My Dashing and Bold Adventure

Self-discovery #1: I'd make someone a great pet.

2012-01-22T22:34:00.000-06:00

I told you I am on a self-discovery journey. Yesterday I discovered something about myself quite serendipitously. I had to do some heavy thinking in order to burrow through the fodder on the surface to get down to the roots of the Who Am I revelation. I hope my stupid little story and discoveries might help you discover something about yourself as well. If not, I hope to at least leave you amused and wondering what in the world God was thinking when He fashioned me.

I think I've mentioned that I work at Sears as a large appliance sales associate. That's NOT WHO I am. I hate the job. Don't ask me why I do it. That's a whole different post. But it is important for you to know that I work on commission. If I don't sell, I don't make money. And if I am not pacing the floor in the department of the store, I can't ~~hound~~ approach customers, and I can't sell anything. So, success partly depends on simple presence.

I have a co-worker--I'll withhold his real name just in case he is innocent of my accusations, but I'm quite sure he is not, so we'll just call him Pavlov--who loves to get me out of the department and away from any potential customers. He's been successful more than once. The first time he committed such a dastardly deed--shame on him. His repeated offences--well--*

One other thing you need to know about Pavlov: his wife makes some really yummy, and I mean REALLY YUMMY homemade caramels. And he brings these things to work.

A few evenings ago, Pavlov and I had to "close" together. Anybody ,including Pavlov, that has ever closed up shop with me knows that I don't like to drag my feet. When the front door locks at 9:00 p.m. I want to be ready to walk out the back at 9:01. (If the manager will let me, but it has not happened yet.) Co-workers also know that if they decide to piddle around and not participate in closing duties that I will do them all by myself, just so I can get out of there and hurry home.

There are several closing duties that can go undone and unnoticed by management, but one that can't is the closing of the cash registers. Obviously.

When a register closes down, it prints out a closing receipt. If there is no paper, or "tape" in the little printer, the register won't close down, and if the register won't close down, I can't go home. That's why, when Pavlov walked up to me with a helpless and sad look on his face and said, "Lavonda, do you know where there might be some more register tape? I can't find any. ANYWHERE!" I quickly and without thought replied, "Sure. I'll go get some." (Pavlov has worked at Sears over 20 years. Strange that he doesn't know where they keep the new rolls of register tape don't ya think?)

That little errand took me off the floor for several minutes even though I went at a high trot. When I returned with a half dozen rolls of paper, Pavlov was closing a sale. He grinned as I, out of breath, rushed past him on my way to load a roll into the disabled register and finish up the closing chores.

After his customers left the store, he pulled a zip lock bag out of his pocket and so sweetly offered me one of his wife's YUMMY caramels.

Okay, you are probably way ahead of me here, but be patient with me. Self-discovery sometimes take a while.

It wasn't until I was home, sound asleep in my bed, that revelation, like a bucket of cold water in the face, happened. As I slept, the events of that day replayed on the big screen of my sleeping brain, as did several other instances in which Pavlov had done something to take advantage of WHO I am and then tried to "reward" me with something. Sometimes his wife's YUMMY caramels, sometimes a meaningless compliment, sometimes a useless piece of advice. (The compliments and advice never make my mouth water, but those caramels...)

Suddenly out of sleep I was yanked when I shouted to myself, "He's treating you like a dog!"

Yeah, Pavlov has figured out my temperament. He has observed my involuntary reflexes. He gives the command, I obey, and then he offers a reward. --*Shame on me.

So what have I discovered about myself? Yes, I'd make someone a pretty good pet.

I do what ever I can to help people even when they mistreat me or take advantage of me. (I obey commands.)
I'm slow to recognize when someone is taking advantage of me because I don't take advantage of others. (I come back, wagging my tail after I've been kicked.)
Apparently I like rewards. (especially if the reward is a hunk of homemade caramel)
I don't make a mess in the floor. (But that has nothing to do with this post.)

I felt so angry and ashamed that I let this guy treat me like this. I lay there in my bed thinking about what I ought to do the next time Pavlov decides to use who I am against me. I ought to tell him to go get the paper himself. I ought to make him answer the phone and deal with the angry customer while I sell to the lady who just walked through the door. I ought to get right in Pavlov's face and ...

Then the Holy Spirit spoke silently yet so certainly, "But that's not WHO you are. You are made in the image of God with a heart bent toward grace. You are a reflection of Jesus Christ, an obedient servant who does what's right, no matter what others do to you. You are filled with, yes, God's Holy Spirit, a helper. And remember those fruits: love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?"

So what will I do the next time Pavlov does something to get me off the floor or takes a customer from me? I'll probably, as usual, act instinctively, without thought. I will help, serve, minister, and do what is right--with grace and kindness--because that's who I am.

But when he pulls those caramels out of his pocket and my mouth starts to water, I'm going to firmly say, No! Thank! You! (I'll wait for my reward.)

The Dumps

2012-01-17T15:20:00.001-06:00

"THE HOLIDAYS" are over. All of them. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and now even MLK Day, and I didn't blog a word about any of them. We didn't do much celebrating around here. In fact, we hardly noticed that any of the holidays came and went. "Bla" sums it up.

Now that we are halfway through the month of January, you'd think I'd be all bright eyed and bushy tailed, filled with new resolves, and bubbling over with hope for the year ahead. Strangely though, I am, well, still very much "Bla."

I'm not sure why I'm down in the dumps and out of such dumps I can't seem to drag myself. I don't believe any one particular thing has put me in this condition. No, it has been a combination of a whole bunch of stuff. As my sweet and pious (and I mean that in a good way) sister put it, "2011 was the year from HELL." And for some unknown reason, there were enough sparks and embers left over to make the start of 2012 seem dark, scary, and smokey at best!

I know, this doesn't sound like me. I usually try to look on the bright side, right? So someone go head and slap me! Please! (Just don't everybody start ringing my door bell at once, okay?) I'm ready to feel happy about something, get excited about something, celebrate, and sing about something good! Oh HOW I'm ready! Unfortunately, I've not been able to find that something.

I'm not ungrateful and I don't think I'm having a full blown pity party even though I do have a list of gripes. I know there are a lot of good things in my life. I am very blessed. Part of my dumpiness comes from sharing the hurts, disappointments, and burdens of others, not just my own.

If you feel like commenting and giving me all the pat answers that should fix my attitude problems, go right ahead. I'll consider that your "slap". (Insert smiley face.)

But what I really want to know from my readers is:
Honestly Now,
How do you deal with major disappointment? (especially if you are honest enough to admit that you feel that disappointed came from the hand of God)
Are you ever in the dumps and if so, what puts you there and how do you get out?
Do you ever see hope in every one's future but yours? How do you deal with that?
Anything else you want to add here?

I really do want 2012 to be a better year. I'm praying for that. I'm praying for hope. Rain. Joy. Encouragement. Answers. Blessings. Vision. Direction. ....And discernment--to know what I should do to be in the middle of God's work and what I should NOT do so as not to get in His way!
Pray with me won't you?

Maybe I will get back before three more month waste away. You can anticipate a post about a journey of self-discovery a friend of mine has encouraged me to take. I'll post more about it later because now I need to rush out the door to work. (#1 on my list of gripes).

Roasted Mouse

2011-11-07T12:32:00.001-06:00

I'm not a good blogger. Period. A good blogger blogs every day, maybe more than once per day. Also, good bloggers usually have a theme or a focused topic for their blogs. I WANT to be a good blogger, but I can't seem to make it happen. *sigh* I am not consistent in posting, and I obviously have a problem with "theme" except to share my Dashing and Bold life with you. I have come to the conclusion that the reason I'm so bad at regular posting (at least for the past year) is because Dashing and Bold has turned into Dull and Boring

But, I'm here to testify, God is good! He sees me in my sad, bland condition and sends a Dash of adventure. He knows I like a little spice!

Even though hubby is currently between storms and the RV is parked at our "real house", he still sleeps and showers and sometimes watches TV in it because 1) that is much easier than moving all his stuff in and out every time he has to deploy, 2) the bed in the RV is larger and more comfy than our bed in the house, 3) the TV in the RV is HD and the one in the house is not.

I spend my nights with him in the big comfy bed, but all my "stuff" is in the house. So, if the neighbors are up and looking out their windows late at night or early in the morning, they might get a glimpse of me hotfooting it back and forth in my housecoat. Oh, let them talk--they probably need a little spice too.

A few days ago, very early in the morning, I woke with a start. I punched hubby in the shoulder, "Something's burning!" (We live in a state of Fire Alert due to the drought.)

He popped up and yanked open the window shades to look for smoke. I stumbled out of bed and hurried to the door and poked my head out. No smoke. No fire. Outside the air was fresh. I closed the door, then it hit me.

The unmistakable aroma of roasting mouse! (I start to gag just thinking about it.)

Apparently, the fur coat God gave this particular little rodent didn't satisfy it, so it ventured onto our furnace to warm its little feet. Or, perhaps it was just wondering through, hunting for something to chew, and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when the heater came on. Either way, warm STINKY air blew through the vents, filling our small space.

Satisfied that our lives were not in danger, I went back to bed and tried to go back to sleep. Every time the heater came on, the horrible smell woke me up. I tried sleeping with my head under the covers, but for some reason, I got the feeling that oxygen doesn't exist between bed sheet. I'm sure there is some scientific proof, but I haven't had time to Google it. Finally I gave up and did my hotfoot thing back to the house.

My husband is a good man, and I don't mean to be critical. Honestly. But this next part of the story is important.

Naturally I ~~informed~~ asked him if, later in the day, he could remove the mouse from the heater so the putrid odor would go away. He spent a few minutes ~~making excuses~~ explaining how he would have to take out the VERY HEAVY washing machine, tear into the...remove the...break the...try to open the... And he ended by saying that he thought that the burner part of the heater was a sealed unit and there was no possible way a mouse could get in there.

Well. Okay then. Hmmm. What WAS that awful smell?

And he logically reasoned: Surely if it WAS a mouse, the little varmint was "done" by now and the worst of the stink was gone. (I tried not to let him see me roll my eyes.)

Fast forward to the next evening. I do my hotfoot thing across the yard to the RV to go to bed, temperature drops, heater comes on, and WHOP! The smell of mouse a la cart slaps me in the face. All. Night. Long. It was a very long night.

Thankfully the stink was so bad, it interrupted hubby's sleep as well. The next day he decided to do what was impossible to do the day before. Get rid of the mouse.

The process took only a short time and a small amount of effort. "It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. I should have done it yesterday." --Hubby

Unfortunately, all those hours of slow roasting the mouse embedded the stench into the curtains, the furniture, the walls, the glass windows...Okay, maybe not the windows. But I can promise you one thing: it is going to take a whole lot more effort and time to get rid of the stink now than it did to simply get rid of the mouse.

This furry little fellow is a lot like sin, don't you think? How often do we hold tightly to some sin or vice, knowing it is stinking up our lives, yet refuse to do anything about it? We can always come up with reasons why our stinky little problem is too hard or even impossible to remove. We may even deny that we have sin in our hearts or reason that if we just leave it alone, pretty soon it will just go away.

God's Word lets us know, without a doubt, that sin has consequences. Here is just one example. (2 Samuel 24:10-15)

I think I'm going to take a good long look at this photo of my roasted mouse and store it in my memory bank. Then the next time the Holy Spirit taps my heart and tells me something nasty is cooking in there, I'll decide to act quickly and get rid of it, before it permanently stinks up everything and everybody around me. After all, it's not as hard to do as I might think, and I'm sure I should have done it yesterday.

Please feel free to comment or give testimony.

Drought

2011-10-23T15:50:00.001-05:00

It really has been almost ten months since I've been here. I've not been having a lot of fun and time has not exactly flown. Yet I am a bit bewildered when I look at the calendar. There's been no writing or reading here--blog world, I've missed you! (Do I have blog-world friends left at all?)

Why have I been away so long? Drought.

I'm sure you've heard; it has been on the news and in the papers. Texas is in exceptional drought. Even the prickly pear have turned yellow and shriveled.

It's been a tough year. Since my last post, we've experienced temperatures ranging from -6º F in January with windchill in the -20ºs, to 111º F in June. In Amarillo we've had, if my memory is correct, about 50 days of temperatures that exceeded 100º. Unbelievably high winds through the winter, spring, and most of the summer fanned wild fires that burned millions of acres and destroyed thousands of homes. My own neighborhood was forced to evacuate twice this year because of fires. And still fires are being fought daily across the state.

In all my life I've never see the land so parched. Crops have failed, ranchers have been forced to sell their herds, lakes and wells have dried up, and cities have restricted water usage. I've literally cried for my beloved state.

Harsh weather and lack of rain are not the things, necessarily, that have kept me away from this blog. It's been a personal drought: a life draining dryness of my soul. I've had no words or thoughts to share. I feel like an empty well.

The past several months have not been all bad though. God has blessed hubby and me with two new granddaughters. One was born in July and one is expected to make her arrival in November. Our parents, our children, and our grandchildren were all here for a visit recently. Bills are paid and food is in the refrigerator. God is still on His throne and He is good.

But there have been some disappointments, struggles, frustrations, and down right dull days. That's life, huh?
Of all the events and daily grind that come to mind, I can't decided which has been most draining and frustrating. The one thing about which I've probably complained the most is my job and the fact that I have to have one. Yes, the bad financial condition of our country has ~~touched~~ whacked our lives.

I think the last time I posted, I was unemployed. Shortly after that post, I went to work at Sears selling (or trying to sell) large appliances. I won't take up space with a bunch of details. All I will say is--BLECH! Don't get me wrong. In this rough economy, I am thankful to have a job when I need one. So many people are not as fortunate. The problem is--I'm not crazy about commissioned sales, and being tied down to a job keeps me from traveling with hubby when he is working. I don't think "sales" is what God created me to do.

Imagine if you will, hiking up a steep mountain wearing one shoe that is two sizes too large and the other that is two sizes too small. That's me in a commissioned sales position: a total misfit! Though I'm very uncomfortable doing what I do to make a few bucks, I am trying to learn something from the experience. Whatever lesson God has for me, I want to learn it quickly so I can move on and OUT of there, on to bigger, better, and more fulfilling things.

While I've been stuck at home working for Sears, hubby has had a few deployments, worked hard, and kept the bills paid. (And yes, I've pouted about missing out on the travels and adventures.) He is home now, between storms... Those of you who have followed this blog for a while know what that means. My anxiety meter pegs from time to time. *sigh* Some day I'm going to get a handle on that problem. I hope.

In the mean time, I'm praying for rain--I don't know about you, but I am way past ready for a long, steady, life restoring rain--and I'm digging a little deeper in the bottom of my dry inner well. I've not hit a spring yet, but I have come across a clod or two of damp dirt. I know, down deep, the Spirit of the living God resides in me and has the ability and desire to gush! I don't understand nor can I explain this season of drought. All I know is, I'm tired of it!

Dear Lord, let it rain!

Brain Stew and Cornbread

2010-12-29T15:12:00.002-06:00

One time when I was a kid, my parents hosted a "Hobo Party." All the attendees dressed in ratty clothes, mussed their hair, and did whatever else they could think to do to fit in with the hobo theme. It was an outdoor affair, in the fall of the year, so a big popping fire provided warmth and ambiance. There were games, a talent contest, conversation, and stew.

Every person brought a can of something--didn't matter what--and dumped it into one big pot to create Hobo Stew. I think it was a good thing that the darkness of night made it hard to see what we were eating, but surprisingly, the stew's flavor was good. Very good. I don't know if it was because I was a kid and the romance of eating my supper out of a tin can while keeping warm by a big fire overpowered my taste buds, or if the stew was really a culinary masterpiece. Either way, I enjoyed the mess.

This morning I've tried to collect my thoughts and plan my day. "Get organized" as my mother-in-law would say. It's not going so well. My brain is like one big kettle of hobo stew. Illuminated by a dim flickering of firelight, there is a green bean, a slimy piece of okra, a little round pea, a slice of carrot, some tomato, a bit of potato, something that might resemble meat, and what in the world is that floating there? humm... My efforts to get it all together is working like a giant spoon whirling around in the pot.

An assortment of circumstances, a bundle of emotions, a pound or two of problems--all dumped together and stirred create Brain Stew. Here are just a few of my ingredients.

Part-time temporary job unexpectedly cut short two weeks ago--thankful for the cash while it lasted
Car broken down and in the shop--glad I even have a car
No job = strain to pay for repairs--thankful for honest fairly priced mechanic
Need car to hunt for job--should I hunt for a job OR
Will deployment come for hubby soon--relieved God knows and holds the future
Wish for skywriting from God--need direction, instruction, and answers
Baby daughter home from Christmas vacation wearing engagement ring--joyous melancholy flood of conflicting emotions
Concern for friends with health and financial issues--thankful for friends
Apprehension about new year--thankful for past blessings
Does the wind HAVE to blow so hard!?!?! (My West Texas readers will understand)

And the list goes on. My stew pot is full and boiling, almost to the point of overflowing. Before ya know it, I may be forced to stuff cornbread in my ears to catch the drips.

I've been praying and hoping that God will clear my muddled mind so that my questions and concerns will be answered and His plan for me will be obvious. You might say I want to peer into my cooking vessel and see through distilled water all the way to the bottom of the pot. But that has not come to be.

I will admit that I'm starting to feel a bit frustrated. Why can't life be simple and easy? Why must there always be an obstacle and a challenge? Why can't everything be as clear as distilled water?

Maybe because Jesus said it wouldn't be easy.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Or maybe it's about character building.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:2-12

Or maybe it is because a pot full of clear water and a distilled life can't prove to the world whom we serve.

We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God’s kindness to you.

In the Scriptures God says, “When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you.”

That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.

We don’t want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God’s servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. We have spoken the truth, and God’s power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right.

Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours. 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Contemporary English Version

Distilled water doesn't have any flavor. So, I guess I'll stop stirring for a while and simply let my brain stew simmer until I can taste the deliciousness of it all.

Will somebody please pass the cornbread?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T11:13:00.001-06:00

Yes, I dropped off the grid! I haven't been here--blogging--in almost a month. What happened to me?

I had to get a J.O.B.

Yes, we've been here at home for three months now and the money ran out. Hubby is working for a roofing/construction company but it doesn't pay quite enough to cover all our expenses. So, reluctantly, I started the search for work.

This time of year is a great time to land something quickly. God blessed and I'm now a part-time, temporary, Wal-Mart Associate. What does that mean? It means that from now until Christmas I'll be putting bottles of pills and other "pharmacy" related items on the shelves at Wal-mart. (And I'll be getting exposed to every bug and illness that walks in off the street. *sneeze* *cough cough* *snort*)

No, it's not your "dream job", but I needed money quickly and in less than an hour of turning in my application, I was called. They hired everybody who showed up for an interview, and, well, there ya go! I don't hate it and I don't love it. I see it as another opportunity to cry out, "God, what in the world are You doing in my life?!?"

Hubby told me I've had a bad attitude since I started though I've tried to keep my chin up. Mostly I've been so tired, I can hardly put one foot in front of the other. And, yesterday I started getting a sore throat and a terrible headache. Hmmm. Maybe the oncoming sickness made me a little less than Ms. Sunshine? *sigh*

Today I didn't have to go to work, and I'm popping the Zicam, garlic, Emergen-C packets, and anything else I can think of to get me through the next few days. It is Thanksgiving after all, and I don't want to be a grumpy sick old lady!

Family members are already on their way to my house for the holiday weekend, and I'm excited to see all of them. I'm very sad that the kids and grandkids who live and serve our country in Hawaii won't be with us. My occasional teary moments over their absence add to the river of snot already flowing because of my cold.

I would like to take time to list everything I'm thankful for since tomorrow is Thanksgiving day, but that would take a LOT of time. So let me list just a few because I need to rush to the store to do my grocery shopping (Yeah I know it is a little late, but I've been working!) and to buy several boxes of Kleenex!

Always I'm thankful for my wonderful family both immediate and extended. I love all of you!
The wonderful land in which I live. I may not always agree with our elected officials and adopted policies, but it is still the greatest place on the planet to call home.
The fact that God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. With my life always in the middle of some kind of a change it is nice to know there is one solid rock under which I can hide.
Challenging times--sometimes I have to force myself on this one--that make me call on God to rescue me, for I know He is the only one who can.
Eternity that awaits and the blood of Jesus Christ that gives me eternal hope and security.

