07/30/09

We are heading to the beach tonight on a "whim." We need a little mini vacation as a family before school starts. I'm not usually one to do this... but let's put thinking about something to death aside and just GO. :) See ya Sunday, my blogging friends....

07/29/09

Sometimes it seems we live in the past and do not move forward. I know we all have those moments where we remember things we did in our past that we wish we could do over again. The Lord is faithful, though, to forgive those things and move on. I was reminded of this again today as I read from Psalm 103. Maybe this will help someone else, too....

Psalm 103

¹Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

²Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

⁸The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

¹⁰He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

¹⁸To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²¹Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

²²Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

07/28/09

Another pathway area today.

07/27/09

Today we went to Siler City to the stockyards... the summer tradition of going back in time to the cow sale and eating those wonderful cheeseburgers. It was great.

Had some horrible storms this afternoon! Was thankful for protection from them.

Can you believe this is my last week of summer break? I go back next Wednesday. I still don't want to talk about it. lol

07/26/09

More images from the Photo Walk. Almost done...


Heard this today and wanted to post it:

Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Let us not forget God daily and just "use" Him when times are tough. He wants us to come to Him with every need, every day. When we try to take control of our life, putting God aside because "we can handle it", we mess up. I have seen that in my own life! We are nothing without the Lord. We cannot glory (or put our faith) in our own wisdom, might or riches in order to gain anything in this world. All we have and all that we are is because of God.

07/25/09

Today I made more batches of jams, etc.. Kevin came down and we made another day of it. Let's just say the second time around on the Spicy Plumb Butter was a hit! I also made Apple Conserve, Apple Preserves and two batches of Blueberry Jam...

Oh.
My.
Goodness.

Wish you all could taste 'em. They are so stinking good. No pictures today of that... we were "hoppin'" in the kitchen department. :)

No real "word picture of the week" this week, either. I think I have gotten a bit slack on that because of having to get back into some school things. However, I can "cheat" again... hee hee... We'll say the word picture of the week is "CAT"... simply because today Isabelle and Sampson celebrated their first birthday.

I can't believe it has already been a year. I must admit that when Ashes died so quickly, it left my heart void for her for a while. When Sampson and Isabelle came to live with us, things were better in that area, but I still didn't have that love for them that I had for Ashes.

I can now honestly say that my love for these two silly kitties has grown every day. I am so thankful we have both of them and didn't just get one. They have made us laugh so much and it has been so fun watching them together.

Isabelle is more nosy than Sampson. She loves to check things out by smelling everything. She is more laid back and loves to watch the shower after someone has taken a bath. She loves to sleep with the kids at night, but has to make her rounds to all rooms to make sure everyone is sleeping alright. lol She loves to be held but on her terms. She reminds us a bit of Ashes in that you can do anything to her and she'll come right back with love, but she has a spunk to her that Ashes never had, it seems.

Sampson is a scare-d-cat.... literally. lol He gets so scared over any loud noises, and he must hide somewhere... usually in Mikayla's closet. He does, however, love to pounce on birds and other creatures he sees through the windows. That is when he thinks he is "something else." He demands your attention and will literally reach up for you to take him. Mikayla holds him like a little baby with his paws around her neck. He will not stay with us long and usually only sleeps in Mikayla's room.

They both still have a habit of getting on countertops/tables when we are away or at night. We found we have to hide our bread because they eat through the bag! They also do that to bags of cat food (or anything they think smells like that) even though their bowls are full. They love tuna juice and Steve spoils them quite often with that treat. Sunshine is one of their favorite places to lay.. and Wesley asked me yesterday why they love it so much when they have fur! lol Good question... but they do!

Needless to say, our lives have become richer over the past year with them in it. I still miss Ashes, and sometimes it still gets me a little teary thinking about her, but the Lord sent us two sweet kitties that we adore and we are so thankful.

First pics of the babies....


Miss Isabelle in Mikayla's room. She is so spoiled. She is also hard to photograph with that half black/half light colored face. Her pictures never look that great to me, but she is so beautiful in person.....


Sampson on the ironing board.... he loves that area. We have nicknamed him "Sammy Boy."
He photographs so well...
I just love these kitties!

07/24/09

Just some more pics today from the Photo Walk. I tried to find interesting things as I walked through some shop "alleyways." Hope you enjoy....

07/23/09

A couple more from the Photo Walk:

I have always wanted to photograph this clock in downtown Cary. I honestly don't think I gave it the "pizzazz" I had hoped with this shot. Maybe I'll have to try it again some day.

This water meter was interesting to me simply because of the writing. I am just always drawn to things that look old. I honestly don't know how old it is... could be a year old and just from the weather it looks older, but I loved the words and seeing where it was made.

The kids and I saw a bird fly into our window today. Poor thing was stunned and had a time getting up but he was OK. The kids both thought he was going to die but I told them just to wait and watch... you would be a little "coockoo", too, if you had run full blown into glass. lol They loved watching him when he flew away. (The cats were going crazy at this bird.. it was hilarious to watch.) It was wonderful to see how I knew God was taking care of that bird just like He takes care of me.

