My Baby's Back

It was so wonderful to see Christina back home. I already miss Riff and Roy, but they were thrilled to see her. I can't wait to see all twelve hundred pictures. Really, I can't!!!

I'm really needing to see how Henderson County Colonels did last night, so this will be quick.

I won't be going to see Sex and the City. I watched the television program some when it came to network television. I enjoyed the humor and many of the stories about the women and their friendships, escapades, etc. But, I was eventually so put off with the pervasive themes of promiscuity and materialism that it pretty much just turned my stomach.

I guess Sarah Jessica Parker is going to be on 20/20 tonight expressing concerns about her children and their inability to dodge the spotlight. That's a shame that people seem to have an addiction to knowing what celebrities personal lives are like. I buy an occasional People magazine, so I'm as guilty as anyone.

All I can say is celebrities lives are what they are because of the choices they have made. If they condone and glamorize sinful behavior, these choices may have negative repercussions. Don't we reap what we sow?

I hope it warms up today cause Taffy and Pepper are needing warmth. Poor things are not enjoying their new looks. They'll be happy when we take a walk later today and it's in the 80's. Have a great weekend, luv, Susan

A Tale of Two Families

This is the story of two beautiful families. They both live in a nearly perfect small town nestled picturesquely on the Ohio River. Each family is admired and well respected. They are both loved and adored by their community and their respective churches. God has blessed these families, they are faithful and obedient to Him. He blesses each family with children and they raise their children in their churches and in the school system of this nearly perfect small town.

I can't tell this entire story, it doesn't have an ending. It's a true story; it unfolds each day. Tonight, one of these families will watch their son graduate from high school. The other family will wait to see if their son's name will be mentioned at his graduation. They buried their son almost two years ago.

I thank God for bringing both these families into my life. I was truly blessed by them, especially by the awesome example they showed me. They are examples of love for their neighbors, their churches and their families. They are examples of serving their churches, their communites and their neighbors. I thank God for the Pinkston and Owens families. Henderson is so blessed to have them.

Congratulations go out to Ryne, I know you'll do well in baseball and whatever else you choose to do with your life. I know who guides you. My heart continues to bleed for the Owens family. May God give them peace.

It's another beautiful day in Scott County. I'm watching for deer, birds and critters out my back window. Christina will be flying home today. This is my last full day with Riff and Roy. I'm gonna miss them, but I'm not gonna miss their chasing and barking at the horses across the road.

Have a great day, luv, Susan

A Little Child Shall Lead

I babysat for an awesome family. They actually brought me roses on Mother's Day each year!!! The youngest of their three boys, Jace, has become a Rascal Flatt fan, a big fan. He knows the words to every song. I've always enjoyed the band and knew they were a super bunch of individuals. I'm just now realizing how awesome they are. Thanks, Jace.

At the last meeting of my current Bible study, Beth Moore closes with her music ministry partner, Travis, singing a Rascal Flatt song. I think it's called God Bless The Broken Road. Coincidentally, I had been meaning to mention to our Bible Study leader that I was really moved by their more recent song, Everyday. In fact, I had written all the lyrics down and made notes about the music video after viewing it. We are so lucky to have both meaningful songs.

Before going into the church last Wednesday, the last song playing on the radio was Everyday. Because it was the last meeting, we were given bookmarks, the first word on the bookmark was EVERYDAY. I'm big on coincidences.

Anyway, I just wanted to share. It'll be a busy Memorial Day weekend here in Georgetown. Gonna have a cookout, should be fun.

I hope you'll take the time to dwell on all those who have given their lives for our freedoms, pray for those who are in harms way now fighting for those same freedoms.

Stay safe and have a great day, luv, Susan

ps, I made a typo in yesterday's blog.......the year we lost "our little Kelsey" was 1999, not 1991. Maybe Christina can help me fix it when she gets back.

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Steven Curtis Chapman is one of the most admired, respected and loved Christian musicians and performing artists there is. I started listening to one of his CD's that Christina left behind when she left for UK. When I heard the song With Hope on this particular CD, I knew he was singing about "our little Kelsey". I can only say that she was a very special little child who was very close to me. She passed away from this world in 1991. I was led to give a copy of this CD to her family, because the song With Hope describes the loss of a child so vividly and is a reminder of the hope we have that we will see our child again in heaven.

