Vacation Time

This week, we are enjoying a few days in Colorado. It has been absolutely beautiful weather and we are enjoying all the gorgeous scenery! I am always so impressed with how God made such a beautiful world! I'll never understand how someone could say "there is no God". When I get home I will add some pictures to my blog so you can see where we have been. Of course, pictures never tell how gorgeous it really is, but I must say I have some good ones, thanks to my iPhone 4. I have been very pleased at how good the pictures have turned out while using the camera on my phone. (I'm not advertising for Apple, but... :-)

I hope you are having a great week! Cast all your care on the Lord, because He cares for you!

This Is Like Heaven...

Today I'm sitting at my computer doing a little studying, and searching for some things to go with a thought I am working on. As I'm looking, a song pops into my mind. This happens quite often, so I stopped to listen to the words, and try to relate it to what I have been thinking about. My mind started singing:

This is like Heaven to me...
This is like Heaven to me...

It really got my attention, because I wasn't thinking about Heaven. I was thinking about "friends, and friendships, and reaching out to others", then it dawned on me...
HAVING FRIENDS, FRIENDSHIPS, AND RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS IS A LITTLE TASTE OF HEAVEN! So, I guess I can say "I have been living in a little bit of Heaven the last several days.

We just got back from a lovely time of fellowship and lunch with Pastor and Sis. Greg Gerald. Bro. Gerald texted my husband earlier today and asked if we would have time to meet them for lunch, so my husband forwarded the message on to me. I was thrilled to go eat with them. When they walked into the restaurant their daughter Katelyn was with them, so we got a hug, and a short conversation with her before she hurried off to be with a friend. As we sat and talked, I thought, "The Gerald's didn't call because they had some business to talk about, and there was nothing urgent. They called because they wanted to just be with us, and have lunch." We had a wonderful time talking, talking, talking, and our hearts were warmed by their love and friendship. Thank you, Bro. and Sis. Gerald for stopping by and making this life feel a little closer to Heaven.

My mind now wanders off to being with Pastor and Sis. Richard Flowers this past weekend. On Saturday evening we went to eat with them. We had a great time sitting around the table and talking about the things of God, life, and ministry. After the Sunday service we were invited to their home, and Chad and Mendy came over. (the Flowers son and daughter-in-law). Again, we sat and talked for a long time and enjoyed this very special time "sharing life" with each other.

After the weekend, the "icing was put on the cake" when we got to get hugs and kisses from our granddaughters, Alayna, Ashlyn, and Ansley. Also, the big bear hug from our son, Andrew, and sweet hugs from Amanda (Mandy). You just can't be more blessed than this!

This is like Heaven to me.
This is like Heaven to me.

After my brother passed away, Wendell and I looked at each other and said: "There is nothing more important than being with friends and family, and being with each other. From now on, nothing will keep us from having time with them. Life is too short to be wrapped up in "things" that take us away from people." Family is wonderful, friends are great, and taking time to be with each other is how God made us to be. People is what life is all about!

If you feel lonely, sad and blue, take time to stop and talk to a friend. Be there for someone when they need you, or just want you to sit and visit awhile. There's so many things that will take you away from what is "important" if you let them. Instead, let's all make up our minds to "touch someone" so we can all experience a "little bit of Heaven here on earth".

Someone Is Praying

This evening I walked into our home after being gone for several hours. As I was walking through my living room I was greeted by the presence of God! It was as if He was saying, "Hello, I'm glad you're here." I was very happy to "see" Him, too. As the evening went on I heard my husband as he talked to the Lord. He was thanking Him for being so good to us and for keeping His hand on us. I haven't asked him if He might have felt the Lord's presence as I did earlier, but I have a feeling he probably did.

I have a beautiful piano sitting in my living room. I love to sit down and play. Sometimes I feel drawn to it more than at other times, and tonight was one of those nights, so I sang...

"It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others He'll do for you.
With arms wide open He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do."

I tried to remember all the words to the verses, and failed on some of them, but I still enjoyed singing the song. What a message there is in it. It doesn't matter to God what condition you are in when you come to Him, He's just happy to see you when you acknowledge your need of Him.

I then sang...

"And...He walks with me and He talks with me.
And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there.
None other has ever known."

I could keep singing to you tonight in this blog post, but I just wanted to say that I enjoyed my time with Him tonight.

While getting ready to go to bed the thought came to me. "I wonder if someone has been praying for me?" Then another song came to mind:

"Someone is praying for you. Someone is praying for you.
When you feel you're all alone and your heart could break in two.
Remember, someone is praying for you."

Yes, I believe someone has been praying for me. There is a peace that passes all understanding in my heart tonight. Tomorrow is the 10th year since Mother passed away, but for some reason I don't feel the sadness I have been feeling over the last couple of weeks. I do believe it's because "Someone has been praying for me."

"Thank you God for my friends and those who love me enough to pray. YOU have been so good to me! Bless my friends, in Jesus Name...Amen!"

Dear Friend...if you feel all alone, and you feel like no one cares...remember there are friends who are praying for you! Your name has come to their mind and they have prayed especially for YOU! Now...just lean back and rest in His arms and let Him fill you with PEACE!

Friends for Life

Before going to sleep last night I checked my email messages to see if anything had come in during the last few hours.  My eyes fell on an email address that I was familiar with and I knew it was from a very special lady.  She had been thinking of me and wanted to check to see how I was doing.  I cannot tell you the warm feeling that filled my heart as I read her words.  I will just say, her message to me was "right in time" for the moment.

I am thankful for the life-long friends I have.  Since they have been part of my whole life they know me about as good as I know myself.  They seem to always have the words to say and know when to say them.  I'm thankful that even though I may not talk to them everyday, they can feel in their heart what is going on in mine.  They are TRUE FRIENDS that will stay with you through the ups and downs of life.

Thank you, DEAR Friend...for your sweet email.  You know who you are and I'm so appreciative of your words, your life, and your love.

If you have a friend (s) that you have known most of your life why don't you write them a note and let them know you're thinking of them.  They just might need to "hear your voice" tonight. 

To ALL my friends...THANK YOU for loving me the way you do.  You are all very special to me.