WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO BE.....

It's been a couple of weeks now since school began.  It's on that first day when all these cute photos begin to appear via text and social media of all the little darlings ready to attack their new grade for this year.  The Grandbaby is in the first grade.  Mercy, how time flies!  

I enjoyed the trading of grand pics between me and The Pray Without Ceasing Friend.  Mine was of The Grandbaby of course and hers were of her three grand boys.  I do remember last year how The Grandbaby's chosen profession was a nail lady.  I don't know that anyone asked her this year and her yearly first day of school chalk wipe on/wipe off board doesn't as either.  I did a chuckle with the remarks of The Pray Without Ceasing Friend as she said her oldest whose profession choice is an engineer would probably be an engineer.  The youngest's choice was a doctor and she said he technically COULD become a doctor.  The middle boy's choice was a baseball player.....ahhh....the wishes and dreams of the young.   We laughed about these a bit while we continue to pray for all four of ours that whatever they become, it will blessed by our Heavenly Father.

Out of all the profession choices I saw, the "winner" had to be from the oldest girl grand of another good friend of mine.  She said and it was so good, "When I grow up, I want to be happy."   Does that not get you?  Really?  What better wish?  

Some days I still wonder what I want to be when I grow up but now that question seems to have the best answer ever.   When I grow up, I want to be happy....and going on a bit further I can truly say that I want to be kind, give grace and mercy, and love others on a daily basis.  I fail at this many days and I struggle and repent and am forgiven.  

So as I close here I want you to consider the sentence and finish it.....When I grow up, I want to be_______?

Consider....

SHOW UP

My prayer life is not where I would love it to be.  I can say that because I have again been encouraged and taught how it should be by The Pray Without Ceasing Friend.  We exchange prayer requests often.  She shows me by her example by responding with all these bold requests for which she entreats the Lord.  And I want that kind of boldness.  I REALLY want it.   Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  And that's only one time in the Bible where we are taught to be bold.  There are more.  

Something The Pray Without Ceasing Friend said in her response to me last night that she was praying for  God's people to show up in this particular area of need.  That has stuck with me and my thoughts have realized what a wonderful request that is....

Show up when someone is hurting and needs encouragement.

Show up when someone just needs a little grace.

Show up when you need a little grace.

Show up to listen closely when God speaks to you.

Show up when someone says, "Pray for me". 

Show up with thanksgiving and rejoicing when the Lord answers a prayer.

Show up when it's time to spend some time in the Word.

Show up when someone just needs a listening ear.

Show up when you just need to acknowledge the Lord's presence.

Show up for everything!

Consider....

FORGETFULNESS

For the first time in days, I am sitting for a minute at my computer while I wait for church worship to begin.  Yes, I am online worshipping today.  I had another surgery last week and am still in recovery mode.  This one has not been a walk in the park.  My nurse remains strict but even if he wasn't, I would still be in recovery mode as I feel like doing little else.  I do look forward to full recovery and feeling better than I have in the past two months. 

This surgery's anesthesia has affected my memory seeming more than in the past.  The first couple of days were very foggy and The Husband tells me many things I can't do for a couple of weeks that I don't remember hearing.  But if I can't trust his word after 43 years, I'm in trouble so I will follow his instructions.

I was blessed this morning to receive a video text of The Girl and The Grandbaby singing their duet during revival...Tis' so Sweet to Trust in Jesus (see last post)...and I was again blessed.  I tend to take blessings for granted.  I want to stop that.  It seems each surgery gives me the incentive to "do better"....this time maybe I will be successful hopefully. 

I just wanted to share a card I got from The Pray Without Ceasing Friend last week.  She has sent me the card before.  It's actually a favorite of mine but I had never looked at the back of it so I want to share what it says with you blog readers.  I hope you are blessed also.

  

Consider....

YES, TIS' SWEET....

Today is the next to last service of my church's annual summer revival.  You blog readers might remember that is the one that has services twice daily for the whole week.  While I don't tire of the worship and the blessings, my body has tired because it's my body, it's aging, and that's just how the body works.  

The best I can calculate, this is my 48th year of summer revivals at this church.  48 years.  It seems in this blog lately I calculate a lot in years.  Could that be an age thing, too?  There have been a lot of revival memories in those 48 years.  There's been a lot of changes in those 48 years but the main thing is that the Lord has not changed nor will he ever change.  Praise HIM for that!  If you want to read any of my numerous salvation testimonies on this blog, the most recent is titled "Moments" (March 27, 2022) and my oldest is titled "Revival" (July 5, 2012).  You get a photo of my baptizing in that one.  Just as the Lord has not changed, neither has my precious salvation testimony.

