BarbtheDreamer

Thoughts for Today

2009-08-18T17:34:00.004-05:00

Good Evening People! How was your day today? I hope it was not too bad of a day. If it was, it will be tomorrow soon and should the Lord allow you to wake up in it, you will have another opportunity to have a better day. No matter what, history is made each and every day in our lives.
One noted event in history occurred on this day in 1920. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote, was ratified by the states. It definitely had become a better day for women. It is likely that many men at the time were torn over the decision. However, ladies, girls, goils (as they say in New York)--this Amendment was ratified in all the states by men. So the majority of votes by men were for the right of women to vote. Something to think about.
Also on this day in 1587, (I know, this is really going back in time...)Virginia Dare became the first English child born in the New World.
I love history.
Today, many events are taking place, not only in this country, but in the world. There is deep concern for what lies ahead, sadness in what seems to be left behind. Today, as in all days, strength for living comes from our Joy in the Lord of our Salvation. He holds our future. With His hands, He prepares for us as born again believers, a home in His Kingdom. A Home that cannot be ravaged by thieves, taken away by eniment domain pursuits, burned by fire, destroyed by floods, etc. We have Peace and can place our heads on our pillows each night, knowing that Jesus is the Watchman who keeps our soul from perishing!
John 14:2-3; In my Father's House are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Have a blessed evening and a wonderful day tomorrow! Good night people!

Trials of our Faith

2009-04-15T19:32:00.003-05:00

I received a recent prayer request that caught my attention in a very subtle way. It is of a wife and mother whose husband passed away from cancer two years ago. They had two sons, the oldest of which committed suicide a a year later. And the remaining son did the same this year. The wife/mother is in what I would call, a horrific 'Job Experience'. Just like Job, we struggle through the whys of our trials, we wish we could and should have made different choices, and in the journey of our lives, we finally come to ourselves and see that our Lord is forever with us, never leaving or forsaking us.
I came to realize that she has no husband that can put his arms around her while she cries endlessly into the night. She looks at pictures of her husband and their two sons, and faces the reality that they are now absent from the earth. They are absent from her. Her life right now seems meaningless to her. But is it?
She is surrounded by their pictures. She goes into their rooms and touches and smells their clothes. She goes touches their books, dvds, football and basketball trophies, report cards and drawings. She closes her eyes and in a moment they are again alive and real to her, and then in a moment, they are gone. She looks at the wedding dress she wore the day she was wed to her husband, the memories of that day spill over into her tears. She thinks back to the days her sons were born, and the joy and excitement of being new parents.
We can ask God why. Why do such tragic events occur in our life? He is, I am sure, quite use to the angry words of hurt and despair coming from His creation. Yet, we are reminded, in Job 38 of His Sovereignty. He is Merciful, Compassionate, Caring, Just, Righteous, Loving, Fatherly, a Friend, and He died in our place for our sins, our transgressions, so that we may live forever and forgiven, new Creatures in Christ.
In summary, this is a temporary place. We are on a journey in this place. Our eyes must lot lose focus on things in heaven above. We have an Eternal Home, made by the Master's Hands. No hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, or any storms can destroy it. For the One who has prepared our Eternal Home, is in control of the storms of life, allowing them to come into our lives, to draw us closer in our walk with Him, to keep us ever so much nearer to Him. Our spirit lives forever, and being saved, lives forever with our Lord; never to see the depths of hell, never having to cry again, never having to die again, never having to lose loved ones again, never having to bare emotional or physical or spiritual pain ever again.
I would tell this wife/mother to hold onto Hope in her heart; that someday soon, all will be well. The memory of all pain and sorrow will finally be wiped away, never to be remembered anymore, and she at least, one day, will be in her Eternal Home, made by the Master's Hands.
Romans 8:18; For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with glory that shall be revealed in us.
Hope is Alive. Hope Exists. Hope is Real. Hope is our Gift from our Heavenly Father. We have a Blessed Hope.

