Looking Back ~ 2009

All in all, it has been a pretty good year for us.  Well, all except for Mom having that dreaded HINI flu. She really had it rough there for a while.  We'll just have to stay away from pigs, I guess.  Seriously, it HAS been a year filled with many blessings for which I am indeed thankful to my Heavenly Father.  December was unusually filled with many sweet and unexpected blessings.  Actually, the blessings started around Thanksgiving as I have already mentioned in another post.  Thanksgiving was wonderful, I spent it with my Folks at The Golden Corral at my Mom's urging.  Hey, she paid my way, so what can I say? ~ but 'thank-you', Mom.  We went back to their house for the rest of the day. Then for Monday, I cooked the "bird" and all the trimmings.  Mom and Dad came over to my house and ate with me, and then came back 2 more times for leftovers and sweet fellowship.  After thanking the Lord for His goodness to us and acknowledging what Christmas is all about, ~ one of the nights that they were here, I threw the switch to the lights on my tree.  The blessings just kept pouring in throughout the next days.  I went to the church on the 1st Monday of December to help a dear friend put up the decorations in the auditorium and she took me and another precious young lady that helped, to the Cracker Barrel ~ oh joy ~ was that good!  Then, my first cousins had a "Cousin Reunion" on one of the cousins' beautiful houseboat.  Was that fun or what?   Nine cousins showed up and it had been a while since some of us had seen each other.  It was great to catch up. My family is precious.  And that boat was gorgeous ~ what an experience for me!  The blessings just continued on.  Another precious lady at church sent me a message and asked  if I would like a ticket to see the Christmas Spectacular at the Community Theater where she would be performing.  She gave me the ticket-- "her pleasure"-- I believe was the way that she put it.  She sings like an angel and I was more than a little excited to get to attend the Spectacular.  Another blessing~I got to attend that Program with 2 other precious ladies at the church that I love, as well as one of my Sunday School kids!!!  The Lord just kept pouring out His wonderful bounty of blessings to me as the month went on.  My Mom and I went out ~ I took her shopping and she treated me to my favorite place-Chick-Fil-A.  Couldn't beat that--good food and time with my Mom!  Of course, we took my Dad something to eat ~ didn't leave him out.  We then had our Christmas Cantata at our church on Sunday AM and then that PM, we had our Christmas Banquet.  After eating a delicious meal, Pastor preached a powerful message from the Word of God.   Now, we had some fun with a gift-giving game that was TOO funny!  How I love my precious Church Family!  I took my little Sunday School class out for lunch after church the Sunday before Christmas, and what fun we all had.  My Mom went along to help me chaperone.  We really had a blast with the precious children that the Lord has placed in my hands the responsibility of teaching HIS WORD to.  What a joy and blessing that is all  by itself.  How I praise His name for entrusting me with that awesome duty!  That is one of the biggest blessings of every week~ to teach the Bible to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders~that's JOY to my soul. Christmas Eve came ~ My beautiful daughter and grand baby called me ~ sheer JOY again. I was blessed  throughout the day and night with 3 sets of neighbors stopping by to wish me Merry Christmas and to drop off a small gift, a token of Good Will!  How wonderfully precious!   My Mom and Dad came over to celebrate with me.  We had a wonderful time ~ they enjoyed themselves as well as I.  My SISTER called during the evening and talked to all of us!  All is very well, Peace on Earth!   Of course, the tradition goes on ~ every Christmas Eve, I call my one and only "grown" daughter around 11PM.  Without saying a word, I rang the bells into the phone, just as we did all the years of her growing up ~only then she was tucked away in her bed, and the bells were rang either outside her window or somewhere in the house!!  Come on, she is only 30 with a child of her own~my GRAND BABY~blessing is all I have to say there.   Well, my daughter will always be my BABY and the bells will always ring as long as I'm able.  Christmas Day finally arrives ~ my daughter called me again ~ several times, to be exact.  A dear elderly Christian friend calls, one who is suffering from cancer that has unfortunately spread ~ but what a blessing she is!!  My best friend of almost 52 years calls and we talk for a long time.  Several others call.   Mom and Dad came back over for more food, fellowship and fun.   What a wonderful Day. Our Saviour's Birthday.  What a wonderful month.  Oh, wait.  Yesterday, my sister and brother-in-law came down with 3 of my 4 precious neices as well as my 1year old Great-Neice!  We celebrate again ~ going to Golden Corral ( Surprise ~ Dad has slipped me the money to pay for my meal!!) and then back to our Folks' for a sweet time of fellowship and gift-giving.  Oh, heavy heart, they have to leave to travel back home before the weather gets bad AND one neice didn't get to come and my oldest neice had to come without her husband.  But, no complaining here, my heart is overflowing with all the blessings that the Lord has so graciously and bountifully poured out on this most undeserving speck of dust.  His goodness and mercy are everlasting.  This is only the highlights of the many blessings that I have been the recipient of this month ~ there are too many to mention here.  The most wonderful blessing of all, this SEASON and all SEASONS, is HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT that He has so graciously given to all that will ask and accept.  That GIFT is the gift of SALVATION  provided by the most lovely and precious Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this free gift You gave to me so freely some 45+ seasons ago.  Help us, Dear Lord,  if Thou dost tarry, to use this New Year to tell as many  people as possible about the precious Gift of Salvation, so that they, too, can experience THY Sweet Hand of bountiful blessings.  Happy New Year.    Until We Meet Again...

