I know y'all don't come here to listen to me gripe or whine. I know you won't come back if I spend too much time bemoaning the place I find myself. So, I'm not going to drag on with a "woe is me" attitude.

I am trying to take today moment by moment, but I am so tired, so weary and weepy today.

The tears are threatening to spill over at every turn. I slept poorly and find the energy that soared over a very productive weekend to be utterly depleted as I begin a new week of homeschooling and the other tasks of life.

Visions of climbing back into bed revisit my thoughts over and over. Though I know that is wishful thinking with the three children I am entrusted to educate in some fashion today.

Yet, in the midst of my own weary journey I look out and about me. There I find others whose situations are polar different from mine. One in particular requires your attention.

Please pray for this precious family. I have been following them and praying diligently since the day before their sweet daughter, Copeland, arrived Sept. 18. Sarah shared their need for prayer, and I have been praying. I encourage you to do the same.

That's one thing I love about blogging and the availability of the internet. I cannot stay focused on myself for long. For when I get tunnel vision and begin to have a pity party, I need only look at this or this or this and be aware of how small I am and how big God is.

May we all remember His power and strength today. Please be praying, and if you think of it pray for me, too.

***FYI: If you haven't watched the video in yesterday's post, scroll on down now. Go on! It's a goodie : )

Labels: blogging, pity party, prayer, truth

Part of this post was originally published on a Monday in September 2005. With a few tweaks here and there, it fit my mood for today, too.

Man, what I discovered today is that if the mama is having a bad day--everyone has a bad day! We fit that old saying perfectly: "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"

I woke up feeling kinda crummy, and once I'd dragged myself from the bed my mood went right along with how I felt.

The day took a rapid spiral downhill during Bible this morning when I was inwardly fighting with my own hurts and disappointments. I was honest with the kids and the Lord about how I knew without His guidance I would just chuck the day altogether and forget about school.

I know my kids may still learn something today. I know that the day is not a loss.

Yet, I worry constantly that my kids are going to fall behind and miss out on something.

I am tired and just feel incredibly distracted today as a result of some things that happened over the weekend. I want to be focused on school, but I also would rather curl up with a good book and forget about the lessons and chores that need to be done today.

Libbyline is not feeling well today. She's had sinus stuff going on for days now. I think we may end up in the doctor's office before it's all said and done.
JD Green is completely and utterly focused on play.
Sweetcheeks is still coming off the excitement of her birthday (more pictures to come later this week), so she is not all that motivated to get into the mode of school today.

Pray for me. My heart is hurting, and I have yet to really take it all before the Lord and leave it with Him. I would like to find time to do that, but alone time is at a premium in my world. I'm not seeing it happen in this 24-hour cycle.

Alas, there's always tomorrow.

Labels: archives, blogging, pity party

I did this long ago in a land far away that has been lost to me forever. I was searching through my archives for my first 100 Things post, but alas, no dice.

So, I decided in keeping with tradition, as I am somewhere around my 200th post . . .

I would share a bunch of things about myself to let some of you new readers get to know me.

Here goes:

