Knittin' Kudzu

Ah! It's Friday!

2009-05-15T05:31:00.002-05:00

I hope your Friday,...your weekend is as beautiful as this rose!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T18:21:00.001-05:00

Dear Mom,

I know I talk to you just about every day but I don't think I have ever thanked you for all the things you have done for me. You were always willing to sit at the sewing machine when I needed the perfect outfit! You endured countless sessions of drama...sometimes day after day. You were always willing to open our home to every stray person in need of a sympathetic shoulder to cry on! How many of my friends have you counseled over the years? Too many to count. How many recipes have you slowly and carefully repeated via long distance so I could make the perfect meal? You modeled daily what it was like to be a lady. You were never ashamed to show your faith and you were always willing to volunteer in church and in your community. I always knew you were special and gracious but I didn't appreciate it fully until Rob was killed in the plane crash. You were there for me, at my elbow, helping me make the tough decisions, helping me parent 2 toddlers, negotiating and handling the dozens of in-laws and family members that invaded my home on the heels of such a horrid tragedy. You handled neighbors, the press, and the nosy people who always seem to gather around the tragic. When I didn't have the strength to carry on emotionally you held me together with your prayers. I know there were many instances when you had to bite your lip and hold your tongue. You were always the epitome of a Southern lady. Now, 20 years later, I can thank God for the magnificent Mom you are to me and the excellent grandmother you are to my the kids. We couldn't have made it this far without you. I hope you know how much you are cherished and loved. May God bless you this Mother's Day! We love you!

Pepperminty Goodness...

2009-05-01T11:42:00.002-05:00

...I don't think any other words are really necessary! Have a great weekend!

Amazed!

2009-04-28T16:13:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I stand in amazement at the things God creates! Then to add to it, He then gives me the privilege to see and marvel at His creation! I found this in our rose garden. I am not worthy! I have no words except,...Praise be to God!

Sweetness!

2009-04-26T17:30:00.003-05:00

It is no secret that I love kitties! This is Sylvie. She was rescued from the Humane Society years ago. We were shocked that someone would give this beautiful cat up just because they were moving. She was about 4 years old, fixed, declawed and impossibly quiet! This cat is like velcro! If I am in the house she is with me...as close as she can possibly get. This pose is uncharactistic. She rarely plays and if she does she never plays in a cardboard box. She also hates the camera. If she hears the camera come to life she bolts in the opposite direction. I am thankful that I was able to capture sweetness on this calm afternoon. Sylvie did move from the box the minute I turned the camera off. She is now asleep on my right foot!

Enjoying Friday!

2009-04-24T11:27:00.002-05:00

This a beautiful Friday here in South Mississippi! And, our roses are blooming. This one represents our on Yellow Rose of Texas,...my sweet girl who will be heading home one week from today! I can't wait. I am looking forward to having her close by and not 6 hours away. I have just finished cleaning out all of her old furniture so that we can move her things in. I am thankful that she is making a new start here with us! My nest will be full once again!

Hope you have a marvelous weekend!

Among the Living!

2009-04-16T08:35:00.007-05:00

My new bracelet from Lisa Leonard Designs! Don't you love it!!!

I feel like I have been gone for a hundred years! Where has the time gone? It was never my intention to be away from my little blog so long. I need my entries to help keep up with my life and all that keeps me occupied. So, where was I the last time I posted...,OH!

I was anticipating heading to New Orleans for the Living Proof Live Event with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell. I didn't have far to travel since the Crescent City is just a little more than an hour away. I went with my dearest friend and a group from her church. We had a great trip over with lots of laughter and good fellowship. We stayed in the Homewood Suites (great accomodations) about 6 blocks away from the arena. Oh, it was such a good weekend and a wonderful event. The praise and worship was excellent! Travis Cottrell is so talented and he uses it to bring glory and honor to the Lord. Beth taught from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (The Message) and it was so convicting. I provided a link to the passage from Biblegateway.com in case you do not have access to a copy. It packs a wallop.

Upon my return to life at home I had a message from my daughter asking if she could move back home. She is in the midst of a huge heartbreak and has decided that re-grouping from the nest is the best thing for her. So, she is leaving her job and planning to go to school this summer to finish her teacher certification. We are praying that even in this economy she will be able to find a job teaching English and maybe even overseeing a school newspaper. So my half empty nest will be filled once again even if it is only a temporary thing!

Of course, this all happened during Holy Week which for those of us who work in churches is an extremely busy time. I had the finishing touches to put on the annual Youth retreat that takes place every Easter weekend. That kept me so busy all week long, including an 11 hour day on Good Friday. I used Easter weekend to catch up on my rest. We did have an incredible service on Easter morning. Great music, wonderful worship, and a powerful message from John 20:1-18.

This week is vacation week for almost every one on staff at the church so I am holding down the fort! I am looking forward to the weekend so I can finish re-arranging closets and furniture to make room for my daughter who hasn't been home in 5 years...not since before she started college!

My only other pre-occupation is with Scripture memorization. In the right hand column you will see that I have taken up the challenge that Beth Moore issued on her blog at the beginning of the year. I love my verse for April 15th (well, I have loved them all because they have each spoken to me in the midst of my circumstances) - - - "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name." Exodus 15:2-3.

Hope all is well in your part of the world!

The Countdown Is On!

2009-03-31T05:55:00.007-05:00

Well, the countdown is on! This weekend Beth Moore will be in New Orleans for a Living Proof Live Event! I can't wait! One of my dearest friends invited me to join her church group for a weekend of great fellowship, powerful praise & worship and The Word! If you have never seen Beth in person you are missing a real treat. Travis Cottrell will be leading worship! We head out at noon on Friday! I can't wait!

Cloverfield!

2009-03-25T14:35:00.004-05:00

When our son came home from his freshman year of college (with horrible health problems and dismal grades) he moved all of his things into our sunroom which we had emptied to renovate. One and half years later he has claimed "squatter's rights" to the space and it is a disaster. Of course, it is a disaster that he loves. Yesterday I ventured into the space with my "haz-mat suit" on and found that Bella was being 'attacked' by the Cloverfield monster. Someone had moved the monster to a spot she loves and she was not going to be defeated. She had just awakened from a nap when I snapped this picture. I have often called her the demon cat and now I know it is true! She eventually toppled the monster to floor because it was taking over her space. Bella is one tough kitty!

Reaching for the Heavens!

2009-03-22T16:56:00.005-05:00

When I snapped this picture it was a cool clear morning. Without a cloud in the sky I knew these blossoms would look stunning! What I didn't expect was for the sky to be so startlingly blue and for the blossoms to be so pure. The little white flowers seem to be reaching for their maker! This is definitely eye candy and inspiration for the soul. We have an amazingly creative Father!

Hope your soul is inspired today!

Spring is sprung!

2009-03-16T06:10:00.004-05:00

After spending 2 days in bed with a bad cold I woke to find that Spring had sprung! Tiny leaves had popped out on this tree right outside our door. Other than the amazing amount of weeds in our yard these fresh green sprouts are the first signs of spring in our area. I bet I can find azaleas and wisteria emerging too! I love it when the earth awakens after the cold winter. It is really energizing!

Hope you are seeing signs of Spring where you are!

Which One Is It?

2009-03-14T08:31:00.007-05:00

Definitely a cold but one so bad it felt like the flu! I can't remember the last time I felt this bad. I actually stayed home from work on Friday and slept most of the day. After a bit of soup and another dose of medication I went back to bed. It is amazing how much better I feel now that I have had some rest! At least I feel good enough this morning to do laundry and work on a new Bible study (if you haven't done Beth Moore's study on Esther you really should!) and my Sunday school lesson. Hope you are not suffering from a cold or the flu!

Journey Complete!

2009-03-13T08:28:00.005-05:00

Last night we finished our journey through ancient Persia! What a wild and amazing journey it was. It was a great study and we had wonderful discussion and fellowship. The lessons on God's providence and the reversal of destiny were so rich and rewarding. And, the cast of characters...God used them all well. Vashti, the willful, disobedient queen; Xerxes, the clueless and easily manipulated; Haman, the wicked, arrogant, vindicative villian; Mordecai, the humble and hard-working; and Esther, the lovely, teachable and courageous. If you have not done this study yet I highly recommend it, even if you think you know the Book of Esther. You won't believe what God will reveal to you from His Word!

A Franciscan Benediction

2009-03-03T04:21:00.002-06:00

I heard this benediction/blessing in a sermon series I borrowed from a friend. It convicted me, pricked my soul, and moved me. I pray that it does the same thing for you.

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world.
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.

May God grant us the wisdom, discernment and energy to make a difference in someone's life today!

Gathering Clouds!

2009-02-28T06:10:00.003-06:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I even looked at my blog! But, I have to admit that I have been overwhelmed at work. There are issues there that have perplexed me and have driven me to my knees more times this week than I care to count. So, between family, work, and Bible study I have not been faithful to post here. My prayer is that this party cloudy period in my life will resolve itself quickly and that clear skies (and hearts and minds) will prevail!

"The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment." 2 Peter 2:9 (HCSB)

Hope you are doing well! Have a great weekend.

ABC's of the Word - B

2009-02-19T16:03:00.007-06:00

I am very late to the ABC's of the Word party that Grey Like Snuffie hosts. I have been doing research at work today and have almost been buried under it. So, I have just cleared my desk long enough to dash off a few brief words on the Letter "B" and the word believe.

