What a Difference a Few Months Makes ...

Our beautiful Rose of Sharon in the summer....

Our Rose of Sharon in the middle of a snow storm...

It sure does look different! Both are beautiful! BUT, I much prefer the summer one!

I have had lots of weather. Snow... snow... snow...
We had a blizzard Christmas. The snow stayed on the ground for weeks. We finally thawed out and the snow melted. After it melted we even had some beautiful days of warmth. This week we hit over 60*! It was WONDERFUL!!!!

Even though I love the warmth, this has been a beautiful snow - once it started. It was predicted that we would have a big ice storm that could cause us to lose our power and do lots of damage. Then we would get lots of snow on top of that. It rained and rained and rained, but it we only got a little bit of ice.

We were blessed, yes, very blessed here. Other places in the path of the storms were not so fortunate. They lost power. They are still without power. We were in a special little "window" that evidently had high enough temps to keep the rain from becoming ice.

When the snow started, we got lots in a short time. It was so peaceful and comforting. I just went from window to window watching it. It is still snowing now. When it got dark I had to close the blinds and couldn't watch anymore. ... how sad.

I'm sure it will be there in the morning when I wake up. We will be going to Oz this weekend if the roads are cleared enough. The snow isn't hard to drive in. The ice is treacherous.

Anyway, thanks for reading my blog. Sorry I had to go "private". If I need to "invite" someone else, please get me their email. Thanks!

I hope that your winter is enjoyable....

Blessings~

South Georgia Girl

I laugh at myself quite often. It is easy to do and it sure makes life easier and more fun. I don't always admit to others what I do, but I sure do to myself!

This week we have had threats of "weather" all over the news. All you who know me, know that I love the nice warm weather of S. Georgia... and am not particularly fond of cold. I consider anything under 50 as qualifying as "freezing".

The other night at Walmart I was just buying "regular" things. I noticed extremely LONG lines and empty shelves. I needed paper plates, but there were NONE... the shelf was bare. Not only that shelf but there were no buns, very little bread... even meat was scarce! People had carts full of water and gas cans, batteries, candles, lanterns...

I had no clue. I was just happy with the nice warm weather we were having. I started talking to the lady in the line in front of me. (That's what we do in Georgia!) I asked what was going on, was I missing something?

It started a huge conversation between lines and people all over! I was quickly informed of the impending storm... threatening to be worse than the one they had in 2007!!!!!!!

The horror and fear in people was contagious! I had to fight off the urge to go and grab everything in sight "just in case"... I might need that pair of shorts on clearance or that ugly necklace on display, or 15 different magazines ... I even wanted to go and get all the organizational and storage bins ... a lady behind me had a VERY nice big bin with wheels that was "only" $10 and she was willing to run back to the shelf and get me the last 3 if I wanted!

I had to stop and go for peace and laugh at myself. I couldn't get the bins in my car, I didn't need shorts and I already have about 20 magazines waiting for me to read at home....

I didn't run frantically around grabbing everything in sight - I stayed in line and got out of there as soon as I could!

In case you don't know why the panic, I'll be glad to share (as it has been shared with me).

We didn't live here then. All our children did, though. In December 2007 (the fear producing date) they had a mammoth ice storm. It brought down power lines and trees and paralyzed the state for a long time. We began looking for a house in March of 2008 - 4 months after THE storm. Some of the neighborhoods still had piles of tree limbs that covered entire yards over 6 feet high! In our yard (before we bought it) there were 13 trees that fell! (Glad they are gone, that's for sure!)

People tremble at the thought of that storm. You can see the blood run from their faces as they talk about it.

The local news people have said that that storm, based on somebody's scale, was a # 3 and 4. They are saying we have the same weather conditions merging today and are saying it could be as high as #4 and 5 in some places.

I'm not receiving that report.

We are scheduled to get rain first (any minute now) - that they say will immediately turn to ice and cover power lines, bridges, and tree limbs. It will be heavy if this happens and can cause problems.... then the rain will turn to sleet and then snow... up to 12 inches...

My South Georgia blood runs cold at the thought of all this. I enjoy seeing it snow about once a year. After that it is no fun. We have already had a "nice" snow. We had a white Christmas and it threw everyone's plans for a loop!