Walking by Faith

2008-07-06T20:01:00.000-05:00

Everyday living......one never know what to expect each day that begins...we can know however that God is in control and the outcome is always His Peace. So many folks are searching for the right 'religion'...the one that fills their empty soul. There is no right religion. There is no right denomination. All I know is this, that for me, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has filled my once empty soul. I try to follow Him in all I do, and even through my humanity, I fail as often as I succeed. His Mercy provides me comfort when I am in doubt of myself. I never have need to doubt Him. Countless prayers have been answered and continue to be answered. I can look back at events, even recent events, and see His Hand working Mightily in my family and friends. No prayer or request for my family or friends has ever gone unanswered. Christ is all the more real to me each and every day I wake up. Even the birds sound different. I notice them more now then I use to. Their songs in the morning are just beautiful. And then I remember a verse of scripture from Luke chapter 19...Jesus was riding into Jerusalem on a colt, and the Pharisees approached Him saying that He should silence His disciples, and the reply that Jesus gave.....'I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out'. The song of His Creation....awesome!

Philadelphia Eagles

2007-10-01T18:08:00.000-05:00

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

That is all I have to say.

Lead Surplus from China

2007-09-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

In light of the many recalls and warnings concerning products coming from China, this little song came to mind---so get the lead out and sing your heart out to the old tune from the Oscar Mayer commercials:

My bologna has a first name, it's C-H-I-N-A.
My bologna has a second name, NOT-MADE-IN-USA.
Oh, I have to eat it everyday,
And if you ask me why I'll say,
Cause China 's got a better way, by sending lead to the USA!

Journey

2007-07-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

Did you ever wonder about the path you are on in life and where it is going to lead you? Do you ever have fear about where you may end up? It is amazing, that even in my faith walk, that there are seasons of doubt and uncertainty. The one thing that keeps me grounded is the fact that I know in Whom I believe, and I know what He has delivered me from as I look back over the days, weeks, months and years. Prayer keeps me fed, as I pour out my heart out to the LORD, and I hear from Him words of comfort and the God thoughts he shares with me. It just takes a moment to be still and contemplate on His goodness, His mercy. Just look at you, your life, where you are and where you came from. Is that not testimony in and of itself? Does it not make you want to shout Hallelujah! There is a song we sing in church and the words are ever in my thoughts--------it goes like this 'when I think about the Lord, How He saved me, How He raised me, How He picks me up, turns me around and plants my feet, on solid ground!' I weep when we sing this, it is a solid reminder of where my heart was on the morning of May 2, 1992, and where my heart ended up in the mid afternoon of May 2, 1992. I have never been the same since that day. I no longer think the way I use to, I no longer believe the things I use to believe, I no longer care about the things of the world and the lack of them, I no longer look at my brother and sister with condemnation, but with love and compassion, which came from the Supernatural into the Natural. Only God can do that. No man, no woman, no child, friend or foe, can do that. Only God. My journey is the path He has placed me on. I accept it in total Faith, that He is my Father in Heaven and holds me up with His right hand. There is an eternity to enter into, and with Him, and eternity I will spend. How about you? Romans 8:16--The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. God bless!

Snow, Freezing temps

2007-02-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

Hey, has anyone noticed that for the past two weeks no one in the media and no political wanna be's have mentioned anything about global warming? Maybe they are stuck under 12 feet of snow. Hmmmmmm........

More than one Samaritan

2007-01-14T13:02:00.000-05:00

Later this morning, my husband wanted to get a coffee and a donut from Krispy Kreme, so off we went. Since the order was pretty simple, we were going to go through the drive through, but right as we turned in off of Stratford Road, he says, 'let's go in.' So in we go at the side door. I noticed an elderly woman sitting alone, sipping on her coffee as she had just finished her doughnut. She was nicely dressed, hair nicely styled, designer purse and shoes. Two tables down from her was a young woman with two young children, sitting and enjoying their delectable breakfast treats. We payed for our order and as we were leaving, a person in line behind us pushed herself right into me, causing me to turn to catch my balance. As I turned, I saw the elderly woman slump back in her chair, with coffee pouring from her mouth. I scream and run to her as also the young woman did that was sitting with her two children. I checked her pulse, it was very weak, and she very cold and very, very dry. I asked her if she knew where she was, and she muttered incoherently. I hollered at everyone in the store to call 911 and the young man who waited on me grabbed his cell phone and called, coming around to me, giving the responder info as I gave it to him as the woman was slowly coming around, I am checking her ID--looking for a medical hx--find it....pt diabetic-not insulin dependent, has hx of mitral valve prolapse, pt states she is nauseated, weak, chest pressure, no family, no friends to call.... The young woman helped by holding the elderly lady's head up to keep her airway clear. The manager came around and spread aprons on the floor if we needed to lie her down, he also brought to me several towels to place behind her head so we could prop her head and her body into as comfortable a position as possible. An older gentleman came over and offered assistance. And the paramedics came---quickly, swiftly and expertly. As they took her away, her eyes caught me and she thanked me, I responding by calling her name and telling her I would be praying for her. I watched as they took her away to Baptist Hospital, praying for her with a compassion I have never felt before. She was alone in her world, and for a brief moment in time, God had allowed several people from different cultural backgrounds to come together to her aid invading her world. And God above all, was there too.

