~Thankful Thursday~ April Showers

Greetings and Holykisses,

I got the chores done early today without getting soaked! That's plenty of reason to put my praise on right there! ..... and I must say, the "Puddle-ducks" are in their absolute glory. Their hole behind the tractor is filled with fresh water.... poured out from the heavens like sweet-manna rain! I've been hearing people all around say how tired they are of rain every day, but I've always wanted to see the rain forest....and "now" I get to live in one! It's beautiful, lush and oh sooooooooooooo green!!

My Thankful Random 5 this week.....

Thank You Abba Father for your blessed rain! April showers bring May flowers! I look forward to them!!!

Thank you Abba Father for Myguy. Thank you for growing him into a strong, Godly man and giving him courage to speak Your Truth at work. We celebrate the seeds that were planted; all through the movie "Faith Like Potatoes." Thanks God!!


Thank You Abba Father for family and friends, and friends I don't even know yet. You've blessed me so much with people in my life. I could never have imagined to meet so many new friends from all over the world! My big shabby bucket overflows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You Abba Father for givin me my new heart. Through it I feel incredible love, joy, peace, hope, passion...... all thanks to YOU! I will use it for your glory.

Thank You Lord for filling me uP with your WORD, for your visions, and your peace! Thank You for boldness, and truth and for speaking to me through rocks, lawn ornaments, toads, red clover, hummingbirds, altered mailboxes and internal errors. Things I could never have imagined. Thank you for the dream I had last night. Thanks for being in my ordinary making it soooo extraordinary.
Please keep chasing me. I'm not runnin anymore! I love ya God. With all my heart, all my soul, and all I've got. ~forever~

I Believe You're My Healer

(Before watching video's at the shed, you may need to turn the playlist music off on the sidebar first-) ;)

Lead me To the ROCK That is Higher than i

Greetings and Holykisses Yall,

Two days ago, my Sisterbear asked me, out of the blue "why" the toads on your banners? Her question was timely, because in church the very next day, it was brought up all over again to have a humbled mindset. --Why "toads?" .... because; puttering around the potting shed, I see toads all over! Friendly little creatures,... who are low to the ground. Created by God with purpose and humility; warts n all! That's why!!- Oh.... and I'm rather fond of em too. lol

Humble
"Remember how the Lord your God, led you all the way in the desert these 40 years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. "
Deuteronomy 8:2

"You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty, to bring them low."
2 Samuel 22:28

"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord."
2 Kings 22:19

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

This week, Mike, Trent and I rearranged some rocks at the potting shed. We went up to the quarry and as we heaved and ho'd, I thought of the LORD, my ROCK," and was reminded once again:

Who is Lord
and
who is
not

Little by little, pieces of life's puzzle are beginning to fit together before my eyes ~
Loving God first with your everything.
Love your neighbor.
Speak truth in love always; but let God do the convicting!
Humble thyself.
Learn your purposes and say yes to God. And as the Pastor said this week, "Humble yourself and obey God *even when it doesn't make any sense to you."*




And like ONLY GOD can do,
We may begin to find ordinary,......................................... changed to extraordinary with purpose.
And throughout our day, He'll reveal the usual: as unusual and interesting in His special kind of way. . We just have to be watching... !!! To God be the glory!

Purpose

"The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor."
1 Corinthians 3:8

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."
Ephesians 1:11

"Who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time,"
2 Timothy 1:9

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Smoochy holy kisses,
I toadily love yall.

~Miles Of Clover~

Greetings and Holykisses,

Hope you're having an awesome weekend!
Our weather has been so warm and beautiful and I'm so happy I could just burst.
This morning, was spent at church as they were having a Health Fair. It was fun hanging out with everyone. I'm realizing how important fellowship is!!

This afternoon, I played all day long. The grass was all cut, house was clean; even all three dogs had baths.....-- Playday!!!!! Nothing, makes me happier than playing in the dirt. Other than praising my Lord of course.