Isaiah 43:10 - "You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, " and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He..."

I picked "believe" this year as my word. Now don't get the idea that I do not believe because I do. But, I discovered that sometimes I just believe in God and I don't believe Him. Does that make sense? For example, I can pray for someone with fervor and believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will intervene in their lives. But I sometimes don't apply that belief to my own circumstances. (Oh, Lord, help my unbelief!) So, I picked believe to remind me that God is just as faithful in my life and the messes I get into as He is for others. The Bible study, "Believing God" really helped me change my focus and my attitude when it comes to belief. There is a five-statement pledge of faith from that study that I repeat every morning (and sometimes several times during the day):

God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me...I'm Believing God!!!

If you haven't done this study, I highly recommend it! Hope y'all had a great day! Looking forward to Friday and the weekend!

Word of the Year

2009-02-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

A Nerd for Words!

2009-02-16T13:50:00.003-06:00

Although my job as ministry support can be demanding, there are some great advantages to the many things I do! One of the things I love to do involves words. I love words! There are very few things that thrill me as much as a well turned phrase! So, when I get to throw myself into a word project and it just happens to put me in the middle of a Word (as in the Holy Scripts!), well, I am as happy as a pig in mud! Today was one of those days.

The word for 'workmanship' in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (NKJV)" is very interesting. The Greek word is 'poiema' (pronounced poh'-ay-mah). Our word 'poem' comes from this word. After a word study on 'poiema' I have to admit that I view myself from a differently. You will too if you think about it like this,...

"For I am His poem, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Did that make you stop and think?

It is very easy to take a cursory glance in the mirror and find fault with the person you see in the reflection, especially if we use the world's skewed standards to make that judgment. I am trying to view myself through a God-filtered lens and see myself as a unique creation from His hands. The Lord has gifted each of us with talents and abilities that will best reflect His glory. Shouldn't we be able to trust His design?

God's standard is the gold standard and the world's standards are just dross! I want my 'poem' to be a sweet fragrance. Through Christ I pray that I will be refined and transformed inside and out so I am viewed as His 'poem'! I pray that Christ will do the same for you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T06:16:00.004-06:00

A Valentine's Day Blessing For You:

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Beautifully Creative!

2009-02-13T17:18:00.008-06:00

Jeanne Winters at Inspiring Ideas blog is celebrating a happy 1st blogoversary and having a contest to celebrate it! Jeanne is a designer (for Dayspring and Hallmark) and an author (see her book pictured above). She has such sweet ideas! I have to say that have lurked around her blog for awhile. I always come away refreshed and relaxed and truly inspired. She has an etsy shop with delightful vintage signs and note cards! When you check out her blog please leave a comment and you will be entered into her blogoversary contest!

Have a great Friday evening!

ABC's of the Word

2009-02-12T09:20:00.007-06:00

Grey Like Snuffie hosts an ABC's of the Word on Thursdays so I thought I would give it a try. Today is "A"!

A - Able! Able is a seemingly innocent word on the surface. But, if you dig into it you will find that it means having sufficient power, skill, resources to accomplish an object; susceptible to action or treatement; marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill or competence (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Able is a word you can take comfort from or gather strength from. Doesn't everyone want to be able to do or accomplish something? When you put this tiny four letter word into a verse of Scripture it takes on a significance from a higher power.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) - "And, God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." The word able in this context is the Greek word "dunatos" which means able, powerful, might, strong, mighty in wealth and influence, strong in soul (to bear calamities and trials with fortitude and patience; strong in Christian virtue); to be able to do something; mighty, excelling in something; having power for something." The root word for "dunatos" is "dunamai".

"Dunamai" is the Greek word meaning to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful. This is the word "able" that is found in the following two Scriptures:

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) - "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

Ephesians 6:13 (NIV) - "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Lastly, in Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) - "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." This "able" is from the Greek word "dunamis" which denotes "explosive power or dynamic power" and is where we get the word "dynamite".

When we are in Christ, we have access to His supernatural, dynamic power in our lives. He enables us here on earth to accomplish His will. I want to be able. Whatever the task may be...I want to have explosive power, His explosive power and ability, to be mighty in influence. I am able because God is Able!

Southern Plate Contest - Check It Out!

2009-02-10T05:37:00.003-06:00

Southern Plate Cookbook
from Christy Jordan

Laura Mercier Lipstick

Christy Jordan at Southern Plate is having a "Basket Full of Kisses" contest at her site. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment! Check it out! I don't know about you but I love lipstick. I would leave the house without other makeup on my face but I have to have decorated lips! Maybe that is a southern girl thing! And while you are entering the contest, please check out all Christy's great recipes! Yummy!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2009-02-09T11:21:00.005-06:00

Knit Chicken Pattern

I follow Susan B. Anderson's blog. She is a delightful knitwear designer and author. She recently had a contest on her blog for one of her new designs and I won! I never win anything so you could have knocked me over with a chicken feather! The pattern arrived in the mail on Saturday. It looks like a great intermediate pattern and I will have the opportunity to learn some new techniques, primarily the Kitchener Stitch. Check out Susan' delightful books, Itty Bitty Hats & Itty Bitty Nursery. She also has another contest on her blog right now...check out the Shamrock Washcloth. I am working on her Sweetheart Washcloth as we speak and it is darling! Have a great day!

An Arrow in the Quiver!

2009-02-04T07:39:00.013-06:00

"In the shadow of His hand He has hidden me, and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver He has hidden me." Isaiah 49:2b

I try to have a quiet time in the morning and in the evening. Some evenings I am too tired to focus but on Tuesday I read from "Streams in the Desert" (one of my all time favorite devotional books). The Scripture above was the focus verse and it just struck me to the core. There were several comments from others listed below the verse but the one that resonated in my heart was from F. B. Meyer: "But do not assume that He has pushed you aside. You are still "in his quiver." He has not thrown you away as something worthless. He is only keeping you nearby till the moment comes when He can send you quickly and confidently on some mission that will bring Him glory. O shadowed, isolated one, remember how closely the quiver is tied to the warrior. It is always within easy reach of his hand and jealously protected."

Whoa! Do ever feel as though God cannot use you? Do you feel as though you do not have a calling? Are you afraid you will mess up something you know the Lord has called you to do? Never fear, precious one! God will not release us from His quiver until we are polished and ready to reflect His glory! What do we have to fear?!?

This impacted me even more because we are at that point in the study of Esther (chapter 4) when she is faced with the news that of all the Jews will be annihilated and Mordecai tells her that she is the one who must intervene before the king. Esther, who has hidden her real name, her real lineage, her real Jewish roots and who hasn't been summoned to the king for 30 days, is being asked to reveal everything (on pain of death) in order to save the Jews (almost 15 million of them) throughout the Persian Empire! Esther had a choice. And, even if she perished, then so be it.

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV) states, "A wife of noble character who can find?..."

Judges 6:12 (NIV) states, "When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'"

'Noble Character' and 'Mighty Warrior' come from the same Hebrew word, 'chayil' which means, valor, strength, might. This means that we do not have to be intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman any longer! We have what it takes to answer the call God has placed on our lives. The Lord calls us mighty! I pray that in 2009 I will come to believe that with every fiber of my being. I can easily believe it when I see God working in someone else's life but I rarely apply the same principle to my own life. I am missing out and denying God access to my life.

I pray that this touched your heart as it touched mine! We are mighty arrows in God's quiver!

Ten Things I Love

2009-01-31T06:05:00.005-06:00

I have accepted Beth's challenge to list 10 things I love! Listing things I love isn't especially hard...the challenge is to list things I love that begin with the letter "S". So, here goes,...

1 - Sunrise. I know that many people would rather go to the dentist than get up early! LOL! But, I am an early morning person. I need to see God's glory painted across the sky first thing everyday! It awakens my soul and helps set the tone for my day. More importantly, I get to praise the Lord for His infinite mercy to me. The sunrise reminds me that His grace, mercy and love are always there for me. (It is the exclamation point that begins my day!)

2 - Study. I love to study. The study of God's Word is thrilling to me. I love uncovering new facets of His character. God is the Master of all things but the fact that He recorded it tickles me pink. I love the feel of the pages and the sound they make when I turn them and I love to thumb through the pages and see my notes and prayers in the margin. I especially love the collective sound of the pages turning during church, it gives me glory bumps every time!

3 - Smiles. A smile is such a simple thing but it conveys a huge message! There aren't many things that are more warm and inviting than a heartfelt smile! Just reading this makes you smile doesn't it! The neat thing about a smile is that it is something you can give to anyone and you (almost) instantly receive one in return! How neat that God gave us smiles!! I must also add that an extension of smiles is the opportunity to be silly. I think it is healthy to be silly occasionally! Silliness made you smile didn't it!?!

4 - Singing. I love music. I especially love music that praises and glorifies the Lord. Like, "Indescribable" or "Thou O Lord" or "It Is Well With My Soul"! Music clears the mind and lifts the heart. I can't go a day without singing (even though my kids ask me not to sing aloud I know that it is beautiful to God's ears).

5 - Sentiment. I love feelings. I especially love those feelings that bring back the special moments in my life. I know that it would be easy to bring to mind the good ones exclusively but I wouldn't be who I am if I had journeyed through life without bumps and bruises. I have been polished by all the things I have experienced. Without that polishing I could not reflect the Lord,...not even in the smallest way.

