Friday, November 30, 2007

Super....Natural

I have always believed that kids have a clearer path to the things of the Spirit. It just stands to reason that they have less of the baggage that we carry around as adults, so there is less to block the way...or distort the view...to Heaven. They are less hardened and more sensitive to spiritual things (both good and bad...that's why we have to protect them...but that's another post for another day). I have heard stories of children seeing visions. In fact, my son had one when he was about five (he saw Jesus....yet another post for another day).

So anyway, BK and I were out running errands this morning, when BK yelled excitedly from the backseat, "MOMMY...LOOK! Up in the sky...it's an angel!"

Needless to say, I almost ran off the road. I jerked my head around looking up in the sky where she pointed. Nothing. Then "Mommy...there's another one!"

This time I saw what she saw. The angels were blowing trumpets...hanging on the light posts in the median...the city's Christmas decorations.

I laughed...at myself...at the situation. "Yes baby, I do see the angels."

Did I really expect to see an angel in the sky? Stranger things have happened...angels have appeared to folks for a long, long time. However, I think I'm probably more likely to run into one in the line at the grocery store...or ringing the Salvation Army bell at Wal-Mart...or sitting in a car seat in the backseat of my van, eyes wide open and taking in the wonders around her...bringing blessings to everyone whose lives she touches.

It might just be natural...but it's pretty super too.



Thursday, November 29, 2007

Whew!

Some of you know that I took an online class through Hinds this semester (Sociology). A month after I signed up for the class, I started working part-time (mostly from home), so life has been a little crazy trying to get everything done...while being a full-time mommy too. Well, I finally finished all four of my essays a few weeks ago and I made 100's on all of them...and then I took my final exam this week and made a 96!!! So my 4.0 average is still intact. I'm so relieved that it's over. Maybe now I can breathe a little bit and enjoy the holidays.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Thankful Reminders

Hubby and I hung out with the little 'uns this morning at church. BK's regular teachers were out today and they asked us to be substitute teachers. What an experience...an hour and a half with a class of two-year-olds! Actually, it was pretty fun...and hubby said that they behaved better than his high-school students.

Our lesson today involved being thankful to God for the things He gives to us. Our Bible verse came from James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Sometimes we just need to be reminded, don't we?

Repeat after me...

God is good...all the time.

All good things come from God.

And from the immortal words of the Madame Blueberry song (Veggie Tales - for those of you without toddlers):

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That's an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!

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Friday, November 23, 2007

A Star Shall Lead Them

I love Christmas. I love decorating and traditions...baking cookies...hiding gifts...riding around to see Christmas lights. I read a great idea tonight that I think we will incorporate into our family traditions...having a birthday cake on Christmas Eve and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

I braved Wal-Mart this morning. Even though I did not set my clock for four a.m., I still think I got a few good deals. One thing I picked up was a new star for our tree. When I saw it on the highest shelf, it immediately caught my eye. There are no lights or other flashy embellishments. It's just a beautiful red star that looks like it is crafted from the thorns that were used to make the crown for Jesus when he was crucified. How appropriate that it was red...for the blood that He shed. He was born to die...for me. I found the symbolism too appealing to leave it there on the shelf.

So I brought it home to adorn our tree. There was just one problem. It is too heavy for the artificial tree. I thought I would have to return it, but looked around to see if I could use it somewhere else. I decided to see if it would go on top of a plant I have in our den. So now my corn plant is sporting a beautiful red star. Maybe it's happier there anyway.

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A Walk On The Wild Side

My hubby was off work this week, so we decided to take a short trip. One day we found ourselves in Hattiesburg and we spent a few hours at the zoo. The princess sure did have a good time. I got a great pic of the jaguar. Check it out....

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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Thanks....anyway

I'm sitting here with a blank screen and it occurs to me how intimidating that can be. Don't get me wrong--it's not that I don't have anything to say. I always have something to say (just ask my husband). But I think the responsibility of public writing holds me back from being as honest and transparent as I normally would be. After all, I am a Christian and I believe that I should probably be using this medium to inspire and uplift. The problem is that I do not always feel uplifting or inspirational and it's hard to pass along something that I struggle sometimes to experience myself.

Depression closes in on many people this time of the year...threatening to lower its cloak of darkness and choke out any semblance of hope and joy. Do I sound like I know what I'm talking about?

I do.