Reflections

2006-12-31T13:49:00.000-05:00

Watching the news on Gerald Ford's life and now his recent death have brought to mind so many memories of his step into the Presidency. He seemed to be an unassuming man, but he caught the world's attention with his humility and quiet spirit. There seemed to be a calm that fell on this nation as we had been through an energy crisis, Watergate, Vietnam and the split of Sonny and Cher. I heard you chuckle. That is right. Chastity was the little baby/toddler that was uniquely part of a show that appealed to families. Now it seemed like there was a breakdown not just in America's politics, but in the entertainment that America watched. We had watched as Nixon resigned from office, and the Mideast Crisis stirred once again in October '73. I had lost my mom in February of 73 and felt like I jetted from being seventeen for one week to the age of 77 all in one day. Little did I know that all of these changes would shape the way I am today and why I believe in WHO I believe. On the verge of turning 51, much history has been lived that I never saw and never heard. But isn't that true of everyone? Each day, I seem to learn something about somewhere or something new/old that has existed from God's creation. There is no politician, scientist, pastor, pope, president, primeminister, king or person on the face of this planet that can contain all that God has created nor understand it all. The pages of history are like a woven tapestry, each piece fits the time it was meant for. All I need to know to put in my little thread is to follow HIM, the Christ, the Anointed One, my Redeemer, my Jesus. Through it all, HE has never failed me. HE is my COMFORTER, MY SHIELD AND MY PROVIDER. He holds my life, my little thread in HIS HAND. I am grateful for ALL HE has brought me through and continues to bring me through. HE has taught me to love people with compassion, and see that they too, each are on this tapestry of life, each with their own little thread, all being knitted together for HIS Glory and for HIS STORY. Happy New Year to each and everyone of you. May the Lord richly bless you and keep you all the days of your life. May you see people with HIS eyes, and touch them with HIS compassion. And most of ALL, may the LORD of all touch you. God Bless!

I sleep there a lot!

2006-09-16T21:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning I woke up feeling achy, nauseated and with a slight temp. Nonetheless, being the stubborn person that I am (those of you who know me could not agree more!) I went on in to work. Lasted about two and a half hours and came on home. Tried some soup, slept a lot and then the virus broke out of me. Quite literally. Exhausted but feeling much better, today me and hubby had a few items to pick up at the store. On the way in, ran into a couple we know from the previous church we went to. I love nosy women. I was more then ready for this one. Especially since we had run into them two weeks ago with her attempting to get my phone number, indicating she had lost us. She could not be more right on that one. I had replied to her then, "Don't worry, we know our way through the forest." So back to today....she says, "Hey, are you stalking us or is it more like we are stalking you?" I looked at her and her husband and replied, "Sounds like something you know how to do!" Then she asked me, "So how do you like where you live now?" (I am sure again wanting our address and phn number). I replied, "I like it! I sleep there a lot!" and kept walking. She surely did not know how to respond, and I am sure from the conversation we had a few weeks ago, she must think we are sleeping out in the forest and depend on pigeons to carry our messages. I guess I will be on their prayer list for a long time.

