TWO MONTHS, A BIRTHDAY, AND BOO-TO-YOU

It's unbelievable that it has been three days short of two months since I posted in this blog.  Life has for sure overtaken me.

For the reasoning of catching up of events I wouldn't enjoy letting slip by, I would like to acknowledge a small number because it's important to me.

First of all, The Girl, The Son-In-Law and The Grandbaby took a fall break trip to Disney World.  The Poppa and I babysat the "girls".  They behaved nicely.  Most of the time.  Here's Ariel, Amena, and Kaitlyn.

School pictures arrived for The Grandbaby.  At this photo shoot, she still had all her top front teeth.  Now she's proudly two short with two more loose.

Pumpkin season arrived as did a trip to visit the "patch" and a stop to meet the world famous Bucee.  I learned the "patch" is not a simple patch as it used to be.

There was trick or treating...which involved my yearly fix of a piece of my favorite banana Laffy Taffy.

The barely hanging front tooth in this picture is no longer there...just sayin'.....

Football cheer ended for The Grandbaby with cold cold temperatures at the big stadium after a hot football season.  The Grandbaby is wearing her mama's vintage toboggan hat.

Last but certainly not least, my favorite Son-in-Law celebrated a birthday.  He's a keeper and a delightful member of our family.  He has an amazing taste in t-shirt designs.  

Blessed.  Am. I.

COVID

Uh huh.  After two years of avoiding the dreaded virus, it got a hold of me last week and I tested positive.  If you have had it and had no symptoms, I'm so happy for you!  What a wonderful thing!  Me?  Not so lucky.  :(  I was diagnosed early Friday morning, have had fevers more often than not, and have coughed until I now have no voice.  I will say that the remaining person in my house might enjoy that especially if I were not isolated away from him.

I have isolated in my small bedroom.  The Husband kindly moved my comfortable 1980's recliner to the isolation area so I can be more comfortable.  I've begun today to watch a little television and use the computer, hence this post.  

I was recalling how in the Covid beginning a couple of years ago that it was a very scary thing.  We all took many precautions and stayed home.  Then time passed and the threats were lessened until lately it's hardly a "thing" at all anymore.  Let me tell you, I was one of the believers then and I'm even more of a believer now.  My 11 day flu a few years ago was akin to this.  

With as bad as I feel and as much as my chest hurts from coughing, do you know what I think is the worst thing about it?  I think it's my fear that I will give to someone else unknowingly.  With that in mind I think I will continue to isolate to avoid that.  I have determined that maybe covid can have worse effects on the more aged.  I tend to be leaning toward that group lately.  :)  With this I have reinforced much I already knew:

I still have trouble breathing in a mask.

I dislike coughing until your chest hurts and your voice is gone.

I'm glad I had a stash of kleenex.

I dislike missing fun events that a grandparent would attend for their grandchild. 

It's kind of nice to have a few continuous pajama days if one has to isolate.  

The Lord has our lives in HIS hands and will provide grace for the need at the time.

This, too, shall pass.

I do have the passing thought that my teeth may be permanently pink from cherry cough drops.  Take care of yourself and stay well.....

OLD BIRDS

The Pray Without Ceasing Friend and I were in a conversation today about our various ailments and challenges in this season of life.  Face it, I just had a hip replacement and surgery for adhesions and an incarcerated hernia in the past eight months.  She's newly retired and has some decisions to make about a possible remedy to one of her season-of-life problems.  

My tolerance for pain is off the charts.  I even think over the past couple of days I have "tracked" my pain and feel certain my 2mm kidney stone is moving downward toward passage....if I'm lucky.  I made the statement to her that I thought that she shared my high tolerance for pain.  Then she replied with something that gave me a chuckle and made me want to share to potentially give you a chuckle.

She said, "In the grand scheme of things, no one would want us in bird soup.  We are tough old birds!"

I love it!

Consider..... 

THE FRONT PORCH

 I really enjoy watching these home shows on television where folks are choosing a home.  I find many generational differences in things that seem important.  For example, now it's a big deal for people to buy a home that is great for entertaining.  That usually includes an outdoor space for cooking out and such.  In my 43 year old ranch, we have a very small uneven spot of concrete that barely holds the two of us.  When we built this house, 43 years ago, it was built with a small budget and in years since has had some improvements and a nice sized "den" added.  One thing that has remained constant is the front porch.  