Now, I'm off to the store...y'all can pray I make it back alive!

Oh yeah--please pray for deployment to a storm next week! We would SO love that! Thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. May God continue to bless us all and may we all live worthy of His blessings.

Scraps and hooks and needles

2010-10-30T13:09:00.000-05:00

I'm finally back with a little more information about our crocheting and knitting for charity project.

It's quite simple really. If you are a crafter of yarns, you have a stash of scraps. Some yarns might be better than others for this project, but I don't think it is really going to matter what yarn you use. The charm of the final afghan is the "patchwork" design. Each block, different from the next, is a wonderful representation of the people who work together to construct and give the gift of warmth and comfort.

Rather than print out patterns and instructions, I'll simply ask you to visit the web site of the Warm Up America foundation. (Just click on this link.) Basically, do whatever you would like to do, just as long as you can make it turn out to be seven inches by nine inches.

There is a tip offered on this page: Cut a 7"x9" cardboard template to use for sizing your blocks. It is a little easier to use than a tape measure or ruler.

Here is my first block made from some scrap yarn I've had in my closet for many years. It is going to be so good to get rid of it and know that it is going to a good cause.

This is just your basic double crochet. I did find it a bit tricky to get the size (7"x9") correct. When I used the hook size the pattern recommended, (G) my block was too large. This particular yarn, though a medium weight, seems a little stiff and on the bulkier side. It is an inexpensive yarn and has a tendency to "untwist" as I work with it. Switching to a smaller hook had me grabbing only one or two plies of the yarn, which was VERY annoying to me. It slowed my progress and I didn't like that either. So...I went back to the G hook and made my foundation chain shorter. (I made fewer chain stitches.) I stitched until my block was as close to 9" as possible. It is not exact, but thankfully knit and crochet blocks, when pieced together, can be scrunched or stretched just a little.

I'll stitch several of these and then send them to my new friend Carrie who is eager to piece them all together with her blocks and any others that volunteers send her way. She will also be responsible for the donation of the afghan when it is complete.

Please head over to Carrie's blog for any other details pertaining to the crochet / knit group. (Knitted blocks can be attached to crocheted blocks and included in the same afghan.) Leave her a comment telling her that you want to participate and she will see to it that you know where you can mail your completed blocks. Thanks so much to Carrie for heading up this project! What a blessing you are.

As winter begins to creep into our lives, let's put the garden trowels, beach balls, and butterfly nets away--(Okay, so who actually spends their summers catching butterflies? But you know what I mean.) and let's drag out our fabrics and yarns and do something for somebody who might not have life quite as good as we do.

Two last notes--if you have a favorite charity that could use one of our quilts or afghans, please let me know with a comment here. Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, favorite retirement center, Crisis Pregnancy Center, homeless shelter, .... You tell us where you would like to see our donations go!
And PLEASE join us any way you would like. Donate supplies or finished blocks and ask your friends to join in on the fun! Our groups are very small at the moment but we would love to see them grow!

Now, off to the sewing machine. Or should I pick up the hook? Decisions decisions decisions!

Discombobulated

2010-10-27T21:00:00.003-05:00

It has been a really REALLY long time since I have done a "word" post. So excuse me while I take a little break from the charity projects to post a word for today. I just felt the need.

Today's word: Discombobulated--to be confused or disconcerted; upset; frustrated.

Go ahead and look it up. You'll probably find my picture.

It has been one of those days. Oh don't pretend you don't have them. You want to wash your face so you turn on the water then pour a big blob of detangle hair conditioner in your hand. Ugh. And since that didn't turn out so well, you decide to brush your teeth. *Squirt* There's a long ribbon of toothpaste now on your comb. You say to yourself--I DID already put sugar in my coffee, didn't I? Or did I? You go into the next room and can't remember why you are there. And maybe you should have checked to make sure your T-shirt wasn't on backwards before you walked out the door.

So maybe I'm the only one whose brain (and life) feels like it has just gone through a spin cycle and then tumbled dry. I know why I'm like this. It's stress. You thought it was because I OD'ed on fabric and yarn lint didn't you? I'm not saying I have my addictions under control, but I can handle my crafts! Okay!?!

We've been home a good two months now and you know how I get...I told God I wasn't going to get all worried and panicky this time. And I've done better. Really I have. But today was meltdown day!

The last three days I've spent a good bit of time in prayer. Seeking and sighing, hallowing and hoping, begging, and bargaining, wailing and wallowing. Storms have blown across the country and still, here we sit. Undeployed. Hubby has called the deployment office twice to make sure they know he is ready to go, but he's not been the lucky guy yet. The fact that he is doing a little contracting work on the side helps, but if we could have had a decent living doing that, we wouldn't have started this Dashing and Bold adventure in the first place.

Today, after I'd been on my knees a while, making sure God knew how frustrated I feel, I walked across the yard and the Spirit told me just to give thanks. So I started thanking God for everything I could see, hear, and feel. At that moment the mail carrier pulled up to my box across the street.

"It's here," I heard in my spirit. I knew what "it" was.

I started not to walk across the street. I thought maybe if I just left "it" in the box...I don't know...maybe someone would come flying down the street too fast, lose control, smash into our mailbox and "it" would be knocked out and blown away.

After a short mental wrestling match with myself I went ahead and walked to the box. Sure enough, there "it" was. The hospital bill. (I don't think I told you that my daughter spent a couple of nights in the hospital recently.) It's amazing how much a bag of salt water costs these days! Not to mention a nuclear medicine test, X-rays, CT scans, sonograms,...

My kid is an adult now, but there is no way she can pay a bill like this. And you know what parents do when even their adult child falls apart--they do everything they can to sweep up the pieces. (This particular kid has a knack of falling apart when our broom has lost it bristles.)

With head hanging low I drug my feet back across the street and up the steps into my RV. I decided to do a little blog hopping to take my mind off my troubles. I brought up one of my favorites that I've not read in a while, and before the page was finished loading, this song gushed from my little speakers like a sudden summer downpour. (Read the words carefully.)

MELTDOWN MOMENT!

From discombobulated to meltdown in a matter of a few hours. It's probably a good thing that I cry instead of drink because I tied on a good one! Eventually I was able to dry my face, blow my nose and soon a precious friend from another state started a text conversation. Somewhere in it she reminded me to be thankful in all circumstances. (I think that's what we, on a good spiritual day, call confirmation.) On a discombobulated meltdown day, it's a reason to grab another Kleenex.

Confirmation is a sweet sweet thing. It's God's way of showing us that He is listening when we pray. And He does care about our struggles.

While we were still texting, my daughter called the hospital to discuss her inability to pay the bill. The lady on the other end told her that, because of her low income, she had qualified for one of the hospital's benevolence programs. They just happened to mail the bill the day before they qualified her. (Somebody get me another tissue!)

I'm kinda dense sometimes and I don't always listen well, especially when I'm so discombobulated. But now I get it! When the Spirit spoke earlier, I heard two totally unrelated sentences. But what He really said was, "Just give thanks (COMMA) it's here."
(Excuse me a minute while I wipe the droplets off my granny glasses.)

We still sit here undeployed and wondering why. Every circumstance in my life is not as I would like. But these trying circumstances will never change who I forever am in Christ. So I give thanks. It never crosses my mind to turn my back on Him. Instead I draw closer to Him in these times. So I pray...

Give me joy, give me peace, give me the chance to be free. Give me anything that brings You glory. I know there will be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes...
And I give thanks.

What a day!

I just found a gnat in my Kool Aid and the pepper shaker in the microwave! Ugh.

I think I should go now. My discombobulated ears hear a tub of hot water and lavender bubbles calling.

Quilters unite

2010-10-26T00:46:00.000-05:00

For this project you really don't have to know how to quilt. If you know how to sew, just a little bit, it will be easy and fun. It is a "quilt as you go" process. Now that I think about it, you don't even need to know how to sew! Keep reading.

The goal is for each person to complete as many squares (or steps) as they want to, then send them to me to sew together into the finished quilt. (If any group member is just dying to compile and complete the quilt, I won't fight you for the job.) :) The person that completes the quilt will be responsible for sending it into the Warm Up America Foundation or to the organization we decide to donate to. (We can discuss that later.)

I'm in the middle of making a quilt right now so I took a few pictures that I hope will help explain the process. I must put in a disclaimer here. I did not "invent" or design this method or pattern. My sister taught me how to do it and she saw it in a quilting magazine somewhere. I wish I knew the publication so I could give proper credit. If the designer of this pattern happens upon my blog, please do not sue me for breaking copyright laws. I'm not selling this idea nor am I selling any quilts.

Now, on with the how-to.

Naturally this is going to be a scrappy quilt since we are all in different places using different fabrics. "Scrappy" is what makes it so charming, right? (100% cotton works best but if you have some blend scraps and don't want to buy something else, they will work.)

Please wash, dry, and iron (if needed) your fabric before you begin. First you are going to need to cut your fabric into 4 1/2" squares. For each quilt block you will need two white squares and two squares of other colors. (4 squares in 3 different colors) (With our next quilt we might just try any light and any dark colors, but for this one, let's stick with white as our base, okay?)

Sew one white square to one colored square. Then sew another white square to one of the other colored squares. Press the seams toward the colored side.

Now lay your pieces out so the white squares are opposite each other.

Next, flip one two-square piece over onto the other so right sides are together. (In this photo, the floral print will be on top of the white square that is above it, and its attached white square will be on top of the pink.)(Clear as mud?)

Now you will sew along one long edge and up both short edges. Make sure that your seams match up along the long edge. If they don't, then when the block is finished it won't look right in the middle. (Hang with me here--it will make sense in a minute.)

Can you see my seams? Down the left, across the bottom, and up the right side. I have basically formed a rectangular pocket.

Okay, now comes a little tricky part. Bring the stitched sides together, as shown, and make sure your seams are lying in opposite directions so they are butted. (Turning all seams toward the colored squares will make this easier.) Again, line your seams up perfectly so it will look right when it is finished.

Pin it together so it doesn't shift during stitching.

Beginning at one corner, stitch across to about 1/2" past the center seam. Backstitch. Stitch from the other corner toward the center for about 1/2". Backstitch again. This will leave about a 3" opening for turning. (In this photo, I will not stitch between the two pins on the right--this will be my opening. The rest of it will be stitched up.

I forgot to photograph the next step, but...trim the corners and turn the block right side out. (Hint: The corners will be on the bias so be careful when turning so you don't stretch them all out of shape. Voice of experience here.) I use a wooden cuticle stick to help turn them. A knitting needle will work too. Using a pin to help pull out the corners on the outside is helpful. Try to get them as sharp as possible without stretching.

You will press it out flat, making sure that you line up the seams on both sides as closely as possible. It should look like this.

See how nicely the points meet up in the middle? If you don't have your seams lined up and butting good when you sew the "pocket" your points won't match up on the finished block. I like to pin through my seams and the center before I press it to make sure it is square and both sides will be aligned the same. After pressing, your block should measure about 5 5/8". It will look the same on both sides which makes this quilt "reversible."

Oh, don't forget that opening where we turned it. You need to press that so that it looks like it is stitched. We'll sew it up in a little while.

Now for the batting. You will need to cut your batting the size of the block. (should be 5 5/8") Fold or roll the batting and insert it into the opening in the block.

Spread the batting to the edges and corners of the block. A pencil eraser or wooden cuticle stick will help in the process. Make sure the batting is smooth, flat, and all the way to the edges of the block.

Now it is time to hand stitch the opening closed. (I'm hoping you know how to do this. If not, let me know.)

Once the opening is stitched, the block is ready to be quilted. I chose to do my quilting on the machine because I'm lazy and I want things to get done quickly. And because I've never done any hand quilting and I was not in the mood to try to learn how. If you are really into doing your quilting by hand, then go for it. If you do it on the machine, a walking foot will help keep it all from shifting. You can choose any quilting motif, just make sure some of it goes all the way to the edges to hold the batting in place. I stitched along the seam lines and then parallel to the seams with 5/8" spacing.

Now the block is finished and ready to assemble. You will mail your finished blocks to me. I will combine all the blocks and sew them together by hand to finish the quilt.
In this picture, all my blocks are not quilted but I've placed them just so you can have an idea how the quilt will look when it is finished.

More about batting:
I've labored over this in my mind. There are just shy of a gillion different kinds of batting out there. This quilt needs a thin firm batting. 100% cotton would be best. I'm currently using a poly batting because my sister started me on this project and she just happened to have some thin poly scraps on hand. I didn't have enough so I went to the store and couldn't find exactly the same batting so I bought something "close". I then decided I wanted my quilt a little bigger so I needed still more batting and went back to the store...ended up coming home with some batting that was again, "close" but not exactly the same. So, my quilt is going to have three different kinds of batting in it. They each are minutely different in thickness and texture and body.

Needless to say, it would be best to have one consistent batting in each block. So how can we accomplish that? I think we have two choices. 1.) We can decide what we want to use before we begin and make it our "standard". The only problem with that...what if we all can't find the "standard" in our store? Yes, buying it online is an option but shipping charges can sometimes make an otherwise affordable project unaffordable.
2.) Group members can make the blocks but not stuff or quilt them. I (or whoever is responsible for the final assembly) will take care of the batting, quilting, and assembly.

Let me know if you have any other ideas.

The greatest thing about this particular method is that any member can do as little or as much as she wants to do. For example, if you want to just purchase some fat quarters and send them to me, great. You are doing your part and will be a blessing! If you want to use up your scraps and cut them into 4 1/2" squares and send me the squares, that will be great to! Cutting the fabric is my least favorite part. ;) See, even if you don't sew--don't even own a sewing machine, you can be a part of this group. You can do what you can right where you are with what you have to change someone's life for the better. If you want to sew the squares together but don't want to mess with the turning....well, you get the idea.

At this moment, it seems we have a group of two who want to invest a little time and a little money and a lot of fun into the lives of others. If you are reading this and you want to take part, then comment and give me your contact information. If you know someone else who would like to help, PLEASE, spread the word. I'd love to have enough precious quilters to produce at least 4 quilts in a year. (Wouldn't 12 be great? But that might be pushing it.)

Penelope, let's get started.

(If you want to meet Penelope, the other quilter in the group, head on over to her blog. She has a nice one.)

Crocheters and knitters, drag out your yarn scraps and watch for my next post. I'll post some pattern instructions and we'll get started!

Thank you all for your help!

Let's make a difference

2010-10-25T00:20:00.002-05:00

What will they say at your funeral? What will be etched on your headstone?

I'm not being morbid. I'm asking these questions of myself as well.

I recently celebrated (On second thought, I didn't exactly celebrate--it was more like suffered through.) another 40-something birthday. My hair looks a little whiter every day, and at some buffet restaurants the young little girls at the counter give me the senior discount without asking my age. I've got aches and pains that Aleve can't alleviate, and those squirrels that run around in my head get lost on a regular basis. Yeah, I'm aging, and I'm not going to live forever. Well, not on this planet anyway. Death is a natural part of life, and though I don't dwell on it or even think about it often, I do, from time to time, wonder...will I be remembered when I'm gone? If so, what will be my remembrance? What will they say at my funeral?

Will they say, "She was so DASHING and BOLD?" I hope so! I hope they will say that--and more. Much, much more.

I've never wanted fame. Most people have a hard time pronouncing my name, so I'm not expecting it to become a household word. What I do want--is to make a difference. I want to know that someone's life has been changed for the better because I existed. And the more lives that are changed, the better.

Over the last several months, my spirit has been impressed, almost obsessed, with the desire to give what I have and do what I can to bring about change in the lives of people. I'm not talking about change via the Obama way. I want to do it God's way.

I'm reading books, praying, seeking God's guidance, and I still don't feel like I've got a definitive plan. I don't see the whole picture and can't say with certainty what God has "called" me to do. But I know one thing for certain. I'm supposed to be doing what I can--today--every day--no matter where I am or what I have to work with, to change another person's life for the better and bring glory to God in the process.

Where am I today? Camped in my own back yard. (Not much dashing and bold going on here.)
What do I have to work with? (See my last post) My addiction: yarn and fabric, hooks, needles, a sewing machine, a little know-how, and a few broken hours of time.
What can I do with what I have where I am? Have you heard of Warm Up America?

Here it is in a nutshell. Knitters and crocheters from all over the country spend a small amount of time and money to knit or crochet a few (or even just one) 7"x9" rectangle. Those individual rectangles are joined together to make warm blankets which can be donated to homeless shelters, The Red Cross, women's shelters, etc. (Click on the link above and read all about it. Then come back here and finish reading.)

You know, because of my dashing and bold life, it is hard if not impossible for me to be involved in "group" type activities. Weekly or even monthly meetings? I might be here and I might not. Today I can make plans to attend a meeting tomorrow and before the meeting time I could be on the road three states away. Since nothing is impossible for God...

I see no reason why Dashing and Bold people can't get together on line and through good old fashioned snail mail to form a new Warm Up America group. Do I have any readers who knit, crochet, or quilt and would like to do something very small to bless someone who needs to feel the warmth of a blanket and God's love?
Or maybe some of you don't have a crafting addiction but would like to help by buying yarn or fabric, or by paying for some postage.

Won't you join me in this little thing? Please know--one person may not be able to do a lot, but a lot of people can do a little. Those little things, when combined and done for the glory of God, can change a life for the better. If you want to get involved, please leave a comment or click on the link in my menu bar to contact me. I'll need to know how to contact you. Let me know how you would like to help and I'll give you more details as our group comes together. (Even though the WUA web site offers only knit and crochet patterns, I have instructions for making individual quilt blocks that can be combined to make a nice quilt, so our group won't be limited to yarn only.)

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Where are you and what do you have to work with? What will people say at your funeral?
I would like my marker to read--She made a difference.

The projects

2010-10-10T17:26:00.000-05:00

What in the world is wrong with me?
I'm like a cow on locoweed.

I can't stop myself! I can't seem to control myself. I'm doing needles,thread, hooks, yarn, scraps, patterns, how-to books and videos, scissors, paper, pictures, batting, more patterns..., and I'm constantly looking for something new to try--mixing my fixes!
I need HELP! Is there such a thing as Crafters Anonymous?

Hello, my name is Lavonda and I'm an addict--maybe. How do you know when your hobbies are out of control? I think I might be there.

I've written before about how the changing fall weather always makes me uneasy even though fall is my favorite time of the year. In the fall my anxiety level is high, and I get that intuitive feeling that doom and gloom might be lurking around every corner. This fall is no exception. In fact, as we are "camped" here at home (fair weather is abundant across the country and no hurricanes have managed to make landfall) that uneasy feeling is running rampant and is easily justified. I am, after all, female. And for me, like most females, knowing that money is coming in at a steady and generous pace seems to help calm my fears and chase away the feelings of doom and gloom. (Can I get an AMEN?)

I know I'm hard to live with sometimes. Everyone is. But when there is no work and no paycheck and I have fall induced Eeyore syndrome, I can be VERY hard to live with. I'm surprised hubby didn't choked me long ago.

Aware of my fault, I desire to try and change my perspective so that I won't drive my hubby quite so crazy. (I think that was something I decided to do in 2010.) Along with that, lately I have felt a direction to invest myself in the life of someone else. Now I know WHAT I need to do, the only problem is--I don't exactly know HOW to do it. I've been thinking about it...

I think I've got squirrels running around where most people have brains. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but I don't have just one squirrel--I have a BUNCH. And they are all running in different directions. (This post is proof.) Anyway---

My efforts to change my perspective and invest myself has thrown me into a crafting frenzy. I have a friend who said I just need a creative outlet. Maybe. Or maybe I'm just crazy. Either way, I have so many projects going at once that I can't decide what to do! The worst part is, all I can think about is starting another one!

Since we've been home, I've made three sets of scrubs for one of my kids, put together a scrap book for my mom that I should have done a year ago, started a quilt (I've never done any quilting before), crocheted a pomp-a-doodle scarf, and taught myself to knit. (I'm not good at it yet.) I've got a plastic canvas project I want to do for the granddaughters, (borrowed the pattern from my sister) at least a dozen sewing projects that I have fabric and or patterns for, yarn and pattern for a shawl I want to make, a crochet baby blanket in progress, a newly purchased quilt pattern for the second quilt I want to make though I've only begun the first,...I could go on.