Customer Service Is Dead

2006-08-27T08:04:00.000-05:00

Customer Service Is Dead
Classic examaple---any DMV office. Dad went there recently to replace his handicap signs. Just had them renewed six months ago, but the plastic on both of them deteriorated to the point that if you just picked one up to hang it on the rearview mirror--a piece of it would break off. So it is his turn at the window of doom and the demon from behind the counter says to him---'so what are you here for'---dad replies-'I need to get these tags replaced, they are falling apart'. the demon then replies-'''you know, if you would just keep these on your visor, they would not be in this shape'''''' Dad was speechless. His bottom lip fell down on his feet. If you know my husband, he is meticulous and takes care of EVERYTHING! That is why we still drive a 14 year old car, and we never have to replace anything just because it is old. The demon from behind the counter takes one of the cards from him and charges him $5 and gives him a new on. Dad says to her='Mam, would you do this one too?' The demon, now establishing her residence as a bungalow in hell replies-'YOU SHOULD HAVE GIVEN BOTH OF THEM TO ME AT THE SAME TIME< NOW MY BREAKFAST IS GETTING COLD!!!!!' Demon takes a bit of her biscuit and makes some kind of gurgling sound, grabs the card from dad, comes back with a new one, charges another $5 and says NEXT!!!! Dad, being the gentleman that he is and not purposely moving slow, but taking the momemt to put his receipts in his wallet, balancing himself with his cane and picking up his new tags (which by the ways are a different quality plastic then the ones he had just replaced), excuses himself and humbly leaves the counter, opens the door for the next victim coming in to the DMV office, sighs and moves on to his next destination.

The World in Turmoil

2006-08-10T22:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I could not sleep too well last night. Kept waking up with cramps in my legs and having to walk them out. Spent about two hours doing this, 30 minutes each time. I used to get upset when I could not sleep, but now I spend it praying. Trying to make the best of losing sleep and turning it into something positive to glorify God and spend those times with Him. So, with that being said, little did I know what was taking place with the terrorists intercept this morning. When I heard it on the radio on my way to work, I felt really, really weak in my spirit and wondered why. After studying the Word, teaching the Word, Praying the Word and walking and talking with the Word over the past 14 years, one would think I would not feel weak. I was quite overwhelmed. Then scripture memory came to my mind and I am so thankful it did. So here it is........Matthew 6:34...'Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Does not that hit the nail on the head? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. You know, I cannot control what is taking place in the world. Yet, in our own personal lives, we really have nothing to fear. In Matthew 6:27, a question is posed to us, 'Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?' So I know this boils down to my faith walk. Without faith it is impossible to please God. God clothes the earth with grasses, trees, flowers, the seas, lakes, rivers and streams; and quite literally we are challenged each and every day into wondering about our survival as a person, as a family, as a community, as a nation. And they He speaks to my heart...Trust Me! Yes I am ashamed when my mind and heart are overwhelmed. I know to trust in the Lord who redeemed us from our sins. I must put it into action. I must trust in His Word. Matthew 6:30 really hits home.....'Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Yup, imagine me admitting to having 'little faith.' Well, I am still not off the hook. I love the book of Isaiah and especially chapter 35-41. Isaiah 35:4 'Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengence, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.' And my favorite verse from the time the Lord saved me, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.' I am counting on that! And then Chapter 41:10-13..........Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and comfounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.'
Faith, the substance of things hoped for....the evidence of things not seen.
Faith, for we walk by faith and not by sight.
Faith, cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
And lastly, Romans 5:1-2..Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we also have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Amen!

The Foot Covenant!

2006-07-19T20:53:00.000-05:00

In light of world events unfolding as they are, I am thankful to be a child of God and joint heir with Christ! I am thankful that my son and daughter in law and my husband along with Regina's parents are children of the Most High God and joint heirs as well. With that being said, the Lord reminded me of the Promise we have as joint heirs with Christ. A Miracle occurred that serves as a reminder that our Commander in all of life's events is the Lord Jesus Christ himself. In Genesis 6:8 we read, 'But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord.' And in Genesis 15:1 we read, 'After these things the Word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision saying, 'Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.'
Grace is a gift from our Heavenly Father, obtained through Jesus Christ. His Grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. Noah lived in a time of evil best described in 2nd Timothy 3:1-13 and Matthew 24:36-39. Abram is a descendent of Noah through his son Shem. God called Abram in Genesis 12:1-3-----Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be for a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. In short, Abram journeyed from the land of Ur along the Euphrates River traveling northwest and then south into Egypt. God allowed a famine to occur in Egypt which drove Abram out of Egypt northword unto Beersheba. And then we find in Genesis 13:14-18 that the Lord commanded Abram to lift up his eyes and look Northward, Southward, Eastward and Westward, for all the land that he could see God will give it to him and his seed, which he numbered as the dust of the earth. (Can't imagine counting dust particles, but I get the picture). And then Abram was commanded by the Lord to walk the breadth and the length of it, for He would give it unto him. Amazing Promise. For Abram that was a lot of walking. Yet he was obedienct and faithful unto the Promise as God supplied him Grace. God, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Never changing. His Word is True. And no wonder it did not matter to God who was dwelling in the land first. Genesis 12:6 second verse 'And the Caanaanite was then in the land. The Caanaanites are descendents of Ham, our present day Arab nations. Why? I believe here is the answer: Genesis 15:6, And he (Abram) believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. Joint Heirs in Christ. WE are washed in the blood of the Lamb and are blessed by Abram!
Amen!