The front porch houses a swing, a single rope swing seat, and two rocking chairs.  A bit of trivia about one of the rocking chairs is that it's an antique.  Years, really years, ago in high school home economics I "antiqued" that rocking chair green and got an A+.  (Yes, I had pride in that endeavor.)  The rocker stayed antique green until I repainted it gray a while back.  There is a small table , some wind chimes, and a corner with frisbees and sidewalk chalk.  Reckon who uses those?  :)  I do have a smidgen of decor on the house by the red door that makes me happy.  All in all, the porch itself just makes me happy.  

I was recalling how, through the years, we have photos of "entertaining" times with family and friends.  Entertaining is used a bit loosely as that would involve sitting on the porch and talking--sometimes serious talk, sometimes junk, but good talking.  I can recall a time when The Girl was just a toddler and she got her head stuck in the porch rails.  Ahhh....that was a challenge but afterwards The Husband took care of the rails so it never happened again.  I've watched birds and animals from that porch and there has also been a time a few years ago where a stray cat gave birth to more than two kittens on the front porch door mat.  That was NOT a fun time.

Now at this season of life, I still wake early, usually at daylight (not the 4:30 a.m. I did for years) and spend some time on the front porch.  The Husband joins me often.   He says the "waking up of the world with the sounds of nature" is something he misses from his hunting days so I told him the porch sitting is a good compromise.  :)  We have a bit of a habit now of being there when The Grandbaby's car goes by on the way to school, blows the horn, and we stand and wave.  Yes, we have "arrived" at the "senior" mode.  It's the little things.  :)

This sitting on the front porch in the early morning has become a bit therapeutic for me.  Some mornings I try for many many minutes to capture the perfect hummingbird photo but I ain't there yet so I will share the few I have.  I am hopeful for a nice clear one....just one....eventually.  Hummers are a challenge to photograph.  Here are some of my moments on my front porch in the morning time. 

My favorite coffee cup beside my now gray antique rocker....

...and my favorite book....

And look at these big guys right at my porch.  They positioned themselves between each post of the porch just for my enjoyment....

...and this little one all alone....

My two favorite "morning" scriptures....

"....weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."  Psalm 30:5

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning:  great is thy faithfulness."    Lamentations 3:22, 23

And then, after lunch on this beautiful Sunday, I took my little camera and resolved to sit on the porch for 10 minutes and got these treasures....

Which makes a sermon of it's own....it's not always the big cameras that take the best pictures just as it's not always the BIG things that make the most differences.

Consider....

HOW DID WE DO THAT?

This past Saturday began as an exciting day.  The Grandbaby's very first county league cheer football game was early that morning.  All week was filled with anticipation as she loves cheering.  The Out of State Nana and Grandaddy were here to observe the fun along with The Girl, The Son-In-Law, The Poppa, and me.  

I was quite unprepared for the multiples of parents, grands, and children that was at this event or I should say the multiple events in this one location.  When The Poppa and I arrived, we saw The Grandbaby's group of K-2 cheerleaders waiting in an area.  The Grandbaby ran to happily say hello and give hugs.   My heart is filled with joy that she actually does love The Poppa and me.  In a few years when she gets to MS and HS, her visible love for us may change but for now, I'll enjoy the joy and hugs.  

As The Girl is Team Mom for the group, the other five of us made our way with our chairs and such and waited for the first game to end.  Then we settled in our chairs near the cheerleaders.  We immediately noticed our sweet double-jointed cheerleader was not doing her cheers enthusiastically.  Then after the 3rd cheer, she turned around to tell her coach something then promptly hit the ground in a faint.  I'll skip details here but will say was so very scary.  EMS came and checked her out and she was allowed to be driven to the ER by her parents.  After a ten hour time of testing and treatments in the pediatric ER, the little family arrived home Saturday night.  Heart checked out okay thankfully.  The diagnosis was dehydration and onset of pneumonia.  The Grandbaby had a cold for a couple of weeks but it had gotten better after about 8 days so no pediatrician was visited as they don't prescribe antibiotics until it's been 10 days.  She is tiring easily and has begun nightly fevers but is much improved.  The Grandbaby is full of the ER story....wires (EKG), seeing inside of her body (x-rays), breathing treatments, needle sticks (labs and IV), and a TV showing the movie Cars.  She was most enamored with the bright purple elastic bandage going from middle of thin little upper arm down to mid lower arm....her purple "cast".  :)  

That night, The Girl said to me, "I was surprised and proud of you, me, and The Nana that we didn't fall apart at all."  Quite frankly, The Nana and I had already decided that as we four grands had waited together all day and spoke of that.  I did consider how we were able to do that.  Many girls, as you know, fall apart easily and sometimes mamas, nanas, and neemas are no exception.  I will admit that as The Out of State Nana and Grandaddy, The Poppa, and I "hung out" that day waiting for reports, we had a time or two of sincere prayer together with many tearful requests to the Heavenly Father we all serve. We also had a lunch out and The Nana and I took some time for some retail therapy in the Target Toy Department as The Nana and I held our phones and looked at them constantly.  I told her I bet people were thinking we were like the phone obsessed teenagers but I really didn't care.

