It is a gloomy looking day.  High is supposed to be 42 degrees with chance of rain.  A lot like life we can't be up on the mountain all the time, sometimes we are in the valleys.  But we need to remember to Thank Him always.  
We had some beautiful sunshiny days this last week.  It was up in the 50's and low 60's.  God is Good.  Thank you Jesus!

I believe He was showing off! The Master Painter!

'Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.'           I Chronicles 29:13

until next time...nel

Sharing Music...

I ran across this young man on Facebook.  Someone had shared one of his songs.  He is a very talented singer/writer/composer.  His words touch the heart.  I cannot wait till he records his CD.  Just felt like everyone needed to hear him. 




until next time...nel

It's Thursday...

Thankful Thursday

It is Thursday and time for our Thankful Thursday Post.  If you would like to join in, just click on the above link and sign up so everyone else can read what you are thankful for.

First of all I am thankful for Facebook. A lot of people look down on Facebook and granted it can be Drama Station, but you can turn those people off, you don't have to see all the drama.  I love Facebook because it lets me keep in touch with my family and friends in Arkansas and in other areas.  It is easy for my daughter to share pictures.  All of that is wonderful stuff but it is also a place you can share Jesus.  If you have a prayer request it is a wonderful place to request prayer and have several people praying within a short time.  Thank you Jesus!

I am thankful for answered prayer.  Dylan, my preacher's grandson was told he had a tumor on his knee. They were afraid it was cancer and he was going on Wednesday for a MRI.  He is 10 years old.  We had prayer for him at church Wednesday night and when I got home I requested prayer on Facebook, within an hour there were at least 25 people praying for him.  The next evening his grandma called me and it was not a tumor, no cancer, it is a cyst.  He will have it removed soon. Praise The Lord!

This week I am thankful I had such a good doctor's report.  Everything was good.  You can read more about that here.

I am thankful for sunsets, God's beautiful canvas.  Enjoying what God has given us!

These were taken from the edge of my front yard.

I am thankful for special friends.  We all have lots of friends but we usually have a few special friends.  Those that even though you have not seen them in several months you pick up and continue like no time has passed.  I got to meet with one of those friends this last week. We ate lunch at McDonald's and spent 5 hours sitting and talking.  I have a few of those kind of friends and I treasure them and keep them close to my heart!

Life is Good and for this I am thankful!

'In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.'  I Thessalonians 5:18

until next time...nel

Skating to the Hodgepodge...

Joyce poked her head above the snow long enough to get Wednesday Hodgepodge together.  Now just skate over and grab the questions from her and join in the fun!  Blogging Friends are the best!

1.  When did someone last suggest you 'chill out?' Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out?' Or when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out?'

Wow, I don't really remember the last time I said that.  I have a tendency to say 'You need to cool your jets.'

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?

I received this pic this morning on my phone with Kissey Faces in a text underneath.

I sent one of me back and Jan sent me a text saying Silas was giving me sugars.  It was a perfect way to start the morning! One of those moments that just grab the heart!

3. "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton

Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first as an adventure or an inconvenience? Does it feel the same in hindsight?

If you really think about it there is a lot of truth to that. Sometimes things we go to do don't always turn out like we planned and we can learn to make the best of it and turn it in to an adventure.  Better than being bummed about it.  That was too deep, I can't really think of an example now...  lol

4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?

Oh a small Wendy's Frosty hands down!  Love them!  Sometimes a perfect ending to a night in town.

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony?  Explain why?

I would say a circus.  You never know what is going to happen in the Big Top! lol  We have laughed a lot!  Life is never dull with Stan's twin brother living with us.

6.  Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white?

This song was one of my mom and dad's favorite songs. We did not attend church when I was young but they still believed.  I can remember hearing this song many times as I was growing up.  And it is one of my favorites that has the word white in it.  And of course White Christmas.

7.  If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

With no hesitation I would have to say my church and church family.  They are the best!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

First of all I have to mention we have been having beautiful weather.  It was 58 degrees today and the sun was shining!

