Post Focus 40

Greetings fellow bloggers!  How are we doing on this exceptional day?!

So, I made it through the Focus 40 Prayer and Fasting!  Yes, I survived . . . . . only to splurge on my pop and sweets a few times.  These past 40 days I thought would take forever when I started.  At the beginning I honestly couldn't wait until the end to see what happened.  Kinda like reading the last page of a book; we get impatient with the happenings in the middle!

Well, I wouldn't trade the happenings in the middle for the world!  No, I didn't see any lost saved during this Focus 40.  But what I did see was a change inside of me.  A change to be better for God that I had been.  A change to really shine a true Light.  A change to make sure what I'm thinking matches what I'm actually doing.  During this time I vowed to do without pop, sweets and junk food.  Well, I haven't purchased a bag of potato chips since February 20th!  That's huge for me!  I only had a few pops during that time and even cut way down on my coffee . . . . on top of all that I lost 24 pounds!!!  WOOOO!  Also, during this time of prayer and focusing on God's Will my house sold and is even moved to it's new home already.  I'm excited that chapter is closed; however, still sad I will not be able to take my 2013 Ireland trip due to the fact that it took a year (almost to the day) for my house to sell.  My Ireland money went into keeping up with payments on two properties :(  But I guess there's a reason I'm not supposed to be going.  What it is I CAN NOT see yet!  Oh well.

Let me bring you up to date on the final week of Focus 40.  I left you on Day 29 so today I'll begin with Day 30 to bring you to the close:

Day 30: Pray that this day you can show someone the love of God in an unexpected way for them.
Day 31: (Day my house sold, officially)  Pray for the future generations that you will never see that they too will know Jesus Christ and his love.
Day 32: Pray that you will become all that God has planned for you by his plan for your life.
Day 33: Pray that God will search your heart and work through you for Jesus Christ.
Day 34: Pray for God to continue to transform you from the inside out.
Day 35: Pray to follow God completely in the direction he is leading you.
Day 36: Pray for God to tear down the walls that are preventing God from filling your life completely.
Day 37: Pray for God to give us positive attitudes in all we do.
Day 38: Pray for strength to show Christ's love through the mess of our lives.
Day 39: Pray for the will of God to be done in all aspects of your life.
Day 40:  (We made it!!) Resurrection Day! Pray that in your everyday life you will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and not miss an opportunity!  (Ha!  I did something very bold today!!)

Thanks guys for praying for me during this 40 days.  Although I wasn't as committed as I set out to be or wanted to be, I did learn much through this process.  I learned that I need to have a prayerful mind ALL the time not just during 40 days.  I learned that keeping Focus 40 in my mind at all times helped to control my eating habits.  I learned to lean on God for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!!

I hope you learned a little something along the way too if you were keeping up with my blogging and the daily prayer posts.

Until next time . . . .

Always so behind . . .

So, I knew blogging everyday would be tough.  Life has been busy so I'm lagging behind. 

March is proving to be an excellent month.  Started the month off right by attending Winter Jam 2012 in Nashville, TN with two of my dearest friends.  It was a great reunion and time of fun and laughter.  I also celebrated my birthday this month; the big 33!  Wew, where does the time go.  Just yesterday I was 25.  But, life is good.  Life is great.  And, Since Valentine's Day I have lost 20 pounds!!  WEW!!

The last post was on Day 6 of Focus 40 . . .  we're now up to Day 29!  I'll be honest I haven't been as committed to my praying as intended.  It's a work in progress.  Not only is it hard to blog everyday, it's equally tough or tougher to pray focused prayers daily. 

