My Favorite Time of the Year

Oh the wonderful cool air of fall is blowing, beckoning me to sleep out under the stars, drink cocoa & roast marshmallows over the crackling flames of a campfire. This jacket weather means that a slower pace is due and blustery, rainy days are ahead. Football weather?...well I'm okay with the title, even though the sport is not of much interest to me. No, for me, autumn is the beginning of days spent gathering wood, building a fire in the fireplace, curled up on the sofa with my sweetheart(yes, watching football, which is his interest and the only reason I watch it).


This time also begins the season of family gatherings for the holidays. Great memories are attached to this season for me. My Mamaw loved to have her family gathered around, like a mother hen with chicks, to share a meal, then "stretch out" for several hours. She has been gone for three years now, but we have carried on the tradition here in our home in the country. For both sides of my family, Dad's & Mom's, special times together are linked to the holidays.

Fall also brings opportunities for giving; Thanksgiving; giving thanks to the One who makes it possible to give. This is the time when we are more aware of the needs of others. We also think about making goodies to share with friends for their enjoyment. Our warm thoughts are shared by good tidings through the mail or by a special phone call. Now we must admit that email is just not enough for this time of the year.

God is good all year long, but for some reason we are more vocal concerning His gifts as the holidays draw near. Even the world starts the winter season off with special recognition of His Son. In Texas, we aren't quite finished with the feeling of fall in the air when winter steps in and Christmas is here! I know that once a year is not enough focus on the Savior who rescued us from the wages of sin, which is death. So for a christian, we must keep our focus on Him day by day, moment by moment, this is what it takes to pay honor to One who has given so much. The sermon this morning, which was the Holy Spirit talking to me from the lips of a precious young preacher-Cory, reminded me that I was rescued @ high cost to my God. It cost His Son's life on a cross as He carried my sin to the grave. He rose so that I could be buried with Him, cleansed by His blood, raised up from a watery grave as a new creation. This is not my life, but His; here I am ready to serve Him in whatever way possible, allowing others to see His light in me. Do they see Him? Do I let Him shine? Have I been listening to Him, this part of God Almighty, the Holy Spirit? After all, He is the gift I received upon my 'new' birth. Sometimes I ignore Him;I've told Him no, I can't or I don't want to and I'm tired. Cory was right. I do not have that luxury.

"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Jesus Christ. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Entrusted with much (not when I feel like it) for as long as I live; an unashamed workman.

With Love In Him.

Why Am I Still Awake?

This does not happen often. I am 44 years old and when I finally 'lay me down to sleep' that's what I do...sleep; sometimes prematurely & completely unintentionally, if you know what I mean. However, this is one of those rare times when my brain has not shut me down.


I have been catching up on email & reading the blog site journal of my sweet friend who has been able to share her life in print these days. She has been on a Job-like journey throughout her very young and now, do we have to admit, middle-aged?? No, let's not..her still young life. She is my precious sister-in-Christ and my role model for the love of the Savior. He shines bright within her, in her husband, her children, her parents; they reflect Him in their every motion. They bring to mind Ephesians 4:1-3 ...I entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.


The tears shed while reading have brought me to a peaceful place and a desire to talk to my Lord as I lay the burdens of life at His feet and slumber without the weight of them on my heart. So, goodnight moon, goodnight all.

Precious Blessings

We celebrated anniversary#26 last night @ Four Winds; a special occassion sort of place for us. The food was wonderful, as was the atmosphere. It is hard to believe that a year has passed since we cruised Alaska for our Silver. Mamaw was right, the older we get the faster time flies.
The heat has been unforgiving for our guys this summer with such a hectic work schedule. However, this beautiful rain has provided a greatly needed break for them today. Monty does not beg for rain as eagerly as most. His jobs must to come to a halt when it pours and he does best on GO, not STOP; delayed work means delayed income, which he strongly dislikes! Digging ground "as hard as concrete" has brought on requests for some moisture from my hard-working man during these sweltering days. As I enjoy the sounds of rainfall, watching from my office window as the drops form puddles, I remember that God knows what we need exactly when we need it, which makes me greatful for His control over all things great & small.
Tonight will be another celebration, daddy's birthday dinner; his fund-raising auction purchase will provide a Fajita meal for 12, prepared & delivered to my front door. It seems that family gathering opportunities are rare these days, so I am looking forward to this one; a great way to end the summer break; only one week left, then the kids are back to school & busy schedules.

Summer Heat

Wow, where did the time go from February until now?
Time to catch up. The family got to take a real vacation to the beach this summer. We spent a week in
Gulf Shores, Alabama. Our spot was great and we had a relaxing time at the ocean. Too much work to do when we got home though, so we have not stopped since!
Two-a-days for Sadie started this first week of August and a scrimmage this afternoon & tournament on Saturday. Just a couple of weeks left before the school year cranks up again and we're back to the routine. She's a permitted driver at this time and can't wait until January when she can drive to school on her own.
I should be able to enjoy that, too.
I am working on vacation photos to post, however, I am barely able to do what I've done thus far on my blog; let's see if I can handle it in the week to come.

A True Month Of Love

February has long since been designated the month of love, not to take away from the love we share during any other time of the year, but it is more commercially celebrated during this short little month. We give cards & sweets of all sorts to loved ones, friends and others; hearts and cupids abound; a special meal or a night out with our honey; with the arrival of the 14th come Happy Valentines Day wishes galore. This year let's take a moment to realize that the ultimate gift of love came from Jesus. He loved us so much that He gave His life so that we can be with Him in eternity and we can share that love with others. God loved us enough to make the greatest sacrifice of all, His one & only Son.

As we share our love for others, we can remember that true love means sharing Him with those we care about. No special holiday needed...He's ours to share anytime, any day! Theirs to accept anytime, any day! No better time than the present to live for Him. A Saviour for all seasons.

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. II Timothy 4:2

Jesus said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15:12

2008 is Here!

The new year is already in full swing. This is not my favorite time of the year; so much paperwork to do with deadlines to meet; employees are anxiously awaiting w2 forms, taxes are due; lots of extras along with all of the regular monthly/quarterly paperwork. Oh the bliss of self-employment! It holds many perks along with those tasks which are not so" perky".

Let's think about the positive; a brand new year; ready for new challenges, a fresh start for those who had a rough 2007, and another chance to reach out to those who do not have the hope offered by a Saviour who gave up His life so that we can share in the most important inheritance of all....Heaven. I have told my children that it matters not what job they secure in this life, as long as they are Christians. My prayer is that they know & love the Lord 1st, then the rest will fall in order.

My hope for those who read this is that God bless you with a hunger for Him and that you grow closer to Him daily through the study of His word; that He bless your hands as you work; that you give Him the glory for it all.