1. I am originally from the North.
2. I know, shocking that the Peach is not really a Southern belle. I am originally from Canton, Ohio. Yet, my heart has always been tied to the south. I attribute it to my great grandmother who hailed from Chattanooga, TN. That blood runs thick, y'all.
3. I came to my true home in the South in 1990.
4. In five years, I will have spent half of my life below the Mason-Dixon Line.
5. I knew in 1981 that I'd not spend my life in the North. Don't ask me how, I just knew.
6. I love just about everything about the South.
7. I especially love the beach.
8. The ocean energizes me.
9. My DP (Darling Prince) is not energized by the beach.
10. He loves the mountains.
11. We're thinking California might be a great compromise.
12. I've lived in five states.
13. I love something about all of them.
14. My favorite was Tennessee.
15. I had two children there.
16. My other was born in Texas.
17. She is still a die-hard, native Texan. I'm thinkin' they put something special in that first baby wash at the hospital.
18. I miss the Tex-Mex.
19. Salsa and chips are some of my favorite foods. Yum!
20. I'm a spicy girl.
21. My first car was a 1974 African Red Superbeetle.
22. I wrapped up in a quilt to drive that car in the winter.
23. I drove that car to my first "real" job at . . . McDonald's.
24. I love that sweet tea is a given here in the South.
25. Adding sugar to unsweetened iced tea is a futile practice.
26. I found Jesus at age 14 on a UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) winter retreat.
27. I asked Him in my heart but changed very little about my life for about four or five years.
28. I re-committed my life to Christ at a Russ Taff concert my freshman year in college.
29. My life has forever been changed for the better.
30. I've been singing in choral groups since second grade.
31. I kept thinking I'd be "discovered" (part of me still wishes I had been).
32. I've been writing in "diaries" or journals since 1978. Blogging is my most recent outlet.
33. My eyes are an interesting shade of green that my DP has likened to summer wheat.
34. I find that so much more romantic than the "hazel" I was stuck with growing up.
35. I have a brother who is five years younger than I am.
36. He still lives in Ohio, seven miles from my parents.
37. He and his wife made me an aunt and will do so again in January.
38. We are not geographically or emotionally close.
39. That makes me sad sometimes.
40. Neither of us is sad enough to make a relationship work.
41. I love pink in just about every shade.
42. Except mauve. The name of that color just makes my nose turn up.
43. Birds are not my friends.
44. I think birds are filthy creatures.
45. I only like birds after they've been dipped in coating and delivered to the drive-thru window as nuggets at Mrs. Winners.
46. I am a tea lady.
47. I collect teapots and assorted tea cups.
48. I can always unwind with a steaming cup of tea.
49. Tea parties house some of my favorite memories.
50. My dearest friend lives in Iowa.
51. We've been friends for almost 29 years.
52. We've not lived in the same state since 1990.
53. We both have three children.
54. We both have two girls and one boy.
55. We are like Anne and Diana.
56. I am Anne and she is Diana.
57. I spent four years coloring my hair different shades of red.
58. I often looked a bit like her.
59. This frightened my potential husband.
60. He didn't like the "Wynonna" red.
61. I toned it down for him.
62. He married me December 18, 1993.
63. We had a Christmas wedding, complete with Christmas carols and poinsettias.
64. I don't even really like poinsettias.
65. They were free decorations at the church.
66. I like free.
67. I am a bargain hunter.
68. I love flea markets and thrift stores.
69. I once bought a nice canvas bag for 10 cents. It lasted us eight years.
70. I recently bought a terrible pair of roller blades for way too much. They lasted 10 minutes.
71. I love to rubber stamp greeting cards and scrapbooks.
72. I don't scrapbook nearly often enough.
73. Maybe when I am a grandma.
74. I always thought I would wear lots of gold jewelry once my man bought me some.
75. Now I wear almost all silver.
76. My favorite pen color is purple.
77. It's my signature color, because I always write my signature with it. : )
78. I love music.
79. I listen to everything from Josh Groban to Journey to Jeremy Camp to Third Day to George Strait and tons more.
80. I listen to Christmas music every month but January.
81. My favorite classic Christmas song is Silent Night.
82. My favorite contemporary Christmas song is a toss up between "Merry Christmas" and "Born in Bethlehem", both by Third Day.
83. I read avidly.
84. I've read more than 30 full-length novels just this spring and summer.
85. I used to live eight blocks from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
86. I only went there AFTER I got married and came back for a visit. My DP insisted.
87. I do like football -- pro football, not so much.
88. I like college football.
89. I am a Vol fan. I know. I know. Girl from Ohio, blood running orange -- just does NOT compute.
90. Rocky Top will always have a piece of my heart after my seven years there.
91. I am a writer/editor by trade.
92. I still dream of writing more than blog entries.
93. I know there is a book in there somewhere waiting to be written.
94. I would like to try my hand at young adult fiction.
