God is...

 God is my joy, hope, refuge, comfort, shelter, rock, provider, strong tower, mighty fortress, peace, creator, peace, counselor, and more...Singing worship songs this morning at church, I am grateful for the truth of God's character.

My sister

“She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at the worst and best and loves you anyway. She is your witness in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows you are smiling even in the dark. She is your teacher, defense attorney, and your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she is the reason you wish you were an only child." Barbara Alpert

My sister was my prayer partner, best friend, shopping partner, and keeper of secrets. I will miss  praying with her, her text messages, phone calls, our laughs and visits. She is at rest and peace with the Lord Jesus.  I am smiling through tears. 

"Joy is the serious business of heaven."  C.S. Lewis

Pet of the week!

The pet of the week  a kitten named, man. 

“They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, “Can he name a kitten?” Samuel Butler

Bethany named this sweet little kitten, Man.  Now that is a name for a kitten! Man is already displaying a kind and gentle disposition.  Sweet, adorable, and playful, he is already a wonderful pet.

Bethany is the granddaughter of Beth. 

A celebration of love

"A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year." Paul Sweeny

Tim and Beth
Celebrated their 40th Anniversary in November

Reason for the journey...

"We may run, walk, stumble, drive or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way."
Gloria Gaither
What is your reason?  What is your focus? What are your goals?

Road trip with sister... one stop along the way ~ 2011

Nurses

"Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription." 

Val Saintsbury

Beth began her nursing career at St. John's Hospital.  She ended her career at Community Hospital in Anderson, Indiana.
She was a compassionate and skilled nurse. Beth graduated from Indiana University's School of Nursing.
 She was the best sister.

"There is no friendship, no love, like that of the mother for her child."

Author unknown

My sister was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  She was the mother of one daughter and two sons.  Here, she is holding her daughter in 1972.

Beloved

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
I John 4: 10 - 11

Pictures from the summer of 2011

Lessons in love

Living in community with other believers requires love, patience, kindness, forgiveness... and so much more.  

"Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all."
G.K. Chesterton

 I smile when I see this "yellow" cab in the church parking lot.
Click on the cab to see more details. 

The faithfulness of God

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

Pets of the Week

How do you get cats to pose for a picture?  I must ask Jill.   Here are Sampson and Delilah... pets of the week.

Lovely...  Jill took same amazing pictures of the cats. 

Fancy pet dish....

Pure Joy!

Looking around the room it does not appear to be a likely place for joy.  When I listen to reports, they leave little space for hope. Walking around hospital corridors, I see the faces of many individuals who are in the midst of serious health challenges.

Then, I pray…

Reminding myself  of the character of God.  God is Sovereign, Trustworthy, Faithful, Forgiving, Full of Mercy, Author and Finisher of My Faith…

Then, I cannot help but be full of joy.  God is good.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face many trials of many kinds, because you know that testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1: 2 -3 (NIV)

Trusting God in trials

Walking in the hallways of this hospital, I am  so grateful for prayers.

Preparing to visit my sister in Intensive Care, I am trusting God.  What a comfort to know that God hears and answers prayers.

God is our refuge

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be

removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the

sea;

Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.   Selah

There is a river whose streams

shall make glad the city of

God,

The holy place of the tabernacle

of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her, she

shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just

at the break of dawn.

The nations raged, the

Kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The LORD of host is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge

                                    Selah

Come, behold the works of the LORD,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our strength.

                                           Selah

Athens Schoolhouse Antiques

Athens Schoolhouse Antiques is located in the heart of Bluegrass Country east of downtown Lexington, Kentucky.

 Click here for detailed information: Athens Schoolhouse Antiques

I stop by GINNY'S JUNQUE Booth 202 D

This wooden stand is an old Camel cigarette display case.
Interesting...


These two booths are over 70 carefully  screened dealers.  Dealers are upstairs and downstairs

Linda Bea's Antiques & Collectibles

A tea cup is waiting to be filled with tea.

Pet of the Week

Frank is an energetic dachshund that enjoys life in Lexington. He is full of zest and vigor. No canned dog food for Frank, he has home cooked meals every day.  Frank’s daily exercise is chasing a yellow tennis ball.

Frank… pet of the week.  Gloria is his owner.

 I was taking pictures in her studio.

Gloria is a Catholic artist that lives here in Lexington.  

Discover more about her work here: Gloria Thomas

Life lessons

My brothers, great nieces, and great nephews...December visit

Years before I would enter a classroom, my parents instilled in me the love of learning. As the youngest child in my family, I was looking forward with anticipation to the day I would go to school. 

I was not aware of all the life lessons I was learning at home.  What were some of those lessons?…God's goodness and greatness, establishing a pattern for prayer, hard work, diligence, integrity, organization, respect, love, caring for others,  value of daily routines,  and a hunger to read…

Before, I could read, I would watch others read their Bibles, books, and newspapers. Although I could not read the words,  I recited memorized prayers  before I could read the Bible.