To bring you up to speed . . 
Day 7: Pray for the people in your life who need a relationship with him.
Day 8: Pray that you will let go of what is holding you back from really experiencing God's love.
Day 9: Pray that God will give you strength to invite a friend to church and then do it!
Day 10: Pray for healing to happen in the life of someone who needs it.
Day 11: (Nashville, TN trip) Pray that you will have the ability tot keep being salt in your communities.
Day 12: (Nashville, TN trip) During your fasting, pray for someone else's needs to be met by God's provision.
Day 13: (Nashville, TN trip) Pray that God will direct you to be there for someone else today.
Day 14: Pray for and encourage someone who needs to see the work of God in his or her life.
Day 15: Pray fro strength to speak to others about God in daily conversations  Then talk about him!
Day 16: Pray that you too will be able to follow the nudging of God in your life.
Day 17: Pray that you will recognize the little interruptions as a blessing from God.
Day 18: Pray that God will help you keep your joy no matter the circumstances you are in.
Day 19: (Happy Birthday to me!) Pray that God will give you a chance to tell your story to the right person who needs to hear it.  Do not miss the opportunity.
Day 20: Pray that God will help you show love continually to the "Grandma Angie's" in your life.
Day 21: Pray that others will see Jesus through you because you are loving people where they are.
Day 22: Pray for someone who God is placing in your heart who needs to be drawn closer to him.
Day 23: Pray that you will have absolute faith even in times that seem unsteady.
Day 24: Pray you will be able to share Christ with someone because he first gave it to us.
Day 25: Pray you will be able to show loving grace to people you encounter today.
Day 26: Pray for encouragement to continue to pray for others to come to Christ.  Say a prayer for them too.
Day 27: Thank God for the work he has done in  your life and others. Know that he continues to work all the time! (MY HOUSE CLOSED TODAY)
Day 28: Pray that you will be able to continue to lose your life for Christ and be witness to others.
Day 29: As you pray, remember that you are praying in the power of the blood of Jesus that overcomes all things. 

So, in all these things pray.  Pray for me as I do my part to work on being committed to this prayer time. 

Until next time . . .

Focus 40 - Day 6

Hello Monday and Day 6 of Focus 40.  I have decided not to post on days that fall on the weekend.  1.  I'm not glued to my phone over the weekend and 2.  Well, I'm distracted over the weekend; aka not as good on the ole diet as I should be :)

So needless to say I will not be reporting my weekend meals.  I wasn't entirely bad, but I wasn't good either.  It's a work in progress. 

I will share Day 4 and Day 5 prayer focus with you . . .
Day 4 Prayer Focus: 
Pray that you will trust God to provide to you what you need and in God's timing.

Weird, I hadn't thought of it until just now . . . . I got an exceptional phone call on Saturday; when the prayer focus was to trust God will provide what I need in His timing.  I received word Saturday afternoon that some people who have been looking at my house were approved at the bank and want to buy my house.  So the ball is rolling on that process and we should close in less than two weeks!!!  WOO!

Day 5 Prayer Focus:
Pray for reconciliation to take place in a broken relationship.  

Hadn't really thought about this one either until just now . . . . This prayer focus will remain a silent prayer request as it's a work in progress.

So here we are Day 6.  My mind feels like it's going a hundred different directions at a million miles an hour.  I'm all over the place.  I'm happy.  Trying to prepare for a mini-vaca this weekend.  Trying to prepare for a brief family/friend vaca in May.  Trying to work.  Trying not to think about all the goodness going on around me.  Trying not to get my hopes up about some things.  But, again I say, "I'm happy."  I so love and enjoy this live God has provided, even though it's pretty challenging sometimes.  At the end of the day I still know, trust and believe God is in charge and working. 

Day 6 Prayer Focus:
Pray that God will help you break down the obstacles that prevent you from him. 

Right now, I would say this obstacle is TIME!  I know I do not give God the time He deserves and needs from me.  This is one of my biggest and toughest challenges. 

Until next time . . . 

Focus 40 - Day 3

Happy Friday and Day 3 of Focus 40!

Day 3 Prayer:
Pray that you will step into faith so that you can really be with God. 

So many times our faith is tested, either by life's trials, things not going our way, etc.  We wonder where God is when our faith is tested.  Well, He's right there beside us; always and forever . . . but the teacher is often silent during tests! 