6 - Sweets. The top of the list would be chocolate but coming in at a close second would be most other sweet things. There are a few I am not fond of,...like bread pudding or tapioca. But, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, Italian Cream Cake...yum! God was good to give us sweets. Makes me want to stray too far from my diet though! LOL!

7 - Sylvie. Sylvie is my kitty. I know that we have two kitties but Sylvie is my shadow. Wherever I am in the house she is always close by. Sometimes I feel like we are velcroed together! She especially loves to do Bible study with me. She must love the sound of the Bible pages turning too! She also loves to sit in my lap when I knit. Thankfully she doesn't go after my yarn!

8 - Soda. Another guilty pleasure is drinking soda. And, I have to say that Dr Pepper, especially fountain Dr Pepper, is my all-time favorite. When I want a treat in the afternoon I go to the nearest Sonic Drive-In during their Happy Hour (2pm - 4pm) and I get the Route 44 size for $1. Dr Pepper at a bargain price, what could be better!

9 - Scarves. An important fashion statement whether they are fabric, crocheted, or knitted! My new favorite scarf is the Pashmina-style, which is a long, lightweight rectangle. Now a real Pashmina would be cashmere...a bit pricey for me! But, Wal-Mart has a nice looking alternative for $5. You can wear it as a shawl or around your neck for warmth and in any season. And, you can wear them with anything! A great fashion accessory! Try it! You will love it too!

10 - Sunset. As much as I love the sunrise I also love the sunset. God is an amazing artist. The sunset is beautiful and calming. It is the 'period' to my day!

Have a great Saturday!

A Southern Sunrise!

Where Has The Week Gone?

2009-01-30T07:59:00.009-06:00

My Gran always said that "Idle hands are the devil's workshop!" so I got busy!!!

Well, this week has flown by and I can't believe that I haven't posted anything but my 1st Blogoversary candle! It seems that I have been consumed with two different projects this week.

Project # 1 - Bible Study - I am facilitating Esther, It's Tough Being A Woman by Beth Moore. It is a wonderful study and I am enjoying all the research that goes along with it. But, this time around my boss challenged me to do something outside of the box. So, I started a Bible study blog, Koinonia. This has been fun but it has become necessary for me to prepare something pertaining to each day's study. This is good because I love a challenge. (LOL!) And it is bad, being the compulsive type, it has taken on a life of its own and I think about it all the time. I do think I have hit my stride and now I will be able to juggle both blogs.

Project # 2 - Storm Cloud Shawlette - This is a free pattern and totally addictive. I am using some Colinette Jitterbug to do it and I am almost finished (4 more rows to go so I can wear it this weekend). Work, arthritis and Bible study have crowded out a huge junk of my normal knitting time. Normally I would have finished this in a couple of evenings. And, the drastic change in temperature for 80 degrees and 100% humidity to 36 degrees has aggravated the arthritis in my right thumb making everything painful. I am trying to type, knit, and write through the pain.

Esther 3 really caused me to reflect on my "inner Haman". He could be king of the mean girls and the wannabes! It has definitely sent me to my knees in prayer to guard against those sins that trip me up. On to Chapter 4!

Happy Blogoversary

2009-01-26T05:36:00.004-06:00

Happy Blogoversary to Me! This has been an amazing and inspiring year! Here's to another great year!

Heroism!

2009-01-23T06:06:00.007-06:00

Heroism - heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end. (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

This billboard is located at West 57th & West Side Highway (atop the Artkraft Strauss Building) in New York City. It is a fitting tribute to the valiant efforts of everyone involved in the events surrounding U.S.Airways flight 1549 on January 15th. The events of that day are nothing less than extraordinary...on the part of the flight crew, the FAA, the first responders...the list goes on! As a former flight attendant you train for disasters over and over again knowing that if conditions are not ideal your training means very little. Everything worked exactly like it was supposed to! I believe that it is called Providence - divine guidance or care; God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny. I know that some don't believe in this but I do. And, we saw it in real time on January 15, 2009!

May you feel the hand of God upon you today!

Believe

2009-01-20T17:02:00.003-06:00

Believe - Word for 2009!

Sweet packaging!

I chose a word for 2009. The word is "believe"! And, to commemorate that word I treated myself to the necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs. This is the 3rd piece of jewelry I have purchased from Lisa and I have never been disappointed with the quality of her work. Please check out her web store and most especially check out her blog. She has a very endearing family and an wonderful inspirational story to share!

I pray that you are warm and blessed today!

Memory Verse for January 15th

2009-01-16T17:33:00.002-06:00

I have finally picked my January 15th memory verse.

It was really tough because there were several I loved! So, after praying and a good night's sleep, this is the verse I picked:

"The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 (Amplified)

I have actually memorized this verse before but I used the NIV translation. When I read this verse in the Amplified version I knew this was it! Don't you just love it!

I hope that in your spirit you feel the Lord singing over you!

Creative Juices Flowing!

2009-01-15T09:51:00.004-06:00

All the pieces...

in a nice, neat little package!

I am facilitating a Bible study and I wanted to challenge the group to think creatively. The challenge was for each of us to take a turn opening and closing our sessions with prayer. I felt so strongly that this was what the Spirit was leading me to do that I threw the challenge out to the ladies last week. After all, our creator God, who made us so fearfully and wonderfully must have instilled a certain level of creativity in each of us! Well, no one signed up for the first week. I guess I terrified an entire classroom of women! (Oh my!) That makes tonight my turn.

After some prayerful consideration, I decided that we would make Memorial Stones, a reminder of the impact the study has had. I do this all the time. Usually I make a booklet of my favorite Scriptures or I find a small framed print with a special verse. This time I am asking everyone to write out their prayer request, something deeply personal,...something they want the Lord to do during the course of our study. They are to place the little stone in a special place somewhere in their home. It will be their reminder to pray and their reminder that God is faithful. I am praying for a powerful move of God among my ladies.

I pray that the Lord is moving in your life too!

A Beginning

2009-01-14T05:21:00.004-06:00

A new Bible Study!

The beginning of a new year is often a real adventure! It is a fresh start, a time to do something new or different. I hit the ground running with a brand new Bible study (check out this preview of the video teaching). With the first week of homework completed I am excited about the treasures that the Lord will reveal over the course of 10 weeks. Just going through Esther 1 was interesting. The setting is ancient Persia and the lifestyle of the rich and royal was very decadent. It was very easy to see that we really haven't come all that far in our modern world. The headlines in the newspapers and on TV bear out what excess and decadence is doing to America. We are such stiff-necked people aren't we! We have so much to learn! I am looking forward to the group discussion of this week's homework and I am definitely looking forward to the things I will dig out of the Word during the upcoming week!

Hope you the Lord is revealing treasure to you today!

Two Views!

2009-01-12T10:52:00.005-06:00

The view to the west!

The view to the east!

Aren't the views beautiful!? When I went out to get the newspaper this morning to the west I saw the setting of the moon and to the east I saw the rising of the sun. And, it made me think of the verse...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

I just praised the Lord all day! "...for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!" Lamentations 3:23-24

A Touch of Spring

2009-01-08T06:04:00.006-06:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by dixieknitter

It was a bit chilly this morning so I decided I needed a touch of Spring. This is just a sampling of my husband's roses. It always looks like he spends a great deal of time fussing over them but the reality is that he fertilizes them once and he lets God take care of the rest. They always bring us such joy. Doesn't it bring a smile to your face to see the beautiful colors and the perfection of the blossoms!? Hope your day is filled with the prettiest examples of God's creations!

Blessings!

Word of the Year!

2009-01-05T05:34:00.002-06:00

As I was searching the internet for craft ideas, I ran across an interesting post about picking a word of the year. I was intrigued by the many responses to the post so I wondered what my word for 2009 should be. After much prayer I have picked the word "BELIEVE".

The Scripture reference for this word comes from Isaiah 43:10 -

"You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He." (NIV)

I want to be known as someone who not only believes in God but one who believes that God will work through me. Too often I tend to think that God will move mightily in someone else but not necessarily in me. I am determined to change that mindset!

So, my word for 2009 - BELIEVE!

New Year's Knitting!

2009-01-02T13:03:00.003-06:00

After months of battling an arthritis flare-up I am finally able to knit! Hooray! Here are two scarves that am working on to start the 2009 project year off on a good note. I am using the One Row Scarf Pattern from Stephanie Pearl McPhee. Very easy, reversible and quick. The first scarf is made with Ella Rae Mosaic Yarn and the second scarf is made with Noro Silk Garden. I am enjoying the feel of the needles in my hands and the yarn between my fingers. I hope to claim the first scarf as my own. The second scarf has been claimed by my son!

The other project I have on my slate of things "To-Do" is Scripture Memorization. I am following the Living Proof Blog (Beth Moore) and the challenge there is to memorize 2 Scripture verses a month. My first verse is one that I love but have not committed to memory and I think it makes a great verse for the beginning of the year:

Romans 12:2 (NIV) - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

I have a new spiral index card notebook and I have recorded my verse. I have also posted it on the mirror in my bathroom and the dashboard of my van. I know that the Lord will use these verses to bless my socks off!

Hope the Lord is blessing your socks off today! Happy New Year!

Christmas Knitting

2008-12-31T06:24:00.005-06:00

We did a bit of traveling over the Christmas holidays and this is what I got to experience! My sweet son, Boomer, decided that he wanted to the art of knitting. He is working on a scarf. He has persevered through an entire skein of yarn in charcoal grey. And, I have to tip my hat to him,...he did a good job with tension and keeping 25 stitches on the needles.