Visiting my niece’s home, I have always been impressed how her home has been a model in preparing her children for school and life.  In each room everyday household items are labeled.  I am sure that she is an excellent classroom teacher.

One example of how everyday objects are labeled. 

“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw away your TV set away. In its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall.”  Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

A child's vocabulary is linked to the vocabulary of the child's mother

~ Laughter in the classroom ~

In January, we have new students and new  books.

Tutoring adult education students is one of the joys of my week. Each week I look forward to the time spent in the classroom.  The entire time I am teaching … I am smiling.

If you listen outside our classroom you will hear quiet conversations, words repeated in unison, and laughter.  We work to create a safe learning environment. Laughter and fun are important ingredients in our classroom.  

Our daily lessons put into practice what is supported by  academic research.  “We learn more effectively when the education has some sort of applicable value to us, when learning is meaningful. The experience is even more valuable if we actually enjoy the learning process. “  Source: LEEF Blog

Our December Class Party 

A good snapshot

" A good snapshot stops a moment from running away." ~ Eudora Welty

"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it make you see the world rather than just look at it." ! Author Unknown

This young wife, mother,  and teacher is often taking pictures. ...My niece...

My friend... He is an amazing husband and father.
Relaxing at a friend's house, he is taking pictures. 

Please join me in this race...

Please join with me in a virtual marathon.   Moody is hosting a virtual marathon. The fun begins tomorrow,  January 9, 2012.   This online contest engages friends and family members to answer daily questions from the Bible.  Go to the this address to learn more about the race: Moody Virtual Marathon .Once at the site you will learn more details.  Please join me.   The marathon will end on January 31, 2012.!

“Run in such a way to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24  (NIV)

Moody’s Mission:  To equip people with the truth of God’s Word.

In you are interested in joining  something different at  the beginning of this year? Maybe you are interested in an in depth Bible study.  Joining a BSF class may be the answer. Tomorrow BSF classes resumes all across the USA.    Morning and evening classes are available in Dayton, Indianapolis, Birmingham... Actually, classes are available in every state in the United States. In addition,  BSF  has an excellent school age program.   BSF is a blessing to participants.   More information is available here: BSF

So many good things...

"So many good things come in pairs, like ears and socks and panda bears. But the best of all are sets of twins, with extra laughter, double grins." Anonymous

Waiting... candles to be lit and  cake to be eaten.... Happy Birthday twins!

Now for the gifts!

Good Neighbor

Good Neighbor and Pet of the Week

How do you develop friendships with your neighbors?  Walking your dog? Running or walking in your neighborhood? Participating in association events?  Do your children attend the same school? For me, I  usually introduce myself while doing everyday activities.

Living in my neighborhood you cannot miss these two Great Danes.  They are the first Pets of the Week for 2012.
They are so friendly!

Faith in God

“Fear is an opportunity for each of us to grow a deeper, more preserving faith. The question underneath our fears is simply this; who is God? Is God big enough, good enough, and faithful enough to handle what I fear? Are His intentions toward me ultimately for my good? Will I continue believing the promises of God, or will I believe somehow that He’s failed?  Our battle with fear requires us to be deeply rooted in the truth of Scripture.”

My answer is, Yes! God is…God is more than enough...

This particular quote is from  January 3’s devotional from Today is the Word. You may access this daily devotional @  Today in the Word.  This month’s focus is, “How does a godly person handle fear?”  No matter the monthly focus, this daily devotional is part of my daily bread.   Available online from any place in the world,  Moody is equipping people to apply the word to their daily lives.  Love it!

" Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see." Hebrews 11:1

Resolutions, Goals or Intentions

This is the time of year where I finish my monthly and yearly goals. In December, the process begins for goal setting for the upcoming year. Each evening, I create a “To Do List” for the next day.  At the top of my daily list, I include devotions and exercise.   As the day progresses, I cross items off.   At the end of each month, I revisit my goals. Then, I make adjustments.

Over the past several days, I have been considering intentions rather than goals.  Why?  My daughter shared a thought that I might consider intentions rather than goals.   Then, she shared something else… To me, intentions are vague.   In creating goals, I have action steps that are a part of the plan.

Still, I have been drawn to the idea of intentions.    My interest peaked, I decided to do some research.  Going to the computer, I Google the phrase Holy Intentions. On the first entry of page I discover a short blog entry by a Pastor Al Hughes of the Bible Baptist Church in Port Orchard. On the same page of the search, I read the Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for 2012. Further down the page, I read the blog by Rabbi Joshua Runyan, titled, “Despite Holy Intentions, Ego Can Get in the Way.”  Now I have a Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant perspective on intentions.  Interesting reading, I suggest you take a minute and read the entries. They are very short readings and may be worth your time. 

What did I discover?  Resolutions, goals, or intentions they are impossible to keep in one’s own strength.  I like what Jonathan Edwards wrote April 17, 1723,  “Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his for will for Christ’s sake.” You might Google Jonathan Edwards and read his resolutions.    Reading his entire list may take only a few minutes. All I can say is Wow!

  What are you goals or holy intentions for this year?