What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Since I write a blog there is very little that isn’t known about me! What comes to mind is favorite candies. One of my all time favorites is Cherry Mash:
11 For God does not show favoritism.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. God has been at the wheel of the stuff I’ve been going through lately – extremely grateful for the prayers of family, friends and even strangers! My Aunt met a elderly veteran who gave her this cross for me and said he would pray for me. The wagons of Gods people have been rallied! I’m so, so grateful!
When I think of todays prompt I think of my life right now gradually getting in place. It’s taken me three years to get where I’m at. Many of the days leading up to this one were littered with fear, sadness and grief – lack of faith! A lot of my days have not very productive and could be perceived as lazy days. I was in such a state of shock leaving Texas. I have been retired from active duty longer than I was in (21 years). When I was active duty I burned the candle at both ends. I was usually the one leadership turned to when a program was a mess. I worked a lot of long days cleaning up messes. Lazy days meant more to me then they do now. I don’t have a specific purpose when I wake up each day! When I was active duty I was up at 4:30 am and worked til after 5.
I haven’t completely found a fit for me here yet in being useful again. A lot of what holds me back is driving. I hate driving! When I was married, Kyle used to always drive and I got used to that after 12 years! I was spoiled! I keep my eyes open for things I can do – little things. When my back is not hurting I would like to help set up at the church again. I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting the gift of my life. A lot of people I’ve known haven’t even lived as long as I have.
One of my favorite passages from the Bible – makes me think of a Palladian (class I played in FFXI video game). In these trying times we must put on our armor!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
What makes a good neighbor?
When I saw the prompt for today I immediately thought of Fred Rogers Neighborhood program. He showed through that program all the ways to be a good neighbor. He used puppets and people to make his points. One of the most powerful things he did was share a child’s swimming pool with a black police officer – https://youtu.be/v4recJ6qXyk?si=HcUP2OLkmIn4sWkt
He was so gentle and kind. The kind of neighbor I would love to have. I have nice neighbors but they mostly keep to themselves except Marlene. She is an older lady who walks her dog she calls Number 6 and pretty much knows everyone.
https://youtu.be/NB5uSHCIgS0?si=CB8SrUlm6MdV2IAp – Mr Rogers Helpers
I know I have shared this a couple times before but it is so relevant right now. We are getting toxic news at every turn. Mr. Rogers was and remains a helper to this day.
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
What could you try for the first time?
Hello to you. I hope this finds you well in spite of all the stuff going on in this world. I am trying to remain calm and relaxed. I know the more anxious I feel the more I need to pray and lean into my faith. Its just hard to do sometimes. The natural inclination when going through rough times is to be anxious and worry. That, unfortunately, shows a lack of faith. I have to trust Jesus has the wheel of what I’m facing. I am grateful for all my family and friends that are praying for me right now.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw todays prompt was snorkeling or scuba diving. I’ve never done either of these things. There is so much to discover in the underwater realms. I have only ever been a land dweller! I lived in Florida for a couple of years but never did anything but swim in the ocean and do some fishing. I got to see dolphins off in the distance from where I was swimming. I can remember fishing at the shore and a dolphin coming right next to me! I love dolphins! They are such miracles!
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Hello to you. The past few days have been hard for me. I am having to wait and there are lots of unknowns. I can’t really get into specifics but my whole life is affected by what’s going on right now. I’m so grateful for my family and friends! I came up with this poem to describe what’s going on.
The Unknown
I stand at the threshold of the unknown
Only fleeting glimpses of the future
I am being shown
The past rises to my now and when
Erases the clean slate
Of all I have been
Everything comes crashing in fast
The reality I now face
Is something I would only think of last
I have asked God the questions of where and when
The answers are seemingly harsh
Considering where I have already been
God has a plan for me I don’t know what
I just need to keep my faith strong
Stay out of the fear I’m feeling in my gut
Everything happens for a reason
For a moment
For a season
I must trust the process …..
What have you been putting off doing? Why?
Hello to you. How are you? I am doing ok considering what’s going on in my life right now. I can’t really talk about it but let’s just say it’s life changing. I am leaning on my faith, family and friends right now. Yesterday my cousin came and whisked me off on an little adventure. We had Dickeys BBQ and went for a walk.
The big thing have been putting off is end of life planning. I know at some point I’m going to die and I will have property, finances and stuff that will be left behind to deal with. I have a will but it’s old so I need to get everything up to date. So I need to deal with it and hopefully I can do it through the VA so it won’t cost me anything. Ideally I just want to leave everything to my brothers daughter but need to get everything in writing and official.
11 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 hope and a future.
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
Hello to you today. How are you? I’m having that weird feeling in my ears again which makes me freeze up and not want to do anything. My cousin is coming over for a visit and I know that will help!
The first time I felt grown up is when I joined the military and left home 13 August 1986. I had to fly to San Antonio Texas and go to Basic Training. Prior to this I had been a child cared for by my parents. I was scared and nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. The military training instructors were not especially friendly! They were not there to be our friends that’s for sure. I was my training instructors “house mouse” they called it. I made sure to keep her quarters clean. Her name was Barbara Washington and she was a powerful black woman. I can remember drill with her saying “I want to hear you say pop! “ The sound of us pulling our heads out of our butts!
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?
If I had a million dollars to give away there are so many people and agencies I could think to give it to. For example my family, friends, church, ASPCA and Music and Memory. it’s hard to nail down just one! There is a part of me that would want to buy a plot of land and make it in to a nature preserve or park. I’ve always wanted to do that. One million dollars doesn’t go as far as it use to! Homes here in Idaho are selling for half a million!
20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Hello to you. How are you? I am feeling anxious today. I’m planning on spending the day with my Aunt after I get my laundry done. Feeling bad for the people of Israel and all that is going on over there. The world I’m living in is so surreal right now!
My favorite past time that I have held on to over all that I’ve been through is writing. Everything else I used to do – drawing, painting and crocheting has all but shut down. Being on the medication I am on really has closed my creative juices off. Honestly I would rather not be manic and have my life in control than be out of touch with reality.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lordour God,
I will seek your prosperity.
What would you do if you lost all your possessions?
It’s hard to imagine what my life would be like if I loss all my possessions. I think of all the natural disasters where people have lost everything and have to file insurance claims. It can take a really long time to return to some sort of normal and nothing is ever the same again. So much in the way of memories is lost! I think I would be in a severe case of shock! I would, as with anything happening like this, lean heavily on my faith in Jesus and my family, friends and church family. I would have to accept nothing was going to be the same again.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
To be 