Over the past year I have felt my faith being tested, I've been stretched, pulled, tugged in so many directions; like many folks these days.  I've cried out to Jesus to hear my prayers.  I've yelled and questioned things going on in my life and asked God why He's not answering in my frustrations.  I've felt God move in my life which has caused me to reflect on those moments of frustration when I thought God wasn't moving fast enough for my liking.  Oh yes, my patience has been challenged this year; it has grown!  And now that I'm finally beginning to see that light all those moments of doubt, question, frustration, the joyous times when I felt His presence, etc. are all flooding my mind.  I am at such peace in all those things.  It's indescribable!

So on this Day 3 of Prayer and Fasting . . . I pray God direct all my paths.  I pray that He flushes me out of me and fills me with Him!  Because you know, when we are full of ourselves God has no room to work!  In everything I do I want to be with God and for God.

Until next time . . .

Focus 40 - Day 2

Today (March 1, 2012) is Day 2 of Focus 40. 

Day 2 Prayer: 
Pray for someone you know who is in need of God's work in his or her life.  

The same person always comes to mind when I pray that God will place a lost person on my heart.  There are so many lost around me (not that I'm judging or think I'm better than anyone else), but the same person comes to mind first every time! 

After speaking with members of my church and pastor I am revamping my fasting focus.  Since I have never fasted before and I am notorious for not finishing something I start I have been advised to not set myself up for failure.  That being said; I am still pursuing the Focus 40 Prayer & Fasting.  I am incorporating parts of the Daniel Fast; i.e eating fresh fruits and veggies.  But this time I'm not strictly doing the Daniel Fast; i.e. no dairy or meats.  My goal for the Focus 40 is to cut out junk foods; i.e. pop, chips, sweets.  And, at the same time I'm going to be conscientious of the carbs and portions of what I'm feasting on.  This is a good match and start for me. 

P.S.  I so fudged today!  Girl Scout cookies arrived and I did feast on some Thin Mints :) 

Continue to pray for me as I seek God's direction and His will.

Until next time . . .

Leap Day and Focus 40 - Day 1

Happy Leap Day 2012!  I sure had high hopes of proposing to someone today, but we'll save that for another time :) Ha!  Oh, well, I did propose to Carl today.  I proposed (over text, complete with down on a knee) that we have an awesome time next weekend in Nashville.  He accepted! Ha!  I'm such a dork.  He's probably thinking, "why did I invite her down here?!" 

Day 1 of Focus 40 . . .  here we go!

Not sure how this is going to all play out.  Today I have in my head how I wish it were April 9th so I would be finished and be reflecting back on the 40 days.  But that's wishing my life away so I'm going to embrace it!  I'm notorious for starting things and then not finishing.  I guess that may be why I'm a little apprehensive.  Nonetheless, h-e-r-e w-e g-o!

The day started a little strange.  I was in my parent's home instead of mine...we had storms/tornado warnings last night.  Oh, almost forgot.  That means...Thunder in February!  We ended February with three days of thunder.  Let's see if it frosts three times in May.  Back on track now.  I feel this 'thing' in the back of my mind reminding me of my pledge to do this 40 days.  But at the same time I could absolutely go for a cup of coffee!  I have all these thoughts of "What am I going to eat?  How am I going to go out with friends?  What is God going to reveal during this time?  Am I going to succeed?  Will God word through me?  Will?  What?  How?"  So many questions.  I'm sure after a few days I'll be more settled.

Today's menu:

Breakfast     Snack      Lunch                     Supper
grits             banana    homemade              salad
cranberries                  veggie/barley soup

Today's prayer focus:

Praying that God will open my heart toward him over the next forty days.

Until next time . . . .

Pre-Focus 40: Day 3-8 of 9

A shout out to my dear friend Sara B. is necessary here; she was right in saying trying to keep up with a daily blog is tough!