Where have I been?

2006-07-13T21:54:00.000-05:00

Got to thinking today that I have not posted anything here in awhile---well, okay, not since Fathers Day. With so much going on in the world, Israel, N. Korea, Iran to name a few, I refuse to be consumed with worry or anxiety. This is more a time of going boldly to the Throne of Grace and placing these burdens there. I know the power of prayer is more powerful than the world's biggest nuclear weapon, and the access to the Father brings comfort in a time of crisis. Prayer can move mountains and prayer sustains inner peace. So, as the Word instructs, I will sit on my Fathers lap and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Selah.

Fathers

2006-06-18T12:57:00.000-05:00

Alas, Father's Day is here, and with it comes memories, love, hope and peace. No matter who we are or where we are, each one of us has had or has a father. Some fathers are at home, some are missing, some are in jail/prison or in bondage of another kind. Some fathers are ill and fighting debilatating diseases. Our fathers may be in a distant land, in the process of liberating mankind from tyranny, terrorism and injustice. Or they may be sitting in our living rooms today, in honor of their role in the family and in thanks of how blessed we are to still have them among us. Some of our fathers are doctors trained to save lives, others are in political office, own their businesses, work for other businesses. Some fathers have become disabled by life's events, but they are all still our fathers. Fathers are firemen, police officers, janitors, farmers, shipyard workers, paramedics and bankers. They may be prison guards, counselors, pastors, deacons, CEO's, CPA's, bus drivers, cab drivers, or the man who has lost it all and sits under a bridge to keep dry from the rain. A father is not the role of his work, but the role of his life. It begins with the offspring, biological or adopted or befriended. It may be the uncle who takes under his wings the children of his sister and brother in law who have passed away. It may be the grandfather who has lost his wife and his children have turned to drugs and his grandchildren extend his fatherhood. It may be the Pastor who each Sunday passes on fatherly wisdom from the Word of God.
We are blessed by the men who choose to follow our Heavenly Father in pursuit of leading his family. A father who has courage, strength, love, mercy, hope, faith, and a willingness to lean on the I AM of all creation, will always be a source of Godly wisdom. Being a father is not an easy role. The role of provider can be both a blessing and a burden. A father's worries and concerns for his children and his wife are God Given. He wants to love, protect, provide, care, and lead his family on the foundation of Jesus Christ. A father that prays for his family will be blessed in return. A fathers worth cannot be measured. It is priceless.
Happy Fathers Days to dads everywhere. We appreciate you and am thankful to have you in our lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Geno's Cheesesteaks!

2006-06-08T21:55:00.000-05:00

My ears perked up when I heard the name Geno's Cheesesteaks on the news! WOW!!!! Joseph Vento rocks! Okay, ROCKS!! If you are from the Northeast, you know what you gotta do to order a cheesesteak! Kind of like the soup nazi on Seinfield----order w/w'out and step to the side. So when Joseph Vento says, when you order, order in English, please do it! At least your order will be exactly what you asked for. (And he does not make cheesesteak burritos---that would be blasphemy against the Philly Cheesesteak!) And you know, I got to thinking! Nothing is more frustrating then pulling up to McDonalds here in Winston Salem and the cashier at the window does not 'know' English, very frustrating when the order she hands you is wrong. So I figure, I will save some money, go to Philly and stop at Geno's for breakfast, lunch and dinner and maybe even brunch! At least he will answer me in English and it is up to me for them to get my order right! Rock on Joseph Vento! The latest polls show more people now wanting to visit your restaurant instead of Pat's King of Cheesesteaks! Could be most of America agrees with you! You rock! See you soon!

