3 funerals

Psalms 116: 15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."

In our 30th year of ministry, it never gets easy to walk with families as they lose a loved one. Bill and I have both endured the death of our parents. We can attest to the grace God gives when you need it most. Just when that indescribable pit in your stomach is at it's worst, God supernaturally gives you comfort and relief, reassurance and hope.

This week we have sadly had three deaths within our church family. One father, husband and friend who had lived a very long and happy life. Another who was Bill's and my age but had been paralyzed in a ski accident and had a tough 19 years since. He was tenderly loved and cared for by his amazing family. The third young man was not yet 40 and sadly succumbed to pancreatic cancer leaving a beautiful wife and 3 children.

My thoughts and prayers are for all three grieving families.

What a day! Whew!

I had a good morning doing speech therapy and getting all my students times in before Christmas break. Success at this daunting task is always a relief before a long break. Then I was pleased to complete the remaining Medicaid forms I had to complete and submit before noon tomorrow. my afternoon tasks then were done so I headed straight to get my one month overdue inspection sticker replaced right after work. Well, to my surprise my car did NOT pass inspection! What? Yes, the nice young man, said mam, I'm sorry but your high beams are not coming on and I can't figure out why. The fuses were fine. He said he could pull the bulbs and explore further but I thanked him for his time and said I would take it to the dealership. Well, I cannot say enough wonderful things about Metroplex Toyota on I 20 in Duncanville! Gerald Battles is the amazing Service Manager and I have known him since 2000 when I purchased a 4 Runner there. The service people there as usual immediate come out and greet me by name with clipboard in hand to take notes as to my wants and needs as another person quickly papers my carpet mats and places protection over the leather seat. I explain that my car didn't pass inspection due to the high beam headlight not coming on. Gerald immediately starts investigating the situation himself! Now, remember, he is the service department Manager and he could choose to delegate this or just send it on back to the mechanics but no, he jumps right in and checks it out! When he is convince that yes,the head lamp high beams just won't come on at all, regular lights yes, but NO high beam, at all. He heads to his computer to check for recalls, updates etc. and within a few minutes brings me the diagnosis! Yes, the 2008 to 2010 Toyota Avalon's entire headlight assemblies have been totally recalled and the warranties extended. I'm covered! They both have to be totally replaced, no not just the bulbs, which were both blown or burned out, but the entire assembly, right and left! No charge! If I had had to pay it would have been $2500.00 with parts and labor. Praise God for recalls AND extended warranties!

Well, then they gave me a ride home because the work would take two hours. A lovely man who is a retired accountant from Mobil Oil does the courtesy driving for the dealership and I enjoyed our visit as he drove me home. Soon Gerald calls me that it's ready! All I had to pay was for my inspection! I'm so thankful for this unexpected blessing!

Brad drove me to get my car so we decided to have his Toyota Tacoma's overdue inspection done while we were there. Well, the adventure continued! We could not find his current proof of insurance in his truck glove compartment. No proof, no inspection. Well, we have a wonderful insurance agent, Skip Johnson, SMU graduate and leader at our church, a very kind, smart, and talented man of God. I called him and he faxed it right over to the dealership immediately! Whew! Brad's inspection done and we were all fixed up and back in compliance with the law!

Then I realized that the Senior Adult 2 and 3 dinner and Christmas party was at 6:00 and it was now 6:10! Yikes! After phone tag with my handsome smart and patient husband we decided I would simply meet him at the church for the dinner! Success! We concluded today with a delicious dinner catered by Eddlemon's, beautiful decorations, and outstanding entertainment by a very attractive and talented husband, wife, and daughter who sing at Johnny High regularly and are members of First Baptist Midlothian! I don't remember their names but I truly enjoyed their singing! What a blessed way to end this day!

Psalm 1: 1-2

"Blessed is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly but his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law he habitually meditates by day and by night."

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Things I'm Loving!

I am loving this flavor or K cup coffee for my Kuerig coffee maker! Jamaica Me Crazy! So good!

I have been SO busy and overwhelmed at work this year that I haven't kept up with posting my "Things I'm loving Thursday" posts. Sorry! So how about "Things I'm Loving" on any day I can carve out time to blog!

I am loving this Jucy Couture perfume my sweeWt sister in law, Sue bought me recently!

I am LOVING Baylor Basketball! The Men and Women are both off to a great start with amazing players and potential! Who needs the NBA when you can watch our outstanding Baylor teams play!

I am loving doing cardio as Bill coaches and trains me for the Cowtown 10K and later the Disney Princess Half Marathon!

I am loving this cooler weather!

I am loving a new discovery called Thirty-one! My wonderful friend Sandy gave me a beautiful personalized bag from thirty-one! Beautiful and well made items!

Cabi! I had a great party to help my great friend Lori Gray kick off her new Cabi business and I got to order some great clothes for both me and Melissa for half price!

