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I go back and forth as to whether I should continue my attempts at an encouraging and uplifting Christian blog. Originally, I wanted to feel still connected to those I left behind in Henderson, then I wanted desperately to reach my father-in-law in a manner that I felt uncomfortable with face to face, and now, I suppose, it is to do what we have been commissioned to do in Matthew 28:18-20. I don't exactly consider myself as one of the twelve disciples, but I believe that my part is to plant seeds and water or nurture those seeds that have already been planted in the hearts of others. So, I guess I'll carry on.
We had what my daughter stated as the end of an era here at our house a couple weeks ago. Our water bed that we've slept on for the past 36 years sprung a slow leak weeks ago which turned into an impending flood of sorts during the middle of the night last week. Mark, thinking that the waterbed mattress liner would contain the gallons of water that now filled each corner of the bed, said he would take care of it once he got home after work. I, also worry free, went off to the Amen House for my three hour shift that morning.
When I got home that afternoon, I checked on the bedroom and everything looked just as I had left it. The sheets and bedding had all been stripped and the heater had been unplugged, so I went on back downstairs to put away groceries and clean up the kitchen. Hours later, when I went back up, I noticed glistening coming from the corners of the bedliner and realized that the water level was actually coming up higher than the mattress itself. As I stepped closer to examine the situation, my foot touched down on squishy carpet. That's never good, so I, in full panic mode, called Mark with the update on our now code red level disaster.
He quickly learned that his confidence in the mattress liner was ill-conceived, as the water was leaking from several spots along the foot of the bed and saturating the carpet. He gave me the step-by-step instructions for draining the bed mattress with the water hose out front and then it was my responsibility to reverse this impending deluge.
The dogs thought it rather fun following me up and down the stairs and in and out the open front door as I ran up and down and in and out with the hose, and turning on the water, which seemed counter productive at this point, but eventually, I could see and hear the water from the bed liner draining down the hill in front of our house. Eventually, I had to do the steps again as I actually attached the hose to the mattress itself, as,it too, began draining and I could then go about sopping up the water from our squishy carpets and continually checking the ceilings that are beneath our bedroom.
I am guilty of an "I told you so" of sorts for Mark, as I had suggested changing from our waterbed mattress to the traditional bed mattress we brought back from Mom and Dad Libby's guest bedroom. He told me it wouldn't fit into the bedframe and that was the end of that.......until the day of the flood. Evidently, the bedframe needed only minor adjustments and the new, kinda, mattress fit just fine. Mark even thought that I may have actually sabatoged our bed in order to get my way, but of course, I would never do such a thing. It is nice to be sleeping on this new mattress, though, I will admit to that.
As for New Year's resolutions, I again will resolve to try my best to be closer to God with each passing day. I know if I do that everything else will fall into place for the best life that I could possibly live. I'm open for whatever He has planned for me to do. I hope you have a wonderful New Year's Eve tonight and experience the most awesome 2015 possible. Stay safe, stay warm and have a great day. luv, Susan
Christmas Eve, it's here and, as usual, I'm not ready. I've known all along that it was coming and I've tried my best to get ready, but I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now. I did get the cards sent out, the house is decorated and I've baked and delivered cookies to friends and neighbors. I went to the wonderful Christmas program at church, listened to the special music on the Christian Christmas music station and read all my devotions from my upper room leading up to tomorrow, but I'm still not feeling ready for tonight, tomorrow morning or the celebration of the awesome event that is being commemorated. I want to feel the peace that comes with knowing that I've done everything I could do to pass on the good news that we as Christians have been commissioned to do.
Every Christmas I feel such an overwhelming sense of "did I do enough" and "did I do too much" concerning gift buying and giving. In addition to that I always feel a sense of guilt receiving the gifts given to me, because I didn't feel deserving of them. I would rather my time and their time spent thinking of how Jesus lived his live as our role model. He spent time doing good, being good, loving, caring, teaching. He knew his time was limited on earth and he tried his best to show the word, to be the word so that we might all see and know how to be and what God is expecting of us.