I am getting so excited, we are going to have visitors over Valentine's Day weekend.  My daughter is bringing the grands up for a couple nights.  It will be good to see them and spoil them a little.  They are planning on attending church with us and Eden Jade is going to sing.  Praying we will have good weather so they can make the drive. Thank you Jesus!

until next time...nel

At Your Age...

I had my 6 month check up yesterday. Oh aren't they fun...  The last time I was in the doctor cut my blood pressure medicine in half so I was curious about it.  And I was quite pleased.  It was 122/78 and pulse was 72.  

I was curious what my sugar was going to be especially after going through Christmas, I went nuts this year with cookies and candy making.  As mentioned in my other post 'Did You Know...' I have been taking Cinnamon Tablets and I was curious if it worked for me.  My sugar count went down to 111 which is still too high but that is 14 points lower than what it was.  Before it was 1 point shy of being considered diabetic.  So we are going to monitor it and check it again in 6 months.  I think with the tablets and not having cookies and candy it will be in the normal range.  No telling what it would of been if I had not taken the Cinnamon tablets.  Thank you Jesus!

Everything else was great!  I was mentioning some concerns I had, And then he mentioned At Your Age...  He could of went all day without saying those three little words!

I have a confession to make, first of all age has never ever bothered me however some how that has changed.  I think it started back in December of 2011, my mom's sister passed away. She was the last Aunt left. No more uncles or Aunts on either side.  She was pretty special to me, her name was Aunt Maxine.  She was like my 2nd mom.  A very special lady.  

Her being the last one of their generation meant my cousins and I were it. We were part of the older generation now. You know the generation that kids look up to or make fun of whichever the case. :)  The ones that the younger ones come to with problems or to ask how things were when they were kids. When I started researching genealogy I started asking my aunt a lot of questions because my mom had already passed away.  And for the most part she answered all of them.  It is just hard to believe we are that generation now.  My mom was one year younger than me when I graduated high school and I can remember thinking she was so old...  It's hard to believe I am now that same age.  At times I do not feel that old and then I look in a mirror and I think...At Your Age...

' Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.'  Psalm 71:18

until next time...nel

What Are You Thankful For?

Thankful Thursday

This is my second week joining in on Thankful Thursday.  I think it is a good reminder of what we are thankful for.  We take so much for granted.  I have a few more general things to list, then I will try to get with the program and post about what I am thankful for during the week.  So here goes...

I am thankful for my extended family.  When Stan and I married my family grew quite a bit.  He has two lovely daughters who are married. 5 grand kids and 4 great grands.  I am thankful we have passed the awkwardness and are a family now.  I wish we could see them more than what we do, but they live in Utah and Iowa.  Here are two of the great grands.

Aren't they precious?  

I am also thankful that my sweet husband and my daughter's dad and step mom all get along. We are all friends and actually enjoy holidays together.  It makes it so much easier for Janice and the kids.  We get some strange looks sometimes but life is good.  Everything happens for a reason!

Stan, Gina & Doc at Christmas

Also thankful for our church and church family.  Heritage Chapel FWB is not big in number but we are mighty.  We love our Lord God and believe in His Word.  We have a young (preaching years) preacher that is on fire for the Lord.  He gets so excited and his wife has a heart of gold.  We have some awesome Bible Studies on Wednesday night and good preaching Sunday mornings and nights.  If you are ever in the Springfield MO area look us up, we would love to have you!

Heritage Chapel FWB, Springfield MO

Bro. Bruce & Sis Flecia Blankenship

Life is good!  Thank you Jesus!

'In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.'  I Thessalonians 5:18

until next time...nel

Time For Hodgepodge Again...

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?

I might watch it once in awhile, I do not watch a lot of TV except right before bedtime.  I have caught it a time or two, mostly when I have been at my daughters. I would sing "The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert.

2. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first."

So when did you last have to "eat a frog? or two?" How'd that work?

Things have been going pretty smoothly lately, haven't had to eat any frogs so I guess I really do not have an answer for this one.

3.  If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you'd want to see?

I think a lion in it's natural habitat. They are such beautiful creatures.

4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know.  Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let's exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?

Yes I do like granola bars.  This is my favorite: Good stuff!  I do like granola but do not eat it a lot.  I have had it on top of vanilla ice cream and that was pretty good. Probably not as healthy but it was good!