95. I am a night owl and don't usually find mornings all that agreeable.
96. I love all kinds of flowers.
97. I consider myself an amateur photographer. I love to photograph flowers. I sure can't grow them.
98. I would love to have a new digital SLR camera.
99. I can't afford to buy that camera any time soon.
100. My DP is adopted.
101. We've talked about adopting since before we had any biological children.
102. We still regularly pray and hope that one day we'll adopt.
103. God has not yet opened that door in our lives.
104. He also hasn't closed that door yet.
105. I still have a desire to travel internationally.
106. Asia is calling my name, but I'd also be willing to follow that calling to Africa.
107. I love shoes.
108. I lost 46 pairs of shoes when I was pregnant the first time.
109. My feet grew half a size with each of my pregnancies.
110. I went from a size 5 1/2 to a 7.
111. I can find lots more shoes in a size 7.
112. I now own about 30 pairs of shoes.
113. That includes a pair of red cowboy boots.
114. I've always wanted to go dancing in red cowboy boots.
115. I have a premonition that I will do that someday in Texas.
116. I love bracelets.
117. I rarely wear necklaces at all.
118. I also love wearing rings.
119. My favorite ring is now a celtic braid that I got for my birthday seven years ago.
120. I wear it more than I wear my wedding ring.
121. I'm a girly girl.
122. I run like a girl.
123. I like fru fru stuff like ribbons and silk.
124. I surround myself with none of that stuff, because I am also quite practical.
125. I am a PBS junkie.
126. I love shows like Colonial House or Frontier House.
127. We haven't had TV now for almost four months.
128. I don't really miss it.
129. Except for Paula Deen. I love that woman ; )
130. I've found lots of other ways to fill up that time I used to spend on TV.
131. I started making cards again.
132. I love it when the creative juices are flowing.
133. Netflix has been a great substitute for TV.
134. We can control what we watch as a family.
135. I love a good hot dog with ketchup, mustard and relish.
136. I also enjoy the slaw dog here.
137. Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite movies.
138. When I get tired, my life is all doom and gloom.
139. My DP has learned to insist I go to bed when I get like that.
140. We are learning we need to do the same thing with Sweetcheeks.
141. She really is my "mini-me" in more ways than just looks.
142. I can’t think quickly on my feet.
143. I was once on a debate team.
144. I was good at it then.
145. I am the most loyal friend you will ever have.
146. Unless you betray me, then I might as well have never known you.
147. I cut people from my Christmas card list every year.
148. I still send out almost 100 Christmas cards.
149. I still always forget someone until it is too late to send a card.
150. I put off getting in touch with people.
151. Then I think it is too late, so I don't call at all.
152. Then I wonder why I am lonely.
153. I am neurotic about getting bargains.
154. I agonized over the square footage available in multi-pack toilet paper.
155. I finally decided Angel Soft is the brand for me, regardless of square footage or price. It rarely clogs our toilet, and that is more important.
156. I am completely and utterly afraid of cock roaches.
157. Though we moved from the coast where they were regular visitors at my house, I still imagine I am going to find one somewhere in my house here.
158. Instead we have crickets.
159. They don't scare me.
160. They just annoy me.
161. I love moving.
162. I just don't like starting over someplace new.
163. It gets harder every time we move.
164. I am starting to feel at home here.
165. My DP has been discussing our next move.
166. My parents just don't get that.
167. They haven't moved anywhere since 1976.
168. My Dad plans to stay where he is until he dies.
169. I've been thinking a lot more about death lately.
170. I wanted to become a famous musician.
172. I once played the clarinet.
173. I wanted to play the flute.
174. The clarinet was free from my cousin.
175. I then played the cymbals in high school.
176. I wasn't very good.
177. I hate to iron.
178. I avoid it at all costs.
179. Downy Wrinkle Release is one of my favorite products.
180. I rarely plan meals ahead of time.
181. I wish I were more organized.
182. Usually I am too tired to pull it together any better than I do.
183. Being a mom has caused me to relax a good bit.
184. I am still too uptight about more than I'd like to admit.
185. I try to unload a little guilt every day.
186. Otherwise I'd never get out of bed each day.
187. I want to go to Scotland someday.
188. These books made that even more of a desire.
189. I love listening to celtic music.
190. I thoroughly enjoyed the Scottish/Irish influence present on Prince Edward Island when I visited there in 1999.
191. I hope to go back there with DP some day.
192. I always wear Daily Conditioning Treatment under my lipstick.
193. I am a certifiable Beth Moore junkie.
194. God has used her Bible studies to change. my. life.
195. Get Out of That Pit is currently changing my life.
196. The older I get, the less I know.
197. The older I get, the more I want to learn.
198. The older I get, the less I fear.
199. I am not afraid to die.
200. I am more afraid to have died, having been truly afraid to have lived.

