Where They Whisked Debra Away In an Ambulance. (Part One)

                                    "Heal me and I shall be healed."

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(If you can't handle mentions of blood, you may want to avoid this. I am skipping a hundred details, though.)

Oh dear. Lately I'd wished for an adventure and yikes! I got a huge one.

Thursday night around 7:00 (Gross Alert) I awoke to discover I was bleeding like horror movie crazy (well...). Felt dizzy, too. Somehow I made it safely down the stairs, laid on the kitchen floor and spoke words to Tom I thought I'd never say:

"Tom. I need an ambulance." 

He'd fallen asleep in his recliner, but he pulled himself together, made the call, and yelled for Naomi down the stairs. Then they both did 50 little things for me to prepare me to go. 

Eventually the ambulance arrived, they placed me in a rolling chair then took me out into the dark, cold night. Tom rode in the front and Naomi followed. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Picture yourself inside a toolbox being shaken and the rattling! Oh my.

At the local hospital they changed me out of my bloody nightgown, asked bunches of questions and said I needed a blood transfusion. Over the night they gave me 3 bags of blood. Oh dear.

But that continued in a different hospital! This current one had no ob gyn services so yes, another ambulance ride, this one longer, over to Buffalo. And there I stayed until Sunday afternoon. Tons of adventures over those days and so many kind, helpful people (and so many Hallmark movies and episodes of NCIS. heh.)

Yet I felt peoples' prayers and such grace and peace. And you know? I even loved the MRI. Had a mild sedative and they wrapped me in soft, warm blankets, I closed my eyes, and felt so loved.

So that's a sign of how things tended to go those days, but yeah, a couple parts were hairy-rough. One was a scariest moment, ever, but even Jesus turned that around. (More later.)

And that's enough for today, except I ended up being diagnosed with cervical cancer, around 1B. But again! Jesus has given me such peace and I truly do feel everything is gonna be ok.

Thanks for your prayers!

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Oh, and my mom is in hospice. Please pray for our whole family, ok? Thanks so much.

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

In Case You're Searching for My Obit :)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."   ---1 Peter 5:10

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Yikes! Well, I certainly owe you all an apology for my lack of posts here.

When finishing my last post, I imagined things would return to hunky dory, but then my mom had a stroke and was taken to Sacramento. We thought the return home would help, but it hasn't really. It's been rough.

Please keep her in prayer.

Then this week I discovered one of my problems seems to be silent reflux. (Yeah, I'd never heard of it, either.) So I continue to make adjustments in diet and much else.

(Oh and remember when I thought I probably didn't have gluten intolerance after all? Well, most likely I do. So more research, more changes, etc.)

Five months of struggles! Somedays I'm tempted to quit believing for fully-returned strength, but then God always reminds me:

Keep searching for answers.

Keep believing.

Keep pushing through the temptation to settle for mediocre.

And keep your heart calm.

And in the meantime I watch the leaves through our picture window  change to deeper gold and trickle down. I step outside to the front porch to drink in deep gulps of autumn air.

I truly do need to take some walks and pull myself back together. Oh Honey, I have so let myself go. Probably half my problems would disappear if I'd exercise. (Imagine that.)

So please keep me in prayer, also. Thanks!

Another special thank-you to my friend from high school (and beyond), Linda, who visited my mom while she was in the Sacramento hospital.

And I do thank each of you who've checked up on me throughout the weeks. So encouraging!

******

Did I already share with you the Vacation Education guy and his dad? I'm really enjoying their videos, though sometimes, he can go a bit heavy on the history of the places or the way they cook things, so I'll do bits of fast-forwarding. Oh, and Ellie B. the dog is cute in her stroller, too! 

Oh, and we've watched some good movies lately, but I can't recall their titles at the moment. We are enjoying the new tv series, Boston Blue, Sheriff Country and the 2nd seasons of Murder in a Small Town, Matlock, and Watson.

Not every season in our lives is a pleasant one, but we can have hope the next one will be.

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

"I Miss You, Debra."

