Wordless Wednesday # 17

MY VETERAN...

We are SO proud of you!

Thank You to Our Veterans

Really that is all we can say.... "Thank You".

Freedom really isn't free.

So, to all our veterans.... Thank You!

Gonna Be a BEAR

In this life, I’m a Woman.
In my next life,
I’d like to come back as a bear.

When you’re a bear, you get to hibernate.
You do nothing but sleep for six months.
I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate,
you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that too.

When you’re a girl bear,
you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts)
while you are sleeping.
And you wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs.
I could definitely deal with that.

If you’re a momma bear,
everyone knows you mean business.
You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.
If your cubs get out of line,
you swat them too.
Oh I could deal with that.

If you’re a bear,
Your mate expects you to wake up growling
He expects you to have hairy legs
and excess body fat.

YEP, gonna be a bear!

I received this several years ago from a friend. I do not know the author...so if any of you do... please tell me and I will credit it to them. However, I love it!

I am sharing this with the ladies here on Saturday morning, and thought you might enjoy it too.
(Certainly not my text LOL... just a "funny" to share!)

Have a great day!

Traveling Light ...

I am writing this from the plane on the way to Port Charlotte, Florida. We are going to be leading a marriage/parenting conference this weekend.

And I feel a need to tell about our adventure this morning. Remember when I confessed about being a pack-a-holic? Addictions die hard. I really tried to plan well for this trip. I did.

I mentally went through each day and decided what I would wear. I only planned to take one extra outfit for an emergency – or a change of plans. I really scaled back on the book bag – since I wanted to bring my computer with me. I would only take the books that would fit in the computer bag. I was so proud as I went to bed on Wednesday (even though it was around midnight!) ** Note, Scripture tells us that pride comes before the fall**

When I got up this morning at 4:00 – and started getting ready to leave… The panic set in.

I just had to add one more jacket, two pair of capris, two more shirts, another necklace and pair of earrings. The new outfits demanded another pair of shoes. And there were a couple of other books that I HAD to take. We ARE leading a conference. I really must have what I needed with me.

So, that lead to the dilemma of the suitcase not zipping. No problem. We are allowed two checked baggages. I would just get another one and quickly rearrange a few items.

And we were on our way…and I still felt good about my preparations. A little panic, but nothing major … right??

Arrived at the airport just a few minutes later than we (Hal) desired. The parking deck was extremely full. It took forever to find a parking place, and when we did… we had to walk a LONG way to the terminal. Time was ticking quickly. We get to the ticket counter, and the screen says it is too late for checked baggages. WHAT?? The attendant says she can get it through. Then we are told that we are only allowed one checked baggage each. The other two would cost $50.00 each - $100.00!!!! WHAT AGAIN????

We quickly decided that one suitcase was small enough to be Hal’s carry-on. At least we would reduce the amount by $50.00... That is – if the credit card is credited correctly…

OHHHHH…..

We made it to the plane – just barely. And now as I am riding, I am just hoping that the luggage did in fact make it. And if not… I will really have an interesting story for you, huh?

And I thought I had done so well. I really did.

Sharing our Evening at DISNEY ON ICE

We had a wonderful time....

So, I share a few pictures of the evening.


Aubrey is waiting patiently...

Here she is calling,

"MICKEY - MINNIE - COME SEE ME!"

And they arrive ... In all their glory!!!

Granddaddy, Granna, Mom, Aubrey and Dad...Mom, Aubrey Dad, Momma Dee and PoppaCAN YOU TELL THAT SHE IS EXCITED! It was a good evening...

But I have to tell you - After a trip to the Christmas Section at LOWES last Wednesday with Granna... that has become the new favorite place to go!

So, when Poppa came into her SS Class yesterday to get her to tell her teacher about the night at Disney On Ice... He said, "Aubrey, tell Mrs. Tami where you went last night." (Thinking that she would want to tell all about this wonderful evening that we all spent together.)

She proclaimed, "LOWES" or in her words, "ROWES". LOL We could have saved all of us a lot of money- had we just gone to Chick-fil-A and picked up a quick supper and then made a trip to ROWES.

If only we had known.

OH, the life of a 2 1/2 year old.... and her silly parents and grand-parents trying to entertain. Our style.

Regardless, we DID have a good time. Just did not make the impression on her that it did on all of us.

So, today we are on our way to 'ROWES'.

Just thought you would want to know.

M I C K E Y MOUSE

Just a quick note to tell you all that we are going to Disney on Ice tonight!
Momma Dee and Poppa
Granna and Granddaddy
Mom and Dad
......and Aubrey!!!

What fun... I think I am more excited than she is .... and that is saying a lot!

I am sure that I will have pictures later... and MOM too.

But I just had to tell you.

Cause I knew you would want to know.