There are many good old gospel songs that I have grown up with and many newer contemporary ones that I have grown to love.  I'm from the world of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, There Shall be Showers of Blessings, and How Firm a Foundation.  One of the dearest of the older songs to me is Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus.  The Girl has sang that often as a solo and The Husband has lead it for the congregation as well.  

This year it took on  a new blessing for me as The Girl AND The Grandbaby decided to sing it as a duet.  The Grandbaby and The Girl have sang it at home a lot.  The Grandbaby rode to church with me the other morning and we arrived a bit early so I sat at the piano and found the good key for her to sing it.  I admit that I got really teary-eyed when she got to the chorus that says "Jesus, Jesus PRECIOUS Jesus" and that precious came out of her mouth with force.  Isn't that what Jesus truly is?  I know HE is to me.

Thursday morning The Girl took a little stool for The Grandbaby to stand on, they wore their matching dresses (The Grandbaby is such a fashionista and loves those matching dresses), and they sang Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. 

I don't think there were many dry eyes in the building when they finished.  I know that the Savior had to be beaming down from heaven above and pleased with HIS girls.  

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus here in my world years ago, now, all the years in between, and all the years ahead.  For all of you who may not be familiar with the treasured song, here's how it goes....

"'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end."

I pray that all reading this blog post do know Jesus and the sweetness of trusting HIM for all you need.  If not, know that you can know Him.  The Bible says "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved".  

(Romans 10:9, KJV)

Consider.....

43 YEARS OF SEASONS

At 8:00 p.m. tonight, it will be 43 years ago The Husband and I said "I do" in our wedding ceremony.  43 years of seasons.

Yes, it's been seasons of:

learning

growing

sickness

health

plenty

want

laughter

tears

sorrow

joy

celebration

grief

and so much more.  If it had been any different, I don't think it would have been real life.  Forty-three years later, I love him more than I did on that wedding day.  

As we celebrated our anniversary at our favorite higher dollar restaurant, I was doing my order from the Lunch Menu as that restaurant allows that menu all day for ages 62 and up.  As I began to order, the little waitress said, "Uh, ma'am...that's the lunch menu.  We have to use the dinner menu now."  I replied, "But it says 62 and up all day."  And she surprised, replied, "You are that age?  You don't look it."  I thought I might have to be ID'd for a plate of stuffed crab.   And of course, that compliment was a nice gift for me.  Duh.  A girl likes to be told she looks young but a girl also likes the discounted lunch menu all day.  :)  After that we told her we were celebrating our anniversary and she wanted to know the secret of a long marriage.  (She was even younger than I was when I married.)  The reply was a no brainer....put Jesus first and love your spouse.  

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, here's three thousand words...

I didn't love this picture at first because all I saw was my double chin, then I saw the joy and the double chin didn't matter.

Real life now....

Consider the joy.....

31 YEARS TO CELEBRATE

Happy 10th Birthday to this blog!  If I remember correctly, the very first blog post on June 21, 2012 was titled CELEBRATION and was celebrating The Girl's diabetes diagnosis 21 years ago from that date.  So yes, this year is celebrating 31 years!

There's probably no need for me to tell you, my regular blog readers, how proud I am of The Girl that made me a mama.  If you read this blog at all, you know that already.  

As I experience this day, little did I know 31 years ago that today would hold a sweet healthy-with-a-disease girl, a fine son-in-law and a precious little girl that calls me Neema.  My cup overflows on this day and still, after 31 years and after 10 years of writing about this on this particular day, my eyes still get wet.  It's just something a mama can't control.  The "wet" is a joyful wet.  

You've heard it and heard it over and over so I won't tell you again about my girl.  She is a joy.

I'm grateful for a son-in-law and a grand baby who knows that there's a disease but are good to understand and help when it's needed.  I'm thankful for the ability to have learned about diabetes those years ago.  Maybe I'm not so glad that as years go by the powers that be change the rules.  Back then a normal fasting blood sugar was between 80 and 120.  Now lab reports expect to be under a 98.  Well, really?  Come on....

Yesterday The Grandbaby was here and we were changing around some furniture and goods for "her" bedroom.  It is now a guest/play room.  It's still a work in progress but close to being finished.  The Grandbaby helped me all day long.  She got down and got stuff from under the bed, she dusted, she organized....and yes, she earned herself some shopping money.  She worked patiently hard for a 6 year old.  As we were sorting, there was a little pink case that had a purpose, I don't know what.  When she saw the case, she remarked, "Look!  It's somebody's medicine box cover."   Well duh.  She calls her mommy's insulin pump a medicine box as she has been taught to do.  

