tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76176021518272082792024-03-13T21:00:03.415-07:00ThugaterBonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.comBlogger589125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-42699818965137416352015-12-22T15:50:00.001-08:002015-12-22T15:50:08.888-08:00Christmas 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirD75_KUvBxtaKSAoKpeisW3S-nkdn0V-taFQvzJusJIgSpwDcgIe4j2RLrzfiV3zuep0ytOi1_syhE7m4uCgK7EAi0DWKTg_D7Zo74Vjdp9LvapghyphenhyphenZ1Mdxo5Fn5zWWM0voBfHuHuPrQ/s1600/Christmas+Tree+2015+-+cropped.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirD75_KUvBxtaKSAoKpeisW3S-nkdn0V-taFQvzJusJIgSpwDcgIe4j2RLrzfiV3zuep0ytOi1_syhE7m4uCgK7EAi0DWKTg_D7Zo74Vjdp9LvapghyphenhyphenZ1Mdxo5Fn5zWWM0voBfHuHuPrQ/s400/Christmas+Tree+2015+-+cropped.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>O Holy Night</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">O holy night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The stars are brightly shining</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Long lay the world in sin and error pining</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fall on your knees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh hear the angel voices</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh night divine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh night when Christ was born</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh night divine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh night divine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here come the wise men from Orient land</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In all our trials born to be our friend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Truly He taught us to love one another</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His law is love and His gospel is peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And in His name all oppression shall cease</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let all within us praise His holy name</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>One of my most favorite Christmas hymns. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>May Christmas 2015 be a time of peace and joy and fellowship. May you sit in awe and amazement as you contemplate the birth of Jesus and what it meant for all of His creation.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>From my family to yours, Blessed Christmas and a glorious 2016.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-16290798882178302272015-10-14T15:25:00.001-07:002015-10-14T15:32:39.293-07:00Do More...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quote flashed by in Pinterest the other day. It's annoying to look at Pinterest on my phone because it auto-refreshes and when something pops up, it often disappears in that auto-refresh and I can't find it. I was going to follow this pin, see where the quote came from but I couldn't. I'm not trying to take credit so if someone knows where this originates, I'd love to hear about it. (the quote I saw on Pinterest - the Bible references I added for my own reminder)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With that said, the quote struck me. In a culture where "it's all about me" is prevalent (sometimes overtly, sometimes quite subtly), this reminds me of what I need to focus on doing instead of what the world tells me I should be doing. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCACwU0iFSRFkpRWyQNYXcWKV4M5I4JBynOcuG-1rd4w-I19hEmpT0Fh7JQq9doWpbTxFJ29YbMDdOK2n0_awdrFsHkiG7DAgwIfBMoZ2QzCfZqWdYfveCAKLX0CgfsDbtbIiMD0Umm8/s320/Do+More+of+What+Makes+You+Holy2.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Lifegroup is working through Jerry Bridges' "Respectable Sins" study and this week we're talking about ungodliness and ungratefulness. Perhaps seeing the quote on Pinterest wasn't quite so random. There have been a few things to "make me think" this week. It's difficult, it's hard to dig deep because that involves looking at the blackness that is your own heart. I know I tend to think I'm doing better than I am and while I know I am covered by God's grace and that Jesus' blood is the filter God sees me through, if that alone does not make me want to please Him in every way, shape and form then I am too involved in my own self. If God does not enter my thoughts constantly, then I am being ungodly and I am grieving Him. That is being much less than holy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is more, so much more. There is a danger of getting stuck in self-examination and beating oneself up quite a bit. I can do that quite easily. I must remember God's wrath has been poured out, through Jesus, for my sins and I bow my head in awe and wonder at that gift - and I have to ask God to help me avoid belittling that gift by not accepting His grace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May I forever be living Romans 12:1-2: <i>"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></span></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-35924335062332604812015-03-24T15:44:00.001-07:002015-03-24T15:44:42.038-07:00Words Have A Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_DIaQIzrag6ffjrIdxRxh0mVfreABs9BC6Dwxwhq3LNNcUDYMNNpbDGO3vbLps4aUf-we-YMTFP57ivfcRgj4W7T-yQKw6ELpCFPuos3PPR11yaPYEQC9b13iciAcLH2xyVdhSPZ-qY/s1600/Profanity+is+the+effort+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_DIaQIzrag6ffjrIdxRxh0mVfreABs9BC6Dwxwhq3LNNcUDYMNNpbDGO3vbLps4aUf-we-YMTFP57ivfcRgj4W7T-yQKw6ELpCFPuos3PPR11yaPYEQC9b13iciAcLH2xyVdhSPZ-qY/s1600/Profanity+is+the+effort+quote.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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My seventh grade reading teacher used to tell us that if the use of profanity was the best word we could come up with in any given sentence, we needed to expand our vocabulary. Profanity proves laziness and a lack of personal integrity.<br />
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I've always remembered that, every time I've uttered a vulgar or profane word. It is about the only thing that has probably kept my mouth "clean" long before I came to Christ. <br />
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Don't misunderstand - I am definitely no saint. I get angry, I slip. I get passionate about something, I slip. There is, though - always - instantaneous conviction. I KNOW I could have said something better the moment I use profanity. Always.<br />
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Now that a friend of mine has posted the above quote, it'll probably ring in my head each time I go to speak, too.<br />
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A thought to ponder - why doesn't Ephesians 4:29 or Colossians 3:5-17 bounce around my brain when those words pour off of my lips? Why is that?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-72597217209292329822015-01-26T14:09:00.003-08:002015-01-26T14:09:53.729-08:00I Am Quite ConfusedI was doing some looking around on Pinterest (a site I can get lost in for HOURS. You?) and someone posted a picture of "a perfect fall bed."<br />
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People change their bedding by the season? I mean...I can see buying some snowman sheets to use in December but an entire comforter/sham/bed skirt set for fall? (a beautiful rusty color by the way) My first thought was what are we coming to when even our beds have to get decked out for the season?<br />
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Maybe we're taking our comfort a bit too far? Maybe we're too affluent for our own good? I know my grandmothers would have both been shocked at not just the waste of money in buying different bedding for the seasons (they would have had two - a blanket they added, under the bedspread, to the bed in the winter and then removed in the summer) but a waste of space to store them all. <br />
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As we look at Pinterest and Facebook and Instagram and all sorts of social media, "keeping up with the Jones'" seems to be so far out of hand I'm not sure what would bring it back.<br />
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For instance...dishes. I saw an advertisement today for four different sets of new dishes and could find a reason to use all of them. (Believe me - I am not immune to this. I love pretty, sparkly things, too.) I actually started justifying to myself the cost of four sets and then I had to stop. FOUR <i><b>NEW</b></i> sets of dishes??? Who do I think I am? The White House? Am I deciding the china patterns for the next three Presidents (I'll keep one for myself...)?<br />
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Am I the only one who feels like my priorities might be a bit out of whack? I can't speak for anyone else but I know I, for one, need to skip the material stuff for a while. There is certainly more "stuff" in my possession than my house can hold (I've started to bring some of it to my office in the guise of making it more "homey") and it's time to simplify. Simplify. Perhaps I'll start posting more as I figure out just what that looks like...<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-32999630556538701142014-08-18T14:58:00.001-07:002014-08-18T14:58:13.293-07:00A Mountain to Climb<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two Sundays in a row.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TWO whole Sundays in a row.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aaron and I loaded up the dog and headed into the woods. Last weekend we drove the hour plus to Anacortes and took in the absolutely stunning beauty of Washington Park. My back was still bothering me quite a bit so my walk wasn't anywhere near as "hike" like as Aaron and Bandit's but we went.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7z7L4oFxFnA4C3VQKgnfm3bJonUtaG9cCRYTfWI10xghcmhjvtLhHjoc7tEiH9uta-77lvQL2KnTZNmfmrA0GFshjqwenfJ9RuJ5_Xz3irfLcwdbMHBCFttDymHKKJgTi3Zy1S7USOk/s1600/Anacortes+-+through+Bandit's%2Bears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7z7L4oFxFnA4C3VQKgnfm3bJonUtaG9cCRYTfWI10xghcmhjvtLhHjoc7tEiH9uta-77lvQL2KnTZNmfmrA0GFshjqwenfJ9RuJ5_Xz3irfLcwdbMHBCFttDymHKKJgTi3Zy1S7USOk/s1600/Anacortes+-+through+Bandit's%2Bears.