We had a great time with our families over the last several days. I have eaten too much and must return to more moderate eating. I am determined to drop the rest of this excess weight. 2009 is my year for healthy living! Anyone else taking a pledge for good health!?

Blessings to you on this last day of 2008! May God be with you today and through the days ahead!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

May the Lord bless you like the mighty men and women of faith who have gone before you. May He give you:

Grace to lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us;

Endurance to run the race set before you;

And eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith!

Amen! (Hebrews 12:1)

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Relaxing and Enjoying!

2008-12-24T05:12:00.002-06:00

This is what I plan to do today! The packages are wrapped and tagged and everything is in place for our Christmas celebration. I am so thankful that today, Christmas Eve, I do not have to fight crowds or traffic! My prayer is that you will be relaxing today and enjoying your family and friends! May you also feel the presence of God upon your life!

A Cold Weather Miracle

2008-12-23T14:17:00.006-06:00

A lone rose bud!

Yesterday was cold for South Mississippi. After days of cloudy, muggy, warm weather a front moved through and brought brisk northerly winds and plummeting temperatures. One day it is 70 degrees and the following day it is 30 with a wind chill factor of 23 degrees. As I stepped out of the house and into the wind I saw this amazing sight! One lone rose bud! All the other bushes are bare!

May you experience once again this Christmas the miracle of Christ's birth! And, may Christmas live in your heart all year long!

Curious Kitty

2008-12-22T07:23:00.002-06:00

Bella in a Box!

This is by far one of Bella's favorite places to be! A cardboard box! And Christmas provides ample opportunity for play by curious kitties because there will either be a box to pack or one to unpack. This box was ready and waiting to be packed! So if you receive your Christmas gifts in a large cardbox like the one above I am certain their will be shed fur along with your gifts and packing material. This is Bella's way of sharing the love at the holiday!

Hope your heart is overflowing with the Savior's love and grace!

Typical Christmas Weather!

2008-12-18T09:56:00.004-06:00

This is our 4th day of foggy, muggy, wet, humid weather. This is Christmas in the South! When I first snapped this picture I thought it looked really dark! After all it is 11:30am and there should be some brightness to the sky. But, after posting the picture and comparing it to the view outside of my window this is a pretty accurate picture. I just wish I could see the sun! At some point in the next couple of days this front will push through and our weather will be unseasonably cool and clear and sunny! I hope by that time that Dear Heart and Boomer Boy will be feeling better from the colds they have. And, I praying that I will be protected from catching the same bug that grabbed them!

Hope your perspective is sunny and bright!

One Small Child...

2008-12-17T07:18:00.004-06:00

One small child in a land of a thousand.
One small dream of a savior tonight.
One small hand reaching out to the starlight.
One small savior of life.
One king bringing his gold and riches.
One king ruling an army of might.
One king kneeling with incense and candlelight.
One king bringing us life.
See Him lying, a cradle beneath Him.
See Him smiling in the stall.
See His mother praising the Father.
See His tiny eyelids fall.
See the shepherds kneeling before Him.
See the kings on bended knee.
See the mother praising the Father.
See the blessed infant sleep.
One small child in a land of a thousand.
One small dream of a savior tonight.
One small hand reaching out to the starlight.
One small savior of life.
(By David Meece)

In honor of my sweet husband, his favorite Christmas song! Hope you feel better soon Dear Heart!

Pre-Christmas Vacation!

2008-12-15T06:27:00.008-06:00

Merry Christmas to Me!

This is the beginning of my pre-Christmas vacation! And, this is how I am celebrating...with my new Keurig! I am a coffee lover. I don't smoke or consume alcohol but I am addicted to great coffee. So, I took part of my Christmas bonus and a 20% off coupon to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and purchased the frivolous and wonderful piece of kitchen equipment. I was really like a child with a huge gift box. I couldn't wait to get home and unpack the box! It came with a small variety of K-Cups but I also purchased a larger variety box for good measure. This machine brews a great cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa!

Today is my day to be a slug! I don't have much planned. Tomorrow, though, I will be tackling closets. I want to clean them out so Goodwill can come pick-up household donations before the end of the year. Plus, I want to take over our bonus room and make it mine for sewing, knitting, & crafting. If I accomplish all this during the week I will be so excited!

Hope you are having a great beginning to your week!

Christmas Quiz

2008-12-14T06:09:00.002-06:00

1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree - currently a tiny tinsel tree

2. Favorite Ornament - a patchwork angel made by my grandmother

3. Favorite Christmas Song - Breath of Heaven (sung by Amy Grant)

4. Favorite Tradition - We when were young, either my mother or my grandmother would make matching pajamas for my brother and I to wear on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that I continued with my own children. Once we had a new pj's on we would gather around the tree and listen to the Christmas story. Then, we would have homemade cookies and cocoa. Of course, we always left a snack for Santa Claus!

5. Favorite Gift Ever Received - The gift of sacrifice! In October 1989, I lost my husband, my children's father, in a plane crash. It was such a sad time and I just dreaded Christmas. But, I had 2 small children who didn't quite understand what was going on. I didn't want to celebrate anything! Thanksgiving weekend of that year we visited with my husband's family in East Texas. While we were away friends "broke into" our home and decorated for Christmas, they decorated inside and out. The most spectacular thing was the Christmas tree which was covered with tiny frames which held pictures of my little family...candid shots of the kids with their daddy, pictures from our wedding and other celebrations. When we arrived home I was just absolutely overcome with emotion. The kids thought that something magical had happened! They didn't understand what a powerful display of love it was. Our friends had sacrificed their plans over the Thanksgiving holidays to make sure that my little wounded family would have a special Christmas memory. (As often as I tried to thank them for this wonderful gift no one would take credit for it.)

6. Favorite Christmas Meal - Turkey and dressing, sweet potato casserole, green been casserole, broccoli salad, and yeast rolls with Italian cream cake for dessert.

7. Favorite Christmas Cookie - Cocoons

8. Favorite Place To Be - wherever my family is

9. Favorite Memory - My grandfather carving the turkey. He was such a showman!

10. Favorite Christmas Movie - Miracle on 34th Street (the original) & It's A Wonderful Life

We Three Kings

2008-12-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor, and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising , voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

(Refrain)
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

What a beautiful presentation of the Gospel. This Christmas carol was written by John H. Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. He wrote this for a Christmas pagent at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. I love the line in the 5th stanza, "King and God and sacrifice". We sang the entire carol in church on Sunday and for the very first time I focused on the words. You know, sometimes it is easy sing a familiar hymn or praise chorus and not take in the message. But, when you truly listen with your heart to what you are singing and you focus on Who you are singing it to...well, let's just say that I was too moved to sing. My eyes filled with tears. All I could do was listen to the beautiful voices of a filled sanctuary and praise my Savior. I can't imagine what it is like to live a life without Jesus!

My you feel the presence of Jesus in a powerful and special way today!

It's Snowing!!!!

2008-12-11T09:51:00.003-06:00

This is an extremely rare occurence! Snow in South Mississippi! Today's forecast was for a wintery mix which I just figured would be rain and sleet. And, we did have rain and sleet earlier today. About 9:30 we had gusts of snow. I ran out with camera in hand so I would have validation! If the radar is any indication, more gusts of snow are on the way.

My parents live outside of New Orleans and they have accumulated snow in their yard. And my brother who lives outside of McComb, Mississippi had 3 inches as of 7:00am!

I hope you are blessed by your weather today.

Waiting & Watching!

2008-12-10T10:30:00.000-06:00

She is hoping he will come to the door very soon!

Bella, our mean but beautiful kitty loves Boomer our son. She sits patiently at the front door waiting for him to return from class or work each day. Once he is home she follows him everywhere he goes. If he steps out to the backyard she perches on the stool and watches his every move. I wasn't quick enough to snap the picture of her kissing his face when he walked by in the door. She is totally devoted to her boy toy! It is one of the delights I experience all the time. Do you have these special moments in your day?

A Sign...

2008-12-09T16:10:00.002-06:00

A glimmer of a rainbow!

Yesterday was a hectic day at work. We called it grumpy Monday. It was a very stressful day. I came home, put on my pajamas and went to bed. Today started much like yesterday and I was afraid that this would become grumpy Tuesday! Thankfully things settled down and we were all able to get a great deal of work accomplished. Right before I left work to head home the cloudy skies gave up their rain and we had a pretty severe thunderstorm. By the time I got home the worst of the storms had passed. If I had not looked up as I got out of the car I would have missed seeing the rainbow in the sky! It was barely visible! I was totally refreshed by the sight of it and I was so excited that the Lord did a little bit of showing off for me. I just had to applaud and rejoice! I am sure my neighbors think I am crazy!!!

I hope you saw evidence of the Lord today and that you were blessed by what you discovered. May you feel His presence abundantly!

Hardy!

2008-12-06T14:00:00.003-06:00

Backyard Beauty!

This plant is 'hardy' and according the dictionary that means capable of withstanding adverse conditions! We have had 1 light freeze and many frosty mornings so I was surprised to find our hibiscus shrub blooming in the backyard. Definitely hardy! May I be as hardy as my hibiscus. May I continue to bloom and grow despite the conditions that I face. May you be hardy too!