"Be still and know that I am God." --- Psalm 46:10

******

Just thought I'd report in from Life on the Red Couch.

It's all these changes that make me a bit bonkers. New foods to eat, (many to avoid), new recipes and times to cook them. Doing everything slower than I used to. Having only partial energy. And much more.

In fact, there on the couch I held a pity party while remembering the happy-snappy, fast-paced, driving-places, estate-sale-loving, people-filled life I once lived. It got me all teary-eyed and I whispered, "I miss you, Debra. I miss you." Hung my head.

But I know better than to camp there. So I left soon. Made myself count 20 blessings.

Anyway, I've not wanted to write downer posts, so hence my absence here. I'm skipping much, but my sense of privacy is kicking in.

Changes. Acceptance of different seasons. Clinging to hope and anticipation when tempted to go with the downward flow. Letting everything work compassion in your heart for others...

... It all requires much time and patience. And much time spent alone with God.

A special thanks to those of you who have paused in your day to ask how I'm doing.

******

We watched the Dr. Ben Carson movie and enjoyed it much.

Also, we re-watched The Map of Tiny Little Things and I love what it did with my imagination.

I'm rereading my favorite middle grade comfort book: Mystery of the Red Carnations by Mary C. Jane. Perfect for autumn and few other books whisk me away like this one. Available on Kindle for cheap.

*****

Let's end this with a smile, ok? :

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

The Good News, The So-So News

"Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save."   --- Isaiah 46:4

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Darn! I'm kinda stuck at feeling 90% of my former self and the missing 10 % is the inspiration part. It feels gone. Mostly.

Keep praying, ok?

Anyway! Some good news. Remember our cute little garage?

(Such an old photo, probably from 2013. It looks much more tired now.)

Well, each time Tom went anywhere, I'd open the garage door for him lest he harm his foot/back/body (which has happened) and you know? Lately I'd push that door up and I mean it, it got heavier each time! Old age and rust, both me and the door.  ツ

Tom could see my struggles so he began researching places which would come replace it with an electric one and guess what? Our retired neighbor, Sue's fiance, used to do that for a living. Wow.

And today it's nearly finished. Bill just needs to program the remote and stuff like that.

Whew. Watching the new door open all by itself will feel like a true miracle. You can imagine my already-gratitude.

This season in Tom's and my life? Preparing now for our later years. Thinking of ways to make tasks simpler. It's nearly become a part-time job (it seems), takes much head space, and I wonder, "Why aren't other people talking about this? Are our friends not there yet? Have they already done all this? Do they just not wish to speak of this out of embarrassment or believing it's not important?"

But whatever, making my life easier is, like, my mission. Recognizing when Grace has gone from some areas, matters. In fact, an idea from this week?

To rip out my Herb and Etc. Garden. Well, all but the peonies and daylilies.

It's a cinch to water (just stand over the railing), but even that became too much during my boy-was-she-sick summer. Plus? I didn't even use the herbs, scallions, oregano, etc. and I stopped caring about the cherry tomato plant. I got visions of a simple, carefree flower bed, like you'd see at an old lady's house and got excited.

More seasons ending. Watching myself turn into a different version of me.  It's happening.

And it requires a happy acceptance, a gratitude for great seasons I experienced and a belief that good seasons still wait ahead. They'll just be different ones. 

And with Jesus alongside me, everything will, eventually, be ok.

*****

The so-few books I read this summer and during September (this illustrates how bleh I felt. I normally aim for 8 books each month!) :

Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

Mystery at Shadow Pond by Mary C. Jane

Yours, Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

Death and Peaches by Nova Walsh

The Middle Moffat by Eleanor Estes

The Cider Shop Rules by Julie Anne Lindsey

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I found this fascinating, but very sad. Oh Honey, get yourself and your husband off that boat! You had lovely seasons on it, but it's become too much and it's time to move on while you still can.

How Retiring to a Tiny House Changed her Life for the Better.

*****

Happy Autumn!

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

No, Your Message Is Not Too Small

“I wanna be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing." --- Charlie Kirk

*****

I like how Glenn Beck said Charlie Kirk had finished his assignment, otherwise no one could have taken him out.

