When Left To My Own Devices

Mr. Studley's been out of town this week. When he's away, I get lonely and bored. When I'm lonely and bored, I tend to eat...too much. It's a bad habit which should come with a Surgeon General's warning.

Yesterday, I baked the Muffins That Taste Like Donuts recipe from Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen. Where have these things been all my life? The recipe is so simple, you can hardly call it cooking. The ingredients are something most of us have on hand at any given time. I baked these early yesterday evening and had two for dessert after dinner. At such time as you see above on my kitchen clock (I'm a night owl), I caved, and had to have three more. I had milk rather than coffee with them. I took that picture this morning. In my defense, these weren't full sized muffins. They were more like mini-me muffins. I used a mini-muffin pan. If I bake them that way again, I'll pick up some more mini-muffin pans, as I had to bake them in three batches.

Incidentally, my kitchen walls are not that pukish pinkish peachish color they appear in the clock photo, but are actually a pleasant pale yellow. You can see why I try and take most of my pictures outside in daylight, but that doesn't work when I'm binging on muffins that taste like donuts in the middle of the night.

They just kept calling my name. Renna....Renna...come eat us....and so I did.

And I had them again for breakfast this morning.

Oh, ick. I just realized my coffee looks as funky as my wall color. I can't even come up with a name for that color. Suffice it to say, that's not what color it was.

On the knitting front, I'm still cranking out dishcloths. I should take them outside and photograph them, but 100 degree weather and I are not friends. I need to be knitting a baby gift and a pair of socks for my mom for her upcoming birthday. Clearly, I lack self-discipline. Too often, I eat what I want when I shouldn't, and knit what I want when I should be knitting something else.

Speaking of knitting, A Friend to Knit With is having a giveaway. She's giving away a copy of Debbie Bliss' Design It, Knit It: Babies. All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment between now and Monday the 26th at 12 pm EST. Posting about it on your blog is not a requirement. I just want you knitters to have a chance at winning. The book has such adorable patterns in it.

I want to thank everyone for the nice comments on my last post. I guess misery does love company, as it was somehow comforting to me to see that others of you have similar feelings of 'blahness'. I say, blah-dee-dah to those blahs. I'm going to enjoy my weekend. How about you?

I think I need to meditate on 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

**********************************************

I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

~the Message

*****************************************************

Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

~Amplified Bible

Lazarus

I haven't posted here in a month. I appreciate the e-mails I've received wondering where I am. It is a nice feeling to be missed, and have others notice when you aren't where you normally are. Contrary to the suspicions of Marcy, at Blessings Each Day, I am not trying to see how many comments I can tally up between extended postings. Hardy har, Mar. ;-)

Just as when I took a break over the Christmas and New Year holidays, I find my absence here indicative of the time of year at hand. Spring has been calling me outdoors. We have some pretty uncomfortable weather in these parts during the summer. It gets really hot, and really humid. I know that any work I do outdoors has to be done in the spring, because once the temperatures register in the upper 90's, with high humidity to boot, I begin my summer hibernation. Air-conditioning, thou art my friend!

We had a bad storm around here a few weeks ago. Trees toppled all over town. We didn't lose any of our trees, but a very large limb (the size of a small tree!) did break off and land in our front yard. I awoke before daylight to the sound of the fierce wind and driving rain. I began to pray, as did Mr. Studley. That huge limb could so easily have fallen toward our house, but I think a mighty angel forced it the other direction.

In the early afternoon, the day of the storm, Mr.S was cleaning storm debris from our front lawn when he came inside and said "you'd better come look at this". The forboding in his voice made me want to do just the opposite! I followed him around the corner of the house to see a dead baby bird lying on it's back in the grass. Flies were crawling all over it, in it's eyes, and down in the crevices of it's feathers. I said "it's dead", frankly wondering why he wanted me to look at a dead bird. He said he thought so, too, until he nudged it with his foot and saw it move. I picked up a tiny branch with leaves and used it to shoo the flies away. When I touched it's head, it did move, ever so slightly.

Mr. Studley asked me if there was anything we could do for the bird. It had obviously been lying there on it's back since the pre-dawn hours when the storm occurred. First of all, it had gone too long without being fed, considering it was now afternoon. Baby birds don't drink water. They receive their hydration from the food their mother feeds them, and she does so about every 15-20 minutes of daylight hours at that stage of life. This little fellow wouldn't have had anything to eat since dusk the evening before when mom settled in the nest to roost for the night. I knew he was likely dehydrated, and pneumonia was probably settling into his lungs; aside from the fact that he appeared to have a broken back.

I told Mr. S that the bird would die, but I couldn't bear leaving it to die in the grass with flies crawling all over it. I got a small box from the house, and lined it with a piece of old, soft t-shirt from the rag bag. It's legs were extended straight out, and it was as stiff as a board. I gently placed it in the box, and walked toward the house. Mr. S asked if I'd prayed for it. I said, "yes, I did. I asked God to take it quickly, so it would be out of it's misery". He, ever the optimist, who walks in great faith, said "why didn't you pray and ask God to heal it?". Insert eye roll. Somehow, I just knew he was going to ask me that! It isn't that I don't think God's capable of healing a bird. It was my own lack of faith I was doubting. I was reminded of the scripture that we are all given a measure of faith. God is no respector of persons. Jesus lives inside of me, and He has complete faith. Therefore, so do I.