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puget Sound from Bandit's viewpoint</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm hoping to turn this into a regular habit. I want to - as many Sundays as possible - walk. Just walk. I don't want to do any kind of major climbing yet. I have a lot of "shape" to get into first. It's also better for Bandit. Have you ever owned a high energy dog and then watched him droop and get bored because his people couldn't offer him enough exercise? We can - we just stopped when I hurt my back. Yesterday I watched him LOVE every minute of the hour we spent hiking around Evans Creek Preserve and that place? A new favorite. It's about a half hour drive but it's mostly freeway driving and when you turn off the major roadway, it's a 1 minute ride to the Preserve's parking lot. Then? Acres and acres of beauty and pristine trails. We went with no set plan, we just walked a loop. Came to a cross-trail and decided - left or right. Came to a fork, decided left or right and just went. Now we know we have miles and miles of walks all in one place, just by turning left instead of right and vice versa. I can't wait to explore it further!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijqv7H8r2idsEwOikn_CMpaUQAFCKbg-piNUkgahSpQ1_QT8C5VbUoJh0VWUyMrNODnxPJiv3dfWGQJP4cqdrK9QgkpQ3oV3G4cEhdzIgdjVMJavuntW9YI5wx51xpzF6KkJgnapUrXk/s1600/20140817_110338_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijqv7H8r2idsEwOikn_CMpaUQAFCKbg-piNUkgahSpQ1_QT8C5VbUoJh0VWUyMrNODnxPJiv3dfWGQJP4cqdrK9QgkpQ3oV3G4cEhdzIgdjVMJavuntW9YI5wx51xpzF6KkJgnapUrXk/s1600/20140817_110338_resized_1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excuse A's finger in the picture. Bandit didn't want to keep still for these.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1uCFPTM7Ushk2eEhoKwfJDuJX83Tlv7vwZ2oK2xVICrnGt-hKMR6C8AC0YXIDih8uQ_8SVyFw6IIF15KhWlzmv68n9jkghWy3_o37sgK7NLMugSCqYuGvVeq0TAFVQtRs3yx6kjv0tc/s1600/Bandit+&+I+on+the+bridge+-+Evans+Creek+-+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1uCFPTM7Ushk2eEhoKwfJDuJX83Tlv7vwZ2oK2xVICrnGt-hKMR6C8AC0YXIDih8uQ_8SVyFw6IIF15KhWlzmv68n9jkghWy3_o37sgK7NLMugSCqYuGvVeq0TAFVQtRs3yx6kjv0tc/s1600/Bandit+&+I+on+the+bridge+-+Evans+Creek+-+cropped.jpg" height="200" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see why I need to walk?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBs8MQ9xnUW9ejpgYfaXyiAjOJNURzJ75Rd7fEAKRA4n41Fu9X6QVD2BeYV1OoL2cewyHw1duf8NwPw4d3mHUPTZ_KjvJwT733rMwzvyeTKOiWNdntasLRDYSxLe761pACUG5Mudpu1I/s1600/Aaron+&+Bandit+-+on+bridge+at+Evans+Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBs8MQ9xnUW9ejpgYfaXyiAjOJNURzJ75Rd7fEAKRA4n41Fu9X6QVD2BeYV1OoL2cewyHw1duf8NwPw4d3mHUPTZ_KjvJwT733rMwzvyeTKOiWNdntasLRDYSxLe761pACUG5Mudpu1I/s1600/Aaron+&+Bandit+-+on+bridge+at+Evans+Creek.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A will not be thrilled with me but...I posted one of me so...<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the things I love about Washington State is the mind-boggling beauty that is here. You can't throw a rock without hitting something of magnificence, usually. And now I'm ready to get out and see it from a perspective other than the driver's seat of my car.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's to getting out and walking!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-10548900640380736192014-08-14T15:57:00.003-07:002014-08-14T15:57:42.048-07:00Jumbled Thoughts<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not spending enough time alone with God. You know how I know? I rush to judgment. I speak in certainties - I don't ask questions. I assume. I form opinions based on very little.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that is a horrible, horrible way to be. It is also not at all the way God wants us to think. Actually, He considers it foolish...</span></div>
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<em><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fool does not delight in understanding,<br /><span class="text Prov-18-2"> But only <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-16904B" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-16904B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>in revealing his own mind.</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"> (Proverbs 18:2)</span></span></span></span></span></strong></em></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's been me lately - speaking without really listening or thinking. Or, if I don't speak, in my mind I've made UP my mind and I don't have all the facts. Or I don't know the people I'm talking about or listening about.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Or worse.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A couple of huge things have happened in the last couple of weeks. A local church's Pastor is dealing with very serious accusations by some of his parishioners and we have almost all been reeling from the unexpected death of Robin Williams.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Both of these stories have me evaluating how I come to conclusions, make decisions and just how much DO I judge others? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong><em>“<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23318A" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23318A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>Do not judge so that you will not be judged. <span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NASB-23319"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-3" id="en-NASB-23320"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Why do you <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-23320C" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23320C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NASB-23321"><span class="woj">Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-5" id="en-NASB-23322"><span class="woj">You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)</span></span></em></strong></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't want to rabbit trail about different "judge"ing - this verse speaks to not judging and there is another verse later that speaks to how we ARE to judge but that's a conversation for another day.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In this verse, I am not to rush to condemn someone to hell for something they have said or done. It isn't my job to say whether or not someone is meant for heaven. That is Jesus' job and His job alone <span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>(For not even the Father judges anyone, but <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26233A" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26233A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>He has given all judgment to the Son, John 5:22)</em></span>. I try to worm in on that and I'm asking for trouble unleashed against me like I can't begin to imagine. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've let this blog go, not writing, not journaling anywhere near what I used to and while seasons in life are not at all uncommon, some habits shouldn't disappear just because life itself has changed. I am to draw near to God in all things. Pray unceasingly and NOT make rash statements or draw hasty conclusions.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">With all of the "facts" coming to light little by little I need to wait. Be patient. Wait on God to reveal things to me - those things He wants me to know. Love. And pray. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Always, always pray.</span></span></span></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-18-2"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-56664258787011495832014-05-10T17:06:00.001-07:002014-05-10T17:06:38.990-07:00Mother's Day... againThere are a couple of things I've said dozens, if not hundreds, of times since my mother passed away. I am not the first person to lose my mother and I won't be the last. I've also said I knew my mother's death would be hard but I had NO idea what hard really was until she died.<br />
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On May 15th it will have been three years since she went home. It's interesting. I know exactly where she is but I still refer to it as "losing" my mother and in the three years since she died, I've tried to figure out just what "losing her" is. Yes, my mother's body died and she is no longer visible here on earth but I know when that happened the true her, the spirit of her, went to be with Jesus and when He returns, she will have a new body and I will know her better than I ever knew her before.<br />
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On days like tomorrow I feel my loss in such an acute way that it's a physical pain. My heart feels like it's being rended in two, from top to bottom and at some point it's going to rupture. It takes my breath away, stops me in my tracks - literally. I'm not talking about this in some sort of figurative way - it's physical, the pain of great loss. <br />
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And that's the loss. That part of you that was a part of them. That part of you who relied on them for an ear, advice, a hug... It can't be, you can't make a phone call and connect and it's a wound. An open wound that tries to scar but... another anniversary, a smell, another memory - something... SOMETHING rips it open again.<br />
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I know I'm not the only one who will struggle tomorrow. I know I'm not the only one whose world seems to stop on birthdays, Mother's Day (or Father's Day), other important days...holidays. The truth is - and this is where I hope I don't sound like a cliche - I will spend tomorrow praying through the day. I will pray for comfort and grace from God (more grace...after all He's already given...) and the ability to smile and enjoy the new memories. To be reminded that this is the way of life, that it is hard but He is Sovereign and none of this is too hard for Him. That He will carry me - and anyone who is hurting and asks - right on through it. Again. Because as great as our loss is, His love for us is greater. There will be a reunion. This ache, this pain, the tears - they will end. He will end it in His time.<br />
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And so I trust. I hurt, yes. I cry, oh yes - a LOT, usually tears that seem as if they'll never stop. I'll wish for the day to end, the commercials to stop, yes. But I trust. Ultimately I trust. I trust that God knows exactly what He is doing. That He works ALL things to the good of those who love Him - even when that "good" doesn't feel good (in human terms). He loves us more than I can ever describe here.<br />
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So...there I will rest tomorrow. At least as much as I possibly can. And for all of you who are without your mother tomorrow, I pray He comforts you, too - in ways that surprise and overwhelm you.<br />