I love "The Skit Guys"! They are so funny and their messages are right on! skitguys.com

What are you loving today?

Is vunerablity worth the risk?

Vulnerable

Is being vulnerable to others really worth the risk? You can't truly let anyone get to know you, your thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams, and ideas without being vulnerable to that other person. I read a book while I was at Baylor that was about this topic. The question was asked, is it worth it to be vulnerable to others? To literally give them the weapons (arrows) to hurt you with? Trusting them to NOT hurt you, to not shoot you with the arrows you are giving them by letting them in, by sharing with them your innermost thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams and ideas. The book also presented the writers thoughts and belief that you cannot truly know another person without then becoming vulnerable to them, trusting them, and sharing yourself in return. This level of trust with another is interesting. We as human beings are not perfect, we are not divine, and we really are not very often worthy of total trust. We so often do betray the trust of others who sincerely trusted us with their most private thoughts, fears, hopes, struggles and more. Why do we as humans hurt those who care for us the most? Is it worth the risk? Should we do it again, even after a deep hurt, betrayal, or unmet expectation of one we trusted, loved, and shared with?

I have to say, YES! It is worth the risk. after living long enough to have experienced both joy and dispair, both victory and defeat, met AND unmet expectations, I can say YES. Don't ever stop being vulnerable to another whom you feel God wants you to share with! It is worth the risk! The victories, joys, and met expectations far outweigh the defeats, the moments of dispair, and the unmet expectations! Look what Christ himself endured for us! Yes, I can go on and continue to risk for His glory! It's not about me! It's all about Him and sharing His love, His message, and following His word! It IS worth the risk. I will shake off the sting, the hurt, and the disappointment. I will trust Him. I will press on!

Jeremiah 31:3 says, "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."

HE will NEVER use the weapons I give him to hurt me! Meaning, God will never betray my trust when I share with Him from the deepest parts of my heart, my thoughts, my fears, and more. He is always faithful and worthy of my trust, He alone. I am naive to expect a human to be divine. Only God is divine and capable of total trust with no fear of betrayal.

I will not stop risking vulnerability, I will pray for wisdom as to whom I risk this with, but I will not harden my heart. People are people, not Gods, and hurting people hurt people. I can choose my response and I choose love and forgiveness.

Like the title of my Blog, I choose joy! Life is too short to not forgive, to harbor hurts, to allow the to grow and become a cancer. God is too big to sweat the non eternal things and HE is in control.

Psalms 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Matthew 6:14 715 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

I Kings 8"39 "Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

God is so good and I am so blessed. I am grateful that I serve and know the one true living
God who He alone is worthy of my total trust!

State Fair 2011

Here's Melissa in front of Big Tex who is sporting his new shirt from Dickie's! Melissa got to come here for work this week so she was able to join us on our annual trip out to the State Fair!

We always have to visit Fletcher's for one of their famous and delicious corn dogs! They added a new one this year with turkey meat! Melissa tried it and said it tasted just like to original one!

Such a State Fair tradition! A must eat if you go to the Fair! SO good!

Life size butter sculptures in a refrigerated case! Pretty amazing!

I LOVE the dog show and the pig races! Always entertaining!

My family at the Midway!

The Fairgrounds surround the Cotton Bowl.

Bill and I near Big Tex before the parade and as we were heading to the car exhibits before the fireworks and laser light show!

My two adult amazing kids at the International Boulevard!

I picked out my next vehicle! A Hybrid Highlander Limited for my Nana vehicle in a few years!

Melissa and I pretending in the Highlander! Trying it out!

Melissa picked out this Lexus RX 500h for her next vehicle, someday!

Cupons get more expensive every year! It is not cheap to go out to the Fair!

Corn dogs ended up being about 4.50 each this year after you bought your cupons!

Bill and I always test drive the Chevy's and get our freebie every year! Do you like our t-shirts?

We considered it an extra special blessing this year that both our adult kids were in and willing to join us on our annual day at the Texas State Fair! Such a nice evening!

Thank you Lord, for simple blessings!

Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

Psalms 128:1 "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His way!"

Things I'm Loving Thursday!

I am loving that it is State Fair time again! I am looking forward to going next week with my husband and my daughter!

I am LOVING all the rain we have been having!

I am loving the Texas Rangers and the play offs!

I am loving these lower gas prices!

Today, I am tempted to share with you "things I am NOT loving!" Lol! I am just not loving stress from work and now I am 52 and going back to my doctor next week to try to figure out what is going on with my cholesterol for the first time in my life! I am not overweight, I take my fish oil and baby aspirin, and I eat very very healthy but yet my total cholesterol was high this last time. uggg..... Genetics and pre-menopause I guess? We shall see.. Doctor again next week....Getting old is just the pits sometimes but it does beat the alternative, right? Anyway, things I AM loving are:

Sam's has these wonderful huge and delicious Gala apples in 5 pound bags! I am loving them!!