The Unspeakable Gift

This is December and it's a time of gift-giving.  Some people are rich and are able to give big expensive gifts.  Some of us are not so rich and the gifts we give are small -something inexpensive ~ maybe a homemade gift or just a card with "I love you" written on it.  BUT, it's a gift ~ those gifts come from the heart.  IICorinthians 9:15 says:  "Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable Gift."  Our Lord gave us the most precious Gift that we could ever receive.  It cost the Lord everything to give us this Gift. Just imagine with me for a moment.  The Lord and His Son, Jesus, strolling down one of the beautiful streets of gold in Heaven.  Perhaps, Jesus said, "Listen, Father, to the music of the angels' choir, isn't it beautiful?"  The Lord might have said, "Yes, Son, it is beautiful."  They stroll on down a path of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers.  The Lord says, "Come over here, Son."  Jesus says, "Yes? Father."  "It's time, Son. It's time for You to go to Earth to be born in a lowly manger."  Jesus doesn't question, whine, or say: " No, I don't want to."  He knows it is the will of the Father and He obediently nods His head, yes.  He knows it is time to go-to leave Heaven and all its beauty and His Heavenly Father.  But He knows that God is giving the world the most wonderful present ever given.  Jesus will be born to a lovely young virgin, but in a few years He will die, giving the world the Unspeakable Gift.  Jesus is the Unspeakable Gift.  Oh, the angels REJOICE.  For all the beauty of Heaven, the flowers, the sweet music, the streets of gold cannot compare to the beauty of Jesus. The angels know that Jesus is the SHINING LIGHT and the TRUE BEAUTY of Heaven.  They know that He is leaving them for a while, but they rejoice knowing  that He is going to be the SAVIOUR of the entire world.  Yes, He was born in Bethlehem as a Baby in a manger.  But, when He was about 33 years old, He agonizingly suffered, bled and died on the Cross to give us this Unspeakable Gift--the Gift of Salvation.  That is the real Gift of Christmas.  Mr. Vine, in his expository dictionary, suggested that unspeakable means "WORDS TOO SACRED TO BE UTTERED."    Uttered means to: speak aloud; hard of interpertation; too hard for us to understand.  It is hard for us to understand that God would give us such a GIFT.  BUT, He did--for ALL to receive.  Have you received this free, wonderful UNSPEAKABLE GIFT of grace through faith?  It is yours for the asking.  Merry Christmas.   Until We Meet Again...

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

December!  Is it really here again?  Really, doesn't it just seem impossible that the twelveth month of the year has rolled around yet again?  Nonetheless, I'm thrilled, so say the least. My holidays have already started out with some pretty sweet memories.  My Mom and Dad and I went out for Thanksgiving.  BUT  I was determined to cook a turkey and all the fixings, so that's what I did.  The folks came to my house on Monday, where we shared another meal and wonderful fellowship.  Then on Tuesday, I actually got them to come back again~for leftovers!  Since it was the first of December and I had the tree up, we had a "tree lighting ceremony", much to my delight!! The folks seemed to enjoy themselves and maybe all the festivites of this last week has helped put them in the Christmas Spirit as well.  The Lord's bounty, His graciousness, and the Miracle of His Wondrous Birth are the reasons to celebrate.  Yes, it is possible.  December is really here!  Until We Meet Again...     

A Greeting card for Dear Mom, Nonnie and Papa from Heather, Pervez and G-Baby

A Greeting card for Dear Mom, Nonnie and Papa from Heather, Pervez and Paree

Thanksgiving

thanks' giv' ing n  1. a formal public expression of thanks to God  2.[T-] an annual U.S. holiday observed on the fourth Thursday of November      Thanks be to God for all good gifts that He so freely gives to this undeserving, frail human being.  Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable GIFT!!  Until We Meet Again...

As Thou Wilt

What agonizing pain Jesus Christ endured to do the perfect will of our Heavenly Father.  While on earth, He healed the sick, made the lame to walk, cast out demons. and even raised the dead.  But, the main purpose of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was the wondrous work done on the cross of Calvary.  The Lord sent His only begotten Son to die in our place.  Jesus took on the sins of the entire world.  He would have gone to the cross for just one soul, this was the will of the Father.  Matthew 26:39 states:  "And He...fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt".  Christ took the cup--the cup of grief--that was the horrendous pain of three black hours of separation from the Father as the sin of the entire world lay upon Him.  Not only did He suffer the agonizing physical pain of a broken, bruised and bleeding body hanging on a shameful cross, but He suffered excruciating emotional torment and grief from that separation from the Father as He became the propitiation for our sins.  Before we dare to utter words of "I will " or "I will not", let us remember Christ's perfect willingness to go to the cross for us,  and thus say ourselves, "O my Father, as Thou wilt." Orginally written in July, 2003 by denise.  Until We Meet Again...