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Be blessed this Mother's Day. God be with you. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-43053005463606761692014-04-21T14:22:00.002-07:002014-04-21T14:22:36.827-07:00What I Learned During Lent<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not 100% sure that title is correct but..it works. It's more like what I was reminded of or re-discovered AND learned during Lent but it just seems the absolute right word eludes me.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lent started March 5th this year and it seemed a bit longer than usual but perhaps that's just because I actually gave up something that was difficult. I started a little late (March 8th) but that was due to indecisiveness and a wish to give up something God wanted me to give up, not just pick something out of haste to make sure I started on time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Friday, March 7th, my husband and I were in the middle of this year's first month of counseling training and let me tell you that first speaker? He was ummmm... difficult to sit through. I don't mean to be or sound mean because it takes a lot to stand in front of 300 strangers and pour out knowledge to them one hour at a time but that man was boring. Boring. Boring as in I almost had to tape my eyes open. As in I almost fell asleep more times than I can remember counting. It was hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And in the middle of those hours I checked Facebook. Twice. And not just a random scroll through. Nope. A read each post, click on links to articles check. Twice. Why is that a big deal? Because my husband and I paid $410 to take these classes this year. That's $205 each. At six sessions that $34.17 a day. Doesn't seem like much but it's a significant enough number that I didn't want to be ignoring what I was being taught.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's when it struck me. Facebook was too important to me. I was spending way too much time checking to see if it was my turn in Words with Friends and other such inane things. Facebook and I needed a break. So - that is what I gave up until yesterday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've signed back on and yes, I've been on it more than I should already but I've been thinking about this all day and honestly? I am checking it less so far but I pray to continue that. I'm asking the Holy Spirit to help me resist the dulling lure of Facebook because it does take me away from things I should be doing and actually prefer (like reading books) and keeps me from taking care of things I should take care of (like cleaning house, laundry...and my job) and that is just not good.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Above all of that, though, there were some imperative things I was reminded of, learned, discovered... and by imperative I mean draw me closer to God things. Let me see if I can get them all listed and not forget any.</div>
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1. Sacrifice is hard. Even small sacrifices and my sacrifice was ridiculously insignificant next to Christ's.<br />
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2. If I don't rely on Christ; keep my eyes on Him, I will fail at everything I try to do on my own. Always.<br />
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3. I cannot draw close to God if I have my eyeballs glued to a computer screen.<br />
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4. Things happen to people in my life, things I can't control or do anything about.<br />
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5. I love the people in my life. I love them dearly. I enjoy knowing what they're doing, how they're feeling, when they're struggling (I don't enjoy THAT they are struggling, though). It gives me specific ways to pray for them.<br />
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6. Investing in the people in my life is one of the best things I can do to glorify God. However, investing in them in person is the best way to go about it even though the computer seems somewhat sufficient in some matters.<br />
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7. I would like to take a trip back to Jersey. Connecting with where I've come from is an ache in my heart that I hope to get rid of and the only way to do that is by heading in that direction. Need to start planning that one.<br />
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8. Facebook is a fabulous tool but it is only that - a tool. It is not real, it is not human and it is not intimate. If my only interaction with someone is through Facebook, I don't really know them.<br />
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9. I love Jesus more than I realized. I also need Him more than I really knew.<br />
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Those are the reasons that have come to mind so far. If there are more, I'll add them but these nine things have given me a lot to think about. A lot to use to change my habits. <br />
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Now let's see how I do...<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-34163219210259069602014-04-18T11:42:00.000-07:002014-04-18T11:42:02.519-07:00Good FridayEaster and the rejoicing of the risen Christ has been my favorite holiday for a long, long time. However, it took me a very, very long time to understand why today is called "Good" Friday. If you still don't understand, I encourage you - find a church near you that teaches from the Bible and ONLY from the Bible and ask that question. <br />
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In the meantime, today is a day of deep, deep reflection for me. Several years ago God brought me to my knees, showing me just how flippant I was being, how ungrateful I showed myself to Him for all Jesus had done for me that Friday so many, many years ago.<br />
<br />
In the years since then, I have been brought to my knees by it many times but now in awe. In goose-bump causing awe and disbelief that He would willingly, lovingly take on the burden of enduring God's wrath so I don't ever have to experience it. Such love I can't explain, understand or - in the face of all the evidence - ever deny. <br />
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Colossians 2:13-15 states:<br />
<br />
When you were dead in your sins<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29508X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29508Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29508Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> <span class="text Col-2-14" id="en-NIV-29509">having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29509AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29509AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Col-2-15" id="en-NIV-29510">And having disarmed the powers and authorities,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29510AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29510AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> by the cross.</span><br />
<span class="text Col-2-15"></span><br />
<span class="text Col-2-15"></span><br />
This isn't a trivial thing. It can feel quite removed, it can seem stupid (God speaks to that, too - see 1 Corinthians 1:17-25) but it is truth. Life giving, life altering, life saving truth. <br />
<br />
That Good Friday over 2,000 years ago was a day of horror, of unfathomable sadness, terror, mockery, pain, derision and hatred but also a day of humility, love and the first step to glory. Triumph. Grace.<br />
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On all of that I reflect today and this evening I turn to eager anticipation because the sun will rise on Sunday and I will rejoice because the Son has already risen. He is risen indeed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-83574525104410096712014-03-15T14:30:00.000-07:002014-03-15T14:30:01.312-07:00Worth ReadingYesterday I read <a href="http://gma.yahoo.com/down-syndrome-grief-joy-075129025--abc-news-wellness.html?vp=1" target="_blank">this</a>. And I fought tears. Not because Will has Down Syndrome but because that mother doubted she'd be able to love him as he deserved.<br />
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What a joy to read she discovered God provides - all we will ever always need.<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-87927892677010716772014-03-14T13:50:00.001-07:002014-03-14T13:50:06.489-07:00This Season of Lent<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know how often I'll write about this. This post will probably be quite random and rambling. A few weeks ago I read </span><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/03/why-you-may-really-really-need-lent-this-year-and-a-free-family-lent-easter-devotional/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> post talking about Lent. And you know what happened, right? You would be correct. Something in it jumped at me and grabbed me by the shoulders so I couldn't move and stared straight into my eyes. Into my very soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was this:</span> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I’ve made soup. I’ve lit the candle. We bow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I serve bowls, I pass out bread, I pour cups. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They’re talking and I am listening and I blithely sit down and I eat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have bread in the mouth, the bowl half empty, when I drop the spoon. I shake the head hard. I taste disgust. I absentmindedly eat in the evening, a meal I vowed to fast from.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What was I thinking? I can’t scrub my lips clean.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I choke it out in a whisper, “<strong>Do I not think enough of You to remember?” </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I close the eyes tight and the heart cries the words silent. <span data-mce-mark="1" style="color: black;">“<span data-mce-mark="1" style="font-size: medium;">Do I love You so little</span>?”</span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-mark="1" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is an irrefutable law: <strong>one needs to be dispossessed of the possessions that possess — </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">before one can be possessed of God.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Let the things of this world fall away so the soul can fall in love with God.</strong> God only comes to fill the empty places and kenosis is necessary <em>– to empty the soul to know the filling of God.</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the flesh is corrupt. I can’t do it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reading that took me straight to my knees. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was confronted by my own arrogance, my own pride. Those words... <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Do I not think enough of You to remember? Do I love You so little?"