"Yes" to God Bible Studies (Chpt 5)

I am two weeks late in posting about chapter 5 - but did not want to miss for those of you are following my updates on our classes and this wonderful book/study.



So... "What Keeps us from Saying Yes to God?"



First we discussed - When we choose a life of radical obedience - we can know that we will encounter "naysayers". The word of advice given was, "Never let others' compliments go to your head or their criticism go to your heart."

And a quote from Paul Bunyon, "If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me." These are two truths to remember as we seek to say "Yes" to God, and as we encounter those who will criticize and/or discourage.



Then comes the choice to worry or to worship...

(pg 90) "Worship replaces anxiety brought on by fear with an unexplained peace that can only come from focusing on God." Psalms 141:8 says it this way, "My eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord, in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death."



As we choose to worship - we will experience His Peace... Lysa worded it so well (pg 85)
"The world's way to peace would have me pull back to make life a little easier for me, my circumstances, and my family.
The problem with this is that we were not put here to be all about ourselves--we were put here to be all about God.
We are to die to our self-centeredness so we can have more of Christ in our hearts and minds. Jesus clearly tells us to focus on Him, His ways, and His example, and His peace will be with us."

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."



I will close with this from prayer of Saint Patrick (pg 92).



Let it be your prayer too.



Christ shield me this day:

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.



Oh.... that I may be so filled with Christ...that He is the overflow!

Radical Obedience - that is what we are talking about ...

Yes, God, Yes!

"PaPaw-isms"

My dad was never at a loss for words. When he did not know the correct word or could not think of a word - he would just make up his own... We began calling those words - "PaPaw-isms".



I will try to give a few examples...

---instead of Highway Patrol - he would say Highway Control.

instead of UFO's - he would say PQR's
(go figure that one - I guess he just knew it was three letters)
and as I re-read this before posting I also want to explain - not that he ever saw an UFO - just when he talked about it. Oh.... the more I try to explain -the worse it gets -LOL

---instead of "I am going to relax" - he would say "I am going to exlax". :)

---He had a hard time saying "Hal" for some reason... so he just call him - "hoot". (or Pope)



So,the cycle of life continues.

Our precious Aubrey (now 2 1/2) does the same thing. And I love it.

---I told her I was taking her to Pottery Barn..... later she wanted to go to "Barn Door". No hesitation - no thinking about it...
I guess in our home-Pottery Barn has a new name.

---When we go to Cracker Barrell - she really likes the hushpuppies. She will tell you - I want "puppie doggie".

And there are more - but I just can't think of them right now. (for both generations)

Maybe I will update some more later.

Those are the times that I miss my Dad so much. I would love to pick up the phone and call him to tell him the newest "Papaw-ism" that Aubrey has just said. It would have tickled him so much.

It has been seven years since Dad went to be with His Savior. Seven years since we heard some of his "-isms".

Until now...

Now, the grand-baby carries on the tradition. And I have a feeling like this is just the beginning.

To be continued...

A night with boomama and Trent Monk

Tonight was the night...

Went to Sophie's house.

Met with other Birmingham Bloggers.

Had wonderful entertainment by Trent Monk...

WOW - what a musician!

Sweet fellowship. (Gayle, Sophie, and Me)

Thank you Sophie - for opening your home and inviting us in. And for letting us sit and enjoy listening to Trent.

I told you when I walked in that you were a brave soul - but I change that... you are a precious soul!

And we are blessed by having spent some time with you in your home. That is what hospitality is all about.

Sweet Blessings to you!

The Body of Christ

So as a form of another update, I just have to share with you about our particular "Body of Christ". I have to share about seeing them function in the way the Body is designed to function.

My Godly husband (the pastor) called for our people to come together Wednesday night to pray for our very sick teenager girl and her sweet family. He asked those of us who teach other classes to dismiss early and come. He asked those who can only make it for choir practice to please come early. He asked for the body to gather together and PRAY. To intercede for a member of our family who is sick. Very sick.

And what a blessing to come down from my class to see such a crowd. Young and old alike with one purpose. We were petitioning our heavenly Father to be Jehovah Rapha and heal our sister in Christ. To touch her body.

What a sweet, sweet spirit. What precious prayers were offered. What a sacrifice of praise. This is how the body is supposed to function. I was overflowing (literally- out the eyes) just to be a part and a witness. Sweet ministry.

And then for the update...

Today, the doctors changed the diagnosis. It is not Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) - as we were told on Tuesday. She does have Vasculitis - but not the serious kind. PRAISE YOU JESUS. I believe with all of my heart that our Heavenly Father reached down from heaven and touched her body. He so graciously has already begun the healing work in her.

James 5:15 says, "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up."

Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Certainly, we ask that you keep praying for "K" and for her family and for her doctors. But we know who is the great Physician. We met with Him last night on her behalf. Praise You, Lord!