It's not about winning or losing, but love and respect.
— Max Lucado
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
day trip to Houston
Today I went to Houston with Jackie & Isabel. We left a little earlier than normal as Isabel was spending the night at Blair's and so we needed to pick her up on our way out of town. I was pretty tired, so I stopped at Starbucks in Hillsboro to get a venti vanilla chai tea...one of my favorites there! We made good time and they dropped me off at Panera Bread while they went on to see Modesto. I took my laptop, a book and knitting with me, so I was all ready for some chill time and knew that I might even sneak a nap in the comfy leather chair. Well, I did my 30minutes of computer work before the internet at Panera kicked me off (they only allow you 30 minutes between the hours of 11.30am - 01:30pm) and then decided I was so tired, I would curl up and sleep in my chair. I did, for 1.5hrs! Can you imagine what they thought of me all curled up there sleeping away like I knew nothing??? Well, it felt REALLY good wonderful...lovely...heavenly! I then got me some soup & salad, which was yummy. I decided I would knit, but that didn't last very long and I went back to sleep for another 30 minutes till Jackie called me and said they were on their way back. I ordered them some food and then we hit the road after they got there. We made decent time and really didn't have too much traffic inspite of it being a Holiday weekend. I went straight to bed upon arriving home. So far, I have managed to keep away the sickness going around...I don't want it!
Friday, December 24, 2010
 |
| What does this picture say to you? Someone posted this on Facebook and I thought it was very interesting and a good thought to reflect on. Here are a few comments: When one door closes, another one is already open on your way to achieving your goals... But, you must go through the first one to get started! Doors of opportunity are endless!!! God never closes a door and then never fails to open a new one for us. Endless opportunity is reached with hard work down what may be a long trek. MY COMMENT: We all have a journey ahead of us. God provides a clear path, but sometimes we take detours along the way. The journey requires that we keep looking forward to the goal! So...you want to answer the question? |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A story...Planting the Seed
A successful Christian business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, 'It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.' The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. 'I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.'
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and, excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by--still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. 'My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,' said The CEO. 'Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!' All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front.
Jim was terrified. He thought, 'The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!'
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, 'Behold your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!'
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO, the others said? Then the CEO said, 'One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!'
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
If you plant faith in Christ, you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
I was cleaning out emails and found this that was sent to me several years ago...thought it was too good not to share.
He said, 'It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.' The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. 'I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.'
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and, excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by--still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. 'My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,' said The CEO. 'Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!' All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front.
Jim was terrified. He thought, 'The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!'
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, 'Behold your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!'
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO, the others said? Then the CEO said, 'One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!'
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
If you plant faith in Christ, you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
I was cleaning out emails and found this that was sent to me several years ago...thought it was too good not to share.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
verse to reflect on...
VERSE:
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint. -Isaiah 40:31
THOUGHT:
It is easy for us to live victoriously for the Lord when we soar on the wings of eagles. It can be exciting when we run and don't grow weary in the work of the Lord, buoyed by his power and presence. But it often takes heroes to keep walking and not faint when trying times come. Keep on walking brother and sister. The Lord is there when you most fear he has forgotten you!
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20100623
I need to think about this verse, seriously stop and ponder it. I must remember God is with me because I must admit, lately, I have felt so all alone. So in a fight against life, but no strength to fight and press on. I have been frustrated...loosing heart...grieved...and questioning everything and asking an unanswerable question, why? My focus is not where it needs to be. May God give me the courage to stop and listen to Him and remember that He is with me!
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint. -Isaiah 40:31
THOUGHT:
It is easy for us to live victoriously for the Lord when we soar on the wings of eagles. It can be exciting when we run and don't grow weary in the work of the Lord, buoyed by his power and presence. But it often takes heroes to keep walking and not faint when trying times come. Keep on walking brother and sister. The Lord is there when you most fear he has forgotten you!
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20100623
I need to think about this verse, seriously stop and ponder it. I must remember God is with me because I must admit, lately, I have felt so all alone. So in a fight against life, but no strength to fight and press on. I have been frustrated...loosing heart...grieved...and questioning everything and asking an unanswerable question, why? My focus is not where it needs to be. May God give me the courage to stop and listen to Him and remember that He is with me!
Monday, December 20, 2010
my soul is grieved...
I texted Terry today and he ended up calling me. He was very, very, very down. I asked questions and he either didn't answer or I had to d...........rrrrrrraaaaaaa...aaaaaaaagggggggggggggggggggggggggggg them out of him. Seriously, it was an awful conversation. I don't know why he bothered to call if he didn't want to talk. I learned he got into drugs again on the 14th of this month and was gone and didn't return back home until the 16th. Mom & Dad would not let him get his clutch on the car fixed, so he sold it for $250 and took some other funds to total $400 and bought drugs. While he was gone, Mom & Dad took all his belongings into the house and have locked the house and won't let him in. They state it is in case he doesn't pay rent this month, mind you, they have all his disability money and won't give him any. I am not saying that he is being a responsible 29 year old, but I am saying their actions are wrong and fraud. Since when can you steal someone's things? Really??? He is depressed, very low. The lowest I have ever had him be so far with me.
