost nil. But, he has found things to keep him going.

My grandson has a possible job opportunity. I just keep praying about it. I know it will all come together in time. The new girlfriend he is living with seems to be very nice. I so hope this does not create too much drama for baby.

I so needed to go to church Wednesday nite, but, BoBo was sooo tired. I brought him home, he crawled in bed with Papa and had his little trucks and got under the covers. I did not have the heart to drag him out again. He was so happy to be here. He was ready to lay in bed and cuddle and be a baby.

So blessed!~

I am so blessed. I had something happen today and I feel like if I post it, I might sound like I am bragging. So I will be content that He knows. :)

But, there is a storm brewing in BoBo's life and I dread the week-end. I know his mom and dad are going to be fighting and I don't know what to do besides pray for all of them.

He is supposed to be here in about an hr or so. He is coming home early. I hope they get here in time for me to take him to church. Someone please pray for me and baby. Pray for his mom and dad too. He is such a good baby boy. LOL He is two now so I guess he is classed as a toddler. LOL His mom says he bites and hits, and head butts. But, I rarely have a problem with his behavior. I think he doesn't get the attention he needs with either of them. Once in a while he hits and when he does that I hit back. That usually is the end of the problem.

She has a boyfriend, now daddy has a new girlfriend and they are not paying the quality attention he needs. *sigh* I guess it is a good thing, I don't have a huge following here on my blog. Great place to dump my drama. *sigh* I hate to dump on friends and give the impression of a complainer.

LOL If and when anyone ever reads all this, the post will all be new ones. LOL This one will fall in the background into historical archives or some such journal post.

Uncle BoBo? and Mema runnin' loose...

Uncle BoBo? My sweet boy is out of town this week with his Mama. They are with his uncle and aunt who is about to deliver a baby and make BoBo a two year old uncle. Oh, how I miss that boy. I have had much needed time for a few things around here, but, it is so quiet without him. He will be home Saturday evening. Thank goodness.

I took my granddaughter Ric to school this morning and headed to the bank for cash to hit the grocery store. This is the first time I've been out for days because of the snow/ice storm. While sitting at the bank the teller took so long I decided to put the Subby in park. When I went to put it into park the gearshift came off in my hand. :O I was freaked. I so wish someone had been there to take a picture of my facial expression. LOL I managed to get it back in the hole, left it in drive and came straight home. It went into park just fine and I called hubby at work. he said it would be okay til he got home. Whew!~

I finished reading Night Over Water by Ken Follett. Good book and I will post my thoughts on it later. I have finally finished a couple of pant skirts. Did a lot of dusting and a bit of cleaning. I have an ongoing to-do list but I find myself getting sidetracked. I can blame that on old age I guess. Head down the hall, forget why, and find something else to get into.

Another pack of dogs running wild in the country got two more cows down this week. The one they got yesterday was a mamma cow trying to give birth. At a totally vulnerable time they caught her and she is gone. My Brother-in-Law has been trying to track them in the snow and find out if they come from a neighboring house nearby. Late last night around midnight he found the second cow and her calf. Can you imagine how terrified those poor defenseless cows feel when the dogs are just chasing them for fun.

Not more than two months ago, another pack of dogs just sporting with the cows and chasing and chewing for fun, caused more than four to die. It is not funny. I am a dog lover but when it came time to shot that pack I was ready. I know it was heartbreaking for my son to have to hunt dogs as he too is a dog lover. He is an avid hunter but this was not something he wanted to do. But, it had to be done. It is so horrible to see what they do to these helpless cows and calves. Not to mention the loss in terms of cost and income. My two B-i-L's live on some of that money. I just love the cows cause they are such simple and uncomplicated creatures.

It has been a long week already cause we did not have church on Sunday. I am still praying early and reading my Bible. I am still sending scriptures almost every day to my kids and older grandkids. It is my sword, and I am using it.

Ephesians 6: 13 & 17

13. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

17. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

I am using my sword, (the word of God, i.e. the Bible) to reach out and influence my family and friends. I know that in the busy and chaotic lives they live, time to read the Bible on a daily basis is not happening. So, I try to send a scripture just to remind them.

Today I sent:

Psalm 121: 1& 2

1. " I will life up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."
2. " My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

It just seemed to fit and fill the emotional need of the moment. I thought it might bring my hubby comfort this morning since he didn't get much sleep after his brother called.

I do wonder if any of you are still reading this, but, I find comfort in the idea that at some future point it will be here for my children and my older grandchildren. I hope and pray some they will glean guidance and or comfort from my journal and things. I know my daughter and a couple of friends like to pop in and read it.

On Wings of Eagles by Ken Follett

This book is based on a true story. Follett researched the facts for three years and his hard work pays in the telling of this story. December 1978 and two business men and others from a company working a contract in Iran are faced with charges for crimes they did not commit. The two men are arrested and thrown into prison without trial and left to rot. The company, (owned by Ross Perot), includes employment of men who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War and other US "conflicts".

When every possible effort to free these men fails, Perot using a few handpicked men sets out to go into Iran and rescue them. The story is amazing in the telling, and clearly shows the situation in Iran as it was and why it remains a world affairs focal point. I was mesmerized and horrified, and was cheering and in tears at times. The families involved and the way in which Ross Perot stands behind his people makes the story truly gripping.

Follett was at his finest in the writing of this book. I just started reading Night Over Water by Follett. Maybe I should have waited because a fictitious story cannot compare with a hair raising plot when it is true.