God Knows Where the Lost Things Are

God knows where the lost things are.




How about your wallet, glasses, cell phone, even keys?
         Often, those things are not lost but simply misplaced when your mind is working on auto-pilot.
But God really does know where they are, even when you do not.

What about your train of thought?  I wonder what happens to my thoughts when I leave a room to grab a particular item,  but when I arrive in the new room,...…...I cannot remember what I walked in there to get. 

 For me, this happens when I have to run down to the basement.
 In my experience, I've usually just misplaced the thought.
If I retrace my steps back to the first room, it will pop back into my head.
It's kind of funny.  God knew my thought the whole time.  In Psalm 139 verse 2, it says, “God perceives your thoughts from afar”, or in my case, between the kitchen and the basement.

Recently, I could not find my favorite necklace.
I looked in the small drawer where I keep my “go-to” jewelry.  It wasn't there.
I looked in my closet where I hang all other necklaces -no luck.
I looked in the side pocket of my purse and even the change pocket of a wallet I carry sometimes. (That may sound weird. But that is where I place earring if I take them off when I am out)  - no necklace.
Finally, I looked in the box where I keep my expensive jewelry.  It wasn't there either.

Though I would not consider the necklace expensive, it has great value to me.  It is silver.  The pendant is a diamond shape with a smaller gold circle in the center. If you look at it closely, “blessed” is engraved in Hebrew above the circle and in English below it.  It is the perfect size and design to wear with most outfits both casual and professional.  But most importantly, it was a gift my sister bought me when she was in Israel.  She bought matching ones for herself and for our mother. 

I assumed it would eventually show up, as most missing things do.  I tend to casually pray in passing about things like this.  “Lord, you know where this item is. Please show me.”

 But, after 10 weeks, He still was not showing me.  I started feeling a little more concerned.
 I was missing my sister who had passed away a year earlier.
              I was a few days away from a pretty big surgery.
                                And I really wanted that necklace.
I feared I had lost it in Dallas or Houston where I had traveled a few months earlier.  My “passing prayer” turned into a very deliberate prayer.
                           “God, I know it is just a necklace. But you know how special it is
                              to me. And you know where it is.  Please bring it to me.”

By this point I really thought it must be in Texas. I think I even prayed part of Jeremiah 33:3.
                          “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and 
                             unsearchable things you do not know.” NIV
OK, I know this is talking about the deep truths of God.
 However, I had searched for that necklace and did not know where it was located.

The next morning I grabbed my hair dryer and rolling brush from the usual place, right next to the straightening iron. The cords were wrapped up together, so I looked into the small bin where I keep them. I saw something silver mixed in with the entangled cords.  As I pulled it out of the mess, I began to cry. I mean really cry. I have no idea how it got there. I had styled my hair plenty of times in the weeks the necklace was missing.   I could not even speak when I went to show my husband what I had found.
God cared about my necklace because God cares about me.





The same is true for you!

God loves you so much. 

He cares about the small things that concern you (like a necklace).

How much more does He care about your big concerns (like an upcoming surgery)? Or your marriage?  your children?  your job? or finances?
           
God cares about every detail of your life.



I know this can be hard to comprehend.  It is hard for me, too.
                     But, it is absolutely, 100 % true.

Consider Hagar, the maidservant who was forced to have a baby for Abram and Sarai in Genesis 16.  (This was before God gave them the names Abraham and Sarah).
I have to admit, there are many things about this part of the couples history that I do not like, especially when I think about the life and feelings of Hagar.
I do not blame her for running away.
 But our loving God sent an angel to prophecy to her, to encourage her and eventually, send her back. This had to be the first time this “Egyptian slave”, who no person considered important, knew the Creator of the universe, the God of Abram and Sarai, actually saw her and knew her name. The angel told her God had seen her misery.
   God cared for Hagar. For the first time in her life, she knew it.
               She called Him “the God who sees me”.

The same God sees you and those you love.
 There is not a single person who is lost from “The God Who Sees”.  Psalm 139 says He knit you together, HIMSELF, in your mother's womb.
Think about that.
    Before your mother even knew she was pregnant, God knew you and loved you.  He knew the things you would love and the things that would make you struggle.

You can never be lost from your perfect Father.
He knows you.
You are His.
Nothing can change His love for you.
Nothing can change your identity as His child once you have asked Christ to be in your life.