Have I sent that message to my family, friends and neighbors? I ask every morning to be the hands and feet of Jesus, do I ever accomplish that? Tomorrow's upperroom reading is about nursing home residents. My thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be for my friends and family members who are in this very position. Mark lost his parents at the beginning of 2014 and his uncle just weeks ago. Did I do enough to let them know the wonderful news of our savior, who died for us? I'm overwhelmed right now. Have I done enough? Have I done too much?
Dear Lord, please give me the peace that comes with knowing that I've tried to do what you've wanted from me each day, especially this time of year. As I welcome my first grandchild in the new year, I can't even imagine how I'll feel when I hold this new life. As with my children and all my family, friends and neighbors, I'll want this little life to know about Jesus. I want to do enough, yet not do too much. Not everyone wants to be told the good news. It's a weird world we live in.
My Christmas wish for you is that you've done enough this Christmas to have the peace that passes all understanding in your hearts. I think I'm feeling better. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a blessed Christmas tomorrow. Stay safe and warm. luv, Susan
This week is arranged a little differently for me. Because there is no Bible Study on Wednesdays, I'm able to blog today. I couldn't yesterday because I was out Christmas shopping with my mom and sisters. We had a really fun day, they are great company and fun to be around. Now, if I could just make my Christmas shopping list, I could start figuring out how I'm doing.
One thing that is accomplished for the most part is my card writing and sending. I originally thought that four boxes would be plenty, so when I found a card I really liked at Wal-Mart in November, I bought them. But after sending all those out, it was time for a refill. I headed back to Wally World last week looking for the same card, but expecting it to be all gone.....I was right on that count. I remember seeing another one I liked as well, so I'd try to find it. After I went through all the "inspirational" card boxes that could be reached, I looked up to the top shelf and, of course, there was another box, just out of my reach. I could barely get my fingers on it as I pushed it gingerly from side to side, as I stood on my tippy toes. I had finally been able to ascertain the fronts of three of the four rows of cards from my vantage point, but just needed to see that front box on the inside right row. Just as I almost could see it, the whole box came down on me, sending boxes of inspirational cards all over the ,thankfully, empty aisle. As the Wal-Mart clerk came to help and see if I was okay, I told her that I was and that I'd get it all back together, no help from her was necessary. And as I got a good look at the final card that I was trying to see, I told her that I found just what I was looking for, to which she responded, "well, I'm glad of that". It is a beautiful card with a perfectly inspirational message for those who receive it.
It's time for me to finish up my decorating, do some laundry, some cleaning and then bake some more cookies for tonight's Christmas Program at church. It is so wonderful to have my little country church just up the road. Just minutes to get there and minutes to get back home.
I hope you're getting everything checked off your Christmas To-Do List. And take some advice, if you see something you need on the top shelf at the store, ask for help. Stay safe, stay warm and have a great day! luv, Susan
We all have our Christmas traditions. I am smack dab in the middle of trying to carry out the majority of mine before too many more days pass. I've dragged out the little artificial tree covered with colored lights from the back bedroom, where it sits covered in a corner year round. My mom helped me decorate it on Saturday with all the little Hallmark and glass ornaments that we can fit on it. The patchwork Christmas tree skirt is from my Grandma Sims. She gave one to my mom, my sisters and me. I like to sit lots of little stuffed animals under the tree. This little tree sits atop a table that is also covered by a red plastic tablecloth that used to drop all the way to the floor. This year, however, I told my mom that we'd position it so it would be several inches or more from the tile beneath it. Because, apparently, my dogs' Christmas tradition is to pee on this red tablecloth every year. Yes, I still have trouble with my little male doggies leaving their little accidents here and there, although I know they're done on purpose. I guess it has something to do with the tree sitting atop the table and the confusion with dogs and trees outdoors....oh well. I'll keep working on it, cause it's one tradition I'd like to see ended.
I just listened to a really beautiful song by a group called 4 Him, called A Strange Way To Save The World. I'm not sure how long it's been out, but it's one of my favorites that tells the Christmas story from Joseph's perspective. He's asking God why he is trying to save the world by sending a savior in such a strange way. I'm sure there are many through the years that have wondered this same thing. I'm just glad that 4 Him decided to put it out there for us in an awesome song.