Years later, when our church community lost a special young man, I again gave the CD for comfort to my dear friends.

Yesterday I learned that Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter was injured and later passed away after a terrible accident. My heart goes out to this beautiful family.

I wish I had all the answers, I don't, but I do know that if we allow God to work in our lives, He will turn all the bad into good, eventually. He will be glorified when He is allowed to turn the bad into good.

Please ask God to turn the bad in your lives to good so that you may glorify Him. Pray also for wisdom, guidance and comfort. He gives these in abundance.

This world is not our final destination. We are being waited for in a place beyond our senses, where our loved ones, who passed on before us, are dwelling. Make the most of this world and keep your eyes on the one who is reigning over the world beyond. Have a great day, luv, Susan

To Err Is Human

I am such a novice at Bible studies. I'm not at all surprised of how much I didn't know. I've been repeatedly reminded that God's people were real, but I figured they were still very pious and obedient people. Turns out they were just like us, with flaws and disobedience, attitudes and rebilliousness.

In 2 Samuel 6:1-11 David makes the monumental mistake of carrying the ark of God's Covenant improperly on a cart pulled by oxen. Poor Uzzah gives his life for this error of judgement. It isn't until David backs off and studies God's word and discovers his horrendous mistake that success is achieved. In 1 Chronicles 15:11-15 we read how David now follows the word of the Lord, as previously commanded to Moses. The ark is now carried, successfully, on poles uplifted onto the shoulders of the priests.

Don't we usually try to do things on our own without checking our book of instructions? Thankfully, we have such a merciful, loving and forgiving God, He gives us more chances than poor Uzzah. Please, back off of life's problems and check out the instructions before taking on the monumental decisions of your life.

It continues to rain this morning, but is supposed to clear. Hopefully, I can take these dogs for another walk. Have a great day, luv, Susan

Catching Up

Monday, as usual, means a catch up day for me. I let things go over the weekend, especially on Sunday. It is a day of rest, reflection and recreation, after all. I'm not looking at recreation as fun activities, but as a re-creation of balance. Taking Sunday as a time to balance our lives, getting priorities in order, spiritually refurbishing ourselves, recreating the best, grounded individual we can be, cause after all, when Monday gets here, we better be ready to get started with the new week. My best way of doing that includes meeting with and fellowshipping with others. I hope you are rested and rejuvinated for this new week.

Surprisingly, I'm watching a People magazine special on Country Celebrities. Guess they've come out with a new magazine focusing on country music personalities. That's what I need, another magazine, since I have problems throwing old magazines away.

Looks like the weather is gonna be beautiful this week, time to get in the routine of daily walks. All four dogs say amen to that. Have a great day, luv, Susan

Go Colonels!!!

Sports has always played a big part in my life, as well as sports coverage. This morning, I clicked on the Gleaner to see how one of my "kids" did with Henderson County's baseball team this week. Well, I missed an exciting game. The Colonels won against the 8th ranked team in the state. I am so happy that those boys did so well. From talking to the pitcher's mom, I understand they play tonight.

Christina is in Paris today, so I'm especially enjoying Blake Shelton's music video I Want To Come Home. Paris is one of the backdrops. I can't wait to hear how she likes it there.

It's still raining here in Central Kentucky and Mark will be home for the weekend. Hope the weather can be nice for that.

I'll be making bread today, thanks Ann, and trying to keep these four little dogs from getting too muddy and messing up the house. Having a herd of dogs is fun, but sixteen muddy paws in the house numerous times a day tends to muss up a floor. You have a great weekend. luv, Susan

New Again

Wednesdays are wonderful for me. I have the opportunity to go to Lexington to an awesome Bible study and, if I'm lucky, then meet with some of my family for lunch. Yesterday, I got to go out with my mom, dad and sister. We had lunch and then we walked it off at the mall. Afterwards, I came home to the four little furry creatures who are currently in my care.( Two are mine, two are Christina's. )

The blessings don't end there, as I then have the chance to meet with some members of my church to have fellowship together. I felt led to taking in a DVD and the one that I took was, what else, Brad Paisley. It wasn't the originally intended choice, but I was happy to share Brad with my group at church.