So I'm on Day 8 of 9 of the Pre-Focus 40.  I have to admit I wasn't totally on track over the weekend, but I wasn't totally bad either.  Unless those Oreos count :( Ha!  I can really tell that I haven't been eating heavy foods and I feel good.  But, I can say, this is NOT going to be easy!  You know what they say though, "Anything worth anything is never easy!" 

For my Focus 40 Prayer and Fasting I am choosing the Daniel Fast (I've already mentioned).  It is 21 days of only eating fruits and veggies; raw or cooked.  And lots of water!  Over the weekend I stocked up on 100% fruit and veggie juices; for drinks and smoothies.  Also stocked up on fresh veggies & fruits. 

What this fast is NOT about: 

• Starving or depriving myself.  It is not a diet!  

What this fast IS about: 

• a time to reflect on what's going into my body; which is to be a temple.  
• a time to pray during those times I would usually eat.  
• Focus on God; devoting more time to Him.  
• Praying for the lost and being specific on who I'm praying for.  
• a time for me to learn how to make wiser food choices.  
• I'm not using it as a diet method, but I will be praying during this time that God show and teach me how to eat healthy like this all the time; not for 21 or 40 days out of the year.  

My hopes for this Focus 40 Prayer and Fasting:

1. pray diligently for the lost around me
2. seek God's will for things in my life
3. learn how to eat right

Today hasn't been so bad.  I've had my grapefruit and (VERY SOUR) orange along with much water.  I did have some dark chocolate covered raisins....raisins are fruit!  Ha!  I know, that was a splurge, but I'm learning.  I haven't really had an opportunity to go to a place in prayer, but I can tell you God has been in my mind a lot today.  I'm nervous, excited, feeling challenged, and ready to be changed over the course of the next 42 days.  I can already feel God stirring in some things going on in my life.  I can't wait to see how God works through the course of this!!!  I'm really excited about that!

Until next time . . . 

Pre-Focus 40: Day 2 of 9

Ugg, kinda sluggish today.  But that could just be because I'm tired.  Too early to tell.  Having no pop shouldn't be that big of an adjustment; but I'm thinking I'll have to ween myself from coffee.  Even though I only had one cup, sometimes two a day, my body is used to that hot jolt every morning.  What's weird though...I don't miss the coffee on Saturdays and Sundays.

Today's menu:

Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs, cup of grapefruit juice
Lunch:  2 boiled eggs, cup of grapefruit juice
Dinner:  a sensible dinner

For the most part I'm not really hungry.  I admit I did splurge last night with some milk and nutella on a tortilla :(  But, I didn't go over 1200 calories yesterday so I think it's fine :)  Better be....I'll give up much, but I can't give up my milk and nutella.

Until next time . . .

Pre-Focus 40: Day 1 of 9

To begin....wow, it's been awhile since I've been here.  I hope to be better at my blogging for 2012 :)
Today begins a new journey, actually a preface to a new journey.  We were presented with the Focus 40 Prayer & Fasting during yesterday's church service.  I've been thinking/praying about fasting the past several weeks since a friend of mine (Carl) mentioned he'd just completed the Daniel Fast.  I've never fasted before; Lord knows it won't hurt me and my fluffiness :)  Anyway, in talking with Carl briefly about it something definitely began to churn in my soul that I needed to pray about this.  Then yesterday's talk pretty much brought those prayers to light and I knew this was something I needed to do.  I ordered my copy of the Daniel Fast today; should be here in time to start Focus 40.

a link to Focus 40:  http://www.chog.org/Focus40

The Focus 40 itself runs February 29 (Leap Day) to April 8 (Easter), 2012.  I chose today to begin the clean out of junk; no pop, no junk food. Plus, it's easier to start things fresh on a Monday than it is to wait until mid-week.  I haven't done all my research on Focus 40, but it is a national Prayer & Fasting of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).  The main goal is to prayer for disciples of Christ; but who knows what will happen when we let God work.  I'm also going to take this time to pray for a healthier new me and prayer life of my own.