</span> They echoed and echoed and echoed through what felt like very, very dark halls in my heart. I knew better than to let that echo sound a panic that God may have deserted me but I didn't let it fool me into believing He was thrilled with who I've been...who I am becoming. I have been "she who does life on her own." Again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't that the way? Or...isn't that my way? <strike>We are</strike> I am in the Word, <strike>we're</strike> I'm praying, God is walking with <strike>us</strike> me - hand in hand. And then something sparkles in the distance and <strike>we</strike> I run off just a little bit ahead. <strike>We</strike> I turn back that first time but there is that sparkle again and <strike>we</strike> I run a little further...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strike>We</strike> I run until God is a fuzzy figure in the way-back distance and suddenly? <strike>We're</strike> I'm not sure <strike>we</strike> I can hear him calling. <strike>We're</strike> I'm not sure what He's saying...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And because <strike>we</strike> I can't understand, <strike>we</strike> I stand there for a little bit and then turn back around to that sparkly thing...and give up listening for good. Or until something catches <strike>our</strike> my attention and <strike>we</strike> I realize what a fool <strike>we've</strike> I've been... again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When that happened this time, I "woke up" when I read that article and it broke my heart. How does God suffer us so well? I love Him so much but I don't show Him that. Jesus becomes another word that falls off of my tongue and I am furious at myself for my laziness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So this time I think - what can I do? In addition to repenting my pride, my idolatry, my foolishness I look at the calendar and see yes - Lent is starting tomorrow and Easter is coming up quickly. This year I should try - try to give up something for Lent and this time give up something more meaningful, more painful, than I have in the past. I've always struggled with Lent (and hence gave up giving up) because it never seemed all that heart-felt to me. I gave up something (usually chocolate) because it was the thing to do and didn't really cost much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This time I sat and thought and prayed - what do you want me to give up, Lord? And when an answer didn't come to me right away, I gave up and opened my computer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">To Facebook.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And it struck me - there it sat in all of it's electronic glory. Facebook. That social network hub that keeps me attached to the people in my life - some whom I see often and some I haven't seen in almost 30 years and ranges in between. Facebook. That robber of time, duller of senses and honestly? Reducer of value. How easy it is to compare yourself to the friend who has 300 friends more than you do or to the acquaintance who has just jetted off to yet another location to hop on yet another cruise ship... How easy it is to place your value in comparison to others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When your value lies only in Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I repeated that to myself a few times. Prayed over it for another day or two and then posted for all to read (so no one would think I was dead) that I was giving up Facebook for Lent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And boy oh boy has it hurt. I really didn't realize just how much I'd come to rely on that silly system to provide entertainment (who doesn't love their friend's kids' funny pictures or playing hours of Scrabble and Words with Friends?), to keep me in the loop on what was happening in people's lives (what is wrong with a phone call or letter?) and to make sure I saw my "daily deals" (who doesn't need another tchotchke for the living room?). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's been gone one week now and I will admit - I still go a bit weak in the knees when I think about it. The temptation to sign on and just "clear my notifications" is almost overwhelming. Facebook has emailed to TELL me I have notifications and I think "oh...it misses me." (Right??? Don't touch that one... I promise you I am NOT crazy!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yet in that week what I have replaced Facebook with? Journaling? Yes. Reading the Psalms? Yes. Praying more often? Yes. Working a bit harder? Yes. Tackling that pile of recipes I've wanted to sort for more months than I can remember? Yes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And that's just week one...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tomorrow will be a big test. It's Saturday and I want to organize the freezer. I'll be home alone for the bulk of the day and you do realize that means my laptop will be calling my name, even from another room, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So what plan is in place? Prayer. Prayer. Prayer. I can't do this in my strength so I am requesting He provide His and do you know what I know? He is faithful and just and all we ask in His will has already been provided. He works all to the good for those who love Him and this stretching and growing, this reminding myself to whom I pledged my life...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He will be faithful.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-59957006814276565462013-09-05T10:25:00.001-07:002013-09-05T10:25:13.602-07:00Kitchen BeginningsWe moved into our current home in June, 2007. It's a single story rambler, about 1500 sq. ft. It's not very large and it's cozy and it has a lot of quirks but that's just some of the things I love about it. When Aaron and I found it, we swooned (ok - I swooned, he was just a little giddy) over the backyard (something rarely found these days) and the front yard (set back just far enough from the street). We have one neighbor next door and woods on the other side & in the back (which has been a bit annoying in the rodent department but that's a post I'll never do). We're on the outskirts of a town which is our mailing address but technically? We're in the unincorporated portion of our county so we don't really belong to anyone. Hello lower taxes...<br />
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However. And it's a big however. The previous owner, despite his wife's ravings about his carpenter capabilities, was not all that good at home repair. Or he was lazy. Or he was cheap. Or he was all of the above. My husband often refrains from expressing his mind when he finds just one more thing...<br />
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To give you a hint at his mindset - our drain field failed 6 months after we moved in and truth be told, we could have sued (and to this day there is still a part of us that wishes we had) because in the septic report there was one piece of paper he signed stating the company told him his drain field had an issue and needed major repair. He not only didn't share that information with us, he withheld that piece of paper until after we had moved in - and even then it was his realtor who shared it, not him. The realtor never did give us a reason for his not handing it over sooner. I think we never followed through with the suit because we believe we were foolish in not pushing for that paperwork (on the septic inspection) before signing. We asked for it, sure but didn't push the issue until we were in.<br />
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I am rabbit trailing in a BIG way today. Apparently stepping away from my blog for almost 4 months makes me chatty...<br />
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My point is that the drain field failure cost us a lot of money. A lot. Then, in the midst of that recovery, my husband was laid off from his job (twice) and we couldn't really put any money aside for home remodeling. Then, as we would get some money set aside for a project or two, something would go wrong (broken pipe under the house - more septic system issues - broken water main - broken kitchen pipe - dead outlet in the kitchen...) and we'd find some other cheap fix the previous owner had made (rather than doing it right... grrr..) and our money would go to a "need" not a "want."<br />
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Painting has been slow. To say the least. It took us 3 years of living in the house before we redid our bathroom (I can't even describe the hideousness that was there before) and our kitchen... Well. The back part of our house is very "cave like" I always say. It gets the morning sun only and the woods behind us holds very tall trees so even that morning sun is filtered and brief. The sun beats on the roof all afternoon which makes it quite warm in the summer but there are no windows on the roof so it's very dark. The kitchen was horrible. The previous owners had installed these green countertops and a few people have called them "pretty" but I have always flat out thought they were ugly. Not 1970's green ugly but pretty ugly. I've always hated them. The granite I fell in love with, though, is $64 a square foot and we have 36 sq. ft. of counter space. That whole money issue... <br />
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So, Aaron talked to me about painting our counters and I always blew the idea off because I could not, for the life of me, imagine liking something painted. Until I was hanging out two Saturdays ago watching a home improvement show (I do not recall which one!) and they painted the countertops of their client. Well, the client did the painting - they helped and featured the paint system.<br />
