On June 9th. my grandson Ryan will graduate from High School. He is counting the days! Then it's on to college and more schooling. But really life is a classroom and we are continually learning. Some lessons are sweet, others eye opening, some painful and some life changing.

As a Christian I am continually aware that I am in the School of the Spirit. God revealing himself to me through scripture, life and others. Sometimes I'm a slow learner and God has to repeat the lesson over and over till the light comes on. Other lessons have been post graduate quality, such as laying aside my plans for the welfare of those I love. But this classroom time is in preparation for eternal life. I won't graduate until I pass through the door of death into the presence of my Savior, wearing my white robe and the crown He has prepared for me. And the graduation trip is eternity in heaven. Love that destination!!

Plan to have yet another garage sale this summer!! I vowed after the last one that it was indeed the LAST ONE, but alas, I need to do it again. That's one of the downsides of a small house. No place to store stuff. But then again, maybe it's a blessing. Some of the items were my moms, but way too much is mine. I can't even blame Don for the excess. The up side is that it will net us a few coins, BUT the problem lies in where to put things until the actual event. Once it is over I'm sure I will breathe a big sigh of relief and feel so light and carefree with the much needed purged. Makes me think of other types of clutter and excesses we have in our lives. If God were to hold a big garage sale on those things wonder what he would get rid of? And since God is involved in keeping the universe and beyond intact, maybe we could look things over and rid our lives of things that hinder so there's more room for Him. (Don't have a garage sale on that stuff, if it's cluttering up you life and taking up God room, it just needs to be trashed.)

What a person thinks, does, or determines when things are at their worst, makes or mars that persons future. Bitter disappointment, broken trust, the fading of cherished hopes, precipitate a crisis for every soul thus tried; for it is then that the soul must choose hate, bitterness and despair - or else have the courage to choose the way of forgiveness, toil and perseverance.

Dis-appointmet OR His-appointment Which one will we choose.
One letter makes all the difference in the world.

Have you ever had a day that turned out nothing like you'd planned? For Don and I that was last Thursday. I'm an optimist and even though last Thursday started Spring break here in Oregon, we decided to try flying to Salt Lake City to spend Friday the 19th. celebrating our daughter Daidri's birthday with her. Up all night, at the airport at 5am, made it through security fine, (Don has to be checked without going through the machines due to his brain implant) and seated in our seats waiting to go. Well, after watching 3 gates closed on full to bursting airplanes, leaving 10-20 still waiting (oversold) we read the handwriting on the wall. We looked at each other and said"Feel like a drive?" And we were off on Papa Don and Grama Di's BIG adventure! Flying definitely gets you there quickly, but it doesn't allow you the joy of seeing more of God's glorious creation up close and personal. We drove to Boise the 1st. day then in to Salt Lake Friday am. Had a wonderful time with Daidri and her family and drove home yesterday. I was amazed at how relaxed and content Don was driving! I did a little, but basically he did the lion's share. It was truly amazing watching a miracle unfold, as 8 month's ago he could not have done that. The sun shown on us the whole trip but it was the light of God's love and mercy towards us that warmed me from the inside out!

Faith is believing that no matter how things appear on the surface, God is in control I think that is both faith's challenge and reward. The challenge is that humanly we want to see with our own eyes what God is doing. We are willing to give an unwavering yes to God if we know His plan and are given the opportunity to sign off on it. But the adventure and reward of faith is that He asks us to trust based on who He is, not on what we can see. For many, it is a long and twisted road for those who are called to walk in God's shadow.

Taken from: Extraordinary Faith by Sheila Walsh

Is 2 postings in way day not kosher? Oh well, can't resist this one. Yesterday morning in church I noticed a man come in with his daughter. They come occasionally but I really enjoy them. Anyway I went up and said "it's nice to see you this morning. I'll be London's Sunday School teacher today." He shared with me that she had asked where they were going this morning and he replied Hillside. She responded with an exuberant " Good, I just love that place." Me too London. Thank you Lord for my church family, not perfect people, but forgiven by the grace of God.

On the 17th. a lady is coming to do a deep cleaning of my bathroom and also my hardwood floors. My joints do not favor my getting on my hands and knees anymore so Don said to get this much done on a regular basis. Thanks hubby, you're the best. BUT, here's the funny part. I'm busy cleaning so it won't be dirty when she gets here. And where's the sense in that? I've already acknowledged that things need cleaning, hired and scheduled the cleaner and now I'm trying to do her job. Makes me think of issues of sin in our lives. Some have gotten out of hand, but what we need to do is acknowledge them (ask for forgiveness) and let the Master cleaner cleanse us from all unrighteousness.. Just putting on a smiley face, or trying harder next time is like me trying to do the cleaning lady's job for her. She is soo much more equipped than I to do this job, just as the Holy Spirit in us is able to cleanse us from the inside out. So much better than our self help efforts. To me what is even sadder than the fact that we sin daily is when we don't cry out for help and receive cleansing. Best to keep a short list with God. It truly lifts your spirit and put a song in you're heart.