And what about that photo project I started a while back? The one where I take a picture every day and post them all here on my blog. Speaking of blogs, hasn't it been over a month since I posted anything? Someone tell me: do I have a problem?

One thing's for sure. I have been successful in distracting myself from negative thinking. I've kept my little squirrels very busy, and my husband and I are still happily married. So can an addiction be a good thing? Can being out of control help one control what is usually beyond her control?

What's that you ask? You want my recipe for locoweed tea?
Sure, I'll get one of my squirrels to fetch it for you.

p.s. I'll be back later to discuss helping me "invest" in other lives. Right now I've got to go to church.

It's old news

2010-09-10T22:20:00.001-05:00

We're home! And have been for weeks now. We pulled into the driveway, I got out of the truck and hit the ground running. I've not had a chance to slow down since! It's always nice to be home, but it is always a busy time as we try to catch up on things around the house that need to be done and visit friends and family in the area.

The other day hubby asked me something about my blog...like when was I going to post something. Well today is finally the day! It's old news and old pictures by now, but someday when I'm dead and ~~famous~~ virtually unheard of, and ~~loved by all~~ liked by at least a half of a dozen people, and all my blog posts are published into a book, and it is selling on Ebay for ~~thousands of dollars~~, 75 10 cents a copy, I don't want there to be any important details left out. So suffer with me here, okay?

After the work was finished in Chicago, we stopped for a week in Edwardsville, IL where hubby worked a dozen claims and I hung out at the RV park (Red Barn Rendezvous). There was no WiFi service. I did have an air card, but sometimes uploading pictures with one of those is more frustration that I can handle. So I pretty much spent my time reading books and goofing off.

The campground was small and in the middle of a---you guessed it---ANOTHER CORN FIELD! The last three places we've stayed have been surrounded by corn.

This time I was prepared with some wonderful steroid nose spray and an inhaler I got from the doctor the last time we were home. I survived quite well.

The campground was nothing special. Small and quiet, no frills, and lots of little critters.

That's not even a fourth of them, but I'll take into considerations that some of you might not get your kicks from looking at pictures of cement yard ornaments, and I'll stop myself from posting all of them. After all, this blog is supposed to be all about Dashing and Bold stuff, right?

Now that I think about it, a bright yellow elephant is a bit bold, don't you think?

While we were in Edwardsville, we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. Now that's dashing and bold!
Since we were just a short distance from St. Louis, MO, we spent our special day there.

We are not beer drinkers, but we did go to the Busch brewery just to see the Budweiser Clydesdales aka The Hitch. That was a mistake. There were a gillion people there and only three horses. The high dollar horses that make up the teams are kept on various ranches, so the only real reason to go to the brewery is to see the beer making process and get the free samples. We did neither.

Here is my beloved of 29 years. Does he look like a tourist or what?

After we drove around the "inner-city" looking for some good St. Louis lunch, we went on down to the river and the arch. Heavy rain the night before had the Mississippi River running high.

Here is "The Captain's Return." It is a monument to explorers Lewis and Clark.

I don't know which is Lewis and which is Clark, but if the river had been this high the day they returned to the area in 1806, history books might read differently. (click on the link above to see what the monument looks like when it's not drowning in the river.)

Have you visited the arch? The Gateway to the West? It was soooo cool!

From the river you have to climb all these stairs to get to the arch. I counted them just so I could tell you how many there are--then I forgot. I think there were 64, but if you want to be sure, you will have to go and count them yourself.

I could have spent hours and hours taking pictures from different angles as the sun and clouds changed the look of the giant monument.

We took a ride in the tiny "pod" elevator to the top. Can you see the little windows way up at the top?

That's where, from 630 feet above the ground, we looked out over St. Louis. What a view!

I zoomed in on Busch Stadium. The Cardinals were playing the Chicago Cubs. I thought that was a little dashing since we had been caught in game day traffic in Chicago just a few days earlier.

Here is the view out of the opposing windows.

The mighty muddy Mississippi River.

And here is the Tom Sawyer. We had dinner on this boat as we cruised up and down the Mississippi in the moonlight.

Here's looking forward to tomorrow, our next adventure, and the next 29 years with the love of my life!

Book Review--Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

2010-09-10T17:23:00.002-05:00

Have you ever labored in prayer over God’s plan for your life? What great thing would He have you do? Do you want to impact your world for God’s kingdom? It might be simpler that you ever imagined.

In Outlive Your Life You Were Made To Make A Difference, Max Lucado shows us how the first-century church, a group of ordinary, unsophisticated, uneducated people, lived out the teachings of Jesus Christ and changed the world forever. In 2010 God still uses the ordinary, common man who is willing to extend a helping hand and loving heart to a dying world.

This book not only inspires the reader to step up and reach out, but it also offers practical ideas and advice on how to take the first steps into simple ministry. It is well organized with each chapter clearly covering a wide range of topics such as breaking out of our shell, simple hospitality, preparing for persecution, humility, loving and helping the needy, and more. All sixteen chapters are stuck together with one strong common bond: “You want your life to matter. You want to live in such a way that the world will be glad you did.” We all want to outlive our lives.

The back of the book contains discussion questions and ideas for action that makes making a difference super simple right where you are.

Like most of Lucado’s works, this one is full of great quotable one-sentence thoughts that wake you up like a splash of cold water and comforts your soul at the same time.

I will recommend this book many times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Chicago and beyond

2010-08-13T21:44:00.001-05:00

Okay y'all--I've been so busy walking uphill to do the laundry, sewing, and trying to adjust to a REALLY bad hair cut, that I've not spent any time blogging. Who wants to read about the the old worn out washer getting out of balance during every spin cycle? And I'm NOT going to show you the bad hair cut! Ugh! I will show you pictures of my sewing projects...in a minute.

Life really has been pretty dull these past few weeks. The heat, humidity, and misquotes have kept me from taking a paddle boat ride on the lake or playing a round of mini golf. Hubby and I have taken a bike ride around the park most evenings, and aside from the bug bites, that has been the high point of my days.

Hubby has had about all of the Chicago traffic and crowded streets he can stand, so it was a very thoughtful thing he did last Sunday--took me into the city to look around a bit.

Here are all of my pictures. I didn't take very many in Chicago. Where the streets are narrow and the buildings are tall, VERY tall, it is hard to get far enough away from anything to get a good shot. I saw several people who were...um...how should I say it...kinda different. Like the three guys ~~prissing~~ walking down the street together, all dress identically in sleeveless pink plaid western shirts, (They can't really be western shirts if the sleeves are missing, but they did have those western yokes.) jeans, black belts, and sad (Chicago version) western straw hats. I don't think they were members of a country western band. I thought about taking pictures of them, but decided against it.

Yeah, some of the folks here are a little different.

I also saw at least three different stores, within a three block walk, where hundreds of hand blown and artistic bongs were sold. Not my kind of souvenir.

I enjoyed riding around downtown Chicago. The buildings...the crowds...and the confirmation that I'm a country girl. Chicago is an okay place to visit, but I sure wouldn't want to live there!

Chicago's public library

Any sports fans out there? We just happened to drive by Wrigley Field right before the game started. People people people people--Oh my goodness the traffic and people! Cops were directing traffic and pedestrians, or at least they were trying. All those Cubs fans were pretty much walking and driving when and where they wanted.

If you can't get tickets inside the ball park, then maybe you can get a seat atop one of the businesses across the street.

For you football fans, yes we drove by Soldier Field. I was very impressed. It was pouring rain at the time and because there were a lot of activities going on in that part of town that day, there was no place to park. I didn't get a picture. I'm kinda sad about that because it is a cool looking stadium.

NASCAR fans, don't feel left out. We also drove by and took a look at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. Seen one speedway you've seen em' all, right? Well, maybe not, but I didn't take any photos there either. Gates were locked and we couldn't get very close. But now hubby can say he's been there.

Look at all those tall skinny houses! How do people live like that? And like it?

When buildings are this close together, this country girl starts humming that "Elbow Room" song.

My favorite part of the day was the little bit of time we spent at Lake Michigan.

The sky was cloudless. When I got out of the truck down by the lake, helicopters flew over. How many do you see in this picture? The one in the lower left corner...that's a big ol' dragon fly! I was so proud that I was able to catch all three in the same frame! Whoo hoo!

The water was so blue and so clear! Absolutely beautiful!

It was a hot day--so hot the birds were panting.

The best part of our lake visit was it enabled me to make progress in completing my toe dippin' project. What's that? Well, I have a goal. I want to dip my toes in all the major bodies of water that surround this great country. So far I've dipped my toes into the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario, ...

and now Lake Michigan. Just three lakes to go! I'm trying to decide if I should add the Alaskan Gulf and the Bering Sea to my list. What do you think?

While wading in the lake, I saw this cute little heart shaped rock. All together now...AWWwwww.

That about does it for our day in the big city. We did take a few minutes on a different day and checked out the old Joliet prison. It has been in several movies over the years. With all the hype you'd think they would offer tours, but driving around the outside is the whole experience.

There was this sign on the fence though.

Well DUH! I don't know why this made me laugh, but it did.

Now we've said goodbye to Chicago and moved on down the road. Ever heard of Edwardsville, IL? Me neither--until now. We will be here a week and then, if we are not redeployed, will be homeward bound.
So, a new campground, a new laundry room, and another page in this adventure. I'll be looking for the dashing and bold!

Oh yeah! Before I go, I did promise to show you my sewing projects. Do I have any seamstress readers? If so, what are you sewing?

This is a "retro" apron I made for a friend. I had fun making it and was tempted to keep it for myself. (Aren't I awful?)

I wanted a new summer robe. If this doesn't wake me up in the mornings I don't know what will! What can I say...Bold isn't it!?!

Leisure Lake

2010-08-02T23:12:00.000-05:00

One of the biggest challenges in this dashing and bold adventure is finding a place to make a temporary home. You can't park one of these big babies just anywhere. Well, not if you want to live comfortably for an extended period of time. You need to find something better than a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Can you believe, that in all of Chicagoland, we found only three options? One was affordable--a church camp. It had only 30 amp spaces to offer and we would have to move from space to space to space as different camps began and ended. Since hubby comes home exhausted and often works late into the night on paperwork, the thought of having to break camp and move over a few spaces once a week didn't excite us. And on hot days, when I want to run the AC and the microwave at the same time, 50 amp electrical hook-up comes in handy. There was no laundry facility on site either.

Our second and third and ONLY other options were pricey! Competitive in price with one another, but pricey. We picked the one that would place us about 45 miles instead of 60 miles from the area where hubby is working. (Can we say commute?)

Leisure Lake Membership Resort. Sounds all fancy and important doesn't it? Yes, well, you must be a member of one of a few exclusive clubs to stay here. I don't like to brag, but we have been card carrying Good Sam members for quite some time, so they welcomed us with open arms.

Okay you can stop laughing now. Don't worry, I've not started hobnobbing with the rich and famous. But it just goes to show that an important sounding name doesn't always mean a whole lot.

When we arrived, and after we presented our membership card, the lady in the office was cordial and efficient in assigning us a space. She asked how long we planned to stay. Oh how many times have we been asked that question? And how many times have we tried to explain that we don't have ANY idea, and WHY we don't have any idea! This lady, like most campground managers, listened to our rambling explanation with a noncomprehending blank stare, then asked again, "And so how long will you be here?" Sheesh!

They always want to know because for some reason the length of your stay has something to do with which site they give you. "I want to put you in a spot where you can be happy," she said.

I had the urge to tell her, Lady, you don't even know me or anything about me. What makes you think you know what will make me happy? (I was road-weary.) But y'all can be so proud of me. I held my tongue.

Unlike the resort where we stayed in Ohio, this place does have the amenities to justify calling itself a resort. Most of these amenities are showing some age, use, and abuse, but there are plenty of things here to keep a body entertained. Tennis courts, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits,

a swimming hole with a man made beach,

a swimming pool with plenty of sunning chairs,

a club house that reeks of stale cigarette smoke,

and a lake in which you can row a boat or take a paddle boat ride...

and catch fish or two.

There is even a mini golf course that we can play...for FREE!

I'm feeling sorry for this little squirrel. I can't decide if a frustrated golfer attacked him with a putter, or if he ate one too many golf balls and had some bad indigestion!

No matter how much leisure there is at a resort, there are always a few things that keep life...well...you know...DASHING AND BOLD.

Like the laundry facility. There are three washers and two dryers to service a campground that has way over 200 camping sites. And these machines are 20 years old if they are a day! I have to walk about 450 paces, uphill both ways, toting heavy bags of clothes...there is no AC...
No, I'm not complaining...I'm just saying...

Then there is the issue of electricity. We pay an extra dollar per day to have 50 amp service, yet most of the time our voltage meter looks like this. And worse.

I'm no expert on elctrical power. In fact, I really don't understand anything about it except flip a switch and lights come on, but I DO know that little needles should be in the green. When it isn't, the air conditioner, microwave, and various other appliances do not run at full power.

On the far side of the park is a big corn field

and the lake has plenty of cattails. There is no shortage of allergens even in Chicagoland.

On our side of the resort, opposite the cornfield, is a very busy, very noisy freeway. A nice row of trees block it from view, but if I get too bored, I can count trucks as they roar by.

I know you've been wondering about the space we were assigned. You know, the one that the lady thought would make us happy.
Have you ever arrived at church late on Easter Sunday and had to sit in the "overflow" section? Yeah, our site is comparable. But it's okay...not much activity in the overflow section and the neighbors aren't too close. But, like from the church overflow pew, the view isn't the best. While many of the sites have a nice view of the lake, we see the RV storage lot out our big window.

A little leisure, a few challenges--it's all good. You want to know why? It's because I am happy, and this resort and our assigned site has NOTHING to do with it.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13.

Caught in a whirlwind

2010-08-01T18:16:00.001-05:00

It has been so long since I used my computer, it didn't even know me any more! I had to type all kinds of passwords to get back in here.

I feel like I got caught up in one of those West Texas whirl winds, aka a big ol' dirt devil. We were home just a couple days when we packed our bags and headed to the DFW area for a class hubby had to take. I vegetated in a motel room for three days, then we drove to Houston and spent a few glorious days with some of our kids. Then it was back to Amarillo where we worked frantically to get the mowing and the laundry and all those other have-to things done. Early on our fourth day back home my sis called--my mom had fallen and broken her ankle, so we were off to Lubbock where we spent two days with family sitting in a hospital. We drove home again on Saturday night, then Sunday just as church let out, the phone rang. Deployed! I spent the rest of the day scrambling to get everything ready to go, so early Monday morning we took off for Chicago.

Whew! After two days on the road we got here on Tuesday and I just now caught my breath.

My camera has been stowed away, so that picture-a-day thing I was supposed to be doing--well--you didn't really think I could pull it off without interruption did you? They say that if you write a blog and want to keep and grow your readership, you must make frequent, regular posts. If I were a teacher, I'd give me an F! At this rate, I'm lucky to have anyone still reading. (Are those crickets I hear?)
So to all you who are still checking in here to see if I've fallen off the edge of the planet or if I've penned some fascinating story or have some wise inspiration or witty words to share, THANKS! Your are the best!

So what have I been doing?
I've been trying to get organized and settled in here. You know I never settle in too deeply, but I do have to unpack just a few things to make daily living a little more practical. I've also been preoccupied with a sewing project. It is a gift for a friend, so I'll show you pictures after she receives it. Sometimes I wonder what in the world we were thinking when we decided I could haul a sewing machine and sewing supplies around with us, but I've enjoyed reviving an old hobby. And, it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble.

Now I'm about to do something here that I DON'T LIKE TO DO! I'm going to commit myself. Okay, I know I need to be committed--wearing one of those nice coats that have sleeves that tie in the back, but that's not what I mean. This time anyway. I'm going to commit to coming back here tomorrow to tell you all about the place we are staying. IT'S A RESORT! You remember that that key word, resort, is a bit relative don't you? Just in case you don't remember, click on the preceding link. This place is nothing like the resort in Ohio, but I'll show you around tomorrow.

Right now I need to go snap some fresh green beans and peel some carrots. I smell the roast, which means it's almost tender by now! So Lord willin' and the creek don't rise...yes we have a creek...I'll be back tomorrow.

Zoo fun

2010-07-10T13:02:00.000-05:00

If you want to see the imaginative and humorous side of our creator, just spend the day at a zoo. Hundreds of mothers, fathers, grandmas, grandpas, and animals--some in cages, some in strollers and some just running lose and wild.

We visited the Omaha zoo before we left Nebraska. It is Omaha's main attraction. We were hot and tired and wanted beat rush hour traffic, so we didn't see everything there was to see, but we saw most of it. I decided that zoos are more fun when you have little children to take along with you. Hearing the constant chatter of "Mama, mama, hey mama, look!" and the ooohhs and aahhhs and "Daddy, pick me up!"... sure made me miss the days when my girls were little. And I wished for my granddaughters in the worst way.

Hubby and I still enjoyed the day together and took only a few pictures. There is something about animal pictures that make my mind run wild with captions. I added a couple and I want to know how you would caption my photos too. Please leave your comments.

Honey, use your napkin. You have a little pollen right there...

A penny for your thoughts.

Now we are home again, visiting family and tending to little things that need tended. Touching base so to speak, until the next time the phone rings.

Where bad is good!

2010-06-29T22:46:00.002-05:00

If you ask me why you should go to South Dakota, to see Mt. Rushmore would NOT be my answer. Oh sure it was impressive, but it didn't take my breath away. Maybe because I too often lean toward the side of being a realist, or maybe because I'm a lover of nature as God saw fit to create it and allows it to continually take new shape and form. Or maybe it's because I know that the faces that are carved in the side of that mountain represent just men.

Granted, they did more than the ordinary man to shape this great nation, but it was only by God's grace that they were able to do great things and be elevated, by other men, past ordinary into a stone memorial. If we were to carve into the mountains the face of every man or woman who ever did something great for this country, there would be no mountains left. America if full of unsung heroes.

I admire the many men who worked so hard to accomplish the task of sculpting a mountain, but for some reason their work doesn't make me want to sing praises or bow and worship the God who created all things. It did make me feel grateful though.

It's just my opinion, but I suggest you go to South Dakota to see the beautiful grasslands, the Black Hills mountains, and the Badlands. Oh, and while you are there, don't forget to visit Mt. Rushmore.

From Key West to Seattle, Maine to southern California, this country holds so many beautiful places. A few have taken my breath and put tears in my eyes--made me sing praises and worship the creator. Just to mention a couple of them--Niagara Falls, NY and The Badlands, SD. (The day we went to the Grand Canyon, it was so foggy and snowing so hard you couldn't see the road, or even the front of the truck, so my list is not complete I'm sure.) Both those places gave me goosebumps as I gazed and pondered the power and imagination of THE GOD who creates such beautiful things.

I'm only going to post a *few pictures because our internet access at this campground will only allow me so much bandwidth for a 48 hour time period. Since I don't have a clue about what all that means, and since I'm already at almost 50% of my allowance, I don't want to use it all up, just in case hubby might need it for work. (And just in case I might get to Skype with the grandkids.)

Another reason I'm only going to post a few--I can't decide which pictures are my favorite. So I'll show you some and give you a link to my Photobucket so you can see them all if you want. I hope you enjoy them--I sure did enjoy taking them! I promise if you don't take a little time to look at some of the others, you will be missing out. We were going to take a quick drive through the area, but once we got in there, we were captivated. No quick drive through would do!

*Yes, this is a FEW since few is a relative term as in comparison to the number I COULD have posted.
Click here for my whole Badlands collection.

We had an overnight stop in Mitchell, SD--the home of the Corn Palace. This time of year, undergoes its annual "redecoration" but there was enough of last year's design still up that I was able to get some pictures. If you've never heard of the Corn Palace--in short--it is a building that takes on a new look every year, decorated with corn and straw and other such natural materials.

Yes all those pictures and words are made from various kinds and colors of corn cobs placed just so. Pretty amazing.

Whew, what a remarkable two day drive.

Now here we are in Nebraska and I barely got this post done before we are have to pack up and go again. You know by now that we really never know how long we will be any one place, but it looks as if we will be here only a few more days until...

Yeah, bold and dashing.