Well, here's the vintage gate I found yard saling with Maxi thee other day! Finally got it planted! God is soooo good, coz I've looked and they're just hard to find. Then when you do find one, they're usually outrageous. This one was FIVE BUCKS! Thank you Lord!!!!! A Lincoln Star clematis is ready to to climb the post to the right of it. The yellow flowers in front, are Coreopsis. Today, I planted some salmon colored Glads. Hope they do okay; they were some puney lookin little bulbs. Time will tell. If they don't do too well, we all know the morning glorys will find their way to their spot anyways right? !!!

Remember when I told yall, that our highway has miles upon miles of red clover growing along it and when it all waves in the wind it makes me giddy? It's truly incredible. This evening, on our way home from a Wendy's Frosty break, we stopped and I picked a bouquet. ;) Isn't it beeeeautiful???????? Take a good long look! Now close your eyes, and just imagine it dancing in a breeze. Another one of God's masterpieces!
Mrs. Potter received flowers today.* There was no card. She said someone just left them on her doorstep. (She must have a secret pal.)

I tried to sweep the shed today but it was so windy, every thing kept blowing back inside. I decided to stop chasing after the wind, and plant!
Okay, so these look a little on the sad side. These are going to surprise you! Just wait! This is going to be our "before" picture. I dug them up from thee over-flowing flowerbeds. Then I cut them back to the root; watered, and now we wait! Are you patient? I hope so, coz they're worth it! In time, we'll come back to this picture!
This coffee pot, was found, the same day as the gate. It didn't have a lid, so I knocked holes in the bottom with an awl and transplanted a few of the same flowers as in the claypots above. Funny story: Long ago, I had an olde, enamel- ware coffee pot with holes in it and it was setting right in front of the potting shed. It was a little shorter than this one. I'd filled it with potting soil and planted a posy in it. The next day, I walked by and all the dirt was pushed up on top? I thought, "What on earth?" I picked it up and started to push it down gently and IT MOVED!!!
Scared me to death! My little visitor turned out to be a toad! I thought it was a snake for sure, but nope; squatty little T O A D. I took her out, and fixed my pot back up the way it was supposed to be and the very next day... it was the same ole way! She'd moved back in! So I forgot about my plant and let her have her new abode. Who knows? Maybe one will discover this little pot too if we set it out front and put a little rock up next to it for a ladder!

Have an awesome sabbath! The Most High God is worthy of our praise!

"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love." Psalm 48:9

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." Psalm 134:2

God bless yall!

~ReaL Life Is Messy~

Greetings and Holykisses,

Isn't this warm weather and SONshine incredible?!
I've been mowing up a storm and the weeds are flyin! But I'm no where near finished, and I still need to clean the potting shed, and weed a huuuuge railroad tie flower bed. The wooden walk-in gates to our fenced in yard, need a fresh coat of white paint, as well as our picket fence. A brand new gallon of paint awaits. The picket fence is made from treated wood and over the winter the paint soaked in, leaving an ugly green tint.
After it's all repainted, it will be time to repaint the pipe corral! Yeehaa... it's never-ending around here.

With all that said, what vision does that leave in your pretty little head? In all reality, things around me are at the moment, not picture perfect. Thee other day, when I shared with you our duck dilema... you know how you can lead your duck to water but you can't make her live there? Well, that day; I'd snapped some pictures of them waddling back to the barn. When I went through them, I deleted several ugleeee pictures. Pictures that didn't live up to my pretenses. The ducks were so "pretty" trotting up the grassy bank. But when they they got closer to the barn, my pictures showed a row of old vehicles, half belonging to customers, and thee other half-- are our own. (I collect buttons, Myguy collects vehicles!) Anyways, they didn't "go" with my pretty duck pictures. They didn't portray what I wanted you to see. Neither did our old, barn with the ratty old farm gates propped across the front to incarcerate our goat. The ugly gates that are held together with angels, and hay strings. No, "those" pictures I deleted!

Truth is my life is often plain ole messy! More often than not, when I take photos to share with yall, I have to move clutter from one area to another just to take a picture! Martha does NOT live here yall! There..... it's out. I said it! You know; I just love going to beautiful blogs and reading the lives of people and some are just.... amazing! I'm drawn to shabby chic.-- Love when everythings soft and beautiful, and white, crisp, clean, perfect. Ahhhhhh, I said the P word. -- Some of you people blow me away!!!! Perfect lives with nothing out of place. How do you do it?!!!
Tell me.... pray tell... how you do it all?!!

