CHANGING SEASONS, THANKING GOD

We are enjoying the final days of summer here in Central Kentucky.  Football has started and we attended the newly renovated Commonwealth Football Stadium on Saturday and watched the Wildcats defeat the ragin' cajuns.  It was a lot closer than we would have liked, but a win is a win, and we're gonna keep rooting for Coach Stoops and his troops.

 I can hardly believe that my little grandson, MJ, is almost eight months old, he's the center of my universe right now, as I try to muddle through my life, doing what God has planned in advance for me to do.  I believe watching MJ three days a week is exactly one of those things.  I don't know what I'd be doing if it wasn't watching him on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays.

Right now, my family is making it through something of a health crisis with my mom, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her colon last month.  After successful surgery to remove it, "Thank you, God", she has had something of a setback after her incision beccame infected.  Right now she is back in the hospital, after being home a week, so they can get her back on the right track.  I know that God is watching over us all, so I can feel at peace that He is in control.

I continue with my volunteer positions at church, the Amen House and Homemakers.  Actually, homemakers was on hiatus for the summer and we picked up where we left off just this past Thursday.  Our club struggles with age and health issues.  MJ enjoys being at the meetings and I think they all enjoy seeing him there as well.  We are also at the Amen House on Mondays, though I don't get a lot accomplished, except when my friend, Pat, holds him because she loves babies.  Then I can sort clothes or whatever needs done and her spirits are lifted some.

My Sunday school class continues our journey through the Beth Moore study on Daniel, which has surprisingly for me, also taken us to Revelation.  As Beth often says, our heads can be spinning with all of the information about the prophecies in these books.  And, coincidentally, the BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) that we are beginning next week is on, what else, Revelation.  If you know me, I pay attention when God presents me with coincidences.

Everything else in my life is stable.  I am so blessed with all the opportunities that God places before me through the people and events in my life. I'm going to enjoy this beautiful, yet hot, summer day and continue to count my many blessings.  Now that Fall is almost here, and it's a time of new beginnings for school and activities that have been on the back burner all summer, I am going to make every effort to remain faithful with my blog, whether anyone reads it or not.  If I can encourage one of my friends in some way to strengthen their relationship with God through the things they read, the music they listen to or the things that they experience, I'll feel that I have fulfilled some of my purpose.

I hope you have a great day!  Stay safe.  luv, Susan

THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR

I knew I should have taken a picture of my daffodils this past week.  They were looking especially beautiful atop the rock wall of my two level garden Mark built for me. I was enjoying pictures of other friends' blooms on facebook messages and we are all so grateful for the warmer weather and the signs of Spring that are abounding. And, even though it got cold last night and the daffodils are bowing their blooms, I know there will be something of a recovery for them.  Yes, it is my favorite time of year.

Kentucky has made it to the Elite Eight.  We haven't had any real problems as of yet.  Hampton, check; Cincinnati, check; and even West Virginia, who knocked us out in 2010, check check. I love being excited about the upcoming game and being able to talk to people that usually don't even pay attention to sports, about the game.  I love watching the game and seeing the comments made on facebook from friends all over who support the BBN.  I love the feeling after we win a game and hearing from family and friends who call because they know what big fans we all are.  Yes, it is my favorite time of year.

I enjoy when God sends me a message through a silly little coincidence.  I got one today.  I usually perk up and try very hard to listen to what He is wanting me to do with the nudge He's just given me.  Well, I did send my son a voice mail because, he is always on my mind anyway, and I am also writing this blog....so here goes.  Today's Upperroom devotional reading was about Jesus arriving in Jerusalem," riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey". (Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9)  Tomorrow is Palm Sunday!  Yes, it is my favorite time of the year!

The writer, from Massachusetts, wanted to share the feelings that she had sharing her testimony on Palm Sunday to her church congregation. She told them that their pastor had led her to Jesus and that the gift of salvation brings hope and healing.  Aren't these two things that we all need?  She continued, "that serving in God's kingdom brings purpose and peace". Those words stuck with me as I went on  with my day.  As I continued my morning ritual of feeding dogs, then finishing up dishes, etc. I watched and listened to some sports shows, after all, they talk about the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats a lot right now.  Then a phrase caught my ear coming from the TV.  It was that TV lawyer, Attorney John Morgan from Morgan and Morgan.  He simply stated that because he had defended only injured people during his career, he had awoke  every day with a purpose.  Because of the work he's done, he has peace. I thought Wow, I just read those words.  Do you get the significance of that coincidence ?  God just wants me to share the message that we all need a purpose and that fulfilling our purpose will give us peace. Serving God brings us both.  If we understand that we are here to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others through loving and serving others, then we will receive the peace of our salvation, which includes eternal life with Him. I can personally attest to that, because I have both!

