Focus in 2006

Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits;

Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Who satisfies your years with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

The LORD performs righteous deeds

And judgments for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the sons of Israel.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,

And its place acknowledges it no longer.

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children's children,

To those who keep His covenant

And remember His precepts to do them.

The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,

And His sovereignty rules over all.

Bless the LORD, you His angels,

Mighty in strength, who perform His word,

Obeying the voice of His word!

Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,

You who serve Him, doing His will.

Bless the LORD, all you works of His,

In all places of His dominion;

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Holiday thoughts...

I've not had much time for blogging these days with James being home. Am I complaining? Not in the least! :) We have had wonderful times filled with fun and, for me, a special one-on-one time of talking that lasted from 10pm-ish till 2 am. Did I go to bed happy? My "relational tank" was filled to overflowing making this momma very happy! :)

Today has been spent assembling a new desk for us. James surprised us with one for part of his Christmas presents to us. I will have so much more room for my computer and Bible study! I can hardly wait!

I pray that your Christmas was filled to overflowing with the Lord's blessings. Life did not begin for Him when He was born in that manager because He has always eternally existed. But, imagine for a moment what He gave up in Heaven to step into our filthy, sin filled world to make it possible for us to enter into a relationship, a very personal and real relationship with the Creator of our world, God Himself.

New Years is fast approaching and I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for us. I know there will be growth times that may be quite stretching. I am also looking forward to growing more deeply in my relationship with Christ. He, alone, is the "joy of my salvation." Without Him I would not be who I am today. Oh sure, I am quite positive I'll still be stretched and pulled as I continually release James to His care. He loves our son far more than we do (can you imagine?) and knows what is best for him. So as James, steps out in this phase of this season in his life there are many things ahead for him. Exciting times, tough times, joyful times, and growth times, as well.

My little momma continues to get smaller and weaker before my eyes. I have no idea what is ahead for us this next year with her but I trust in His soveriegn design for her life, as well as for ours. I do pray that she would begin to feel better, to regain some of her strength which she has lost and to regain her weight. She continues to lose weight which she can ill afford.

She has had a grand Christmas. For James, she gave him the bust of a pilot sculpted by Michael Garmen, in Colorado Springs, which was given to my Dad upon his retirement as a pilot, after 33 years in the Air Force. From one pilot in the family to another....it was a beautiful time, filled with tears.

I haven't posted but I have taken time out to sit down, sometimes late at night, to stop in a read all of my favorites! You all are the greatest! You cause me to laugh, to think and ponder, to grow and stretch....just what friends are for, iron sharpening iron. Thank you!

Here's looking forward with joy and anticipation to New Years 2006!

Gayla, my Friend...

For those of you who read Gayla over at Journey of the Heart would you lift her and her family up in prayer before the great Physician? She is having to deal with major life altering health issues with several of her family (Mom and Brother) as well as two friends. Jump over to her site and check out her posts which will bring you up to date.

Here I Sit...

It's about 1:30 in the morning and here I sit again. If I recall, I spent the Thanksgiving holiday on prednisone trying to get well. Here it is just two days before Christmas and I am again on prednisone trying to get well. It's a much stronger dose this go around and it's a stonger anitibiotic. And, I have more cough medicine with codeine...yea!!! EVERYONE will be much happier when it comes to bedtime if I have one teaspoon of codeine. ;) My allergist did send me to have blood drawn to see if I have pertussis...in plain English it's called whooping cough. Doesn't that just beat all? If that comes back positive...well, it just won't. That's all there is to it.

But the other MAJOR consideration for me is my glucose readings...you know, those 'blood levels' we diabetics are always so concerned about. While I was at the doctor's office this afternoon they gave me a breathing treatment followed by 3 pills of prednisone. I forgot to ask for my amryl (sp?) which meant I didn't get my internist called until almost five. The amryl is supposed to be taken once your levels rise. Mine are over 500. They are usually around 110. I've taken the amryl and am waiting to see how soon they begin to drop. I've been so thirsty and now I understand why...my levels were too high! So, if the prednisone doesn't keep me awake tonight all the water that I have been drinking surely will! Lol!