I know, I know.  Many of you have heard me talk about dieting and losing weight before...and every time I fail.  Know why?  I've never let God lead me through the process and change me.  Sure I pray to get healthy, but I never fully let go and let God.  I'm praying this time is different.  With God's help I WILL succeed!  Side note:  I'm not changing my eating habits to get skinny.  I'm letting God change me to get healthy!

So here we go, this is pre-Focus 40; nine days to get ready for the real deal!  To get started I'm using the kick start diet method.  The kick start diet is normally a two week program, but I'm going to get in on nine days of it and then eat according to the Daniel Fast. 

Day 1 menu of the kick start diet:

breakfast:  2 boiled eggs/8oz grapefruit juice
lunch: 2 boiled eggs/8oz grapefruit juice
dinner: 2 boiled eggs/8oz grapefruit juice

Sounds crazy I know, but it's designed to help flush toxins in the body.  Oddly, I'm not hungry at all.  Normally I get the munchies so bad before lunch, but today nada.

So here we go . . . Until next time . . .

2012 is Rolling

Wow, it's January 9, 2012 already!  It occurred to me I had not updated blog world in a while; a month actually.  Since we last visited we have seen another Christmas and New Year. 

2011 was a good year; can't complain.  It was the year of concerts, election to the school board, bought a house, remodeled that house (almost finished), my sister bought a house and moved, my dear grandma was moved to the nursing home, I met a fella and have been dating him a little (we're still just friends), and I finally got moved over New Year's...I guess technically that is a 2012 event.  Overall it was a good year.  I'm sure there was more I could mention, but those are the highlights that stick out to me the most. 

So here we are 2012.  Who knows what we will see and do this year, but I have high hopes for another fantastic year.  After all any day we're blessed with is fantastic!!  I wish you all a wonderful year.  May it be a year of new starts, new beginnings and refreshment.  If you have a relationship with God, my hope is that you grow deeper in Him and rely on Him more.  If you don't have a relationship with God, my hope is that you talk with someone who does and find out more about the promises and love God has for you!  May you all have a blessed 2012!

Until next time . . .

December 2011 Begins!

Well folks, it's December 2011!  This month came to us cold, which is usual, and snowy! Yes, that's right, SNOW! We are receiving our first snow of the season today.  It's always fun to watch the pretty snow fall.  It's just so peaceful and calm.   Forecast calls for 1-3 inches of accumulation, but who knows.

This is a VERY busy time of year...as it is for many.  Filled with Church & School Christmas programs, Community Choir performances for our Christmas Cantata, decorating, buying/wrapping gifts, making gifts, baking goodies, trips to Silver Dollar City to enjoy the lights and Christmas atmosphere, Christmas gatherings & parties with friends and family, singing Happy Birthday to a very special VIP, and on top of that trying to finish the long remodeling process and moving!  I DON'T KNOW  IF IT'S ALL POSSIBLE TO FIT IN THIS YEAR!!!  My head is spinning. 

But, the most important thing out of any of the above is to remember the reason for the season.  None of the above has any importance whatsoever if the true meaning of Christmas is forgotten!  It's so easy to get wrapped up in wrapping gifts.  Instead wrap up in the love of Jesus and all He has done and is doing for us. 

I wish each and every one of you a very blessed and happy holiday season.  Most importantly....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Until next time . . .

November's End

This month has zoomed by like a rocket!  It is November 29th!  Where oh where did November go? 

We had a nice (small) Thanksgiving with my immediate family.  This was the first time in my life I've spent Thanksgiving without my grandma.  Since she is in the nursing home we didn't get together with the rest of the family.  So, for lunch it was just myself, mom, dad and Renee (my sis).  The girls (my nieces) were with their aunt this year.  The nice part about this change in tradition was we didn't have to rush around to be anywhere.  Dad and I worked on my house for the better part of the morning.  Then, when we would normally be eating lunch, we took a load of stuff to my sister's new house to start her move.  Next, came the wonderful and beautiful feast prepared by my momma!  It was yummy!!  Afterward we moved another load of stuff to Renee's new place.  All-in-all it was a good day.  I did have a couple tear moments though when thinking about grandma, but we all got through.