Nine years ago, I had great concern about my identity.
NOT my identity that is in Christ, but my identification while traveling. I lost it where the authorities told me there was no hope of getting it back.

My husband and I took a much-needed getaway to San Antonio, Texas when our kids were young.  The first full day was relaxing and fun, as we traveled down the Riverwalk by boat, then walked to the Alamo and then to the Historic Market Square.

A friend's daughter at the restaurant

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at a delicious Mexican Restaurant that was decorated with so many strands of lights, it reminded me of Christmas.  My husband even paid the Mariachi band to sing to us.

It was the perfect day, until I realized I had lost my driver’s license 1,300 miles away from home.

I'm sure you can imagine the stress as we tore apart our hotel room, then retraced our steps……
                 So many steps…..
                          By then it was dark.

The next morning we had to visit a part of the city that is not included in any tourist brochures.  We waited in a line for hours at the San Antonio police station to see an officer and fill out the paperwork TSA would need at the airport.
     When I asked what would happen if someone handed in my ID, he laughed at me.  The officer actually laughed at me while I was standing right there.  Through his mocking snicker he replied, “We are in south Texas, Ma’am. With your dark hair and eyes, your license is more likely to be sold than returned.”
   
Well, then!!! Hmmph!
 I decided I would keep an eye on my credit report
               and pray if someone found my license, they would not use it for anything illegal.

I made it onto my plane without a problem.  I got a new driver's license when I got home. And basically, I forgot about my lost ID.

But God did not forget.  He holds my identity in His hand.

Seven months later, I got an odd looking envelope in the mail with yellow stickers across it. I opened the letter and there it was …….. my missing driver's license.  There was also a small note saying someone had dropped this into a mailbox in San Antonio.



God knew where my ID was the entire time.

No matter how bleak it looks, no one can steal our true identity.

You and I are children of God.

He sees you, My Friend!

I'm so sorry if you ever feel lost or far away from God.  Even when you don't feel His presence, He is still right there with you. He will show you the way to go, if you ask Him.
If you have a child or loved one who has lost his way, remember, nothing can change his identity or separate him from God’s love.  NOTHING

Romans 8:38 (NLT)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Never Forget the Truth…..
Nothing and no one can ever be lost from “the God who sees”.

Let's Shake Out Our Ribbons

Do you remember your dreams after you have been awake a few hours?  What about remembering them after a few minutes?  

                                                                  *  I guess it depends on the dream.  

If you look on the internet you can find thousands of books and articles on dreams.
 - How to interpret dreams 

- What dreams are most common 

- What influences our dreams

I find that the majority of my dreams make very little sense and are quickly forgotten. 

However, I have never forgotten a dream I had while we were vacationing in Florida a few years ago. I remember because I laughed so hard in the dream, I woke myself up. 

It is not a surprise that while sleeping my mind pictured my daughter and I leaving the beach with all of our gear as well as that "I really need a shower because I've been at the beach all day" look.  We walked passed a theater which had a sign advertising a mother-daughter beauty pageant.  My daughter instantly said, "Can we do that, mom? Please!" I responded, "Sure! That will be fun."

   I need to interrupt here to tell you there is so much wrong with this dream already.  Even if we were clean and had been to the salon, I can't imagine agreeing to being in a pageant.  

They must have given us dresses because the next image in my dream was the two of us in long gowns and heals with stylish up-dos and full make-up. Oh - and we were clean. Somehow we no longer had the crusty beach bum look.  We walked across the stage from opposite sides of each other, then turned and went back.  

We met backstage pretty proud of ourselves until we heard the MC say, "Next, we will begin the talent competition".  Instantly, we both panicked.  "What are we going to do?!" I exclaimed. My daughter's face went from panic to peace as she thought she had an excellent idea.   She proudly handed me a stick with a long ribbon.  

Instantly, my mind placed us in the middle of a blue square gymnastics floor with the audience all around us.  We were both proudly wearing leotards and holding up our rhythmic gymnastics ribbons.

Again, I interrupt to tell you......This is even more disturbing to me than the last image.