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, followed by Holy Week, including Good Friday and Easter.  We live because He died for us!!!!  It is my favorite time of year!!!

Have a great day and stay safe.  luv, Susan

 

I LOVE MARCH MADNESS

Today is gameday for the Big Blue Nation.  To say that I'm excited about the game that starts in an hour is an exaggerated understatement. Kentucky beat Florida yesterday in their first game of the SEC Tournament in Nashville.  Today we play Auburn.  Auburn's coach is Bruce Pearl who was previously Tennessee's coach before he broke some recruiting violations and lied about it.  What looked like a great fit for him in Knoxville ended abruptly.  We had the opportunity to watch him coach when we lived in Henderson, Kentucky.  He coached the Screaming Eagles of the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville.  They had awesome teams year after year and usually scored over 100 points when we attended games.  

My cousin, Deb Pope, was on the women's team at USI, so we went to quite a few games over her four years there in Evansville.  I always wondered why such a talented and motivating coach was still in Division II and eventually learned of an unflattering history of causing problems for other teams, primarily Illinois, and being apparently black balled for many years from Division I.  Eventually, though, he was able to impress enough schools that he got back into the game and I think came back to the big basketball league when a Wisconsin school gave him the opportunity.  After taking them to Big Dance, he was given the chance of coaching in the SEC.  

Anyway, we face his team today, who in the regular season lost four games in a row and followed that with three wins in three days in Nashville at the SEC Tourney.  It seems he told the press that, at the beginning of the tournament run, his Tigers could beat any team in the SEC except Kentucky.  Yes, he's still a motivational genius when it comes to encouraging his players to really give it their all.  After watching them over their past two games, and especially last night, I'm beginning to get very nervous about this match up.  Not only did Pearl refer to his players as midgets, it appears their best player is a strong Christian who gave all the glory to God after the game last night.  That really makes me nervous.  As much as I love our team, I haven't heard that from them in a while, though I believe they feel that way.  Always good to hear it.........................................Go Big Blue!


Today's Upperroom devotion was called Hidden Treasure and is directed at Bible Study Groups.  I have to share the hidden treasure we studied during this weeks Bible Study Fellowship that I attend with my sister. We are still studying Moses, but were taken to the New Testament for a comment Jesus made in the middle of his night time visit and discussion with Nicodemus.  This section includes one of the most familiar Bible verses ever, John 3:16.  I've mentioned in previous blogs that it was the first verse I remember memorizing and reciting it in front of my church congregation so many years ago. However, the study of Moses in Numbers 21:9 led us directly to John 3:14.  I know I had read through this story of Nicodemus' visit many times, but had never noticed this unusual reference to Moses lifting up the snake in the desert.  And further research led me to Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent, when he tempted Eve into biting into the forbidden apple.  Genesis 3:15 helps me understand why I've always been so disturbed by snakes and have found myself in battles with them on several occasions.  I've also blogged previously about one of those incidents.

Its getting really close to game time, so it's time to get into my gametime mode.  Yesterday I was only able to watch the recording of the game, as I had an International  Homemakers Luncheon scheduled with my good friend, Mildred.  It was wonderful.  I hope you enjoy the day doing whatever you find to your liking.  I'm gonna go watch the Wildcats, hopefully, win.  

Take care.  luv, Susan       

UNCLE.....We Surrender.......We're Ready for Spring

It has been a rough ten days weather wise around Central Kentucky.  I think school was called off all of last week and we are just trying to get back into some semblance of a routine this week.  It worked out well for me, as I had graphed out Mark Joseph's baby quilt, so all of that snowed in time was spent on cutting and sewing fabrics into my first quilt creation in many a year.  It's almost ready to start the quilting, as soon as I add one little applique piece to the quilt top.