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That night I mentioned it to Aaron, we hopped online and found the company, checked out the different kit options and $89.70 later (safely ordered via PayPal), our paint kit was on its way. It showed up Thursday and over Labor Day weekend, Aaron painted. First I cleaned the counters (scrubbed 'em with an SOS pad - easy), then we taped them off then Aaron painted on the primer on Friday. That took 8 hours to dry and we had plans for Saturday so he painted Saturday night. Four hours for that to dry and again - plans on Sunday so Sunday night he painted the first layer of top coat, Monday night the second. Now we wait a few days for the paint to set before we start putting things back but... here is the before and after:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A0T77XPpxMXO22aYCwtm0PdkyK2u7juhU7wgp0a2hVKLodNtqwfHpxFBkK2tG75y1MCosTpWMnyvnpq0snN-xcjSgpyQAY57mZ5tsvkHdpDnN31tGEjA0rDRPHZueOrG_qattA3RTTc/s1600/Before+-+whole+counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A0T77XPpxMXO22aYCwtm0PdkyK2u7juhU7wgp0a2hVKLodNtqwfHpxFBkK2tG75y1MCosTpWMnyvnpq0snN-xcjSgpyQAY57mZ5tsvkHdpDnN31tGEjA0rDRPHZueOrG_qattA3RTTc/s320/Before+-+whole+counter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2bDWGKaUGDqFDcqkead5ADSaYZRmb39trAlU6_drfMeqDOPlgpLODtVfR09inKpqnsCDDD5_uBIDxu1qDD2CKpSk-wFTU4hvaAv_4S05qkbACltpxheg6J98hEXAuC24ymX81I87mtA/s1600/Whole+Counter+-+done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2bDWGKaUGDqFDcqkead5ADSaYZRmb39trAlU6_drfMeqDOPlgpLODtVfR09inKpqnsCDDD5_uBIDxu1qDD2CKpSk-wFTU4hvaAv_4S05qkbACltpxheg6J98hEXAuC24ymX81I87mtA/s320/Whole+Counter+-+done.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How happy with THIS do you think I am? Yes - the top picture was taken at night but that's with every light on in the kitchen. The second picture? Daylight only. In picture #1? Shadows have shadows... I can't believe how much brighter it is in the kitchen and how much better the room looks just by painting the counters.<br />
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Now...we're going to paint the walls and ditch the ugly wallpaper and I may even re-stain the cabinets. I think I could love a kitchen....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-17813170129925285652013-05-10T10:31:00.002-07:002013-05-10T10:31:17.115-07:00Happy Mother's Day!Sunday is the day earmarked nationally to recognize those women who have loved us unconditionally - cheered us on, picked us up, cleaned our cuts & scrapes, cooked our food, shopped for that food, done our laundry, took care of us while we were sick, hugged us through our nightmares...<br />
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And on & on the list goes.<br />
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I was blessed with a wonderful Mom and while I doubt they acknowledge Mother's Day in heaven, I know she'll have a glorious day.<br />
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For those of you who still have your Mom here on earth - I hope you have an amazing day with her. If you are a Mom, I hope your kids (and husbands) spoil you rotten. I know the latter is what I'm in for. I'm ready. I can't wait.<br />
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May the day be sunny and beautiful and may you and your family make some amazing memories.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPBrf4p1hXTDt3Jio4i3lmekDnSNTImuqCS-wN4jJOD2g5phvAccp5Jj_O-ywXCAQkZLI7Vqdx9o6Rb_nd0Z7dRgRSyYZxkd4swjO8dNhjIu-Pye18MRWecHaNFvnAwwjV_dfjaOWFHw/s1600/Mom+Cropped+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPBrf4p1hXTDt3Jio4i3lmekDnSNTImuqCS-wN4jJOD2g5phvAccp5Jj_O-ywXCAQkZLI7Vqdx9o6Rb_nd0Z7dRgRSyYZxkd4swjO8dNhjIu-Pye18MRWecHaNFvnAwwjV_dfjaOWFHw/s320/Mom+Cropped+2.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mom - 2008</td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-35724486712649857682013-05-01T11:43:00.000-07:002013-05-01T11:43:04.964-07:00Friday Night Dinner - At HomeLast Friday we were exhausted. It's been a rough couple of weeks of baby showers, family things, church things and just...life. You know what I mean that "we've been hibernating all winter & now the weather is getting nicer so we need to wake up" type of life.<br />
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So last Friday, we wound down the week by grilling at home and can I just say that my husband is a master on the grill? I have yet to eat anything, in 9 years of his cooking for me, that I don't just drool over. I'm not a fan of beef but he manages to make it so tender, so absolutely yummy, that I can't help but close my eyes and sigh in absolute bliss from the first bite.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6vHENujbQIenAyGQ4w2dxWOUCiDPSehU72tmlsGXunYjTCTH3PJ_P2DtOh-_VKeOiuuEXgKaHNHXyC4oV1_QKI-PXHsO75SE3GKv5EKmLToaJHJlIz5VNx1rLraT6yR9kxAMXWqwiAY/s1600/Flank+Steak+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6vHENujbQIenAyGQ4w2dxWOUCiDPSehU72tmlsGXunYjTCTH3PJ_P2DtOh-_VKeOiuuEXgKaHNHXyC4oV1_QKI-PXHsO75SE3GKv5EKmLToaJHJlIz5VNx1rLraT6yR9kxAMXWqwiAY/s320/Flank+Steak+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilling to perfection</td></tr>
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That was this flank steak... Then, I added a caprese salad (this was the EASIEST side dish ever - use the marinated mozzarella balls, cut them up into quarters, do the same with cherry tomatoes, chop up a few basil leaves & add a bit of shallot - yummy. The oil that marinates the mozzarella adds tons of flavor.) and some roasted green beans. We sat down to dinner and the world - and all of it's stress - just melted away from our house for a few delicious hours. If I could but do that every Friday...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw9YujrOB-YAk-XzuzsJFU77p6K-C4lc_Aemk_fOTc8UL79NP3I7UqMKDBGqWfBNEcEH0IjAAMnvlUfjAjhgwZ8IOdPQdttdsfyA_VXZM6LitFyBr3bwW9baJ4R4fUukTwU6RA1CZEZQ/s1600/Flank+Steak+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" lua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw9YujrOB-YAk-XzuzsJFU77p6K-C4lc_Aemk_fOTc8UL79NP3I7UqMKDBGqWfBNEcEH0IjAAMnvlUfjAjhgwZ8IOdPQdttdsfyA_VXZM6LitFyBr3bwW9baJ4R4fUukTwU6RA1CZEZQ/s320/Flank+Steak+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner Bliss!</td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-36441717574119897872013-04-20T10:25:00.001-07:002013-04-20T10:25:05.167-07:00Boston<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been a week. A week of absolute horror as we watched the news media play video of the horrific bombing at the Boston Marathon. What is that? Over and over and over again they would replay those pictures. Talk and talk and talk - saying nothing new, nothing newsworthy and often nothing more than pure speculation.</div>
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Why do they feel we need to be CONSTANTLY bombarded with "breaking news?" An on the hour/half-hour update would probably have been sufficient. Instead, they hover - like vultures - waiting for the next morsel they can scoop up. Pulling in their "exclusives" (how many times did we need to hear from the girl who went to high school with one of the bombing suspects - who said he was a "nice guy" but she hadn't seen him in years... ?) and wasting time and air space.</div>
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If we want sensationalism in our news, we can tune into one of those entertainment shows...</div>
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It's tiresome. And ridiculous. It doesn't make us look intelligent, it makes us look blood-thirsty.</div>
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Last night's capture of the second suspect in the Boston bombing had friends on mine on Facebook posting angry tirades as to why this guy was captured alive.</div>
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Angry he's alive? Really? </div>
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Perhaps that wouldn't bother me so much if these are the same people who profess a belief in God and a following of Jesus Christ.</div>
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You know - even when Jesus was flogged, scourged and hung on the cross He said not one negative thing about the "terrorists" who did it to Him. He, instead, implored God to forgive because we didn't know what we were doing.</div>
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Yes. We. </div>
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The bombing suspect caught is a 19 year old boy. A boy whose story we know not one iota about. We know nothing of the life he lived to get to that point of hate. We know nothing of what he was taught, of what he wasn't taught. We know nothing except...</div>
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He, too, is a creation of God's. Loved by God as much as we are. </div>
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Who are we to be angry, disappointed and frustrated that God chose NOT to have him die last night?</div>
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Who are we to determine there is nothing more this boy can do in this world? Nothing more he can learn - or teach? Who are we?</div>
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I read a blip today, too - somewhere - that when Boston heard that Wellsboro? Watersboro? Baptist Church was headed to Boston to set up their protests that Bostonians turned out in droves to block their way into the city. The church couldn't even get out of their vans.</div>
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Good.</div>
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I'm all for sharing the love of Christ but I have yet to see where that church does that. They tell everyone all of the horrible things they are doing wrong to incur the wrath of God. Well...no offense people but Jesus told us to take the plank out of our own eye so then we can actually see the speck in our brother's eye.</div>
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How much plank removing have they done?</div>
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I'm tired. Battle weary. I can't imagine how hard it was for God to wade through those thousands of years, how hard it was for Christ to come here and minister, serve and then die for us. We're a bunch of ungrateful, unloving, self-absorbed, pride filled whiners.</div>
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Ok...not everyone but...I know I sure am. What do they say? The characteristics you yourself hold are the ones you most dislike in others?</div>
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I can be just as blood-thirsty, just as quick to anger, frustration. Just as self-righteous. Just as judgemental...</div>
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But I am fairly sure Jesus doesn't want me to be. He wants me to love. As God is love. And leave the justice to Him. Because His is fair, true and just. Mine is not.</div>
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So...for that young man in Boston who has a world of hurt in front of him, I will pray. I will pray God gets his heart and he doesn't end up in hell. Because I know <strong><em>I</em></strong> don't want to go to hell and that young man isn't loved by God any less than I am.</div>
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And to the people of Boston? I love you. I am humbled by your courage and community and care for one another. I am praying for your hurting, your helpless...and your hopeless. For those who were "1st responders" and for those who suffered injuries we both see and don't. Praying for God's comfort to envelope your city like a cloud.</div>