In still studying "Peace", I read this part last night. Gotta share again:

I challenge you all to read Psalm 104... then you will understand a bit more about this first part that Beth Moore writes.

"I don't know about you, but this psalm makes me feel rather miniscule, and yet we, of all creatures great and small, have access [to God.] Why? Because Christ became our peace on Calvary.

I will never forget watching an evening talk show featuring the story of the parents and killer of a young college student. The killer was his best friend. The weapon was high alcohol content inside a speeding automobile. We've heard so many stories about drunk drivers and their victims. What made this particular feature prime-time viewing? The parents have forgiven the young driver... and if that was not enough, they had taken him in as their own.

This young man sat at the table in the chair which was once occupied by their only son. He slept in the son's bed. He worked with the victim's father, teaching seminars on safety. He shared their fortune and supported their causes. He spoke about the one he had slain in ways only someone who knew him intimately could have.

Why did these parents do such a thing? Becuse it gave them peace. The interviewer was amazed; I was amazed. I kept trying to put myself in the parents' position - but I could not. Then, as the tears streamed down my cheeks, I heard the Spirit of God whisper to my heart and say: "No wonder you cannot relate. You have pu yourself in the wrong position. You, my child, are the driver."

God was the parent -- who not only forgave -- but also invited me to sit at His table in the space my Savior left for me. As a result, I have peace."

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

07/22/09

More Photo Walk pics:





I'm working on the Fruit of the Spirit "Peace" this week in my Beth Moore Bible study. What I read yesterday was so good that I wanted to post it. It was something I needed.... it may be something helpful for you as well.

I had to read the first three chapters of Job so that is where this begins.

"Surely God gave us Job so that in the midst of our own misery, we would always remember a man who experienced worse... and made it. He lost his livelihood, his servants, his children, and his health. After days of sitting in silence, Job spoke 'out of the overflow of the heart' (Matt. 12:34) and wishes aloud that he was dead. Why was he overtaken by such despair? Because buried deep in the midst of all Job had lost was his greatest loss of all: his peace. Life is unbearable without peace.

Peace is often that "something" dissatisfied people ultimately discover they are missing. Sadder still, others never can quite put their fingers on it, living and dying in absolute turmoil. Recently, I heard an interviewer ask an Academy Award winning actor who "has it all" what he still wants to achieve. His answer? 'Peace of mind.'

So closely are peace and joy linked that Satan will most certainly steal our joy if he can undermine our peace. Striving, churning, tossing, turning, bitter, burning, never learning....

"But the fruit of the Spirit is.... peace." Galatians 5:22

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

07/21/09

While we were riding in the van today, Wesley begins to say something about his speech teacher and that she knew Jesus. I asked him how he knew and he said "Because I asked her if she knew Jesus the first time we met!" If only we all would be so bold...

Tonight we had all fresh vegetables/fruits from our garden for supper. I cooked okra and squash and then cut up some cucumbers and tomatoes. There was no meat, obviously, as we have not begun raising cattle or chickens, but summer vegetable meals are always good to me. We'll see what Steve thinks with no meat when he gets home from working late. lol

Here are some more pics from the Photo Walk. I know y'all are probably tired of them. lol I spent more time at the railroad area than I thought!!

The old line

I have no idea what this is, but it was interesting and a lot of people photographed it. I loved the wording the most. Hope you can see the patent years on it. Look in the second photo for more detail of that.

The train came in while we were walking to another part of town. It struck us all funny that the front of the train had all of that debris on it. Whatever it hit... it destroyed it!

Casey was so irritated with the blown out skies that day. This was one photo where I totally agreed.... the train would have been so nice against a nice blue/big cloudy background. lol

07/20/09

Today the kids and I went to watch one of my students from this past year play golf. She has been playing in all kinds of golf tournaments for a while now and I enjoyed learning about her adventures this past year. :) It was a joy to get to see her play. She did really well and it made my day to see her smile.

Here are some shots I took out there today while watching her. I told Jillian I would put pictures on here, so I want to say "HELLO" to her!! She did great!!!

Her Daddy was her caddy.... it was neat to watch that...

This is one of my favorites... this is Jillian with her Mom. :)

07/19/09

I never showed some pics from the Senior pics I took last week. It was such a fun time with her. :) There are so many more, but these are some of my favorites.



Sorry for all of the pictures today. Just felt the need... Here are some more from the Photo Walk yesterday.

What is left of old railroad tracks.

As I took this I wondered how long ago those spikes had been pounded into the ground and then come loose. I am sure there have been many replaced through the years, but it made me step back and think of when that railroad was first built.

These spikes look like they are trying to "escape" from their area. How often do they pound them back in? Anyone know?

"End of the Line"

This looked different than the other railroad spikes... not sure what it was.