Our shabby, little farmhouse is olde, but love lives here. The carpets worn from years of kids in and out, in and out. The kitchen door's been slammed shut and later re-opened asking forgiveness. Tears have been shed, children were threatened within an inch of their lives. The hall way carried secrets of kids sneaking in and back out, and I pitched a few of my own hissy fits stomping down it! But these walls also heard more I love you's, hugs, kisses and prayers than it ever saw "other."

Grass and manure has been tracked in, and furbabies have pottied on the floor. My mirrors usually need windex, and dust often collects. The bunnies can grow to giant proportions under the beds! Pembroke corgi scratches are gouged in every exit to the great outdoors. Two bedroom doors have war wounds knocked in them from teenage brothers at battle. Door- jams proudly record growth to 6 feet tall in black magic marker. Knife scars mar the kitchen counter tops, when in a hurry to get supper on, the cutting board was simply forgotten.
And supper usually consists of hotdogs and Kraft Mac n cheese or Hamburger Helper! Nothing very fancy here! Once in a while the very same Cheeseburger Hamburger helper is forgotten and fuzzy green stuff finds its way inside the fridge. Opening the door to find it, you'll have to grope for it in the dark because the bulbs been out for years. And when something starts to reek in the kitchen, it's been known to come from a potato that went evil, or a mouse that ate dcon and swelled up under the stove or dishwasher. The bathrooms, ... ahh that's where we've really seen it all. I was thee only female in the house; use your imagination!* And where does all that hair come from?!!! The washing machine almost always has a a load or two.... or three.... laying on the floor in front of it. The dryer is often like a little chest of drawers just standing there holding our jumbled dry clothes that are wrinkled and forgotten. Out of sight out of mind.* The bed.... is the really weird thing. It's almost always made!! I just can't stand crawling into an unmade bed. Too bad the rest of life isn't so well put together. But it's not. It's life! And real life gets messy. Real life is not perfect.

I was going to share a picture with you today of my garden all planted and everything neatly put away and done. But it's just not done yet! This is how it really is!!! And me, I'm just as undone. No makeup, uncombed hair, faded tshirt, and baggy, holy jeans. Just plain ole me.

Martha doesn't live here. And I'm learning that it's okay! I really want to be a Mary anyways and sit at my Master's feet. Then, I'll finish weeding the flowerbeds, do the dishes, and hopefully get those wrinkled clothes out of the dryer!

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41

Have a day!
Be real.

Thankful Thursday

Another beautiful Thursday!
I had this whole list written and then added scripture my Sisterbear shared with me today and "poof" everything disappeared to a blank page. Here I am rewriting it! Guess satan didn't want me to share the "word" today. -- (I was listening to Joyce Meyer a couple days ago and she said "If satan isn't bugging you, you probably aren't bugging him either." ) - it probly drives him nuts when we BRAG ON GOD!!!

5 Random Blessings

I'm thankful for the miles of red clover flowers, blowing along the highway. The waves of beautiful scarlet makes me giddy!

I'm thankful for small ways to be hands and feet for another. This special person reminds me just how blessed I am....to even get out of bed everyday. I take far too much
for granted.

I'm thankful for the new sheet iron on our shop. God ~restored~ and always provides!

I'm thankful for courage to stand for the Lord, even when I stand alone.

I'm thankful for garden toads, and my wrinkled hands that hold them. ;)

Now for that WORD, to be passed on:

"The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your GOD that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom."
Deuteronomy 28:13

Thank YOU ABBA FATHER!!!!

Have a beautiful day everyone!
~Holykisses~

Word Filled Wednesday ~CoMfoRt~ and ~JoY~

Greetings and Holykisses,

If you are hurting and missing someone today; embrace this WORD and hold it close to your heart. God loves you, and WILL see you through. You're not alone. God bless you, and comfort you. Keep looking uP!
(Blessings and tossing you a shiny new ~dime~ Merry Bema!)