Our wonderful painter, Cesar Garcia is truly amazing! It is time, after almost 13 years, yes, to repaint the interior of our house and he is doing an outstanding job!! He is neat and does such perfect work! I have his number if anyone in the DFW area needs a great and very trustworthy painter! I give him a key so he can come and go while we are at work and it is working out so well!!

My wonderful husband, Bill! Yes, I am loving him always, but today extra appreciation of him is being felt by me! He is my constant encourager, listener, motivator, and friend! I could not make it through this work year without his constant encouragement! He is such a blessing!

Thank you Lord, for so many things to be thankful for! I am loving having some windows and door open right now with the temperatures nice and cool!

2 Samuel 22 "Therefore I will give thanks unto thee O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name."

I Chronicles 16 "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever."

Things I'm Loving Thursday!

Hawaiian Hazelnut K coffee cups from Bed Bath & Beyond! So heavenly delicious! Mmmm....

I love the "Cool Nights" line at Soma and I have this new print and style in a short gown and LOVE it! I don't get too hot at night in these wonderful designs made just for ladies my age!

I'm so excited! We have a painter coming today to start our first time to repaint the inside of our 13 year old home as well as the outside west and east eaves that Bill couldn't reach when he repainted to exterior!

Got ours yesterday!

Ate here Tuesday night! So good at Northpark Mall!

What are you loving today?

Twisted Root

Bill and I ate here recently for lunch and had the most amazingly delicious burgers ever!!

Twisted Root Burgers is located on Commerce Street in Dallas in Deep Elum and if you haven't been here you must go!

They have a very unique atmosphere and absolutely delicious food!

Yes, I did let Bill order whatever he wanted and yes, that was a beef burger and fries! I had a turkey burger on wheat and sweet potato chips and they were so good!The decor is very unique and the staff is quite entertaining! You are given the name of a celebrity to wait for your order with. When they say for example, "Kojak" or "Eva Longoria", "Your order is ready!" it is quite entertaining as they share other facts and funnies as you get up and go claim your order!So true! So true! Lol!

Fun and very tasty! Great unique atmosphere!

Their sauces were amazing! The Chipotle one was my personal favorite and it was not hot! If you haven't eaten at the Twisted Root, you must put it on your list of places you need to visit!

Intercession = standing in the gap for others

Ephesians 1:17-18 says, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe!"

There are seasons of varying needs in the life of a minister. Right now is a high needs season. There are SO MANY right now, whom we are lifting up in prayer with very serious needs.

It is truly an honor and a privilege to stand in the gap and prayer prayers of intercession for others. It is amazing how at times like this, the expected feelings would be sadness, depression, and the feeling of being over whelmed and heavy burdened. Surprisingly God steps in and gives the intercessor an abundant amount of His Grace! I don't feel down but I am encouraged and hopeful! I am kneeling at the throne of the all powerful God who knows all, provides all, is all present and all sustaining. I am amazed and I am strengthened to continue to pray, intercede, pray on behalf of, and even plead with God for those I know and love.

Here are the precious ones I am currently lifting up to God in prayer:

The family of Carolyn Cavins as they grieve her recent passing;

The family of Bob Morton as they grieve his passing;

Chris Snow and his family as he fights cancer and we are confident he will beat this! Also praying for his precious daughter Carson as she prepares for dialysis;

Sarah Roberts as she so beautifully and bravely beats Leukemia! She is almost there!

My sweet Aunt Audrey who just lost her husband Tom Tope,

Her son and my cousin Bob Wimpee, as he has open heart surgery tomorrow at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.

Freddy Young as he recovers from major heart surgery! He is so precious and amazing!

Ray Bush as he recovers from Prostate Cancer surgery;

My sweet friend Lynn Patterson as she battles breast cancer;

A precious young pastor and his wife as they heal from resigning from a church and move on;

Elsie Calloway in the hospital with undiagnosed problem;

Ruth Brundrette who just fell and broke her hip last night;

The Snook family in Livingston as they face a new reality after suddenly losing Jay Snook;

I Chronicles 16:11 "Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually."

Lord I lift up these to you.

New Travel Pro Rolling tote!

Dillard's had this Travel Pro Rolling Tote on Sale for 1/2 price this weekend and it matches my new light weight bigger bag I purchased recently! I needed a new rolling bag for work since I now have to tote my heavy laptop back and forth every week day along with papers etc. So I was thrilled to find this available and on sale! I can use it for work everyday AND it matches my travel luggage that is lighter now that most airlines charge so much for your bag and it has to be under 50 pounds to not incur an additional charge! I also got the matching light small duffel carry on bag that can piggy back on top of this tote and I can then roll it all and save my back! I just had to share my recent find!

I had been looking at the Baggellini collection but it was far more expensive and actually heavier. Bill was pleased with my choice and my purchase! On our next Disney trip I can use one for my carry on and Bill can use the other as his and then I can piggyback and roll them while he wrangles his golf clubs and his bag!