Church has been cancelled for the little country church, where I attend the past two Sundays, but as Mark reported, with the help of many, our parking lot may finally be cleared and I'm hoping for the opportunity to worship in church this coming Sunday.  The Daniel Bible study has also been on hold, as our BSF class, studying Moses was also cancelled last week.  Thankfully, we got caught up this week and I am so amazed at Moses, Aaron, Joshua and especially Caleb as the Israelites began their years of wandering in the desert. I had read Numbers before, but this time it really was striking to realize that out of the over 600,000 Israelite men who were with Moses when they left Egypt, only the faithful and courageous Caleb and Joshua would live to obtain the land of milk and honey that had been promised by God.  I find all of this Old Testament study extremely fascinating, and so faithbuilding, as well.

Little Mark Joseph has already hit the six week mark and his parents are looking into the future aspect of daycares available to him.  Because the facility that seemed to be the best fit for them, has a long waiting list, I'm going to be given the opportunity to watch him a lot during his first year.  If I remember correctly, they don't run around too much the first twelve months.  

My family continues to be blessed this year as we celebrated my dad's 89th birthday with a family dinner at Cracker Barrell.  Everyone had fun passing little MJ around the table as we all enjoyed his squeaks and facial expressions.  

After record breaking cold and snow accumulations, I think we are all looking forward to Spring, which is just about several weeks away.  I'm going to try something new this year, by planting vegetable seeds indoors.  I need lots of advice in that department as my vegetable garden seems to produce less and less with each passing year.  Our church may even attempt a community garden this year, as our new pastor, Evan has gained experience this past year in helping with such a garden near Wilmore.

And do you feel the excitement in our commonwealth as we near the mad month of March?  It is so awesome that we have a UK team of exceptional young men, who also seem to have a knack for roundball.  We in the BBN are having a hard time controlling our united utopia as we root for our Wildcats and pray that they continue to play their best and maintain their admirable , everyday qualities as students, while they muddle through this throng to come that we call March Madness.  I learned yesterday that the Paris Greyhounds are still in the hunt for their district championship, so I better get busy making phone calls, in case I'm needed at the next game.

As always, I wish you many blessings today and everyday.  Stay warm and safe as we look forward to the most important time of the year.  luv, Susan   

MY BEST BLESSING OF ALL......A GRANDBABY BOY!!!!!

Forgive me Father, it has been over a month since my last posting.  Well, that's what it feels like, that I am in a confessional and it has been so long since I was here.  I did have a rather hectic month, to say the least.  My little grandson, Mark Joseph Alligrini Berry was born on January 13, eleven days past his due date of the 2nd.  In that time, his little Libby cousin, Parker, whose due date was the 6th, managed to be born early, thus passing our little MJ up, and is now the older of the two, which seems weird.  Anyway, it was a healthy labor and delivery.  We are absolutely ecstatic about this little miracle that seemed so long in coming.  It was nice having God's reassurance of a healthy mom and baby when a semi passed me on the way to Frankfort with the slogan, "Our number one priority in serving you is a safe delivery."  It was an answer to prayer, for sure, as I had begun to get a little worried because this labor/delivery was taking longer than either of mine.  I am very thankful to God for blessing us in such an awesome way.  Mark Joseph has already turned a month old and we are indeed blessed.

Before my babies were born, I spent all my spare time in New England, working on baby quilts.  I've managed to work on a quilt or two during the years, but nothing like when I was waiting on my babies, being a full-time new mom in Chepachet, RI.  So, it's been a bit daunting to try to reach back into my creative self and try to figure out how to go about making a quilt for my first grandbaby.  Well, thankfully, I can now report that I have started this project and hope it will be done in just a matter of days or possibly weeks....stay tuned.

As I reread my last posting, I was reminded that I had wanted to commemorate the anniversary of Mom Libby's passing on February 10th.  However, I was busy that day taking my Mom and sister, Kathy to visit Mark Joseph and Christina.  It's also difficult to go back to my last days with Mom because she was in an induced coma after suffering an aggressive type of infection.  Every day was a one sided conversation about how much she was loved and needed on earth, yet assuring words of her place in heaven with Dad, if she was ready to accept Jesus as her savior.  The talks we had in the times before her hospitalization never ended with the desired responses, but I have my faith that God reached down and accepted her delayed repentance and acceptance of His son during those final days in February when we prepared for her ultimate reunion with Dad.  Their ashes were given their final resting place on the island where they first set eyes on each other, and I enjoy thinking of them spending eternity in youthful bliss on Lanes Island or enjoying their view of Old Harbor.