I am thankful that I have gas logs and a gas grill. At least, we can cook some things and stay warm in the living room....

I have a roast in the crockpot, eggs boiled, a rotisserie chicken and lots of crackers... WHY crackers ???? you may ask... Well, I sent Hugsum to the store to get some batteries and snacks. So he came back with 3 (THREE) boxes of saltine crackers... ummm, yeah... right... we can put mayonnaise on them and ??? Well, anyway, another thing that makes me laugh.

It should be fun and interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing God's Hand in the middle of this. I know that He will protect, provide and prosper...

I'll keep you updated as I can!

Blessings~

Weather Questions and Random Dozen

I'm getting prepared for "weather". It is predicted that we are going to have some rough weather. I have weathered a blizzard recently and now "they" are saying we will have an ice storm and snow... 12" ... That should be interesting.

How do you prepare for such a treat? I was awakened this morning with the thought that I needed to be as a "wise virgin" and be prepared. ??????? UMMMMM I don't know what I need. I'm guessing, water, batteries, bread, sandwich meat. Any other suggestions?

Now, my response to the "Random Dozen" ... answering questions really makes me think....




Here are my answers to the Random Dozen by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?

I consider myself good at this. I can wait for what I really want.

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?

I can turn down most any food if I am focused on being healthy and on a diet. The real temptation to me is a good cookie with nuts... one that is lumpy and bumpy with good things (not a store bought cookie). A homemade cookie will do me "in" before any other food made by man or woman!

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?

It depends on WHAT and WHO.
I am extrememly impatient with ignorance, stupidity and meanness - those frustrate me beyond measure.
I am patient with children who are honestly trying to learn and do what is asked.
I am impatient with (and don't like) people who try to control and manipulate or force me.
If it is something that I'm waiting on personally, I'm usually very patient - like in line at Wally or in traffic.

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?

YES! I have set my sights on something and when it came to pass been very disappointed that it was not what I expected or believed it would be. Reality is rarely as good as our fantasy!
Those hamburgers are never as good as they look in the commercials!

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?

Yes - as long as it does not effect the quality or outcome!


6. Which line is hardest to wait in?

The line to the bathroom!

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?

I'm telling my age now... Back in my day, it wasn't possible find out medically...
I did, however, KNOW the gender of my children before they were born. I was blessed to have an encounter with the Holy Spirit and He revealed to me amazing things about my children before they were born.

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?

Definitely children

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?

YES! I ruined so many Christmases for myself that I do not want to have a clue to anything I'm getting. I got so good that I could open any gift and rewrap it without any sign. I also knew all the hiding places for presents and checked regularly for new additions.

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?

The birth of my first son. He was 3 weeks late! Or, maybe it SEEMED like an eternity!
Oh, it could be the purchase of my house. Having been in the ministry and living in parsonages, I didn't have my "own" home. So, at age 59 I got to choose my house and buy a "starter" home.

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?

BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHHHAAA
I'd say that would be me!

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

This questions is very hard for me. I love music and sing all the time, but I don't apply the words - or maybe LISTEN to them. I do not have a clue! Sorry... if I had to guess by the names it would be "D"... Wait for me.... LOL

Now, go to 2ndCup and check out more answers!

My New Old Book

One of my favorite devotional books got stuck back in a drawer and "lost". I have several that I rotate through but one has been my all time favorite since I first learned of it. I forgot about it.

Years ago a special friend read a devotional to a group. It was ALL Scripture! It went from one Scripture to the next in a theme and made perfect sense and really ministered to me. She told the story of it and so I went to my friend's store (The Shepherd Shop) and got one for me. Then, I got one for husgum and each of my children. It has been a favorite gift to friends since then.

The other day I was listening to one of my favorite Bible teachers (Beth Moore) and she made reference to it. She had been reading it. I remembered mine and began to look for it. I found it and it was like finding an old friend or wearing my comfortable shoes. It just fit!

It has a morning reading and a night reading. The story behind it is that it was originally compiled and published in 1794 by Samuel Bagster in Great Britain. Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) has had it republished. It seems that her mother, Ruth, had received one as a child on the mission field. She had given one to each of her children and grandchildren when they were 10. No matter where they are in the world, or what they are going through they all are "on the same page" and reading the same scriptures.