And if you consider how Charlie lived his life, that's easy to comprehend.

Oh, how simple to give up in the middle when it's hard! My entire summer was one huge temptation to quit. To imagine never healing. To think if it's not the end, the last of the productive, happy times are over, anyway.

Yes, the battle got that rough.

But Jesus and I fought some days just to keep the candle of hope inside me from flickering out.

And (switching topics a bit) although I'm most likely not gluten intolerant (long story), I've decided to remain as gluten free as possible, skipping even the GF processed foods, except on rare occasions. 

When you discover what helps you feel better, you do it, especially if it keeps you here longer and more mentally willing to complete your own assignment from God.

When you feel lousy, you don't really care how others feel. And that's tragic. We have so little time here to do God's will.

So now I'm researching some new symptoms which have popped up and guess what? I can't eat white things. You know:

Rice

Flour

Milk

Sugar

Potatoes

Pasta

Fortunately, I'd already stopped eating most.

But here's a point I want to make today:

Some doctors in videos will say, "You can't drink juice or soda, but you can drink lots of water!"

Ack! Ack! That's when I'm tempted to throw the tissue box at the big tv. To me, it shows a lack of doing one's homework if you can't offer anything better than that.

In fact, I've read tons of comments where people say, "Great. Just choose the most bland, tasteless foods and I'll get it right, I guess."

Yet how vital these troubled, violent days to spread hope! To do our part whenever we can. To step beyond easy. To not fear doing the harder thing, to sacrifice, so to spread any message God is calling us to share these turbulent years.

Another definition of courage? Obeying with excellence whatever God asks us to do. Whatever He asks-- it matters. It's all huge in His eyes.

And we can do that with determination. He's equipped us. Each of us.

*****

satan wants us to feel our calling is so tiny, that no one will miss it if we stay silent. What a lie! All God's plans matter and determine how this world spins.

That list, above, of foods I must avoid? Good substitutions can be found for each.

******

Just drink water? Ha! So far I'm really enjoying this:

I've got a lime variety on order, as well.

Oh, and I'm still drinking my homemade cocoa daily. I use an envelope of Stevia and no sugar.

******

So I'm determined that Tom and I still order out on our Saturdates (and some Fridaydates, as well), and oh! How encouraging to find healthy-enough meals out there.

Like, Applebees has a grilled chicken breast served with 2 sides. I chose garlic green beans and coleslaw (which I could tell was healthy because it was nothing like the glorious KFC kind).  シ

I also really enjoyed a Wendy's Jr. cheeseburger (I removed the bread) and a grilled chicken cobb salad. In fact, this could be my new 'hamburger basket' which you may recall from the post, Today I Wished I Was Eighty Years Old.

Oh, and Denny's has a vegetable omelet and salad which I've not ordered yet.

There's more! But you must search for it--and not quit! How crazy to research restaurant food, but these days? Understandable.

Of course, if we can find 'mom and pop shops' which sell these same things, we'll give them a try.

*****

Stay far, far away from that wimpy, give-up spirit, ok?

*****

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

Where She Decluttered 2,700 Items--But It Wasn't Enough

"To everything there is a season, a time and a purpose under Heaven." --- Ecclesiastes 3:1

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(Note: You may have to be of a certain age to connect with this post.)

On lots of dark summer nights while I was sick, I'd think, "Must declutter. Must. Declutter." So many weeks were passing!

Six years ago God asked me to fling away 10 items per week, you know, so Naomi wouldn't be overwhelmed with my stuff should I die. Then I almost fainted when I felt He wanted me to give away 350 books. Wasn't that, like, half my collection?!

Yet when God asks us to do something, always, He sends along Grace to help, making the task easier. 

I'm still shocked I've released 553 books. With no tears, even.

Anyway, nearly the moment I got well, I bagged up stuff to carry down to the Salvation Army drop-off one block away.