I have prayed prayers of healing before, both for people and animals. As I stretched forth my hand toward this little bird, I had a sense that something was different. I slowed myself down, realizing this was no time for hurrying. As I placed my hand on that little bird's broken body, I closed my eyes and imagined the very hand of Jesus stretching forth, healing that little bird. It wasn't a goosebump feeling, or a bright light shining from Heaven. It was simply an awareness of Who lives in me. It gave new meaning to my mind of the scripture that says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

I carried the box through the house to the garage, and placed it on the chest freezer. I knew it would be safe from the cat there. It was a busy day, as you can imagine. My son and his buddy arrived with a chainsaw and a chipper shredder to clean up the tree limb from the yard. After about an hour, I went out and checked the bird. When I touched him, he tried to raise his head, which was more movement than before. I truly didn't give it much thought, then went on outside to help with the clean-up. About an hour after that, I thought to check him again. This time, he'd pulled one leg up under his body. The other leg remained stiffly extended. Back I went to helping clean. This time, I let a couple hours go by before thinking to check on him. Both legs were now pulled up under him, though he still lay stiffly.

After all the clean up was done, Mr.Studley had gone off to the shower, and my son and his buddy left to return the equipment. I again remembered to check on the bird. As I looked in that box, he was sitting there. I said "well, hey there, fella, how're you doing?". If you've ever had any dealings of caring for baby birds (fledgelings) in the wild, you'll know they are terrified of you for the first day or so. If you attempt to capture one whose on the ground, you have to be so very careful, as they'll injure themselves trying to get away from you. The only time I do try and capture one is if I know it's orphaned, or Mamma is nowhere around, and cats are. As I looked at the little bird and spoke to it, he remained quite calm, apparently unafraid of me. SO unafraid that he hopped from the box onto my finger! This was so amazing, for as I said, a normal bird would be trying desparately to escape if physically able. This bird came toward me. He just sat there on my finger looking at me. A bird, that several hours before lay seemingly dead in the grass. Folks, that is what I call a miracle.

I walked outside with little newly named Lazarus on my finger. My son had arrived back home by this time. I asked him to take some pictures before I released Lazarus. I walked around the yard for several minutes, hoping Lazarus would call his mommy. By this time, Mr.Studley had come outside and was staring in amazement at the bird he'd last seen looking dead hours earlier. After a few minutes, Lazarus cried out in that hungry cry that says "Mom, I'm hungry, what's for dinner"? You know how it thrills your heart when your child who has been sick finally says "I'm hungry?" After a couple of times of doing that, I noticed a Robin flying into the tree above our heads. She began circling around from branch to branch. It was Mamma Robin! I placed little Lazarus on a low lying branch in a small tree, then retreated to the porch to observe. Mamma Robin flew straight to Lazarus. After giving him a once-over, she flew to the ground, quickly got a worm, then flew back to the tree to feed Lazarus. We watched this for about 15 minutes, then went inside. The next morning, Lazarus still sat in that same spot, and Mamma Robin was still feeding him every few minutes.

That afternoon, they left the tree, but we continued to see them in our yard and the neighbor's yards for the next week or two. We knew it was them, because little Lazarus would hop along behind her as she was searching for food. When she got something, she'd take it to him. His little wings would start to flap excitedly as he gobbled down his dinner. Over a period of several days, we watched this, and saw Lazarus growing, and eventually flying. We were reminded of God's goodness and His power each time we watched them. Lazarus is now full grown, and we can no longer pick him out from the other birds, but we know he's fine. God is good!

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

~Matthew 10:8 New American Standard

April 19th, A Day of Remembrance

April 19, 1985 Drowning death of my late husband, John, in a scuba diving accident at Possum Kingdom Lake, Palo Pinto County, Texas. Many people's lives were affected by the tragedy of that day. His children, wife, mother, siblings, in-laws, co-workers, neighbors, and good friends were all affected in some way by his sudden eviction from this world. Life did go on, but for those of us suffering the loss of this one person, it was never quite the same.

April 19, 1993 The Waco Siege. The Mount Carmel Center at the Branch Davidian Ranch in Waco, Texas, went up in flames. Seventy-six people, including more than 20 children and two pregnant women, died in that fire. A grave tragedy which affected the lives of so many people. No doubt, survivors of the victims still bear the pain and scars of their loss that day.

April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. A terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building created an explosion that took the lives of 168 people, including 19 children and three pregnant women, and left over 800 injured. Prior to the terrorist attack of 9/11, this was the deadliest act of terror against the U.S. on American soil. It is hard to imagine the number of people who were, and continue to be, adversely affected by the tragic losses of that day.

April 19, 2009 I pray for peace this day. I pray that those who walk in unforgiveness would realize they must forgive to be forgiven. I pray that the hearts of God's people would turn toward Him, their Creator. I pray we would recognize Him as the Loving Daddy He is, and not as a harsh judge who is often blamed for the tragedies mankind has brought on himself. He longs to pull His children into His arms, just as a good and loving earthly father would with his own children. I wouldn't give for the relationship I have with Him. I don't blame Him for the tragedies that have occurred in my own life, but I do thank Him for helping me through them. He is real. He is alive. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

The photos were taken by my son on a visit to the Oklahoma City bombing site memorial.