***That is why I remind myself daily to live each and every moment

Without Fear.

If you have made it to the end of this enormously long list, bless your heart. I'd love to read your list, too, so direct me to it by leaving a comment.

Labels: All about me, blessings, blogging

This has been a fabulous week of visiting blogs, bookmarking, and entering for all sorts of giveaways. I have had a blast, and I hope all of you have, too.

Here are my winners:

For the "Too Terrific Tags" Stampin' Up! Stamp set, the winner is:

Labels: blogging, celebrations, contest, friends, giveaways

Ok, by now, y'all probably are completely bug-eyed at all the giveaways around this place . . . not to mention the HUNDREDS of free things spilling from here.

Yet, I, being the crazy and generous sort that I am . . . I have another offer for you.

Most of these giveaways we've all been speedily visiting and frantically entering with our names and pertinent information are items we can currently use and will receive very soon after the giveaway is over.

What I am offering you is a set of 24 handmade Christmas cards . . . again an assortment, because I detest making the same card over and over again. It just stunts my creativity and puts me in a box . . . creates one more need for therapy, and who has the money for that! I am giving this stuff away, remember!?!

I have no photo right now of any Christmas card, but I may post one before the end of the week : ) I know you may not be able to tell with this dark photo, but the card stock in this particular example is hunter green with an ivory fleck on the inside. There is also verse on the inside, but I couldn't get that photo to cooperate this morning.


Anyway, back to the giveaway. I will choose a winner from anyone who comments by 5 pm, Friday, July 27.

However, the clincher is . . . you will not receive the cards from me any time before September 1. If you're like me, you won't be filling out Christmas cards before Thanksgiving anyway, so this shouldn't put you in a bind to wait until Sept. to get these.

Now, to make this a little more fun than just putting . . . "Enter me, please!" . . . I would like for you to tell me your favorite Christmas song (religious or secular) and tell me why it is your favorite.

I'll get things started. I love, love, love Christmas music and listen to it every month of the year except January.

My all-time favorite is Silent Night. When I became a mommy the first time, I had such a small repertoire of songs to sing for my new baby that I resorted to singing Silent Night every night for the first year. It just continued with all of my babies until it became the most requested at our house, no matter what time of year.

My new fave is this song by Third Day. It touches my heart and reminds me of a desire God laid on my heart five years ago.

So, now it's your turn. Tell me your favorite Christmas Song and why it's your favorite!

Labels: blogging, carnival, Christmas, contest, giveaways, summer fun

So, by now, many of y'all have been tooling around the land 'o blog like leprechauns in search of a pot of gold.

I figured, after all the excitement generated today, I would just sweeten the pot, so to speak. As many of you know from this post, I recently got to meet some fantastic authors of some wonderful books. I received one in particular that might be of interest to any of you who love this author as much as I do.

I currently hold two signed copies of Karen Kingsbury's newest release, Sunrise.

I will be happy to give away one of them, considering I am still holding the other for my dearest friend.

Like with all the other giveaways this week, please enter your comments by . . . oh, let's say 5 pm Friday. I'll announce this winner with the others by Midnight Friday, the 27th.

Same rules apply as all the others. Please leave an email or a valid registered blogger id. This contest is open to all commenters, regardless of your nation of habitation currently.

Now, go on leprechauns . . . keep searching for that pot of gold. Have a great time. I know I will!

Update -- Oh, and here's another cool contest over at 5 Minutes for Mom. We love Horizons Milk and Dairy Products around here, and this is a fabulous giveaway . . . simply fabulous I tell you!

Labels: blogging, carnival, contest, giveaways, summer fun

Winner #1 is dallimomma
Winner #2 is Mandy
Still two more giveaways up for grabs here. I'll be closing comments at 5 pm Eastern Friday. Congratulations, Ladies!!!


I didn't even think I'd take part in this giveaway thingy, because I guess I just figured I wouldn't have anything to give away that anyone would want.

Yet, the Holy Spirit has hounded me all week long . . . which I thought was quite appropriate considering it is "The Dog Days of Summer" giveaway carnival.

So, welcome to Without Fear where I am fearlessly joining Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer and a host of others to give away something fun and exciting . . .

I love to make cards. I've been stamping for years. I love to share my craftiness with others.

Yet, I rarely make two cards exactly the same. I'm just a rebel that way : )



So, my giveaway is two sets of 12 assorted all-occasion hand made cards. Here is another example of one you may receive:
I will randomly choose two winners -- the first winner will come from those who comment before midnight on Wednesday and the second winner will come from those who comment before midnight Thursday. I will announce those winners Friday morning at 9 am Eastern time!