George, Tom, Abe, Teddy, and Crazy Horse

2010-06-28T16:00:00.003-05:00

Here are more pictures from our little day trip to Mt. Rushmore that I promised. Sorry it has taken me so long. We were on the road two days, and the other days (How many days has it been?) I've been doing laundry, talking to my kids on the phone, recovering from changing time zones again, and just...I don't know what I've been doing. It's funny how all this bold and dashing life stuff can slip from my memory. One day dashes on to the next while I seem to sit and watch it go by. THAT'S what I've been doing--sittin' and watchin' life dash by.

Anyway, here ya go! Pictures of Mt. Rushmore. I know you've all seen pictures of the presidents in stone so this is nothing new. Hopefully you will still enjoy these and find a detail you've never seen before. I've included a few other things that caught my attention as well.

Along with the face of a mountain, a few other things changed over the years.

From far away, you can see more of the mountain jutting up behind the sculptures. But as you get closer, the rest of the mountain vanishes.

Have you ever seen these guys up close? I love the detail of the granite mountain.
Check out how the rock is carved to give depth to their eyes.
(Click on each picture. They should "blow up" for you.)

After doing some sightseeing in South Dakota, I've decided that if you are going to ride a motorcycle, SD is the place to do it. A lot of other people must agree. Here are a couple of unique rides we saw on our way up the mountain.

The Black Hills are full of interesting rocks and rock formations. Too many to photograph them all. You must plan a trip yourself!

These little ferns made me think of this scripture:

12Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
14The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
15Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
17And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
18Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

God, show me your glory--but hide me in a cleft of a rock and cover with me your hand.

While we were walking the self-guided tour trail, I had a moment of mental silliness. When I took this picture, my thought was...

I sure hope George doesn't have a drippy nose!

While we were looking at the presidents, this is what they were looking at.

Oh, if those stone pupils could really see!

One final glance as we said good-bye.

There is one spot after we left the monument that we were able to see Mr. Washington's profile. I thought it was pretty cool. Once again, a reminder how different things look when you change your perspective.

I kinda wonder about that scare on his nose. Do you think it is from wiping away too many drips? Hummm...If you go visit Mt. Rushmore and take the walk along the path, you might want to carry an umbrella.
Just in case.

Next we went to the Crazy Horse Memorial. It's a work in progress. A long, slow progress. You can read about it by clicking here.
It is pretty impressive. I think what is more impressive than the actual carving is the family's commitment to the project and the fact that they refuse government funding for the project. For that alone they deserve respect.

If you go to see Mount Rushmore, you might as well go see Crazy Horse too. It's just a short drive from one to the other. It is expensive to get in, but the proceeds go toward the work being done there.

Here is what it is supposed to look like once it it finished.

They still have a long way to go!

Okay, enough for today. Besides, we had to pack up and move on. My next blog post will also be a picture post--photos we took along the way as we went from Wyoming to Nebraska. We did happen to veer off the interstate for a while, and the road we were on took us through THE BADLANDS of South Dakota!

If you've seen the Badlands for yourself, (or if you are one of my husband's Facebook "friends" and have seen the pictures he already posted there) then you can either skip the next post or yawn your way through it. But if the Badlands are new to you, then these next photos are some you are not going to want to miss! And just in case the few I post here aren't enough for you, I'll put a link to my Photobucket so you can see all 149 of em'!
Check back tomorrow!

Because Life Doesn’t Always Go According To Plan ... continued

2010-06-23T21:38:00.001-05:00

About the Book:

(Kerrville, TX) – From the beginning of time women have dreamt about their “Plan A” - the perfect husband, cute children, immaculate home, size six wardrobe, prestigious job, fabulous friends. But it doesn’t take much of real life to set in before compromises, changes and disappointments manage to cloud those dreams. The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan encourages women to re-evaluate the Plan B route and discover the blessings of God’s Plan A.

Using nine landmines that often claim the God-given plan for women, author/speaker Debbie Taylor Williams helps women reclaim hope and teaches them how to manage those sabotaging thoughts that claim many minds. Sprinkled with humor, an obvious love for God’s Word, and discussion starters for small group study, The Plan A Woman promises to help woman believe that God does have special plans for her, even in this Plan B world.

Something Extra:

The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World, by Debbie Taylor Williams
“You’re Not the Only One Who Missed Plan A” Chapter 1 excerpt, pages 23-27.

God Has an A+ Plan for Your Life

“I know the plans that I have you for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”Jeremiah 29:11

If ever a convention were held for women who feel they’ve missed Plan A, the room
would be filled. You’d undoubtedly hear comments like these:

“My husband left me when our children were three and five,” one woman might say.

“I’ve always dreamed of being married and having children. But I’m single with no hope of marriage.”

“My Prince Charming turned into an abuser.”

“I was fired from the company I built from the ground up.”

“My child died of leukemia.”

Biblical Plan A Women in a Plan B World

Not only do we hear the voices of friends today, but we also can imagine the voices of those whose lives are recorded in the Bible. Perhaps if we caught each one at the moment she was hit with her Plan B, we might have heard something like the following:

“Adam and I were supposed to live happily ever after in Eden. My oldest son was not supposed to kill his brother.”—Eve

“I thought Abraham and I would have children when we were young.”—Sarah

“I thought I’d live a quiet life. I never dreamed I’d become a queen—or that the lives of so many people would depend on me risking mine.”—Esther

“My plan was to marry Joseph, then have children. Never did I imagine that I’d conceive a child by the Holy Spirit while a virgin. ”—Mary

As you can see, a long list of women in the Bible lived something other than what they must have considered their Plan A lives. No doubt, they appeared to be everyday women living ordinary lives: preparing meals; washing dishes and clothes; competing with other women; and experiencing problems with in-laws, children, infertility, sibling rivalry, and so on.

What they probably couldn’t see at the time, but what we have the opportunity to see now, is how God used them. Their lives counted for him and for eternity. Though at times some may have felt like appendages to their husbands and their husbands’ calling, while some may have felt lonely and isolated, God used each woman. Their names are recorded for eternity. God listened to these women’s prayers, intervened on their behalf, and met them where they were—in the desert, by a river, in a field, inside their homes. He met them in the midst of their daily responsibilities—drawing water, gleaning wheat, searching for infertility cures.

Did they know they weren’t rocking mere infants but future kings? Did they realize they weren’t just dressing babies but grooming leaders? Not simply singing psalms to toddlers but planting scriptures in the minds of prophets?

God had an A+ plan for these women even though they didn’t know it at the time. God has an A+ plan for your life too.

-Used by permission Leafwood Publishers

Adiós Wyoming

2010-06-22T23:35:00.001-05:00

The work here slowed from a trickle to a drip, and we had that feeling...
So over the weekend we decided to take another little trip, just in case we had to leave soon. I'm glad we did because sure enough, tonight is our last night here in Wyoming. We have enjoyed the cool temperatures more than words can express, and the scenery...Oh the scenery! Yes, I feel blessed to have been here.

There is so much gorgeous landscape to see in this area, it was hard to decide where to go in our limited time. We decided it would be bad to be this close to Mt. Rushmore and not go see it. We took the long way around--the scenic route.

I snapped 175 photos! Don't worry, I'm going to post only a portion of them, and I'm not going to do it at one time. You're going to have to come back again to see them all.

The drive to Mt. Rushmore is a bit over two hours, so we left Saturday afternoon after hubby finished working so we could have all day Sunday for fun. (And the return trip) The clouds were ominous.

Is it just me or does the sky look like it has cellulite?

We spent the night at Custer, South Dakota, and I ate buffalo prime roast for supper. It was SO yummy. The potato was overdone and hard, and the bread was not browned--barely warm, but the buffalo was very very good!

The next day the scenic route to Mt. Rushmore took us through Custer State Park which is home to a lot of buffalo.

Some of them were a little intimidating.

Some of them just wanted to cuddle.

They all had the right of way!

From the rough and robust to the dainty and delicate...So much eye candy!

A couple of wild turkey were courting as we drove past, but when we backed up to take their picture, they got a little shy and headed for cover.

The park, part of the Black Hills, is beautiful with several places to camp, ride horses, and even stay in comfort at a few resorts as well.

As we continued on the winding narrow road, we looked way off into the distance, there it was...

Can you see it? That mountain in the center of the picture? Can you see the white spot on the near end? That's right! Mount Rushmore National Monument.

The closer we got to the mountain, the more of these there were.

There were a few tunnels along the road.

I'm so glad I didn't have to drive that bus through there.

Upon reading something somewhere along the way, hubby discovered that great planning went into building the road to and from the monument. The tunnels were cut out of the massive rocks first then the road was built to connect all the tunnels. Why you ask? So that every time you go through a tunnel, you have a perfect view of the presidents.

(Thank goodness for my zoom button.)

I can't begin to describe how beautiful the Black Hills are. I think I could spend about six weeks hiking and taking pictures, taking pictures and smelling the pines, listening to the streams and taking pictures...

I love to try to find an interesting or different perspective for my photos every now and then. These massive mountains offer a bit of a challenge. It is hard to fit massive in a view finder.

Okay, it is time to call it quits--for now. In the morning early we will pull in the slides, hook on, and hit the highway. Destination--Omaha, Nebraska. It's a "storm" already in progress. The adjusters working it are a little "behind" and hubby has been assigned the task of helping them "catch up." We've been told it will be a very short assignment. There's no such thing as job security in this business, but I'm staying positive. Two weeks of work is better than two weeks of unemployment! Thank you Lord!

I may not get a chance to post the rest of my pictures for a few days since we are relocating, changing time zones, and all that jazz. But check back soon. I'll do my best.

Because Life Doesn’t Always Go According To Plan ... Mini Blog Tour

2010-06-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

Once again I'm lending blog space to another author who is promoting her book. Check back tomorrow for more about the book, but for today, enjoy this interview with author and teacher Debbie Taylor Williams.

Soon I will also be posting my own review of her book The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World.

About the Author:

Debbie Taylor Williams is the founder of Hill Country Ministries, an organization dedicated to spreading God’s Word and ministering to women. Best known as a passionate biblical expositor, Debbie uses humor and practical illustrations to communicate spiritual truths to women throughout the nation. She is the author of Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, Prayers of My Heart, and other books. She and her husband make their home in Kerrville, Texas. Learn more by visiting her popular Web site: www.debbietaylorwilliams.com

Interview Questions:

1. Your book focuses on living the Plan A life God designed specifically for you. What encouragement can you give for the woman who feels she's lived far too long on Plan B? Is there hope?

With God nothing is impossible! The Spirit who moved over the surface of the deep and created light and life is the same Spirit who abides in every believer. We can live the Plan A life God has for us because Christ lives in us and He is our hope of glory. Col 1:2

2. In your book you talk about hazardous landmines. What are a few common landmines women fall into?

Bitterness, discouragement, being fixated on the past, fear, feeling shaken by our circumstances, having expectations of how others should act are but a few of the land mines we can experience in a Plan B world. Left unattended, these land mines can cause devastating harm to us and others. God's Plan A is not for us to ignore these land mines, nor is it His plan for us to tip toe around them. Rather, He directs us to address and de-mine them. When we do, we can walk in bold assurance, confident of the ground upon which we walk. We're able to carry out the good works and plans God has for us; those that bring purpose and joy.

3. Talk about your P.R.A.Y. conferences and how women can learn more about your prayer ministry.

April 2, 2008 God woke me up at 4 a.m. and told me that I wasn't doing all that He wanted me to do. He then directed me to one of His Plans for my life: to take the principles from my book, Pray with Purpose — Live with Passion, to a church in every state in the United States. He told me to waive my speaking fee and travel expenses; that He had freely given me the keys to prayer that can change women's lives; and that I was to freely take them to my sisters. P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference was birthed as a ministry of my non-profit ministry. It has been a joy to see God powerfully open doors through women who hear about the conference and pass the word to their women's ministry leader or event planner. Women are coming to salvation. Spiritual breakthroughs and repentance is taking place among believers. A "pink hearts" club is spreading across America, one composed of women and men who come forward and receive a heart on which they write how God has spoken to their hearts. And God is speaking. If I haven't been to your church/state, contact lauren@debbietaylorwilliams.com ministries, call toll free 888.815.9412, or visit my web site for more information www.debbietaylorwilliams.com

4. In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I love being with my husband. Whether we go for a walk, watch the sunset, take a hike in the country, travel, play golf (sort of...I'm a beginner :), or go for a drive and breakfast on Saturday mornings, he's my honi and love of 35 years. Our two adult children and their spouses are so much fun to be with; as is our 17 month old grandson. Family, friends, sharing the Lord - for what more could we ask?
More to come tomorrow....

You mean it's not all about ME? and other stuff

2010-06-16T17:20:00.004-05:00

No I didn't get lost. I've just not been at the keyboard much the past several days. See, I have this "condition"--dry eye--and it has really been bothering me. It has been so bad that blinking has caused me real pain. (Not fake pain) So I've avoided the computer because staring at a computer screen for hours makes my condition worse. Today, though, I gave in, put some gooey drops in my winkers, and here I am.

Let me see--(easier said than done with these drops in my eyes) I think in my last post I told you we were going to relocate. And we did. Hubby found a mobile home/RV park that had one RV space available, so we took it. We are in Gillette now.

The view out my back window is not the baby mountain I had before. No, it is quite different.

I think I'm looking at the back side of a power company. The other day I watched a big set of claws unload a truck full of high line posts. Transformers, spools of wire, and a bunch of stuff I can't identify rest just beyond a drainage ditch and vacant lot behind our spot. See, I told you we aren't on vacation.

We are also located just a few dozen paces from a ...

Gillette is a coal mining town. So several times a day, (and night) coal trains, along with regular freight trains, come and go and come and go and come and go and... Well, you get the picture. Too bad I can't post sound here too. WOO WOO!!!! DING DING DING DING!!! WOOOO WOOOOO!!!!!

It's not all bad though. The move enables hubby to get an extra hour of sleep every morning, gets him home and hour earlier every night, and saves us several dollars in fuel costs each day. I've got a whole bunch of sparrows that will eat an entire feeder full of food in a single day. And God knows I need a little entertainment sometimes, so today, this guy wandered into town.

He seemed a little lost and confused. I could tell he felt out of place, but I thanked the Lord for sending him for my enjoyment and took his picture. I hope he made it back out to the open countryside without encountering a car or truck.

This morning visitor made me think. (Yes, here I go again.)

In your adventure of following the Lord, have you ever felt like a wild buck stuck in the middle of a busy town? Did you wonder what in the world you were doing there? Did you think that because you were so frightened or lost or felt so out of place that surely you had missed God's direction or call on your life?

Did you ever stop to think that maybe outside your security and comfort zone where God placed you was not all about His plan for you but about His plan to bless someone else? And maybe, just maybe, He wanted to do that through you?

I'm going to try to keep this deer in mind the next time I'm a bit uncomfortable in the place God puts me. If I start to whine, and cry and complain, you can remind me that it's not all about me. Just remind me with love, okay?

Okay, now on to the other stuff.

Sunday hubby didn't work. It poured rain here all day and he usually tries to take some time off on Sunday anyway, so it worked out great. We loaded up in the truck and headed for a place that some of you might think was named for me. But it wasn't. Crazy Woman Canyon. There is more than one legend in these parts about the Crazy Woman...I'll let you do the research for yourself. Just keep in mind, I'm not her! (You might think differently if you'd been with me as I tried to take pictures on our drive through the canyon.)

Our drive took us through some of the most beautiful ranch land I've ever seen in my whole life. And, being that I'm a ranch girl from Texas, I've seen a LOT of pretty ranch land. Honestly, I saw so much beauty my eyes could hardly take it all in. Rolling hills, mountains, canyons, creeks, ponds, wild life, domesticated animal, ...

I'll try to keep my narration down to a minimum so you can just enjoy the pictures. (Which by the way, can't even begin to do to the scenery justice at all.) For this part of my bold adventure, you are going to need to put your chair in front of your opened freezer/refrigerator, get out a bag of frozen peas and place it on the back of your neck, and have someone spritz you with a water bottle ever now and then because it was a cool and rainy day.

I didn't get to see the animal that left this pile behind, but I used all my detective skills and sound reasoning and determined it must have been an elk. These "pills" were too big to have come from a deer.

It seemed as if you could almost pluck the clouds from the sky and eat them as cotton candy.

I'm sure you've noticed the snow. Hubby and I had a little discussion as to whether it was freshly fallen or still melting in the spring thaw.

I finally conceded when we saw snow still resting on top of the branches and fence posts. Yes, it had snowed the night before we took our drive. At somewhere over 8,000 feet in elevation, it was cool. (Hubby thought it was COLD.)

But he's not a woman trapped in the purgatory of mid-life. What does he know? I called the day "crisp."

As we entered Crazy Woman Canyon, we saw a sign that said downhill traffic should give right-of-way to uphill traffic. I thank the good Lord that we didn't meet anybody going uphill! I honestly don't know where downhill traffic was supposed to pull over and let anyone by! I kept making poor hubby stop in the middle of the road so I could get out and take pictures. He was very patient with me but I'm sure that before we got out of the canyon he was sure The Crazy Woman was in the truck cab with him.

Okay, okay, okay...I see you squirming in your seat and the peas have lost their cool. You know the crazy woman took way too many pictures...I won't force you to look at all of them. After all, it's not all about me. ;)

We are NOT on vacation picture post

2010-06-08T21:58:00.003-05:00

I promised to show you a little bit of South Dakota (Black Hills) and a tad bit of Wyoming Grass land. Here are a few pictures I snapped when we went for printer paper. Some are just what I saw from I-90 and some are from the other road--the wrong turn--remember?
While you look at these, (if you are one of my sweet friends that live south of the Mason Dixon Line) you will need to sit near an AC vent so you can have a better idea of what it is like here.

This one was taken from a spot that is just a little over two miles from a location where part of the movie Dancing With Wolves was filmed.

There would have been a lot more scenic photo opportunities had we taken the time to explore a little more, but we were in a hurry--had to get that printer paper and get back to work!

Yippee Ti Yi Yo

2010-06-05T15:21:00.002-05:00

Get along little dogies! Yep we made it to Wyoming safely on Tuesday afternoon.

I have been somewhat droopy and brain dead ever since. It's the time zone issue I think. We are now on the far east side of the mountain time zone. Even though we "gained an hour"--gaining usually bothers me less than losing an hour--I still feel all mixed up. The sun comes up really early because we are on the eastern side of the zone and because we are so far north. (This time of the year the north pole is leaning toward the sun...thus making for LONG days.)

I'm still trying to get a new routine worked out. I don't know why I bother...really! We are planning to relocate again tomorrow. Okay stop laughing. I know it sounds crazy, but let me explain.

The town where hubby is working is Gillette, WY. It is a "boom town" of about 20,000 people with only two RV parks. Both of them are managed by ~~very rude~~ unfriendly people, and they are both, um, well, let's just say they are NOT RESORTS! The worst part is that neither place really wanted to rent to us because they are expecting a bunch of pipeline workers in at the end of the month and they wanted to save their spots for those workers. Now I'm thinking my money should be just as good as the next fellow's, but I guess I am wrong.

We stopped almost 70 miles short of Gillette in Sundance and set up camp in a park that appears to have been, at one time, a KOA. It is nothing special, but it is clean, quiet, and the managers are very nice and friendly. They were happy to rent us a spot--but come August (if we are still here) when the bikers come rolling in for the big rally in Sturgis, SD, the lady says they are always "booked full".

Hummm. Bikers and pipeline workers. It all sounds like more "fun" than I want to have. I've never seen too many bikers, babes, or backhoe operators hanging out at the library, so when I need to get out of the house, maybe that's where you'll find me. (Since I DO try to stay out of trouble when we are so far from home, and since you might not want to see pictures of all the fun you're missing.)

Anyway, hubby is having to commute an hour each way every day to work. That is costly in fuel as well as time. It is always nice for him to be able to live and work in the same place. He has found a mobile home park in Gillette where he thinks we can stay. It won't have the conveniences of a campground such as Wi-Fi, swimming pool, or laundry room, but it will save us a lot of time and a little money in the long run. So the plan at this moment is to relocate tomorrow. It will be short trip.

(You know, I'm so sad I'll miss the bikers and their "mama's".)

I thought I'd better show you some pictures before I move on down the road.

Because we didn't get a chance to sight see in Mississippi, I just HAD to take a picture of something in that area...
So here is some sort of monument that is actually in Tennessee. We passed it every time we went in to Memphis to church.