My soul is grieved.
My heart is torn.
I have cried...and cried some more.
I want him to succeed, but no that the choice is not mine. It is his life. He has to live it, I can't and until he surrenders to God, life is going to only get harder.
I am realizing, I have another phase to "Letting Go".
Again...another request for Prayers. Prayers for Terry. Prayers for me.
My soul is grieved.
My heart is torn.
I have cried...and cried some more.
I want him to succeed, but no that the choice is not mine. It is his life. He has to live it, I can't and until he surrenders to God, life is going to only get harder.
I am realizing, I have another phase to "Letting Go".
Again...another request for Prayers. Prayers for Terry. Prayers for me.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
how to paint metal
Okay, my cousin is always giving these tutorials on how she does things, so I thought I would give you mine this time too!
I had these metal bins that I wanted to paint, (see post here on the completed project) and so this is how I did it. No I didn't research the "right way to do it", I just did it my way.
1. Empty out bins of objects and dust off inside & out.
2. Create space in garage to be able to spray paint the project. Lay plastic and put items on plastic.
I had these metal bins that I wanted to paint, (see post here on the completed project) and so this is how I did it. No I didn't research the "right way to do it", I just did it my way.
1. Empty out bins of objects and dust off inside & out.
2. Create space in garage to be able to spray paint the project. Lay plastic and put items on plastic.
3. Spray with a matte grey metal primer.
4. Let dry.
5. Spray your desired finish color.
6. Let dry.
7. Touch up or spay 2nd layer of finished color depending on what look you are trying to achieve.
8. Let air dry overnight.
9. Bring back in and setup in place and put your junk stuff back in the bins!
10. Enjoy your completed project that took you 6 years to do!
Quotes
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
- Frank Outlaw
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
- Frank Outlaw
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
verse to reflect on...
My soul, wait silently on God alone, for my expectation is from Him. Psalm 62:5
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Quotes
Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.
— Max Lucado
— Max Lucado
Saturday, December 11, 2010
the only picture...
this is the only picture that I have of Terry & I during the time he was here in Texas, December 4, 2009 to November 26, 2010, taken by Margaret. I regret this, very much...but can do nothing to fix it now. We talked about getting our picture taken together a few times as the only other picture that I have of us is when he came to visit me in 2003 or 2004 for a week. It was taken on the fireplace hearth at Uncle Gib & Auntie Con's. He made the comment a few times that he wanted to get a new one as that one had bad memories. The reason it did was because the shirt he was wearing in that picture was the same shirt he was wearing when he attempted suicide in May 2010 and they ripped it off of him when giving him medical treatment. I can't blame him for wanting new memories and only fault myself for not making more of an effort to get one taken. I have a camera, but it sits in its case in the drawer more than it gets "used". I do have memories in my head and can envision those, but to have one as proof would have been a nice thing. Take a lesson from my regret...make picture memories!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
verse to reflect on...
"where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"...and your feet will follow.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Uncle Gordy
...has passed away. And as always, it is one of those times that you think about the person and their life here on earth.
For those of you who have known Uncle Gordy, you have been blessed! He touched so many lives! Some have no doubt had a closer relationship, more time spent together, more ways of interacting then I did with him...but nonetheless, he is one who will be known forever as an encourager and with a sincere desire to be of help.
He married my parents and we lived in his assembly for many years in San Luis Obispo. I do not have recollection of times together as a child. But the one thing I will never forget is a marriage he performed here in Texas and he said two the most important letters in the alphabet are "U" and "I". He linked it to God and a husband & wife team you can't have the one without the other, it takes "you & I". I don't do his thoughts justice today...but at the time he presented this thought, it spoke volumes to me...and it still does. I bought the letters in a silver metal from Pottey Barn on eBay years ago and hope someday to have just the right spot for them in my house, whether I am ever married or not. My life is lived with God, it will always be "you and I"!
For those of you who have known Uncle Gordy, you have been blessed! He touched so many lives! Some have no doubt had a closer relationship, more time spent together, more ways of interacting then I did with him...but nonetheless, he is one who will be known forever as an encourager and with a sincere desire to be of help.