Twelve Legions of Angels

Who can teach us more about the perfect will of God the Father, concerning our lives, than His own Son, Jesus Christ?  Philippians 2:8 says, "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."  Even the death of the cross?  Do we, these frail specks of dust that we are, comprehend the death of the cross?  Jesus, in His submission to the Heavenly Father endured an astonishing, agonizingly cruel death for the sins of mankind to accomplish the perfect will of the Father.  He died on the cross to take on the sins of all mankind, providing us with redemption through the shedding of His precious blood, thus doing the perfect will of the Father.  But, Jesus, being joint heirs with the Father, asked Peter in Matthew 26:53 "thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?"  He could have called down all of Heaven to stop His death on the cross.  But He did not.  He had come to do the will of the Father.  That He did in absolute submission.  Will you acknowledge your sin and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and as He did, seek for your life, the perfect will of the Heavenly Father?  Orginally written in July of 2003 by denise.  Until We Meet Again...

That Eye Right There

You've heard me mention my family on many, many occasions--all of my family is important.  My immediate family, my extended family, and then there is my church family--all of these people are very important to me. They All have a very special place in my heart.  But just look at that set of Great-Grandparents (and that Gan-Gan) for a moment and those tremendous smiles on those sweet grandparent-ly faces.  Do they ever take their role seriously-- the Great-Grandparent role.  Hence, the smiles on those faces.  They love that little girl in the photo.   But, then so do I.  She's my grandbaby--the apple of this Gan-Gan's eye.  And do they ever love the little girl's Mommy.  So do I.  She's my daughter.  Wait.  Apple of my eye-- all of a sudden, I was just reminded of something G-Baby said when she was here during the time this picture was made. It would have been just a few weeks until her 3rd birthday. Gan-Gan was telling G-Baby that she was the apple of  Gan-Gan's eye. With a very intense and sincere inquisition, she got right up to my face and pointed her little finger right at the center of  my eye and proceeded to ask, " That eye right there?".  Of course, being the all adoring Ganny that I am,  I thought that it was "angelic".  Now, tell the truth, You just did too!!  Well, she does come up with some of the cutest things--but all grandmothers think that universal way, don't they?  I'm not out of the ordinary, no not at all.  Now, back to "family".  More specifically, that set of doting Great-Grandparents in the photo.  My parents.  It's their fault.  It is just what we saw growing up--my grandparents loved their children, and the grandchildren and the great grandchildren.  You get the picture. My folks are just like their folks.  It's been passed down from generation to generation.  There was never a doubt how our parents felt about us and our children and now our children's children.  Whoa, that's a paperful!!  But it's just the truth. My daughter is my parents' 1st grandchild and they tried to get away with keeping her at their home every possible moment. Isn't that called kidnapping?  Remind me to check in to that!  They did try to, no matter what they say.  They loved her. Still do. They love ALL their grandkids, but she was the first and we lived only a couple of miles from them.  So, they were close.  Still are. They are overjoyed with the blessings of the 2 great-grandbabies. My sister has her own grand baby now.   Thank the Lord for phones!  How they love to talk on the phone to G-Baby.  It brings such smiles to their faces. Just like the big smiles in that photo.  Yes, family is all  important to me.  Each person has a special place in my heart.  And G-Baby, you are the apple of your Gan-Gan's eye.  That eye right there!!  Until We Meet Again...

Mom and Daughter

What a blessing it is to have a caring, loving daughter.  When I was told that a hysterectomy was in order for me in 2002, my precious daughter arranged to take a few days off from her job and come down to take care of her ailing Mom.  For a while, I didn't think that she was going to make it in time to tell me "bye" and give me a little going away kiss.  Finally she and her hubby came walking into the small cubbie where they were holding me captive before wheeling me into the operating room.  My daughter lived in another state so she and her husband had to travel to get here. It slips my mind what ever could have slowed them down--but it doesn't matter now.  All that mattered is that she did make it in time to see me off.  The surgery was an overwhelming success. I did extremely well, due to the prayers of God's people. James 4:16 says ..."pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  And to the wonderful care of my very capable daughter.  She not only stayed with me in the hospital, but she came home with me upon my release.  She took excellent care of me, being a wonderful cook and housekeeper. And she has the gift of comfort.  She kept me fed, comfortable and comforted the entire 8 days she blessed me with her presence.  Just she being with me, was a healing factor all its own.  I love my beautiful daughter--it was very much an answer to prayer she being here to look after me.  I'm so very thankful to my son-in-law for doing without his lovely wife for those 8 days.  This Mom's heart is forever thankful for the Lord's healing hand upon my body and for a caring, loving daughter that He so caringly and lovingly blessed me with.  Until We Meet Again...