Advent Tree

2008-12-04T20:30:00.008-06:00

I have briefly mentioned in the past that I am part of the ministry support staff at my church. I wear many hats which makes my job very interesting. Rarely do I have to don a decorator's hat but this year I decided that our tiny waiting room needed a bit more of Christmas than peppermints. I toyed with many ideas and made several sketches of what I wanted the tree to look like. I finally decided on an Advent Tree.

The tree itself is a 4ft pre-lighted tree. The table skirt is a Martha Stewart holiday special from K-Mart. The crowns and the tags were cut with a co-worker's Cricut machine (which I must say is absolutely incredible!). The crowns have some of the names of Christ on them. The oval tags have Old Testament prophetic Scripture and New Testament Scriptures detailing the birth of Christ. I tried hard to keep it understated because the message it holds is where the "sparkle" comes from. I am so pleased with the way it turned out that I will expand upon it next year by using our Sunday School kids to help me out. Maybe next year I will opt for a bigger tree!

The South is cold today. Hope your heart is sunny and warm!

My Other Cat!

2008-12-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

Judging a book by its cover!

This is our other cat. Her name is Bella. On a trip to Pet Smart my daughter fell in love with her. We went through the steps to adopt her, the Humane Society was very thorough and we brought her home. During her first 6 months with us she spent most of her time in the vet's office. She was one sick kitty. And, she had the very bad habit of eating string and ribbon (she doesn't seem to like yarn, thankfully). Needless to say, string and ribbon are not easily digested and can often clog the system. None of us, including the vet, thought she would survive. Amazingly she is still with us, beautiful to look at and extremely soft to the touch but she is meaner than a snake. The only one of us she loves with abandon is our son, Boomer. She has marked him as her own boy toy. The rest us of she only tolerates. And, if we get too close we get to meet her teeth. If she had front claws I am certain she would scratch us. Every morning I awaken to the sounds of kitties fighting because Bella will stalk Sylvie and kitty slap her. Despite her quirkiness we love her. Every household should have a Bella so you will truly appreciate your other "normal" pets.

Wishing you sweet, loving best friends!

A Chair With A View

2008-12-03T11:30:00.000-06:00

My scenic view!

It would be easy to complain that this view is not the prettiest but I have to say that I am actually grateful for what I see. This view means that I was able to see the dentist 8 hours after cracking a filling and breaking off a tiny portion of my tooth. I pleaded for a picture of the ceiling, the dentist and her assistant but the picture of the ceiling was the only one I snapped. Do you think that the dentist and her assistant were afraid that all you would see were their nostrils as I looked up with my mouth opened wide!?! I guess my dental news could have been much worse...I have to have a crown on the damaged tooth. The temporary is in place (no chewing anything too sticky or too hard). The permanent will be "delivered" before Christmas! (Merry Christmas to me!)

I am thankful for a caring dentist. I didn't feel anything and I had my choice of TV or music to distract me from the sound of the drill. I am also very grateful for the girls that run the office because they were able to squeeze me into their crowded schedule so I would be almost as good as new.

May your view today be beautiful!

Comforting Friend!

2008-12-02T16:21:00.002-06:00

Sylvie the Rescue Kitty!

I cracked a filling! Not a bit of fun and one of the sure signs that I am aging! LOL! It isn't as though I was eating anything too hard, too sticky, or too gooey! Luckily the nice lady at the dentist office is working me in for a repair...one that I am sure will help finance the dentist's next trip to Italy!

I was distraught when I saw the piece of filling in my hand even though there was no pain involved. Before I could even grab the phone to make the call to the dentist, my sweet kitty, Sylvie was trying to curl up in my lap. She has stuck to me like glue. And, once she realized that I was calm, she settled down for a nap gently purring away. I am thankful for my sweet kitty friend. She is always good company. Do you have a special friend like Sylvie? Happy Tuesday!

Leaf Shower

2008-12-01T05:44:00.002-06:00

These were images from the weekend! A front moved through that brought us some much needed rain and with it came wind! When you put rain and wind together during autumn the result is a leaf shower. I looked out to discover the leaves covering my van and the driveway. It was such a beautiful sight. I just wish my camera (an older digital model) would have captured the real essence of the falling leaves. About an hour after these pictures were taken I made a run to the grocery store and it took the round trip for all the leaves to blow off of my van. By mid-afternoon my van was covered once again. LOL!

I pray your Monday will be a blessed one!

Happy 21st!

2008-11-28T05:25:00.011-06:00

November 28, 1987

May 5, 1991

November 25, 2008

Twenty one years ago, very early in the morning, way out in the country, while Daddy was jogging, I called dear doctor to let him know I thought I was in labor. He gently told me that wasn't possible because my due date was 11 weeks away! Thirty minutes later, a 9-1-1 call was placed from our house with a cry for help because little Sam decided that 11 weeks wasn't too early to arrive! (Dear doctor received a call seconds after the 9-1-1 call was placed). Jogging Daddy heard the sirens in the distance and knew instinctively that there was trouble at our house! By God's grace and wisdom, I delivered little Sam!

When Dad walked in he found volunteer firemen and volunteer EMT's (brave IBM execs) assisting me in giving little Sam CPR. Lots of phone calls were made in a flurry of activity. Make shift oxygen tents were made from garbage bags...decisions were made. We were transported to the nearest hospital 15 minutes away even though they had nothing in the way of equipment to assist. In the meantime, dear doctor was making arrangements for us to be transported to a hospital in Dallas where delivery was scheduled to take place (on the due date).

The transport team arrived at the country hospital like super heros with the task of stablilizing little Sam (which took 8 hours). I was transported immediately to the big city hospital while Daddy stayed behind to pace while Sam was stablilized. It was a long day.

Sam was very sick. So, excited to be born, he tried to breathe with lungs that were not developed. Plus, he had all the other problems that preemies face. He weighed 3 pounds! Neonatal doctors were not encouraged at all once they examined little Sam. My doctor, a strong Christian, had activated the prayer chain at his church. My church's prayer chain was doing overtime. And, because my husband and I were both employed by a major airline, we had people all over the world praying for Sam. And, even though we gave them permission to harvest Sam's organs...we knew that Sam would beat the odds. The first 5 weeks were tough in NICU. And the first 3 years there were surgeries, but...

Here we are 21 years later. Sam is a very unique young man. Stauchly conservative, highly opinionated, well-read, brutally funny, student of history. He brightens every day. And, even though Daddy isn't here to see him and all he is becoming, I know that parts of him live on in Sam. He would be proud of the man he is becoming.

Happy Birthday Sam! May the Lord bless you like the mighty men of faith who have gone before you. May He give you: grace to lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us; endurance to run the race set before you; and eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith! Amen. (Hebrews 12:1) (Love Mommy)

Blessings to You on Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T04:40:00.008-06:00

May you be one who fears the Lord; may you find great delight in the Lord's commands. May your children be mighty in the land. Even to the next generation, may you and your children be blessed. May you find your wealth and your riches in God. May you endure in righteousness forever. Even in the darkness my the light dawn for you. May you be gracious, compassionate and righteous. May you never be shaken. And may your name be remembered by the Lord forever. Amen! (Psalm 112)

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Tagged!

2008-11-25T08:47:00.012-06:00

Speaking of "tags"...

Once
upon a
Christmas!

My very first time to be tagged! And, it is all Beth's fault! Just kidding! LOL! So here it goes....

Here are the rules of the tag:
1) Link to the person who tagged you (see Beth above).
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself.
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

So, here are the six random things about myself:

1 - I do not know how to swim...even though there is a pool in my backyard!

2 - I have a fear flying even though I was employed by a major airline as a flight attendant many years ago.

3 - I delivered my son (who will be 21 on Friday, November 28th) all by myself at home (which included doing infant CPR) when he decided to arrive 11 weeks early! (*Details on Friday!)

4 - When I was 7 years old my grandmother taught me how to sew on her prized sewing machine. The following summer my 2 great grandmothers taught me to embroider and to crochet. They all taught me to quilt. A legacy of producing handmade things.

5 - My all time favorite book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I have read it at least a dozen times. A close second would be Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

6 - In the "apple doesn't fall far from the tree" category, I call my mother every day and we talk about books and sewing and the latest news. And, my daughter calls me everyday (at least three times & we text all day long) and we talk about the latest news (because she is a reporter and it is her job) and we discuss craft ideas (including sewing, knitting, jewelry-making).

Okay, now comes the hardest part of the tag. I have to come up with 6 people to tag...since I am new to the blog world that might be difficult. I will have to work up my courage to tag!!! LOL!

So,...I am tagging people I would like to know better. I picked ladies I met during the DISH RAG TAG, THE SEQUEL! Here goes nothing:

Kate at Home Is Where My Heart Is

Katherine at Worthy Hooker

Alissa at Yarnlibrarian

Wendy at Slowknitter

De at Morgan's Manor

Tracey at Knit One, Purl Two

Hope you all will join the fun!!!

Gracious! It is Friday!

2008-11-21T09:17:00.004-06:00

Feeding on Hibiscus!

I can't believe that it is Friday already and that I have been silent all week long! It isn't that my week has been boring because it has really been non-stop & I have been blessed all week long! In my previous post I was thrilled by the evidence of Fall everywhere. We have had crisp, cold temperatures at night and moderate temperatures during the day. Great weather for garage sales, soccer & football, tail-gating, and of course, the upcoming hunting season. But, as wonderful as the changing leaves and the sweaters have been, I am equally amazed that blossoms continue to appear where there should be no blossoms at all. This beautiful red Hibiscus is in our backyard. I was fascinated to find the shrub covered in red blooms and yellow butterflies. I took many pictures but this was the only one that was worthy of posting. Feeding on Hibiscus seems like a nice past-time on a beautiful Fall day!