Then I will choose two other winners from the entire week of commenters who respond by 5pm Eastern Friday. Those grand prize winners will be announced before 9pm Friday from all commenters throughout the week, and those two lucky people will win one of the two stamp sets pictured below:

So, you'll actually have four chances to win here at Without Fear this week! After each drawing, you will be re-entered if you didn't win in the first round. You will also have a chance to win, even if you don't make it here until Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. So join in, and we'll have a great week of giveaways!!

Thanks so much for joining me in the bloggy carnival. I'll be out and about commenting my share this week, too, so maybe we'll bump into each other along the way! Grab a cookie while you're here and browse some of my older posts.

If this is your first time at Without Fear, WELCOME!! I'm glad you're here. If you're an old friend, I'm glad you're back again. This is a haven for me, and I hope it will be the same for you.

You must provide a valid e-mail address, but you do not have to have a blog. All duplicate comments will be deleted. Oh! Before I forget, I am opening this giveaway to all commenters, so feel free to join in you international friends : )

***UPDATE: Ladies, please leave a way to contact you if you win. If you leave no email or site at which to contact you -- I cannot find you to give you a prize!!

Labels: blogging, carnival, giveaways, summer fun

This tank is always filled with blessings. I am just going to list them a little differently this week, following the lead of Heather, who inspires me daily as she valiantly fights the battle set before her.

I am thankful this week that:

• I am alive.
• I live in a home that is warm in winter, cool in summer, and keeps out the wind and rains (except for that six foot wet spot in my garage).
  
• I have my DP who dearly loves me, tells me so often, and carries the load even when I decide to check out.
• I have three wonderful, healthy, and wise children (sometimes wisecrackers, but always wise).
  
• I am both gifted as a singer and a writer, both of which God has me using currently. (though you can't hear me sing, you can read what I write . . . hee, hee.) You'll have to trust me on the singing part.
  
• I have several dear friends who know my heart and stick with me even on the not so thankful days. (Thanks, Kate)
• I have an incredible church that preaches God's truth, reaches out to the lost, and encourages the believers so that they may continue the ministry.
  
• I know my Savior loves me, even in my darkest times.
• I have come to realize though I thought I knew Him way back when, I will spend each day longing to know Him more.
  
• I have the freedom to homeschool my children.
• I have fibromyalgia, but it doesn't have me. No, it doesn't have me. It is not cancer, and it will not kill me. It cannot steal my joy forever.
• I can have a cup of chai just about any time, and it will most certainly warm me from within.
  
• I can paint my toenails red. I know this is tiny, but I get a "happy" when my nails are bright and pretty.
  
• I get to greet another morning in the quiet of my home, meeting with the God of the Universe. What better way to begin my day.
• I have been blessed with a free pet that has consumed my three sweeties' attention for hours. Her name is Trixie, and she is a box turtle we "rescued" yesterday from the street that enters our subdivision.
  
• I know that my Savior never gives up on me, even when I think I cannot move forward one more step -- 2 Corinthians 12:9,10.
• I have understanding friends who roll with the unforeseen changes that come about in my life.
• I have this place to unleash my creativity, express my gratitude, walk fearlessly, entertain friends, and strengthen my perspective of myself.
  

Thank you for hanging in there with me. I am grateful for each of you who come back for more each week.

Now it's your turn! What makes you take notice of God's hand this week? Take it to your site with the little header. Direct me to your Thankful Thursday if you do that instead, or just leave me a comment. Share your joy and it will double. I'd love to hear how God is working in your life and your heart this week. Have a great day!

Labels: blessings, blogging, gratitude, thanks tank

Chilihead is hosting "Inquiring Minds Want to Know" Carnival. If you want to participate, go sign up on her Mr. Linky here!

Tell Your Blogging Story

How did you start blogging?
I started reading blogs right around the time we started thinking about homeschooling. I wanted to get other's opinions and expertise on the world of homeschooling, so I scavenged for any tidbits of info. I could find. I found a blog that encouraged me and bookmarked it. One day my DP was reading along with me and said, "You should start a blog. You have just as much to say as she does."

So, in August 2005, I started "Homeschooling in the Peach State", which then turned into "Peachy Keen Homeschooling," which morphed into "Just Peachy" when I quit blogging about homeschooling much at all. Then, back in March I decided to return from Typepad to free blogging and changed my focus again, marking the debut of "Without Fear".

Did you intend to be a blog with a following?