*******************************************************If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.~II Chronicles 7:14 Amplified Bible

Christmas Past & Present

I've been in a blogging funk lately. Isn't it funny how many new words there are in our vocabulary that our grandparents didn't have in their's? I can't imagine my Nanny, God rest her soul, using words like "blog funk". Of course, I can't imagine Nanny saying things like GPS, or having a cell phone, or knowing what Tivo is, either. The explosion in technology in the last twenty-five years blows my mind. Daniel prophesied in the bible that knowledge would be increased in the last days.

Between my blogging funk, and my efforts to provide some handmade Christmas gifts this year, I've been very busy. I have commented on a blog here and there, but for the most part, I'm so far behind in my blog reading, I fear I shall never catch up. I may just mark you all as read on January first, and start fresh. I would appreciate it if you didn't post anything too exciting or too funny until then. Speaking of January first, that is my one year blogiversary. The year has flown by, and it's been fun! I look back at some of my early posts and I cringe with embarrassment at how goofy I sounded. Of course, I do the same thing with my current posts, so that's not sayin' much.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I'll likely be on haitus until after Christmas. If I don't manage to post again before then, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

***

Last year at this time, my daughter, Nikki, and her boyfriend, Jim, were living in Minneapolis. Prior to Christmas day, they spent a few days in the Wiscconsin Dells, making merry with Jim's (very merry) family. Their plans were to stay home for Christmas, since Nikki couldn't take more than a day or so off from work. However, when they got back to Minneapolis from visiting Jim's family, Nikki got very sad, thinking of her family back in Texas. Having just moved back from Germany earlier that year, she'd already missed three Christmases at home.

Jim, sensing the quiet mood in someone who is rarely quiet, and being the thoughtful and sensitive guy he is, suggested they make a whirlwind trip to Texas. Taking just enough time to shower and repack their bags, they hit the road and drove all day (in heavy snow through Iowa), and all night, arriving on our doorstep Christmas Eve morning. They didn't call, as Nikki wished to surprise us, and surprised, we were! My shrieks of delight could have shattered glass. Their plans were to leave the very next day, but we convinced them to stay and leave the morning after Christmas. Nikki called and managed to clear it with her boss. It was a wonderful Christmas!

That's Nikki holding our dog, Leyna, and Thing on the left.

Oh, look, Thing grew a body!

Seriously, that's Jim and Nikki, laughing at John's (her bubba) reaction to a comical gift they bought him. That ugly looking unidentifiable spot on the wall in the background? Don't ask.

Those happy memories will have to do me this year, as there's positively no chance they'll show up on our doorstep this Christmas Eve. Though I didn't figure they'd return to the states this soon after their move to England (last September), I had hoped they'd come home next year for the holidays. That won't likely happen. Since going to work at the daycare on base (which she loves!), Nikki's learned they have a drawing each June to see who gets to take time off at Christmas. Of course, Nikki wasn't even there yet this past June. She'll get off for Christmas and the day after, but that's it. At least we'll be able to talk to them on the phone while watching them on the webcam. I can just hear my Nanny's reaction at watching someone on a webcam who's thousands of miles across an ocean. My Swaaaaaaan, she'd say, with her voice rising at the end. I sure miss my Nanny. And I sure miss my Nikki. I thank God for modern technology.

Merry Christmas, and God bless you all!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

~Luke 2:10-14

Sacrifice

This video is only a few minutes long, but in those few minutes it manages to illustrate a powerful message.

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
~John 3:17 Amplified Bible

In Flew Enza!

I had a little bird,
It's name was Enza.
I opened the window,
And in-flu-enza.

A children's playground song in 1918.

Back in the 80's, I watched a movie on VHS titled "1918". Matthew Broderick was one of the cast. This was back before he was thrust to fame in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. 1918 was pretty much a sleeper. I'm not even sure if it was released in the theaters. It wasn't a blockbuster sort of movie by any means, but it was good, especially if you like period films. It gives the viewer a sense of what life was like for our ancestors in the year 1918. WWI, also known as "the Great War", was coming to a close. It was declared by a character in the movie to be "the war to end all wars".

More people were killed by the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 than in all of WWI. It was known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe", and infected one-fifth of the world's population. Unlike most flu strains, it was young people who were predominantly infected, the average age being 20-40 year olds. Death would sometimes happen within hours of the onslaught of symptoms. As you can imagine, the consequences to society were devastating!

Aunt Leona & Toby

This is my husband's Aunt Leona. She turned 90 this year. She's a pretty good looking broad for a 90 year old, wouldn't you say? She's been visiting for the past couple of weeks, taking turns staying at the homes of Mr.Studley's two sisters. We've had ample opportunities to spend time with her. She's amazing. Not only is her mind sharp and clear, but she loves the Lord, and loves to talk about Him. Her depth of knowledge and understanding of spiritual things, and God's Word, is astounding.

Aunt Leona, or as some of the relatives here in Texas pronounce it, Ain't Leona, was born in the year of 1918. My late mother-in-law was three years old, and her baby sister, Leona, was six months old, when their mother's life was snuffed out by the horrid influenza. Word was sent to the dead young mother's sister and mother that she had perished, and that the baby would be buried with her in the casket. They were told there was no milk to feed the baby who'd not eaten since midnight; and besides, they were certain it was only a matter of time before the babe fell ill as well. My understanding of this story is that this word was sent by the local midwife, who I assume had tended to the sick mother. I'm not sure where the father was in this picture. This little motherless baby, with no one to nurse it, and no one to tend to it (there were several other children in the home), was going to be buried alive!