This past weekend The Girl also had some sort of stomach bug.  She made the remark that she was so glad to have the pump and that she couldn't imagine what I had to do when she was younger and had a bug by giving her spoonfuls of regular sprite every ten minutes.  The Girl has done numerous research trials the past few years by wearing sensors in both arms, testing sugars, fasting....many things involved but in hopes of finding a cure.

Yes, we are thankful for advances and all the research to hopefully find a cure for this disease in the future.  Most of all we are thankful for the unfailing provisions of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Without HIM we can do nothing.

After I taught an adult class of VBS one night and studied a bit on hope, I found myself a new favorite scripture.  I find myself reading it every single day and trying to make it in my memory.  It's Romans 4:20, 21 and goes like this:

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."

Oh, and just an added bit of trivia, The Girl's middle name?  HOPE.

Praise be to the Lord!

Consider.... 

THE MOON

Last night there was a total eclipse.  I am way up there in age and I never recall seeing an eclipse.  if I did, it was nothing like this one.  Being the retirees that we are and sometimes have the ability to stay awake past 8:00 pm, The Husband and I gave a try to get a good look.  

It was a clear night.  The Husband took me a stool out to the driveway after the eclipse had begun.   It was an amazing thing to see.  It went fairly fast even.  I had read that the moon would be red when it was totally eclipsed and it didn't disappoint.  Amazing.  If you missed it, take a look....

As I sat and watched this amazing event and pondered it scientifically--or as much as my only slightly scientific mind could--the words to a song came to my mind.  It put it all in perspective for me.  Take a look at the lyrics....

In the beginning of time,
He was the Creator,
And into existence He spoke the heavenly blue,
And with one mighty swoop of His hand,
He threw out the stars,
He knew where they’d land,
So if you think, you’re just drifting along,
Then I have good news.

And If He hung the moon,
I know He will help you,
And if He holds the sparrow in flight,
He’ll hold you too,
Consider the lilies of the field,
How much more He loves you,
In the beginning of time, you were on His mind,
When He hung the moon.

Now you may feel like the world,
Lays hard on your shoulders,
And even your closest friend in life is pulling away,
Though you have tried so hard and lost,
There is still hope,
Just look to the cross,
There you will see just how much the Savior
Really loves you today.

So....consider.....

TEN

Well, here I am almost two weeks behind with this post.  I decided better late than never.

Recently, The Son-In-Law and The Girl celebrated ten years of marriage.  A decade of marriage.  Where in the world does time go when it flies?  They went away for a short trip for a day or two and The Husband and I were allowed time to enjoy The Grandbaby.  We had a wonderful time!  School was in session so our personal home wonderful time was shortened but a wonderful time nonetheless.

I found myself caught up a bit in memory lane.  I won't post a bunch of wedding pics as I have often done in the past.  If you want to see many of those, just check the archives for time around May 5 of every year that has passed.  I do enjoy recalling the emotions I felt on that particular day.  One of those that I recall is the one when The Husband and I stood at the door joining the church foyer and sanctuary.  Here we were standing at this door of this church where we had celebrated, rejoiced, and even grieved over the past so very many years.  As I stood there that day, I found my heart TOTALLY overwhelmed.  Yes, I wanted everything that day to go well and be a great memory for The Girl and The Son-in-Law but in that very moment, my heart was overwhelmed at the sheer goodness and provision of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..  It was a feeling that I hope I can experience often and remember when I recall that day to mind.  Yes, The Girl was grown and beautiful, but she was and is still our little girl.  She has endured just as the love of our Lord has endured.  

Another cute memory I often recall is when I think of the toughness of The Husband in life.  He seated me then went back to the foyer for his little girl.  I recall after he had finished his part at the front and been asked that question, "Who giveth this woman....?", he came and sat in his place by me.  I realized he was sniffing.  Loudly.  I glanced over and saw his teary eyes.  Yep, that tough guy and his teary eyes.  I leaned over and asked, "Do you need a kleenex?"  (I had many, you see.)  He said, "No, I have a handkerchief."  Bless him.  He has those same emotional feelings still and especially now they are doubled with The Grandbaby.  Such a beautiful thing to witness.  

So here I am, almost two weeks late, but grateful for The Son-in-Law and The Girl and the marriage they have.....happy late anniversary!

PAINT

In another day or two, a painter who has worked for a couple of weeks repainting the exterior of our house will be finished with this job.  He has worked solo tirelessly to give us a job well done.  I've watched him often as he worked and let me tell you, he's not as old as me but he's not a young whippersnapper either.  

