remembering a teacher

Jennifer at Trading Ashes for Beauty is starting Friday with Friends this week. She is going to post a subject or question on Friday and then you have until the next Friday to post about it. This week's question is "Who was your favorite teacher?" That was a long, long time ago for me! I've been mulling it over and I remember things that I liked about several teachers. But, it didn't seem like enough to call them "my favorite". Then I thought about Mrs. Guttenberg, 6th grade. At the time, I probably would have said I didn't like her much at all. She was very serious, didn't smile much and ran a "tight ship" as far as the classroom was concerned. But, she expected us to do our best, to be responsible, to have our assignments ready when they were due, and to show respect for her and our fellow classmates. Also, every day after lunch, she read to us for 30 minutes. She chose great books that captured our attention and our imagination. It was the best part of the day. At the time, I didn't realize she was teaching us about the joy of reading...... sneaky, huh? :-) I'm sure she didn't remember me much past that year, but I will always remember her and the important things she taught me in that red brick school house so many years ago.

bought and paid for

We were a little later than usual leaving for church this morning. When we were almost there, J said. jokingly,"I bet somebody else has gotten our seat... bought and paid for." I said, "Jesus did that a long time ago." We both laughed. I started to think about the truth of that.....Jesus did, indeed, purchase our place in the Body of Christ and in Heaven.

".....to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light...... that they may receive forgiveness from sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:18
"In my Father's house are many rooms......I go there to prepare a place for you......I will come back and take you to be with me with so that you can be where I am." John 14:2-3

In addition to Christ's sacrifice, many others have paid the price for me to sit in that seat in that church and worship freely without fear of penalty, torture or death. They are the ones we are remembering this weekend. They are the ones we honor when we fly our flags. They are the ones we should thank God for, not just on Memorial Day but every day. And not only for those who died but all those, past and present, who are willing, even eager, to serve their country and protect us. So, for the men and women in blue, gray, green, and white.....May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and give you peace. Amen"

the chocolate glazed enemy!

When you are trying to diet and your husband walks in the door with these because he knows you like them but has forgotten that you are trying to diet because he is thin and has never had to diet a day in his life.....breathe..... do you kiss him or punch him? Do you thank him for being so thoughtful or do you scream..."You're killing me!" So far I haven't eaten one and my sweet girl said, as she was devouring one this morning, "They're really not that good, Mom." Yeah, right. Lord, give me strength!

a gift that keeps on giving

We woke up to a nice surprise this morning ....


We have the Thompsons to thank for these daylilies. We bought our house from them in 1976. We don't know when they planted them, but we have enjoyed them every year since we moved in. There are only about a dozen, but they are faithful to bloom on cue every spring. The Thompsons had no idea what a nice gift they were leaving for us or that we would be here to be blessed by them for so long..... and neither did we!
"Consider the lilies how they grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that Solomon, even in his splendor was not dressed like one of these."Luke 12:27

country treasures

I am a country girl.... well, at heart anyway. Our house has lots of heart of pine paneling, which may date it, but we love it! I believe it makes our home warm and comfortable. So, country casual is our style. I have a window flanked by rounded shelves over my kitchen sink. I have" doo dads" or "what nots", or whatever you want to call them decorating the shelves. The other day, I really looked at those shelves for the first time in a long time and thought.... I need some new stuff! I still like what is there, but I think a change would be nice and refreshing. So, this week I visited our local Beall's Outlet (do you have those where you live?) and hit the jackpot! Beall's carries name brands (Sag Harbor, Gloria Vanderbilt, Chaps, Haggar, etc) at discount prices. I have bought some nice things there...skirts, sweaters, blouses, even a pair of leather Keds. I have also bought scrubs there for work. Anyway, in addition to clothes and accessories, they have housewares. I found 4 things for my shelves. I'll have to buy some other things or look in the attic for items I might recycle, but I was very happy with my "little treasures". So, here they are.....
My sweet little hen was the most expensive at $4, the other three were $1.50 each. The apple says" live simply", the verse on the hen says "within this home may love abide to bless all those who step inside". That has always been my hope and prayer...that those who visit us will feel welcome, loved, and comfortable. So, that was perfect and I just love that she is so chubby! I'm excited to see the end result. When I'm done, I'll let you see! :-)

what do you think?

On the way to church yesterday, I saw this quote on a message board in front of a dentist's office:

"A big problem is a little problem that didn't get handled"

I've been thinking about that and I've thought of few exceptions, but in general I think it might be true. What do you think?

a sweet fragrance

We picked our first gardenia yesterday. Their whiteness is so lovely and pure and their fragrance is....... oh my goodness, wonderful!
I love gardenias!
On this Sunday, my prayer is that my praise, my worship, my life might be an offering that is a sweet fragrance to the Lord.... as pleasing to Him as the lovely scent of a gardenia.
"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing." 2 Cor.2:15.