Aunt Leona's aunt and grandmother immediately sent back word that they were not to bury the baby, but to hold off until they could arrive, that they'd take the baby home with them. Word was returned that it would be foolish to come there and expose themselves. They went anyway, and the baby was handed to them through a window, to keep them from having to enter the house. The baby had already been dressed in burial clothes.

It's hard in our modern day thinking to imagine such a horrific thought as buring a baby alive (though thousands are killed each day in the wombs), but we haven't a clue what life must have been like in that time period, and in those circumstances. People were dying right and left. Doctors and nurses were dying along with the patients. Entire families were wiped out from the influenza. It's such a testimony of the power of God that Leona's life was spared. The aunt and grandmother raised her on their farm in Kentucky. She shared some wonderful memories with us of her childhood there.

I'm not sure at what age, but Aunt Leona was later introduced to Jesus as her Savior by her older sister, Mr.S' mom. She shared with Mr.S and I last night how she and her sister (his mom) loved to sit and talk about the Lord together. She remembers one night while visiting her sister when they were adults, that they spent the entire night lying in bed, sharing with each other the goodness of God.

My late mother-in-law died a few years ago, at the age of 90. Numerous people approached us at the family visitation night in the funeral home and told us how it was Miz T---that first introduced them to the Lord. I can only hope to leave behind the legacy such as these two sisters have, one now with Jesus, and one still living here for Him; to be known as someone who was passionate in my love for Christ, and always bold to share it with others.

*I gathered my smattering of facts about the influenza pandemic of 1918 at this site.
If you'd like to learn more, click on the link. I only scratched the surface of the shared facts.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

~Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible

Give Me Your Eyes

I'm rather busy today, so I'm skipping my Simple Woman's Daybook entry this week. My women's group meets tonight and I haven't even shopped yet for something good to cook and take to it. I had to take Putty Tat to the vet this morning. I am thankful that her ailment was treatable. She has a bladder infection. The doctor said she's not really in pain, she just feels the sensation of needing to "go", if you get my drift. The nice vet gave her a shot, gave me a bottle of Amoxicillin, and a bill for $81. Ouch! Now, who's in pain?

I first heard the song in the video below at Kay's, at The Rustic Cottage. She has it playing in her Playlist. The words gripped me. I immediately set about to see if there was a video which accompanies the song. Before you view the video, if you don't know Kay, or read her blog, I'd encourage you to do so. She's had a very rough past year, losing her job, and struggling to make ends meet as a single mom. Yet she always brings glory to God in her posts. In her post today, titled Thanksgiving Blessings, she shares the special way the Lord met her need this week. It demonstrates her faith, and His faithfulness. If you read it, you will be blessed.

The song in this video is my daily prayer. I'm sorry for the years I wasted, not being about my Father's business. We are all here for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Lord, let me not see the external of those I meet, but rather let me see with Your eyes into their hearts, and let me look with Your love and compassion, offering Your hand extended to those who are hurting and in need.

Brandon Heath -Give Me Your Eyes

Do you not say, It is still four months until harvest time comes? Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields and see how they are already white for harvesting.
~John 4:35 Amplified Bible

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...Outside my Window... I am seeing the dwindling down of the Morning Glories. Before long, the view there will be drab. I'm thinking of planting Pansies this year. They bloom through the winter. I love their smiling faces, which always make me smile back.

I am thinking... about our ladies meeting at church tonight. Last week was enjoyable, though I do hope we can spend less time eating and more time meeting. I love the fellowship and sharing of our meal beforehand, but last week, we barely had time for a quick prayer at the end of our meeting, as some needed to go to pick up kids. I feel that prayer is such an important part of our time together.

From the learning rooms... eh...not so much going on there.

I am thankful for.... the two new (to me) burgundy leather recliners in my living room. My next door neighbors ordered new ones and asked if we knew anyone interested in buying their old ones. They aren't old, they just aren't new. They look great, and I know she paid mucho money for them new. She said she'd sell one for $75, and let the other one go for free. You just can't beat a deal like that! ;-)

From the kitchen... there is a queso dip with taco meat in it, ready to take to my ladies group tonight. I just need to stop and pick up a bag of dipping tortilla chips. I need to figure out what to leave here for dinner, though. I'm thinkin' somethin' simple.

I am wearing... my nightshirt and flipflops. I haven't even had my first cup of coffee or put in my contacts yet. My day is definitely out of order.

I am reading... eh...not so much. Does bathroom reading count?

I am hoping... I can sell the two small wingback chairs I had in my living room.

I am creating... dishcloths and hats with my knitting needles.

Around the house... I've been decluttering. It's an ongoing chore around here. I've always been such a packrat. I've either bought (mostly at thrift stores) or been given way too many things over the years that I've kept for "some day". I don't do that anymore. I have a hard and fast rule with myself now. If I can't use it now, or at least within the next season, or if I don't know someone else who needs it, it doesn't come home with me. The problem is, I have years and years accumulation of "stuff" that I got before I instituted that rule! Which reminds me of one of my favorite movie lines, from the Jerk.