5. If only ___________.  

Our nation would turn back to God and put Him first in everything they do.

6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be?

Perhaps a sitting area for reading.

7. What is one thing you have enjoyed about winter thus far? If it's not winter in your corner of the globe, what season its it, and what is something you've enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?

The mild weather, it really has not been too bad here so far.  I mean it was in the high 50's all weekend and 62 Monday, Tuesday we had cooler temperatures and it was rainy all day. But it is the end of January...maybe this is the calm before the storm?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have been busy crocheting, do it a lot at night while the TV is on.  I am working on clothes for the American Girl or My Life Doll's - the 18 inch dolls.  I have them listed on my facebook page N Fast Creations.  I have an order already for a dog...my granddaughter. lol  She told her mom to tell me she was saving her money...like I am going to charge her.   You can see what I have accomplished by clicking Here on N Fast Creations.

'If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.'  II Chronicles 7:14

until next time...nel

Did You Know...

Getting older is so much fun.  Problems with stiffness, aching joints, cholesterol, memory, diabetes, just part of the fun.  And of course Doctor appointments, at least every 6 months, or you can't get your medicine refilled. 

I have to say Stan and I are both blessed.  He takes three prescriptions and I take one.  Both of us were told at our Doctor appointments last year that we were borderline diabetic and we needed to watch what we eat.  Do you know how hard that is, practically everything you eat turns to sugar.  

A friend told us what she started using.  So we thought we would give it a try.

That's right - Cinnamon Tablets - 1000 mg - 2 a day.  We had probably taken them for 2 months when Stanley had an appointment.  We were very pleased when he received his results.  His blood sugar was fine and there were no signs of diabetes.  I have an appointment at the end of the month, can't wait to see my results.

Sometimes little things make the biggest difference if you know about them.  Kinda like Jesus Christ, what a difference He can make in your life.

'Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.'   Philippians 4:11

until next time...nel

Thankful Thursday...

Thankful Thursday

I decided to join up with the Thankful Thursday meme.  We can never be to thankful for what we have.  If you would like to join up just click on the link above and have fun, I am sure Rebecca would appreciate your support.  It is a great way to meet new friends and enjoy blogging.  

Jeesh what am I thankful for...

Since this is my first post I have to start out with:

Jesus Christ - My life would be nothing without Him.  He is there thru good times and bad (carrying me thru the bad).  It still overwhelms me at times when I think about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  How can you not be thankful?

I am very thankful for my sweet husband, Stan.  He is so good to me, loves spoiling me.  I truly believe God gave him to me.

I am thankful for my daughter Janice and her family and even my son-in-law Clint. I am sure he was working when these pictures were made.

Thankful for my grandsons.  Cain is growing in to a fine young man. Hard to believe he was only three when he joined our family. And Silas James what joy he has brought to our family. Sometimes unexpected blessings are the biggest blessings!

And then there is Eden Jade.  She holds a special place in this Granny's heart. I thank God every day for having His hand on her when she was in NICU.

And then of course there is my daughter. She amazes me every day on what she accomplishes.  She is such a good momma.  She has loved Cain Alan as her own and has a wonderful relationship with him.  She never blinked twice taking care of a special needs baby.  Eden Jade had several obstacles to overcome in her young life.  And now she has a little boy that is all boy.  He is full of life and knows how to push his momma's buttons at 15 months old.  His momma calls him her little heathen, but look at this face.  How can that be?

I love my family and Thank God for them!

until next time...nel

Hodgepodging Again...

I am so excited, this is my first Hodgepodge in forever.  It is good to be back!
So here we go...

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.
Never quit talking, always always talk to each other.  Never get to busy to talk to each other, tell your partner how you are feeling, good and bad. Be honest!

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.

Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"
I believe we were at a Lock-in at our church with a bunch of teenagers.  We were Youth Leaders at the time.  It was a fun time!  We did not make any preparation for Y2K except being at church was the perfect place to be if the world was going to end.

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?
Probably "lol"

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?
I think "hack" it drives me crazy.  For some crazy reason every time I hear it I think of the word gag. And it has nothing to do with it.  I know crazy.  But I do hate that word~

5.  January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day? 
I am not a fan of hot tea.  Sweet Ice Tea is the only way it should be drank in my book.