Great Mileage

2006-06-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

Nice to have a small car that still is 12 years old and still gets great mileage. However, as it approaches 160,000 miles, the idiot light for the airbag is still on, and now the trans slips every now and them. The engine does not burn much oil, still don't have to add any btwn oil changes, but a little burn going up a steep hill. So I say to myself, how much longer will it last. I have never owned a car that lasted this long. But I give the credit to my hubby who has made sure it has gotten every oil change and service it has ever needed, and to my son who helped out with a major repair sometime back, but still the only major repair that the car ever needed. It is hard to believe it still carries a value of $1600. But who would buy a car that is old and cranky? You would be surprised. In the last two years I have had 4 offers. Especially now when some folks are wanting a cheap old runabout. So I think I will hang on to it. No long distance trips in it anymore. Just to work and to the store. Only have to fill it up once every two weeks, and even at that the gas tank is btwn a half and a quarter. Not bad. The air conditioner and heater still work. The driver side window still works, although I pray every time I lower it down. And I have to admit, just a couple of dings in it, which give it the character it has for the age it is. We have had some funny and some not so funny cars in the past, but this one has outlasted them all. Rock On!

Worms and Garbage

2006-06-07T21:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, so on the news there is this idea that worms need to be put into landfills because they will eat it up. Nice idea. Poor worm. So if a worm eats a car fender, will he become what he eats? What a sight that would be. "hey Joe, look at that car fender moving over there!" "that ain't no car fender Harry, that there is a landfill worm. Yes sir! That is what that is! Can't fish with them tho, fish don't know which end to bite!" Yup, ever since they started adding worms to landfills 50 years ago, President Chelsea Clinton wants us to keep feeding the worms now that the landfills are becoming extinct!" "Yup, apparently Barbra Streisands Estate was donated to the San Francisco landfill----but the worms wouldn't bite, they protested saying they are tired of working for food!" "Tired of working for food? What do you mean Joe? Them worms back in da day were small, and their only work was getting putting on a hook so some fish could come up and eat them! At least now they get all they can eat!" "Harry, not with the law that was passed back in 2010 limiting portion sizes, worms are only allowed to eat one fender a day. It's us humans that gotta worry---them worms some day might eat us up!"

To Mom's Everywhere!

2006-05-13T20:22:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to every mom everywhere! You may be a single mom, you may be 90 years old, you might be 15, you could be a widow that lost your husband and your children's father to some fatal disease or the current war on terror or a previous war, maybe a car accident, or divorce or any unplanned and unexplained loss. Nonetheless, you are still a mom, and you still have dreams, hopes and prayers filled with love for your children. You may be a crack addict or an alcoholic. You may be lost trying to find your way home. You may be incarcerated on this mothers day. You may be living in this nation or another country wondering where the next meal is going to come from to feed your children with , or dealing with the loss of children, jobs and loved ones. And nonetheless, you are still a mom. There are mom's we have known and loved and no longer have the privilege of letting them know how much they meant to us. I was thinking about my own mom. She really was a special woman. Her name was Mary Cecelia McTague and she was born on September 26, 1915. Her own father passed away when she was 3 years old, and was raised by her own mother, a child of a single parent. Quite a difficult period in time to be a single parent, with no government programs to offer assistance and her mom took in sewing to provide a meager living. She married my dad on November 9, 1936. This year will make it an event that happened seventy years ago. Hard to imagine. I knew her only for a short period of time, for as soon as I turned 17, a few weeks later she went home to be with the Lord. She passed at the young age of 57 on February 19, 1973, from septicemia as a result of renal failure. She was the best mom in the world. She had no prejudice in her heart, and was a friend of many people from many different backgrounds at a time when whites stuck with whites and blacks stuck with blacks. She always said there is one human race, always made in the image God, and the different ethnicities were the rainbow of God. She had a laugh that was contagious, a smile that was encouraging and comforting, words that encouraged you with possibilities, ears that listened to you with every beat of your heart. She loved to read, listen to music, sing, tell stories and play games. She took me on bus trips to New York at Easter and Christmas to see the Rockettes at New York's Radio City Music Hall. She took me to Philadephia at Christmas time to do some Christmas shopping. She took me to movies and afterwards to Woolworths to get a sundae or to Walgreens to get an ice cream soda. She taught me how to bake cakes and home made pies. She taught me how to sew and how to dream. We sat out on summer nights and watched the nightsky, contemplating the stars, the moons and the handiwork of God. She cooked meals enough to feed an army and then another army. She always fed my friends, telling me that maybe they don't have the love and the food that we had and she just wanted to share it. All my friends loved her and called her 'mom' . We popped popcorn and watch late night movies. We played cards, mostly 500 rummy with her always somehow losing. And I thought I was good at it! She took me to the doctors when I was sick. She told me stories at night when I could not sleep. She came to my elementary school class to share stories with the class at lunchtime. She taught me math by using pennies. She baked cupcakes for me to take to school. She came to every school event I was in. She knew my love of elephants and entered a contest for me to ride one one time at a circus, but lost the contest. She simply loved me and made sure I knew it. When I was disobedient, I felt guilty beyond measure at the thought of the disappointment I caused her. She defended me and shielded me, and instructed me in all that she possibly could. And she still cried with me and hugged me and told me she understood. And Mom taught me that a mother's heart will always be engaged with prayers for her child and or children, for their spouses and their families. She taught me that America needs moms to support the dads and be the comforter and nourisher for the family, and she taught me that until our last breath, we will always be moms praying for our children no matter what the age. This Mothers Day, I remember her as a mom who had a heart of courage and was privileged that the Lord saw fit to allow her to be 'my mom'. With certainty I know I will see her again someday as she was saved in May of 1971. And what a comfort to know that someday as well, she will meet a son inlaw, grandson and wife that she never had the opportunity to know and grandparent here on earth, but will be able to spend an eternity with in heaven! Happy Mothers Day! Psalm 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