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Like His Shekinah glory of old...wouldn't that be an amazing breaking news story?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-57938365855521671022013-02-14T06:30:00.000-08:002013-02-14T06:30:04.518-08:00Family...<br />
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On this Valentine's Day I want to take a moment to reflect on my family. Both of these pictures were taken on Aaron's and my wedding day, June 18, 2005. That's when my family was whole and happy, as far as I knew. The following year my Nana (second picture) passed away, a year or two after that (I can't even remember anymore) my sister and I had a major argument and haven't really spoken since and then another couple of years after that Mom (top picture, turquoise dress) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. </div>
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Life has certainly changed direction since that day but on that day? Life was good. Life was really good. We were happy and having fun and everyone was doing pretty well.</div>
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So...for Valentine's Day I'm going to spend the day with my husband, who loves me despite my many faults (and don't we all have those?) and at some point I'm going to reminisce...about all of those people I have loved and lost and a few of them I wish I could have back. </div>
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I could tell so many stories about the people shown here but I'll just speak to the clown noses. When Aaron & I were planning our wedding, we got married in my parents' back yard by their pond. There was a lot of conversation about what to do if the ground was to wet and muddy (the Pacific Northwest is known for its very wet June) and one thing that was suggested was my father drive me down to the altar on the back of his tractor. </div>
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That idea didn't thrill me... to put it mildly...</div>
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My comment, after several more ideas along the same vein, was to tell them to knock it off. I wasn't looking to have a circus wedding!! So...the day of the ceremony, as Aaron & I are with our pastor doing our rehersal, my family is sitting in the chairs watching and someone yells "Hey Bonnie." I turn around and there is my family...wearing clown noses... for my circus wedding.</div>
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It was hysterical, trust me. Not just a little funny...it was hysterical. There they all sat, straight-faced, wearing clown noses...</div>
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Yes. Life was good.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-81309820069789743362013-02-12T10:36:00.002-08:002013-02-12T10:36:11.644-08:00A Post Worth Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been privileged to come across so many beautiful and insightful blogs written by brilliant women whom God is using in incredible ways. Sometimes I share a link to a post because I think the writer has nailed something square on the head. It's usually something that has been on my mind quite a bit in recent weeks. <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/2013/02/lets-just-call-it-what-it-is/comment-page-1/#comment-208165" target="_blank">This</a> post is one of those.</div>
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Lysa TerKeurst's writings often help me with a perspective I can't seem to put into words. She thinks deeply about things and with a writer's mind can put those thoughts down in a way that makes them clear. Often my thoughts match hers exactly (not always, though) and in my head I thank her for verbalizing what I could not. Summarize and verbalize.</div>
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A quote I read once by William Howard Taft has stuck with me and Lysa is very good at listening to his advice. He said "Don't write so that you can be understood, write so that you can't be misunderstood."</div>
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She does that with <a href="http://lysaterkeurst.com/2013/02/lets-just-call-it-what-it-is/comment-page-1/#comment-208165" target="_blank">this</a> post. Read it if you have a minute. It's worth your time.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-18391835794929013442013-02-11T14:32:00.002-08:002013-02-11T14:32:49.493-08:00Simple Yummy AppetizerWe host a holiday party at work every year and when we first started doing it, my boss' wife brought some of her meatballs. Everyone said they were amazing, the yummiest they'd ever eaten, etc. so...it became a staple at the party. Every year those meatballs show up and we've even had a few times where folks have almost fought each other over the remnants in the crockpot.<br />
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So I decided to make them for my mother-in-law's surprise 65th birthday party (We held it yesterday - a huge smash. Details & pictures to come). Just like the holiday party they were a hit and I have to admit - they are about the easiest things I have ever made (expect for the caprese picks). I'll say they're the easiest hot appetizer ever.<br />
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What you need:<br />
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4 quart crockpot<br />
1 large jar Welch's grape jelly<br />
2 cans of no bean chili (we used Nalley Big Chunk No Bean Chili)<br />
1 bag of Kirkland brand frozen meatballs (Italian flavor)<br />
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What you do:<br />
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Mix the jelly and the 2 cans of chili together in the crockpot. Cook on low until thoroughly heated. Mine took about 1 1/2 hours to warm up.<br />
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Once heated, add as many meatballs as you can to your crockpot making sure they can be covered by the jelly/chili mixture.<br />
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Cover and simmer for at least four hours, stirring every 1-2 hours, until hot.<br />
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What I did: Once I added the meatballs, I let them cook about 1 1/2 hours and because folks were coming in another 1 1/2 hours after that, I turned them up to high for an hour and then back down to low. By doing that everything was cooked through and hot by the time guests showed up and then turning them back down to low made sure they maintained the heat.<br />
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They were incredibly yummy and even more popular. Of course, since I was hosting the party, I didn't take any pictures of them cooking or cooked so I apologize for my VERY boring and colorless post!!!<br />
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Pictures of the day, decorations & how well we surprised my mother-in-law to come...<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-24833161254999824552013-02-02T10:41:00.002-08:002013-02-02T10:41:43.369-08:00Fear and Overwhelming Fear<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday evenings my husband and I host a Bible study in our home. We are so amazingly grateful for the people who join us each week, linking their lives to ours in a very intimate way. We share "secrets" (anything said in Lifegroup, stays in Lifegroup) - our concerns, hopes, joys, successes, failures. We pray for one another and are there for one another. We surrounded the bed of one of us who lost his battle with cancer and we held his widow as she sobbed after he died. </div>
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They are my brothers and sisters and I love each one of them, even when they're a bit out of sorts and hard to love. After all, I get out of sorts and hard to love but they stick with me. That's what we do. That's how we do life.</div>
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This last Thursday, a conversation was started as one of us deals with a very large, overwhelming fear. It's not cancer or some other disease, it's what is happening and rumored to be happening in our country. The talk of civil unrest and the government's preparations for that. Are they true? Well...isn't there always an element of truth to all rumors? So - is there talk of civil unrest? Probably. Isn't there always? Isn't that what catapulted us into the Revolutionary War? The Boston Tea Party... Is the government preparing for it? Probably. Can anyone imagine the American government firing on American citizens? Why not? </div>
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What was happening, though and continues to happen, is this friend of mine has thoughts swirling in her head, concerns - ok - terrified thoughts - about such things actually happening. And it goes further - the house being taken away, their children being separated from them, her being separated from her husband. As her husband reads articles and sees pictures and hears what happens in the news (and the reactions to it), the "what if's" get uglier and bigger. And flat out petrifying. </div>
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So Thursday night we spent time talking it through. Talking out the reality that these thoughts exist. The fear is real. The concerns are not irrational. The fear, though, is becoming so. Allowing those thoughts to dominate and not taking every thought captive, making it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) we rely on man and what he believes to be true and we do not trust God to be in control (Colossians 2:8). The Bible tells us over and over and over again that we need to steer clear of such thinking. It also tells us over and over what happens when we don't. Think the Israelites. They'd follow God for a while then let themselves be distracted by whoever had the most power or the prettiest daughters or... whatever happened to distract them. They'd get caught up in that, become slaves to it and then cry out to God for Him to save them.</div>
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And He did. Every single time. Maybe not in their timing but He always did. He never, never, ever leaves His people alone. He is there. Always. In control, handling the situation. He does not work in time as we do. He does not have a beginning or an end. There is nothing but forever to Him. Our fears are unjustified. Not any less real but unjustified. They begin - and end - in trusting God. They begin because our trust in God isn't as it should be - whether it be weak or it be that we are ignoring it. They end because we realize that we need to trust God. I have to admit - I have absolutely NO desire to suffer pain or discomfort. None. I don't want to lose my house, I don't want anything horrible to happen to my family. Ever. But I hold onto this quote from Jesus:</div>