Today after church Don and I went to see a movie. He had a birthday card so it would have been free, but there wasn't any thing playing I really wanted to see except Avatar and we had just missed the 1st. seating and the next one wasn't until 4. Didn't want to wait that long as we'd get home too late so Don went to see a Matt Damon movie and I strolled around Bridgeport Mall. Those of you who know me know I do almost all my shopping at the Goodwill and sticker shock at some of those stores about did me in. Needless to say I only got two things, a headband and a children's book. There really wasn't anything I needed anyway but I had to wonder how families make it if they pay full price for things. Kind of like salvation, if we had to pay the full price for our sins we wouldn't make it. Literally! We'd have to die. So thankful for Jesus and his willingness to pay full price to cover our sins and to reconcilling us to God. That's a bargain even Goodwill can't beat!

Winter weather is so unpredictable! For several weeks it appeared we'd passed over the harsh cold rain, wind and grey days, and here they pop up again 2 weeks before spring begins. Weather is unpredictable BUT God is consistent. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His love does not wax hot then cold, his faithfulness is continual. He is the ballast in our ship as we navigate the storms of life. As with weather, our emotions (women's especially) can sometimes be as unpredictable as the weather. When they are good , rejoice! When they are out of control, give them to the one who has the ability to bring them into balance.

Affirmation is a GREAT tool of God! We all need it, it spurs us on as we travel the path before us. Encouraging others is really such a simple thing, the problem is we forget to do it on a regular basis and with sincerity. And God bless the minds that developed computers because they offer us a way to do it frequently and speedily. WOW! I received 2 positive affirmation via this blog and they started my day out with a song in my heart and gave renewed vigor to my steps. Be purposeful and faithful about being an encourager, for you never know when your words may be just the thing someone needs the most.

Just went to my blog to see any comments and what did I find! The first word of my last entry was mispelled. So instead of feeling frustrated, I'll just make a game of it. If you read an entry with NO mistakes, send me a high 5 in the comment box. Don't worry, you won't have to do it too often. On my knees now to use the exacto knife to cut out sheep for a SS project. Maybe while I'm on my knees I'll do some praying also for each of you who will read this.

Ejoyed our time of fellowship at church this morning. After we ate the children were coloring and flying paper airplanes that someone made for them, probalby a male someone. They were smiling and laughing and that brings such joy to my heart. Children are the hope of tomorrow and hopefully we will all do our part to insure they grow up strong, both physically and spiritually. In just a little more than a week our 2nd. great grandson will be born. Another blessing in our lives as well as a responsibilty as we know we are to pray for all our grandchildren, whether biologicall or those of our heart.

Mmmm, I need to clean house today, there is clutter everywhere. A shipment from Oriental Trading of SS crafts to be put away, but where is the question. Notes with different thought scribbled on them laying all over, (I write them as a thought comes to me) to help create a message for a retreat I will be speaking at in October. Clothes to be put away or ironed sitting here and there begging to be noticed. When I was young everything had a place and everything was in it place. Don't know what happened along the way, (maybe part of it is a VERY small house) but I do know that these things are indicators of a busy, full life and an active brain. Things I thank God for, as the alternative is emptiness and self absorption. And considering that, I'll just tidy things up, going about my day with a song in my heart.

I think I found my groove! Blogging is sooo much nicer than facebook. To each his own but I'm definetly more comfortable here. It's kind of like journaling on the internet. And I absolutely love to read other blogs. Makes me feel like that person dropped in for a cup of coffee/tea and shared their heart with me. Who would have ever thought, thanks Becca!

A nice way to start my morning, with a fresh cup of coffee! My precious husband often rises before I do and puts it on to brew. Today as I made my way to the coffee pot I peeked in the sun room where Don sits to drink his first cup and eat his daily container of yougurt. Usually he sees me and says "good morning" but today his attention was focused elsewhere. You see, since his surgery last August Don has lost the ability to read and track effectively so he seldom does read anymore. For his birthday years ago I bought him the bible on cassette to listen to on his way to work, and there he sat this morning with his ear phones in and the bible open on his lap to follow along. Nothing could be more priceless to me than to see my husband communing with his Lord. His devotion and faithfulness in the face of lifes adversities is an inspiration to me. When one way of doing something failed him he just tries to figure out another way. LORD BLESS THE ONE WHOSE LIFE IS SUCH A BLESSING TO ME AND HIS FAMILY.