Five-Minute-Friday ~ Convenient

Welcome to another week with Five Minute Friday. 

Again, I know it is not Friday! 

I had a procedure done yesterday, and as things seem to go, there was a small hiccup. The patience and calmness of the anesthesiologist and nurses made it pleasant. Another, now we know, moment. 

I did open up my laptop to create my post. I was reading the Bible for inspiration and fell asleep. Next thing I know it's Saturday. Hubby closed down my laptop, which means he closes it. No shutting down of sites open. Thankful he is not familiar with other computers, only his own when this happens. Everything I was working on or reading are all there in the morning, waiting for me to continue.

Each week, the instructions from Kate Motaung per her link will always be: "Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is, "Convenient."

Ready. Set. Go...

How convenient?

Isn't it wonderful how convenient the access to the Bible has become!

We have apps for our phones, tablets, and iPads, that connects us to His word in a touch of a button.

We can have daily verses texted to us through our phones and emails from as many sources as we would like.

They all have one thing in common...Sharing the Word of God!

There are also many channels on the TV dedicated to God!

Even Netflix has Christian programs and movies.

Or we can subscribe to Pureflix, which is all Christian, as we do with Netflix, Hulu, HBO and the like.

Just as there are so many ways to find and embrace the Word of God, other earthly conveniences grow to create shadows, obscuring the views, twisting and turning things away from Him.

It's a tug-of-war for our souls.

I have never been a fan of that game...

Beep. Beep. Beep!

In that game of tug-of-war, remember, the word is stronger than Satin, and as that rope gets really, really tight, trying to pull you over to the other side, just let go!

The other side WILL stumble and fall!

Luke 9:23 English Standard Version (ESV)

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 Living Bible (TLB)

23 Then he said to all, “Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me!

2 Timothy 4:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)

Preach the Word

4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

2 Timothy 4:1-3 Living Bible (TLB)

4 And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus—who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom—2 to preach the Word of God urgently at all times, whenever you get the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not. Correct and rebuke your people when they need it, encourage them to do right, and all the time be feeding them patiently with God’s Word.

3 For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear.

fiveminutefriday,com

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ January

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Monday,  January 21, 2019

Outside my window…To be honest and repetitive, it's a mess! It happens a few times a year. We get busy, or there's illness, to even injury that distracts us from getting out there. Plus we have had some storms go by leaving even more of a mess. When we lost our yard guy of 3 years, last year, finding his replacement has been slow. In the meantime, we called on a nephew to help with the holiday stuff.  

We talked the other night that it's time we call the professionals and divide up the jobs. Not a fan of doing that.  I have a fine-tuned budget that I am comfortable with. However, I will respectfully hear out his "if we," and pray on it, and see where it goes. My hubby has always been able to provide me with whatever God provides him with. We are a great team on this journey through life! Being in love with our head coach, following His lead, understanding His plan, and being patient with it, allows us to watch it unfold, which then fills our joy jar and makes our thankful list longer.

I am thinking...how much I love my daughters birthday gift...

It's the perfect writing on the wall!

I am thankful...for all things that were on last years list, and so thankful I get to start a new list!

• I'm thankful for the new year, that with it comes a new list, new plans, new places to visit, even new prayers.
• I'm thankful that my hubby is losing his weight; unfortunately, I'm finding it.
• I am so thankful we have been nailing our 40 adventures. It's been a juggle at times. Four more to go before March.
• I'm thankful my hubby's scans weren't as bad as we feared.
• I'm so, so thankful for the healing I have had. For the recovered strength I gained even if I didn't increase from what I use to have. We just moved the line up with a new goal not to go below it. 

I am beginning to read...It's Not Suppose to Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst.

I haven't been to Bible Study since, oh my, 2016 maybe! It might have been in 2015! Something happened in the Fall of fifteen that really devasted me. There is a good chance I was attending a study and never went back. Those months are still such a fog. So I began doing bible studies online. I told myself when God gives me the sign, then it's time to go back. He might have it in His plan that I am not supposed to...but that is not how He works. It just so happens that this is just what this study is about that landed in my lap. He's up to something, and He has me curious.