I learned about the "levels and prednisone" a couple of years ago. I had forgotten to tell my allergist that I was now a diabetic. Jim and I spent the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend with friends and I kept having to drink. I went through the huge Super sized drinks in about 8 minutes and kept having to go back for more. It was difficult to talk because of the dry mouth. I felt awful and couldn't think straight. On Sunday morning I take my levels and they are over 400 and my meter says "check ketones." Well, I'm Type 2 diabetic and on medication but not insulin so I had no idea what 'check ketones' meant. I called my sister who is my personal in house medical consultant and she had the nerve to not be home! ;) So I left a message about what my levels were and what the message had said and then left to run an errand by myself. While I'm gone she calls back as soon as she listened to my message and talks to Jim and tells him he needs to get a hold of me ASAP because I can go into a diabetic coma. She impresses on him how serious this is etc..... I come back and my levels are now even higher. I call the doctor on call and he tells me to have my husband drive me to the ER....Pronto! Do Not Pass Go...Do not collect $200.00. I spent the rest of the holiday in the ER on two separate trips hooked up to IV's as they tried to get my levels down below 250. Live and learn!

On to better news. It has been a delight to have James home. We have had such a fun time talking, talking, and talking some more. He and I went down to Cabellos (sp?) (the outdoors store) tonight after dinner. Jim, James and I ended up going out to eat for dinner since I spent the better part of the afternoon at the doctor's (which then put me behind in my Christmas cooking). James and I dropped Jim off at home and we went on Cabello's. What a neat store that is. James bought hiking boots so he and his friend Ben B. can go hiking tomorrow up in the snowy mountains. That should bring James home with a smile! He loves to hike the mountains!

I took a cd into W*lgr##ns to print a pic off. We are giving it to friends for Christmas in a picture frame that says "Friends". I'm sure you've seen different ones around. Anyway, I took it in and asked for one hour development. No problem. I come back after the doctor visit to pick it up. There were no pics transferred to the photo people in back. Thankfully, I have the cd still with me. I popped it in again and pull up the pics which I want. I leave and will come back when my Rx's are ready and after we have eaten dinner.

On our way home we stop to make my pick ups. There is still nothing able to be printed even though I selected the pics I wanted. "No problem," I tell the guy. "I'll just go home and have my tech savvy son make the transfer to a disc for me. I mean, I am so computer illiterate it's not funny (even though my nephew and niece told me on this trip that they've been VERY impressed with my ability to "muddle" through and figure things out concerning my blog). However, if my son can fly these million dollar planes and figure out all the computer stuff on them, then, surely he can show me how to transfer a picture from my computer to a cd to take to the photo people. :) Well, he in fact did that for me right before he went to bed.

So, it was about 11 p.m. and I'm wired (from the meds) so I run over with my new cd to get the pics printed. The same guy is there. I insert the cd and it tells me I have "no images". NO IMAGES!!! I cry out! Another man, not the guy who works there, comes to my assistance and he started the process over. Well, he pulls up the images on the PREVIOUS CD!!! Did you get that? On the PREVIOUS CD! Rather than risk not getting anything I select "print all." It prints out my receipt and I am able to eject my cd.

The guy who works there isn't working on any other order and he tells me he can tell really quickly if it has worked this time. He pulls up the order...it says there isn't anything there! But, he pushes more buttons and says, "Well, it says 8 pics ordered (chosen from the PREVIOUS BAD CD), and zero images shown. Oh wait! Here it says there are 2 images." I go behind the counter and look and I said, "Those are the two images I am wanting printed." So he printed those while I waited and he talked about how the machine must be 'haunted' or something. He sure didn't understand how the previous cd's images showed up on the new cd which only had 2 images. I calmly told him, "It's from the Lord!" He told me it sure must be. And, I assured him I was positive because I had been praying that this third try would work because this was to be a Christmas present which needed to be done by tomorrow! :) Isn't the Lord good? He is so faithful!

Well, it's almost 2 a.m. and I need to check my levels and take my very swollen feet to bed.

Please forgive all my grammer tense errors (of which there are many). I just can't focus enough to take the time to make corrections.

Goodnight, all!

Comment Here for previous post

For anyone desiring to comment on the post "Something wonderful to meditate on" please do so on this entry. Thanks everyone!

A test...

This is a test to see if you can post a comment. My last entry is not allowing it for some odd reason. I think it must have something to do with Blogger and hopefully, it is just a temporary thing and Blogger will get it's act together. I apologize on Blogger's behalf for any inconvenience.

