Church today

Ok, so I must admit it. I don't like one of the pastors at church as much as I like Pastor Charlie. Now, Pastor Brian always teaches me something and I have to force myself to listen to him. I'm not exactly sure why. I really like what he has to say but somehow I have a hard time following his outline.

All of that to say that today I was sitting in church between my niece and my 10 year old nephew. My niece is in high school now so she behaves :o)

My nephew has a hard time sitting still and I was starting to feel bad for the people that were sitting behind us. He was drawing on some paper that his mom had given him and he was trying to behave. I could tell that it was just hard.

He got to ride with me on the way over to his house since I had been invited for lunch (yeah!). While we were in the car I asked him what the sermon was about. And he was right on.

He said that Pastor Brian talked about how some people do not model Christ in our lives and how we need to surround ourselves with people that do. Right on Andrew!!! It was sinking in even when I thought that it didn't.

So I've been thinking, ever since the sermon about how I need to do that for myself. I moved to Greenville about three years ago now. And I don't have very many people that I would consider good good friends. There are my sisters of course. I love them deeply but they have their lives, and I don't want to burden them with what is going on in my life too much. You can only hear the same sob stories so many times. I'm afraid I bore them.

Now I know all of you are saying that I have wonderful sisters and they would never feel that way or say that to me. And you are right....but I can't help but feel like that is want I do to them. So I want to spread it around a little! LOL

There are some girls that are going to start and bible study in January and I'm really excited that they have asked me to be a part of it. I feel like this is a beginning to get some women in my life that will model Christ to me. And hopefully me to them.

I am around a lot of women at work that are jealous and spiteful to each other. And I think that this will be a great way for me to renew my spirit and renew my love for other people.

So thank you Pastor Brian for once again teaching me something at church today and for being a great model of Christ in my life!

So, does this mean I'll never be able to sky dive? Does this mean I'll never be able to work out again?

Does it mean I'm getting old?

It is really weird and I can't seem to get it out of my mind that I'm old that I'll never be able to do some of the things that younger women can do.

In many ways that's good. In many ways it's not. But then maybe I'm just tired.

Really just blown away

I've never been a fan of Vera Bradley. I'm just not a patterned purse kinda girl. I like the solids. The kind that you can wear with any outfit. I don't change purses every day. I don't change it to go from brown to black....well mostly because I really only do black.

Anyway....my sisters love Vera. One of my sisters has quite a few pieces. My nieces love Vera....they have even more. But I just don't get it.

Well, I've had the opportunity to make some money on Ebay by selling some pre-owned and defective Vera. And some of it gets bid on within 10 minutes of me adding it to my listings.

These people LOVE their Vera. It's selling like Hot-Cakes. Good thing I have plenty to sell...and the extra moolah is really nice! But I'm still just really blown away that they love this stuff so much. I'm glad though.....and so are all the bill collectors!!! LOL

I decided to quit

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.

I wanted to quit my life...

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern grew quickly from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.

I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed.

I wold not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He asked me, "Did yo know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling,

you have actually been growing roots?"

"I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others, " He said.

"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come," God said to me.

"You will rise high."

I asked, "How high should I rise?"

"How high will the bamboo rise?"

He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me the glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see the God will never give up on you.
NEVER, NEVER , NEVER GIVE UP!

Veterans Day

I guess growing up in the Mid-West has really made me a patriot. I remember when I was a kid getting a record (yes....I'm that old!!) of all patriotic music. I remember the album artwork. It was a blue sky with Old Glory flying proudly! I wonder what happened to that album?!?!? Hmmm....some day I'll have to ask Mom :o)

But with the state of our country and the way that things are this country is meaning even more to me. I find myself being very emotional when I see military men! (well...it may have to do with how great they look in their uniform too!) I try to always thank them for their service. I try to always treat them with great respect. They put their life on the line for us and I am very appreciative of the person that would be willing to do such a thing for me.

I'm glad that we are a country where we love our country and we are proud of what and who we are!

Thank you thank you thank you to all that have served!!!! And to all those that have given their loved ones to assure my freedom! I love this country!!!!