Have You Ever Hugged An Angel?

There's nothing quite like an angel's hug.
My angel's name is Lindsey.

Have you ever hugged an angel?
It was my honor the other day.

There's nothing on earth quite like it.
It takes my breath away.

I hold my angel so tight, so close. 
Its not-at-all easy to let go.

I'm 'Grandma' to an angel.
And oh, how I love her so.

Though I softly whisper, 'I love you.'
I'm fairly certain she cannot hear.

But, I am certain she gets my message.
You see, I feel God's presence near.

Jesus loves his little children.
And He loves my angel very much.

When my angel is wrapped in my arms.
We both feel Jesus' heavenly touch.

Please keep Lindsey, and all of us who love her so much, in your prayers.
Lindsey has Tay Sachs disease.  She's 10 years old.

House Bill 695 - Family, Faith, and Freedom Protection Act 2013

We've got rights!

Constitutional rights.
Conscience rights.
Civil rights.
Freedom rights.
Human rights.
Legal rights.
Moral rights.
Religious rights.

And, our rights are at stake.

Here's a brief summary of what's included in House Bill 695 - The Family, Faith and Freedom Protection Act of 2013:


Speak up for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.
  Proverbs 31:8

It prohibits the use of foreign law, such as Sharia law, from being applied in family court actions in North Carolina, if such action violates a person’s fundamental constitutional rights.

It expands conscience rights for people employed in the medical field who have moral or religious objections to participating in any procedure that may lead to an abortion.

It prohibits coverage for abortion in health plans offered through health care exchanges under 'ObamaCare.'

It prohibits city and county governments from providing abortion coverage beyond what is provided by the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.

It bars sex-selective abortions – abortions performed simply because of the unborn child’s gender.

It requires that any time a surgical or chemical abortion is performed the doctor must be physically present for the full procedure.

To prevent Gosnell type violations in abortion clinics, the bill mandates that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services produce regulations that ensure such clinics are similar to surgical ambulatory centers.

This is an historic moment in North Carolina history.

Contact Governor Pat McCrory.  Ask him to sign HB695 into law.

Protect your rights. 

 

Left Unsaid

 

Speak up for the unborn.  Be their voice.

I've heard it said that some things are better left unsaid.
I'm not entirely convinced.

I mean, if I kept my mouth shut ...

• My family might not fully understand the depth of my love for them.
• My friends might not fully understand how much their friendship means to me.
• And, my neighbors might not fully understand my actions.

I'm quite aware that our mouths carry the potential of causing trouble.  In those instances, troublemakers should give consideration to the closed-mouth option.

Even greater, is my awareness that if we don't use our mouths for good - no good can come from that.

When I think my thoughts are important, I share them.  Verbally.

That being said, I have a thought to share.  I believe its important.  I believe its useful.  And I believe if its left unsaid, innocent people will die. 

Really.

So, I speak up, speak out, and speak with intention.

I 'speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.'

I speak for the unborn.  I am their voice. 

I believe if the unborn children could talk, they'd tell their moms to choose life.  Better said ... they'd beg, plead, and cry out for their lives - to the top of their lungs.

Of that, I am entirely convinced.

Treadmilling

That's what I'm sayin'.

I'm on my gazillionth diet and exercise plan.

A 'gazillion' might be a bit of a stretch, but I'm quite certain it's somewhere in that general vicinity.

Actually, it's more of an exercise plan than a diet plan.  At least at this early stage in the game.

It just seems a little premature to incorporate a diet along with the exercise when Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas cookies are looming just around the corner ... patiently waiting to be devoured by yours truly.

Encouraging its employees to stay fit, the company I work for has a fitness center.  Admirable I suppose since we are, after all, a group of facilities whose purpose is promoting and/or restoring health. 

At this stage in the game, I feel I most appropriately fit in the health restoration category.

Not wanting to blow my personal health restoration plan altogether, I'll wait 'til January - like everyone else and their brother - to focus on the (ugh!) diet part of my overall health program.

For now, fitness is my goal.

The fellow who runs the employees' fitness center decided it'd be a cool idea to organize a fitness contest, duly named the turkey trot since we're approaching Thanksgiving. 

Contestants are required to work out in the fitness center at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week, for the next 8 weeks.  At the end of the 8 weeks, the turkey-trotters' names are put into a pot from which one winner is chosen.  The prize?  A free one-year membership to the gym.

This is week 4.

I haven't lost weight yet. 

I can't honestly say that I have that winning feeling yet.

And I'd be lying through my teeth if I said my participation in the contest is enjoyable.  Nope.  Not even a 'ride in the park.'  Not by a long shot.  But I must say, I do feel I've done this body good at the end of each workout.

On a positive note - I'll be celebrating my 55th birthday in January.  And since I'd like to think I have at least another 30 good years left, I suppose its in my best interest to keep moving ... and not toward the cookie jar.

Gone are the days of eating whatever I want, whenever I want, while doing absolutely nothing in particular - and still fitting into those cute jeans.  Gone!

On the flip side, these days I'm reading while walking on the treadmill and watching television while hula-hooping.

Multi-tasking at its finest?

My elders always told me this day was coming.

All I've gotta say is, this better pay off ... big time.  Or someone's gonna have to relocate that cookie jar.