6. Whatever happened to________________________________?
Salerno Butter Cookies.  I used to love these, we always had them when I was growing up.  It may be a Chicago thing. Here is the jingle that went with them.
Mommy 
What is it dear?
I want a Salerno Butter Cookie, mommy
I heard you dear
Salerno cookie coming right up
You can lookie, lookie, lookie
But you'll never find a cookie
With a better butter batter than Salerno
Salerno Butter Cookie!

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter? 
The Holy Bible - reading God's Word every day.  Just feel like the Lord has been dealing with me about this - that I was not reading as much as I should.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
Life is good.  We have so many advantages over other countries and we still take so much for granted.  Thank you Jesus!

until next time...nel

Sad But Joyous Couple Days...

I don't know about you but I love Facebook, it is a great way to keep in contact with friends and family who live out of state, and a great way to make new friends.  But most of all I love that I can post a prayer request and within minutes there are several people who are praying with me.

Last week I requested prayer for a sweet friend of mine.  She and her husband were charter members at our church in Springfield.  Shirley has had a time of it the last two years.  You see she had polio when she was a kid and was in one of those iron lungs.  She recovered with no lingering effects or so they thought. From what I have read 25 - 50% of patients later in life will be effected by a condition known as Post Polio Syndrome or PPS.  Unfortunately Shirley fell in that category.  She went from an active woman to wheel chair bound almost overnight.  But she never complained to any of us around her, maybe her close family was different but I never heard anything.  And up until she broke her hip a few months ago, she was at church every Sunday morning.  At times you could see she was so sick she didn't feel like being there but there she was with a smile on her face and love in her eyes.  See she was where she wanted to be, with her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ worshiping the one and true God.  

A week ago she collapsed at the nursing home.  They did CPR on her and brought her back but she never regained consciousness. Over the next few days she Coded twice but never responded to anyone.  After several tests and many discussions they decided to take her off life support.  That was on Tuesday and Wednesday she made her Heavenly flight.  There is no doubt in my mind this lady is worshiping at Jesus' feet and no longer needs a wheelchair.  Yes it is hard on family and friends and is sad for us left behind, but what joy knowing where she is.  And knowing we too can see her again if we have Jesus in our hearts.

How bout you... Are you Heaven Bound?

I am sure if she could Sis Shirley would be singing this song...

'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'                                                       Romans 10:9-10

until next time...nel

Changes In My Life...

I do not think I have shared this in a post, if I have I am sorry.  

Have you ever made a major change in your life, something you never could see yourself doing.  I have, and to some of you it will probably not be a big deal but to me it was enormous.

See I was addicted to Diet Coke.  I feel like I need to start by saying my name and admitting my addiction...lol.  You know there are so many things in our life we can become addicted to. But Diet Coke was mine.  I mean we are talking, me by myself, drank at least 5 or 6 - 2 litre bottles of Diet Coke a week.  We would find it on sale and load the car down at times.  That is so sad people, and what is really sad is I didn't even realize it. 

I knew my health was deteriorating but did not realize what was causing it.  Then articles started popping up about aspartame and how bad it was for you.  And I decided I needed to do something if I wanted to see my grand kids grow up.  So me and the Lord had a heart to heart talk and I gave it to Him.  I knew without His help I would never make it. I lived and breathed Diet Coke, I had one by my bed at night and started the morning with one, along with one by my side during the day. If I did not have one of a morning I would have a headache within an hour of waking up, until I would drink a glass.  I prayed that He would make them taste terrible to me and that I would never want another one as long as I lived.  

" And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."   Matthew 21:22

Not only was the desire taken away from me but the fondness of the taste is gone.  I cannot stand the taste, we were in town and Stan had a fountain Coke and I took a taste of it and wanted to gag.  I went back to my water, which is funny because I never drank water before, hated the taste of it.  It is amazing what our God can do if we just ask and turn it over to Him.