"I don't care about losing all the money. It's losing all the stuff"

One of my favorite things... is apple crisp. Maybe I'll bake some today!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... to go through the antique buffet in my dining room, which is used for anything but a buffet table. It's a huge piece of furniture with three drawers across the top, and a cabinet on each side below. There are things stuffed back in those cabinets that have probably not seen the light of day in fifteen years. Disgraceful, I know. It's definitely time.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...of my little dog, Leyna. Bear with me, I don't show a fraction of the pictures of her that I'd like. I do realize not all people melt into puddles over cute pup pics the way I do. When my son and daughter were packing their overnight bags to go to 6-Flags last August, Leyna crawled into one of their bags. My son zipped it nearly closed and snapped this picture of her. I think she wanted to go to 6-Flags, too.

~Visit The Simple Woman's blog to see how you can participate in the weekly Daybook on your own blog. Click on The Simple Woman's Daybook icon in her sidebar for instructions.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

~Jeremiah 29:11

The above scripture was spoken to me by a friend the day after I learned my late husband had drowned while scuba diving. I felt like I was drowning in despair, and truthfully, the scripture did not bring me great comfort at the time. However, she told me God gave her that Word for me. In the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, I did cling to that Word from God. I stood on it as His promise to me, and He kept good on His promise!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
Outside my Window... I see drooping tree branches, their still green leaves weighted down with the morning's rain.


I am thinking... about how very much I love this time of year. Even when raining, it's so nice to sit outside on my porch and enjoy the cool air .


From the learning rooms... I am hoping to learn to use the embroider/sewing machine my mom left here for me to try. It would be nice to be able to make personalized gifts for family for Christmas.


I am thankful for.... so very much. My mind, as most people's these days, has been on the upcoming election. Though I have strong opinions of who I hope gets elected to the job of presidency, I know that whatever the outcome, God is still on the throne. He will never leave His righteous forsaken, and we are made rightous by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus.


From the kitchen... await the makings for tortilla roll-ups for taking to my ladies meeting at church tonight. We bring our own dinner or snacks, whether picked up on the way by those ladies working all day, or prepared in our kitchens by those of us fortunate enough to spend our days at home. We then pool our goodies and have a meal and fellowship for a half hour or so before beginning our meeting. I'll probably prepare spaghetti with meat sauce (ground beef/italian sausage) for Mr.Studley and my son John to eat for dinner.


I am wearing... a cotton t-shirt and a pair of cotton shorts. I'm barefoot with my Obikashi slip-ons nearby for when I take Leyna outside to do her 'bidness'. I pretty much wear my shorts around the house right through winter, especially now that I'm in the throes of the pleasures of menopause.....rooooiiiiiggghht.


I am reading... I'm still making my way through Spirit, Soul & Body by Andrew Wommack. It's not difficult to read, but I'm not finding much reading time lately. That, and again, that whole pleasures of menopause thing seems to be affecting my ability to concentrate.


I am hoping... that we have a good turnout for our ladies group meeting tonight. Our meetings have pretty much been on haitus since earlier this year. I'm happy we're starting up again, as I feel it's a good means of the women at church getting to know each other and being connected. Plus, my pastor's wife is leading it, and she always has good indepth things to share with us.


I am creating... scarves and hats with my knitting needles. My daughter, Nikki, informed me it's already cold in northern England where she's now living. "Make me scarves", she pleaded!


I am hearing... the whir of the Stanley fan sitting at my feet. They market it as being powerfully built for use in workshops. If they were smart, they'd add to that "powerful enough to cool a woman having hotflashes". That might be false advertisement, though, 'cause there are days when even my little Stanley doesn't do the trick. Seriously, my body feels like a racecar engine. I can go from a comfortable 98.6 body temperature to a raging 500 degree internal inferno in 0-60 seconds!


Around the house... I see signs of a very playful little dog. It looks like there's a toddler in residence. A toddler who likes to chew on rawhides. There are stuffed toys, balls, and half-chewed rawhides strewn about the living room and our bedroom. I wonder if I can train Leyna to put her toys away?


One of my favorite things... these days is when Jim (Nikki's boyfriend) sends me pictures of Nikki walking about their new hometown. He sent me some of her standing in a gorgous flower garden park near their hotel this weekend. I keep imagining myself, along with Mr. Studley, seeing all those sights, and walking in all those same places, next spring. Tentatively, we're thinking a possible March visit is in order. Nikki turns 25 in March, and she's really wanting us to come and be there for her birthday. We're praying about it, as it will be a big expense for us. Granted, we won't have to worry about lodging or transportation once there. Airfare, meals, sightseeing and souveniers will be our expense, the bulk of it being airfare, naturally. We never made it to Germany while she lived there those nearly three years. We don't want to let another opportunity pass us by.


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... are to do more knitting, never ending housework and laundry, meal planning and stocking the RV for our upcoming camping trip to Arkansas. Oh, and getting a box of Nikki's stuff packed up and sent to her, that she keeps calling me every day asking if I've sent yet. She left her thick robe, houseshoes, and her ukelele here so they wouldn't take so much baggage space on her flight to Dublin. She knew I was a procrastinator when she left them here, so she may as well quit her nagging/begging/nagging. I will try and get it done this week, though. I need to find some bubble wrap for the ukelele, as she hasn't yet bought a case for it.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Fall 2005 Beaver's Bend Park outside Broken Bow, OK. View from our campsite on the river.