Visit Amy Deanne at her 160 Acre Woods for more WFW "Scripture-pictures!"

Grounds Worth A Latte

Greetings and Holykisses,

What can I say, "I LOVE Starbucks." I love the artsy posters hanging inside. I love their colored- chalk menu boards with all the swirls, curls and flourishes. Love trying new coffees; ... and the frothier the better. Love the colorful mugs, and thanks to Myguy and my adorable niece Jamie I have a cute, little collection started.

Lately, I've been stuck on tall, skinny vanilla latte's. And when I haven't eaten; look out-- It's go for the gusto: Vente marble, mocha machiato paleeze! (Mmmm, what a treat!)

My last visit, swinging thru the drive thru was even more fun than usual. This particular day, I was greeted by a cheerful, young person offering this free gift!

Not just any gift, but a gift to make any gardener very, very, very happyYYyyYYYyyyYY! Who in their right mind would say no to a huge, free bag of STARBUCKS coffee grounds? Not me!

Tomorrow my blueberries, azaleas and hydrangeas are going to be squealing for sheer joy when they are the proud recipients of this very fragrant bag of grounds. (a whiff smells soooo good!) Kinda makes ya wanna go back for a second cup! ;)
Read how to use these grounds at Starbucks!

Happy Gardening!

~Potting Shed Sunday~

Greetings and Holykisses!

It's a beautiful and very soggy Sunday.
We got up extra early this morning because the farrier came to trim our donkeys. It was thee only day he could make it over here. Spirit; our gelded Jack; has one hoof that keeps growing out rapidly in a funky way and it's trying to cripple him.

We had to catch the donkeys in the goat pen because we're weaning calves in the corral. Spirit is mean to Lydia the goat, so she had to be locked up in the barn first for her own protection. Which brings me to our duck situation which has went from bad to worse. We penned the donkeys in the goat pen so we could sort cows, a couple days ago and guess who I forgot about? You got it, the ducks.* Now the little one has a broken leg. I don't know what happened but our donkeys charge dogs all the time so it's a miracle she's not a dead-duck.!* (Hey; now we know where the saying comes from: "dead duck." )

I had decided to stop watering the ducks and was going to start putting their feed out out at the pond so maybe they'd figure out where they belong. Doesn't look like that will start anytime soon! The one-legged one wouldn't stand a chance hoppin around on one foot. Looking on the bright side, maybe I'll eventually lose these batwing arms carrying water! lol

It's been a busy and productive weekend. Mowing, weeding, and planting. I don't know what these flowers are that come up and vine all over but aren't the little periwinkle flowers interesting? They kinda remind me of pinwheels the way they turn slightly!
This flutterfly was visiting the lilac bush. She had two small chunks missing from her right wing.


Here's the new baby! A chocolate colored heifer. Her yellow Mom's on the left and the bull is her Dad. The cow never gets much milk, but she's a good Momma.

The garden is planted completely different this year. Instead of plowing up a big rectangle like usual, I only tilled around fenced cattle panels to grow all vines vertical. You know how cucumbers and melon vines sprawl out everywhere otherwise. (Vertically grown vines makes picking easier!) Then the tomatoes were planted around cattle panels as well so it's an easy way to stake them.

Can hardly wait to see some color around the shed. Lupines, Delphiniums, Foxglove, zinnias, cosmos, blackeyed susies, marigolds, tunies, moss roses, poppies, snapdragons, wildflower mix, and more glad bulbs. (Love the SALMON ones!) After that, I transplanted mallow that sprung up out of nowhere, and moved the yellow cannas, and stargazer lilies that Trent had given me a few years back. Yall probably remember what the morning glories do around here.* Well; they're back!


When I went in the potting shed, a Momma bird flew out of the trash can at me. Did you hear me scream?!!!! (Yeah; I was a "little" taken by SURPRISE!)
Look at her cute, little nest she built. I think she has 5 eggs. Now that I'm done planting I'll stay out of the Mommas feathers for a couple days but she's gonna have to share the shed!