I thought it was cool. As you drive past, the thing seems to change color. I have to tell you, it looks cooler driving past than it does walking around it. That's why I took 10 pictures of it...trying to get the same affect as when we sped past it going 70 mph. Oh well, guess you had to be there.

It hasn't been that long ago that we were on the road, so I didn't want to show you more pictures of bugs splattered on the windshield, but rest assured, we had plenty of them.

I did snap this out the window as we whizzed by. We traveled across South Dakota on I-90 just skirting The Bad Lands.

We passed every exit to every attraction in the area including Mt. Rushmore, but we did stop at Wall Drug and walked around just to stretch our legs a bit. Hubby even took time to scratch a buffalo.

Now here are some pictures from my vantage point here at the RV park. This first one is the little mountain I see out my big "living room" window.

And here is the mountain I see out my door. We've had a lot of beautiful clouds and some rain.

An occasional iris dots the bank behind our RV. You know I can't pass up a photo op with a pretty flower.

Some evenings have been quite cool. So cool I had to warm my toes by our fake fire.

On Wednesday we had to go to Wal-Mart (our closest one is 30 miles away in South Dakota) to get some printer paper and file folders. We took a wrong turn *wink wink* when we got to town that took us through a small part of the Black Hills National Forest. I took my camera!

Oh dear, look at the time! I must go now. I I have a bit of packing up to do for our move tomorrow, and the hamper is full again! You'll just have to wait to see the pictures I took on our way to Wal-Mart. I'll post them soon!

Memorial Day--Consider yourself blessed

2010-05-31T09:27:00.003-05:00

blessed - highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

If you went to church at the church of your choice yesterday, you are blessed.

If you went to bed last night without concern or fear that your sleep would be disturbed by bomb blasts or foreign invaders, you are blessed.

If you woke this morning with the security and peace of knowing that you can travel about the country if you choose, or sit at home if you choose, or work hard if you choose...you are blessed.

If you have clean water to drink and there is no sewage in the street in front of your house, you are blessed.

If you are enraged by something you read in your local paper and you know you have the right to write a letter to the editor, stating your opinion and beliefs, and you write that letter without fear of harm or persecution, you are blessed.

If you voted, or even had the opportunity to vote in the last election, you are blessed.

I could go on and on...and if you live in The United States Of America, YOU ARE BLESSED!

May we never take that blessing for granted. May we never forget that with our freedoms come responsibilities. May we always acknowledge the fact that the God of the universe bestows these blessings upon us. And may we never, ever, forget the men and women who have sacrificed so much, who have been the tools in God's hands, that have made such wonderful blessings a reality.

Thank you, men and women, husbands and wives, children, parents...for your sacrifices. May God bless you, and may we all live so that we might, in clear conscious pray, God, bless America.

Picture Project

2010-05-30T12:03:00.002-05:00

I stayed very busy this last week. So busy I let taking pictures every day slip my mind. I did take a few and I'm happy to share them. I'm in a hurry to schedule this post so I can get to bed, therefore, I didn't take time to edit. Please forgive me.

This picture was actually from a week or more ago. I forgot to post it back then, but it just looks so cool and yummy, I couldn't pass it up. Too bad you weren't here...I would have cut you a piece of angel food, spooned on some fresh berries, and plopped on the whipped cream.

Last Sunday EZ DAZE had a cookout. I think it was a pre-memorial day even. Hamburgers, hot dogs, some pot luck, mingling, and entertainment--a nice break from the mundane.

One day I cooked turkey stakes on the grill. Marinated in a garlic and her marinade, grilled over a hot flame, oh they were moist and yummy.

Every morning this week when I stepped outside, there were diamonds on the grass. Sparkling in the sun, dew drops fascinate me.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I did a lot of laundry this week. Or at least it seemed like I did. I had to get into the "penny jar" to find enough change to do all my loads.

Counting and rolling pennies. My life is always such an adventure!

I spent almost an entire day constructing a super simple dress that, according to the instruction sheet, was supposed to take an hour to put together. I knew I would wear it a lot, sitting around the camper in this humid Mississippi heat. And now...I'm on my way to northern Wyoming. (I know you can't see me, but I'm rolling my eyes, big time.)

I think my next sewing project might need to be a jacket.

I'm SO dashing--AGAIN!

2010-05-29T23:58:00.001-05:00

Do you remember that old song that went something like...

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand...*

Ya just never know about tomorrow. That could be our motto, for here we are, packing up the rig to hit the road again. No, we are not finished here in Mississippi. Not by a long shot! We are not ready to move on, but seldom are we given a choice.

Yes the phone rang again. This time it wasn't a person from the deployment office on the other end, but someone "higher up" on the order giving ladder. The short version of this story is--few adjusters are licensed in the state of Wyoming. My hubby is. So when the company needs an adjuster in no man's land and no one else is able or willing to go, guess who they call. My man the team player.

At the moment, we are feeling a bit like the batter who has to make that sacrificial bunt, putting himself back on the bench so another player can score a run. We are leaving a really nice campground, really nice people, a really nice church, and wonderfully profitable claims to ~~drive~~ dash over 1300 miles into the middle of nowhere to work claims that may or may NOT be profitable for us.

Every time we roll up the awning and pack away the clutter making ready to relocate, I get a little queasy feeling. It's that part about tomorrow, like the old song says, which is so uncertain, that makes my tummy turn flips. It's skies may turn to gray, or it may bring me poverty, or it's path might lead through flame or flood. Who wants to go to bed thinking about waking up to that kind of a day?

This adventure I'm on takes a pretty good measure of faith. More faith than I can scrounge up on my own. It's a mind bender. I rely on God to give me the faith I need to trust God. He is both the giver and receiver of my faith. That's a thought I can spend a good bit of time churning over and over in my mind. (I'll have something to think about for the next three days on the road.)

Today I told a friend that I have a long list of "whys" and "what fors" that I want to talk over with God someday. But for now, I'll be content knowing that His presence goes before me and I'm covered with His blood. Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

*I Know Who Holds Tomorrow by Ira Forest Stanphill

It's my story--in pictures

2010-05-23T23:57:00.001-05:00

It seems like I've had a busy week, but I don't know why it seems that way. I didn't do anything unusual or out of the ordinary. I'm amazed that I feel so busy yet didn't accomplish anything--besides wash and dry a few loads of laundry, carry out a half dozen bags of garbage, vacuum, scrub the toilet, cook, wash lots of dirty dishes over and over and over and...you know...all that domestic goddess kind of stuff.

Oh wait! I've jumped ahead a couple of days. Let's back up to last Sunday, May 16. Over a week has passed and still no refrigerator. Well, not a WORKING refrigerator. I had spent about $10 on ice to keep $4 worth of milk, my beloved cream cheese, and three packages of lunch meat cool. That's why when I saw this...
I almost cried. Yes boys and girls, that is ICE! Our neighbors dumped precious, pricey ice out on the ground to let it melt in the sun. I thought about running out and scooping it up, but I didn't.

What stopped me?

First of all, I knew the neighbors would see me, and I thought I might look pretty pathetic. I hate looking pathetic. And secondly--remember last week when I went around the campground taking pictures? Well, one of the other residents of the park (I won't mention any names because the lady is now my friend and I don't want her to think I'm picking on her. You know who you are. *wink wink*) was a little concerned about my strange and somewhat suspicious behavior. I think maybe she reported me to the campground managers as someone they should keep an eye on. All I needed was for another resident to tell the managers I was picking up melting ice from the ground and washing it off with my tears. I'd be writing this post from a padded cell somewhere.

Instead of letting my neighbors see me gathering their discarded ice, I let them watch me take a picture of it. We've not been evicted yet! Yeah, I'm surprised too.

Monday was a wonderful and glorious day! Early in the morning I called the traveling RV repair guy to see if he had any encouraging words about the part to fix my nonfunctional refrigerator. YES! My job was on his list of things to do that day!!!!

It was quite an ordeal. Everything including the shelves had to come out, the handles taken off, the whole thing pulled out and placed face down in my floor, a half a gillion screws removed, and the entire back side of it pried off.

Can you see, in the upper right corner of this photo, the bright spot of daylight? When he pulled the thing out, it left a big opening to the outdoors. Y'all remember I'm in Mississippi, right? And this time of year, Mississippi is warm--very warm. And humid. Monday was very VERY humid.

(I'm telling you about the weather just so you can have a realistic sense of my adventure...you know, all that dashing and bold stuff.) Anyway, it was hot and humid, and while the guy was removing all the screws and prying the old cooling unit off, I shut off the AC in the camper because by now all the neighbor's ice was melted, so I saw no need in trying to cool the outdoors.

After the repairman got it all taken apart and some old goopy stuff scraped off and wiped up, (which took a good bit of time) he was ready to start putting it back together with the new part. But then he noticed--he needed a new tube of the goopy stuff he had just scraped off and that tube wasn't included in the box with the new cooling unit. (Apparently it was supposed to be there but was missing.) So, he had to "run to the shop for just a minute" to get a tube he knew he had on hand.

OOoooKAAAYY!

Meanwhile...

With a gaping hole to the outdoors, temperatures in the high eighties with humidity levels equal to or above the temperature, my "ice box" and I waited. While I waited, I wondered...Is this the dashing part or the bold part?

In the end, the repair was completed, I had dinner out one more night, and 24 hours later, my refrigerator was cold. I HAD ICE! Oh glorious day!!!

The rest of the week just kind of rocked along.

These little finches came to my feeder. I've had cow birds and starling too. The cow birds made a mess with the seeds, scooting them from the feeder to the ground, and the starling are just ugly, mean, and rude.

Did you know that if you smear a ~~little dab~~ a big chunk of cream cheese on top of a granola bar, you will have a very yummy breakfast?

Once the refrigerator and freezer finally got good and cold, we headed to the grocery store. It was with mixed emotions I made my purchases. It was good to know I had food in the camper, but that also meant that I had to start cooking again. No more dinners out.

I get a kick out of the regional foods found in the markets. Just to name a few--New England stores have Whoopie Pies, North Carolina stores have Cheerwine, and in the deep south you find green tomatoes. Good and tart, ready to slice and fry.

Every evening, about dusk, hubby and I try to take a walk around the RV park. There are about five or six killdeer that hang out here. They are so cute. I love to watch them. They are some of my favorite little birds. It's not easy to get their picture because they don't like to sit still for very long, and when they move, they run fast. This photo turned out a bit blurry so I played with it in edit mode. Call it art rather than a bad photo, okay?

I don't know what happened Saturday, but obviously I was SO busy working SO hard that I forgot to take any pictures. (That's my story, and as long as my park resident neighbors don't tell on me, I'm sticking to it.)

Discipleship and crumbs in my cream cheese

2010-05-19T15:26:00.003-05:00

I'm not a neat freak. You want to know how I know? For starters, my flip flops are still under the chair I was sitting in when I kicked them off over an hour ago, and that's not where I am sitting now. But the whereabouts of my shoes isn't what started me to thinking about my issues with tidiness. It was this.

I think a section of heaven must be made out of cream cheese. Oh yes, I love cream cheese! When I eat cream cheese, I mean really ENJOY cream cheese, I pull open the package and dig right in. I don't try to be neat or orderly, clean or sophisticated. I dig, gouge, and scoop my way to sheer bliss. No need to waste time removing it from the foil, cutting even slices or anything like that. No sirree. Life is short!

While I was digging in my little hunk of heaven the other morning during breakfast, some granola crumbs from the knife stayed stuck in the cheese.

From out of nowhere thoughts of my mother flashed through my mind. She is a neat freak. One look at my cream cheese would have her twitching. As long as I've lived and known my mother I don't think I've ever seen a crumb in her cream cheese, in her butter, or even left on the counter longer that a split second. My mother wouldn't eat cream cheese right out of the foil in the first place, much less dig it out so unevenly and leave crumbs behind.

I thought, as I ate, about how different my mother and I are. Oh, I look a lot like her, but in so many areas, neatness being a big one, we are very, very different. I wondered why.

Again, a lightning bolt thought--Lavonda, you are not her disciple.
Wow! Where did that come from? (I love it when the Holy Spirit joins me for breakfast.)

If you look the word disciple up in the dictionary, you are probably going to find:

disciple--noun--follower

That's a pretty dull definition. It is also an insufficient definition.Pull out a Lexical Aid and you'll see a disciple follows, yes, and a disciple learns from her teacher, yes, but a true disciple puts those things she learns into practice in her own life. She applies what she knows.

My mother was diligent in teaching me how to be neat, clean, and tidy. She taught me that crumbs in the butter or cream cheese are not good. I know how to completely unwrap cream cheese, place it on a plate, and slice (with a clean knife) off only what I need at the time. I learned and I learned well.

I JUST DON'T DO IT!

No, I'm not my mother's disciple. The life changing question is...

Whose disciple am I? I'm I a disciple of Christ? Do I learn from Him, follow Him, and do I put the things I've learned into practice in my own life? Do I LIVE the life of my teacher, master, and Lord?

Becoming a disciple is not something I can do once and then mark it off my list of things to do. Being a disciple requires me to actively apply the teaching of Jesus Christ to my life, my actions and attitudes, every single minute of every day.

Let me tell you, I'm trying. I know I fail from time to time. Sometimes I'm aware when I mess up and sometimes I'm not, but I have a feeling that from now on, every time I eat cream cheese, right out of the foil wrapper, I'll have Company for breakfast and He will help me see and get past my points of failure.

What about you? Are you someone's disciple? Are you a disciple of Christ? Please leave comments and share your thoughts on discipleship.

Week of ups and downs

2010-05-16T21:59:00.002-05:00

It's a good thing I like adventure. Uphill climbs and downhill slides. Hard days and easy days...or is that EZ DAZE?

This is our current home away from home. It's a nice RV park and I like it here. I'll show you around in a minute, but first, let me ask you...What's wrong with this next picture?

If you guessed the door is open and the light is not on you got it right. There is a very wrong odor in there too, but you couldn't tell that from the picture could you? (Be thankful!) Our refrigerator went on the fritz while we were on the road last week so when we arrived here, things were thawed and warm. As of today, I've been over a week without ice, cold drinks, and the pleasure of unspoiled food.

The part of the refrigerator that makes it a refrigerator and not just an insulated storage hole leaked a bunch of yellow gunk...oh never mind. I'll not bore you with the details. If I think about it too much I get grumpy.

After a few days of almost 80 degree temperatures inside my insulated storage hole, I decided to throw out the molded lettuce, wilted carrots, and this whole carton of eggs. It was obvious that the vegetables needed to go, but the eggs looked perfectly fine. I was concerned, though, about how one might smell if I cracked it open. Would it stink up the place worse than it already smells?

Then my brain went on a bunny chase. These eggs are a lot like people. They look perfect on the outside, but you can't tell what they are like on the inside, if they are good or rotten, until they are broken. Maybe that is why God so often finds it necessary to break us. It's just a thought.

Anyway, I've called an RV repair guy, he has ordered the part, it has been shipped (supposedly) and I'm waiting, as patiently as I can, for a call telling me he that he is on his way to install it. I'll keep you posted.

In the mean time, I'm keeping a few country style pork ribs and some lunch meat cool in this little 12v cooler. (The water bottle is there as a reference so you can see how big the cooler is NOT.) And I bought a couple of these shelf stable meals.

That dinner looks pretty good in the picture on the package, but when you open it up...

The first bite was a bit disappointing. By the third bite I was wondering if I could make myself take the fourth bite. When I stabbed a BIG blob of something that was the color chicken breast (this was supposed to be a beef meal) but the texture of soft tofu, I fished the cardboard packaging out of the trash. I read the list of ingredients. No tofu. EWWWWWW! I pitched all the remaining bites, and the eggs, here.

You can tell a lot about a campground by it's dumpster. If the area around the dumpster is this clean and neat, you can pretty well count on the rest of the place being well kept.

I've visited this area of the RV park several times. It is a covered patio complete with rocking chairs, BBQ grills and picnic tables. Notice the ice machine. Yeah, I come here for the ice. I've spent $8 on ice to keep $4 worth of milk cold.

Adjoining the patio is the pool,

and at the end of the pool is the hot tub inside that little building. The pool sure feels good on a hot, humid Mississippi afternoon.

Can you see the third rig on the left? The Silverado? That's us. I tote my dirty clothes down this little street...

to the super clean laundry room. The take-a-book-leave-a-book library is in that filing cabinet.

I've already spent a good bit of time here, and I wasn't reading.

One of my favorite places in the park is here.
Every weekday morning one of the staff members leads a short prayer and devotional time. All camp residents are invited to attend. It is a great way to start the day and a great place to meet like minded people and make new friends.

Meet our new friends! The Walkers. God is so good. Not only did He provide us with work, He also put us in a nice place with some really nice people. Sadly, our new friends left for their home this morning, but I intend to keep in touch.

There ya go, a summary of our first week back to work in Mississippi. It has been a really good week, and I'm praying for many more.

If you get an urge to tour Graceland, sniff a magnolia blossom, or just enjoy a few EZ DAZE, come visit us. I'll be happy to offer you some room temperature water and a shelf stable Hormel dinner!

More Points of Interest

2010-05-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

I'm still playing and working on my remodel. Did you notice I posted something under the "Your Host" tab? That section probably won't change much, but I thought I'd add a little more info about myself just in case you are a new reader and you want to get to know me. If not, no big deal. Unless you are kind enough to leave a comment, I'll never know whether you read it or not.

Here are some more buttons and links to more cool blogs out there. If you want your button or link here, leave a comment and your URL so I can come over and visit you. If I like what I'll see, I'll gladly list you as one of my Points Of Interest!

Please visit the other places on all my POI posts. I think you'll agree it is time well spent. And keep checking back as I will ad more POIs as I discover new places visit.

Week Three Continued

2010-05-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

The flatness of the Texas Panhandle is accentuated at sunset. We were still a few hours from home when the sun left our sky. At this exact moment, it looked as if we were going to drive straight into the giant ball of fire. One of those "wow" moments. Any minute I thought the entire sky might burst into flames.

When you spend a lot of time whizzing, or should I say DASHING down highways, you get a few of these.

Yuck!

And when you spend days at a time doing all that dashing, the world just kind of whizzes by your window and life becomes a blur.

I think I should title this photo Reflections. I was playing with all the fancy settings on my camera that I don't know what they are for or how to use them and what I came up with is almost creepy. Yes the world is whizzing by yet my lap (which you can see reflecting in the truck window) remains motionless. Check out the rear-view mirror. In the little part you can see the truck and where we've been while in the larger piece of glass you can see me holding the camera plus the air vent that is in the dash. The photo is just a mess but I find it an interesting mess. Oh, and by the way, just in case you were wondering, I WANTED the trees to look blurry, so I guess I succeeded. Now if only I could remember how I used those camera settings to do that!

I-40 between Amarillo and where we were bound is not very exciting. We've traveled that stretch of highway more than a few times. I usually nap or read because I'm not too interested in the scenery. It's not very picture worthy...except when...

you pass some trucks hauling a bunch of chickens. I don't know why I think a semi-truck full of chickens is funny, but I do. A truck full of cows? Not funny. But chickens? Okay, so I laughed out loud at the poor birds and their feathers flapping in the wind. Report me to PETA! I'll turn myself in after I have lunch at KFC.

We didn't have time to stop at KFC for lunch after all. Here is our convenient store lunch, "to go." The grace I whispered over this meal ended with, "and please protect our innards. Amen." (That might be a bit like jumping from the roof of a five story building and praying you don't break any bones when you land, but I said it just the same.)

Mine was the green tea, the mushy grilled chicken tortilla thing that was wrapped in the foil, and the Sun Chips. Rick had the half gallon of soda, the fried what-ever-it-was in the red paper bag and the wonderfully garlic flavored oily bag of Gardetto's.
His is the very skinny, even bony thigh you see in this photo. Mine was the ~~fat~~ less bony one in the reflection picture. Proof there is no justice in this world!!!!

After a while, when you spend too much time dashing, you have to stop and wash the windshield. I think we hit more than just a few bugs along the way. Or did they hit us? It's one of life's great debates.

Double YUCK!

And here we are...

...arrived! This is our "outdoor living area." Hey, I'm not complaining! This place has a pool, a hot tub, paved roads, concrete patios,...and it doesn't even call itself a resort!