Be Ye Not Bitter

Ephesians 4:31&32 says "Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you".  Long ago, someone hurt me to the bone. Someone that I loved with all my heart.  The year was 1981.  Growing up, I had always thought if it happened to me, there would be "NO WAY" that any such thing could ever be forgiven.  The sheer thought of any such thing was reason enough to never look at the person again-- the person that could inflict such grief and pain.  It would just have to be the end of the relationship--plain and simple!!  Yet, the unthinkable had indeed happened.  Then, the Lord in His grace and mercy, showed me in an instant, who was I NOT to forgive this person--when Christ had given His life for ME.  Who was I not to forgive this person-- oh, beloved person--when Jesus Christ had taken ALL my sin and bore it on the Cross of Calvary? He had saved my soul. He had spared me from the horrible pit of hell.  There in the dark, on my knees, I asked the Lord to forgive ME for this flagrant display of arrogance.   He did.  I immediately asked Him to help me to forgive the person that had caused this horrific pain. He then did a marvelous act of grace in my heart. Love, compassion and forgiveness flooded my soul like the deepest ocean!!  He also helped me to learn to love this person more than I could have ever imagined.  Yes, let us put all bitterness away and love one another as we have been commanded by our Lord and Saviour.  Lord, help us to love each other as we should.  Let us also learn to forgive in the same manner in which we ourselves have been forgiven. Amen.  Until We Meet Again...  

Look at that Little Face

Now, just look at that little girl's face on that old photo.  She obviously was in a sheer state of ecstasy sitting upon the back of that beauty of a pony.  She looks as though she adores the pony as a precious pet that has a very special place in her heart.  In reality, it was a photographer that would go around making pictures of children sitting on his pony. But it didn't matter to the child in the photo ~ horses were everything to her, even though she never got the opportunity to be around them.  That's the reason for the sheer look of delight upon her little face ~ she was probably daydreaming for that one brief few moments that the beautiful black pony was hers. It had been told that she loved horses from the time that she was about a year old.  So, yes, she was in total ecstasy sitting on the back of that small pony.  How would I know about the joy the child was feeling?  Because, the little face in the old photo that was so enthralled with the black pony ~ belongs to ME!  Until We Meet Again...

His Glorious Return

Life is so interesting and so short--I want to live it in faith in my Lord, being true to Him, unwavering, waiting on His glorious Return to take us, that know Him as personal Saviour, Home to Heaven. The Sunday School lesson for my little primaries just today was about Jesus' promise to prepare that place for us and His coming to gather us up someday. Jesus is God Almighty and cannot lie. The trumpet will sound and Jesus will descend with a shout that all those belonging to Him will hear! Ah, it can't be far off --Are you ready? Time is short , it could be today. Until We Meet Again...

My Dear Granny

There's never been another one like her and there never will be. It was such a blessing to sit at her knee and learn about Jesus. She taught me that He was Lord of Lords and King of Kings and that He was coming again. Yes, Granny, I'm watching, waiting and LISTENING for the trumpet to blow and for the Lord to rapture us up to be with HIM and all of our loved ones that have gone on before. Besides seeing the face of the Blessed Saviour, yours is one that I just can't wait to see next. The way things are going in the world, it will not be long now--Until We Meet Again...

G-Baby is Grand

The G-Baby. Until We Meet Again...

GAN-GAN and the GRAND BABY

Now, isn't that a bea-U-ti-ful baby? That's the G-baby at two weeks old. My son-in-law and I had taken her for her 2 week check-up. Mommy was at home recuperating from a C-section. So, I was doing my GAN-GAN-ly duty!! She is four now and is she ever a beauty!! Until We Meet Again...

SALVATION!

I praise the Almighty Saviour for saving my rotten self when I was an 11 year old kid the last night of Vacation Bible School that my church (at the time) was conducting that summer. The preacher preached on "Hell" and what was carrying one there. SIN WAS!! I realized that I was a sinner that needed to be saved. My eternal destination was at stake! I practically RAN down the aisle when he gave the altar call after preaching that intense sermon that Friday night. The Lord saved me, not because of any "good" in or of me. The Bible says that all my goods are as "filty rags". No one, NO, not a single person can come up to God's standards--He is the only perfect ONE. YES, I saw my need of a Saviour, and asked Jesus to cleanse me that night by His precious blood that He shed at Calvary. NO One took Jesus' life--HE layed it down "WILLINGLY" for me and for YOU!! It was part of the wonderful plan of SALVATION. O GLORIOUS DAY!! I am free from the guilt and shame of sin and Jesus has promised that where He is, I shall be there also, because He has prepared for me a place (the place being--HEAVEN.) I do not have to worry about that place called HELL, because I have accepted this FREE gift--called SAVATION!! My only worry of HELL, is that of unsaved FAMILY and FRIENDS and STRANGERS that I meet on the street going there as their eternal destination--this GRIEVES my soul!!! Until We Meet Again...

A TRUE FRIEND

A TRUE FRIEND is one to Whom you can pour out the contents of your heart, Chaff and grain together, Knowing that the gentlest of hands Will take it and sift it, Keep what is worth keeping and With the breath of kindness blow the rest away. This was found on a plaque and given to me by my BestFriend. Until We Meet Again...

You Mean God's Will, Not Mine?