The study begins today, so I am sorry I didn't give a heads up sooner. 

If you're interested in joining, click here.

I am creating...another mess!

Last year when I fell, I had been cleaning out the closets. My annual spring cleaning had started early, and that was my plan. With 40 adventures ahead of us, I needed my house in order. Falling changed so many things. It halted the purging I was doing. Drawers weren't finished, window screens still need to be cleaned, behind and under the furniture probably has dust bunnies multiplying by now. The aides that came in for six weeks only took care of the surface. Hubby took all the bags to the Good Will, and everything else went back in its place till I could get at it another time.

THE TIME IS NOW! 

I am wearing...my nightshirt with my sweatpants and slippers. Who dresses up to clean?

I am hoping...that I can get the flowers planted I bought last week before they die! I decided to do the replanting in stages, that way I reduce the chance of them dying.

I am learning...more about the new iwatch I got for Christmas. Plus I had to upgrade my iphone last year, so now I can add apps to help fine-tune our journey. I learned how to navigate the CA Parks system. They don't make it easy, and it's a crap shoot to get the dates you want. I also learned last week that I was going to be a great-aunt to twins. Yes, I am so excited for the couples whose wedding we enjoyed the previous Fall. I always get a little flustered these young moms today get to know way in advance. We were surprised by our identicals 38 years ago come June, and she learned at 10 weeks there were two fraternal babies on board! So HAPPY for them. 

In my garden...we have gotten the old gazebo cover off that tore up during the great winds we've been having. The nephew got the lights restrung as well. Next, the new cover goes up, new planter boxes placed and a garden should be growing by next month. Amazing! Usually, I am behind. Hopefully, this momentum will continue with no distractions.

In the Kitchen...things have changed a lot! Our shopping List as well. Healthier item took the place of all those foods that are not so good for us. We've needed to do this for a long. You know the cookies, candy, cakes, and chips. Honestly, we miss them more than we thought we would. What a habit we've had! My approach to it was the same as when I quit smoking: "Don't but them, I won't eat them!" We both have our achilles heel, he has the sweet tooth, and I'm all about the salty. Only thing is, I'm having a harder time with it than he is. I am getting better. It's a new year, right!  

One of my favorite things...continues to be spending time with the "Grand's." 

A favorite quote...see above gift from my daughter!

If you would like to write your own Daybook, the guidelines are here. 

Thank you to Peggy for hostessing The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Five-Minute-Friday ~ Influence

Five-Minute-Friday.com

Welcome to this week’s Five Minute Friday. 

I know, it's not Friday. Finally found some time to write.

The instructions that are given by Kate Motaung per her link are this: "Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt, "influence," falls right in line with where I left off in October.

What a great word!

Ready, set, go...

I have been very fortunate to have had so many extraordinary women throughout my life who have, and some who continue to influence me.

Most were guided by their love of God, and for the love they have for me. I hope I will always remember their words.

It is these influences that help me stay on track, even when the rails are in need of repair.

It is a reward as older women, to influence, impact and guide the younger women. Setting an example to learn, absorb, and embrace His love. That they can then do the same for those they are older to, themselves. It really is an excellent system God has going. It's up to us to see it through, as He has instructed us to do for His glory.

If it's right by God, then it's is right for us.

As we encounter those along our path that don't know Him, who are struggling, who may be broken, or just a bit off their step, it is the perfect opportunity to introduce Him so they may see what He can do for them. Next will always be introducing them to the Bible. Show them where it is written, that we are not alone on this journey. 

I can only hope and pray that in my time, I have set an example for others, like those I speak of have done for me...

Beep, beep, beep!

fiveminutefriday,com

Five-Minute-Friday ~ Better

Five-Minute-Friday

Let's see if I can elaborate on how much better I am feeling in these five-minutes!

Ready. Set. Go!

Our year of adventures had been going great.

With everything we had been doing and going through, at the same time, even a juggler can only handle so much.

Then November arrived! 

By then, any free time I had had been consumed with Boo Bash preparations, birthdays, doctors, unexpected repairs, and replacements, and our next NASCAR adventure. 