Something wonderful to meditate on!

Hey, everyone, I popped in over to Jules' at Faith or Fiction? and she has directed everyone to check out what Bob has written at Gratitude and Hoopla. It is beautifully written and right on target for this time of year. Very thought provoking and a wonderful piece to just meditate upon. Enjoy! It's called "What Child Is This."

Blog Color?

Your Blog Should Be Blue

Your blog is a peaceful, calming force in the blogosphere. You tend to avoid conflict - you're more likely to share than rant. From your social causes to cute pet photos, your life is a (mostly) open book.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

This is pretty accurate for me. However, my favorite color is green!

It's Official!!!

We are back after a wonderful trip! From beginning to end it was filled with family, fun and the WING CEREMONY! We had the largest turnout there. However, there were two pilots from Italy and they came close in family who attended.

I wrote my entry and posted and it disappeared into cyberspace! ACK! I will try and reconstruct what I originally wrote but I'm not making any promises.

The day of the ceremony dawned rainy and cold but it didn't dampen any of our spirits. The morning began with a breakfast on base welcoming all of us. My sister and her husband attended with Pilot, J and I. Then we headed back to the hotel to pick up the rest of the crew and returned to the base to get our tour and to see the planes etc. Afterward, we stopped for a quick bite to eat before we returned to the hotel to change for the ceremony.

I didn't take too many pics of the actual ceremony because they had a professional photographer who took still pics and recorded it for a DVD. We have purchased that and when it comes in I will post more pics.

Saturday continued with the cold so we opted for more indoor activities. We chose the Texas State Aquarium which proved to be very interesting. The boys were especially excited to see and touch some really neat specimen! After our time there we headed back to the hotel where we gathered in the 'party room' (the large suite for our niece and her family) to watch football and eat pizza. We put the napping children in our room with the baby moniter.

Everyone headed out early Sunday morning to go to D and M's home in McKinney. We stayed in CC with Pilot and had some time for just the three of us. Monday afternoon found us back on the plane headed home. Pilot is now half way home and should arrive early evening tomorrow (Wednesday). Yea!

Once we were on the plane J and I looked at each other and sighed, "He is now fully released from us." His dad and I enter a new season of our life. Our job on rearing him is now accomplished and we have placed him securely in the Lord's hands. It will be exciting to see what the Lord will bring our way this next year!

The two roommates basking in their accomplishment! 

The First Stop

Our first stop was at DFW airport where we met up with dear Gayla. She is as warm and bubbly in person as she is in her blog. It was wonderful to sit down and begin talking as if we have known each other for years! That sweet aroma of Christ surrounds her inside and out! The only downside to our visit...it wasn't long enough! I look forward to strengthening our friendship over time. Now, if I can just meet the rest of you in person! :)

It's That Time!!!

I have been so busy lately trying to finish up all the little (and big) details which needed to come together for us to leave. Whew! I've had no time to blog but have managed to drop in to most of your sites a few times over the past several days.

We are packed and ready to go. The time has arrived! We leave early tomorrow morning and tomorrow evening we will have dinner with James and my sister and her husband. But, before that, Jim and I will be meeting our famous Gayla from Journey of the Heart fame! There will be a layover in Dallas and she is coming to the airport so we can meet! Pray that we can find each other without a lot of problems!

Oh, please don't forget about me while I'm gone. I should return to Blogland Tuesday and will be posting pics of the grand occasion! So, until then, God bless and Merry Christmas!

Monday Night Thoughtball....

It's that time again! It's Monday Night Thoughtball over at Faith or Fiction?. Go on over and check it out. The topic of discussion tonight is Spiritual Gifts.

I Don't Think So....

Your Birthdate: January 12

You're a dynamic, charismatic person who's possibly headed for fame. You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

C-130

( Click on image to enlarge.)

I cannot believe the culmination of several years of hard work has now come to an end. If you are new here you might be interested in reading here the "early" years of James deciding on the military and how it came to be.

Now, all that hard work has paid off and he will be flying the straight C-130 stationed at Pope AFB, North Carolina. Training will take place in Little Rock, Arkansas. Everyone in their two squadrons got the straight C-130. There weren't any spec op planes to be had. The men were told if they had a desire for spec ops to let it be known once they arrive at their base where they will be stationed. Then as the opportunity presents itself they can move into spec ops. He seems very contented with the decision and for that we are grateful. I think it very interesting that there weren't any spec op planes available. We are resting that the Lord has placed James right where He desires him to be at this particular time. One of his roommates will go to Pope AFB along with James and the other roommate will stay at Little Rock.