My blood pressure medicine has been cut in half.  I have so much more energy than I had before.  I no longer am having issues with my right leg feeling numb.  I have not had any more issues with losing the sight in my right eye, it would get blurry and black at times, not very often but enough it scared me.  I do not get winded when I walk across the parking lot or up and down stairs anymore.  I do not feel bloated anymore or swollen. I am not seeing a lot of change in what I weigh but clothes are fitting better and I am able to wear some things that I could not before.  A few of my jeans I have to wear a belt with them now.  I feel so much better than I did!  Life is Good!  And I give all the credit to God!  Thank you Jesus!

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"  Ephesians 5:20

until next time...nel

Be Still...

Mary over at "A Joyful Chaos" shared a Scripture Lullaby, I Can Do All Things.  It was the first one I had heard and I fell in love with it.  The music is so soft and relaxing.  This one is a favorite of mine:

What a wonderful reminder...



"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalms 46:10.

until next time...nel

Baby It's Cold Outside and Other Ramblings...

I guess it really is that time of year.  It is 17 degrees here, with the wind they are saying it feels like 3 degrees.  I know coming in from the car after church it was COLD! And spitting snow.

Can I ask a simple question...Where did this year go?  I felt like I turned around and it was gone.  We spent Christmas in Arkansas, with my daughter and family.  We were there at Thanksgiving also.  We always have such a good time when we are together.  This time I did a lot of my baking and preparing beforehand, then had more time to visit.  

We started something different this year.  Us girls spent some time crafting after Thanksgiving.  We did some painting.  They may not be Picasso's or such but they have memories attached to them and that rates higher in my book.

We had a lot of fun!  The picture of the Christmas tree is Silas and Eden's hand prints then Silas' footprint for the trunk.  Believe me that was fun, he couldn't believe what we were doing to him. lol.   Such good memories!  Janice hung the pictures in her entryway and they looked really nice.  

Winters are always hard for me because I start having grand-kid withdrawal by spring.  Due to the weather we do not travel to far away from home unless it is an emergency.  I have several projects I would like to accomplish this winter, but I am not making plans, for some reason they never work out.  Sooo we are going to take one day at a time and Thank Jesus for every day.

until next time...nel

Not Sure If I Remember How To Do This...

After a long break I think I am back if I can remember how.  Sometimes I think we need to step back and take a look at our lives especially when things become so busy.  Looking over my posts I can't believe I have been MIA since last March. I have missed everyone but I have so enjoyed spending time with family, visiting on Facebook, spoiling Grandkids!  But most of all spending time in God's Word.

A lot of changes have taken place in our little family.  My Grands are growing so fast. Cain Alan towers over me and is only in the 7th grade.  Eden Jade is 8 years old now and loves singing at church, and is asking questions about Baptism and Accepting the Lord. (Makes my heart smile!) And Silas James turned a year old in October.  He is Rotten, his momma calls him her little heathen.  And he is a mess...total opposite of his easy going sissy!  But adorable at the same time. (spoken like a true granny!) My kid Janice continues to surprise me in what she accomplishes. Please pray for her and my son-in-law. 

My sweet hubby is still my knight in shining armor. Still makes my heart skip a beat when he enters a room (all though entering is slower that it was. Arthur is taking a toll on his legs and knees, but I still love him more than ever.)  

His niece moved out back in the summer and it is so nice to have my house.  It finally really feels like home.  I am so enjoying my kitchen, I had a blast this Christmas!  We did some redecorating this summer, replaced the carpet and painted the walls and ceiling in what was her room.  It is now our extra room but my sewing room and rec room.  We have all of our movies and cd's and albums just waiting for use.  

His twin brother has moved in with us.  He is not in great health and needed to get out of a bad relationship and needed somewhere to go.  We have a lot of fun, it is good to see them spending some time together.  We never know how much time we have left and we need to make the most of what we have.  We need to hug a lot and let our family and friends know how important they are to us.  But most of all we need to let Jesus know how important He is to us!  He should have first place in our lives.

Here are a few pictures, remember I can't do anything without pictures. lolol.
Good to be back... Hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and wishing all of you a Happy New Year!
 

Silas James - 1 Yr Old

In Deep Thought...

Taken at their new house

Waiting on the Christmas Parade. You can see how big Cain has gotten.

I don't understand why she calls him a heathen...lol 

Until next time...

nel