Oh, to be in the perfect will of the Lord Jesus Christ. What comfort it brings to the believer's heart to be in the center of His will. Amidst the most heart breaking storms of life, we can know the calm of being held in the Hand of a loving God. When we submit our own stubborn, self-will to His sovereign, righteous one and have a right relationship with Him--I John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"--He is able to guide us in circumstances that look impossible to us. But remember, He is Almighty God. He is able to bring into existence anything He desires for us that brings glory to His precious Name and to all of Heaven. When we give our whole heart to Him, only then is He able to navigate us through that storm, only then is He able to bring forth His plan for our lives that produces blessings and joy unspeakable--the peace that passes all understanding spoken of in Philippians 4:7. We, with our frail humanity, may not comprehend all that is taking place while the storm rages. But with the Holy Spirit in control, we know that all things are going to work together for good, according to Romans 8:28. Oh, the Lord can accomplish much with a simple prayer whispered by a submissive heart, "Your will, Lord, not mine". Orginally written on July 29, 2003 by denise. Until We Meet Again...

My Sweet Redeemer's Face

O, to see my Saviour's Face-- The Blessed Keeper of my soul. He freely gave His precious Life--For me to have His Saving Grace. He shed His blood upon the tree-- The innocent Lamb of Calvary. Alone there on the cruel cross-- In agony, He died for me. O, my sweet Redeemer's Face-- The beautiful Rose of Sharon. HOW GREAT THOU ART! For giving me Thy Saving Grace. Orginally written on November 17, 2003 by denise Until We Meet Again...

HS GRADUTION 1997

Until We Meet Again...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Oh No! Malignant Melanoma!

Aunt Evelyn and My Daughter!

It was July, 1991. It was extremely hot. I was extremely ill. My Aunt Evelyn had just passed away herself after a fierce and courageous battle with cancer. The family was all gathered at Marlane's house. Marlane is my cousin. Her Mother was gone and Marlane was ministering to me--I was sick, so very sick. I will never forget the kindness of my cousin. She went into her home and brought me a cool, wet bath cloth to cool me down. It was hot! I was sick! We were sitting on her nice wrap-around porch. The mole on my upper right arm had started to grow. I had to get to the doctor--the whole family urged me to do so. Two weeks after Aunt Evelyn's funeral, we got the news. Malignant Melanoma! Our whole world was turned upside down. There was the dermatologist, the diagnosis, the surgery, the oncologist, Duke Medical Center,treatments, bloodwork, tests-- tests--and more tests!!! Oh no, my daughter is only 12 years old. Lord, please let me rear this child, if it be THY will! Now, here it is 2009, and PRAISE the LORD, He saw fit to spare me these years. MY daughter is now 30 and I've lived to see my grand baby, who is 4. It's still off to the oncologist every 3 months, and to the dermatologist every 6 months, and bloodwork and tests, tests, and more tests at times. But even though that mole was deep, huge and very ugly, the Lord has allowed me to survive. And He certainly gets all the glory for that!! Yes, July 19th, marked my 18th year anniversary of survival and I didn't even notice the heat. Until We Meet Again...

The President, Barbara Bush, Dr. Bob III, and Amy Wood

President and Mrs. George Bush were coming to  the Greenville-Spartanburg  International Airport and nothing could keep me from trying to get there. That is, nothing unless it was my Heavenly Father's will for me not to get there. But, I had faith, much faith. Determined to shake his hand? You bet I was. Would it happen? Could we possibly get close enough to even see him, much less shake hands with the President. I really wanted to shake Mrs. Barbara Bush's hand. She had captivated me with her sweet down to earth spirit. Baking cookies in the White House--what was there not to like about the woman? To me, the Bushes were the epitome of graciousness. We got to the airport early--Really early. We had the entire green area practically to ourselves for what seemed like forever. We had truly meant to be on the front line. I was fighting cancer at the time and it was important to those who loved me to get me there to fulfil this dream of mine. We waited and waited. And then, without warning, the place filled up with what seemed like millions of people. Now, it was more like thousands, but people were everywhere!! And then came the big moment--Air Force I was in sight. Ah, there it came, taxing down the runway--gleaming, shining, sparkling in the sunlight like a brilliantly cut diamond. It was BEAUTIFUL! Loving all planes, it was worth the trip just to see this magnificent flying metal machine. And, then came the magical moment, one that had been twinged with high anticipation for me--they stepped out into full view--President and Mrs.Bush!! What a moment. And then, they started toward the eager crowd. The crowd that was so eager to do the same thing I was there for-- getting a closer look at the President of the United Stated of America and to shake his hand. But much to my utter dismay, by this time, the green was filled with out-stretched hands. I found myself lost in the swirl of people and standing 4 lines back from THEM. Them--that nothing was going to keep me from seeing. Mrs. Bush and I were both just too short for it to happen. I couldn't reach her because of the gulf of people between us. I was more than a little disappointed. President Bush made a quick speech and told us that he was glad to be there in S.C. and to see everyone. BUT, all was not lost--lo and behold, we ran into AMY WOOD from Channel 7 News. She stopped, talked with us, even gave me her microphone, saying that I could say a few words. I was too shy for that, THEN. If only it were now--I'd have more than a few words to say!! Amy, too, was so gracious. She allowed me to have a picture taken with her. Needless to say, that made my day for sure. And would you believe that we saw Dr. Bob Jones III, there that day also! He is definitely one of my heroes--at the top of the list, actually. What an all around wonderful day that was for someone so sick, battling cancer!! It was surely a day to remember. I'll never forget that day and it was made special by so many wonderful people. And unless the Lord didn't want me there, we were going to do everything humanly possible to get there and shake the President's hand. Anything is possible if you put your faith in the LORD. You know, I'm very thankful that President Bush is so gracious and so TALL. For he made every effort to shake as many hands as he could that day. Being so tall, he leaned right over into the crowd and grabbed my hand. Could it be true? Yes, I found myself shaking the hand of the President of the United States of America!! Until We Meet Again...