Now, the next big event is to actually get those wings pinned on! Next week! Yea!!

Ahhh, MUCH Better....

I can honestly say that today was a MUCH better day! Granted it isn't over yet, but, He has sustained, uplifted, encouraged and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d my time today so that I have accomplished a lot! The Lord is soooo Good. He is Faithful. He is mindful of all my weaknesses. Praise His Holy Name!

Now, I have to confess that our son has called a few times today and that, too, has caused me to sing like a canary. (Which is a feat unto itself since all I can do is make a joyful noise unto the Lord!)

I highly recommend taking a "time-out" with the Lord each and every day! It will do wonders for your attitude, what all you accomplish (and don't accomplish), and just your overall well being. Try it! Whew! I'm glad I did!

PTL!!!!

Praise the Lord! He doesn't have to work! Now we are just waiting on the leave approval! :) Can you see my HUGE smile?!


:)

*ACK*

I cannot believe what idiotic things I've done over the past couple of days. My mind is going in a zillion directions at once and I can't seem to rein it in. It doesn't help matters that I need to accomplish a "to-do" list that seems like it has grown expedentially over the last few days. I ignore questions...well, I listen and hear the question and think about the response, then move on without ever replying. I had to go back in to the Saturn dealer today, not once but twice! The last time I told them not to let the gal who had been helping me go to lunch for at least 20 minutes. If I didn't return in the allotted 20 minutes she was free to leave for lunch! ;) I can't even begin to list the 'blogging' errors in other people's comment boxes...and not even thinking through, logically, that I could just delete the whole thing!

Well, I know what it is. Obviously, I have too much on my mind, too much to accomplish in too short of time and I'm on the yuck medicine that messes with my mind and sleep patterns. What to do? Naturally, the very first thing to do is stop and P.R.A.Y. After that I need to sit and contemplate...

• "Listen to this Job, stand and consider the wonders of God" (Job 37:14). I need to remember that God is in control. My running around helter/skelter will not accomplish anything. Give it over to Him...release...He is infinitely more able to stretch my time and my energy to get the things done in a way that is honoring and pleasing to Him.
• "Cease striving and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Here I need to take a 'time-out'. Let me sit at His feet listening intently to what He has to say to me. Focus...on...Him and Him alone.
• "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul" (Psalm 23:2-3a). My time in His presence is refreshing. It gives me clarity of mind and peace. Calmness overtakes me and I slow down. I stop. I savor my respite. This brings me immense contentment. He has my best interests at heart.
• "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee [me] with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee [ME] with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). God, Himself, brings me gladness! Gladness results when I allow God to be with me. The source of happiness, joy, peace etc in in the Lord alone. And, to think, God sings over ME!
• "Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens" (Psalm 113:1-4). I need to lift my eyes upward toward where my help comes from. Keep them full on His wondrous face! May I not focus inwardly but totally on Him; trusting Him for everything.

Thank you, Lord for your unfailing love, your mercy toward me. Thank you for having compassion on me, gently lifting me up. May You flow out of me as I rise in the morning ready to meet the day which You have planned for me. Open my eyes so I might see You as you move obstacles out of my way, smooth over rough territory and increase my time to finish what needs to be done. You alone, Lord, are worthy of my praise. There is none Other. May the words of my mouth be encouraging, uplifting, and edifying to those around me but most of all, glorifying to You throughout my day. I pray these things in Your Son's Name, Jesus. Amen.

Asthma...

Along with whatever "gambooey" I just got over, my asthma was triggered. I have valiantly tried to 'make do' and weather out the storm but I finally caved in because of the horrid cough. Thursday, I called my allergist and explained about our trip to TX in just 12 days time and explained I had to be over the cough! He started me on prednisone.

I have "issues" with prednisone. The main issue is that I'm diabetic and it affects my 'numbers' very significantly. In the past when I took it my numbers spiked very high and I experienced vision loss, some of which remained permenant. Since then, whenever I go on it my internist will begin me on an additional medication that will offset the negative aspects of the prednisone as far as my diabetes is concerned.