(We look nothing like the girl in this picture)

As the music began, it was not as far fetched as the rest of the dream.  My daughter and I began leaping around randomly with no choreography whatsoever.  We clearly were pretending to be graceful by imitating ballet moves while the ribbons were getting twisted around our legs and arms.  Instead of doing front rolls or graceful turns like true rhythmic gymnasts, we did side ways barrel rolls while the ribbon got caught around our torsos.  We were so bad, we eventually rolled off of the square floor, got to our knees to strike a pose and held up our ribbons high in the air.  We then stood up and walked right out the front door.  When we got outside of the theater we began to laugh at how awful we were.  Even in my dream we were laughing so hard we could not even speak. 

I was not only laughing in my dream but I was physically laughing so hard I was shaking and woke myself up. 

I have never looked at rhythmic gymnastics or even long flowing ribbons the same since that dream.  Seriously, I feel a tinge of embarrassment even though you and I are the only ones that know about my imaginary faux pas. 

Most ribbons just make me smile, like balloons.  

Not only are they good for my 'I Love Lucy' Style gymnastics routine, these colorful decorations can be on top of packages, made into bows, in little a little girl's hair or even a prize in a competition. Who wouldn't like a ribbon?

Apparently, ME

I was shocked by the initial negative reaction I had when someone wanted to put a pink, looped ribbon next to my name when she was emailing prayer requests to a group.


 It wasn't like I did not know what the doctor had said. It wasn't like I did not want people to pray for my impending surgery and radiation treatments.  

But there was something about that pink ribbon.

There are other colored ribbons that can be associated with my journey. 

* Red for the Heart conditions, both fatal and ongoing, that have been a part of my immediate family

* Orange for Multiple Sclerosis 

* Yellow for Suicide Prevention in memory of my sweet nephew

And trust me, I am always willing to walk with you, my friend, for whatever ribbon color is important to you.  

So why the strong reaction to the pink ribbon?  . 

As I was sitting on my bed thinking about it, I glanced up and saw the tambourine my friend sent me in the mail.  My husband hung it on the wall in a place I could see it while I was recovering after my surgery. It is my reminder to give thanks and praise God in ALL circumstances.   

Then it hit me!  I'm going to take that looped pink ribbon, SHAKE IT OUT and tie it to my tambourine.  While I'm at it, I'm going to shake out that red ribbon, that I associate with so much grief and pain.  I'll shake out the orange one and dance, because I will not fear what that one threatens to take away.  And I will continue to shake out that yellow one, to remind those suffering from suicidal thoughts and depression - THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE FOR TOMORROW.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5b

I guess its time to go to the craft store to buy ribbons!!!!

They are going to have to be thinner and much shorter than the ones in my dream.  Clearly, we can all see the pending problem I could have if I try to play the tambourine with long ribbons.  

Do you want to join me?  We could start a tambourine band. lol 😜. (My teenagers would love that). 

My friend, whatever you are facing today, please remember, the True Healer absolutely loves you, more than you can ever comprehend.  He is the perfect, loving Father and a wonderful Friend.  Hand Him your ribbons, whatever they may be. Let Him shake them out and help you turn them into praise. 

Never Forget the Truth......

   Even if you are struggling at this moment, hang on. Joy is just around the corner.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

    they will run and not grow weary;

    they will walk and not be faint. 

Good Medicine

In the words of the wise King Solomon, "A cheerful heart is like good medicine."
Ha - This means we can be like pharmacists for the soul.  

Sometimes a text or email from you may be just the thing to make another person's heart cheerful.
         * A call  * Asking to meet for lunch  * A thoughtful gift
 -  All ways to not only bring a cheerful heart to a friend, but to yourself as well.
    "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves
       be refreshed."  Proverbs 11:25 Last week, I received an unexpected gift in the mail.  I was not only happy to get a surprise present, but when I opened it I laughed, clapped and danced.  
       Seriously - My kids told me I was being too loud.
When I called the 'giver' to thank her, she laughed right along with me.  
She was happy + I was happy = Good Medicine.

Whether you are the giver or receiver, the blessing is a cheerful heart.

Do you want to know what I got in the mail?  

It was from my friend, Lynette, who lives two hours northwest of me.  Technically, she is also my supervisor for Moms in Prayer.  She is the State Coordinator for Ohio. I am an Area Coordinator in central Ohio.  