Yes, I Do Love Purses

You see that little purple purse over there in the corner, don't you? Well, look over there and see. It just happened to be the only picture available. Well, at least where I was looking-that I could choose from- since I didn't have a picture of my own to post. And probably wouldn't know HOW to post it if I did!! We won't dig deep into the fact of how computer illiterate that I really am right now. That's another topic all together for this wanna-be "blogger" at an all together other time. But, I digress, back to the little purple purse. It's no coincidence, at least not in my mind that it should appear there. Let me explain. You see, just a few days ago , my Best Friend of 51 years, yes, that's what I really said, 51 years, just happened to give me a beautiful purple purse for my birthday. It is a beautiful purse, one that will go with numerous things in my wardrobe--I LOVE PURSES! But the purse is of no great consequential matter in and of itself. But now, my dear friend, the one that gave me that little purple purse, she is of great consequential matter. We have been friends for a great long while, and she is one of the most wonderful human beings on the face of the earth. It is unbelievable what this lady does for the ones around her. She is the consumate example of the Proverbs 31 woman. She is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. She runs the office where she works with the utmost of organizational skills, as well as her own home. The list goes on and on. She has this most amazing "card ministry" --if you're down, count on it, you're in luck when you go to your mailbox. She's brought a smile to my face on countless occasions. She tirelessly works at her church in all capacities. There's just too much to mention here, she is totally selfless-it is always someone else's needs being met by HER. Coincidence that my best BUD gave me a purple purse and then I come here and find a little purple purse to post on my blog? No way--it gave me this opportunity to let the world know about this amazing lady and friend that I have been blessed by the Lord to have in my life for these past 51 years. Yes, that really is 51 years. She is simply the best and she has great taste. I thank the Lord for bringing her into my life. You did see that little purple purse over there in the corner, didn't you? Coincidence? No, not at all. Until we meet again...

FAR ABOVE RUBIES by denise

     A virtuous woman, God did say ~ was far above rubies- The price to pay.  She riseth up, while yet still night ~ to do much work ~ By the day's long light.  A virtuous woman, yes indeed ~ her hand she useth ~ Toward all in need.  Strength and honor, she weareth well ~ the law of kindness ~ Her tongue to tell.  "Blessed",  her children arise and call ~ her husband doth praise ~ Thou excelleth them all.  A virtuous woman, God did say ~ was far above rubies ~ The price to pay.   An original poem based on Proverbs 31 written on September 15, 2003 ~ by denise ~ Until We Meet Again...

Proverbs 31:10-30 from Holy Bible KJV

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   Proverbs 31:10-30 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out at night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.-----. Bathshebe is instructing her and King David's son, SOLOMON, on how to choose a Godly, upright woman. Her price would be "far above rubies". Until We Meet Again...