The Elephant Surprise!

2006-05-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

Well, today hubby and I went grocery shopping, and I have had a taste for Red Rose Tea---use to drink this a lot when we lived back in New Jersey. Harris Teeter had it and it was on sale. Now you know, this was a hard one to pass up. I reached down and picked up the bargain and placed it in the cart. At the check out, I also presented to the cashier with a coupon, so ended up paying pennies for a 100 count box of Red Rose Tea Bags! Now that rocked!!! Upon arriving home and putting the groceries away, I opened up the box of tea bags to place them into a glass jar and noticed that inside the box was a little porcelin figure-----I reached in and pulled out an elephant, hollering "its an elephant! I have an elephant!" Poor hubby was a bit confused at first and then realized what had happened! I actually got an elephant! I was so excited I started to cry and laugh at the same time. Looking at the box, they are presenting a collection of Noah's Ark and his animals, with an opportunity to collect each one of the animals! What were the odds of me getting an elephant? Even more, it is rare today to collect something from a package! And even more rare that it would have a product with a Biblical theme! No more Lipton! I am a Red Rose Tea fan all the way!

The elephant dance

2006-05-06T16:09:00.000-05:00

this is a great elephant photo!

Lots and lots of Lollipops

2006-05-02T19:08:00.000-05:00

Okay, I kept waking up from the same silly dream last night! I was selling lollipops, all different kinds and flava's on a cruise ship. Had my own little "pop shop". The sad part----I don't remember even eating one lollipop and I have a fave---the multicolored one that is big and looks like a pinwheel! I can't believe it. Not even one lick! UGH! What 'kid' don't like lollipops?

Protests

2006-04-29T21:49:00.000-05:00

With much curiosity and interest, I ponder the thought, could we as American Citizens cross the border into Mexico and protest their government treatment or lack of treatment for the kidnapping and killing of Americans who vacation there? Or could we perhaps cross the border into Canada and protest against the government for their healthcare provisions to their citizens simply stating we have that right to free medical treatment there as humans? I love history and I remembered studying the early protests of American colonists against the British government which demonstrated the importance of Christian doctrine to and for the colonists. Religious liberty was of utmost importance. Our nation was established by Christians of different denominations in pursuit of their religous liberty, rather then being in bondage to a state religion. So what are the non residents protesting in our nation, in our country for? Do Hispanics have special privilege that other nationalities do not have? I wonder! How many illegal immigrants are from European nations? 11 million immigrants did not just end up on our doorstep overnight! American is sleeping and I fear civil tyranny is creeping in. It is usually small in the beginning, hardly noticeable. People get caught up in emotional debate and lose focus on who America is. We call it a 'melting pot'. But is it really? Isn't it more like a salad bowl? We fail to vote at the local level. We fail to hold our elected officials accountable. We turn our heads thinking someone else will take care of the problem. And then before you know it, a drop in the bucket becomes a mighty torrent and it will bear down on all who are before it. Civil Tyranny has destroyed entire countries and empires. There are Christians who hide behind the cross and relate that we must support illegal immigrants. Really? Since when has this become biblical doctrine? There are predators escaping accountability in their own countries and hiding here. Maybe Forsyth County Detention Center could open up tours to show how many illegal immigrants, including non-Hispanics, 99% of them illegal, are here to deliver more then just drugs. Then, when you realize the danger you, your wife and your children face, you will know different and that more must be done and it begins with us. What can I do? Become a active voter. Write, call and make appointments to speak with hour local elected officials. Get the facts. Learn what your local police department, fire department, EMS and Sherriffs department face everyday. Be a part of the resolution and let your voice be heard. You are a citizen! It is your right under the Constitution. If illegals can voice---why can't you?