It was then that I realized every day was the same day of the week as it had been back in 2001. It had been like that all year and never noticed it until I began preparing for Thanksgiving. And it hit me, and hard! 

And yes, that included 9/11! That date not only affected our nation but also our family. We were told, "2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 months!" when our mom entered hospice. With that call, our journey as caregivers began. Each day soon became a week, then weeks turned into a month. The day I had to leave her so to spend Thanksgiving with family in Arizona, it had been just 2 months and one week.

Add in the recent loss of Tucker, on 9/8/2018...

WHO ORDERED THE FLOODGATES OPENED!

It's had happened before, back in 2007, but I was distracted then with the birth of a new grandbaby, our fifth at the time. I don't remember the date effecting me back then like it did now. This year though, with Tucker's death so near, my emotions were so sensitive, and every memory that I thought or came across effected me. 

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Didn't get very far!

Yes, we lost Tucker back in September, which created a chain of events within me that brought everything crashing down.

During October and doing the 31-Day Challenge, I danced all around what had happened, but I wasn't ready to write about him. It took me a couple weeks to even put together a tribute about him on FaceBook. I found it hard to write or make sense with what I was writing back then. So I didn't.

I had used our 40 adventures to distracted me from dealing with the loss of our 15-year-old sidekick...

Only we had made so many memories with him. Getting ready for the races that were coming up, I kept coming across things that kept him front and center on my mind. 

Like the shirts, he used to wear...

Removing these items was difficult! Putting them in a safe box, I then pushed those feeling back down. I didn't have time for tears!

But the memories didn't stop!

There was a time when the big dogs stayed home, and only he got to travel with us. Here he is with Maybell, our chocolate lab we lost in 2009 from a brain hemorrhage, Jake the black flat coat retrievers/cocker spaniels, and his sister Abby died a month apart from old age. 

Since this was his gang from the beginning, as we said good-bye to him that day, we told him to go run with the big dogs again!!!

Then in 2010, he had to start sharing the back seat with Bella. He wasn't too sure about it at first! But he soon learned she was just as cool as Maybell and they traveled well together for another 4 years. 

His last time to the races was in 2014...

Though he is walking her with Bella, I carried him more then he walked. He just loved being on my lap when I was using my wheelchair for any of our long distance walkings. He would sit so proudly like he was the king! He was very popular at the track, and it wasn't uncommon for people to come up and say, "Hey, Tucker! What's up!" When it is said dog are magnets for meeting people, that was him.

And His last time on an adventure, the same year but in the fall...

After this is when he had a few strokes that got him off balance and finally resulted in some paralysis, but he still had pep in his step! Then last March we found him out by the pool equipment. He was still using the doggie door t the time, but it would be his last time. He was laying in the grass, unable to get up. For a few days, it was touch and go, but he soon perked up, but unfortunately, he had lost his sight. I hated to do it, but he had to be kenneled during the night, for his own protection. I would leave the kennel open during the day.

Kitty slept by his cage regularly. After four months his little body was tiring out. By this time he needed 24/7 care. We changed our routine around just for him. It was like being a first-time mom to a newborn. Any sound and I was awake. 

With a two week trip ahead of us, it was time to make a choice. If I left Tucker with the hospice kennel, there was a good chance he wouldn't make it back home, and if he had passed while we were gone, I would have been devastated. I couldn't leave him for my daughter to tend to because it wouldn't be fair to either of them. By then his pep had taken its last steps days ago. Even his kisses disappeared. He was barely awake, and eating had stopped. I was praying God would take him, so I didn't have to make this choice. With only days left, I had to. With the appointment made, when we arrived, I wouldn't get out of the car with him. I really didn't want to be there. 

I am so thankful and grateful for the tender care the staff at Arizona West Veterinary Clinic showed us. Their facility has a private room just for these things. It's like a family room with couches and chairs. It was a very peaceful and loving transition for him. He was ready, he just needed us to let him go. 

.

So it's been just over 3 months now, and I am feeling a bit better.

With the New Year and the goals ahead, I am finally at peace with our choice. 

Since I am feeling better, and as I had planned last year, I want to see if I can do a FULL year of FMF. 

See ya next Friday, which is really this Friday!