Hope you are feasting on the beauty of the Lord!!!

Fall

2008-11-15T06:09:00.003-06:00

Warning...
I got carried away with this post! LOL!

I was fortuante to do a great deal of traveling when I was younger. Because I was able to visit every region of the U.S. in every season there were certain times of the year that were more stunning than others. Spring and Fall became my favorite seasons. Who could argue with the beauty that is displayed,...flowers blooming, budding trees, the changing colors of leaves?

Having grown up in the deep South, I have witnessed the incredible site of the beginning of Spring...a riot of colors displayed in daffodils, tulips, azaleas, daisies, roses, magnolias, etc. The South is gorgeous in the Springtime...a real Belle! When it comes to Fall...well!

I have always felt short-changed in Autumn! It rarely makes an appearance down here. Normally we are in shirt-sleeves and shorts through Christmas so summer lasts quite a long time. This means that there is rarely the burst of color that more northern areas experience. I distinctly remember the first time I witnessed with my very own eyes the stunning beauty of Fall colors in New England. Mortal words are inadequate to describe the amazing spectacle!

So, when you don't have the change of seasons very often and when the elusive Fall does make an appearance you just have to jump for joy! This year we are witnessing the changing color of the leaves (gold, yellow, orange, and red), much cooler temperatures and I get to wear my sweaters and scarves! Yippee! I just love this season, especially this year! So, gracious Father, I thank You for the gorgeous display of Your glory and the cooler temperatures! You have made Your child joyous! You are awesome!

Hope you are experiencing the presence of God all around you!

Are You Holding On Tightly?

2008-11-14T12:31:00.004-06:00

Clinging?

I was driving along Highway 90 enjoying the beautiful day and the view of the beach when I spotted a place where friends used to live. (It is a good thing I take my camera with me everywhere! I could miss the perfect Kodak moment without my trusty camera!!!)

This plot of land once had a beautiful home sitting on it and it was surrounded by majestic live oak trees and beautiful landscaped gardens. There are very few trees left and the house was swept away by the wind-driven waters of Hurricane Katrina. This tree is one of 2 that remain and as you can see there are the tattered remains of draperies still clinging to the branches. You would think that the elements would have caused the fabric to disintergrate! I tried to pull the fabric away but it has become a part of the new growth on the tree.

Do you cling to something or someone too tightly? Or, are you just too tightly wound up over something and you just can't let it go? This tattered remnant helped to remind me that I don't need to hang on too tightly to my children, my husband, my things, or control of my circumstances. I need to relax my grip and let God take over! I am thankful that my Sovereign Lord is in control!!!

"O Sovereign Lord, You have begun to show to Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?" Deuteronomy 3:24

Refreshed!

2008-11-13T06:04:00.002-06:00

Refreshing rain!

I am in the 5th week of a 6 week Bible study and it has been very powerful. The study, "Attending the Bride of Christ, Preparing for His Return," is a very thoughtful comparison of the ancient Jewish wedding traditions and Christ's relationship to the Church. It has been challenging and has given us an opportunity to have great discussion. But more importantly, the study has been refreshing. You know that feeling you get after a rain shower when the grass and flowers are sparkling with raindrops. This study has really encouraged me. Are you studying something special? If not then, please prayerfully consider "Attending the Bride of Christ"!

I Love Signs

2008-11-12T05:39:00.003-06:00

Of course the tree is a dead end!

This tiny country road is quite to close to work. The road is named for a person, probably the person who lives on this corner behind all the bushes and trees. I am certain that at one time the sign was actually positioned to show that the road is a dead end. I guess it was twisted during Hurricane Katrina and now it looks like the sign marks the tree as the dead end. Or, maybe this was intentional. Anyway! I get a giggle out this every time I pass it (which is twice a day). I finally stopped to take a picture of it but I need to take the picture at a different angle so you can see that a road actually exists.

Hope you Wednesday is wonderful!

Thank you!

2008-11-11T05:26:00.002-06:00

My Dad, My Hero,
A Patriot, A Marine!

If you know any veterans, then please seek them out today and thank them! That's my plan this morning! Dad is the first veteran I will contact. A Marine, WWII, South Pacific.

Several years ago my brother and I urged Dad to write down all the things he experienced during the War. He was reluctant at first. Even when we were younger he was hesitant to let those memories surface. WWII in the South Pacific was very brutal. But, he has now given us a compliation of his memories. In the process of journaling his experiences he mellowed. I guess letting go of all that he saw removed a thorn from his heart. It isn't that he was a harsh father because he was a marshmallow. But, there was a part of him that held on to the pain and the ugly side of humanity. The release was healing! Dad, I hope you realize how much you mean to the entire family. We thank you for your sacrifice and we are proud of your service to our country.

Semper Fi!

Silent Saturday

2008-11-08T05:47:00.009-06:00

"Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!" Psalm 72:19

An Exercise in Freedom!

2008-11-04T06:20:00.005-06:00

Long May She Wave!

In response to many concerns about the outcome of the presidential election, one of our pastors gave a sermon on dealing with our fears. His Scripture reference was Psalm 56. The following verses were the ones that he strongly emphasized:

Verses 3 & 4: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"

Verses 9, 10, & 11: "Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise - - - in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Verse 13: "For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."

Regardless of which candidate you support, God is on His throne and He is in control. Fear of man is not an option. On Wednesday morning, God will still be in control, and those of us who trust Him and rest in His care will be fine even if we might be disappointed in the election's outcome.

It is a beautiful day here in the deep South. I hope that your day is filled with Sonshine and clear blue skies! And, please VOTE!!!

***Pray for America***

A GOOD SIGN!

2008-11-03T14:36:00.004-06:00

Because 2008 is rapidly coming to a close I decided it was time to use up some of my vacation days. Today I decided to run errands and I saw some very welcome signs around the town. The Kangaroo station has gas at $2.01. Love's Truck Stop and Wal-Mart have gas priced at $1.98 a gallon. And, if you have a Wal-Mart card then 3 cents is knocked off the price per gallon. I was able to fill up my van for $33.00! I haven't been able to do that in quite a while. We need to enjoy this break in price while it lasts...I am sure it won't last long. Hope you are seeing prices this good or better!

Family Reunion

2008-11-03T07:52:00.004-06:00

Jambalaya

Mac 'n Cheese

Potato Salad

Asian Cole Slaw

Squash Casserole

Saturday we attended a family reunion. It must have been a busy weekend for the entire family because only about half the normal crowd was there. It was a perfect day weather wise! And the day was filled with warmth, laughter, family love, and apparently a predominance of yellow, white and beige food. I didn't take pics of all the food because some items were always surrounded by hungry folks. We had hand-made tamales, baked ham, black-eyed peas, and taco soup. Also, not documented were the luscious desserts...like freshly made banana pudding and spice cake. Although this was all wonderful and quite tasty...next year we need to consider tossed salad and fruit. LOL! A little bit of color is a very good thing!

Have a great Monday!

Even Without a Football Schedule...

2008-10-28T18:20:00.002-05:00

You can tell by the toilet paper tree decorations that it is high school homecoming week in our small town! Every other yard has seems to have similar decorations. And, this yard was only lightly decorated...others were much worse! Homecoming and Halloween competing for attention!!!

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2008-10-28T08:09:00.007-05:00

As I was waiting for my computer to boot up this morning I decided to dust the keyboard. I obviously hit the wrong keys because this is what my "sign-on" page looked like!!! Yikes!!! At this angle it is quite difficult to "aim" the cursor. One of my co-workers and I had to be contortionists in order to get the screen back to normal. This is one of those moments when you wish for a "do-over"!

****We had to go into the control panel and re-orient the screen's display position. I still haven't figured out how I messed it up! I suppose it will remain a mystery.

Be Still...

2008-10-27T07:33:00.007-05:00

Fall Discovery!

Sweets in
the afternoon!

Bat Butterfly!

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4

Sunday afternoon was truly beautiful...one of those days when the sky is so blue it almost hurts to look at it and the temperature was perfect. I decided to sit outside and enjoy the quiet of the day. Little did I know that I would find the backyard buzzing with all sorts of activity...the kind that you think only occurs in the spring or the summer...not later October. The flowers were covered with bees, butterflies, wasps and hummingbirds. The bees and wasps would dive into the bushes so I was never able to snap a picture of them. And, the hummingbirds were just too quick for my old reflexes. The butterflies, however, were most cooperative. The pics above are just a few of the many great pictures I was able to take. God put on a great show for me and I offered Him lots of praise for the display. It really made my heart joy-filled.

Hope your week has started well.

Tiny Annie

2008-10-24T07:47:00.001-05:00

Could she be any sweeter? This is Tiny Annie, my new acquistion! She is truly a work of art! I found her through a blog, Raggedy Old Annie's. She is 12 inches high and she is my new companion at work. She is sitting here by the window for now but I have a feeling she will move around the office until she finds her special place. I just want to thank Nicole for providing me with such an adorable doll! You can get a cutie of your own right here, Raggedy Old Annie's!

Have a great Friday!

Wearing Steel-Toed Boots!

2008-10-18T09:46:00.003-05:00

On my nightstand...
a little light reading?!?