Yesterday was the last BSF Study until after the New Year. Pam and I won't know what to do with all that extra time. I expect that once Christina has our little Sixlibbyberry, I won't have a lot of extra time, but that has not all been determined as of yet.
I've always stressed that one of the reasons that I blog is to try to keep in touch with family, friends and neighbors that I've left behind. So, you'd find it interesting to know that I lost touch with a very special friend some 19-20 years ago. I'm happy to report that I was finally able to find my friend, Debi's long lost address hidden away in a box of desk stuff that still needed to be sorted through. We had the most fun conversation Tuesday and I'm looking forward to possibly visiting with her sometime over the holidays.
I am so thankful that it is a beautiful, yet chilly, sunny day. And I really need to get busy with completing two of my other Christmas traditions, getting my nativity scenes out as part of my decorating and getting my cards ready to send. I'm really looking forward to sharing our news about the soon to come addition to our family in our cards. I also have the picture from our silly Thanksgiving picture that Christina posted on facebook. And I also have to go clean up some doggie traditions as well. You have a great day, stay safe and warm. luv, Susan
I love puzzles. I remember when Dustin was developing into a toddler, I looked at the toddler puzzles and for his first puzzle, I selected a Pluto puzzle. It was a wooden board with a picture of Mickey's dog, cut into seven pieces, to be placed back together to complete the picture. Well, Dustin wasn't very good at it, so the next time I went to the store, I saw the puzzles for the youngest toddlers. They had four pieces, each was a picture of it's own, that neatly fit into the cut out of it's own picture. I think I bought four that day so Dustin could learn to do puzzles and not get bored. He got pretty good at placing the turtle, frog, fruits,farm animals and bath toy cut out pieces where they belonged. I thought he was a genius!
I've thought for sometime now that knowing what God wants me to do as part of His plan for my life is something of a puzzle. Some days it takes me longer than others to figure out exactly what the picture of that puzzle is, but I keep trying.
I picked up a couple pieces of my plan's puzzle in just the last week. The first was another statement that I received from our BSF class lecture. One of Moses' three requests to God, as he approached Him to get further instructions, after God had given the Israelites the Ten Commandments the second time. He asked God, after "teach me your ways" and "go with us" to "show him His Glory". At first glance, this request doesn't seem quite as important as the first two. But then our lecture leader, Mary Beth stated, " We can take God's glory into the darkest times of our lives". Hmmmm, that sounds pretty good.
Do you have favorite Christmas movies? Of course I do! One is White Christmas with our local celebrity of the past, Rosemary Clooney. She sang the most touching song with Bing in that movie, Count Your Blessings, Instead of Sheep. The song came on my radio station this morning as Mark was getting ready to leave. It was Amy Grant singing, not nearly as wonderful as Rosemary and Bing, but all the same, the words rang true.
Yesterdays Upper room reading was about a family dealing with a son's serious bout with depression. A counselor suggested that they try to list their blessings during this time when they felt consumed by darkness. They did so and and felt enlightened to remind themselves that God was still working in their lives through each and every day of their journey, as a family dealing with their son's depression. Doesn't this sound like God's glory shining in our darkest times.
I'm reminded to always be thankful for all the many blessings in my life, this is giving Him the glory, and when He knows we are doing this, He can let that glory shine light into the darkness of our difficult times. It's amazing how these puzzle pieces fit together to give us a wonderful picture of a loving God who wants to be with us, wants to teach us His ways through our savior, Jesus and also wants to show us His glory by lighting our way each time we acknowledge Him for the wonderful blessings in our life.
I still have so much to do to prepare myself and my home for Christmas. I hope you are preparing for the celebration of the coming of the savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Take care, stay safe and warm. luv, Susan ps Dustin did finally master the Pluto puzzle!
Today is going to be busy for me. Yesterday was as well. The funny thing is that I don't like being so busy all the time. What I enjoy is a peaceful day at home with my doggies and a warm fire, getting things done around the house. Today, it would be nice to get out my greenery and white lights, the little Christmas tree tucked behind the door in Christina's downstairs bedroom and do some decorating. Then, with the Christmas Message on sirius, start my Christmas cards. But, on my calendar is the reminder of Homemakers Christmas dinner, so I'll be taking a chocolate cake, picking up my friend, Mildred, and off we'll go to our annual celebration with all the members of our homemakers group. Once I get on the way, I'll be glad to have the company of all these wonderful ladies and it will be special.