But one item I thought Naomi might wish to sell on Ebay. It was a 55 year-old set of Old Maid cards I'd bought in memory of the ones my sister, brother and I used to play with. When they'd arrived 20 years ago, the beautiful graphics zoomed me back to my 10-year-old self.

(I had the original plastic case and all the cards, including the instructions one.)

After handing them to her (with the story), Naomi kept asking, "Are you sure you want me to sell them? Are you sure?" She could tell they held meaning for me, but you know? 

It's time to dig deeper into my sentimental stuff. To release more each year what survived the culling from previous years.

I kept assuring her I was ready. And I didn't want any of the money. Almost immediately the cards sold for $38 at Ebay. Probably I'd paid $8.

The next week? God gave me the grace to release my jadeite collection. When I told Naomi she could sell that, she really began asking, "Are you sure? Are you sure?" For half her life I'd collected that stuff.

                    (Enlarge this for a small peek at the jadeite on the top left.)

Again I (truthfully) told her I felt ready to release it all. There was a time for jadeite, now the time is over. Besides, I can no longer safely climb up there and bring it all down to wash it. Don't want to.

And so it goes.

Only some of you will understand my great peace about this. Especially after having been sick 3 months, I feel such joy that I'm able to declutter like crazy, to catch up on all the weeks I missed.

Remember my post about Cleaning Up After The Party? That made such an impression upon me. Oh, to respect the seasons of our lives, the accumulating ones and the letting-go ones. 

Go doing that and suddenly Life feels smoother, simpler, and easier to understand.

May I be led by the Holy Spirit rather than sentiment.

Oh, and color me grateful that I've kept a simple running tally of the number of items I've discarded. Most days? I look around and the house seems exactly the same--so I remind myself of the numbers, instead.

******

An interesting video about the artist, Edward Hopper.

Oooo... a very cool small house community.

Wow, Tom and I so enjoyed this man's memories of his childhood home. (What a trial he must have been to his mother!)  シ

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Oh! And just a reminder. I would never bail out of this blog, disappear forever, without first telling you. Too many bloggers have done that without realizing what a lack of respect (and love) for their readers it shows. 

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

No, I Didn't Disappear! :)

"Heal me and I shall be healed."   --- Jeremiah 17:14

******

I'm back! Really back this time. And I do thank those of you who kept checking here for me. Never has the number been that high.

Anyway, this summer, for me, was a nightmare. Well, mostly. First covid, then a heat wave and it all blurred together for 3 months and draped me over our red couch June, July, August.

I let things go: the yard (tho' Naomi did some watering) much of the house, the dishes (Tom washed many), books, the sparrows, and the laundry, though I did keep up with Tom's clothes. But especially myself--I let myself go. Majorly. gah.

(Like, I've not worn make-up in months (even around other people) and if you know me in Real Life, you realize that's huge.)

I coughed so often and felt so exhausted that I simply stopped caring. At least, about most things. But I do want to point out what Jesus told me clearly at the beginning of the 12 weeks:

He said I could gaze back on this time and recall the misery of days made worse by a lousy attitude--or--how I peacefully rested while believing I'd recover.

And Folks, I tried, I did. Some days I gazed around the living room, dining area and kitchen and thought, "This is such a good house for us. Thank-you, Jesus, for these pretty rooms."

But other days? I grumbled, "I hate feeling weak! This person isn't even me. I don't know her and can't stand her, her nor her teary eyes."

Really, I often felt upset at the situation and myself, but thankfully God led me to a Joyce Meyer video in which she shared the dangers of resenting and criticizing oneself.

Gulp. That scared me into knocking it off. And yes, things improved afterward.

In the midst of all that, my old laptop began growling at me. You know, like a race car or chainsaw. I'd begin blog posts, but the constant roar made me nuts and I'd shut it off and sadly return to the red couch.

Then Tom's laptop died. Good gracious. But today we are both blessed with new computers and feeling so grateful.

But what truly helped me improve? Our weather cooled. The air quality improved. Mornings dropped to 50 degrees and finally I could sit outside on the sun-flooded porch and heal. Oh, how glorious to feel well again!