I picked up this book the other day at the local Christian bookstore. I was certainly drawn to the title and when I looked at the table of contents I got my toes stepped on. I guess it served to bring me back to where I need to be. So, this will be my night time reading for a bit. And, ultimately my husband will use it in the class he teaches. Have you read anything lately that spoke to you in the depths of your heart? I will type more about it later...

Other than reading, we are enjoying cooler temperatures and no tropical activity in the Atlantic. As hurricane season winds down that is a good thing!

Travis Cottrell's Christmas CD

2008-10-17T08:05:00.007-05:00

Can it be time for Christmas music already!?! Of course!

I just received Travis Cottrell's new CD in the mail! Oh, my goodness! It is so beautiful! His voice is so rich. The duet he does with Natalie Grant, "Ring the Bells" is amazing! You can purchase it on his website and if you also purchase a bell a Bible will be sent to a soldier! How awesome is that?

I remember seeing Travis for the first time 10 years ago at Celebration Church in New Orleans leading worship at a Living Proof Live Event. He was good back then but God is using his voice even more powerfully these days! If you have never heard him then please, I say, "Run to the nearest store selling Christian music and pick up one of his CD's and by all means, pick up Ring The Bells!"

Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!

...On Behalf of a Grateful Nation...

2008-10-15T07:38:00.018-05:00

On behalf of the President of the United States,...and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service...

The flag waving in the breeze reminds me that our freedom isn't free. This freedom we take for granted came at the hands of personal sacrifice. It came about because ordinary men and women were willing to lay down their lives for the greater good.

Nineteen years! And, the memories of the pain and anguish can still feel so fresh. October 15, 1989 was a Sunday. The knock at the door came at 11:45am. The chaplain was accompanied by members of the squadron. I remember how unreal it all felt. The kids were 3 and almost 2. Your mind and heart tell you that you can't possibly go on from this point. But, God provides the support you need to put one foot in front of the other,...one day at a time.

The military Memorial service was beautiful and poignant. And, oh how God used it for His glory by bringing so many to salvation! We still miss him but we also drew courage from deep pools within. We carried on. We grew strong. So today I will place daisies at your marker in remembrance of a vibrant life cut short.

Semper Fidelis!

Disney World,...
September 15, 1989

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Abandoned!

2008-10-14T12:32:00.001-05:00

Living this far South the changes of seasons can be very subtle. There isn't a dramatic change in the leaves or huge migratory events. Maybe we just leave a slower existence down here...I just can't explain it. But, I am seeing an ocassional glimpse of the passing of summer into fall. In the past couple of days I have noticed that the wasps nests are being abandoned. Most of them just hang on to the eaves until someone knocks them down. I found the one above in the flower bed around the church. I guess they were in a hurry! Could this be a sign of cooler weather to come? I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Have a great Tuesday!

For Sale!

2008-10-13T16:06:00.001-05:00

"For Sale" -
Are you interested?

I have to laugh at myself! Since I started blogging I feel compelled to take pictures everywhere I go. And, I will stop in the most unusual places to grab a great shot. Some are pictures don't turn out. I guess they are better in concept than in reality.

This giant industrial claw is on the road side. I pass it twice a day during the work week. It is a curiosity. It is such a fixture and it has been there so long that vines are growing in and around it. As the seasons come and go it is decorated with whatever wildflower or weeds are most prevalent. As I drive past it I always think to myself that I "must" stop and snap a pic. Today, I finally stopped.

It really is for sale. The contact number for details is pretty faded but if you're interested I would be happy to pass the number along!

Have a marvelous Monday!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2008-10-08T05:48:00.002-05:00

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

May you be blessed with His presence this day!

The DISHY DOZEN.....

2008-10-02T18:07:00.005-05:00

It is official! THE DISHY DOZEN completed the Dish Rag Tag 2008!!!!! Y'all were wonderful and I had more fun than I could ever have imagined. Wendy, you were a great team captain! Thanks for everything you did to keep us on track! And huge thank you goes to Emily for organizing this whole thing. I hope you are willing to do this again next year...can you say DRT, a 3-peat without paying a royalty to someone? I definitely have DRTWS - Dish Rag Tag Withdrawal Syndrome! Hope all you dishy girls keep in touch!!!

Refreshing Morning!

2008-10-02T07:57:00.001-05:00

Canadian Geese - honking their arrival!

Seranading me from outside my office window!

Little frog hiding near the door.

Ocassionally I am challenged to just document what I see. So this morning I was determined to just turn the camera on and take random shots. The geese were captured as I drove into work this morning. (Please don't tell anyone that I was snapping pictures as I drove.) I was surprised by the clarity of the picture because I was clipping along at 40 mph. I could hear the geese before I actually saw them. I love the V-formation!

Shortly after I opened the office and got my computer started I could hear warbling just outside my window. I went out and captured this lone bird. It was just singing away and totally oblivious to me or the camera. I guess the little bird was just praising the start of a new day!

As I headed back inside the building I noticed this "bump" between the gutter and the brick exterior wall. At first I thought it was an abandoned wasp nest but closer inspection revealed a little frog. It was 55 degrees here in the deep South this morning so he must have been looking for a warm place to hide. I will check on him later to see if he was motivated to move.

Wishing good things for your day!

Words...Unnecessary!

2008-10-01T07:55:00.004-05:00

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Signs of Fall in the South

2008-09-30T08:07:00.003-05:00

It was clear and cool this morning,...66 degrees! I have to say that I am really enjoying the cool mornings. The days have been warming up nicely and the bugs who like to summer in the South seem to have disappeared. It is a pleasure to be outside. On a walk around the neighborhood this morning I noticed the magnolia tree on the corner. It seems like just yesterday that it was covered with majestic cream-colored blossoms. Now the alien like seed pods are left. And, you can tell the squirrels have been having fun with them because there almost as many on the ground as there were on the tree. I am taking this as a sign of early autumn-like weather. That is a real blessing to those of us in the warm, humid part of the deep South. It is a good Tuesday for me...I hope it is for you as well...

FIREPROOF

2008-09-29T08:40:00.003-05:00

Dear Heart and I went to the movies on Saturday to see "FIREPROOF"! We are big fans of the productions done by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Their first was "Flywheel" which was such a leap of faith for the church. Popularity of the this movie was spread by word of mouth alone. Next came "Facing the Giants"! Another great message wrapped in a sports themed movie. We loved it. Now "FIREPROOF"! Kirk Cameron gives a performance you would not expect! Please go see the movie! It is good for your soul!

Dish Rag Tag, the Sequel!

2008-09-26T20:39:00.005-05:00

After flying from Ft. Worth to Mobile, the Dishy Dozen DRT box finally landed in the mailbox!

Look at all the goodies that Katherine sent me! Note the Scrubber!

Look at the great stickers! And, look at all that packing tape!

At 12:55pm I walked out to the mailbox with my fingers crossed. I wasn't disappointed! In the mailbox was the Dishy Dozen DRT box from Katherine! I couldn't wait to get inside and open this treasure trove. Notice the stitch markers, needle gauge, the dishrag made by the official pattern, and a great scrubbie crocheted with cotton yarn and netting (or tulle). By 1:15pm I was knitting away. For a brief period of time it was quiet at work and I was able to get 1/2 of the cloth knitted up. Then, as is typical of Friday afternoons at the church, things got very busy. I was finally able to duck out and I went to the park near the post office to finish knitting. By 4:30pm I had completed the cloth and I began packing the box. At 4:50pm I walked into the post office and sent the box on its way to Sara! Fly like the wind little box! This has been great fun! Go DISHY DOZEN!!!

GPS Tracking Needed For Wayward Dish Rag Tag Box!!!

2008-09-26T08:59:00.003-05:00

I was so disappointed on Thursday when THE DISHY DOZEN Dish Rag Tag Box was not delivered to me. Alas, the mail box was empty. I checked the Track & Confirm at USPS.com and look what I found...the box just passed me by...it went winging right over me! This little box went from Ft. Worth, Texas to Mobile, Alabama and by-passed Gulfport, Mississippi! I realize they process the mail at different regional facilities but I think this is ridiculous! How silly! I would have helped them process it right here! With any luck the long awaited box will arrive to my waiting hands today. Updates at Noon!

Dish Rag Tag Ready!!!

2008-09-24T13:48:00.007-05:00

Goodie Bag!

This is a bag filled with goodies! I just knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the letter carrier for this rural route would deliver the box belonging to The Dishy Dozen to me today. This was, of course, wishful thinking on my part!

I have been picking up little things along the way in the hopes that the next person in line would be delighted when she opened the box! It was a lot of fun to shop! Of course, I never need much prodding when it comes to shopping.

Anyway! Here is the evidence! I am ready, sitting on the bench, waiting for my turn in the "big game!" Go, Dishy Dozen!

Tag! You're It!

2008-09-23T08:35:00.006-05:00

*** My 100th Post!!!***

Empty Needles...
Not For Long!!!!!

Well,...I have been tagged! My needles are presently empty but with any luck they will have some type of cotton yarn on them soon!

I received the official "tag" in the Dish Rag Tag. The box is in the mail and winging its way here from Kat's home in Texas.

I have been following the progress of our team under Wendy's capable leadership. It has been fun to cheer each other on as the box travels across the country. This is my first time to participate in any kind of swap. Maybe I am too shy. Or, maybe I just ponder the decision too long. This has proven to be lots of fun so I think there are other swaps in my future! So, until the DRT box lands on my desk at work I urging it on with my good thoughts.