My Friend's Mom

Who would have ever thought that the woman I met that Spring day in 1974 would have such a profound effect on the shaping and molding of my life?  Not me.   SHE, you can rest assured, was unsuspecting of the role she'd play,trust me!  But she surely did just that.  She has been an integral part of my life for 35 years, even though she had not been in my life in an intimate, close way now for 10 years.  Oh, I had written her numerous cards and letters in the earlier part of these last 10 years to no avail.  She never acknowledged a single one.  But, I do know that she received them. My friend's brother had told me so. She was the Mother of this friend who lived down the hall in my dormitory.   It was Bible Conference at BJU and she was there in 1974, visiting with her daughter, my friend.   The woman was very polished, extremely attractive, well-dressed, very articulate with wonderful English, diction and an uncanny control of her voice.   She was, as I came to find out, a very accomplished woman with talent abounding in more than one area.   She had studied art in NYC for 14 years, she was an expert seamstress, gourmet cook, interior decorator, crafter.  She had talent, for sure.   I admired her on so many levels.   She and her husband and their 2 children had traveled extensively in the lower 48 states of the USA and had met many people along the way.   She was extremely intelligent, a very astute business woman of her own affairs--very,very frugal.  I love "frugality" as much or more than just about anyone else.  But, she had made many enemies with that trying "to always get something for nothing " attitude.  It could be overwhelmingly embarrassing, to say the least, to which more will be said a little later.  Well, when our freshman year was over, it turned out that my friend and I were going to work at the same Christian camp that summer not far from her house. So she called her Mom, this elegant woman, of whom I've been speaking, and asked if she could bring me home with her for the 2 and 1/2 weeks before the camp opened.   Her Mom said that it would be fine.  That was the beginning of the relationship that would forever change my life. The woman and her husband both claimed "Christianity", but there was just that nagging something!   Something was missing from their lives that just didn't match up to the "talk".  It was evident from the beginning that this woman probably did not have a personal relationship with the Saviour, Jesus Christ.   About the frugality mentioned aforehand, when visiting in her part of the country, we would go into the tiny little downtown village where she lived-- it was one of those places where everyone just about knew everyone else. When this woman's name was mentioned, people did not care who you were or what your relationship might have been with her, they would proceed to "let it roll".  There were stories of how they would run and hide when they saw her coming into their store, making a younger, somewhat unsuspecting greenhorn wait on her.   We were even told stories of people just right out refusing to have her come into their business at all--she would upset them that much!!!   Yep, she was the original Diva.   I don't say this to be mean, remember she helped mold me into the woman that I am today.   I'm just speaking the truth here.  But it was just that "DIVA" attitude of hers that the Lord used to help shape my life.   You see, I HAD to ask the Lord for HIS grace and mercy to be able to tolerate this selfish, self-centered, 'didn't you know the world revolved around her and her alone' attitude for all the years that were.  And the Lord did a miraculous thing in my own heart along the way. He taught me to truly LOVE this talented, intriguing but manipulative woman and to be overwhelmingly concerned for her soul.  Because, even in that stringent frugality, she gave me (besides my own Salvation) the most precious gift I'd ever been given and the one that I loved and treasured the most. That gift, in turn, was responsible for the next 2 most precious gifts I have ever received. And I thank her for her part in giving them all 3 to me. So, the Lord taught me patience and the value of being able to genuinely FORGIVE someone.   I was concerned.   Being concerned for her soul and her eternal destination was an ever driving force in my life.   Many hours were spent in prayer, agonizingly so, begging the Lord for her salvation.  Over the years of our realationship, it was still painfully apparent that she probably DID NOT know the Lord Jesus in a personal, intimate way.  There was just too much confusion, chaos, deceit, lying--boy, could she tell 'em!-- and STRONG WILLFULNESS associated with her way of living--no submission to that "Higher Power".  It was totally the opposite of the "fruits of the Spirit".  Those letters that I mentioned writing to her, were Salvation letters.   I was begging her to get things right with the Lord before it was too late.  Then it came.   Earlier this year I got the phone call that I had dreaded.   She had passed away.   The call came just 34 minutes after she had gone.   My friend's brother had called me.   My heart felt as if it where going to explode from the grief.  That grief invaded every part of my being, all consuming and holding me in its clutches for weeks.   I was sick with grief.   Overwhelming Grief.   And PAIN.   She was gone and I had no idea if she made things "RIGHT" with the Lord.   Remember, she never answered those letters.   While I might not know right now about her final place in eternity, she will always have a place in my life ETERNALLY.
And she WAS used mightily to shape and mold my life.   And, I DID truly learn to love her for a LOT of reasons.   For you see, this woman was my daughter's paternal GRANDMOTHER, my grand baby's paternal GREAT-GRANDMOTHER.   And, she was MY MOTHER-IN-LAW.  I love you, MOM R', and hope it's not a forever good-bye  ~ Until We Meet Again...

The 1st Apple of My Eye With the Little Apple

Here she is --My Beautiful Daughter--'Pun'kin', or 'The Baby', as we always called her. She is the original Apple of my Eye. She is a wife, Mother, daughter, granddaugther, neice,beloved cousin, artist, scrapbooker, gourmet cook, "and a you should hear her play" pianist. And, on top of that she has a business degree and has been somewhat of a world traveler--she's been everywhere, including 3 trips to India and getting ready to make the 4th trip soon. She is an extremely talented person all the way around and is truly beautiful inside and out, but she doesn't realize it. She doesn't see herself in that light. She doesn't think that she's anything special, but oh, is she so wrong. It had taken me about a year to conceive, and ah, was it happy news for us when I found out that she wasn't that "stomach virus" thing going around. No, SHE was on her way. The Lord had heard my pleas and had answered in a mighty wonderful way as He always does. Let me tell you that this expectant MOM was going to take care of her little bundle. I studied everything on nutrition, walked 3 miles a day, rode my bike and bowled for the first 5 & 1/2 months.  I read the Word of God out loud to her all during my pregnancy and in the hospital after her birth!  Plus, I had worked until the week of my due date and had taught my little kids' Sunday School class the Sunday before she made her grand entrance a few days later!  And nothing would do but for us to go through Lamaze classes--so here we go: 23hrs 37minutes worth of completely natural childbirth. My goal was for her to be as healthy as possible and for her brain to be raring to go. Believe me, she was raring--that baby never did act like a "newborn".  She had to be up seeing everything going on. She was a big MOMMY's girl. She said 'Momma' when she was only 3 months old. Boy, was I beaming!! She has always been My Girl! That grand baby is grand, that's why they call them so. And She is the apple of her Gan-Gan's eye. But HER Mommy IS the original apple of this Mom's eye. And you have got to hear her play that piano. Until We Meet Again...

