Communication

Today my thoughts have turned towards communication. Why is communication so difficult? That statement makes me laugh - it sounds ridiculous, doesn't it. I believe one reason is because we think we are communicating when we share information the best way we can. And the truth is, communication does not take place, until the person we are sharing with comprehends and understands. Communication ultimately takes place when the information is truly understood. We often assume we have communicated - when we haven't. We sometimes blame the listener. If we honestly want to communicate, we may have to find various ways to get the information across. We have to be willing to keep trying until we know for certain we aren't just having dialogue - we are communicating. Without communication - there are misunderstandings and hurts. I am praying for those I know who are suffering from miscommunication. I'm so thankful God communicated His love to me and to everyone in this world through His Son, Jesus Christ. I am trusting Him to help me and those I love communicate His love to each other and all those we meet. I am glad He is big enough to even help us with the daily communication that is so necessary for us to be successful in all we do. That is my heart today.

Mother's Day

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. All week, I've received one forward after another about how marvelous Moms are! Amen! My husband has spoken numerous times about being at Wal-mart in the card aisle and seeing rough looking men - searching through the cards for that perfect card for their mother. It's one of the busiest days of the year for phone service and florists. There's just something about Mother... I have a wonderful mother and most of you would agree. Even those who struggle in their relationship with Mom, want to honor her on Mother's Day. Proverbs 31 says, "...her children arise and call her blessed" Tomorrow is a special day. We have 8 mothers in our family this year. It is Jill's first mother's day and we are all praising our wonderful Heavenly Father for this miracle! Mother's Day has always been a painful day for her...until now. Tomorrow she will be rejoicing and we'll all be rejoicing with her! Thank you, Lord.

Finishing Well

Friday night my daugher, Jayna, graduated with her Associate's degree. She started this journey almost 4 years ago. Although married and the mother of two - she took her ACT again, scoring high enough to win a scholarship. Then she discovered she was pregnant. In March of the next year, Joylyn was born. This was just a detour for Jayna. After Joylyn turned 1, Jayna started the process again of enrolling and starting her college education. It has taken a great deal of determination and persistence - but Friday, it paid off. She graduated with a 3.85 gradepoint.

I was reminded that scripture admonishes us not only to finish, but to finish well. Jayna finished this leg of her journey quite well. Looking at my children rejoicing over her accomplishment on Friday night, I realized again that I am growing older! It's hard to believe, but it's true. LOL! I've been on my journey over 57 years and like everyone else, I've no idea when my journey will end. I am determined to finish well.

Wonderful Rainy Day

Today is a wonderful, rainy day. The skies are overcast and there is a gentle rain falling. I love these days, always have. When I was young, these were the days I brought out my paper dolls to play with. (I know you younger girls will be saying, what are paper dolls???) Today, I will be sewing, no more paper dolls for me! I know there are some who get depressed when the sun isn't out, but not me! I love the dark cloudy days. It's cooler outside due to the rain as well. I remember when my eldest child, Chris, was small. He was afraid of the thunder and lightning. I would tell him God is watering the earth, so we would have water to drink and the plants could grow. This would give us food as well. After that, he would always say when the rain came, God is watering the earth, isn't He, Mama? Aren't you thankful God has given us the four seasons? How monotonous if we only had summer or winter, all year long. We get weary of the heat or the cold and we know it's only temporary. We can be assured there is another season coming soon for us to enjoy ( or not!).

This little guy was in my backyard taking a bath! He and his mate (who ran when I went to photograph) are sitting out enjoying the rain. He would take his paws and rub over his face, like he was washing himself.

My ferns soaking up the rain.

Thank you, Lord, for wonderful, rainy days!

So small...

My daughter recently advised me to get and view a couple of dvd's and last week, I ordered them. I watched them the past couple of nights. They are How Great Is Our God and Indescriable by Louie Giglio. I'm inserting a couple of photos from the Hubble telescope that he used in these dvd's. The psalmist wrote, "The heavens are telling the glory of God"... and ..."when I consider the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, what is man that Thou art mindful of him." When someone comes along who can explain the immense size of the universe - WOW! We tend to bring God down to our size, don't we? The universe is so vast, we can't really get our minds around it. And scripture tells us the earth is "His footstool" and that He "measures the heavens with his hand". That's a mighty large foot in my opinion and a ginormous hand! I think it was Steven C. Chapman who wrote the song, "God is God and I'm not." How great is our God! And how small am I...

The Milky Way - where we live. If you can click and enlarge - you can see our tiny Earth.

This is the Crab Nebula - one of God's magnificent creations light years away from Earth.

Isn't it beautful?

I highly recommend the two dvds - they can be found at Christian Cinema.com or cbd.com.

Get a new look at the greatness of out Wonderful God and The Creator, Jesus Christ!

Feathering

Isn't it amazing how God created women to "nest"? It's been said that only a woman understands the difference between off-white and ecru. As a rule, women need to feather their nest - so to speak - to make the home warm and inviting - beautiful in their own estimation. Well, this weekend, I've been "feathering"! I have had several projects I've been wanting to do. Plus a friend and I went to an auction today. I bid and got my first auction item, ever! I was the high bidder for a card table. LOL! Then we went to T.J. Maxx and Tuesday Morning, my two favorite places to find bargains. You can't see it, but this flower container has roosters on it, which goes with my rooster kitchen - and the red geraniums go with the red in my kitchen! Friday, I went to Wal-Mart and got supplies to make a wreath for my front door. I love hydrangeas - and here it is! I got one new pillow and recycled an old into leopard!

My son, Cary, recently finished framing a painting Sara made for me. It is the scripture of one generation sharing with the next. I recovered pillows to go with the purple scheme.

On the adjoining wall, I have pictures of the next generation - mychildren.

I feel very good about my "nest" at the moment, very fulfilled.

Maybe you will be inspired to do a little "feathering" of your own!

Unique Creations

Today, I'm thinking about two of my grandchildren, who came to see me this past week. What a joy! My three sons and one daughter-in-love, Sara, also came. Once again, God impressed me with how uniquely He has made each one of us.

My sons, Chris - Cary - Andrew, are so different. You mothers out there - you know what I am talking about. Each one has unique abilities and talents. They actually complement each other very well. It's almost as if God said, "This family needs this and this and this in order to function." When you add our daughters and their husbands and my sons' wives - there is hardly anything we need, that we cannot do. Martha, my SS teacher, asked me, "Do you ever hire anything done?" I answered (truthfully), "Hardly ever."

My two youngest grandchildren, Kandace and Jackson, are just as unique. Jackson is your typical firstborn son - he never stops, is endlessly searching for something to get into, but quick to give loves and kisses - of course he is the older of the two. Kandace, is content to lie and play - quick to smile when you speak to her.

God is so creative. He so loves diversity. How wonderful that there is only one of me (my husband would amen that!) How wonderful that we were blessed with 6 totally unique children and their mates and 10 unique grandchildren. There is so much to appreciate and love!