Forest Gump

2006-04-28T18:05:00.000-05:00

The other day at work, I opened my office door to let some of the cold air out. My office is adjacent to a patient waiting area. My ears picked up a voice that sounded like Forest Gump. He was so polite and innocent in his conversation. Not having seen this person and hearing him from my office, I prepared the paperwork for the next patient I needed to call back and schedule a test for. I stepped out of my office and called the patient name, and an elderly gentleman stood up and said, "yes ma'am, that is me, are you ready for me now?" It was Forest---only in his seventies. It was a pleasant time conversing with him and I so wish more folks could be as polite as he was. Thank you Forest for a lesson well taught!

Trolleyland NC

2006-04-23T19:22:00.000-05:00

Okay, I love the look of trolley rail cars and have often wondered what it might have been like back in the day to ride them. I understand San Francisco has them as well as some other cities that were mentioned in todays edition of the WSJournal. Now I know if I was visiting San Francisco, there is no way I could walk up a hill, much less crawl up the hill, and so would be more then happy to take advantage of the rail car and do some SERIOUS shopping and dining out. And then it would be downhill rolling from there! But for us folks in WS---where most of our population demographics lie outside of the city, what is the need? I told my hubby, when I was a young girl, that my mom use to take me to New York City (we lived in New Jersey) twice a year, in the Spring before Easter to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall and the same at Christmas time. There are no trolleys there but we did ride the subway and we did walk. And again, we would take a transit bus from NJ to Philly to do Christmas shopping or to go see a show at some of the old theatres. Basically, once there, in either city, we walked. There was much to see and do. So what is the draw to downtown WS that will bring out of towners in and use the railcars? Help me somebody! And who in WS would really use them? There are so many other major needs in redeveloping downtown. Bringing in the rail cars sounds to me like buying a horse cart before you have the horse. And hey, don't we need the barn for the horse to stay in? And how about some hay, lets throw that in, and oh, don't forget the vet and a really big pooper scooper and maybe Kramer to drive the horse around for you! Now who is dreaming?

Gaither and Friends Homecoming

2006-04-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a night! 4 Hours of fellowship in song, laughter and tears and more song, laughter and tears. I have never experienced a concert quite like this before. I did not want it to end. The singing was AWESOME! The music was AWESOME! If you have never been and you know Christ as LORD and Saviour of your life, when the opportunity comes, Go! I cannot say enough about it and yet I am struggling for words to describe it. A glimpse of Heaven. Priceless!

Blogmatized

2006-04-20T21:18:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am. Thanks to my wonderful Dtr in law---I am now blogging. Much safer then clogging. One is bad on the ankles and knees, the other is bad on the brain. Well, okay, maybe good on the brain, helps to let thoughts out. Maybe some thoughts have a hard time finding there way out, but eventually they leak. Especially when you have a leaky brain. Not sure if you understand, but once you hit fifty, it should happen. If it doesn't happen, the light is off. Totally off. Sooooo today I am on my way to work in the 94 Mirage----yup, one of those cars you think you see, but it really is not there, its just a mirage....well, the idiot light for the airbag comes on. Now I am wondering, is the airbag going to deploy? Am I going to be punched in the face? Do I turn around and go get the other vehicle? Nope, I like excitement. It was really fun wondering what I would do if that happened. So I pull into work and purposely bump into the curb. No deployment. Ahh, I should have bumped into it fast. But, why take chances? So I called hubby, who called our mechanic, who said, hey, its an idiot light and it won't deploy, but bring it on in and we can take a look and give you an estimate. Now what are they going to look at? The idiot is on! It does not take an idiot to see that! My diagnosis? Hey, the car is 12 years old and there is a short to my airbag. Can't wait to drive to work tomorrow with the soft red glow of my airbag idiot light.