My hat is off to Kat, who knit like to wind and managed a quick turn around.

First Day of Autumn

2008-09-22T05:14:00.003-05:00

Signs of Autumn?

I would like to say that this view of the changing seasons can be seen from my window! Unfortunately, this picture was taken last December. LOL! Not much leaf-peeping occurs down here in the Deep South. And, although we had a handful of days last week where the lows at night were in the 60's...the temps during the days were in the upper 80's. The summer-like weather is bound to hang around for days...weeks...even months! These hot days make me wish for New England!

A Sweet Treat!

2008-09-20T10:46:00.003-05:00

Glass Tile Pendants**

I ordered these glass tile pendants from an Etsy shop called Bell Design. Interestingly enough I found these darling pendants doing a search for the phrase "keep calm and carry on". I just couldn't resist. I was thrilled when they arrived packaged neatly in a tiny organza bag! My silver ball chain** looks great with the pendants! Thanks to Linda who provided the creative touch!

In Case of Emergency...

2008-09-19T13:30:00.003-05:00

I am facilitating a Bible Study. So, I am immersed in verses and word searches. Usually I take the foundational verses in a study and write them on index cards. Then, I can flip through them as I need them. It helps keep me anchored to the study topic and it also helps me to memorize Scripture. This time I decided to "glam" up my verses just a bit. I saw this idea on a scrapbooking blog that I did not bookmark unfortunately. I used the plastic ID badge holders held together with binder rings. I only did a wee bit of decorating and I labelled this little book "In Case of Emergency". It tucks neatly into my purse and any time I need a verse I can just flip to it. Pretty neat!

The study I am leading is "Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time" by Catherine Martin. We are on week 3 and it has been very good...great discussion too. The study pictured on my desk with my book of verses is "Knowing God By Name" by Mary Kassian. I am in the process of previewing this with the intent of leading this study in 2009. What could be better than studying the names of God!!!

67 DEGREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-16T07:31:00.006-05:00

It is September 16th and this morning's dawn brought a breeze from the North and a temp of 67 degrees! How refreshing!

On the injury front, I think my thumb is finally beginning to show signs of recovering. So, whether it is a sprained thumb or just my arthritis or a flare-up of carpal tunnel, my thumb is finally feeling more normal! Yeah! That is a very good thing because my turn will soon come up for the Dish Rag Tag, The Sequel. I am looking forward to my turn to be tagged. I have my strategy mentally prepared and I have collected an assortment of goodies to put in the box before it goes on the my fellow teammate!

Hope this finds you well! Keep praying for the victims of Hurricane Ike! He was a mean one!

Mighty Waters from Hurricane Ike!

2008-09-13T15:35:00.001-05:00

The Mississippi Sound was pretty angry this morning! This is what I saw early this morning. I tried very hard to take a picture without all the debris which was hard to do. This has been another gloomy day. I am watching the tv coverage of Hurricane Ike and praying for all those who are affected in Texas and Louisiana!

Tornado Watch!

2008-09-12T08:15:00.004-05:00

The Outer Bands....

...Of Clouds, Wind, & Rain!

A Diversion from the Weather!

Even though Hurricane Ike is expected to impact Texas one of the things that cannot be ignored are the outer bands that circulate from the eye of the storm. In the case of Ike, these bands extend about 275 miles or more from the center or eye! This means that Ike literally fills the area of the Gulf of Mexico with bands of tropical storm force winds and rain. The other thing that a storm like this carries is water. Since Thursday, 9/11, low-lying areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast have had to deal with flooding. These waters are being pushed over the beaches and seawalls and other barriers. Parts of Highway 90 or Scenic Highway, have been closed since early yesterday morning because of the wind-driven water.

The first 2 pictures show the bands of clouds that greeted me first thing this morning. What the pictures can't convey is the force of the wind! When I snapped these pictures the wind was gusting at 42 miles per hour. I really had a hard time standing upright long enough to take the pictures. And, we are under a tornado watch which means conditions are favorably for the formation of nasty weather...we have been put on notice!

As a diversion from the weather, I picked up the Anne Scarf that has been hibernating in one of my project bags. I was able to spend a little bit of time on it this morning and was able to add about 6 inches to its length. Hopefully I can finish this scarf before the Dish Rag Tag box arrives at my door. I am looking forward to my turn to help bring victory to The Dishy Dozen!

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of His feet." Nahum 1:3 (NIV)

A Mississippi Delta Town Remembers 911!

2008-09-11T09:24:00.004-05:00

The raising of the American flag at the intersection of Highway 8 & Highway 61.

Fully Raised.

All traffic blocked for a time of silence!

High School On-Lookers.

My daughter, intrepid girl reporter, went straight to this intersection this morning to take pictures of the 911 Memorial Observance. All across the United States, in small hamlets, little towns, and big cities, moments of silence will be observed and other gestures will mark this anniversary, this opportunity to remember our citizens who were lost on September 11, 2001. As a reporter, my daughter thought she would just be capturing some images of the morning so she could meet her deadline. She was unprepared for the welling of emotions that took place within her as she saw police, fire personnel and EMS drivers close off this intersection and raise the stars and stripes. Just typing the words I have to fight back the tears. I pray that our hearts are never hardened to the magnitude of this tragedy. May we always be vigilant to protect and defend this country and our freedom!

Where Were You Seven Years Ago?

2008-09-11T05:09:00.003-05:00

I guess I could date myself and say that I remember where I was the day John F. Kennedy was shot. There are those moments in history that are so powerful that time cannot diminish your memories. I remember where I was when I heard the news of the first plane crashing into one of the towers. I was leading a Bible study and the pastor interrupted us so we could pray. We ended our study early so everyone could go home to follow the televised reports. All the events of the day are so horrifying.

This is a day for reflection. Please remember all of the families that were affected during this tragedy. And, if you see a first responder, a police officer or fireman or ambulance driver, please thank them for all that they do!

Election 2008

2008-09-09T13:29:00.001-05:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Look What We're Tracking Now!

2008-09-08T11:53:00.003-05:00

Ike's Present Path

Well, you can tell that it is storm season. Everytime we turn around there is some kind of storm to monitor. The track above is for Hurricane Ike from Bob Breck, weather authority at WVUE - Fox 8 New Orleans. Historically the month of September is the height of hurricane season. Any system that shoots across Africa into the Atlantic is worthy of observing. It looks like conditions are quite favorable for Ike to continue on this track. My prayer is that cooler, dryer air would miraculously wrap itself around this system and disintegrate it. None of us, including the Cubans, need another storm. Besides, these storms could seriously interfere with the Dish Rag Tag! Perish the thought! LOL!

Look What Gustav Did?

2008-09-05T16:26:00.005-05:00

Sailboat "Moored" on the
Seawall on Highway 90
in Long Beach, MS

Another angle!

The Memorial Pier took another battering from the winds of Gustav!

Since Labor Day afternoon we have heard tales of the sailboat that Hurricane Gustav deposited near Highway 90 in Long Beach. Once the debris and sand were cleared from the road I decided to make the short drive for some pictures. At first wild stories circulated that the sailboat was in the parking lot of the Waffle House just across the street. I have to admit I was disappointed when I pulled into the Waffle House lot and discovered that the boat was resting on the seawall on the beach-side of the Highway 90. It is hard to tell from the picture but there is an orange safety cone in the right-eastbound lane because part of the boat's hull is hanging over the sea wall. It makes quiet a picture!

The bottom picture shows the Memorial Pier which was horribly battered in Hurricane Katrina. But, I can tell that further damage was done to what remains by Gustav. Every available horizontal surface was covered with seagulls, terns and pelicans. I hope to get some better pictures on Saturday morning!

In Training!

2008-09-04T08:50:00.007-05:00

Dishcloth Knitting
for Training Purposes!

Feather & Fan

Several weeks ago I injured my right thumb. For what seems like decades (actually 4 weeks) I haven't been able to put any pressure on it which means I can't knit or crochet. The time I would have used for knitting I spent with my hand wrapped in a heating pad. But, with my turn in the Dish Rag Tag looming ahead I knew I had to start getting into shape. I have to be able to knit with red hot needles so I can complete the official pattern and get it and all the goodies I have accumulated in the mail. So your good thoughts for my thumb will be greatly appreciated.

Go Dishy Dozen!

Signs of Recovery!

2008-09-03T07:12:00.004-05:00

One of the
Caravans of
Bucket Trucks!

More Bucket
Trucks on
Stand-By.

Truck Round-Up

If you have never experienced a huge weather event and been without power then you may find this post very odd. After Hurricane Katrina, the County Fairgrounds and County Soccer Fields were the staging area for the teams of electric companies that descended upon the Mississippi Gulf Coast. These men and women were some of the unsung heroes of the recovery efforts.

Now that Hurricane Gustav has past us by, electric companies have once again sent their trucks and faithful employees to the area for the hard work of getting businesses and residences connected to power. You just can't have recovery without electricity. They mobilize a small "tent city" complete with portable bathrooms and showers and huge tents with kitchens. It is amazing to see what they can do in a very short period of time to "build" a temporary city for their employees to "come home to" every evening. This morning on the way to work caravans of trucks representing any number of electric companies and co-ops began pouring out of the staging area headed for I-10. They were ready to tackle the tough work of getting electricity back up to more than one million people!

My hat goes off to these dedicated men and women. I am thankful for the sacrifice they make on our behalf!