Well, there's more, but this is enough for now. Thanks for hanging in there with me and a special thank-you to those of you who prayed for me and asked how I was feeling. That made me feel unforgotten and appreciated.

And from now on may I be quick to respond when Jesus asks me to send someone a message or card or whatever. What are we here for if not to make Life lovelier, Jesus-blessed, for one another?

*****

Videos you may enjoy:

You know how some things just cannot be explained? That's what I say about my love for this guy's videos. He's a Canadian who drives around and critiques fast food (mostly) and often does stealth camping one night in parking lots. He kept me entertained all of August.

His manners with other people are a million times better than mine and my patience may never match his. Here's a video where everything seemed to go wrong, but he kept it together unlike how I would have behaved.

50 Fall Cozy Mysteries

Storybook Fall Cabin Road Trip  --truly, this video helped my mind with much healing. So gorgeous!

This guy was hilarious!

Oh, and we watched the movie, Paper Planes, and loved it. Here's a trailer link.

***** 

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

This And That --- Or -- Strange Things About Me

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”   --- Luke 6:38

*****

1.) In our kitchen for 14 years, we've had a smoke alarm in a ridiculously high place over the stairs. It would go off if a stove burner or pan smoked. Tom and I believed it was hard-wired-in so we hoped that meant we didn't have to change the battery.

Really, it hung very high. 

In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the alarm began chirping (you know that dreaded sound). The cats and I hid upstairs waiting for Tom to wake up. Finally he did, then we asked Naomi if she'd go out to the garage and get a ladder. This is a much longer story, but Naomi climbed the ladder, grabbed the alarm and handed it to us.

Wow. Not hard wired! And you know? That thing lasted on two simple double A batteries for 14 years. Fourteen years! Can you believe it?

I have to call that some type of a miracle. (Oh, and we did not replace it up there, of course.)

2.) So I lost double the weight that I told you (mathmatical error plus more loss since then), so now I've got all these oversized tops. After spending much effort on this wardrobe, I didn't want to start over so I bought these:

You know, to cinch the front side.

(That's not the set I bought, but it's the only photo I could find where she wears it similarly.)

They're my wardrobe saver and have many other uses.

3.) Always I'm at Youtube, yet never do I read titles about being kind and giving to people. Never.

Well, imagine my shock when I spied this title:

Always be in the Giving Spirit with Your Small Business and in Your Personal Lives

Oh my goodness! Made my entire week, especially to go on and listen to her words:

"We feel you have a responsibility as a human being. No matter what amount of money I've ever had -- you give. I don't care what you give: you give when you ain't got nothing, you give when you've got something. You don't wait until you've got something. You need to always have a giving heart with a giving spirit. It's the way we're supposed to be as humans. If you don't feel like that, you need to think about your life."

Amen, like, 400 times. Oh, to be so bold in speaking truth! Wow. I want to be like her when I grow up.

4.) You won't believe this, but it's been at least 8 years since I shopped inside a supermarket. Maybe longer.It just became too much for me (yeah, what a wimp. I know.)

But never do I regret having groceries delivered by Aldi. Instacart gives us a major way to save on delivery charges, plus, I love giving money to delivery folks rather than pouring it into my gas tank. I'm supporting my neighborhood by doing this, giving a slightly different way which benefits us all.

I also buy things through Walmart, but the usual way, not through Instacart. And sometimes Tom and Naomi pick up a few groceries, but I consider those extras.  シ

Oh, and when things are delivered, I usually try to run out and thank the person. Gratitude means much to everyone.

5.) Two nights after coming down with this virus, I lay in bed kinda delirious with fever. Kept thinking of my favorite episode of Early Edition (Home Groan), telling myself I must remember the lines of the best scenes. Must. Remember.

But then something changed and I thought, "You know? How easy for a sickness like this to whisk me away to Heaven in an instant. Snap! Gone forever."

Well, that sobered me. Was I scared? Not at all. Heaven sounded wonderfully pleasant at that moment.