Week Three Project 365

2010-05-10T22:36:00.000-05:00

This last week was crazy. I have no idea if I took a picture every day and I might have taken a dozen one day. Many days ran together--days and days on the road have a tendency to do that. I'll try to remember which days which pictures represent, but forgive me if I get a little confused and just enjoy my photos anyway.

Sunday we took my parents to Altus, OK to see the AF air show. I love air shows. I could become an air show groupie. The Air Force Thunderbirds put on a good performance. The airmen did a remarkable job in the pre-flight display and drill as well.
In the photo below can you see the heat off the engines?

Those birds are WAY up there and notice you are seeing the tops of the planes. That means they were flying upside down at that moment.

There were other planes there besides the Birds, but I've lost some of those pictures some how. Possibly due to a bad SD card or human error. Geezzzzzz.

There's a good look at the bird painted on the bottom of that machine of thunder!

I honestly can't remember what all I did Monday. I think I was busy packing and doing laundry, so I guess I never thought about taking any pictures. The rest of the week was pretty much a blur. We drove from Amarillo to San Antonio on Tuesday, spent Wednesday in San Antonio, and then Thursday was the day we drove from SA to Houston then all the way back to Amarillo again. Friday and Saturday we spent driving from Amarillo to Southaven, Mississippi. Buckle your seat belt and hang on...here we go!

A long journey is hard on a body and you've got to keep up your strength. Thank goodness there are DQ dipped cones just for that purpose!

Have you ever driven through the Texas Hill Country during the spring? OH MY GOODNESS! So much eye candy, and it even smells petty nice too! The wildflowers have been so pretty this year.

Texas Bluebonnets make me smile.

Yeah, you know where this is...The River Walk, San Antonio, Texas.

to be continued...

How are you?

2010-05-10T15:17:00.001-05:00

I'm behind. Traveling always throws me off my not too regular routine and messes up the schedule I don't have and couldn't keep if I had it. That's why I'm behind. I've been traveling. It's the dashing part of my adventure.

Yesterday I missed posting my photos for the week past. I hope to get that done today, so check back.

We never got that call to go to Arkansas, so Thursday we headed toward Houston (from San Antonio) to see some of our kids. Forty miles from their apartment, hubby's phone rang. It was the deployment office. WOOO HOOO! (Thank you for praying!)

We were sad that we didn't get to see the kids, but we really need the work, so at the first exit we came to, we headed toward home to get the RV. (Incidentally, the next exit just so happened to be the exit we needed to take to get us on the right road home. I am always fascinated by quirky details and how God seems to always be in the middle of them.)

We got home somewhere between 11:00 and midnight and finally crawled in bed around 1:30 a.m. The wind howling and rocking the camper kept us awake until about 3:30 a.m. and my alarm went off at 6:15. Time lost importance at that point, and we simply did what we had to do so that we could be in Mississippi by Saturday. I love it when I hear Gee P. Ess, (That's the little lady my husband carries around, stuck to his windshield, that tells him where to go) announce, "You have arrived!"

And here we are in Southaven, Mississippi.

Hubby and I took some time yesterday to go to church across the border in the Memphis, TN area before Rick had to start working. We had the privilege of visiting New Hope Christian Church where Scott Greer is the pastor. We knew Scott as our pastor from a few years ago in Amarillo, Texas. It was good to see him again and the surprised look on his face when he saw my husband and me. We exchanged greetings, and when Scott shook my hand he asked, "Well, how are ya? Are you growing?"

I was flabbergasted! I don't think he was talking about my height or pant size. (Why ask about the obvious, right?) I don't believe anyone has ever asked me that before. And I'll go on to say that I doubt any person, besides maybe my parents, has ever been very concerned about my spiritual growth. I was so caught off guard, my words stumbled and fell roughly and senselessly out of my mouth. The usual and brainless response of , I'm fine, how are you, wouldn't answer his question. Who wants to lie to a preacher, and who wants to tell their former pastor, No I'm not growing--just stagnating?

Thankfully, Scott was gracious and took my stupid reply, which didn't actually answer his question, and chose not to press me farther. Maybe he should had though, ya think? That one little question, loaded like a double barrel shotgun, made me want to throw up my spiritual hands and beg for mercy. I'm afraid I might be caught too often in the act of religious rote, I'm sorry to say, with insufficient growth for notice.

What about you?

The next time you greet someone, will you care enough, or be bold enough to ask, "How are you doing? Are you growing?" And if someone asks the question of you, what will your answer be?

I think I'm going to have to get back to you on that one.

Tragedy or Hope?

2010-05-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

I saw something on the news last night that stirred me. (You know when I get stirred, I have to write about it, and you get to read about it, and hopefully get a little stirred too.)

Hubby and I were sitting in our motel room watching The Weather Channel (Is there any other channel to watch when we are needing work?) and they were giving a report about the big oil mess in our beautiful Gulf. The whole thing really saddens me because I'm kind of attached to the Gulf Coast. I've got some sweet friends and family who live a short drive from the beaches. I've played in the waters, enjoyed watching the waves, and LOVE to eat those big fat shrimp fished out of it. I'm praying for God to slow the flow of oil and lessen the damage.

But the tragedy of it all was not what stirred me. What woke the little hamster and got him to running on his wheel in my head was the part of the report that told how the clean up of the spill will give hundreds of people, unemployed people, jobs.

One man they interviewed talked about how he wanted to provide for his family and how excited he was for the opportunity to go to work in order to do that. He had filled out his application, and with a big smile said, "Now all I have to do is wait for a call."

Hundreds of people now have some hope because of a tragedy.

You may think I'm a bit twisted in my thinking, (that's okay) but it gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes. I am praising God and thanking Him for what is happening in our nation's wetlands. Yes, wildlife, animals are dying, and some shrimpers and fishermen are worrying and facing some hard times, but there are some folks in Louisiana that today have hope they didn't have a few weeks ago.

It's not that I have no sympathy for the fishermen. I do. I'm just saying that when I focus on the sovereignty of God, it stirs my spirit and humbles me. Over and over God seems to be showing me that what seems good may not always be good, so I should be aware and watchful. At the same time what seems bad is not always bad, so I should be encouraged and rest in Him and remember that He is God.

I can so imagine how the disciples must have felt when Jesus told them ahead of time about his death on the cross. How many of us could play the part of Peter here?

^{Mark 8:31}He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³²He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

Non of this sounded good--suffering, rejection, death--so it couldn't be God's will, right?

Do we ever understand the plans of God? Can we wrap our minds around what He is doing? Should we even try to "figure Him out"?

^{Mark 8:33}But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

I don't know about you, but that humbles me.

Peter heard the first part of what Jesus said, about rejection and death, but the last part either missed his hearing or his understanding, or both. I'm talking about the rising again on the third day part. The perfect plan, GOD'S perfect plan, seemed tragic! But in and through that earthshaking tragedy, God's MOST PERFECT plan was for hope. Eternal HOPE!

Who but God can bring such wonderful hope out of so much pain and suffering? No one. No, not one!

Today hubby is taking a re-certification class and we are on "stand-by" to go to Arkansas and work. Stand-by is no guarantee we will have work, but yes, we have a little hope produced by tragedy. If God blesses us with a deploy call, we will do what we can to be the hands of God and help someone else have hope out of their tragedy. If you have trouble bringing yourself to pray for a storm, you don't have to today. Just pray that our company will allow us to minister where a storm has already done it's do. ;)

Now I'm off to the mall--the one on the river. (San Antonio, TX) I'm going to take my camera, my pen, and my paper. I think it is going to be a nice day.

My Week Two Projcet 365

2010-05-02T15:22:00.119-05:00

We have a lot of noxious weeds. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT!Bindweed, thistle, and hundreds of others that I can't identify because I'm not a horticulturalist. We really should invest in Round-Up stock. It's a losing battle, but hubby continues to fight!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever wondered what the world would look like if you were a big bug?

Okay, maybe not. But if you were a big bug, your world might look something like this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And have you ever asked, how blue is the sky over Texas on a cloudless day?

It is exactly this blue. Yeah I actually took a picture of the sky.

Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday I had a really hard time finding inspiration and motivation for anything, including taking pictures.

But then the sun started slipping below the horizon.

It makes you want to sigh deeply, does it not?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meet Miss Prickles.

And say hello to Mr. Lizard. (Some call him a horny little toad.)

They meet. Their eyes lock and they are entranced. They have so much in common. With indescribable passion and lightening speed, he flicks his tiny tong and licks her--right on the mouth! (My shutter was not fast enough.)

I think these two will be changing their Faceook status very soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FOR RENT

Sturdy construction in good location

No credit check

Babies ~~and pets~~ welcomed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At two weeks old, chicken are a little...ummm...unattractive?
I love visiting my roots and the brooder house.

Encouragment through song

2010-05-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

I've been stressed lately because our current state of unemployment depletes our financial resources. No matter how hard I try not to listen to the nagging voice in the back of my mind, I can't seem to hear much except, "What are you going to do?"

I don't have all the answers, but this song reminds me that I have at least one option. I can MOVE!

I hope you enjoy this by Mercy Me, and I hope it picks up your spirits as much as it does mine!

I'm not about to give up

Because I heard you say

There's gonna be brighter days

I won’t stop, I’ll keep my head up

No, I'm not here to stay

There's gonna be brighter days

I just might bend but wont break

As long as I can see your face

(Chorus)

When life won’t play along

And right keeps going wrong

And I can’t seem to find my way

I know where I am bound

So I won’t let it drag me down

Oh, I'll keep dancing anyway

I'm gonna move (move)

I'm gonna move

I’ve got to hold 'er steady

Keep my head in the game

Everything is about to change

This hurt is getting heavy

But I'm not about to cave

Everything is about to change

There's gonna be brighter days

I just might bend but won’t break

As long as I can see your face

(Chorus)

No matter what may come

Gotta move to a different drum

No matter what life brings

Gotta move gotta move to a different beat (x2)

I just might bend but wont break

As long as I can see your face

(Chorus) x2

(Album available May 4th --The Generous Mr. Lovewell.)

Prayer Meeting

2010-04-30T11:41:00.003-05:00

I have started writing this post at least a half a dozen times, and I can't seem to get past the first sentence. How do I begin? What do I say? Do I really want to open myself up for...I've done this before and... It didn't go very well.

Some months ago, I wrote about how what seems good might not be good and what seems bad might not really be bad. I also wrote about praying specifically and honestly. I wrote about how sometimes those specific and honest prayers are not socially acceptable, and some of the reactions and responses I received served to prove my point. One comment from a person on a "Christian social site" (not here on my blog) accused me of praying for people to die so that I might have gain.

Whoa! Hang on a minute! I'd never do that.

Her remark does make me think though...If a mortician asks God to bless and profit his business, isn't he actually praying for... Ahem. Okay, let's not go there today.

Apparently I didn't do a very good job of expressing myself before. Yet here I am again, asking my readers to join me in prayer. Am I one half stupid and the other half dumb?

Before you answer that, I want you to know that I have taken to heart everything each of you said in your responses to my previous post. I've asked God to search my heart and show me if there is any wickedness or sinfulness in me and in my prayers. I'm certainly not without sin, but what He has shown me concerning my post is that I could have been a little more careful and precise in choosing my words, and also that no matter how I say something, there will be people who don't understand.

He reminded me that most people will only pray for those things they believe are good for them and their friends. That's only natural. I know it is difficult to pray specifically when you don't completely understand all the details of the situation. I now know better than to tell you I'm praying for a storm, but the best thing I know is that God hears my heart when I pray because of the work of the Holy Spirit--my interpreter. God never misunderstands! Hallelujah!!

Today I'm asking you to pray for us. Again, work (storms) has been scarce and the bank account is almost empty. Our need, as I see it, is great! Since God never misunderstands, and since I am trusting Him to answer all our prayers for His glory and our good (as only He knows good), you can pray just as specifically or generally as you like. If one of you wants to pray that money mysteriously show up in my mailbox, and another simply prays that we get work or that our needs be met, and someone else thinks we should give up and find a new career and you want to pray for God to give us guidance, that's all fine. If you feel a little bold and want to pray for a storm for us, then go for it! God can't be confused any more than He he can misunderstand.

I don't want you to think that I'm self-centered and care about only my needs. Not at all. I desire to see God move and show himself mighty in your life, just as much as in mine. I want to pray with and for all my readers. I want to have a good old fashioned prayer meeting, and here is how we can make that happen with a modern day twist.

If you don't have a blog, you can just post your prayer request as a comment here so I and all my readers can pray for you. Remember to subscribe to comments so you will know when other readers post and you can add them to your prayer list. If you do have a blog, feel free to comment, but also leave your prayer request in the linky tool below. Then, copy the code for this linky. Go to your blog and write a post about your need for prayer, and while in HTML editing mode, past the code. Be sure to put the name of your blog and your URL in the appropriate place. That way, all our blogs and prayer requests will be linked up and it will be easy for us to visit each other and pray for one another. Encourage your readers to join in and we will have a big, modern day prayer gathering! It'll be grand!

Let us encourage one another through the rough times in our lives. Let us rejoice together over what God is doing. Let us gather together and agree in asking God to meet out needs, guide us, teach us, and bless us--his children. LET US PRAY!

My Project Continued

2010-04-25T06:30:00.002-05:00

I just now realized that I'm going to have a problem coming up with titles for all my Project 365 posts. Especial for days like these last few. Life has definitely NOT been dashing and bold. Unless, of course, I drop a piece of mail on the way back from the mail box, and with the wind blowing like it does here, then I might be seen DASHING after it. But besides that, dull and uneventful sums up the end of the week.

Here are my dull and uneventful photos. (I'm only a week into this yearlong hobby and I'm already having a hard time finding something fun and exciting to capture.)

Hubby took this photo. Storm clouds building. We got just a quick sprinkle that barely wet the ground, but communities all around us experienced a little stormy weather complete with hail and tornadoes. Thankfully no serious damage was reported. (But if your livelihood depends on storm damage, you might be a little disappointed that more roofs weren't dinged up a little.) Yeah, we are needing work.

Can you see the windmill spinning? The last couple days the wind had been--well--down right horrible. I'm amazed sometimes that all our trees stay rooted. The wind triggers my allergies, so I cough and cough and ... I though you'd rather see a picture of the wind mill. (You're welcomed.)

We have three of these benches in our yard. Time and the elements have taken a toll. It is time for a little sprucing up. Above is the before photo and below is the after picture.

A little planing, a little slopping on of some tinted weather proofing stuff, a little wire brushing, a little spray painting...and wah-la! Good as new.

Today begins a new week, and it finds me hoping for answered prayers, encouragement, and yes, maybe even a little adventure.

I have WAY too much fun with my camera

2010-04-21T23:23:00.001-05:00

I've never been any good at following rules. I told you about this 365 picture thing. The meming group I agreed to join posts a week's worth of pictures on Sundays. Well, today was too picture perfect to wait until Sunday. And, just one photo wouldn't cut it for today either. Since I've already posted some photos, not knowing the rule about posting on Sunday, I decided, what the heck. I'd go ahead and wreck the rest of this week and try to do it right next week. How does that sound?

The weather was beautiful this morning (before the wind gusted up this afternoon) so we spent most of the day outside.

Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow seem to work building, or at least padding, their nest all the time. I keep thinking that one of these days, she is going to have to stop with the decorating and lay some eggs. The feather that is in her little beak came from the chicken coop next door.

I'm hesitant about showing you this next picture because it will give you an idea of how ~~strange~~, ~~eccentric~~, ~~weird,~~ unique I am.

For you see, when we first moved here eleven years ago, we had a few cacti and yuccas, so very native, growing on our acreage. Longing for the ranches I grew up on, I wanted to create a cactus bed to embrace the native vegetation. Once we had added more yucca and various kinds of cacti, I decided that the only thing missing from my arid landscape was some bones. You know, like you see in the movies? A cow, expired from hunger and thirst in the desert, and the bones picked clean by buzzards, was the scene in my mind's eye.

I've got some really fun parents. They are just as, um, unique as I, and they were happy to help me with my plan. Dad knew exactly where on the ranch they call home in Oklahoma, rested a complete cow skeleton, picked clean by buzzards. And my mom knew exactly where on a plot of land she owns, about 30 miles from my house, was a complete mule--long ago deceased and picked clean. I had hit the jackpot!

My precious parents brought all the bones from afar and helped me place them perfectly among the prickly pear and bear grass. I wish you could have seen it. I was so proud!

Now, eleven years later, stray dogs and coyotes have swiped a good portion of my cow and mule. The bones that remain were so out of arrangement that even I couldn't recapture the original scene. Bindweed and thistle have taken over, and just in case you were wondering, it is really hard to pull weeds from a cactus bed.

Now my little spot of native ranch land is nothing but a mess.

Today was the day to clean up that mess.

All our digging and raking brought this little desert dweller out of hiding.

You can't believe how many pictures I took of this lizard. He got sick of my fascination--all he wanted to do was warm himself on a rock!

The whole time we were working to clean out the bed, we enjoyed the songs of various birds--happy happy birds. Y'all KNOW how I like birds. These beautiful cedar waxwings flitted around in our trees all day, and I was filled with joy because of it. They are so cute!

So there ya go. At this rate, my Project 365 is going to be more like my Project 999. Oh well. Like I said, I have WAY too much fun with my camera!

Imaginary Jesus--Book Review

2010-04-20T22:25:00.002-05:00

So you think you know Jesus huh? What's he like? Does he talk to you? Have you ever chatted with him over a cup of coffee? Is he with you always? REALLY? What about the time your life fell apart and you were left completely devastated and alone--where was he then?

In Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos is in pursuit of Jesus, trying his best to follow him, but discovers it's not easy when Jesus is on the run! The Jesus Matt has been hanging out with might just be a figment of his own imagination. In his efforts to find the real Jesus, Matt encounters more than one--maybe even your--imaginary Jesus!

This hilarious journey will have you doing some soul-searching. Will you be able to recognize the real Jesus?

I enjoyed this book. I started reading with a little hesitation because I was not a big fan of The Shack, fiction, which attempted to give the reader a different perspective on God and the Trinity. I wasn't sure I was ready to tackle another half-truth half-fiction book about the person of Jesus Christ. I was pleasantly surprise with Imaginary Jesus.

With wit and a wonderful sense of humor, Matt uses fiction and his wild imagination to plant many questions and seeds of truth in the readers' minds. If you've ever wondered where Jesus was when you needed him most, this book will be a blessing to you.

Please watch this trailer for just a hint of the fun and adventure that awaits you in Imaginary Jesus.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review. This review is my honest opinion. A link to the trailer was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers. The title of this post is linked to Matt Mikalatos' web site if you would like more information.

Still more remodeling

2010-04-20T17:20:00.001-05:00

I'm still working on my blog new do. I've added a few more links to blogs I read--see that post under the POI link on my navigation bar.

Do you see that Group Tour link? That's where you are going to find any memes I take part in. What's a meme? I know some of you are VERY familiar with memes and others are wondering...

A meme is one of those things that "everybody" is doing. You know, one blogger writes about something or starts some project and other blog writers snatch the idea and do the same thing. I've never been one to follow the crowed, (though I did own a mood ring a long time ago) but sometimes, doing things with a group can be fun. There is one meme out there that is very popular, Project 365. It is so popular in fact that when I Googled it, I found it impossible to figure out where it originated.

The idea of Project 365 is to take and post a photo for every day of the year. A photo journal is the end result. My oldest daughter did it for a while and it looked like fun. So, I thought I'd give it a try.

You would think that the best time of year to start a project like this would be January, 1. Yeah, well, it took me a while to decided I really wanted to participate in this meme. So the next best time to start my picture-a-day hobby would be on the first of any given month, or at least on the first day of any week. Nope! I didn't do that either. Don't you know it is ~~weirder~~ more dashing and bold to plunge into the mainstream of blogging memes when the mood strikes? Yeah, that's me!

And to continue in my style of never following the crowd exactly, I didn't post my first few pictures daily. I'm posting them in a little bunch. From here on out, my desire it to post a photo a day, but I'm not making any promises. In little bunches may become my MO.

Either way, I hope you enjoy my photo journal, and if you want to join in, or if you already have a 365 project going, let's link up and have a snap-happy good time! But for now, here are pictures for days 1-5.