Yesterday was spent yard saling with my forever friend Maxi. It was so much fun, even though it rained alot. She found tiny jars for miniature bouquets of flowers, a fishing net, a tater bin, a couple vintage jars with unusual closures, curtains, and a pizza pan. I found an antique garden gate, an antique coffee pot without a lid to plant flowers in, an antique light-blue bottle, a very old ledger book, a "wooden" clipboard, and an antique amber pepper shaker in the shape of a barrel. It was a blast. Can hardly wait to "plant" the gate!

Well, I better finish breakfast. I made Myguy his favorite YellowStone Eggs, and homemade hashbrowns. We started making eggs like this on our camping trip to Wyoming when the boys were young. With very little room in the camper, we cooked whatever we could using just one skillet. If you've never had eggs like this, you gotta try them.... they're delicious!

Yellowstone Eggs

Dice a can of spam and fry it in a skillet with a little bit of oil.
Drain on paper towels and wipe out the pan.
On medium heat, scramble beaten eggs in the skillet. For 4 people, I use 8 or more eggs.
You don't need to add milk, just scramble eggs. When they're done, return the cooked spam to the scrambled eggs and mix all together. Add grated cheese, salt n pepper. Mmmmm!

Yellowstone eggs with a side order of home made hashbrowns is like a Marital Bandaid for man who had to get out of bed extra early, on Sunday morning, before church.... to hold down a donkey for a pedicure. I'm off to iron his shirt! ~ and get ready for church.

Have a very special sabbath day!
God is so good.

Holykisses,
L

Train Up A Duck In The Way He Should Go And When He's Grown, He'll Not Depart From It

Greetings and Holykisses Yall!
Oh what a DAY!

Thought I'd share with everyone a little mis-adventure I'm having.
A few weeks ago, I came home from the farm store with two cardboard boxes. In box number one, were 5 baby chicks: pullets- (*thats girls in Chickenese), and also two baby guineas to go along with the cute lil pullet family. Box number two, contained 5 baby ducks. The whole drive home I fretted whether they were all warm enough; talking to them the whole way,...you know; telling them how much I loved them!!!!! We already had 2 pens, possum-proofed in the barn waiting for them, with brand new bulbs in the heat lamps. Fresh hay lined the floor, along with new waterers, and new feed! Everyone settled in just fine and they seemed happy being "neighbors."

Shortly after their adoption, the ducks started acting "funny." One started gettin gimpy and staggered when she walked.* Debra of Sparrowgrass told me the chick starter the farm store suggested was a no no. It has medicine in it, that's not good for ducks!* -- Once we changed over to a corn mash, the gimpy one improved and they all thrived. Once again, all was well with the world.

Finally everyone feathered out, and I started opening the doors to their pens so they could forage into the grassy goat pasture during the day. At dusk, they return to their pens, and I close the doors behind them.

We now have grown ducks. Grown ducks who I carry water to everyday, while we have a pond just waiting to be their new residence. Oh, I almost forgot to mention: these ducks are absolute fradycats. They're even afraid of me; which kinda hurts my feelings! -- Any noise puts them in a panic. If a plane goes over they RUN for the barn. If the tractor starts, they run for the barn.

I'd "dreamed" of cute little ducks following me around; instead they avoid me. I've never given them reason to be afraid of me, but they are. I've never even complained to them about carrying splashy, 5 gallon bucketfulls of water, or ever scolded em for poopin all over in their pen. Who feeds them I ask? Me! Who talks to them? Me. Who sings to them? Me. (They probably even know all the lyrics to the Revelation song.) Because of this very one sided relationship, my patience has started wearing thin, and I realized it's just "time." Time to go ~To THE POND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~

I found a long stick and herded the ducks to the pond. If they didn't hate me before, this wasn't a way to earn their love. Once we got there, they were afraid to even "get in." They actually seemed afraid of the big body of water. They're total puddleducks! They love their puddle in the low-spot by the barn. They love their buckets and tubs of water. "Get in the water duck!" They finally did because I backed them into it like a corner. But watching them swim for the first time was sorta like watching a baby take his first step. (heart) ;)

I left them down there and hoped they'd be okay. (what a mother) Soon afterwards, we went to town, and I wondered how they were fairing. When we got home, I started off to the pond to check on them and happened to glance toward the barn. They were already back in it! How they found their way, all the way back, I'll never know!!!?????