If you are in Kentucky, you are enjoying a beautiful snow covered picture out your windows.  I can't begin to describe how awesome seeing the sun light up the sparkling snow is this morning.  I have a quilt to put together and so many other things to do.  I hope you are warm and safe and enjoying the blessings that God is bestowing on you today.  Have a great day.  luv, Susan 

A LIBBY ANNIVERSARY

Today is a Libby anniversary.  It has been one year since we lost Dad Libby.  He fell ill about the day after Christmas in 2013 and remained hospitalized for the next few weeks.  For a while we really thought he would pull through, like he had many times before.  We were so happy the day that he sat up and had some sherbert.  It also seemed like a good sign that he was throwing pillows when he was having difficulty getting his point across to his caregivers.  But, this was his last recovery, of sorts, and we received the phone call a year ago, today.

We had been there for a visit after Thanksgiving that year.  I had a conversation with Dad about the book, Killing Jesus.  He wanted to explain to me the general theme of the book about looking at the killing of Jesus like a  death to be solved through present day methods.  I wanted to use the opportunity to discuss his salvation.  As I questioned him about his belief in Jesus and his acceptance of Christ as his savior, he got frustrated with me and simply stated, with emphasis, "Yes, I know all that, yes, I did that."  To which I simply responded that was all I needed to hear from him, that he had accepted Jesus as his savior.  We then talked about the book.  

Now, today, we are still awaiting the arrival of our first grandbaby.  My mom, sisters and I just got back from Illinois where we said goodbye to mom's younger sister, Mary Lou.  We know for certainty that, she, too, accepted Jesus as her savior.  I'm looking forward to seeing Dad Libby and Mary Lou in heaven when the time comes for me.

I hope you have a great day.  Stay safe. love, Susan

January 8, 2015 - Happy Birthday, Elvis!

I normally don't like change, just some sort of human nature of growing accustomed to the people, places and activities I've been used to and enjoying them each day.  However, there is one change that has me just giddy with excitement and that's the soon to be ( we hope ) birth of my first grandbaby.  And with this birth in my family, comes a death. My mom is one of six children born to Davie and Cressie Pope, a farmer and his wife who lived in Forsyth, Illinois.  Their children included Betty Ann, Davie Jr., Mary Lou, Jean, Linda and Carol.  We have been so blessed as a family to have had them all right up to a couple days ago when we lost our Aunt Mary Lou.  We'll be heading home to be with family soon. 

In the meantime, we are getting into the new routine for 2015. I had dinner with my friend, Marti, on Monday, as we meet monthly to get together with our former PHS classmates from the Class of 1974.Yesterday my sister, Pam, and I had our first Bible Study of the year.  However, today I was not able to pick up my friends for our monthly homemakers meeting, due to the frigid weather conditions.  

I really didn't like this weeks Bible Study on Leviticus.  As an animal lover, the sacrificial system used by Moses and the Israelites, as they roamed in the desert, is very hard to take. But because God cannot be near sin and we, because of our sinful human nature are unable to resist sin, there needed to be sacrificial blood to cover our sins.  Sacrifices were mandatory to cover and then remove our sins, so our loving God could dwell with us. We are reminded that nothing but blood( life ), can cover our sins( death ), that separate us  from our God. When hands were laid on these innocent animals, usually bulls, goats, lambs or birds, by the sinner, the sin was transferred to them and they were then killed for the sinner to be forgiven each and every time sins took place.

We watched some old videos on Christmas Day. I think it was Christmas 1984 at my parent's home in Paris with all our family present.  Seeing my mom and dad holding a two year old Dustin and a one year old Christina were really sweet memories.  A previous Christmas, we had watched a video of Mark's Grandpa Weeks talking about his life. He had worked in his younger years at a  stockyard/slaughterhouse with another young man and it was their job to kill animals.  Listening to this gentle, loving man talk about specifically killing a bull, and at another time killing little lambs, took me to a very dark place.  I never intend to watch that video again and I wish I could erase it from my memory, but I've not been able to do that.