As I opened the package, I literally laughed out loud.  
The week before, Lynette heard my heart as I shared with her how I wanted this item because of a story about King Jehoshaphat that I have told many times for the ladies in my groups.  She must have felt my disappointment when I lamented because every time I would bring this item up to my husband, he would say, "That is not a good idea."  Even my kids would say, "Mom, you can't be trusted with that."  
Humph - These people!

But Lynette knew how much this meant to me.
     She knew it represented joy and courage to me.
           And she knew she did not have to live with me, so it didn't matter if I could "be trusted".

If we are being accurate here, I do not believe King Jehoshaphat's army used this item.
But every time I picture this story in my mind, my new present is included along with a few small instruments, like a triangle or perhaps a tiny flute.  
In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat received word that three armies were marching toward Judah to conquer the land of his people.  
                              He was terrified. 
He cried out to God and asked the people to fast and pray as well.  Everyone gathered in Jerusalem, including women and children.  He then prayed a powerful prayer that most would say started with praise.  While that is true, I say he was also reminding himself and all of Judah, who God was (& is)
- Powerful
    -  Mighty
         - No one can stand against Him
             - He is over heaven and over the kingdoms of the earth.   
Jehoshaphat then reminds them of the things God had done in the past.  
He ends his prayer by laying out the problem and acknowledging that only God can save them.  

Of course, God said they did not need to be afraid or discouraged.  
Of course, He said the battle was not theirs, but His.
They just needed to march out the next day, be still and "watch the LORD's victory".  

Fantastic!  The people praised God and worshipped.  At that moment, they were most likely feeling brave, strong and full of faith.  

Early the next day, as the army was marching out to meet the enemies, Jehoshaphat had an idea.  
The worship leaders should walk ahead of the army to lead everyone in songs of worship on the way.  
This was great………..

unless you were a worship leader who thought you would be hiding out in the back.  

Now understand, friend, this is just my perspective.  There is not evidence that the singers were afraid.  There is also no mention of instruments. But in my mind, I picture a quick panic in these men as they are walking toward the front past all of their country's strongest warriors.  I have them armed with tambourines and lyres (and maybe a triangle even though they are never mentioned in the Bible). Though my mind's picture may not be accurate, it does accurately emphasizes an important truth.

We are to praise God even when we feel afraid.  
I think my picture adds the instruments because it remind me of celebrating before we can see the victory.  Cymbals, dancing, stringed instruments and more are all parts of a great victory party.  So, this story reminds me to celebrate before I see the victory.  
Jehoshaphat's idea was actually brilliant. Each step closer to the enemy could have increased the fear level in most of the soldiers. But singing songs about the power of God or songs giving thanks for the great things He had done, would invoke strength and courage as they marched toward their foes. It would get the focus off of themselves and their shortcomings and onto the One who promised them victory. Making a list of things for which you are thankful or a list of characteristics of God that are personal to you, can totally change your focus. It can be the recipe for a cheerful heart. You see, God does not need our praise. He IS God. He loves us and knows when we focus our attention on Him, WE are encouraged and strengthened. Praising God is actually a gift for us. Can you guess what was in the box?
     
By now you must know that it is an instrument.


Yes!  A tambourine!

Imagine the nerve of those people in my house saying I can't be trusted with one. 😀💕.

I LOVE IT!!!
I got on YouTube to learn some tambourine skills.  I had no idea there were so many possible techniques.  I have my work cut out for me if I am going to be a tambourinist.
(Tambourinist? Is that right? Autocorrect keeps changing it). There is actually a series with six lessons I could watch to perfect my skills. None of those six lessons includes banging it on your hip or dancing around while you play it. I may have to come up with my own lessons to put on YouTube. I'll ask the lady in the video below to help. She has got some moves and enthusiasm, I could not rival. Oh Friend, how many times do we think about doing something nice for a friend but then get busy and let the idea pass?  What if that idea was just the thing to provide the good medicine our friend needed? 
Trust me, I am not passing judgement.  I cannot even count the amount of times I have let these thoughts pass through without taking any action, only to find out later about that friend having a personal struggle.

May both of us
     NEVER FORGET THE TRUTH..... A cheerful heart is like good medicine. We may be just the ones to help ourselves and others with that cheerful heart.

Remember PT

Do you know what I like about David?
I'm referring to the David that killed Goliath, had to run from King Saul for many years and eventually became the King of Israel.
He was real.
High or low
     Brave or afraid
         Obedient or caught in sin
              Focused or needing direction
David was real.
He told God exactly how he felt.  In turn, God called him “a man after God’s own heart”.