It's probably been a week, since that day to the pond. And today, was another new adventurous day. I caught them and put them in the dog carrier and gave them their very first four wheeler ride... back to the pond! As we got closer, I noticed wild ducks were visiting. Perfect! They'd make new friends and be fine! But the wild ducks flew away leaving me alone with the fearful five.
Once I got them out of the carrier, and MADE them get IN, they swam around a little bit. To see them swim is soooo beautiful! But they're out of their comfort zone. Every time I backed away, they circled back to the shore to get out. I stayed on shore duty for as long as I could, making them stay in the water. But as soon as I walked up and sat down on the fourwheeler,
one of them quacked something like: "LAND HO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
To the barn they waddled as fast as their little webbed feet could trot!
See that white dot up by the wild cherry tree? Yep that was them! They beat me back to the barn! Back to their friends: the pullets and 2 little guineas. Back to their safe little mudpuddle, and tubs of dirty water. *sigh*

I'm not sure what to do next?
But, God willing tomorrow will be another new day.

Thankful Thursday and Scripture Challenge #8

Greetings and Holykisses this beeeeeeeeeeeeeautiful Thankful Thursday!
I just came in from doing morning chores. Had to turn the ducks and chicklets out to free range and let the big chickens out as well. Two hens are setting for sure, and another is thinking about it! It takes 21 days for chicken eggs to hatch and we should be half way there. Also I noticed one cow is off by herself. She's gotta be close to calving.... maybe today's the day?! (update: today "is" the day..... a bouncing baby girl!!!!! THANK YOU LORD!)

My new heart is soaring this morning! God's so good; so let's get to thankin Him!

1. Thanks Abba Father for givin me a new heart-- IT BEATS FOR YOU!
2. Thank You Holy Spirit for livin in me-- I WILL LIVE FOR YOU!
3. Thank You Jesus for dying for me-- I TAKE UP MY CROSS AND WILL FOLLOW YOU!
4. Thank You Most High God -- I SERVE YOU!
5. Thank You Almighty God for your living word-- I WANT TO KNOW YOU MORE!
   

Thank you Father God for all thee awesome things you do in my life. Thank you for lovin me inspite of all the times I mess up, and let you down. Thanks for showing me areas in my life that could use a little changing. I want my life to be pleasing to you. You've blessed me with the most wonderful husband in the whole world; thanks for protecting him through the storm. My heart leaped last night when he told me he had church in his office with a few other guys. Thanks for givin him that Lord, and giving him opportunity! Our kids...I just love em all so much Lord! I know you have great plans for Trent; Thy will be done in his life. Thanks for the time we shared at lunch together. Thanks for my Tony moments this week- he went out of his way for me... and it really touched my heart. Thy will be done in his life Lord. Thanks for my Mickaella; she's great blessing to me. Thy will be done in her life. Thanks for our home sweet home with more laundry to fold and dishes in the sink to wash.
My cup
overflows.
I am
so
blessed.

"I will praise You as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands."
Psalm 63: 4- scripture challenge #

*Re*-DEDICATED

Greetings and Holykisses,

I'm staring at this blank box today with fresh eyes! They're still the very same, blue, mid-life eyes gazing through bifocal-progressive lenses. But they're in clearer focus because of my massive heart attack over the weekend. Heavy chest pains, that began last Friday morning, from the moment I woke up, and increased throughout my day. I know most of us have heard about the crucifixion for years. But this year was just different for me. This year got really personal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Friday, through Sunday, every time, I thought of "MyJesus," I'd get a visual of His suffering for me. For the first time, it was as if the rest of the world just faded, and it was just Him and me. For me, He was beaten, spit on, whipped, scourged, crowned with thorns, ... and nailed to a cross. For me, He laid down His life, and took on every sin I've ever committed; and I've sinned alot.* For three days, my heart has ached with a newer gratitude than it has ~ever~ known.