It is Daily Light. I have loved having it and have been blessed by it. I hope that you might find one and enjoy it too! It has so many wonderful parts, prayers and Scriptures that minister in all sorts of situations. It has blessed me.

Blessings~

If I Could Say...

Just love...
Release everyone from your expectations and demands ....
Be yourself ....
Don't try so hard to please the world, but try only to please Jesus ...
Forgive quickly ...
It is not so important to be "right" ...
Love is the key ...
It really doesn't matter what you do to me, it matters what I do to you...
Give something away every day...
In the light of eternity - what does it really matter?
It all gets back to love - THAT will matter in eternity...
Jesus is the key to where that eternity will be spent ...

Blessings~

Loops

Have you ever had something happen that just throws you for a loop? It is so completely bazaar and something out of the blue that you just shake your head in amazement and unbelief.

This can be something wonderful and fun and exciting... things like a surprise trip, or gift, maybe a compliment - or one of my favorites, a great deal on something.

Last year I had a great surprise happen that was so nice. A friend I have known all my life called me. We had not talked in about 30 years! She had remarried and moved away. I had moved away. We had no way of finding each other. Then she decided to see if she could find my parents. She found their number in the phone book, called and got my number. We picked up right away. Some friendships just last beyond distance and time.

We also had some other not so pleasant things hit us, but we have found that God's grace is sufficient. His mercy and love enabled and strengthened us.

The wonderful thing about walking with God is that when something comes in and knocks us we may lose our balance briefly, but He is always there to steady and stabilize us and set us back on our feet! IF we turn to Him.

Good things can take our focus off as well as bad.

I have found that if I will step back and re-evaluate the situation, it is never as it seems. Sometimes that bargain is not really a bargain because it is not something I need or really like. I just want to get it because it is "on sale"!

Even a new baby can put things out of kilter for awhile. They are certainly good things, but require adjustments.

It is important when something hits that is devastating and disturbing that we wait before we respond. We may be misinterpreting things and it probably is not as awful and bad as we first think. Nothing is ever as bad as it first appears. NOTHING! God is always there to redeem, fix, repair, restore. He is loving, kind and good. He knows ... He KNEW it was coming and has a way to deal with it that will benefit us and glorify Him.

I am not proud of my responses at times. I have had to repent and ask for help and forgiveness. I have had to eat crow. I have been humbled. I have also received forgiveness and blessings and restoration.

I'm eternally thankful that I serve a loving, forgiving God! In my mess ups, He restores order!

Blessings~

Confession!

I have a confession to make.... lest you think that it is related to the previous post - don't worry. I'm not about to make full confession here !

I confess that I'm addicted to Facebook. I have become a Facebookaholic. I have to have a Facebook "fix" frequently throughout the day. I used to be addicted to blogging, but I have moved on to the harder, faster stuff of Facebook. I cannot do Twitter. It makes me crazy with all the @ stuff.

That does not mean that I don't still want and need blogging. It just means that I really crave Facebook and the comments.

I want to keep up with my friends and their status. I want to be a part of their lives and leave comments. I love the immediacy of the connection. I love that I can connect with people all over the world and know that they are okay or if they need prayer, I can pray. I love that I get to know who gets married and who is expecting. I love that I can share a need or hurt or pain and receive prayer and concern and support.

I apologize that somehow I did something and now all my blogs are posted on Facebook. I don't know how I did it or how to stop it. I really don't mean to. I really do not feel that every word I write must be published around the world on Facebook. It just happens now by itself. This Facebook has taken on a whole identity and control of it's own. It is very controlling and demanding! It calls my name. It begs me to come check and see who is online and what they are doing.

I apologize that I spend more time on Facebook than I do blogging. I have gotten lazy about writing long things and reading long things. I hope to do better. I can't promise that I will. I can promise that I will try.

Thank you very much for your loyalty and love and acceptance. You are very kind not to condemn me.

I leave you now to go and check my Facebook... I'm sure that someone else has posted some that I MUST know about and respond accordingly!

Blessings~