He married my parents and we lived in his assembly for many years in San Luis Obispo. I do not have recollection of times together as a child. But the one thing I will never forget is a marriage he performed here in Texas and he said two the most important letters in the alphabet are "U" and "I". He linked it to God and a husband & wife team you can't have the one without the other, it takes "you & I". I don't do his thoughts justice today...but at the time he presented this thought, it spoke volumes to me...and it still does. I bought the letters in a silver metal from Pottey Barn on eBay years ago and hope someday to have just the right spot for them in my house, whether I am ever married or not. My life is lived with God, it will always be "you and I"!
Monday, December 6, 2010
stackable metal filing bins
When I started my business in 2004, I needed filing cabinets for my stuff, but had limited resources, so I went thrift shopping. I found these at McCart Thrift and bought all 6 of them, 3 orange ones and 3 olive green ones.
Though orange and olive are not my color themes, I saw they had great potential. I came home and spray painted one silver just to see how it would take and how it would wear. SIX YEARS later, I have finished spray painting them all!!! :) This was my project yesterday. I applied a basic matte grey primer spray paint then two coats of silver metallic spray paint. Overall, very pleased with the end result and so glad to have completed a task off my todolist!
Now don't look at the stuff around my completed project...I am still working on that! But, it will happen...I am determined to get an organized working office in place!
Why did it take me so long to complete this? I knew from the get go that I wanted them to be silver just like the locker I have, so it wasn't lack of decision over the color. What could it be other than plain PROCRASTINATION??? LOL! Oh well...I got them done and you can see the finished product.
Oh, and can you see something else that is changed in the room??? I will give you a hint, its not the picture above the fax/scanner/copier...but its close. :)
Tell me what you think!
Though orange and olive are not my color themes, I saw they had great potential. I came home and spray painted one silver just to see how it would take and how it would wear. SIX YEARS later, I have finished spray painting them all!!! :) This was my project yesterday. I applied a basic matte grey primer spray paint then two coats of silver metallic spray paint. Overall, very pleased with the end result and so glad to have completed a task off my todolist!
Now don't look at the stuff around my completed project...I am still working on that! But, it will happen...I am determined to get an organized working office in place!
Why did it take me so long to complete this? I knew from the get go that I wanted them to be silver just like the locker I have, so it wasn't lack of decision over the color. What could it be other than plain PROCRASTINATION??? LOL! Oh well...I got them done and you can see the finished product.
Oh, and can you see something else that is changed in the room??? I will give you a hint, its not the picture above the fax/scanner/copier...but its close. :)
Tell me what you think!
Quotes
That best portion of a good man's life? His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
- William Wordsworth
- William Wordsworth
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
update on Terry
Terry has disconnected his phone. He called me Thursday to say "Goodbye" he said. I asked what he meant by that. He said that he is tried of people calling him, preaching at him, and so he is going to change his phone number. I told him that if he choose to give it to me, I would like it, but if he didn't, it was okay. I would still love him, pray for him, send emails and letters as forms of communication. He is very down, depressed and not sure what his life is all about. He said he was standing on a cliff, ready to jump off. I am anticipating a repeat of the experience in May 2010, but hope that I am wrong and he is just going thru a dark spell. Regardless, I know the information an support he is being fed from the owners of the property is not good. Please pray for him and write him if you feel so inclined.
I am going to be Aunt!!!
Morgan & Veronica are expecting! Yipppeeeeeee!!! I get to be an aunt again!!! I am sooooo happy...now I gotta finish the knitting for the baby.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
my thoughts...today.
I appreciate your prayers. This year has been very tough for me. I wish I could say my only issues were being unemployed, my brother, a dear friend who has been a mom to me that is shoving me out of her life, the check engine light that keeps coming on on my car, a decline of an application for health insurance...but it is more than that...you really don't want to know the whole list, you might be depressed with me! I am having a hard time keeping my chin up...keeping focused. Keeping the truth in my brain that God hears, He knows, He care, He understands, this too shall pass, He won't give me more than I can bare, etc, etc, etc. I have the brain knowledge, but the heart just ain't feeling it!
Today and yesterday I keep singing the lyrics to this song...with tears streaming down my face: "God hears and he answers prayer, cast on Jesus your every care, trust in His promises they cannot fail, for with the Father they'll ever prevail"...
...God hears! I am choosing to believe that He hears me, He knows my tears, He knows my pain, He knows the struggles in my life...He knows...I MUST TRUST! My current prayer: Lord give me the peace to just trust you.
Today and yesterday I keep singing the lyrics to this song...with tears streaming down my face: "God hears and he answers prayer, cast on Jesus your every care, trust in His promises they cannot fail, for with the Father they'll ever prevail"...
...God hears! I am choosing to believe that He hears me, He knows my tears, He knows my pain, He knows the struggles in my life...He knows...I MUST TRUST! My current prayer: Lord give me the peace to just trust you.
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