Happy Monday, y'all! I pray your week is productive, pleasant, and blessed! ~Visit The Simple Woman's blog to see how you can participate in the weekly Daybook on your own blog. Click on The Simple Woman's Daybook icon in her sidebar for instructions. ********************************Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?~Hebrews 13:5-6 Amplified Bible

30 Years Ago Today....

I was married.

Sadly, the marriage lasted only seven years, as death claimed my handsome husband far too soon. It was a good seven years, though.

It doesn't surprise me to look back on these pictures and see how young my husband looked, for he still looked young when he died, so that is the image I'll always carry of him. I find it rather shocking to see how young I look, though. And thin, thin compared to now.

We had fun together. I think you can see that in our faces. I know it was our wedding day, and everyone's happy on that day, but we really did have good times. He had a hilarious wit. He used it to his advantage whenever he made me mad. No matter how hard I tried, or how much I thought he deserved my anger, he'd always have me laughing within minutes. I just couldn't help myself. He was that funny. Nikki is alot like him in that respect.My son was 2 1/2 when we married. He has no memories before that time. John was always just "Daddy" to him, and he was a great dad in every sense of the word. I wish Nikki could have known him. She was only 13 months old when John died. My son, John, who took his daddy's name (of his own volition) was nine, and has quite a few memories, thankfully.

The pictures, I realize, aren't that great. I don't have a scanner, so I took pictures of pictures. This was an afternoon, somewhat informal wedding. My bridesmaids wore matching (but different colored) pastel floor length sundresses. My mom made the dress I'm wearing. I still have it hanging in my closet.

This is me and my mom. Wasn't she gorgeous? And thin! I have never been that thin in my life. I think she probably weighed about 100 pounds. She's struggling with her weight these days (she's in her 70's now), but I believe it's because of all the cortizone shots she's had in the past couple of years.

I found this stuck in the back of our wedding album, taken at a fair or carnival, I believe. I realize some may look at my post today and feel pity for me. Please don't. Yes, twenty-three years ago I was devastated, as were my family and John's, but time and the compassionate presence of God in my life have removed all the hurt. I am now blessed with a godly husband, and we'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary next year. Today, I just felt like honoring the memory of my late, but dear husband John.
And the two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.
What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.~Mark 10:8-9

Walter, the One Legged Robin...and more Dishcloths

Or as Elmer Fudd would say, Walter, the One Wegged Wobbin.

Mr.Studley noticed Walter outside our window a few weeks ago. He called me to come look at the one legged bird in our yard. The poor thing was hopping along rather clumsily. Each time he leaned forward to peck at the ground, he'd stumble. Hubby being the tenderhearted soul he is spoke a prayer out loud that God would watch over this little bird, just as His Word says He sees the sparrow. I was very moved by his prayer and agreed with an amen.

A few days later, our next door neighbors asked if we'd seen the one legged Robin. They'd noticed it on their back fence a few times. Since then, not a day has gone by that we haven't seen Walter fumbling around in the yard. I can always tell it's him by how he gets around, even before I see his legs...er..leg. He spends long periods of time perched in the neighbor's magnolia tree. I know he doesn't spend as much time foraging for food as other birds do, and truthfully, he looks a little thin to me, but I trust God is making the necessary provisions for Walter.

I dubbed him Walter because my dad, a stepdad in legal terms, but a dad in every sense of the word, was named Walter. He also had one leg. He lost a leg in an industrial on-the-job accident in his early 20's. If he was ever bitter over the accident, he never showed it. He never once displayed a 'poor me' attitude. In fact, most people were shocked to learn that he had an artificial leg. His gait didn't reveal it, at least not until he was in his 70's and began slowing down due to illness.

Though he'd never water skiied a day in his life, he taught all us kids to water ski. He also taught us all to drive, and the grandkids as well. He continued to work for that same company for nearly 40 years, moving his way up the ranks of administrative positions despite the lack of a college degree, and retired from a respectable position after nearly 40 years with them.

Walter (dad, not the bird) was known by just about everyone who knew him as someone who could do, or fix, just about anything. I remember when my son was small and his daddy and I were having trouble making something work. His suggestion was to take it to Pappa, "Pappa can do anything". He darn near could, too. So, each time I see Walter perservering in the yard, I am reminded of the perserverance of my dad, Walter, and how gumption and a "can do" attitude can take you far, despite the handicaps life may throw your way.

Now, on a less serious note, I'm still knitting dishcloths. After seeing the pretty Chinese Waves dishcloth at kaity knits...a lot this week, I was inspired to knit the pattern myself. I really liked Kaity's pretty striped one, but I didn't have the necessary colors to duplicate it. I think a few varying solid colored ones folded and stacked together and tied with a raffia bow will make a nice little gift.

• Chinese Waves Dishcloth pattern
• Lily Sugar'n'Cream yarn
• Denise's size 6 interchangeable circular
• Cast on 39 sts.

***Update on Rich. Mandi sent me an e-mail this afternoon that she had a call in to the doctor. Rich's blood pressure has not been below 170/100 since he came home from the hospital. She's concerned that they may want to admit him again.

If you don't mind continuing to pray for him, please pray that his bp will come down to an acceptable level and stay there. Thank you so much! Seriously, it means the world to me (and Mandi & Rich!) that you guys are praying for Rich.