But what did concern me is that I've not finished decluttering my extra stuff so Naomi won't have to. Even after 6 years of averaging getting rid of 10 things weekly, much is left to release.

And seriously, that gave me extra strength to hang in there.  I want to be as near finished with decluttering as I can be when the real time to fly away comes.

6.)  Am I 100 percent over that virus after 8 weeks? I wish. I'm much closer and three of the other symptoms are healed, but still, afternoons can be tiring and early evening coughing happens at times. 

Part of the problem may be summer--it's always rough on me even hugging an air-conditioner.  シ

These days? I keep this upon my mind:

What would I do without Jesus, especially at nighttime through all this when I feel His presence so strong in my Secret Bedroom?

He is incredible.

Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

 *** 

 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

A 21st Blogiversary -- Or -- This Might Change Your Life. It Changed Mine.

My 21st blogiversary is in 2 days, but this post won't leave my mind, so here you go.

*****

This interview with Gerald McRaney, well, shook me up. Changed me. Reminded me of how we as Christians should consistently be. I'll shorten it here:

McRaney:  "My first time on The Rockford files I had a scene to do. I'm in my little dressing room and there's a knock on the door.  I open the door and there's Jim Garner. He says, "Hey Hoss. I just want to welcome you to the show. I hope you have fun."' 

"And that was it. But that was the way that man was. I'm a day player, I'm doing one scene and he went out of his way to welcome me."

"Months later, my parents came out for a visit and I'd arranged for them to have lunch at the commisary at Universal which was a big to-do for them. And I saw that Rockford Files was shooting right across the street."

"I went to see if Jim was there, and he was, and his assistant came to the door. I said, "I just wanted to see if Jim would have a moment to say hello to my parents." 

"Well, there was an executive in there with Jim who said something like, "We don't have time." To which Jim responded, "Well, we're gonna have to make some time, aren't we?" 

"He came out and spent, like, the next hour with my parents and just kept that executive in there cooling his heels, learning some manners. And I will never forget that as long as I live. Jim was the finest gentleman I've run across in this business. He was such an outstanding man."

Oh. My. Goodness.

Today's unfriendly world needs Christians to, daily, walk in that type of excellence! We must find ways to counter-balance all those Youtube videos which say you-don't-need-friends-after-50-just-stay-in-your-cozy-home-with-your-pets-so-no-one-will-hurt-your-feelings.

And instead? It's time to break out of all our cages. To love others, sacrifice for them as Jesus told us to.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony ..  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor... Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Colossians 3:14, Romans 12:10, 1 John 4:8

I believe our Country needs a Love Revival, especially all over the Internet. Oh, when will we view this online world as the mission field God meant it to be? When will we stop hiding from people, peeking our heads out only when convenient for us?

Today, maybe?

*****

Tom and I are nearly finished with our second rewatch of The Rockford Files (free at Amazon). We always begin with season two. It's a top level comfort show for us, like looking through a window back in Time. We love his beat-up old trailer, the taco restaurant next door, the ocean in his front yard, his dad and Rockford's sense of humor. Everything, really.

I hope you'll watch that interview with Gerald McRaney. After 40 years, the emotion in his voice is still palpable. Wow. 

21 years blogging! What an adventure, indeed. How long will I continue? Only as long as I feel Grace speaking through me.

*****

And as I shared at Facebook:

So! If anyone is sitting around wishing they knew of a kindness they could bestow, here's an idea.

Hope Ann is newish to Youtube and I know she'd appreciate any 'likes' and comments today. She is the sweetest thing since local honey and her last video was her best (imo). It even had a scary ending. Oh my.

Please drop by and comment if you can, ok? I know she'd appreciate it so much.

Thanks!

(Thousands of ways to show compassion online exist like this.)

And what I desire to see all over Youtube? Videos with titles like, "How We Can Love Others Better." "Ways We Can Become More Excellent in Our Relationships." "How To Show People Jesus Cares For Them." "Examples of Kindness."

The Warfare of Love, Part 1. Joyce Meyer.

"It's impossible to be selfish and happy."    --- Joyce Meyer

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15