How were we able to get through such a fearful, heart wrenching, totally worried day?  I've heard so often that "it takes a village" and I guess that is the truth.  We all worked together to do what had to be done on this end of the experience while our children took care of their little girl that is the world to us all.  And even moving a bit further, all you blog readers know that our Heavenly Father helped comfort us as we continued praying a hedge of protection around those we love.  As The Poppa and I got in the car from their house to head home Saturday night, The Poppa and I just sat in the car as The Poppa said aloud, "Thank you, Jesus!" to which I replied, a hearty "AMEN!"

The Grandbaby still tires easily and has begun nightly fevers but is much better from two days ago.  We have, of course, went to play when she has called to ask and have enjoyed puzzles, dolls, and games.  The Poppa looked great in a tiara and jewelry as he won the Pretty Pretty Princess game. So life works its way back to a normal with a few more days away from school ahead for the week.  Hopefully The Grandbaby will have her nightly prayers answered of "Please let my hospital boo boos heal (the IV and lab efforts were hard and left bruises) and please let me cheer again."  The answers to those sweet prayers are already on the way, I know.  As the ER doctor said, The Grandbaby is a tough cookie.  The Girl said, "She comes from good stock."

The Son-in-Law (who strongly did his dad skills well) and I did finally yesterday get a chuckle as we recalled the help that folks were offering.  There were two nurses there, the mother of a diabetic child, and a mother calling EMS.  The funny thing was the mother who was wanting to check the blood sugar of The Grandbaby.  She was explaining diabetes (I actually saw myself in her as a young diabetic child mother)....but she was explaining to The Girl sitting on the ground holding The Grandbaby who was whiter than a sheet.  The funny part was The Girl finally said, "I have had diabetes for 31 years...yes it's fine to test her sugar."  Oh, and I failed to mention the funnier part....The Girl had two blood glucose sensors taped to each arm for yet another sensor/diabetes research trial she only began last week.  So there was some humor there....trying to tell The Girl about diabetes which she has lived with so long.  But with all that said, we were glad to grin a little at that point yesterday and are forever grateful to all who offered help.  My family doesn't want to do that scary experience any more.  Once was enough.  

This experience also goes along with my last post, "More Than Enough and Extra."  Yes, grateful are we for those who care.

Again, we claim Romans 8:28 in action in our lives....

"And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Consider....

MORE THAN ENOUGH AND EXTRA

Our friend, Mr. Webster, defines "enough" as "as much or as many as required".

Here lately I've considered what is enough and what is not enough in certain areas of my life.  I'm still considering that as there are areas that I certainly seek the correct improvements.  I guess we all do to a certain point.  

I had an experience yesterday when I was unable to find something that was REALLY important that I needed in a very timely manner.  I called all the different places that would possible have this and no one did.  Then I thought of one more place that I knew well and had dealings with and called that as a last resort.  I left a message as to my dilemma and got a callback that yes, they could help.  I just had to come and pick up.  I explained that I only needed one or two of this item to get me to the point I needed to be.  I drove there and they had a bag ready for me.  I could tell the provision in the bag was more than the one or two items I had requested.  When I explained I only needed a small amount, I was waved away kindly with the whole bag.  It solved my problem and gave me extra.  

I have been struggling a bit the last few days and seeking the Lord's guidance for things in my life.  I thought about yesterday's experience this morning and had a heart full of thanks for those who are kind and so caring.  Their actions speak more than enough and extra.  

As this blogger often winds up leading to, this experience has encouraged me and I in turn am going to encourage you that we an be more than enough and extra with our actions, with our thoughts, with our kindnesses and with our love.  I'm not going to tell you that doing this will be easy.  We are so so so human.  But I will testify to you for myself as I'm the only one I know about for sure, that I have a heavenly Father who will help me with this when I feel like I am not enough.  I would encourage you to know that blessings are more than enough.  And extra!

Consider.....

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.....