Friday morning we left for St. Louis for MYF 2011; Missouri Youth Fellowship otherwise known as Missouri State Youth Convention.  This year's theme was 'Think Venti' or 'Think Big'.  It was an awesome convention.  The speaker (Megan Hutchinson) was wonderful.  You held on to her every word.  Our worship leaders (Alanna Story) were equally as wonderful.  They really led us into worship!

Note:  had a great drive to/from St. Louis without getting lost!

Now onto December to-do's.  There are SO many.  I think I have something to do several nights of every week and every weekend; school Christmas program, church Christmas program, caroling, Silly Stitchers Christmas party, MOVING, and probably something I've forgotten.  If you're out and about you should try to attend one of our Christmas Cantata's:

Sunday, December 4th @ 2PM:  Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church, Gainesville
Sunday, December 4th @ 6PM:  1st Baptist Church, Gainesville
Sunday, December 11th @ 2PM:  1st Christian Church, Gainesville

Until next time . . .

Visit with my Grandma

I took some time today to go to the nursing home and visit my grandma.  It's hard to find the time to go out there since I never go to West Plains.  But, I know our days are numbered so I want to soak up as much granny-time as I can get.

Grandma is 91 and has dementia.  I think I'd be forgetful, too, at 91 years young!!  She does pretty good.  She still knows who most of us are.  Those of us she remembers, she knows our names and who we belong to.  When she sees dad she always says, "Hi Gary, that's my baby!"  He's her baby boy :)  You ask her if she loves you and she says, "UHHH HUH!"  Of course, she has her good days and bad.  Yesterday, now that was an awesome day!!  She spotted dad and I as we came down the hall and knew right off who we were.  This was a happy moment.  She was full of hugs and kisses.  We sat and chatted for a good visit.  She cut up with us, laughed, joked, smiled...all things she hadn't really done on any other visit.  She acted like the granny I grew up knowing.  Such a sweet memory added to the memory bank :) 

I'm thankful for that time with her and doubly thankful she was having a good day!

Until next time . . . 

Well Hello November!

Wow, I can hardly believe it's November 1st already!  Where did this year go?  Did anyone see it or enjoy it as the year zoomed by?!  It's strange how it feels like we were just coming into March, the fields were greening up, the leaves and flowers were budding.  Now, we're near the end of Fall, and a spectacular display of color I might add!  The leaves are turning brown and the fields and flowers are going to sleep for the winter.  Oh, the cycle of life! 

This is the time of year for hayrides, bonfires for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, woodsy smells of Fall & Autumn.  Next to Spring, it's my favorite!  It also seems like a very busy time of year.  It's almost as if we're little ants trying to get as much done as possible before the cold of winter sets in!  haha

Even though the year has been fast, October was an enjoyable month.  Work continues on my house remodeling.  Thought sure I'd be moved by now, but still have a few weeks work.  It's hard to get things done rapidly if weekends is the only real time I have to work on it.  Hopefully I'll be in by Thanksgiving.  Mom informs me I have to cook the turkey so I best be in!!  Haha

My sis has since purchased a home and a couple acres.  She's been painting; that's all she really has to do in order to move!  So, both Collins girls will be moving around the same time. It's strange, but a good change in our lives!  She's moving about three miles north (off the C Ridge) and I'm moving one mile south (still on the C Ridge).  I'm excited for my sis.  She bought a really cute place that has so much potential. 

Christmas cantata is in the works.  It's a beautiful piece this year.  It has several Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels songs in it!  It's AWESOME!!!  Can't wait til it all comes together.  I love to sing!! 