I want to be that!  I want God to call me a woman after His own heart.





David was definitely a man’s man who was full of courage. He also wrote poetry and played the harp.  I love that.
I encourage you to read the stories of his life. It is interesting to read them as if you were reading a biography and trying to get to know David’s personality. You will see he was a bit of an impulsive young man who grows into a great leader.  His best days of leading happen when he checks with God BEFORE he makes a decision.
Hmmmm - Imagine that.
By reading the stories of David’s life, you will gain a greater perspective into his poetry.
Sometimes he was bursting with joy and gladness. We can better understand his true dependence on God as his strength and his source.
Other times he is angry or scared.
Most people have at least heard of Psalm 23. “The Lord is my Shepherd…….” This psalm of David invokes courage and comfort as he declares God as his protector and provider.
           
                              But have you read the Psalm right before it?
My Bible says it is a psalm of David that is meant to be sung.  Really?

The first verse was quoted by Jesus on the cross. “My God, my God,  why have you abandoned me?”  Then David goes on to write, “Why are you so far away when I groan for help?”  He goes back and forth in the first half of Psalm 22 between expressing his anguish and declaring the power and character of God.  Even in his confusion and pain, David praised God as he laid out all his troubles before Him.  As he does this, you can almost see David’s strength and courage coming back.  He goes from speaking in fear as if he is going to be consumed by his enemies, to speaking of the future when he will praise God in the assembly.

Friend, this is the key to facing our struggles.  We have to keep praising God.  We have to keep reminding ourselves
         Who He is
               How powerful He is
                      How faithful He is
         And How He loves us fiercely.

This reminder is for you and for me.

I started out with great faith and courage when I was first given the news about a positive biopsy.  I knew this part of my journey was going to be a battle fought with continuous praise and thankfulness.
However…….
In six days (2 of those were the weekend) I spent about 10 hours at the Breast Cancer Center.  The news was not too bad in the scope of such a diagnosis - surgery & radiation (no chemo),
But just like drug commercials on TV, they have to tell you about the rare but possible negative outcomes.
I started out well. I was able to silently pray and praise God in my mind.  But with each nurse or resident or doctor, I would find myself a little more focused on the problem and a little less focused on the goodness of God.
The problem with losing focus is the fear that is right there waiting to jump in.
And fear does not travel alone.  There are a multitude of other negative emotions that want to quickly follow.  Ugh!

Sometimes it is easy to live a life of gratefulness.
                        Other times it is a battle to stay focused.




Like us, David certainly did not get it right all the time.  But our God who is full of grace and compassion, called him a man after his own heart.

The peace and strength God gave David is laid out with clear instructions for us in Philippians 4. Verse 4 tells us to rejoice in the Lord.  David did that when he spoke of God’s strength, love and character.  Verses 6 and 7 tells us God offers His overwhelming peace to us for every situation. Our part is NOT to delve into worry but tell Him our troubles and continue to give Him thanks.

Oh Friend - Let us both

Never Forget the Truth…..
God’s incomprehensible peace is available to us!

If you find yourself slipping into worry, remember - you need PT……
       Prayer and Thanksgiving
If you feel frozen by fear or anxiety
    Or you don't have the words or energy to pray -
       Try opening to the book of Psalms and reading God’s word out loud.
(23, 34, 91 & 103 are a few of my favorites when I am overwhelmed)

I am praying for you even as I write this.
May the peace of God which passes all comprehension, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Speak Life

My Friend, I am inviting you to join me on my journey this year.

I will still be telling you the great things I know about you.  That was the reason I started "Never Forget the Truth".

But, I am also inviting you to walk beside me through a detour.

The past two month I have had a lot of unrelated medical tests. It is the end of the year, a time to take care of such things. 

 * Some tests came back disappointing. My Neurologist wants me to go on MS medicine after 10 years without it. 

 *Some came back fine. There was a small concern about an aneurysm in my brain, but I'm ok.  

                However...... I had other tests, scans and a biopsy.  

After the fun New Year's Eve lunch pictured here with our kids,








I got THE call as I was driving to the mall with my daughter.

- THE call where the doctor told me she could call back or I should pull over

- THE call where she told me to get a pen because she was going to spell the diagnosis and tell me other medical results I have never had a reason to know before this moment.