So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

~James 1:21 Amplified Bible

Not Lucky, Blessed!

My stepson's oldest, posing for me last fall. A real cutie, huh?

I hope when I post about my winnings, you don't think I'm bragging. I even hope you don't think of me as lucky, per se. I'm not. I spent much of my life thinking I was an unlucky person. I never won anything. Not anything. It wasn't just in not winning contests that I felt unlucky, either.

These days I seem to be having what gamblers might term as a "winning streak". I prefer to think of my winnings as blessings. I no longer even believe in luck, or it's opposite. I have won alot of blog contests this past year. I have been greatly blessed!

As believers, I think we stay in God's favor as we walk with Him, but what I've been experiencing lately feels different. I feel like I'm in a 'season of blessing'. I don't even know if such a thing is scriptural or not, but I just 'feel' it. I'm not saying Mr.Studley and I aren't facing tough economic challenges right now (we are), but blessings seem to be coming from so many different directions these days, not just in winning blog contests.

I don't expect to always be the one winning things. I'm enjoying it while it lasts. I even teased Mr.Studley that maybe this would be a good time for us to go to Vegas. I'm kidding....I think....yes, I am. I'm kidding.


Lately I've been feeling I need to offer a contest of my own. Start paying some of it forward, you know? I'm not a wealthy woman, so offering some high dollar prize simply isn't doable for me at this time. I'm milling it over, praying about it, to come up with something I could offer that would appeal to a varied group of readers.

Well, that's enough yacking for one post. This is sort of long (brief, I'm not), so I'll show you my most recent blessings in a separate post.

******************

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage.

~Psalm 33:12 Amplified Bible

A Different View

I don't usually post videos I saw on someone else's blog, but this was so good I just had to share it here. I hope Kisses Of Sunshine won't mind. For that matter, I think she borrowed it from yet another person's blog. It's one of those you want others to see, too.

Before I go outside my house, I try and remember to ask God to give me His eyes to see; that I'll see into the hearts of those around me, rather than being distracted by their external, or by circumstances at hand.

Oh, and I guess I should warn you, as commenter Netter pointed out, the acting is cheesy. Aside from that, it's really a good video, though. ;-)


Get Service

Feeling Good

I love Michael Buble's singing. If I had to pick one of his songs as a favorite, it would be "Feeling Good". It's a secular song, but everytime I hear it and sing along with it, my heart swells with how I feel in knowing Jesus as my Savior.

The lyrics to this song so aptly describe how it feels to wake up from an old existence and face a new life as a new creature in Christ. The old chains that bound me in sin and hopelessness dropped off in my realization that my eternal future is secure, and He walks with me every day.

The video is reminiscent of a cheesy '60's James Bond movie, but it's cute, as is Michael.


Michael Buble~Feeling Good

Feeling Good

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good

There is Always Hope

Have you ever felt utterly and totally hopeless? I have. As cliche' as it may have come to sound to the world, Jesus does save.

Salvation emcompasses many things. Yes, He saved me from an eternity in Hell. He saved me from my shame. He saved me from the pits of despair. At the very moment that I cried out to Him, in faith, He caught me up in His embrace and has never released me.

I've known the heartbreak of losing someone very dear, but I have never felt alone. Jesus is my strength and my shield. I have a very real and personal relationship with Him. He speaks to me. He listens to me when I talk.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
~John 10:27

He cares about my problems. He loves to shower me with blessings.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ~James 1:17

He is my hope, and my salvation. I will always praise Him.





Cry Out To Jesus
Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Have a Heart

I feel like a blog cheater, or would that be a cheating blogger? When I don't have the time, or patience, to corral the ricocheting thoughts bouncing around in my head and assemble them into some semblance of order, I go looking for a video which will hopefully express what I'm feeling at the time. This is one of those times.

For some time now, my prayer to God has been to let me see through His eyes of compassion, to hear the pain in the voices of those who are hurting, to feel and be moved by that which moves His heart.

My friend, Sharon, shared this week about how people are so busy praying their needs will be met, that they're failing to pray for the most important thing, souls! That really struck a chord in me. I've spent a half century trying to get my needs met. I've spent a miniscule fraction of that time, not even worthy of registering on a pie chart, praying for lost souls.

How many brokenhearted people have I walked past without so much as a glance. Lord, don't let me miss another one. Let me never again judge someone based on their clothes or appearance or their beliefs. Let me truly feel what your heart feels for lost souls. Let my heart break for that which breaks your heart.

It Is Well With My Soul

I cannot fathom the great degree of pain the man must have experienced in his life that penned the words to this song. I knew a little about him, but not all that is shared in the video.

The peace he experienced is the kind of peace I desire; the kind of peace which passes all understanding, that deep abiding peace that keeps my feet on solid ground even in the midst of crashing storms, the kind of peace that even if faced with great tragedy I can proclaim with my mouth and know in my heart that it is well with my soul.

I know the one that offers that peace. His name is Jesus.

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. ~Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible

New Yarn!

Hubby had a doctor's visit in Dallas last week. We discovered last year that he has a leaky heart valve. His cardiologist, a word I never thought I'd use in the same sentence as my very healthy Hubby, is monitoring it closely with twice yearly check-ups. The word from the doc last year was that Hubby would likely eventually need surgery to repair the valve (major surgery), though it was possible it might never worsen to that point.