My favorite parts of the Bible are the gospel stories about the birth of Baby Jesus in the stable, surrounded by the animals. Wednesday, after Bible Study, Pam and I went shopping at a Christian Bookstore because I needed a new angel to top my Christmas tree.  The previous angel, after lighting the past 30 Christmases or so, had been developing burned holes in the plastic cone surrounding the white lights.  Thankfully, her white satin gown never ignited, but it was time for a change. Not only did I find a new angel treetopper, but  I'm embarrassed to say that I've increased my nativity collection by three new sets.  I only select the ones that include all the stable animals. Not only will my new little Sixlibbyberry be surrounded by it's animated Christmas animals, but a lot of new nativity stable animals as well.

And, mostly today,as every day, I am so thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for making His ultimate sacrifice on the cross to forgive us all for all our sins.  Our sins are covered by His blood and we are forgiven because of Him, the perfect and innocent Lamb of God. The the shedding of the animals' blood is no longer necessary!

I want to wish Elvis a Happy 80th Birthday today.  We welcomed in 2015 watching and listening to a documentary of one of his last tours. It was awesome! Priscilla and I both agree that if he had lived, he would have done so much more gospel music as he got older, Amen to that.  The Libby family also welcomed a new little cousin for my little Sixlibbyberry.  Congratulations to Steve, Carla, Steve Jr., and Andi upon the arrival of little Parker Steven. We'll have a great time in Maine this year for sure! Please stay safe and warm and have a blessed day.  luv, Susan

 

My Day After Christmas Miracle

Yesterday was the first day of the new year.  I thought as the day progressed and I hadn't heard back from Christina that possibly they were welcoming that new little sixlibbyberry into the world, but, no, they were just busy with their binge watching of Harry Potter movies. Today is the actual due date, but with a first baby, we really don't expect him/her to arrive yet, but I won't be separated from my phone, you can count on that.

Watching parades and football games yesterday, I pretty much let the whole day slip away without accomplishing much.  Mark, on the other hand, managed to practically install an entire drop ceiling in our basement.  Today I have prayed to not let that be the case today.  Normally, I would be off to the Amen House, but we are closed, so hopefully, I'll have a list of things accomplished here at home.  There's still so much to get done in preparation for the new baby.  Also, there's all the decorations to put away and all the " new year responsibilities" that I have with my volunteer job at church.

It's gonna be sad putting away all the greenery and white lights that I spread throughout my house and the variety of nativities that I cherish.  My newest nativity is a book and ornament that are interactive.  As you read the book and push the appropriate pictures, the ornament lights up and the each animal of the stable tells it's part in helping Mary and Joseph on that holy night, as their little newborn enters the world. I actually have had this particular book and ornament for a couple years as I anticipated the birth of my first grandbaby.

After Christmas I also purchased some things for the baby's first Christmas which will be about a year away.  My sister Pam had the cutest animated toy that she had purchased for one of their grandbabies.  Because it terrified him, it still remained at their house Christmas day.  It's a cute little white, fuzzy dog that has red antlers with jingle bells attached to them.  Of course, when you turn it on it spins around excitedly shaking and playing Jingle Bells as it gyrates and jingles around.  I knew that I had to have one of them for little SLB, so I asked where I could find one.  She said she found it at Kroger, but was sure they were all gone.

The day after Christmas I met my sisters and my mom at Krogers to begin our day after Christmas shopping for bargains on Christmas paper and decorations.  I didn't even look for the little dog there, but did get some paper and checked out their cards.  After our traditional lunch and movie, I drove back to Georgetown where I stopped by our Kroger.  I checked out the shelf with the stuffed animals and saw lots of bears and snowmen, but no little doggie.  So, I again looked at the shelf and thought where would I be if I was the cutest little jingle bell doggie.  So I looked lower and lower to the bottom shelf and looked back farther and farther, til I saw the fuzzy white fur sticking up among the white teddy bears on the bottom shelf.  Yes, there it was, just sitting there waiting for me with it's red antlers and jingle bells.  It was my day after Christmas miracle!

I now have to confess that I didn't stop there, but proceeded to Cracker Barrel where I found a cute animated Santa that moves his eyebrows while singing and a reindeer that shakes while it sings as well.  And, at Wal-Mart I couldn't pass up the shivering polar bear that also comes with a book.  So, for my little SLB baby for it's first Christmas I am prepared with four Christmas singing, jingling, shivering, shaking animals, two books, and an ornament.  And, no, I do not intend to spoil this baby any more than any other grandmother would.  I better go get something accomplished today.  You have a great day, stay warm and safe.  luv, Susan