It ended up being way more relevant than ever when we watched Brad's music video called Alcohol. I have always suggested that he's warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse and the video shows Brad ascending to heaven through the clouds and meeting up with all the intoxicated revelers joining him in song and celebration.(Perhaps these represent all the lives lost to alcohol deaths?)

We discussed yesterdays top story, the Carrolton bus crash, which was caused by drunk driving and the twenty seven deaths attributed to the accident. I also mentioned something from my earlier study that morning. From my Beth Moore study, she mentions that God doesn't merely diffuse the bad experiences in our lives, God won't get all the glory until the bad is used for good. How awesome is that!!! If you read yesterday's Lexington's Herald Leader, you can see how much good has come of the accident on May 14, 1988. God has been busy working in the lives of those invloved in the awful accident, when they have made the choice to let Him.

I want to also share with you again the beautiful song that Brad Paisley and Sarah Evans recorded earlier, New Again. I think it's on YouTube.

If I have any of my facts or figures wrong, please understand I'm simply speaking from the heart here. I must go release my white warriors as there's a black cat under my bird feeders, the nerve!!! Have a great day, luv, Susan

The Fourth Fruit

Mother's Day was a bit crazy weatherwise. That was okay for us as we were waiting patiently in Red Lobster for a table and later enjoying a movie together inside the theater. Hope everyone else had a really nice time Sunday.

The Upperroom this morning was, as usual, on target for me, my life and a perfect complement to my other Bible Study. I am currently studying the Psalms of the Ascent with a wonderful group doing a Beth Moore study. I really enjoyed the most rescent Psalm which is 130. Yesterday I looked over all the times I had underlined and circled the words wait and hope. I am good at waiting. I'm a birdwatcher and a quilter, both hobbies involve waiting patiently for results. Like I said , I'm good at waiting, I've been blessed with that.

The world's weather continues to be in the news. I pray all our loved ones are safe throughout the country and world. God's power is awesome. We can continue to be thankful for His wonderful creation. He trusts us with His creation. Are we each doing our part to take care of our world. Recycling is important to help with that. Hoping it's a great day for you. luv, Susan

Do Not Be Discouraged

I love Country Music. It is such a wonderful time to love country as we are inbetween award shows, so we are besieged with the nominees and the preview shows, etc. I'm watching Brad Paisley as I type this. He's one of my favorites, but Mr. To Die For, was just on. Oh my gosh, Josh Turner is just not to be believed. His newest video is Another Try and it is so awesome.

I hope most of my friends are taking my advice and reading the Upperroom for a brief morning message of faith and encouragement. After watching the devastating weather report this morning, this daily devotional spoke volumes.

In Ephesians, Paul tells us that we can approach God with freedom and confidence, wow, that's amazing. The only way that is possible is because God's purpose was accomplished in our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.

As much as this world beats us down on a daily basis, we don't have to be discouraged because if we haven't gotten it right up to today, God will give us another try.

Have a great day, luv, Susan

Write It Anyway (Thanks Martina and CMT)

I took a three week break, but I'm back. I really don't imagine there are too many who have the time to check in on my blog, but if I ever post anything that can be passed on to someone who may benefit from something I mention, that's why I do this. I know I'm preaching to the choir, so to speak, but I just want to share some of my thoughts.

It's been an eventful three weeks, I especially was blessed when two of my Illinois Aunts came to visit. We had a great time.

Saturday was Derby Day and it was wonderful up to a point, then it was terribly disturbing. It was just a flashback to all the awfulness of Ruffian and my heart again goes out to my friend and college roommate who was Ruffian's biggest fan.
The debates will continue about this, I am trying to figure it out for myself because I was especially drawn to this horse and her story, actually all the racing fillies. I hope I get to talk to my vet, Lafe, about this sometime soon, but I know he's in the midst of it, so that might be a while. In the meantime, I just pray that God uses this sad and tragic story in a positive way for all of us.

Spring is such a wonderful time of year. I'm enjoying the colorful birds that visit my feeders. Picture this....turquoise indigo buntings, red cardinals and yellow goldfinch. They're beautiful. The hummingbirds have also found the feeders I placed about the house. And one turkey hen has been visiting as well.

You have a great day, luv, Susan