Just Missed the Record

We were hoping we were going to need one of these

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Our anticipation and excitement grew as we saw this come over our house

We ran out so we didn't miss this long awaited event.   As the clouds covered the sky over our home the sun had to take a break from the scorching heat we had been under for months.  We were two days from the record breaking  42 consecutive days of 100 or more degree weather held from 1980.  We also needed those drops of silver refreshment to quench the drought ridden, cracked earth which resulted in dead grasses.

As Benjamin and I watched in excitement, Ben said in a matter of fact voice, "Well yes there will be rain. Dad prayed for it last night."  I pointed to the divided clouds giving way to the glaring sun just over the horizon.  "Dad asked for US to have rain."   Somehow his little mind felt the answered prayers were for our yard only.

The clouds stopped  our consecutive 100 degree weather.  Friday took us back into the 100 plus degrees, but before we got back to 100plus, we went to discover our new neighborhood park.

How funny that your perspective can change on what is hot.  We felt cool while playing in the high 80's and low 90's degree on the still summer day. 

The re-fueled energy from the lower temperature gave me the desire to join Benjamin on the swing set.  Allowing my legs to reach toward the sky in children's play on the swing....once again realizing that the life and the faith of a child are precious.

  How long has it been since you have swung in a swing?  You might try it again....I didn't jump out.

Look what woke me up at 4 am.....yes RAIN!  Benjamin will be so excited when he gets up.

It is still slowly coming down....slowly soaking the tired ground and refreshing our scorched land.

Happy 6th Anniversary to my son and daughter-in-law, we are so proud of you both and love you dearly.

Age Two Revisited

One of the joys of a new move is finding new places for all our old treasures... reviving anything with a new location and a new focus. One of my future projects involves a Picture Gallery Wall.  I have a very large...ugly wall on the landing of our stairs. The wall is in much need of TLC and we constantly view it as we ascend up and down the stairs from all of our bedrooms to the gathering rooms below.  Here I will showcase our life, only visible to those who are invited up the stairs... and us.  I have a great design for the wall, yet must start at square one....new frames for old pictures.

In the past, I had one wall in my formal living or formal dining room set aside for "age two" portraits.  We began this large portrait setting with our first child.  This was long before you could do it yourself...so the first had a professional photographer....by the last, we went to one of those multiple-site photo shops.  Today I would do it myself with all of today's amazing technology.

As I took the pictures out of their formal gold frames to change them into more subtle frames....well, this mother walked down memory lane.

Today my Simple Pleasure is walking back through Age 2 of all of my six children.  Their personalities still speak to me from their pictures.  I heard their little voices, saw their smiles, and applauded who they were and are today.

First Born - Now age 28, married, business owner, where did the time go?

Second Born - Now age 25, college graduate in the real world

Third Born - Now age 22, finishing up his degree - stands 6'4"

Fourth Born - Only Daughter, now age 20, Exploring Life

Fifth Born - Now 15, caught his brother at 6'4", my only brown-eyed, curly-headed child

Sixth Born - The Baby of the Family,  our Cherry on Top - now age 5

Revisiting age Two....A wonderful Simple Pleasure

Killed with Kindness

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Have you heard this expression, "Killed with Kindness"?  How about the scripture that says,"A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger?" Prov. 15:1.

I am sure you have the stories of how you felt God was right there, instructing you on a matter

and you had the choice to listen and obey or ignore.

Such was the case on the way to the Salon last week.   Road rage has become such a norm in our society

that I enter the highways with extreme caution and prayer.  You never know when that person

beside you might "go off," nor do you know what life has dealt them.

I began to change lanes. I did all I usually do to safely move my vehicle from one lane to another, except one move.

I put on my blinkers....making everyone aware I was making my move.

I looked in my rear view mirror....clear.

I looked in my side mirror....clear.

I DID NOT, HOWEVER, LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER!

As I moved into the lane, my side mirror caught the color of a very small sports vehicle on the driver's side of my car.

I was in a large SUV, so the height of the two vehicles are worlds apart.  The top of the little

Mazda came to the top of my wheel frame.

It was too late to pull back...I got sick at my stomach.  

I had cleared the car by only inches.

As I silently told the Lord, "Oh, thank you so much for not allowing me to hit that car!"  I heard 

His gentle voice repeat back Proverbs 15:1.  I begin to repent in my mind words

of apology to the car I had just missed.

To my horror, the small sports vehicle zoomed around me to my side with his window down "SCREAMING"

I started to shake as I rolled down my window to answer back.

There in the sports coop was a large, 30-plus man with multiple studs protruding from his nose.

He looked mean!

He was yelling!!!  I will not repeat the threats.

I calmly...may I say that means God was at the wheel by this time...started to talk.

"I  so, so humbly apologize!  It is all my fault!  I didn't see you!!"

His reaction - He is totally stunned. He stops his yelling.

"Ma'am, you have killed me with your kindness"

I thought he was being sarcastic and all I could envision was him following me into the parking lot to let me have it.

I continued with asking for forgiveness.  "I looked in both mirrors! I didn't see you! I am soooooooooooo glad I didn't hit you."

He becomes complete butter.  He replies back, "I am sorry I went off on you.  Please have a great day!"

I finish with, "thank-you, I am so sorry, it was not my intent!"

This is the condition I was in when entering the salon...shaking, tears running down my eyes, and a grateful heart for a God who took care of me.

His Word...the Word that began our universe.  The Word that put the stars in the sky.  The Word that brought about all of creation.  His Word - when acted upon works miracles!

'

I had just finished Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer.  I will never know what would have happened if I had not heeded His voice.

Here is a picture of my new hairdo.  I am no Meg Ryan...but it works for now.  Who knows I might see what that zebra grey hair looks like if I allow it to take over my head. For this fall I am going to enjoy this new hairdo.
Reality picture...and no this is not a good pic, but we were at the circus.

Time for the revelation....and yes, that eye shadow picked up the flash and glows...oh my!  I tried.

A change...now more to come.  I have found some great new pieces of clothing for pennies...so I'm getting excited at coming out of my cocoon.