2nd Little Apple of My Eye

Let me introduce you to the 2nd little apple of my eye: my beautiful little Grand Baby, affectionately referred to as the G-Baby! This Gan-Gan got to be there for her birth, (she lives in another state, ) so it makes my bond with her ever the more special. She started to preschool this week amidst a varying mix of emotions. We're glad that she will be out meeting and making friends and starting her own little menagerie of peers. She is quite outgoing to have been an only child living in an almost exclusive adult environment and will probably be the ring leader in a vast social circle before long. But, on the completely opposite end of the spectrum--we don't won't our little darling growing up too fast. Don't they already grow up too quickly in this day and age? She adores her Mommy (and Daddy, too) but she is a MOMMY'S girl. Because of that, my daughter has been quite amazed at how Little Miss Independent that G-Baby has been in just these 3 days. She can't say that I didn't try to warn her of what was to be. One minute they're all sweet and cuddly in your lap-- where does the time go?!--begging for your attention and then the next it's: "I can do this myself, Mommy". While G-Baby has aways been HIGHLY motivated and never failed to make a friend on the playground , she's aways been very clingy to her Mother in some ways. So it has found my daughter taken aback quite a bit for this very self-reliant attitude to be emerging forth from her little girl. All I can say is that she'd better have that camera ready, but this my daughter knows well, for she is an avid Scrapbooker. She will capture every awe-inspiring moment for sure. Yes, I warned her. It's true, because wasn't it only yesterday that I was running after the camera while hearing my own little 4 year old saying, "I can do that for myself, Mommy"? Until We Meet Again...

Look at Her, She's So Cute

Today is the day that I should probably be taking my little Pomeranian pup to be, well, you know, "put down", as they call it. She's just not doing that great these days. She's not exactly what you'd call a PUP. She turned 13 years old on the 13th of September. Now, that has always been my lucky number, but probably not for little CoCo. (I named her CoCo Chanel after the designer of my favorite perfume.) Yes, CoCo turned 13 and this will more than likely be the last birthday that she gets to celebrate. She has been the most docile, well-mannered, precious dog ever until these last few weeks. She has taken to barking like a PROVERBIAL MAD DOG every time my phone rings and I start talking to someone--I do like to talk on the phone to my family and Buds. I know that she's not well, but come on--what's up with this insane constant barking? She's always been used to claiming my queen size bed as her own private retreat, but not now, being sickly and all. So that gives her something else to gripe about. Around 4 or 5 in the AM she starts up again with that insane yapping. No kidding, she sounds like a St. Bernard, especially at that time of the morning. Yapping loud enough to wake the dead, or least some pretty irate neighbors whom I'm afraid just might not love her as much as "Momma" does. They might just decide to call the law to this tiny little 5lb. fur ball belting it out like Aretha Franklin at OBAMA's inauguration! Decisions, decisions. She's been my faithful companion for 10 years now. The Lord let the little dog come into my life during a really rough patch in the road, so to speak, and she means a lot to me. She has really been a FAITHFUL companion. My grand baby, who's 4, will ask to "speak" to CoCo over the phone. So, Gan-Gan puts the phone to a very patient and obliging little pup. The grand baby will ask me "What is CoCo wearing?" Yes, that spoiled little thing has all those cute doggie outfits to wear--that's not Her idea--that's to appease my whims and notions. Ah, look at her, so cute, so docile, so patient. Maybe I'll wait and put it off till the 13th of next month. OH, NO! There goes that telephone!! Until We Meet Again...

Did You Say 'SWINE' Flu?

Anxiously I wait for the phone to ring with news of what the doctor has told Mom.
She'd been sick for about a week at the time and has finally found the strength to get dressed to go to the doctor. Dad had been sick first and his doc said that he was getting a mighty early start on the season. He put Dad on the Z-Pack and told Dad to take it easy. Finally, the phone rings and it's Mom on the other end. "What did the doctor say?"  My heart seems to stop as she says in my ear, "He says I have the 'Swine Flu'."  I could not believe what I'd heard. "Did you say 'Swine'?,"  I managed to ask her.   How in the world did she get that pig stuff anyway?  Where had we been for to contract it?  Dad hadn't been diagnosed with it, even though he had been very sick! Well, after all this I got my flu shot on Tuesday. But in no way, shape, form, or fashion (oh-I love FASHION-but that's not what's important here) will I take the H1-N1 shot, regardless of who's been sick with it. Without getting too political on my maiden blog-age, let it suffice to say that I don't trust it.  Mom has been sick now going into her 3rd week and it's been hard on everyone. Dad had been sick the 2 weeks prior and they won't let me come to their house for fear that I will come down with the dreaded plague. It's been physically hard on their bodies, understandably so. Sickness takes its toll. But it's been hard on me, too. We are very close and I miss them. Has one pondering how short time really is. This prompts me to take inventory of the little kindnesses that I can take time to do for others that are SO dear and even for strangers that maybe aren't--YET!  Kindnesses like writing a card, yes, with my hand and a pen. Those little things that mean so much. Oh yes, my Mom has the dreaded 'Swine' flu and I need to go pick out that card. Until We Meet Again...