Friday we had rain, lots of rain. I'm not complaining. Rain here is always good. But look at our driveway. We really need to have something hauled in here to keep the mud under control. *sigh* But that something comes with a big price tag, so we slop around in the mud and are thankful for the rain.

Saturday we combined a bunch of our junk with my in-laws' discards and had a garage sale in Dumas. I appreciate their garage--we don't have one. We made a little cash (not enough to fix the driveway) but the best part was getting rid of stuff we no longer have use for. You'd be surprised what people will buy when it costs only a quarter.

Sunday after church we took advantage of the pretty weather and some of our garage sale cash. Marigolds are cheap and cheery. I love the birdbath. I hope the little birds will love it to.

Okay, so Sunday deserve two pictures. Or, maybe I couldn't make up my mind which one to post. This dahlia is in a pot and will travel with me when we are deployed and get to go back to work.

Monday I took care of several domestic issues. Laundry, laundry, and more laundry. Now someone tell me what is dashing and bold about that! I'm glad the machine did most of the work so I had time to take pictures!

Today has been, well, a lazy day. Cold, clouds, dampness, wind, and then finally a little sun. I've spent the whole day with computer activities. Sally took a good long nap. What a life!

I wonder what tomorrow holds?

Tea, Anyone?

2010-04-15T23:50:00.001-05:00

Today, April 15--tax day. Did you get yours done before midnight? I'm happy to tell you that I had all our paperwork to the CPA a long time ago. I got with it early because we needed the refund due us just to get buy for another month. No big purchases or splurging, not even any debt reduction. Just the necessities, and still I'm wondering how far I can stretch a dollar.

Not only was it tax day, but also Tea Party day. This evening the Amarillo Tea Party Patriots met to hear Sheriff Richard Mack, teach, give testimony, and encourage Americans to know, love, and live by the Constitution of the United States of America. And is it too much to ask the political powers in Washington, D.C. to do the same? (Please check out his web site through the link. You will be inspired and encouraged I'm sure.)

I was glad to see that this year the Tea Party folks have gotten past simply carrying signs of protest and complaining and moved into finding solutions to the problems we face. The solution is in our own beloved Constitution.

It was an enjoyable evening of entertainment and inspiration--somewhere between a pep rally and tent revival meeting.

Ed Montana used his talents to stir and entertain the crowed that numbered over 1000 people from all over the Texas Panhandle. Here is a catchy little number you might enjoy. Please excuse the one little bit of frank language--this IS Texas, after all.

I'm glad I spent the evening at the Tea Party. I ran into several old friends, some I have not seen in almost 30 years. It got me out of the house for a little while, and I walked way with a renewed sense of pride and appreciation. I'm still proud to be a Texan, and an American. This is STILL the greatest country in the world, and I appreciate all the patriots throughout our history who have protected and defended the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Now, it is time for this generation to become a generation of patriots and take a stand against tyranny--may our grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow old in the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

POI

2010-04-15T16:02:00.025-05:00

Blogosphere. That's a word that didn't exists until a few years ago. Here is how it is defined on the Wikipedia site. (And we all know if you read it there, it HAS to be right, right?)

The blogosphere is made up of all blogs and their interconnections. The term implies that blogs exist together as a connected community (or as a collection of connected communities) or as a social network in which everyday authors can publish their opinions.

I remember how my grandmother use to attend her weekly "club" meetings. Her club, or community of ladies, made quilts, chatted, formed friendships, helped each other, learned new and sharpened old homemaking skills, and...well I don't know everything they did. Her club was special to her, and even though I know her grandchildren were also special, we were never invited to attend "club" with her. That was her time to get dressed up, get out of the house, and get connected with women she knew as friends.

I wonder if any of those clubs even exist any more. Today we live in an age of social networking web sites, online chat rooms, instant messaging, and blogging communities. We call people friends whom we've never met. We chat without saying a word. We smile with colons and parentheses, and we display sadness the same way. Culture has shifted so that when a friend we don't really know has a less than positive status update on her web page (which is not really a page at all), we give virtual hugs and leave encouraging words in a comment box.

Today I'm not going to get into whether this change in how we function as community is good or bad. Though I will say that sometimes it makes me sad. My point is...that's how life is now. Like it or not, the blogosphere is "out there" and it is real. Sort of.

Not to be left behind--rocking on the porch while the rest of the world sits staring at computer screens trying to act like a community--I am part of that online group of worldwide bloggers.

Just like there were certain rules of etiquette that my grandmother followed when she went to her club meetings there are rules of etiquette among those who put their opinions out there on the web for the whole world to see. One of those rules is, share links and help promote another person's blog. Now don't ask me why we blog writers (most of us anyway) want the whole world to see our photos, know our likes and dislikes, and read our take on everything that happens in our lives, but we do. Somehow it is our way of trying to find like-minded people to build our virtual community.

When Edie over at Rich Gifts designed my new blog, I asked her to create a page called Points Of Interest or POI. These POI are places I like to visit, blogs I like to read or have found helpful. They are all part of a modern day virtual community. As I have time and discover new blogs I will add them so that you, my reader, can check them out for yourself. And if you like, you can read, leave comments, or whatever you want to do so that you will be part of the social group know as the blogosphere. So come back and check this page ever now and then for a new POI!

A Texas Aloha

Lliving Our Fairy Tale

Proverbs 30:2

Chick Chat

Losing Myself

Bakers' Blessings

Reflections

My Writing Loft

The Pioneer Woman

Guest Posts

2010-04-12T11:43:00.000-05:00

This material was posted previously on What's Up. I am posting it again on my new blog because the pages function differently there. If you missed these interviews before, then I hope you enjoy this material by guest authors.

Here you will find not my work or thoughts, but the words of other folks who have something to say. I hope you enjoy this page and feel free to leave your comments.

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Interview With K.M. Johnson

K.M., the title of your book is, Knowing The Struggle Is Over! which is very fitting for the current economic situation. I know some people may be wondering, though, what exactly is the struggle?

Honestly, I get that question often. The struggle is not your typical financial situation, or necessarily an addiction that I am speaking of. Though those are two great examples, a struggle is actually any situation, trial or tribulation you may find yourself in. When you find yourself in a struggle, it often means that you have come to a point where you must make a decision and ultimately a choice! I say this with the understanding that everything we do daily is a choice. Whether or not we say or do something is a decision that we as a person have consciously made on our own, regardless if it is wrong or right.

In your book you tell the reader that they can get through any struggle in just three steps! So what are these three steps?

The first step is to Stop Complaining. Now I must admit I did say you can get through your struggle in just three steps, but I never said it would be easy! ;) During this first step we are focusing on renewing our mind, and changing the way we view the things that are happening to us. Oftentimes, we become so caught up in the world around us that we forget about the God within us! The second step is to Let Go and Let God. For myself this was the hardest step. Mainly because I had NO idea what it meant to literally "Let Go and Let God!" Once I had an understanding, it became a natural sequence in restoring my faith in God in regards to my situation. The third step is to Acknowledge Him. Some may see that as easy and obvious, but how often do we "know" what to do and still we "don't" do it! You have to develop a major spirit of praise and give Him ALL of the glory for everything big and small. The noticeable things in our lives we always seem to give Him the glory, but God is truly in the details as well! When we begin to pay attention, and notice how He is moving and working in our lives, that is when we can truly praise Him! And a praise like that becomes a sincere and spirit filled praise! It's not forced, and you won't even have to second guess.

How did God lead you to writing this book?

It's funny and I talk about this at the beginning of my book, but at the beginning I received revelation on my drive home to Gulfport, Ms. from Houston, TX for Christmas. I was on I10 somewhere in Louisiana, and I began praying about my situation. As I finished praying, I remember thinking, "I should write a book." Now what is interesting is that not only did God impress upon me the strong desire to write a book, but He also gave me the title, and contents during that drive! By the time I had made it to my mother's house, I was so excited because I knew I was about to write this book called, "Knowing The Struggle Is Over" and I was going to have three steps that would help you accomplish just that! If I were a writer this wouldn't have sounded so crazy! ;) I never really had a true interest in writing an actual book before then. The only thing I had ever considered prior to that day was writing a children's fiction book, or maybe a few songs/poems. A non-fiction book? Absolutely NOT!

Why did you feel that it was so important to write a book about getting through a struggle?

At first I was excited because I had heard God! I mean, at the time I had been praying and constantly, but I that was the first time I could remember Him telling me to do something outside of my situation. This was around the time I began to understand "how" to be obedient. You see I also realized that what I was going through, and even what I had gone through in the past, was not for me alone, but to share with others. It's great to learn from your own mistakes, but it''s even better when you can learn from someone else's! I also realized that I wasn't in a bad place, I was just looking in the wrong place! In order to truly overcome my situations my faith had to be stronger. The bible tells us that every man is given a measure of faith, and in another scripture it tells us that all we have to have is faith the grain of a mustard seed, but I began to realize that it is easy to forget you even have that faith sometimes! So I had to find a way to get it back, each and every time, it started to look as if it wanted to disappear! Most of the time we stay in a situation because we don't know what choice or decision to make that will get us out!

Please share anything else that would help us understand the writing of your book and how it helps others.

I truly just would like for your readers to know that with everything you go through, God is preparing you for the next level He wants to take you to in life. Sometimes we think that we have a relationship and we know who God is, and we really don't. Just because you spent time with Him last week doesn't mean you can ignore Him this week. To better understand how He works and is working in our lives we have to continuously strive for a closer, more intimate relationship with Him daily! God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but that doesn't mean to put limits on Him, that just means to trust Him. If He did it before then surely He will do it again! We begin to lose faith because we aren't spending enough time getting to know Him. You get through your situations, by restoring your faith and developing a closer relationship with God. Everyone has an area in their relationship with God where their faith is not at the level it COULD be! If your faith is a 10 on a 1-10 scale, then strive for a 15. All this will do is help you see the other side much more clearer. Then you will find that when you are in your situation you have a confidence, and renewed peace, with an unimaginable strength to make it through!

How can readers get their hands on their own copy of this miraculous book to help them restore their faith in God?

There are several options. My book is available on both my blog: michelejenterprises.blogspot.com, and my author site: kmjohnson3stepstoknowing.com. You can also go to the ordering desk at your favorite local bookstore and have it within a few short days! It is also offered on various online stores. Regardless of how you get your copy, the most important thing is that you get your copy! This is a great way to revive your thinking and restore your faith!

PLEASE NOTE: A complimentary copy of this book was provided to the blog host by the author in exchange for posting this interview on their blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about their blog tour management services.

About the Author

K.M. Johnson is the CEO of Everything(s) Eventful, LLC and author of A Blog about God, by Trinite3. She graduated from Florida A&M University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in professional counseling. She travels extensively conducting inspiration and motivational seminars and workshops in the United States and across the globe. K. M. Johnson was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and currently resides in Houston, Texas.

She began her work in ministry after finding an understanding of what it meant to be saved. Her positive outlook in life throughout her struggles helped her to realize that her faith in God is what has continued to keep her and bring her through each and every situation she has faced. From once believing if she claimed to be “saved” she would have to be “like her mother”, to now knowing that everyone has their own spiritual journey in which they will travel, she has truly grown in her faith and transformed her faith walk into a faith strut!

K. M. ’s volunteer work includes yearly participation in Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, and active participation in various community events sponsored by her home churches as well as her local church.
She is continuing her work as a freelance writer, speaker, event planner, and Officer in the Army Reserves. As for other interests, K. M. enjoys singing, traveling, shopping, cooking/baking and interior decorating.

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Leaving Hurryville

(Comments From a Former Resident)

by Frankie D. Sherman

A big concern of Christian women is the epidemic of shallow relationships among women. In an age when broken marriages, moral decline, and unbelievable heartache are frighteningly high, our God-given support system is lacking.

What happened? Why do we know more people than ever before, yet know very little about each other? Why do we know more about the latest celebrity break-up, yet very little about the young woman in our church going through her own divorce?

Unfortunately, we live in Hurryville. Hurry and get the kids to school. Hurry and get to work. Hurry to Bible study. Hurry to the ball field. Hurry! Girl Hurry! In this “hurry up, see you later” world we don’t take the time to invest in relationships like the generations before us did. Our busy lives leave very little time to invest in meaningful relationships.

Because of this, we are suffering. We miss wonderful opportunities to reach others for Christ and to strengthen others in the body of Christ.

How about you and I change the busyness in our circle of influence by adjusting our schedules and priorities? We can start right now to focus on the relationships in our circle of influence as the nurturing women God designed us to be.

Becoming a better friend is something believers should focus on, because it can impact the world for the Christ.

So where do we begin?

Leave Hurryville-without a forwarding address! It’s a choice and a hard one. But God is faithful and he will help you with this lifestyle change.

Pray, and read God Word.

Schedule time with friends; ask them how they are and what’s up in their life.

Engage in meaningful conversation about them and how the Lord is working in their life.

Leave the cell phone turned off during your time together.

Share good books, good tips, good information and good food.

If your friend is a single mom, widow, health issue, or has problems at home, always be sensitive to her needs or situation. You are not “the solution” but you can show her you care through your friendship. God will provide the wisdom concerning boundaries and blessings.

I left Hurryville, many years ago. Sometimes my old nature tries to pull me back. But I learned the value of meaningful friendships and Hurryville doesn’t compare. Should you decide to leave Hurryville too let me know. We can sit on the porch and enjoy chat together.

BOOK FRANKIE FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

About the author:

Frankie Sherman is a national speaker, comedian, and Bible teacher for conferences, retreats, and women's events. She fell in love with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and takes every opportunity to tell others about the joy of being alive in Christ. She is a former choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Her specialty is in theater musical/productions. Her first Bible Study, Why We Need Girlfriends is based on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth, from Luke's gospel. Two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances by an extraordinary God. Frankie is from South Carolina—loves sweet tea, BIG hair and her grand-girls. She believes there will never be another Elvis. And knows that her Jesus will return for her soon.

Now Securing Interviews and Reviews

Kathy Carlton Willis Communications – KCWComm@rgv.rr.com or WillisWay@aol.com

This is being re-posted because of a change in blog page function (or something like that). If you have already enjoyed these posts, thanks for your patience and understanding. If you've missed these interviews before, then I hope you enjoyed your time here reading. Please keep in mind that the material you found here under Fellow Travelers is not my own work, but that of another author. For more information, please follow the appropriate links.

Coming Soon...A Blog Makeover!

2010-04-12T11:39:00.000-05:00

It's coming! Watch for it! My new blog! Well, sort of new. There is going to be a new title and a new look to my blog. I may even come up with some new content to add to the same old stuff you've been reading. Are you excited? I am.

Don't worry, the URL will not change so you will still find me at the same address on the web. If you have me bookmarked (and you should ya know...wink wink) you won't have to change a thing. But I'm giving you the heads up because when you stop in for a visit, I don't want you to think you are lost or in the wrong place.

Why the change you ask? First of all, I'm bored to death with the layouts and looks that Blogger has to offer. Sometimes a girl simply has to have a new do. You know how it is when there is so much in this world you can't control, you have a HUGE need to change those things you CAN control? (Okay, so it is sick, and I might need a counseling session or two. But I still refuse to admit to being a control freak!)

Another reason for the change--evolution.

When I first started this blog, I did it as part of a writing assignment. I had never written a blog, and for that matter, I'm not sure I'd ever read one either. I had no idea what I would write, why I would write, or who, if anybody, would read it. Now, honestly, I'm still a little unclear on those things, but the project has seemed to take a bit of a direction on its own. There have been uphill climbs and downhill slides, months of several regular postings and months of few sporadic postings. I've written about fun times, joyous events, struggles, heartbreak, trips, life's trials...a little bit of everything. And to what purpose?

Stepping back and looking at my beloved blog from afar, I see it as a record of my journey through this life, on my way to the next. Boy! What a trip! I've seen a common theme emerge from my peculiar pondering, less than fantastic photos, and random rambling. Joy.

Joy, not often evident or easily found, is something I intend to pursue continually. I'm not saying I'm always good at finding it, sometimes it finds me. But as I've journeyed through this life, and continue to do so, I know one place where I find joy no matter how bad or trying my circumstances, and that is at the foot of the cross. There, in the mix of blood and mud, is the birthplace of true and everlasting joy.

So, if you are stopping in here to read my blog for the first time, or if you are one of my faithful "followers" who has been traveling along with me from the beginning, I invite you to continue on this journey with me, all the way to the foot of the cross. It is going to be a DASHING and BOLD adventure!

Introductions

2010-04-01T23:00:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday at church, I sat by my youngest daughter. My daughter sat beside her friend. She has known this person for a year or more, but recently their friendship has taken on a new dimension. There is a new kind of interest between them. Um hum. Cute grins and pet names testify.

After the service was over we all walked out together, headed for our cars. Before we got to the door, the young man said something to my baby girl, and she passed along to me, "He wants me to meet some of his friends."

I said, "Okay." We parted ways, and I thought, how cute.

The instant the two of them became official, Facebook statuses changed and my little girl has been on a mission to introduce her guy to all her friends and family. She seems to want the whole world to know she has a boyfriend, a new relationship. Apparently he is on the same kind of mission because my kid has already met his father and talked on the phone with his mother, and of course, met the friends at church.

Their eagerness reminded me of a couple of men who were excited about a new relationship--a new friend.
To get the whole story, please read the first chapter of the gospel of John, but for the moment, look at verses 40-46.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

I don't know about you, but boy do I feel convicted. I sense the Holy Spirit saying, "Jesus Christ is the lover of your soul. Your relationship is special and intimate. So why aren't you eager, as these young ones, to introduce Him to all of your friends?"

I'm seldom without words, but ...(Did I just hear a pin drop?)

Have I gotten so comfortable, familiar, or bored, in my relationship with the only one who loves me enough to die for me, that I don't think to introduce Him to other people? Do I not want the whole world to know Him, and know that I am in an intimate and eternal relationship with Him? When was the last time I told anybody that I have a friend who is also my savior, the love and passion of my life?

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Oh! By the way, if you've never met him, I'd like for you to know my friend. His name is Jesus. There is no other person like him because he is also God. He loves me so much that he died for me--taking the punishment I deserve because of my sins. Jesus rose from the grave conquering death and hell so I can live as a conquer forever! He loves and cares for me more than anybody else can. Because I believe everything He says about himself, he is building for me a mansion in heaven, and some day he will take me there to live with him for eternity.

All you have to do is believe in Him and you can have the same future. Jesus wants to be your friend too. You may not know it, but Jesus loves you just as much as he does me. He wants to give you every good and perfect gift, including eternal life.

I know the Messiah, come and see!

Book Reviews

2010-03-15T21:21:00.001-05:00

I love books. In fact, I think I could live in a bookstore and be quite content, especially if the store had one of those wonderfully smelling coffee shops in it. Ahhhh.

I don't have as much time to read as I'd like so don't expect too much, but here you will find my opinion of books I've read. I'll let you know if I like a book or not, and why. Some books I might recommend and others I might tell you to avoid. But keep in mind this just my opinion.

I'd love for you to leave comments and let me know if you read the same book and what you thought about it. If you know of a book you think I should read and review, leave a comment and let me know.

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Beautiful Things Happen When A Woman Trusts God

By Sheila Walsh

Life is hard, sometimes cruel, and often disappointing. Even if we are lucky enough to have great beginning, circumstances happen all along the way which are intended for our destruction.

In this book, Sheila gives biblical accounts of people like David, Paul, Joseph, and others to remind us that we are not the first to face such life changing circumstances, and that overcoming those circumstances then moving on into a place of victory is possible. Her personal testimony is proof that even today, God brings hope, healing, and beauty into the messed up lives of people who choose to trust Him with everything.

In the introduction of the book, Sheila writes, “I trust that you will find yourself in the pages of this book…” I did. Is there a woman alive who has not, to some degree, been wounded or made fearful?

Many chapters, made me cry, and every chapter inspired me to pray. I was encouraged to trust God with the big stuff as well as with the smallest details of my life.

The in-depth Bible study at the end of the book is helpful. I wish I would have done the study concurrently with each corresponding chapter instead of waiting until I was finished reading to begin the study.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunday drive

2010-03-07T22:22:00.004-06:00

If all you did today was sit around and watch TV, then I feel sad for you. Life has so much more to offer. I don't care where you are, there is always something to see if you just get out and look. Today was my "get out and look" day.