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<span class="text Luke-12-4" id="en-NIV-25464"><span class="woj">“I tell you, my friends,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25464A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-12-5" id="en-NIV-25465"><span class="woj">But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.</span></span>" ~Luke 12:4-5</div>
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I can be afraid of feeling pain - but I shouldn't be. Pain will be temporary. Yes, it could be excruciating. Suffering could be tremendous. I have no idea what those words actually mean when it comes to pain and suffering, I know this. It doesn't matter. It's temporary. What I have to fear is that which is permanent. That permanency comes from God's ability to send people, me included, to hell if we choose to ignore Him, or disobey Him or make Him out to be someone or something who suits us. When we have idols who distort our view of who He is and what He says, we could end up being one of those who say "Lord, Lord" and He says "I do not know you." (Matthew 7:21-27).</div>
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That is what I fear.</div>
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Did we assuage every fear my friend has? Absolutely not. But God has heard her cry and our petition for strength for her. He will, in His time, answer her prayer - and it may be He has her struggle through more before seeing and end to her fears. It's not for us to know. It is for Him to decide. Her walk, her lessons, her growth. On the other hand? We are there for her. We are there for her to share her fears, talk through those truths we know from His word. Remind her she knows Him who holds the world in His hands. Remind her of His strength, His faithfulness, His love, His mercy. His sovereignty.</div>
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And it WILL send the fears back to where they came - into the dark. It WILL redirect those thoughts to a healthier fear of the Lord. A fear that does not cause condemnation but instead a love and awe unrivaled by anyone or anything. No one has what God has. No one is who God is. God is I AM. He and He alone, through the suffering gift of Jesus Christ, can save this world and no man can offer anything to stand up to Him.</div>
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So...we will work on halting those fears of man and focus instead on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</div>
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To Him be all the glory. Amen.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-63458698815600245922013-01-23T16:05:00.000-08:002013-01-23T16:05:11.185-08:00Random Thoughts & Things<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know what I've discovered? I compose my best blog posts in the bathroom. Showering, applying make-up, drying my hair, brushing my teeth...something about being in that room I guess. The problem is, the bathroom holds all of my awesome posts hostage. I walk out of that room and *poof* - gone. I'm thinking about hooking up a laptop in there but I'm not quite sure how to keep the steam/humidity from ruining the thing inside of three days. My husband likes his showers VERY hot.</div>
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Which is to say, I have plenty of thoughts - kind, gentle and intelligent thoughts (anyone who knows me just choked on their coffee hard enough to blow it out their nose...) on all sorts of issues from gun control to the President's inaugural activities held off until Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to what my kids at for breakfast but not one of those brilliant posts will ever get published.</div>
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They're all still in the bathroom.</div>
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Instead, I'm going to chat just a tiny bit again about Mom. By now I REALLY thought that painful ache of missing her, that physical pain - the one that makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs because I'm certain the power of it is going to make me explode - would have subsided just a bit by now. </div>
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Why am I so ridiculously wrong about this one thing? I have yet to accept that I am ALWAYS going to feel that pain when I think about missing my mother. I've described it before but it is really like someone took my right arm and just ripped it off. What's left is all jagged and exposed and raw and just...excruciatingly painful.</div>
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I'm fairly sure I've also talked about feeling and knowing that grief is not about losing Mom, it's about missing Mom. It's about me. Mom is celebrating God and His glory every. single. day. She isn't missing earth, or us, or our squabbling or driving to work or even holding her grandbaby. She is celebrating God. What I grieve is that I don't get to talk to her. I don't get to go shopping with her. I don't get to bounce ideas off of her. She was my creative filler-outter. If I had an idea, I could bring it up to her and she'd start with "Oh yeah... great idea. And then you could..." and off we'd go. I keep saying that I need to figure out where my motivation went & get it back. Only one way I can do that and so far? No one has snuck into heaven and returned to earth with someone God has called home... at least not that I've heard about and I'm fairly sure someone would have published a book. Or a blog.</div>
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So..to get back semi-on-track. When I was thinking about Mom the other day I wandered back to a conversation she and I had about the fears she had. She was oh so afraid of the dying part. So that day I told her what I believe happens. I told her that I believe the last time someone closes their eyes here on earth is the moment Jesus shows up. And I believe He walks that someone home. Or, we just...go to sleep until He returns if that is how God is working it. </div>
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For years now I've held onto that hope, never having any kind of proof just basing that on what I know of who God is. The just going to sleep part, though, doesn't strike me as right somehow. There is nothing concrete there, it is all feeling (which, as the Bible says, we aren't supposed to trust our heart so I don't rule it out as a no way, no day idea) but it really feels wrong that a God so loving, so merciful, who put us here with the only purpose of glorifying Him would leave us sleeping for, for some, millenia. </div>
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Then I read this verse the other day:</div>
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Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants (Psalm 116:15)</div>
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And it stops me in my tracks. Precious? Death is precious to God? I started digging a little deeper because I thought it HAS to be referring to that age old Christian phrase "dying to self." And all I read, every commentary, every study, everything I grabbed said the same thing - physical death is precious to God. He knows we weren't built for it. We weren't meant for it. It terrorizes us, scares us and for oh so many of us is painful, some quick, some drawn out but still painful...and He considers it precious. Like a delicate bird to be handled oh so gently. I think of the verses that talk about God dancing over us, rejoicing when one "sheep" is found, singing over us...and I wonder...how must it be to pause at the death of each faithful servant and consider it precious.</div>
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And I knew Mom was safe. I just knew it. I've known it since before she died but I keep getting reminders over and over and over again that what I know is true. I'm not making it up, it's not out of some desire to sugar coat what she went through. She's safe. And I get to be with her again. We are going to hold hands (or whatever God allows us to do) and praise God together. Together. Again.</div>
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So, the post was a little less random than I expected but just so I can say I didn't monopolize the WHOLE thing talking about Mom again, here's a picture of my two boys on Monday. The elder C took the younger C up into the mountains for some snowboarding. What cracks me up about this picture is the sun. If you were here on Monday you would know the entire Seattle area was socked in, grayer than gray, in a freezing fog. The mountains, on the other hand, had brilliant snow and temperatures in the 40's, 50's & in some places? 60's. Ridiculous...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSl_mb8JMNIeD_t9_kjTuz5dE6uYNRgexNvU26HWAlyMzwxNlVnp2lpyHTqRn0OW2tkEDNDkeGwpCKIRypphgNWVZiWg348_4U6xTAAyLmGbqvG5ZrWHFaERtR5VjK8yIVX3Be5VyJY8/s1600/Snowboarding+-+January+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSl_mb8JMNIeD_t9_kjTuz5dE6uYNRgexNvU26HWAlyMzwxNlVnp2lpyHTqRn0OW2tkEDNDkeGwpCKIRypphgNWVZiWg348_4U6xTAAyLmGbqvG5ZrWHFaERtR5VjK8yIVX3Be5VyJY8/s320/Snowboarding+-+January+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-58347846745613153162013-01-11T08:42:00.002-08:002013-01-11T08:42:32.952-08:00As 2013 begins<div style="text-align: justify;">
On December 20th I left work until January 2nd. It was such a beautiful couple of weeks full of rest, relaxation, lack of alarm clocks and responsibility. I watched a bunch of movies, read a book and started 2 more, catching up on so many things and just...enjoying my time off.</div>
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2013 has started and while 2012 went out quietly, full of relaxation, 2013 has swept in like a tsunami and has wreaked all sorts of havoc. Between a crashed server and other hardware issues at work, Aaron woke up last Saturday and as the day progressed got steadily sicker. The flu entered our home. Our receptionist at work has been sick all week, too and has come in with it a time or two. Fortunately I've had my flu shot so I am hoping to dodge the bullet but Christopher is still vulnerable. </div>
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Having talked to several people the same theme has come up - prayer this is the worst that 2013 has to offer and we get all of our "troubles" out of the way at the start. Not sure that's going to be the case. Watching the news tonight and like every night we are bombarded by so much that is not comforting.</div>
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Fiscal cliffs, debt ceilings, flu "epidemic," gun control, school shootings...and those are the headlines in the first two minutes. Our country seems to be rushing toward... something. A showdown? A cliff (not just the fiscal kind)? Disaster? I'm not sure. </div>