God's Word tells me that He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2nd Timothy 1:7). The day I heard that diagnosis last year, fear instantly gripped my heart, but I quickly took my authority as a child of the King and I cast down that spirit of fear. Hubby and I are believing God that he'll not need that surgery, and he will walk in good health all the days of his life.

Before the hospital, we stopped off at the Woolie Ewe in Plano. I love to go there when I get the chance, but on most trips to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we're rushed to get there and back home again. This time I told Hubby to bring a book 'cause I was goin' shoppin'!

There were so many lovely yarns there and I'm still rather inexperienced in making yarn choices. This was only about my 3rd trip ever to a yarn shop.

Woolie Ewe has a bargain room where everything in it is half the marked price. They don't advertise that fact, though. I had a fellow shopper inform me of it on my first visit there, but I didn't see a sign. I asked a clerk this time, just to be sure, and she reassurred me that it was the bargain room. I didn't want any surprises at the register!

My daughter's been on me about knitting her a scarf. She's trying to survive in the artic temps of Minneapolis and staying warm when outdoors is a measure of survival. She wears alot of black and grey, despite her colorful personality. I found several balls of GGH Savanna in the bargain room. There were seven balls in a pretty blackish grey color.

GGH Savanna:43% alpaca, 23% linen, 19% New Wool, 15% Polyamide.

It was regularly marked $10 and I got it for half that. Cool, huh? I also bought three more balls of it in a rusty brownish red color, though I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet. Maybe a hat.

I'm finding I'm not crazy about knitting with this yarn. It feels great, but it keeps worming on me, kind of like chenille. Odd.

Outside of the bargain room, I picked up two balls of Plymouth Suri Merino in a lovely blue. I'm not sure what it will be yet. Maybe handwarmers for a friend, or maybe a chemo hat, or even a baby hat for a young girl at church who just had a boy.

I got two balls of Plymouth's "Oh My!". They had some baby items knit up on display from this yarn and it felt incredible. So soft. I bought one white and one hot pink. I'd have preferred a pastel pink, but I took what I could get. The clerk told me they were having trouble keeping that yarn in stock. It's 100% nylon and it feels like buttuh!

I have been wanting the Knitting Pure & Simple child's poncho pattern in the picture below for some time. I was pleased to find it in Woolie Ewe. The Sirdar baby hat patterns caught my eye, too. Aren't the babies all so sweet faced?

I pretty much wiped out the Christmas cash that had been burning a hole in my billfold, but I'm happy to have new yarn. It was such a treat for me to get to go in a real yarn shop. Living in Hicksville USA has it's disadvantages, but at least the big city is only a couple of hours away.

Getting Healthy Inside & Out

Today's lunch. I've been hearing that the more colorful a food is, the better it is for you. This lunch was Hubby's idea. I'm so blessed to have a health-conscious husband, though his computer skills are sorely lacking. He's heard me speak of a 'blog', though I know he doesn't really know what it is. He walked in for a quick kiss (swoon) and saw this picture, which prompted a series of questions.

What are you doing?

Working on my blog.

What's that picture.

My lunch, remember?

Why did you take a picture of it?

To post on my blog.

Why would anyone care what you ate for lunch?

You're right, Honey, they wouldn't.

I need to lose weight. I've lost alot of weight in the course of my life. Unfortunately, I found it all. I've decided to start substituting one meal a day with rabbit food. Tasty rabbit food, but rabbit food, nonetheless. I won't lose fast, but hopefully it will make a difference over time. This won't be a sacrifice for me because I love this kind of food. What will change is that I'll be eating only this kind of food for one meal a day, instead of this kind of food along with my regular meals.

I used to walk regularly, then at some point, I stopped. I'm not sure when or why, but I've begun again. I walk Leyna who needs stimulation and the chance to burn off some of her high energy, so it benefits us both.

Spiritually, I'm getting healthier, too. I'm talking to God more. It's not a new thing, but I'm becoming more conscious of including Him in all the moments of my day, in every decision that I make.

In thee, Oh Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

~Psalm 71:1 King James

I'm making a point of not beginning my day without talking to Him. I'm trying to listen better to Him, too.

Be still, and know that I am God...

~Psalm46:10a King James

Do you know that God longs to fellowship with us? If you've had a healthy relationship with your natural father, then you know what it was like as a kid to crawl up on his lap and just love on him. You loved it, and so did he. That's how God is. He wants us to nestle against Him and just love on Him. Sure, He's there for our requests and even our occasional gripes. He'll listen patiently just as a good earthly dad would do, but He longs for that time of our just loving Him. He's a God of love.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

~John 3:16 Amplified Bible

I feel sadness for those who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. These are trying times in which we live, fearful times, in the natural. I'm so thankful for the peace I have in knowing my Heavenly Daddy and how great His love is for me.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

~II Timothy 1:7 King James

Our bodies require food to live. If the food is healthy, our bodies will be healthier. Our spirit man also needs to be fed. There have been times in my life where my spirit man, if possible to be seen with the natural eye, would have appeared anorexic and gaunt. He's much healthier now, but just as my body would eventually die if I quit feeding it, so would my spirit man shrivel up if I quit feeding him. It's a daily choice to be made, just like the food I put on my plate.