I'm re-dedicating my life to Jesus Christ. I'm praying for God to perform an invasive procedure to correct not the hardening of my arteries, but the hardening of my whole heart. Those areas that won't yield and that sometimes refuse to listen to Him. Those deep crevices that hide my pride, my rebellion, and my selfishness. Places where my "will" tends to stick.

I've been on my knees this morning. As I prayed, I asked God to circumcise my heart, and when I did yall, I felt it!

The Word speaks alot about hardened hearts. I know I'm not the first, to have one; the bible speaks of many. I'm guessin I'll not be the last either. There's a verse that caught my attention this morning about it:

"The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." Deuteronomy 30: 6

Jesus laid down His life for me, and today, I'm rededicating my life to Him.
Since the beginning of the year, my anchor verse has reminded me to love God passionately.

"Love God, your God, with your whole heart; Love Him with all that's in you, love Him with all you've got." Deuteronomy 6:5 I do love Him, and today.... I live.

God gave me a song this morning to go with my new heart.
May He touch your life and heart today as well.
God bless you, to all who reads this today. Whatever your need, I pray His will for your life.
Holykisses,
L

Crucified with Christ

As I look back on what I thought was living
I'm amazed at the price I chose to pay
And to think I ignored what really mattered
Cause I thought the sacrifice would be too great
But when I finally reached the point of giving in
I found the cross was calling even then
And even though it took dying to survive
I've never felt so much alive.

[chorus]
For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live
Not I but Christ that lives within me
His Cross will never ask for more than I can give
For it's not my strength but His
There's no greater sacrifice
For I am crucified with Christ and yet I Live

As I hear the Savior call for daily dying
I will bow beneath the weight of Calvary
Let my hands surrender to His piercing purpose
That holds me to the cross and sets me free
I will glory in the power of the cross
The things I thought were gain I count as loss
And with His suffering I identify
And by His resurrection
power I am alive

[chorus]

And I will offer all I have
So that His cross is not in vain
For I found to Live is Christ
And to die is truly gain

It's Friday.... Sunday's Comin

~Let me Understand,~ WFW

Greetings and Holykisses,

This is how I typically study the Word; with at least three different translations of the bible: A King James, Ryrie study, and new Message bible all gracing our farmhouse table. Favorite pens, high-liters, bible studies, devotionals, candle, and soft music make this setting one where time stands still for me. I lose myself right here at this table.

Remember thee old black n white composition notebooks from school? Well, now they come in bright colors and stripes, so I use a different one for each study, and yet another for my daily walk with Christ, and still another journal for Victories. I have an ever-growing library of biblical notes for "ahaaa" moments and revelations. Sometimes a light- bulb flickers, and many realizations, begin connecting the dots, all at the same time. When that happens, I can hardly write fast enough to keep up with the Holy Spirit!

"Let me understand the teaching of your precepts, then I will meditate on your wonders." Psalm 119:27

Just yesterday, someone asked me if I'd read the Word to them who's unable to do so for herself. Every day I see this person, I'm asked this same question. She hungers and thirsts for the Living Word of God. When we finish reading, and I walk away.... I see how "blessed" I am to have access to read and study the bible. This incredible book holds the key to the mysteries of heaven and is a manual for instructions of life!

I know people who don't read the bible because they say it's just too hard to understand; yet, if we ask God's help, He'll give it to us. He says His word will never return void. -- I actually know a man, who can't read or write well at all, yet he's read the bible through several different times. God gives him wisdom beyond his abilities, making him capable. It's amazing! And in all the years I've known him, he makes time every single morning to read his bible before he starts his day.

Join Amy Deanne at The 160 Acre Woods for more of ~The Word~!
Happy WFW,

Do You Believe In Easter?

Greetings and Holykisses Friends!

My friend Jackie sent this email today. Had to pass it on.

THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS...

Happy Easter!

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio,Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do."

Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, " Beverly , don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient" With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.

Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick.

Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."

Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."

One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day"

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."

Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"

Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."

Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.

When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"