I understood the word "invasive".

I understood the word "carcinoma". 

And so it begins.

I will no longer casually pop into the Stephanie Spielman Breast Cancer Center annually to check "have a mammogram" off of my responsible adult checklist.

They now consider me an oncology patient. 

What?! Who knew?  

          - Wait - I know the answer to that. 

So here is the plan so far: Friday, I meet with a surgeon.  Next week I meet with a plastic surgeon, then onto radiology.  

I really don't know any more yet. I was told it is the best case scenario for a scenario you never want. I think I may need to become a spokesperson for the importance of early detection.

Friend - Stop feeling sorry for me! 

I'm really not afraid.  

I have an unexplainable amount of peace. (Oh, I know the answer to that, too)

I can only tell you that God prepared me for this.  I have total peace for myself. I'm not a fan of surgery. But I have no doubt I'm going to be ok.
I have more concerns for those I love - my mom, my kids, my husband and family.  But, they are going to be ok, too.  

I appreciate your prayers and encouraging words, especially for my family.  I will be as open and honest as I can with the intention of helping you help others (and maybe yourself). I'm sure talking with you will help me too.  Maybe I can write myself happy if I start to feel afraid. 

There are things I am already learning but don't quite have all the words to explain yet.  

So I won't say goodby today with my usual "Never Forget the Truth...." 

Today, I am asking you to practice speaking words of Life to others.

 These are words of hope, 

   words that see the good, 

   that see the "impossible" actually happening, 

   words that are like light in the darkness. 

Speak Life 

Blessings to you, my friend 💕💕💕 

I'll meet you again here soon.

Love, Kathy

PS.  Go see the new Mary Poppins movie.  

         I really do want to be a Leery. In my mind I am a very good dancer. 

My Words Cannot Be Stolen

My Words Cannot Be Stolen

It has been two months since I have successfully written anything.
It felt so weird.  I tried to write.  I had ideas and thoughts I wanted to discuss with you.  I would even make myself laugh as I thought of telling you why you remind me of Elmo or a pot.  But I could not get the words out.

What was stopping me?

I wondered if I was supposed to stop writing you all together.  But, every time this thought crossed my mind I knew immediately that was not the case.

So, what was the problem?

 Busyness?
             Well- Yes - but that is a problem for most people. It was different than that.

Insecurity?
             Maybe - I sometimes struggle with the thought that I am just another person saying, “Blah, blah, blah” on the Internet.  This is why I ignored my sister’s continual prompting to write to you for so many years.

Grief?
          That is another possibility.  But it did not stop me from writing before this.

Than I realized what had happened.

                            LIES - That is it!

Believing the lies that pop in my head to keep me silent……
 The lies that keep me from speaking Truth……

I have the blessing of knowing my “call” in life - my purpose.

It is to encourage you and my other friends - to remind you of who you really are and of all the wonderful things God says about you.

  I am a cheerleader. I was born that way.

Don't judge me.  I have too much jiggle to jump anymore.

But I have just the right heart and mind to see the amazingness God has placed in you.
When things are not going well and it looks like you may be defeated, God made me to be your friend, to cheer you on and remind you of YOUR purpose and value, and His power that is in you.

I KNOW God has placed great things in you. There is a wonderful purpose for your life.  Everything you face can be used for good.  I love hearing your stories and the ways God shows himself to you.

So, my friend, please know that I think of you often and pray for you.
I am thankful for the struggles I have had the last two months. They remind me that we all need encouraged on our journeys.  It is so easy to start believing things about ourselves or our circumstances that are not true.  We can slip into discouragement before we realize what has happened.

However, I realized -----

My words cannot be stolen because The Word is in me.

I will be back in 2019 to remind you of the wonderful things God thinks of you.
(I am pretty sure the Bible does not say you are like Elmo. That was my own random thought).

Blessings to you, my friend, as we begin a new year and a new adventure.





Here is a preview.  My husband and I accidently came across Peggie Sue's BBQ in Dallas. We ended up there twice.  We were scheduled to spend a week on the Gulf Coast but ended up in Dallas, then passed through Waco and spent extra time in Cypress.  The best things happen when you can just say "Whatever".

Doesn't he look like he has horns coming out of his head in the picture above? 😎😍