As I thought about this whole process today, I gained some wisdom.  I will say here that I remind The Husband often at his fortune of being married to a simple minded, easy to please wife.  (And he agrees and says thanks.)   When the discussion began to repaint the house after ten years, the first question The Husband asked was "What color do you want?"  My reply was, "the same color it is now.  I've liked it for ten years, I'm sure I will like it ten more.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Well, of course, that made it easy for The Painter and The Husband.  The only interior walls that needed painting was the very small "master" bath that had been painted over ten years ago--painted over wallpaper--and had water spots.  The Husband did advise me that we needed some sort of "eggshell based" paint that wouldn't show as many spots.  He sent me to the hardware store to pick this.  Well, if you consult the early part of this paragraph, you will understand that it doesn't matter to me.  I brought home many samples and told The Husband to pick.  He did.  It's painted.  It looks just fine. 

Before The Painter began, he pressure washed the whole house.  A guest even commented that looked like we had changed up our front porch.  Nah, we just washed it.  Amazing what a good cleaning will do.

Even though all the paints are the exact same color, The Painter has not tried to ease past some spots to make his job shorter and easier.  He has climbed high ladders and squatted to the ground uncomfortably to paint everything.  The doors and touch ups are today.  All this means, the time for his payment for his services is near.  I'm sure he's looking forward to that.  :)

My spiritual life is a lot like this painting job.  Things get "dirty and worn looking" and I need a refreshing and cleaning.  I don't want anything different or new spiritually, I just often need to brush on the reminder of what I really want my "house" to look like.  I have to go high and low often for this job.  I have to work on it in the heat, sweating as I brush on the fresh color.  At the end of the "job", I have a life that pleases my owner and the payment is sweet.  

My house is light gray with white trim and my doors are red.  The main thing I notice now when I drive in the driveway is that it looks like home.  I want my spiritual house to BE home for my Lord and Savior and I want him to BE home for me.  

The physical painting and spiritual fixing are similar....cleaning, renewing, restoring.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.....Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation..."     Psalm 51:10, 12

Consider....

SIX!

How can it be six years ago that The Grandbaby made her appearance in the world and captured our hearts and lives?!!  It seems impossible that time has flown by so much but I assure you that it has been that long.  This year The Grandbaby has anticipated her birthday for days and even weeks.  She does looove birthdays, all birthdays, but when it's hers, the excitement is greatest.  

I was recalling that this time six years ago.  I remember the emotions, the excitement, the fear, the unknown.  And honestly, as unconcerned as The Poppa tried to appear at the hospital that day and night, the closer the time came, the more impatient he became.  

There has been so many memories made in the past six years.  I could show you photos at all stages of The Grandbaby's life as anyone who knows me knows that something I ALWAYS have is photos.  But I won't this year.  You can look back in the blog archive for those if you are interested.  I'm certain there is a post every year on this date about this very event.

Instead, I will tell you a bit about my six year old grandest of grands.  She is so skinny.  She is so into fashion, hers and everybody else's.  I can't remember what I was wearing the other day but it was a shirt of some sort with one of my two pairs of jeans--the really faded ones.  She was admiring my shirt and my shoes and then said, "But Neema, the jeans....no....", as she shook her head from side to side and pointed her fingers at my jeans.   Being The Neema of comfort that I am and since those were my favorite jeans, I smiled and wore them anyways.    

The Grandbaby is REALLY good at Math.  It has taken her most of the school year to warm up to reading, even though the family has read to her since she was a wee thing.  She has finally begin to grasp and enjoy reading more.  She loves to sing--says Music is her favorite special subject in school.  She loves going to Sunday School, church, and CHAOS Kids.  She listens good when she wants to and doesn't when she doesn't want to.  She and The Poppa watch Bluey together.  She also loves naps when she's tired.  The favorite outdoor game here at my house is the giant Frisbee.  She can be bossy a bit when we play such or when she has her own ideas but I think that's a normal with girls.  One thing I notice she does is smile so very often.  

Do I love her?  Beyond measure.  Does she bring joy to my life?  No doubt.

Two days ago a small group of family celebrated The Grandbaby's birthday.  It was a cat themed party.  She asked The Poppa and me to dress like cats....whiskers and ears and such.  I made that effort and you know what?  Even The Poppa let me put whiskers on him.  I will post a few pictures here so you can see the enjoyment of the party.  That will be a good way to "celebrate" again.  

She was very grown up and showed equal excitement for each gift she received...

She had already opened this gift as the givers had to leave before the official opening of gifts.   For those who had not seen the original opening, she pretended to do it again and be surprised....

And then....let there be cake.  She loved the cake her mama baked for her.  It WAS truly delicious and her favorite color--purple icing with chocolate layers.

Smiles of joy and hearts full of gratitude....a wonderful combination for such a sweet one!  Happy Birthday sweet one!