No, I never thought I'd have anyone read besides my husband and my best friend. That is all I had for about the first four months, then the "meetin'" started! I am thrilled with the friends I have made and the friendships renewed through this forum. I am blessed to have anyone who stops by read what I write. Yet, I hope it will remain a place for me to pour out my thoughts, my questions, and my musings.

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals?

I think if I had to narrow it down to one primary goal, I want those who come and read here to continually be reminded of God's blessings -- great or small. We all lead busy lives, and I pray my blog will call its readers to slow down for a moment and intentionally thank the One who gave it all. Those who comment on Thursday Thanks Tanks sure seem to understand and respond to that goal, so I would say God is successfully blessing my efforts.

A secondary, yet no less important goal is to keep my life verse and its message on the forefront of my reader's minds. God calls us to a life without fear, and I plan to encourage others as I walk my own fearless path.


Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?

Somewhat. My blog no longer centers on my homeschooling journey, but it is sprinkled throughout all I do. I found I am not always the "funny story" mom, but I am always a thankful one. So my posts reflect the areas of my strength and my own personal focus here at home.

What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?

I wish I'd been more aware of how much of an addiction this habit could become. Although I don't know that it would have made a difference. Blogging has taught me a ton about myself, my habits, my time management, my relationship development skills, and more than I can record here. I am glad to know what I do now. It has given me the wisdom to proceed more astutely from this place.

Do you make money with your blog?

No. Sure wish I did. It would maybe compensate for the time I spend here. I'd love to be invited to make money from BlogAds, too. I would also be up for reviewing products so I can try cool, new things, too.

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?

My immediate family all know about it and read it regularly. My kids love being spotlighted for something they have done, funny or otherwise.

My folks and my brother do not choose to have access to the internet, so they have never read my blog at all. My mom appreciates all the prayer warriors I have met and will share prayer requests that I can tell my blogger friends : )


What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?

Be yourself! Find your own niche and write about the things you love. Don't try to duplicate what you determine is "popular" and go with that. Authenticity is what keeps readers coming back for more. (I guess that was four pieces . . .)

I am a better blogger now than I was in the beginning, simply because I have re-discovered my love for writing and reading. I no longer am concerned with the number of comments or whether people are telling anyone to come visit me. I participate when I can, and I enjoy it immensely when I do.

So, I do blog . . . I am . . . and I am happy. That's all I have to say about that.

Labels: blogging, creativity, friends, mind dribbles

Nothing really cohesive going on here. I've been flitting and fluttering this way and that lately. One moment I am faithful, strong, and steadfast. The next I am griping, grumpy, and faithless. I want to do right. I want to be good. Yet, the rewards seem so far out there. I struggle. I fail. I miss the mark. (I know you're probably thinking, "So, don't we all?")

Yet, I desire to be firm, to hold fast to my convictions, to finally feel able to have others follow the Jesus in me. I barely feel like I am making any head way in this journey much of the time, though I pray, I read, and I regularly meet with other believers on the path with me.

Our pastor spoke on heaven last night, and he asked at the beginning of his message how many of us were ready to go there right now. A smattering of hands shot up, but more of us were in the next group, "How many of you want to go to heaven some day, just not. right. now?"

That is me all the way. I remember when I had to do the biopsy thing back in Feb. My first thought when I contemplated my mortality was . . . not yet, God. NOT YET!! Why is it that I am so not ready to go to my eternal home, though I know it will be more than I could ever hope or imagine? I want to be with my Father, because I know He is waiting for me. Yet, I can't loosen my grasp on the temporal things in front of me.

Now, I don't mean that I am some material girl who can't let go of all the "things" that I consider treasures here on earth. Very little I own or possess fits into that category at all. I think I've learned via parenthood to hold my "valuables" quite loosely. I've found true joy and fulfillment in the "treasures" that have no monetary value whatsoever. These are a few:

• The twinkling eyes of my JD Green when he sees me first thing in the morning
• The sound of my DP's voice when he begins the day, comes home from work, or tells me I am beautiful . . . just one more time.
• The unabashed, uninhibited laughter of my Sweetcheeks when she is fully enjoying God's creation around her.
• The cackling of my Libbyline when she has clued into a new "funny" to her.
  
• The newfound grace with which Libbyline moves now that she's taken dance.
• The tenderness found in the mundane routine of bed time, snuggling, praying and sharing from the heart.

