"* I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die."

Encouragement

I had a great job. I loved my church. I loved that I was in the choir. My son and his family lived with me. My grandkids are terrific. I had medical, dental, and vision insurance. I bought a van equipped with built in booster/harness seats for my grandkids. I had everything I needed for my home, and then some. I had great friends at work and at church. I love working with all ages of the kids at church. I looked forward to helping my best friend with Vacation Bible School at her church. I loved going to CampWOW and teaching God's word in our lives to the kids in my group. I loved visiting with these kids, old and new, throughout the year and encouraging them.

And then I had a breakdown. My boss expected a letter of resignation, and stupidly, I gave it to him. My best friend and supervisor failed to explain the Merit Protection system to me. My best friend and supervisor turned her head completely. My best friend and supervisor refused to listen when I begged, and boy did I beg! for my job back. The top boss, however, chose to avoid coming into the office while this happened.

I cried my heart out and had no control over my emotions. I went to the Dr. the next day. Not that any of this matters now, it's still too fresh and painful.

[fast forward]

Now I am at the end of a temporary job with no permanent offers in sight. I had to move from my house into an apartment. I lost tons of friends when I needed a lot of help. So most of my houseful of belongings (that I can't take to heaven anyway!) had to stay behind. I felt badly that my landlord got stuck with such a mess. I sure wish I had that furniture!

But God is still good to me. At least I'm not homeless. I have new friends. God provides for my needs daily. And if I don't get what I think I need, well, maybe, just maybe, I really don't NEED it.

I have a bicycle now that is my transportation, and that includes exercise now in my day! Imagine getting free exercise and not going to a gym!

My van is sitting in the parking lot now waiting for God's plan, whatever it may be. For some reason, the finance company is NOT overly anxious to repossess. They even argued with me over a "voluntary repossession." But I can't pay the insurance, I can't pay the license tag fees, therefore, I can't drive it. Apparently God has a plan that I just haven't gotten to yet.

I love telling people how God is so good and how He has impacted my life. I love that God is with me every day in everything I do, and we have some great discussions! I love the people and the work that I do at my temporary job now.

I have a job. I have a home. I have a bed to sleep in. I have my health. I get to spend time with my grandkids again. I'm even learning to swim! I am so very blessed!

And it's all because Jesus died on the cross for my sins. He went through so much more hell than I could ever think I'm going through. How can I complain when I have so many blessings in my life?

But I still do. Yep, at times I still enjoy my little pity parties. But they don't last long these days. Just like jalapeno pepper in your eye, it smarts but it will go away.

I have no fear any longer (well, I sometimes get twinges) because I know God is in control and that if I can show that I can trust Him wholeheartedly, well, he can work miracles! And I know he has great plans for me. And that's why I'm not worried about a home and a job. My faith in Him must be stronger than my fear of being unemployed and homeless. Because if I become homeless I'll begin a great homeless ministry!

Let go and let God.

Here's the saying on my calendar today:
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

Favorite Kid Photos

MY FAVORITE KID PHOTOS

I have kids and I have grandkids, but my most favorite "photos" are these pencil drawings of the Greatest Father loving all His children.

Young or old, we have an Everloving Father who cares soooooo deeply for us that he never sleeps. God smells the heads of little babies and breathes happiness into their little souls. He's the one that slaps the teenager upside the head every now and then when the teen suddenly has an "Aha!" moment.

And in our older years, God's hands are the light pressure that rests on our shoulders when we are troubled. He's in the bridal bouquet, take a deep breath. He is in that street lamp on the corner as you head home not realizing how late it is. If you happen to stub your toe, do you think maybe God tripped you? Stop and think.

I have memories of my dad that are nowhere near the memories I have of my Father. First of all my dad insisted we call him "Ted" because that's what his name was. My Father said he is the great "I AM" as noted:

Of all the names attributed to God in the Bible, "I AM" is one of the most intriguing. With this name, God declares His eternal, everpresent existence, and reveals that He has existed and always will, throughout all of history. It was a breathtaking declaration, and something that the false gods of Egypt in Moses' day could never match. (Gospel.com)

Ted would get drunk, beat my mom, abuse us kids, and then make us say our prayers each night and go to church on Sunday. I AM was there with us through all of this, holding our hands, helping us sleep, softening the blows, reminding of us of things yet to come.

Okay, now I'm getting off track. Back to kids and favorite photos.

Love your kids, love all kids. And take lots of photographs. In the movie Australia I love this part that the Drover says,
"Everything I own I can fit into my saddlebag. But all that can be taken away, and in the end the only thing you really own is a story."

A story is blessed with pictures. Fire can destoy your possessions, including photos. Yet while you have the photos you can create the story again and again. Keep those stories for you kids and your grandkids. We always love a good story, right?

God is with you. Let him know you care. He's waiting to hear from you.

Oh! Excuse me, I think I hear God calling now.

Cherry Cinnamon Jello Delight

This has been one of my easiest and most favorite of all side dishes to make and serve. Now it's yours, too.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup Red Hots - cinnamon candies
1 cup water
3 oz. package Cherry Jello
2 cups applesauce

DIRECTIONS:

Melt red hots in water over low heat on stove top.
Add Jello, remove from heat and stir until Jello is dissolved.
Stir in the applesauce. Pour into square glass dish/cake pan, and refrigerate until set.

Cut into squares and serve on lettuce leaf for a pretty presentation.

Depending on the altitude and humidity you may have to adjust the amount of water.


As I love collecting recipes I am soooooooo excited about this recipe blog hop. I hope you all will enjoy this recipe as much as I have enjoyed it over the years. It's especially colorful for Christmas!

Favorite Photo and Caption

hmmmm, now what would that be?

How about my profile photo? That's MotherMoses making a doily at Hobby House Hill in Bowie, Texas.


Actually, Hobby House Hill is mainly known as a scrapbooking retreat. I've been fortunate the last couple years to spend the weekend twice a year and it's been pretty awesome.
This particular weekend I was crocheting a doily as a thank you gift for the owner. Right, crocheting at a scrapbooking retreat. Well, that's the wonder of it all, I took the "hobby" part literally. I spend the weekend knitting or crocheting (or both), reading, floating in the pool, scrapbooking, or just plain relaxing. And the cost is VERY reasonable for all the home cooked meals provided.
Well, this fall, I will miss the fun and relaxation. I can blame the economy but in all honesty, I screwed up. So now I'm living life as I never have before. Life changes and we do what we can.
Now, let me tell the story of "MotherMoses" - oops - that's another blog for another day, another time.

Day one introduction

Hey, always gotta try something new and here it is BLOG HOP!

Sounds exciting and fun, now to accept the commitment!

Ready, set, go....

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