Somewhere in all this busyness I found the time to date.  Yes, that is what I said; date.  But that's all you're getting right now.  And don't give me a hard time about it!  I don't like people to fuss!  hahaha  We're really still just friends, but it has to start somewhere.  It's been a long time since I've been on a date (nine years!) so I've forgotten how!  I guess all I can be is my goofy self and see how it goes.  That's who I am. 

Have a wonderful November and Thanksgiving season.  More and more we have so much to be thankful for.

Until next time . . .

 

Go West young man

.....or in this case young woman! Well, using up the last of the 2011 vacation days. In approximately seven hours I along with my mom, good friends Debbie and Tammy are Colorado bound!!!! So excited! Little anxious though because they're under a winter weather watch for Saturday:/ We'll be careful though.

Expect snowy mountain pics in a few days!

Until next time . . .

Hello OcToBeR!

Wow, it's October 2011.....and already the 3rd!  Time just keeps zooming by.  It's almost been a month since my last post :( 

We've been having lovely Fall weather.  The trees are really beginning to turn brilliant hues of orange, yellow and red.  The air is filled with that autumn crispness; you country folk know what I'm talking about.  The sky is that brilliant blue that goes on forever.  And the smells, oh the smell of Fall is one I wish I could put in a jar to enjoy year round.  The sound of crunching leaves, squirrels knawing on nuts and storing for winter, the last round of frogs singing before they go silent for winter, and leaves blowing in the wind.  Beautiful, beautiful season Fall is. 

So much to do this month before winter gets here.  Leaving for Estes Park, CO in four days for a five day trip, continuing work on the house to get moved in, moving (yes, hope to move by the end of the month) still trying to sell my mobile, church events, spooky corn maze, visiting with family, and the list goes on.  Oh, and work! Can't forget that!

Hope you all have a fabulous Fall season.  Enjoy each day.  Smile.  Remember God loves you! 

Until next time . . .

Speak now or forever lose your freedom of speech?

Sure, you've heard these common phrases:

• "You have the right to remain silent"
• "Speak now or forever hold your peace"
• "Better to remain Silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt" -Abraham Lincoln

These phrases might not be as familiar, but very fitting:

• "The older I grow the more I listen to people who don't talk much" -Germain G.Glein
• "The kindest word in all the world is the unkind word, unsaid." -Author Unknown
• "The true genius shudders at incompleteness-and usually prefers silence to saying something which is not everything it should be." -Edgar Allan Poe
• and the list could go on and on and on...per Google!

So much nowadays we hear people talking about losing our freedoms.  This and that and the other violates Freedom of Speech.  Freedom of Speech this, Freedom of Speech that.   What does the US Constitution say? 

• Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression 12/15/1791

Sure this is all fine and dandy, but there should still be limits.  People should be taught when to speak and when to listen.  In other words, when to shut up!  I believe we (the people) have taken this, as with many other things, to the extreme.  There is a time and a place to speak and a time and a place to listen.  I feel this is something that is being lost through the generations. 


What does the Bible have to say about speech or lack there of? 

• Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) - Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
• Proverbs 17:28 (NLT) - Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent....I like this one!
• Job 13:5 (NIV) - If only you wold be altogether silent!  For you, that would be wisdom.
• Job 13:5 (NLT) - If only you could be silent!  That's the wisest thing you could do.
• James 1:19 (NIV) - My dear brothers and sister, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
• and there are more...take a look at Genesis to Revelation in the good ole B-I-B-L-E

So why am I saying all this?  Sure I like my freedoms just like the next guy.  But, there is a time and a place to say or not say certain things.  One is not losing their freedom of speech just because they choose to be silent and not say anything when they so easily could blurt out something.  Is it okay for me to say someone is fat? Or someone is ugly?  Or someone is poor?  Or someone is . . . you fill in the blanks here.  Point is, sure there are overweight/underweight people.  There are (what the world calls) ugly people.  There are (what the world sees as) poor people.  How does God see us?  That's the question we need to be asking.  Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. . . . . " Verse 27:  "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."