I could go on and on, but I hope this paints a bit of a picture of why I struggle with wanting to be with these dear ones and leaving for eternity with my Father in heaven. I want to be with Him, but I can't imagine my life any differently than what is before me day in and day out. The rewards of heaven are but a filmy mist in light of the reality of today.

I watched Elizabeth Edwards interviewed tonight, and I was in tears over her words regarding her cancer and her relationship to her children. She said that the scariest part of her having cancer is having to someday, sooner than she'd planned, have to "tell these sweet children and unbelieveable man goodbye." I am not in her shoes, but my mama's heart, my wifely heart is linked with hers.

Death is a reality for all of us. One other statement from this interview struck a chord with me:

"Everybody who's sitting at this table who isn't going to die, raise your hand."

So true. It is so simple and yet so complex all at once. My prayer is that I would live my life to the fullest each and every day God gives me. Though I want to go to heaven some day, I still have much to do here on earth. May I be a good steward of the days, redeeming the time. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

I'll leave you with a quote. It spoke to my heart today. I pray it resonates with yours as well.

As Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in His prayers.
As Jesus looked into heaven, you were in His vision . . .
His final prayer was about you. His final pain was for you.
His final passion was you.
~Max Lucado

Labels: blogging, mind dribbles

I have been reading my friend, Morning Glory's blog almost from the beginning, because I found her through her daughters, Beth and Karen.

She is witty. She is fun. She is a fabulous mom and grandmother. Morning Glory is not old enough to be my mom, yet she's lived enough life ahead of me to lead the way gracefully and with finesse. I like her a bunch, and I am grateful to have her on this path of faith a bit in front of me.

She has generously dubbed me a "Thinker" and has granted me the"Thinking Blogger Award". She got it from An Ordinary Mom, who says this means I know how to think and write in such a way that causes others to think. I'm incredibly humbled and extremely flattered. Anyway, the purpose of this award is to “Pay it Forward” to five other bloggers that inspire me and get me to thinking.

So, following Morning Glory's lead, here are my five picks and why they stir up the "fluff" in my Silly Old Bear's brain (in random order):

• Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer has been one of my favorites from the very first day I ventured outside of my own little, bitty blogging window to the world. She is fun, yet she is organized and helpful in the midst of all the chuckles she sends our way. She is the absolute guru of memes and probably never guessed in a million years what WFMW would do for her blog traffic. Way to go, girlie! I have laughed with this dear woman and cried right along with her, too. She makes me think just about daily: about being a better mommy, better wife, better friend, and most importantly the best lover of Jesus I can be.

• Momrn2 at My Quiet Corner has become one of my dearest friends here in this place we call the blogosphere. We comment. We email. We talk on the phone semi-regularly, yet never long enough. She inspires me and encourages me. She convicts me and points me back to Scripture through her posts. She is someone who I would regularly invite over for coffee if we lived close. She and I share many things in common, yet we are different enough to be interesting to the other. I am so thankful she and I have crossed paths in this forum. My hope is that we'll meet one day face-to-face.

• Kim at Lifesong shares my heart for adoption and finds herself fully in the midst of the waiting period to bring her sweet daughter, Lydia, home from China. Kim's posts regularly inspire me and bring me new perspective in my faith. I thoroughly enjoy her tips on homeschooling, raising four lovely and God-fearing children while patiently awaiting a fifth, being a Godly wife, and keeping an orderly home.

• Shalee keeps her diner hopping while serving up delicious morsels on a regular basis. She is spunky and most of her "entrees" come complete with a side of sassy that doesn't offend me at all. Just when you think you might never stop laughing at one of her tales, she comes up with something that stops you in your tracks and makes you ponder for a day, maybe two. I can only hope that someday God will see fit for me to hug my little firecracker friend around the neck.

• My other blogging buddy, Chilihead, has been making me laugh OUT LOUD for over a year now. She is a bonafide celebrity in our home, and her children's sweet faces grace our refrigerator. She is bawdy and loads of fun. I love hearing about her "Wild Thing" and "Max". She always enlightens me with new topics I've never experienced anywhere else. Many days I walk away scratching my head. Yet, I am thinking, definitely thinking. Most of all, I am devoted to making sure I someday see her without those glasses.
  
  
  So, those are my five Award Winners. Your responsibility, if you choose to accept it is to take the little banner/award and "pay it forward" to the people who cause you to think. Let someone know that what they say day in and day out matters to you.
  
  These lovely women have all said something that mattered to me.

  Labels: awards, blogging, friends, thinking