Rick was caught up on his paper work (this assignment has been lighter duty than most) so we planned to get out and see a little of the countryside. Even before we left this morning, a pair of cardinals, a few chickadees, and a tufted titmouse had breakfast at our feeder. I watched a couple of geese taking a walk on the snowy bank of the creek below the camper, and I saw some deer wandering around down there as well. The beautiful wildlife, along with the pancakes I fixed for breakfast, started my day out great.

We took the back, less traveled roads just to see what we might see. I was amazed. I was able to get a few photos of some of our sights, but some really cool stuff I missed. Like the huge snowman (at least two stories tall), suffering badly because the last few days have been sunny, but still large enough for his 55 gallon drum hat to stay perched firmly on the top of his head. We whizzed past the cemetery where the grandmother of Ulysses S. Grant is buried, and I saw some Ohio icicles. Oh how I wished I'd begged hubby to turn around and go back so I could get a picture. Those suckers hung from the eaves and ended in perfect points only a few inches above the ground. You're just going to have to take my word for it. They are nothing like our Texas variety.

We saw some crazy people...well, I think you'd have to be crazy to do it...ice fishing. (Most of the lakes around here are frozen over, and some of the "cricks" are too.) I saw a great big wild turkey in an open field getting a drink from a puddle made by melting snow. Somewhere along the way we ate lunch at a nice place decorated with handmade Amish quilts and wood furnishings. And did I mention the one antique shop we found open? So much eye candy, and all we did was drive and observe.

We were not the only folks that took a Sunday drive.

Our drive took us through the center of Amish country. I think my heart rate slowed just from watching the horses trot down the highway.

We couldn't resist driving on over to check out Resort A. Remember? And yes, It IS a resort. We know where we want to stay if we ever come back to Ohio on vacation and don't mind shelling out the big bucks. But for this time, we are happy with our choice of campgrounds. Our time here is going to be short and not very profitable, so we are glad we were able to save a few dollars.

At Resort A, there is on display a taxidermic bear, hunted and killed in Alaska. It stands 10' 3" tall. It holds some kind of large game record. Why didn't I take a picture? I don't know. All I could do was just stand there with my mouth hanging open and stare. I knew the thing was dead and I still found it hard to breath as I stood only a few feet from it with its huge mouth open, it's teeth showing, and it's claws ready to turn me into julienne slices. I thought it was funny that the bear was right beside the treadmills in the workout area. Talk about a way to get the heart rate up!

Heading back to the camper we enjoyed more snow covered hills and narrow roads, passed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and stopped at a Camping World where we poked our heads into some new campers. How nice it was to decide we are content with what we have.

Then, as we continued on, low and behold, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

One of the Goodyear blimps lives in the area and it was coming in for a landing. I've never seen the thing from far away, so to get this up-close look was really cool.

Back at the camper, with birds on the feeder, a deer in the creek bed, and a setting sun, I sigh deeply. This and every "adventure" adds to the fullness of our lives and experiences and memories, but oh how I miss my kids, grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family. I always look forward to seeing them again. If I let myself, I can get very sad and moody about being so far from them all. But that would do no good for no one. So I thank the Lord that He allowed me to enjoy this day, where I am.

The next time you get a little down about where you are or life's circumstances, try turning off the TV and taking a long Sunday drive along the back roads just to see what you can see. You might be amazed!

It's all relative

2010-03-05T20:50:00.004-06:00

Excuse me if I sound like I am still ranting about this ~~resort~~ campground. I'm not. Really! I have a point to ponder. But the circumstantial path that leads me to my point might seem to have a rant or two along the way, and maybe a bunny trail too. (You've been warned.)

The dreaded day came a couple days ago. As hubby dressed for work, he lingered in front of his sock drawer. I didn't have to ask, but I did anyway. "What's wrong?" I already knew he was about to put on his last pair of clean socks but for some reason I just needed him to confirm the fact. And he did, with a mumble and a wave of the socks in the air.

Now see that red building WAAAY over there through the trees?

That's where the laundry/club house is. I have two choices in how to get there.

I can take the long way around on the ice packed road.
I can take the shorter route and cut through the perfectly spaced woods and deep snow.

I'll save you the suspense and tell you I tried both routes because I couldn't carry all our dirty clothes in one trip. I made several trips actually. I preferred the deep snow to the ice. Lately I've had more sudden meetings with the ground than I'm comfortable with, and I don't heal as quickly as I used to. (My leg still hurts a bit from my visit to the winery last spring.)

I tried to look on the bright side as I tromped through the snow--I was "upping" my heart rate and burning more calories than if I'd had an easy, short trip. Dodging the occasional fallen pine branches and piles of deer turds made my day even more dashing! With every high marching step I took, I chanted. This - IS - a - re - sort! This - IS - a - re - sort!

Here is the laundry area inside the club house/arcade/pool shower house.

Only two washers and two dryers.

This place gets a prize for "multifunctional building." Actually, it kind of resembles the place where garage sale rejects go to retire.

We are still dealing with the ice packed slope where we are supposed to park the truck. Once we slide in, we still can't get back out so Rick has been parking on the ice packed road and carrying his stuff (file box, computer, camera, GPS, lunch, appointment book, etc.) up and down the hill every day. We use two long extension cords to plug his truck in every night for an easy start and a quick warm up. This does, I have to admit, add to the adventure.

I asked the guy who seems to be the caretaker around here if he thought he could do something to help get some of the ice cleared away so hubby wouldn't have to walk so far up an icy hill to the truck every morning. Basically I was told...No.

Yesterday they cleared off the spot next to ours and here is what that drive looks like.

Here is ours still covered with ice and snow anywhere from 1/2 to 3 inches packed hard.

So today with a bag of rock salt and a square shovel, I started to do what I could to bless my hubby. (I have to climb this icy slope too when I carry out trash or do laundry, so my labor was not totally selfless, but don't tell him that.)

After several minutes of whacking and banging and chopping at the thick ice with the shovel, I decided what I really needed was an ax. Where is Jack and his ax when you need him?

About that time a truck pulled up in the cleared drive on the other side of us and four big, burly men got out and headed into the camper parked next to ours. Two of them stopped to watch me. "What are your trying to do?" one bellowed.

Sometimes I'm too quick with the wit for my own good. All these answers popped in my head at once.

Shape up and slim down.
Make you ask stupid questions and I'm succeeding.
Look like a fool.
Rid the world of winter.

You'll be happy to know that, because this guy didn't know me, I decided to contain my wonderful wit, and I gave him the straight up answer--trying to clear the drive enough that hubby can get in and out without getting stuck. I didn't add the part about wanting to be a blessing to my husband. I figured it might sound a little mushy to this guy who looked like he might be a bouncer.

"If you'll wait til Tuesday, it should warm up enough to melt all that off."
Okay, so maybe answer #3 would have been more fitting.
I tried to explain that I knew it was supposed to warm up some, but since our spot is so heavily shaded I felt like the melting process should be helped along. And hubby wants to park near the camper TODAY!

After a little small talk and more advice from him, I could tell that he thought I was really wasting my time. I could contain my wise cracks no longer. "I thought about doing this the female way and use my blow dryer on it."

He let out a scoff, "I don't think you'd make much progress."

The rest of the men came back, they all got in the truck, and as they drove away, I thought, Buddy, you just don't know my blow dryer when the turbo button is pushed!

I went back to attacking the ice and all the while thinking about how far from a resort I think this place is, and how the owner seems proud to advertise it as a year-round resort. It's all relative.

I had a chat with the manager and caretaker the other day, and I learned that we are in "Hicksville." (Their word, not mine.) No wonder I thought I could hear Loretta Lynn's voice singing "I'm proud to be a coal miner's daughter" echoing off the hills as we drove along the Ohio River the day we arrived!

This area has many little towns--rural towns--but DSL has not even found its way here. Dial-up is the norm. The campground manager told me that for this area, this ~~campground~~ resort is a high-end place. She compared it to the nearby state parks, which few have any hook-ups at all, and none have 50 amp electrical service. So, as far as these people know, when they look around and compare this establishment to their neighbors, so to speak, this is a really nice place with its limited but fast wi-fi, its 50 amp service, its you-keep-it-from-freezing water, its outdoor pool, its two washers and dryers, and its ONE site with concrete slab that has no electrical hook-up.

This kind of relative thinking works great doesn't it? As long as we compare ourselves to something or someone less than we are, we will always look pretty good--high-end!

Jesus talked about this kind of relative thinking. We can read about it in the book of Luke, chapter 18.

¹⁰"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood up and prayed about^[a] himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
¹³"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
¹⁴"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

And what happens when someone comes along that we perceive to have more or be more than we are? (I've stayed in some RV resorts that make this place look like a dump, relatively speaking.) What a way to cheat yourself out of all life's joys, and forever be labeled a lifelong looser. That's not good either. Relative thinking can be deceptive thinking, depending upon your object of comparison.

Thankfully there is a standard against which we can measure our condition--sin and short comings. That standard is the holiness of God. I don't know about you, but when compared to that, I'm humbled and definitely not up-scale or high-end.

Once I accept that accurate assessment of my sad condition, then I can measure my worth against the one and only worthy standard--the sacrifice--Jesus Christ. Would the King of kings and Lord of lords have died for anyone of no value? A dump? A loser? I don't think so.

So I ponder this point where I'm camped. Somewhere between a dump and a resort, condemnation and glory, this blood bought saint finds hope, peace, and...well, you know...life. A dashing and bold adventure!

This IS a resort.

2010-02-28T13:56:00.001-06:00

We had two options. I'll call them Resort A and Resort B.

Resort A, which sits in the heart of "Amish Country" advertises everything that a full-timer like me might want...

Workout room
Indoor pool and hot tub
Club House
Wi-Fi
Laundromat
LP Gas
Cable TV
Cafe
Paved roads and cement patios

and much more. The most exciting part for me was that they have church services twice a week! The lady I talked to on the phone sounded very friendly and accommodating. Two problems existed. 1.) The price--almost $1000 per month, and 2.) The location--far enough from where Rick's claims are to add at least 100 miles to his commute every day.
I guess I sounded pretty pathetic or desperate over the phone because the lady took pity on us and agreed to charge us only $675 for at least the first month, as long as we agreed to use mostly propane instead of electricity for our heat because the cost of electricity is included in the rent. (Plus, this is not exactly peak camping season for places north of the Mason-Dixon Line.)

After more internet investigation and phone calls, we found Resort B. I called...

The woman on the other end was not as nice and friendly as the rep from Resort A. When I told her I had a few questions about her facility, she touted, "Well have you looked at our web page?"
I told her that I had but didn't find all the information I was looking for. She took a deep breath and started talking, telling me everything I had already read on the website. She talked and talked and talked...consuming my precious cell minutes yet not enlightening me much. (Can't say I was surprised when she said, "Of course you won't be able to use the outdoor pool.") I tried to interrupt her several times but was unsuccessful.

Finally she had to pause for another breath and I cut in, "Is your laundry room open and functioning?" (A good question this time of year because we've stayed places that have unheated laundry rooms so they are closed during the winter months.)

Her reply, "This IS a resort!"

That became her catchphrase.

"I see from the photos on the web you are in a wooded area. Are your sites paved, gravel, concrete, or will we be parked on mud?" (I speak with the voice of experience here.)

Again she came back with, "This IS a resort! We have gravel and concrete pad."

She kept on talking, asking me stupid questions like, "Are you familiar with winter camping?" I guess she thought this was our first time out or something.

I finally asked all my questions--Will we have any trouble getting in or out because of the snow? Do cell phones work in the area? Can we get a satellite signal? Do you have propane on site? etc. Her answers seemed acceptable at the time because this IS, after all, a resort, and we were desperate.

The only real selling points for Resort B over Resort A:

Price--$400/month plus electricity
At least 55 miles closer to most of Rick's claims.

We figured with what we would save in fuel, time, and rent, we could go somewhere else to buy propane, pay extra for electricity, and do without some fun and conveniences. Resort B should be our choice though we both really wanted to stay at Resort A. So B it would be.

The woman told us to try to get there before 4:00p.m. so someone would be in the office to check us in. If not, we were to park in site #66 overnight and we could have our choice of 8 or 9 different sites the next day. I told her we would do our best and the reservation was set.

We were able to make it in before 4:00 the next day. In fact, we beat that time by at least an hour and I called when we were at least an hour away, leaving a message on a machine, telling our exact expected time of arrival.

Following the GPS and road signs, we turned off the main highway and started a steep snowy climb up a BIG hill. (I fought the urge to panic.) Then we turned off that road onto the l-o-n-g icy entrance to the "Resort." (From here on referred to as "Campground.") Snow was drifting across the road from this big field.

Oh, be still stomach.

We stopped at the office,
paid our money, and were told we would still need to wait while they finished clearing the snow from the site where they wanted us to park. (I thought we were supposed to get to pick--oh well, no big deal.)

It took the guy a while to clear the deep snow from our site, and it was hard to tell what was under the layer of ice left behind. I'm pretty sure there is a little gravel and a lot of mud. Where's the concrete pad?

Now I'm going to have to ask you to try to picture in your minds, our spot. It is a "back-in" that is over 200 feet long. The first 160 or so feet we had to back the rig was all downhill. The last 45 or so feet is fairly level ground, at the edge of a cliff, that drops off into the creek bed below. (In the Texas Panhandle, we would call this a river.) Here is the view from the back of our site.

I got out of the truck so I could help hubby watch for trees, low hanging limbs, and piles of ice and snow that might get him stuck or tear something up. I can tell you that my man is good and so is God. I witnessed 24 thousand pounds of truck and camper sliding backwards down an icy hill, headed for a cliff, trees, and a frigid river, finally come to an almost perfectly level stop at just the right spot--a few feet short of going off the cliff and just right for all our hoses and cords to reach the hook-ups. Whew! Thank you Lord!

Keep in mind now that I was tromping around in snow up to my knees, wearing my vented tennis shoes and jeans, and I was cold. My nose started to run.

I walked around to see how the hooking up of our utilities was going and saw the water faucet to be about 3 feet above ground, and it is not one of those nice frost free jobs. No, it is just a plain old faucet that we are responsible for making sure doesn't freeze. Our hose is one of those nice hoses that is heated, so no problem with winter camping there, but I believe this is the first campground we've ever stayed in that claimed to be year round but made the guest responsible for keeping the faucet from freezing. Luckily we carry a supply of heat tapes, but they were so cold and stiff we could not get a tight wrap on the pipe.

The guy who cleared the snow and helped wave hubby down the hill, disappear for a few minutes then returned with some items--

a towel, two old chunks of carpet, pipe insulating foam, and some thin, egg carton weight, Styrofoam. Tossing them down in the snow, he said, "maybe you can use some of this stuff to help insulate the pipe and faucet." Um, okay. Thanks. I think.

The day just keeps getting better. Let me see now, what is it? Oh yeah, a dashing and bold adventure!

After hubby got the water hooked up, and while I started trying to invent an insulating shelter for the pipe and faucet, he unhooked and attempted to drive the truck back up the severely sloped section of our site. Remember I said the hill was icy? Yeah, our rear wheel drive with no weight in the rear end truck was stuck on the ice.

There was a kid, a young man I'd guess to be in his late teens or early twenties, helping out with this bold adventure. He watched hubby spinning tires on the ice for a few seconds then he disappeared. Soon he returned with a bucket and a big garbage bag of saw dust. "Here, sprinkle this on the ground and it should help give you some traction. And here is a shovel in case you need it. Now we need to get out of here." (The snow was falling heavily by then.) He sprinkled a little of the shavings in front of our tires before he went away.

Left alone to fend for ourselves in the silence of the falling snow, I looked around at our circumstances. Suddenly this picture popped into my mind. (From The Shining)
Only, in my mind, I'm the one swinging the ax!

Somewhere from deep inside I started to laugh. It was that so-hard-you-can't-breath kind of laughter, and I couldn't stop. The more I looked at the useless sawdust and the pile of insulating possibilities, the harder I laughed. Hubby, with nose dripping and a grimace, looked at me with great concern. It was a moment I hope I never forget.

It is a gift from God to be able to laugh instead of cry when tears and snot would only make ugly icicles on my face. God is SO good!

I laughed out my frustrations and felt much better. I fashioned a protective covering for the water pipe that has yet to freeze up. The sawdust didn't do anything to help the situation at all. Hubby dug with the shovel and spun the tires until he finally had the truck at the top of the hill.

We went to the nearest Wal-Mart for some groceries, hot chocolate mix, and some of these.

I'm gonna need them when it comes time to do the laundry. I'll explain later.

There are more challenging days ahead, but for now, we are settled in as best we can be. No satellite TV but local stations via "air" are available, cell phones work well, Wi-Fi is iffy and limited, and the snow continues to fall. We still have running water, my tummy is full and I'm warm. The dashing and bold adventure could be worse.

Get the snow out of the way!

2010-02-24T10:46:00.002-06:00

Here we go! The RV is out of the shop, our debt has increase, more snow has fallen, and we received a call to deploy, so it is a new day in this dashing and bold adventure--my life.

We are on the road bound for Ohio. Naturally we always hope for a Gulf Coast assignment this time of year, but considering our personal economy, we are very grateful to be deployed, period. God has heard our cry and answered. I'm not surprised, for He is faithful to care for us. But still, I have a sense of overwhelming gratitude because I know every blessing He gives and every prayer He answers is more goodness and mercy than I deserve. Thanks to all who have been praying with and for us. Don't stop! Every "storm" has it's challenges and trials, and it is going to take us a while to get back on our fiscal feet.

Working up north during the winter always stretches us southerners to new limits and offers us new experiences. It has not been easy to find a year-round campground in the area where we will be working. Research before we even left home showed us that we were going to have to scrap the campground idea and go for the RV Resort option. (Adding the word resort usually adds at least $200 to the monthly rate.)

Yesterday while hubby was driving, I searched online for a place and made phone calls. I had some interesting conversations with some seaming friendly folks. When they found out we were coming from The South, a popular question was, "Are you familiar with winter camping?" If you mean frozen water lines, holding tanks, and drain hoses, the answer is YES. (Unfortunately)

Other bits of conversation included, "Do you have a 4-wheel drive? Because if the snow starts to melt, you may need one to get your trailer backed into the space." Ummm, okay, scratch that one off the list.
Another one--"We've got Wi-Fi but your cell phones won't work here." Never mind, thank you very much.
"No laundry but there is a laundry about three miles away." That's a possibility but not the best for our circumstances.
"If we can't get you into the 50 amp spot, I've got a long extension cord." I'll keep that in mind.

The most helpful advice I received came from a very friendly and talkative guy who didn't seem bothered one bit that his facility would not work for us. "Well tell your husband to be very careful while he is up here working. A guy was killed the other day when an icicle fell and hit him in the head. He had on a hardhat but it broke his neck." Oh my goodness! Yes I'll pass that along to hubby. Thanks.

Suddenly the image of those HUGE pine cones we collected while in California popped into my head as I tried to envision what an Ohio icicle must look like. Not like our Texas variety I'm guessing.

I can't remember how many resorts and campgrounds I phoned, but there was one statement that every person on the other end of the line said to me before I hung up. "If you decide to stay with us, be sure to call and let us know what time to expect you so we can get the snow removed from your spot." That, my friend, you can count on.

That got me to thinking. (I have little else to do when we spend 10 to 12 hours a day driving down the road.) Isn't that human nature? Don't we usually put off doing what needs to be done until we are in the have to, last minute, stage of the game?

Don't think I'm not an understanding camper here because I know snow removal is expensive, and I have a feeling that if they remove the snow today, it might have to be done again tomorrow after a new blanket falls. But still, the parable of the ten virgins came to mind.

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra²⁶⁶ olive oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed a long time,²⁶⁷ they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ 12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:1-13).²⁶⁸

We've got to be ready. When Jesus comes back, He's not going to give us a call and let us know what time He'll be arriving. He's simply going to show up, and either we will be ready or we won't!

So I ask myself, what is it that I need to do to make sure I'm not asleep or out of oil when the Christ returns? Is my heart passionate and burning, fueled by prayer and the Word of God? Or is it cold, buried under a bunch of ice and snow, earthly distractions, and confusions?

Hummm. Something to think about for the next 400 miles.

Care to join me on my dashing and bold adventure? Oh please do...we can start by scooping away some snow, and watch out for those icicles!