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The funny thing is, I know I'm not in the first generation to think such things. I hear - a lot - and do agree that things seem to be "getting worse" but I also know, well... they're supposed to be. No offense but... God doesn't say it'll get better before Jesus returns. <br />
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It is heartbreaking to see, though and to know that even if I manage to die before anything horrific happens and thereby escape true "suffering," my children or my grandchildren or my great-grandchildren won't. Someone is going to have to suffer for the mistakes we make. Too many bright minds lost to drugs. Too many neighborhoods lost to drugs, to unemployment. Too many families losing their homes, their jobs, their livelihoods. Too many children dropping out of school. Disease, earthquakes in "unusual" areas, hurricanes of such massive force they make roller coasters look like toothpicks... These are not new occurrences and perhaps they aren't even anymore frequent than they have been in the past. We just hear about them more now. Media and Technology have made this a very, very small world.<br />
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Yet...there is hope. This morning I woke to a dog wagging his tail, happy to see me again. Cars still run on the roads, children head off to school. I know it's not perfect but then...this world isn't supposed to be. It is, however, still good in many ways. So...come, 2013. And I don't mean that as a challenge but more a welcoming invitation. Help me to grow - in my faith and in my character, challenge my mind, open my eyes.<br />
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Show me my to-be memories...</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-32991048641658048092013-01-04T15:53:00.001-08:002013-01-04T15:54:05.558-08:00Technology - Joined at the Hip<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have to admit. It has been a pretty nice couple of weeks. Toss out the minor surgery on the 21st and it's been perfect. (Surgery went well, recovery has involved pain - only downside) I had to come back to work on Wednesday, though. At first I was fairly excited. It felt good - the idea of moving again, getting back into the swing of things. My leg improves almost every day so the idea of not HAVING to rest so much felt REALLY good (I don't make a very good lump, actually).</div>
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Loving my job is easy. I've been here a very long time and while I never know what I'm going to get when I get back after an extended time off, I certainly wasn't expecting what happened this week. I walk in the door on Wednesday and there is no voice mail, our server is fried and we can't access the internet...</div>
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Oh joy.....</div>
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It has been a VERY long three days of phone calls, no emails, no computer... Our IT guy tried to set up our receptionist's computer (she is off this week) as a virtual machine we could run things through until he could fix the bad block on the server's hard drive but he ran into problems there. He has been able to keep her machine online, though, which is the only reason I can do this. There have been a few things I could do that didn't involve my computer but it absolutely floored me to figure out just how much of my work life relies on this machine.</div>
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There is a pile of work on my desk brought as far as I could bring it without the computer and now I wait... </div>
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The server is back in the building, though and our IT guy is slowing getting us hooked back up and running.</div>
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Here's to next week being normal. I hope...</div>
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How has your New Year been going so far?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-32913127502278269912013-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:002013-01-02T06:00:05.291-08:00A Sermon Worth WatchingI don't do this very often but I feel quite strongly to share the link to my church sermon from last Sunday (December 30th). Pastor Mark Barrett has been with our church for a couple of years now, he spoke at my mother's funeral. He has a way of not pulling any punches when he's speaking but he's not hurtful or mean with it. He knows the truth, he speaks the truth and he isn't going to sugarcoat it.<br />
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Just want you to be prepared for that when you listen but please...the video is 37 minutes, 5 seconds long and it's 37 minutes & 5 seconds you want to take. It is worth every moment...and then some.<br />
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Be blessed!<br />
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<a href="http://www.canyonhillscommunitychurch.com/sermons/entry/worship-the-greatest-priority" target="_blank">Worship: The Greatest Priority</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-26876751897799139582013-01-01T11:04:00.003-08:002013-01-01T11:04:42.224-08:002013<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For 2013...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wish you....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>May your joys be as bright as the morning, and your sorrows merely be shadows that fade in the sunlight of love. May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, enough trials to keep you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to keep you happy, enough failure to keep you humble, enough success to keep you eager, enough friends to give you comfort, enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness, enough wealth to meet your needs and one thing more; enough determination to make each day a wonderful day than the one before.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(Irish Blessing)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> bless you<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Num-6-24">and keep you;</span></span><span class="text Num-6-25" id="en-NIV-3849"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> make his face shine on you</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Num-6-25">and be gracious to you; </span></span><span class="text Num-6-26" id="en-NIV-3850">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> turn his face<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-3850AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></sup> toward you</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Num-6-26">and give you peace." ~Numbers 6:24-26</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-26"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">May 2013 be filled with all God intends for you, may you see Him at every turn and may you remember He is Emmanuel - God with us. Always.</span></span></span></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-26"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-26"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy New Year.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617602151827208279.post-18228871144577292542012-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:002012-12-29T09:00:05.738-08:00Pet Peeves<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have a serious love for the English language, more specifically grammer. Truthfully, I am not an expert and make many, many mistakes - spelling, punctuation... Often I sit as I type, struggling to think of a synonym - shooting for something that sounds more brilliant than the mundane word my brain can't seem to skip past. In the last two days, though, I've been confronted with three very specific pet peeves I have and it's funny - I don't think I ever gave too much thought to just how much they bother me. Perhaps, if I type them out here, those little ear worms will wiggle their way out of my head. At least for now...</div>
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#1 - "ex-President Bush" A friend of mine posted this on Facebook and I completely agree with her. Reuters posted an article regarding former President Bush's recent and still on-going as far as I know, stay in the hospital. The headline was "Ex-President Bush..." This one actually makes me angry. He is a FORMER President, not an "ex." To my way of thinking, using ex in this instance seems overwhelmingly disrespectful and it saddens me that "ex" is cropping up in many places it probably shouldn't. He held THE top office in the United States of America, as a veteran of that office, he deserves great respect. So does the title. </div>
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#2 - Referring to a person as "that." This one may not be "technically" wrong, I should do some digging here but it is, for me, for lack of a better description, "painful" to me when I see it. When someone says or writes something like: "My mother, the most beautiful woman that I have ever known." My mind goes right to the "that." That denotes an object - usually inanimate - to me. The sentence should read "My mother, the most beautiful woman who I have ever known." Of course, it probably should be "whom" but my memory is fuzzy on that rule. I only know my mother was a "who" not a "what/that" or "it/that."</div>
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#3 - , and. A comma before the word and is redundant and unnecessary. A comma denotes a pause - a shift in the tenor of the sentence. And is a joining of two thoughts. It also denotes a pause. A comma before an and is also not technically incorrect I've been told. Apparently that rule has changed since I was in school because I can still see my freshman English teacher dancing around the classroom teaching us about redundancy and how it indicates a lack of understanding in what you are actually trying to say. </div>
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These issues are again not technically wrong, I don't believe but they sure feel wrong to me. Pet peeves. Mine. They don't interrupt my life for too long...this post only took about 3 minutes to type. I'll probably forget very soon each of the above infractions and where I saw them...until they crop up somewhere else, tormenting my feeble brain yet again.</div>
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So...what are some of your pet peeves?</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85777/bonnieb/91c68c8e679d940e653ac27cdbebb35e.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18128672904128145179noreply@blogger.com0