When we speak and say someone is fat, we're calling God fat.  When we speak and say someone is ugly, we're calling God ugly.  When we speak and downgrade those less fortunate, aka (by the world's standards) poor, we're saying God is poor.  The list can go on and on. 


I'll repeat the title heading, "Speak now or forever lose your freedom of speech!"  NO way, sometimes (most of the time) it's best to just leave well enough alone and remain silent.  What do you say?  Which way are you going to go?  Speak now and be a fool?  Or are you going to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry; not caring if our 1st Amendment right is being trampled on? 


I'm choosing the latter and listen the best I can.  Remember, there is a time and and place to say certain things.  Many times things are better off left unsaid and look like a fool than run your mouth and be a complete duffas! 


Little bit of a different post that I normally do, but it's just something that was laid on my heart and running through my mind.


Until next time . . . .

FALL is in the air!

FALLLLLLL!  What a beautiful Fall-like weekend we had.  The weather was absolutely picture perfect.  The skies were crystal blue, the air had a slight crispy-coolness, and the temperature was right where I like it; 70's!


Spent all day Saturday working on my house.  Doesn't appear as such, but we did get quite a lot accomplished.  We finally were able to clean up stuff and through away the deconstruction items; i.e. old lumber, old wall covering, etc.  We brought in the cabinets so we could see where they need to be modified and placed.  Got the ceiling up in the front bedroom and some drywall mud on the wall.  Also put up ceiling fan 4 of 4 on the main level.  Had to take it down twice to get it to work.  Have to take it down one more time to tweak it so it's level.  You know in an old house NOTHING is straight or level...so tweaking is a must! This week I plan to tackle and finish the bedroom with additional drywall mud and paint.  I absolutely love, love, love the way these rooms are turning out!  Everything is finally coming together. 


Mom, dad and I headed to Silver Dollar City yesterday for some R&R.  Yesterday was the last day of the Southern Gospel Picnic.  It was perfect weather for roaming the streets of SDC.  We took in the Saloon show (hilarious!), rode Fire in the Hole, ate homemade ice cream, and ended the evening in Echo Holler listening to the Isaacs.  Great day!


On to Tuesday, September 6th!  So much going on over the next few weeks.  Birthday parties, a wedding, Hootin Hollarin, school board training and annual MSBA conference at Tan-Tar-A, sewing club begins again, trip to Colorado with friends....that's just all that's down so far.  Oh how I love FALLLL!!!


Until next time . . . have a Fall-tastic day!

Hello September!

Fall 2010 on the C Ridge

September 2011 is here!  I can hardly believe we're already nearing the end of the year.  I love Fall though.  It's one of my favorite seasons.  Seems like things slow down a little in the Fall.  I know Winter follows it, but there's so much beauty that goes will it.  Goodness; the crispy leaves, the fallish smells, changing colors, cool mornings, golden sunsets, gentle breezes, windows open, hayrides, and the list goes on. 

Wishing you all a fabulous September and Fall 2011!

Until next time . . .

The Final Count . . . Fogs in August 2011

Well, here it is, the last day of August 2011.  This is also the last day old timers quit counting those fogs in August.  Although statistics don't prove this, old timers used to count (some still do as you can see it was passed to me) the number of fogs received in the month of August.  This was done to predict the number of snows they could possibly receive in the coming winter season.  My grandpa always counted; thus my mom learned to count; thus she passed those old tales on to me :)  It's fun!

Every winter when it starts snowing one will often hear my mom saying, "Well that's one snow down only xx number to go and we're finished!"  hahaha

According to my counting I tallied 5 big thick fogs and 2 days of patchy morning fog.  I think there might be a couple more patchy foggy mornings, but I really couldn't tell if it was actual haze or fog.  So, my calculations aren't exactly accurate.  But it will still be fun counting when the snow starts falling.

One old timer, and my neighbor, has already said all indications are showing we're going to have a long, cold and snowy winter.  I guess we'll wait and see! 

Until next time . . .