Out of My Comfort Zone

What just happened? 

Hadn't I already made up my mind?  Hadn't I already decided I was not going to put myself in that place again?  Hadn't I already determined stepping out on a limb was risky business?

No, the limb relationship was not romantic in nature.  Instead, it was a relationship of a much different sort.  My limb and I were to have developed a trusting and genuine friendship.  At least, that's how it was supposed to have played out.

It didn't.

My limb broke.  Hard.  And in pieces.

Then God stepped in.

Apparently, He'd determined my limb needed re-visitation.

And apparently, He was intent on persuading me to realize that the limb-stepping business isn't necessarily as monstrous a risk as I might have supposed.

Despite my determination to avoid limbs, at all costs even, my Lord scooped me right up from where I thought I'd securely cemented my feet, and transplanted me smack dab in the middle of a similar limb.  A limb I was avoiding - like the plague.

Just so you know, He and I had discussed this whole limb-thing many times over the past two months.  I'd already expressed my concern to God that limbs were not for me, and not at all what I'd bargained for.

Oh sure,  I had prayed for His divine intervention.  But honestly, my prayers weren't all that convincing - to myself even.

But oh, what a wonderful thing when God intervened anyway.  Despite my having given up on going out on a limb.

I'm gonna stay out on this limb awhile.  I believe it's a little stronger than the other one.  And, I believe I'm a little stronger because of the limb that broke.

What if this one breaks? 

There are other limbs in the forest.  Lots of 'em.

What an awesome God we serve.

I don't know about tomorrow.

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry about the future,

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what lies ahead.

 

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand.

But I know who holds tomorrow,

And I know who holds my hand.

 

- Lyrics by Ira Stanphill, 1950 -



The Finish Line

It's the goal of all marathon runners, isn't it?  Crossing that finish line.

Whatever it takes!

Taking a step or so further, the truly impassioned marathoner crosses that line with such determination as to leave others running the same race dust-covered.

The runner's distinctive steps? 

They're measureless.  They're limitless.  They're timeless.

• Run with a prize in mind.  - 1 Corinthians 9:24
• Don't hold back.  - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
• Physical training.  - 1 Timothy 4:8
• Follow the rules.  - 2 Timothy 2:5
• Finish the race.  Have faith.  - 2 Timothy 4:7
• Run with perseverence. - Hebrews 12:1
• Discipline and strengthen yourself. - Hebrews 12:11-13
• Depend on Christ for strength in everything.  - Philippians 4:13
• Place your hope in the Lord to renew your strength. - Isaiah 40:31
• Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.'  - Revelations 3:11

What type of crowns? 

1. The crown of RIGHTEOUSNESS.  2 Timothy 4:8 - 'Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.'
2. The crown of REJOICING.  1 Thessalonians 2:19 - 'For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes?'
3. The crown of LIFE.  James 1:12 - 'Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.'
4. The crown of GLORY.  1 Peter 5:2-4 - 'Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.'
5. The ETERNAL crown.  1 Corinthians 9:25 - 'Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.'

What will we do with our crowns?  Lay them at Jesus' feet. - Revelations 4:10

Oswald Chambers said, 'Begin to know Him now, and finish never.'

Well said! 

Don't just start the race.  Don't stop!

What Happens at Grandma's . . .

.

What Happens at Grandma's ... Stays at Grandma's
(unless she posts it in her Blog)

Our twin 3-year-old grandsons - Samuel and Anderson - are spending a 4-day weekend with us - Grandma and Grandpa, a.k.a. 'PaPa Joe'.

Today is day # 2.

We initiated the spoiling-factor on day one ... hour one, to be precise.

Note:  It's an all too-well-known fact that this Grandma does not like to cook.  Nope!  So needless to say, we won't be baking any cookies or letting any pies cool in the window.  Hello! ... I  believe that's what they invented bakeries and grocery stores for. 

Home-made ice cream?  Are you kidding me?  There's a great ice cream shop nearby.

I'm not at all a fan of what I like to call prehistorical methods of spoiling the grandkids. 

Nope!  Thanks to modern-day kitchen-ology (pre-packaged food items), junk food 'spoilification'  (yes, I made that word up) of the grandkids is a breeze. 

Samuel and Anderson have already indulged in their fair share of Snickers ice cream slathered in Hershey's chocolate syrup (twice), chocolate chip cookies (the package label says they're 'just like homemade'), and movie-theatre popcorn (at the movie theatre during hour one of their visit) ... you guessed it ... smothered in butter.  It's all okay - they really do wash it all down with skim milk.  And yes, they eat all their vegetables first.  ... Sometimes.

Hey, I'm Grandma.  That's what we do.

What's in store for the remainder of 'Vacation at Grandma's House'?  More of the same.  Plus, swimming pools, kids' movies, Sunday School, playing in the park, coloring books, storybooks, hide-n-seek, silly songs, silly dances, Tonka trucks, and staying up past bedtime.  

The great thing about Grandparenthood?  Time!  Lots more than ever before.

This is the life!

Proverbs 17:6

'Children's children (grandchildren) are a crown to the aged.'

This Grandma wears 4 crowns:

Lindsey

Audrey

Samuel

Anderson