I know that I have much for which to be thankful this Thanksgiving Eve. My Savior who loves me no matter what...my family and friends...my little miracle child's arms around my neck, squeezing so tight...my church...my decent computer in my comfy house in my safe neighborhood in my free country...good health...provision...gas in the car and a turkey in the fridge. Life is good.

So what does one do with this feeling of sadness and impending doom?

I have found over the years that reminding myself that I will not feel this way forever...while not beating myself up over getting to this point in the first place...seems to help...at least a little bit.

Some people will say it is a spiritual problem. Some will say it's a chemical imbalance. Some might even say that it is predestined genetic issue. Most will have an opinion...and most are not helpful at all.

I pray that God will help us to be sensitive to those around us who are sad and hurting...for whatever reason...and help us to remember that this is not the season to be jolly for everyone.

Pass along a smile and a hug...and hold the judgement...you never know what a difference it could make.

Use It....Or Lose It

I think this article was written by Mary Hunt (Everyday Cheapskate). Maybe we should turn this time of year into the season to rid ourselves of the things that weigh us down...

What would you do if you had to actually use -- or at least enjoy -- everything you own?

Truth be told, most of us would never live long enough to accomplish such an overwhelming task. Instead, we pack it, stack it and pile it away -- even pay rent to store it -- and keep right on accumulating, acquiring and attaining even more. More doesn't add to our joy the way we thought it would. More stuff only dilutes the quality of our lives.

Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, "discovered" the 80/20 principle in 1897 when he observed that 80 percent of the land in England (and every country he subsequently studied) was owned by 20 percent of the population. Pareto's theory of predictable imbalance has since been proven widely and applied to almost every aspect of modern life, including the things we own.

It's difficult to fend off that sick feeling when you calculate clutter's actual cost in hard-earned cash. Of course, there's that original price tag. But then there's the cost to own it.

One woman who finally had it with all her clutter loaded it up (it filled two pickup trucks) and headed for the flea market. Excited that she could possibly net $800 to $1,000 for one weekend of selling, she changed her attitude quickly when she realized her prices were about one-tenth of the price she paid.

Her mind went to the time she'd spent earning the money to buy all the stuff; the time spent shopping, lugging it all home then storing it until moving day. She figured even if she made $1,000 on this effort that meant she'd spent at least $10,000 (probably more!) purchasing it. That day she vowed to never buy anything again unless it was absolutely necessary.

Ask yourself a series of questions to determine what stays and what goes:

Does it work? So much of the clutter in our homes is made up of broken things we plan to fix someday and clothes that don't fit anymore but we hope they might someday.

Do I really need it? The answer will be clear as you imagine the impact of this item disappearing from your life.

Do I enjoy it? If this item brings beauty and joy to your life, it is not clutter. Sentimental belongings should be treated with great care and respect -- not forgotten in the attic.

Am I using it now? If it doesn't fall into the 20 percent of things you use on a regular basis, it is suspect.

Once you've earmarked the stuff that needs to go, move it out. Sell it, give it away or throw it out. Of course, one of the best solutions for "good stuff" is to give it to someone who really wants or needs it.

Decluttering will calm your spirit, clear your mind and increase your ability to enjoy your current situation, your family and relationships -- your life!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Cherokee Legend

I received this by email this morning from MountainWings.com....it's good reading...

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe evensome human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man! Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him. ~Author Unknown~

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Cookies Are The Answer...What Was The Question?

Life's little irritants have a way of getting under my skin. Such as...is it just me...or does the fact that Christmas trees are now in the stores before Halloween bother anyone else? It seems like this year in particular has been filled with friends and family talking about decorating early for Christmas. I'm really not a Scrooge. But I would like to digest my turkey from Thanksgiving before stringing lights on the tree.

What about gas prices? I heard on T.V. last night that the price of gas has risen over 30 cents a gallon in a month! That is just insane. Sometimes I think that I should trade in my mini-van and get a car with better gas mileage. But we really need a van so we can haul all the grandkids and BK around. It seems that it just keeps taking more and more to live these days.

I have discovered something that can take the edge off the aggravations of life...cookies. It's hard to be depressed with a warm, fresh-baked cookie in your hand. I recommend them highly...for medicinal reasons, of course. One of my sisters sent me an email this week with links to many, many cookie recipes. I have never seen such a list of cookie recipes. Look below to find your favorite and whip up a batch...or two...and then pick up the phone and invite me over. Life is better lived with homemade cookies...and the friends who bake them.

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms