"Life is too short to wake up with regrets! So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be "worth it". Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you can't get them back. So I'm gonna tie you to my heart, so I never lose you."
This quote was sent to me from a friend today. I have been thinking about "special friends" in my life who have always been there. Many I have not talked about here on my blog, but there are many, many people that has made life a pleasure to live. I love those times I am in a large group of people and I spot a "friend"! My heart warms when I see them, and I have a smile come to my spirit. There's only been a few times I have felt totally alone! I thank God for my friends. I do not ever want to take them for granted and just have a "ho-hum" attitude towards them.
While I was at Texas Women's Conference I looked around just to see who was there, and my eyes spotted two of my friends. I immediately felt better! I missed Karla not being with me, and Mandy didn't go, and Brenda was sitting on the platform, because she was an MC for Friday night. It was really strange for me, but I didn't feel lonely. Just different! :) Then I saw these two ladies of whom I have loved for many years, yet, it's only been the last few years that I have had the honor of spending some time with them at ladies conference. It was great getting to see them, again. We enjoyed time together after the service that night. We laughed and cried together as we discussed things that were important to us. Thank you, Karen and Susan for being my friends!
By the way, Brenda did an outstanding job of leading the service on Friday night! I was so proud of her!! She is a natural in "leading" those around her and she was beautiful and gracious as she MC'd the service. Thank you, Brenda for being so wonderful and letting God use you!
I really don't want this post to come across as the "ooshy-gooshy friendship" kind of way! Do you know what I mean? There are some who are "touchy-feely" in their friendships, and can't live without their friend being "right there" all the time. They can't "stand on their own two feet", and feel threatened when "their friend" is not paying attention to THEM. I love all the little "stories of friendship", "poems of friendship", "quotes on friendship", but to me "true friendship" comes from strong people who know who they are when they are alone! Friendship doesn't have to have the "over-active, special care" that so many think. True friendship just "IS"! With a true friend you pick up where you left off even if it's been a while since you talked, or it's been "forever" since you saw them. I have a very dear friend that we very seldom talk to each other, but when we do we have no problem of communicating! She understands me, I understand her, and our love and loyalty is "strong and unshakeable".
Be a "true friend" to someone. Don't smother them with attention, but "be there" when you have the opportunity. Just like the quote says, "Friends are like balloons; once you let them go you can't get them back. So, I'm going to tie you to my heart so I never lose you." I love playing with balloons! They never were very much fun when I just held them in my arms. It's always more fun to hold onto the string, and let them fly above my head, or use them as a ball to bounce back and forth, with another friend. With friends it's always more fun to "share them" with others. When you "share" your friend, you make more friends and everyone has more fun! I will be one of the first to say, "things happen" and sometimes you have to let go of a "string". There might be some tears shed, but you will have no regrets for being a friend for a "season". It's okay. Life brings about changes and you can adjust if you have the right perspective of "friendship". I'm glad I haven't had to let go of very many friends in my life. Most of them I still have tied to my heart, and they make a "beautiful bouquet of colors" for me to enjoy.
Maybe that says it all in a "nut-shell". I don't know if this makes any sense, but to me it does. Maybe it will to you. Have a great day!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Sick Computer
The last I heard, my computer is still laying in the "hospital" in many, many pieces, waiting for the "computer surgeon" to perform surgery and fix it! :) I am anxiously waiting for it to get well! LOL! I know! I know! It's going to be alright, but I will be really glad when I can bring it home. Hopefully, it will get over all the "junk" that attaches to it and will feel like "running" again. The "doctors" who are working on it are very good at taking care of their "patients", so I'm not too worried about it. I want to say a great big thank you to my husband for sharing his computer with me so I can blog. I am trying not to download anything on it so it doesn't "catch a virus". I'm being very careful! Although, I'm starting to really like his computer, so mine better get back soon or he just might have to buy me a NEW ONE! That brings up a good question. If YOU were going to buy a new computer what would you buy? That's simple enough, isn't it? I really would like to hear from my blogging friends on this. Thank you for taking a few minutes to give me your opinion. I'll be listening or should I say "watching" for your intelligent answers.
Oh my! I guess I'm getting really tired of the "waiting room", so I just had to write SOMETHING! Please think of me when you're writing your posts, on your very own computer, and if you want, I give you permission to "feel sorry for me, too"! Have a great day!
Oh my! I guess I'm getting really tired of the "waiting room", so I just had to write SOMETHING! Please think of me when you're writing your posts, on your very own computer, and if you want, I give you permission to "feel sorry for me, too"! Have a great day!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
One Baptized, Two Filled with the Holy Ghost!
We had wonderful services this weekend! Bro. and Sis. Henry were with us and God did marvelous things! This morning we baptized one young lady in Jesus Name and she received the Holy Ghost tonight! We also had the mother of one of our ladies receive the Holy Ghost! There was REJOICING in Life Tabernacle as God worked miracles in the hearts of these two ladies! We are bubbling over with the awesomeness of God!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Where Do I Begin?
I am finally finding a window of time to sit down and write about my California trip! It's been real crazy for me the last week! There is no way to tell all about it, but I will tell you a little. For those of you who wished me "a lot of laughs", your wish came true! One night we laughed ourselves into "hysterical laughter"! It lasted about 15 minutes! LOL! If any of us were not feeling good, that laughter "cured" it all!! No, I'm not going to try and tell you about it, because it wouldn't be funny to you. You know how those times are when something just hits you the "right" way. It was one of those times. :) I had a wonderful time being with my sisters. The celebration for Ronda was done so nice by her family and church family. We all had a nice time reflecting back and telling her how wonderful she is! Family and friends being together is the most fulfilling experience life has to offer.
We have special people in our lives who are more than friends to us. Some of them are Jimmy and Bobbie, Randy and Sharon, Nanci and Brian. You cannot find better people in all the world! They have been part of our lives since we were babies, or very young. Therefore, they are "family". The Shoemakes have known us ALL OF OUR LIVES and have been at almost every celebration or times of loss that we have had! You can't ask for any closer relationship than this. It's very hard to separate them from being "family" so I don't even try! Randy is another person who has been very close to my family. In our talking about when he came into our lives I figured out that I was around 6-7 years old!!! My how time flies when you're having FUN! Randy and Sharon are great friends and we call him our "BROTHER"! Randy has always "been there". I didn't know Sharon quite as early in life, but she is very dear to me! Then there's Nanci!! Of course, I have known her all of her life. She is Ronda's age, so she's like a sister to me. She always brings a lot of laughter to those around. She is a true friend and I love her so much! Her and Brian are wonderful people. Of course, there's my aunt and uncle. C.W. and Gloria are ALWAYS THERE! I don't know when they took a vacation without going to see family or friends. That's their kind of vacation. I love them both so much! TRUE, LOYAL, CARING and LOVING! That's C.W. and Gloria! They are wonderful people! Valere came to be with Ronda on this special occasion and it was wonderful seeing her!
I don't want to bore you with all the "happenings", flight CANCELLED and RESCHEDULED (I was one of the 26,000 people who was misplaced by American, DELAYED flight back home because of weather, my back giving into all the stress of PULLING on LUGGAGE, and all that goes with "flying". I will just say, I'm so glad I could go and be with my "old sister"! LOL! It's so hard to believe she is 50 years old! Of course, that doesn't make me any older!!! We ate alot, laughed alot, remembered alot, and had an incredible time! Nathan and Ronda's church is doing great and I enjoyed being with them in their Sunday afternoon service. The music, choir, praise singing, worship and preaching was outstanding and I was so happy to get to spend that time with them! I will leave you with these pictures. I trust you will enjoy them, but I know you can't enjoy them as much as we did making them!
We have special people in our lives who are more than friends to us. Some of them are Jimmy and Bobbie, Randy and Sharon, Nanci and Brian. You cannot find better people in all the world! They have been part of our lives since we were babies, or very young. Therefore, they are "family". The Shoemakes have known us ALL OF OUR LIVES and have been at almost every celebration or times of loss that we have had! You can't ask for any closer relationship than this. It's very hard to separate them from being "family" so I don't even try! Randy is another person who has been very close to my family. In our talking about when he came into our lives I figured out that I was around 6-7 years old!!! My how time flies when you're having FUN! Randy and Sharon are great friends and we call him our "BROTHER"! Randy has always "been there". I didn't know Sharon quite as early in life, but she is very dear to me! Then there's Nanci!! Of course, I have known her all of her life. She is Ronda's age, so she's like a sister to me. She always brings a lot of laughter to those around. She is a true friend and I love her so much! Her and Brian are wonderful people. Of course, there's my aunt and uncle. C.W. and Gloria are ALWAYS THERE! I don't know when they took a vacation without going to see family or friends. That's their kind of vacation. I love them both so much! TRUE, LOYAL, CARING and LOVING! That's C.W. and Gloria! They are wonderful people! Valere came to be with Ronda on this special occasion and it was wonderful seeing her!
I don't want to bore you with all the "happenings", flight CANCELLED and RESCHEDULED (I was one of the 26,000 people who was misplaced by American, DELAYED flight back home because of weather, my back giving into all the stress of PULLING on LUGGAGE, and all that goes with "flying". I will just say, I'm so glad I could go and be with my "old sister"! LOL! It's so hard to believe she is 50 years old! Of course, that doesn't make me any older!!! We ate alot, laughed alot, remembered alot, and had an incredible time! Nathan and Ronda's church is doing great and I enjoyed being with them in their Sunday afternoon service. The music, choir, praise singing, worship and preaching was outstanding and I was so happy to get to spend that time with them! I will leave you with these pictures. I trust you will enjoy them, but I know you can't enjoy them as much as we did making them!
HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY, RONDA
Following is what I said at her party. I wrote it all down so I wouldn't cry while reading it, but it didn't help me at all! :) I am just the sentimental type! Once I start crying there is no way to stop the tears.I was "five years old" when you came into my life. You were the one who took away my status as "baby of the family", and I loved you from the beginning. Your blue eyes, and curly brown hair captured my heart. A few months before you were born Mother needed to go someplace, and as she was going down the stairs, she slipped and fell. Everyone was worried about her having "the baby" early, but she carried you the whole nine months, and you survived the fall. Not only did you survive the fall you came into this world with great determination! I have watched you over the years as you have faced life-changing decisions. Following "the will of God" has been your number one priority. There have been wonderful, fun times, and there have been times of disappointments and grief, yet the "little baby" who survived the "fall on the steps" before birth, has not only survived the "difficult times" in life, but has come through them with beauty, strength and grace! Ronda, you are a strong and courageous, beautiful lady! Your life continues to show everyone around you that "Serving God Is Beautiful". I love being with you wherever you may be, and I'm always proud to be introduced as your sister. God has been good to me and I'm glad He brought you into "my world" 50 years ago! No, my life has never been the same....It has been more wonderful and fun since you arrived! I LOVE YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Will Blog Later
I am home and had a wonderful trip, even though there were some "issues" with flights! At least, I made it to Ronda's and back, "safe and sound". :) I arrived late last night, bent over to get something out of my suitcase and almost didn't get back up!! So, today I have had to spend the day in bed with the heating pad. I am feeling some better, but it needs to loosen up a lot more to be comfortable. I am also having to use my husbands computer, since mine is in the "hospital". I haven't been able to download pictures from my trip, yet. Hopefully, I will get it back SOON! If not, maybe I can do something on his before I leave for Ladies Conference on Thursday. I hope you all are having a wonderful week.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Having a Wonderful Time
As I said in my last post, I have been very busy, but it's been the "fun-kind-of-busy"! Karla and I flew into San Jose on Wednesday evening to surprise Ronda for her birthday. We definitely SURPRISED HER! LOL! I have a lot to report to you, but will have to do it when I arrive back home. I do not have my computer with me, so I cannot download pictures to go along with all the "fun" we are having. I can't wait to tell you all about it.
Busy
I hope everyone is having a great week. I am really busy and will not be able to post very much over the next few days. Love you all!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
So Good
Our Easter services were so good and incredibly powerful! Really, I do not have the words to express the "presence of God" that we felt. There's not too many times I don't know what to say when I start writing a post, but you would have needed to be here to know how wonderful both services were. The preaching, singing, and worship was "out of this world"! Thank you God for being with us! Here's a few pictures to enjoy....:)
Mandy made the girls dresses and they looked absolutely beautiful in them!

Papa Elms teaching her how to push the button on her new "spin toy".
It was cold so Ashlyn needed her coat on. I love this picture!
I have more, but I am not going to post them all! LOL!
Mandy made the girls dresses and they looked absolutely beautiful in them!

Papa Elms teaching her how to push the button on her new "spin toy".
It was cold so Ashlyn needed her coat on. I love this picture!
I have more, but I am not going to post them all! LOL!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
HE IS RISEN!
A thought just went flashing across my mind about the women who went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. I am sure they were wondering how they were going to get into the tomb where He lay. Can you imagine the feeling they had when they saw the stone was rolled away? Talk about being confused! I know I would have been asking all kinds of questions if I would have been there. Just put yourself in their "sandals". They were people just like us! If I would have been there I know I would have been a little uncertain about walking into the tomb where a dead person was. But, after I got there, and saw the stone rolled away, after my "moment of uncertainty" I would have been the FIRST one to start asking questions. "WHERE IS THE STONE"? "Did someone forget to seal the tomb?" "Did someone come and and take Him!" "Do you think He is in there?" These questions would have flashed by quickly, and when "that man" by the tomb spoke.....well.....that would have almost been the end of me! I know me, and I know how I react when I'm startled......"OH JESUS!" This is my first reaction when I'm scared. "OH JESUS!" I feel a laugh coming on right now just thinking about how I would have reacted. The Lord knows He would have to appear to me in a "subtle way" for me to be able to "respond" correctly. Maybe I would have been His first miracle after He was resurrected, because He would have had to bring me back to life! :) I know those ladies are "Bible characters", but does that make them different than us? I don't think so! So much of the time, we do not stop and think about them being "real people". Even though I would have been uncertain, scared a little, questioning a lot, I still would have loved being there when they saw the stone was moved, and when the angel spoke to them and told them that "He is not here! He is risen!!" Can you feel the way they may have felt. Or better yet, "feel the way YOU would have felt" if you had been there! I know for me, I would be running as fast as I could to let everyone know that "JESUS IS ALIVE! HE LIVES! HE'S ALIVE!" The first person that said I was just "imagining things or you're overcome with grief and you're not thinking straight" would be told real fast...."Well, you go and look for yourself! You'll see that I'm telling the truth!" The TRUTH is.....the FACT is......JESUS LIVES! HE IS ALIVE.....TODAY......HE LIVES! Now, that is exciting news!
IT'S "CELEBRATON TIME"!
Friday, March 21, 2008
HAPPY EASTER!
A friend sent this to me and I HAD to share it with you! Thank you, Becky!!
If this does not help you have a "Happy Easter" I don't know what will. DO NOT scroll to the bottom, until you have read the whole thing!!!!! :)
A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road.
He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumps right in front of the car.
The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is the Easter Bunny, and he is DEAD.
The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry. A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees a man crying on the side of the road and pulls over.
She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong.
"I feel terrible," ! he explains, "I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny with my car and KILLED HIM."
The blonde says,"Don't worry."
She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead Easter Bunny, bends down, and sprays the contents onto him.
The Easter Bunny jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road.
Ten feet away he stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves, and repeats this again and again and again and again, until he hops out of sight.
The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, "What is in that can? What did you spray on the Easter Bunny?"
The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label.
It says..
(Are you ready for this?)
(Are you sure?)
(You know you're gonna be sorry)
(Last chance)
(OK, here it is)
It says..... "Hair Spray - Restores life to dead hair, and adds permanent wave."
Happy Easter!!!
A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road.
He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumps right in front of the car.
The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is the Easter Bunny, and he is DEAD.
The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry. A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees a man crying on the side of the road and pulls over.
She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong.
"I feel terrible," ! he explains, "I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny with my car and KILLED HIM."
The blonde says,"Don't worry."
She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead Easter Bunny, bends down, and sprays the contents onto him.
The Easter Bunny jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road.
Ten feet away he stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves, and repeats this again and again and again and again, until he hops out of sight.
The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, "What is in that can? What did you spray on the Easter Bunny?"
The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label.
It says..
(Are you ready for this?)
(Are you sure?)
(You know you're gonna be sorry)
(Last chance)
(OK, here it is)
It says..... "Hair Spray - Restores life to dead hair, and adds permanent wave."
Happy Easter!!!
Note: Please don't worry about me. I DO NOT believe in the Easter Bunny! (LOL) I really do know the "true meaning of Easter". :)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Revelation 21
I was 7 years old when I stepped outside in the front yard to see where Daddy was. He was standing out on the sidewalk looking into the sky. There were beautiful, white fluffy clouds floating across the sky, and the moon was shining through them. It was so beautiful! I asked, "Daddy, what are you doing?" He said in his deep, bass voice, "Oh, honey, I'm just looking at the clouds, wondering if that's the clouds Jesus is coming back on." A shiver went through my heart, because I wanted to be ready when Jesus came back. I stood there for a little bit looking up in the sky like Daddy. As I watched, and pondered what Daddy had said I just KNEW I saw the face of GOD in the clouds. :) Time went by, and as I grew up I sat and listened many nights as Daddy would talk about the "end of time" and all that would be taking place, "just before Jesus' return". Then, he would continue talking about the "New Heaven and the New Earth", and what it was going to be like in Heaven. He made "going to Heaven" sound so wonderful and I really wanted to go there! I sat in church on Harvey and Thesta in Fresno and heard the choir sing "Twelve Gates to the City". When I heard the choir start singing, "IN THAT BRIGHT CITY......PEARLY WHITE CITY....." my heart would beat faster and faster, because I knew they were going to sing about Heaven and Daddy would read in his booming voice........"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away........
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb........
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there."
The choir would then continue singing.......
In that bright city, pearly white city.
I have a mansion, a harp, and a crown.
Now I am watching, waiting, and longing.
For that bright city that's soon coming down.
Then Pat would take it and start singing........
Have you heard about the City,
it's streets are purest gold!
We would have a move of the Holy Ghost and I can still hear the saints of God rejoicing, because of the promise of Heaven!
Yes, the years have gone by and I've wondered many times why I feel this longing to go "home". In my pondering about this, I have realized that this longing was born when I was just a little girl when Daddy would talk about Heaven.
When Mother was on her death bed, she said to Daddy, "Murray, tell me about Heaven". That was probably one of the most beautiful, yet sad times he ever talked about Heaven, but I'm sure he painted a picture of that beautiful city like he had never painted before.
Today I have been going through things Daddy and Mother left behind. Memories have flooded my mind and I have shed a few tears. It's not all been sad, though. At times I have smiled, and even laughed just remembering, but the most precious of things I have found in the many boxes, have been some of Daddy's Bibles. One of them is one that Gene and Karla bought Daddy, (of which I know they will want) but, it caught my attention. In that Bible was a piece of paper that was marking a passage of scripture. I had a feeling that when I turned to that "special place" that it would be Revelation 21. I was right!!! I had to smile to myself and rejoice because I had a father who told me about Heaven, where there will be no more sickness, no dying, no pain, and there'll be no more goodbye's. We'll live together.....forever!
A MUST-SEE!
You've got to go here to see this baby sing! Thank you, Bro. Ryan for sharing this video with us.
A Correction
While visiting with Bridget Lance in Jackson, I asked her about the tornado that hit their church and the report of when Bro. Lance's phone dialed Bro. Shatwell. She told me that it was AFTER the tornado hit and Bro. Lance came out of the closet and he was seeing the devastation to the building that his phone called Bro. Shatwell. That is when he prayed for them. I am sorry for the wrong information given. In the middle of reports coming in, sometimes things get mixed up. We DO know there were people praying for their safety, and that God kept His hand on them! Thank you for understanding the mix up. I feel much better now! :)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Home Again, Home Again...
We arrived home just a short while ago. We travelled through a lot of heavy rain storms today, and the Lord kept His hand on us. We stopped in Sherman to have lunch with our good friends, David and Kay, and as always had fun visiting with them. I don't have any news, so I won't hold you long. I just wanted to get on tonight and say hello to all my friends and family. Have a great Wednesday!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Visit to Jackson, TN
We have had a wonderful time with the Lance's this weekend. They are very hospitable and have done everything to make us comfortable. Of course, they are like family to us and treat us special. Natalia and Nevaeh are cute little dolls, and Naylon is growing like a weed. What a sweetheart he is. You never hear anything out of him unless he's hungry. He is real easy-going! We had a great time in service with them on Thursday night and today. They are having services in one of the Assembly of God churches since their church was destroyed in the recent tornado. The church is pulling together and seeing great things in their future. We are looking forward to what the future holds for the church family in Jackson. It was also nice visiting with Ron and Debbie Alomar. They are enjoying living here and love being close to family. They love the church and are making a lot of new friends. God loves blessing us as His children and I'm glad He allowed the Alomars to move here to be close to at least one of their daughters and one set of grandchildren. Of course, Donald and Bridget love having "Dad and Mom" close by. Here are a few pictures of our time spent in Jackson, TN. Enjoy!
Special Birthday
Today is my sister, Karla's birthday! So I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her! She is having a wonderful day with her best friend, Sharon, and her great-niece, Alayna visiting her this weekend. I know they are having a blast! Life can't be much better than that. :) I guess the only thing that could make it better is if Ronda and I could be with her, too. LOL!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Surprised Again
The "Magic Time Machine" was at work again today! After a nice lunch with our husbands, Bridget and I were driving through a parking lot on our way to a boutique when a lady walked out of a store. When Bridget saw her she said, "That lady is Bro. Wilson's cousin." Since I've known Nate Wilson all my life, my mind started clicking as fast as it could, and I asked her the ladies name. She said, "Leah". Well, the only Leah I knew that would be related to Bro. Wilson was "Leah Johns". So, I said, "I'm going to go see if this is the Leah I know." I walked through the door and when I did she greeted me with a smile, and I said with a question in my voice, "Leah?" She then looked at me and answered, "Yes?" Now, she was the one wondering WHO I was. So I proceeded..."Leah.....Jean's daughter?" Now, she was really wondering. :) I said, "I'm Linda Elms...LAYNE"! She was SHOCKED! LOL! We couldn't get to each other fast enough!!!!
WOW! My mind was instantly thrown back into my "girlhood days" in Bloomington, CA when Leah's grandmother, Sis. Anderson pastored the church (now the "Rialto church"). Leah's mother, Jean, was best friends with my mother when they were all growing up in the "Bloomigton Church"! There is a lot of history in our families, and I could not even start to write all about it, but I had a wonderful time visiting with Leah today. I guess you could say, "we were catching up on the last 42 years! Leah was 13 when her folks left California, I was 12. I have wondered about her and her family through the years, but never had the chance to see her. I'm glad I was thrown back in time today. It's so much fun being the age I am. I have a lot of past behind me with wonderful memories, but I also have a lot of dreams for the future. God has been good to me....I can't complain!
WOW! My mind was instantly thrown back into my "girlhood days" in Bloomington, CA when Leah's grandmother, Sis. Anderson pastored the church (now the "Rialto church"). Leah's mother, Jean, was best friends with my mother when they were all growing up in the "Bloomigton Church"! There is a lot of history in our families, and I could not even start to write all about it, but I had a wonderful time visiting with Leah today. I guess you could say, "we were catching up on the last 42 years! Leah was 13 when her folks left California, I was 12. I have wondered about her and her family through the years, but never had the chance to see her. I'm glad I was thrown back in time today. It's so much fun being the age I am. I have a lot of past behind me with wonderful memories, but I also have a lot of dreams for the future. God has been good to me....I can't complain!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
WHAT?????
Today we left for Jackson, TN to preach for Donald and Bridget Lance. We are looking forward to being with them and their church tomorrow night and Sunday. I wanted to share with you something I had never seen in all my days!!! LOL! For supper tonight we decided to have "mexican food", I know some of you are not surprised, so we pulled off in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to eat at Ta Molly's. We ordered and both of us got tea for our beverage. Well, when we started to sweeten the tea, THIS is what we pulled out of the glass.
It was a "FOOT-LONG tea spoon"!!!LOL! This is the L-O-N-G-E-S-T SPOON I have EVER seen! I thought Texas was the only state that lived up to the cliche: "Everything is bigger in Texas!" I think we better get on the ball if we're going to beat this one!!!
It was a "FOOT-LONG tea spoon"!!!LOL! This is the L-O-N-G-E-S-T SPOON I have EVER seen! I thought Texas was the only state that lived up to the cliche: "Everything is bigger in Texas!" I think we better get on the ball if we're going to beat this one!!!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Excuses
I saw this joke while looking through my picture files, and just wanted to share it with you. Maybe you will get a little smile from it.
There are alot of things we can make excuses about, but the things of God is not one of those things. When I saw this little joke my mind started singing the song by the Kingsman Quartet, "Excuses", so I had to go find the whole song to post. It's funny and drives home a message very well.
Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day. And the Devil he'll supply them, if from church you stay away. When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses. So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
In the summer it's too hot. And, in the winter, it's too cold. In the spring time when the weather's just right, you find some place else to go. Well, it's up to the mountains or down to the beach or to visit some old friend. Or, to just stay home and kinda relax and hope that some of the kin folks will start dropping in.
Well, the church benches are too hard. And, that choir sings way too loud. Boy, you know how nervous you get when you're sitting in a great big crowd. The doctor told you, "Now, you better watch them crowds. They'll set you back." But, you go to that old ball game because you say "it helps you to relax."
Well, a headache Sunday morning and a backache Sunday night. But by worktime Monday morning, you're feeling quite alright. While one of the children has a cold, "Pneumonia, do you suppose?" Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid's nose.
Well, the preacher he's too young. And, maybe he's too old. The sermons they're not hard enough. And, maybe they're too bold. His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud. He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he's way too proud.
Well, the sermons they're too long. And, maybe they're too short. He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of "stomp and snort." Well, that preacher we've got must be "the world's most stuck up man." Well, one of the lady's told me the other day, "Well, he didn't even shake my hand."
Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day. And the Devil he'll supply them if the church you stay away. When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses. So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses. So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
For those of you who know the tune to this song, now you will be like me and not be able to get it off of your mind for days! LOL!
There are alot of things we can make excuses about, but the things of God is not one of those things. When I saw this little joke my mind started singing the song by the Kingsman Quartet, "Excuses", so I had to go find the whole song to post. It's funny and drives home a message very well.Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day. And the Devil he'll supply them, if from church you stay away. When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses. So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
In the summer it's too hot. And, in the winter, it's too cold. In the spring time when the weather's just right, you find some place else to go. Well, it's up to the mountains or down to the beach or to visit some old friend. Or, to just stay home and kinda relax and hope that some of the kin folks will start dropping in.
Well, the church benches are too hard. And, that choir sings way too loud. Boy, you know how nervous you get when you're sitting in a great big crowd. The doctor told you, "Now, you better watch them crowds. They'll set you back." But, you go to that old ball game because you say "it helps you to relax."
Well, a headache Sunday morning and a backache Sunday night. But by worktime Monday morning, you're feeling quite alright. While one of the children has a cold, "Pneumonia, do you suppose?" Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid's nose.
Well, the preacher he's too young. And, maybe he's too old. The sermons they're not hard enough. And, maybe they're too bold. His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud. He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he's way too proud.
Well, the sermons they're too long. And, maybe they're too short. He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of "stomp and snort." Well, that preacher we've got must be "the world's most stuck up man." Well, one of the lady's told me the other day, "Well, he didn't even shake my hand."
Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day. And the Devil he'll supply them if the church you stay away. When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses. So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses. So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
For those of you who know the tune to this song, now you will be like me and not be able to get it off of your mind for days! LOL!
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