Prednisone has some side effects one being depression and another one being insomnia, along with getting 'reved up.' The short time I'm on prednisone (7-14 days---this time just 8 days) I get so much accomplished in my home. It affects me with the insomnia and I become quite hyper, talking all the time and finding closets and drawers and cubbards to clean out and organize, silver to polish...all those things you leave for spring cleaning...because I cannot sit still and do nothing. Thankfully, I do not experience the depression that could arise in some people.

I haven't had much time to really sit down and post. I've had a lot of time to think about posting but I keep hopping around from one idea to another! In fact, too many ideas flooding my mind at one time! :)

However, I can't complain about the results. I get my asthma back under control, I lose the cough, and I get an organized and clean house once again! Now, back to James' closet! :)

Calling All Prayer Warriors!

James has called and informed us that he may get his leave time approved but could also be called to work during that same leave time over Christmas! It's a far piece to commute to work from UT to TX. Our request for prayer is James will get his leave approved and he will NOT have to work, at all, during his Christmas break. It is a totally selfish request on our part, but His Word says that He delights in giving us the desires of our hearts. I'll update you when I hear anything. Thank you so much for faithfully lifting our son up before His Holy throne!

Scripture...

Gayla over at Journey of the Heart is having a very good discussion on using Scripture....hop on over there and check it out! Enjoy!

The 7-Ups of Life...

1. WAKE UP - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. DRESS UP - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. "The cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15

3. SHUT UP - Learn to listen to God and others. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3 "Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise." Proverbs 19:20

4. STAND UP - For what you believe. "Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

5. LOOK UP - To the Lord. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

6. REACH UP - For something higher. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

7. LIFT UP - Your prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything." Philippians 4:6

Simple things...

There are many days when I struggle with doing the repetitive chores that occur when keeping a home. There are days when I seem to struggle with the lack of prayer time. Or I don't get to read in my Bible as I much as I would like. I'd rather spend hours getting lost in the Word than dusting etc.

I have always seemed to spend a lot of time in my car. In the past, before James had his drivers license, I spent time on the freeway taking him to and from Christian school. The time spent in the car after I dropped him off was such a great time of communicating with the Lord. Over the years I have come to see my more "mundane" tasks like dusting, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, etc as a perfect time to accomplish the chore but at the same time spend time with the Lord. Not only does it take my focus off of me and direct it back to whom it should be on, but it allows me to thoroughly work through any issue I may be struggling with. Or, it may be a time for praying.

Ironing is one of my favorite prayer activities. As I iron my husband's shirts I pray over his sleeves (arms and hands). Of course, there are his shoulders and back and I cover those. He needs strong shoulders because he is carrying the responsibility for our home. His hands reach out in friendship as well as needed strength to help someone in need. The collar represents his mind and all that he allows to penetrate. There is so much garbage out there that fights to keep the things of God from influencing him.

Truly, my daily chores are blessings. I watch my momma as she struggles to use her hands. They can no longer open a baggie and it is very difficult for her to pick up things off the floor. She would love to be able to do simple tasks again. Sometimes I guess we don't really understand the joy of being able to accomplish things until they are taken away from us.

May I never take for granted the smallest blessing. I pray that the Lord would open my eyes so I may see daily all that He pours out upon me. Not just those big blessings that one can't help but notice, but also the small ones, the snow gently falling, a mother's smile, a growing plant, a friend's voice, the ability to type, eyes to notice.

"And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessings" (Ezekiel 34:26).

Welcome...

Welcome, old and new friends! If you are new and haven't marked my 'Frapper Map' please take a moment to do so! I would love to be able to see where you are from. And, if you have a blog, leave a comment so I can drop in at your place too! :)



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It has come to my attention that I am in a race regarding my Frapper Map. Now, my closest and dearest friends know how competitive I am....but for those of you who do not....just understand that I am. Trust me.

Now, if you are a first time visitor and you don't think you will EVER be by this way again, that's okay, but GO AHEAD and SIGN my Frapper Map located on my side bar. I would be ever so grateful!

For all the Anonymous visitors I think you are able to sign it too. If you find out you cannot, please leave your first name and a 'shout out' message for me in the 'comment section' of this post. I'll add you under my moniker. :)

Any other new reader, please, SIGN my Frapper Map! I would be deeply indebted! :) Thank you!!!!