Yesterday, I was busy with my sister, Pam. We go to a BSF Bible Study each Wednesday in Lexington. It's a particularly highly structured organization that I had desired to attend when we lived in Henderson, but the timing didn't work out, so God gave me the opportunity to try it here in Central Kentucky. We are currently studying Moses, and it is fascinating. Turns out that Charlton Heston's portrayal of Moses in The Ten Commandments did not tell the whole story. Fortunately, God had everything He wanted us to know written down in the Bible for us to really know the whole story.
I was particularly interested when our leader, Mary Beth, mentioned a particular verse during her lecture that I was very familiar with. Many times in the past, I have sought out this verse in Lamentations because it is such a wonderful reminder for me not to waste mornings by sleeping in. The verse which starts with 3:22 and continues through verse 23 states "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness". Because of this verse, I've set my alarm to take advantage of the wonderful compassions or mercies, that await me in the morning. Thank you God for wonderful starts to our mornings.
I felt the need to share this because after I read my BSF study for the morning, I opened up my Upperroom and read yesterdays devotion, as I was off and running due to being a little late in getting started. Anyway, the verse highlighted was Lamentations 3:22-23. I checked my notes from the lecture, and there it was Lam. 3:22-24, a study on Moses brought me right back to the same verse that was the Upperroom devotion for me. When God gives you little coincidences like that, it's a good idea to share them with someone.
Yesterday continued to be busy as daughter, Christina came over for supper. I can't believe that we are counting down the days til the arrival of our newest little Sixlibby. But, like I said, today will be busy as well. I got my first Christmas card yesterday from one of the dearest teachers of all time. I look forward to when I can finally sit down and respond to her, but in the meantime I have to get ready for a Christmas dinner.
I hope you have a great day and are enjoying this special time of the year. Stay safe and warm. luv, Susan ps, Okay, we are getting ready for a new little Sixlibbyberry.
Time marches on..........I hope everyone that reads this had an especially wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends and good food, and expressed your thankfulness for all that God has done in your lives. We did that here at my house with all 21 family members in attendance.
As chief cook and bottle washer, I felt a bit inadequate as the turkey still wasn't thawed after three full days in the fridge, nor when I fell behind peeling ten pounds of potatoes that eventually cooked down to almost potato soup before being whipped just minutes before we all sat down to eat. After being unable to host the dinner last year due to gallbladder surgery, I was out of practice getting everything done. Thankfully, with the help of my mom, son, daughter,sisters, nephews and their significant others, we got it all on the tables for everyone to partake. I consider it a successful day because everyone ate til they were miserable. Next time, I'll try to start earlier.
If you follow me on facebook, you know that my daughter, Christina is about a month away from introducing us to her and Joe's little baby. We still don't know the sex of our first grandchild, just praying he/she gets here safely and in good health for both mom and baby.
It is time to start preparing for the celebration of the birth of another baby, the savior of the world, God's perfect son, Jesus. I've got my cards ready to address and hopefully add a picture of our family. Of course, there is a picture of the babe lying in the manger on my cards, surrounded by the symbolic little lambs. As heartbreaking as it is to grasp it, Jesus was the perfect lamb who was slain for us so we could be forgiven for our sins. One sacrifice, given once for the entire world of believers. Jesus was present on the earth for about thirty three years, showing and teaching His children how to live their lives to enter into everlasting life with Him and the father, our God, in heaven. If we can grasp anything from this Christmas season, it is that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever believeth in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life". I live my life on that promise, the first verse I ever memorized. I hope you do as well.
There is so much to do this time of year, I better get going today. The UpperRoom readings for the past two days really helped me remember how loving, forgiving and present in my life, He is. I hope you're immersing yourself in the opportunities to hear his inspiring and encouraging words today and everyday. Have a great day and be safe and warm! luv, Susan ps, Happy Birthday, Taffy!
