Dancing in Uncertainty

No, it's not me dancing in uncertainty.  Although any time I dance, it's uncertain at best!

But I have danced a particular dance many times.  Which is why I want to share with you a new blogger that is dear to me for a number of reasons:

This is Diane ~ Pig Pen and Jen's cousin.  Pretty little thing, ain't she?  She will probably kill me for stealing her picture!  That is, if she were anyone else she probably would!

But not Diane.  She is one of the softest, kindest souls a person could ever meet.  Which is why I would be beyond honored if you, my dear friends and followers, would take a moment and hop over to her brand new blog called...

Dancing in Uncertainty

There you will find the story of Diane and Bill's life, love, struggles with infertility and what they are praying for now.

Most of you know that Pig Pen and I too have struggled with infertility for many years.  It is definitely an uncertain situation and one that deserves a hefty hug.  So let's rally our support! 

And please remember, there is power in prayer!  Please keep them in yours if you would.

Matthew 18:19
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

If you would, hop on over...maybe say hello, wish her well, tell a joke, make her day, encourage her to plant a garden, dance, get some chickens, feed the hog, get the call, pick peaches...  I think you get it! 

Dancing in Uncertainty

Thank you, you know I love you all!

MJT ~ Tribute to a Love Story

This is a story about a young man, a young woman, and a car.  It's the story of how lives as two kids in Pennsylvania are brought together by love and where their love led them.

In the early 70's, she wasn't known by the initials MJT.  She was Mary Jane, a girl with her first car:

A 1971 Alpha Romeo

Maybe you can imagine the times she had in this car and the memories it holds?  Most people have long since replaced or disposed of these wonderful treasures.  Not Mary Jane.  

It wasn't long before Mary Jane met a special boy.  As destiny called it, he too...had an Alpha Romeo.

Some things are just meant to be. 

Mary Jane married this boy, Loren Sr., they moved to Illinois and had two wonderful sons.  Both cars came with them.  Now you know the story of a love meant to be and a car tagged "MJT".

You also know one of their sons...  Have you figured it to be "Long and Lanky Loren" or LLL yet?

We here know him best as Pig Pen's side kick.  I even refer to him as Pig Pen's "other wife" on occasion.  I told them recently they need marital counseling.  They fight like brothers actually.  Because they really are in a sense!

Sometimes blood doesn't make family.  Occasionally the lines get crossed and you are blessed with friends that become family.  And if you are even luckier still, your family are your friends.  They become one.  That's Our "Long and Lanky Loren".  Family and Friend.

Even though he gets ornery and leaves things behind for me all the time...

...We'll keep him.

And this deserves thanks.  Thank you, MJT and Loren Sr. for many things past, present and yet to come -including LLL.

As the years have gone by, many things have changed for this family.  MJT has continued her career in nursing, the boys have all moved out; and ever so sadly, two years ago this July, Loren Sr. succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer -far too young. 

I am sure he would have traveled many more roads with MJT, maybe even in a restored Alpha. 

It's hard to fully understand why God calls us home, but He does to each of us by name.  Finding comfort is so difficult.  It is a long road and maybe the hardest one we ever travel.  When we lose a loved one, a piece of us goes with and pieces are left behind.  Those pieces are cherished as beloved memories of a husband, father, son and friend.

So in memory of Loren Sr., let's propose that the story not end here.  Let's write another chapter.  Maybe he would want that...

How about making some memories come to life?

MJT recently made the decision to part with the Alpha Romeo.  It was not an easy thing for her to do, as I am sure you can understand. 

Remember how I said the lines between family and friends can cross?

Well my friends, it's being crossed.

Here's how...

MJT would have never sold this car to any Joe Blow.  But Pig Pen is no, um -Blow?  It was still very difficult for her and I don't blame her one bit.  But the Alpha deserves to be restored to all it's glory and as it goes, Pig Pen will be taking care of some household things for her that need doing.

A trade of sorts.  Now don't think for one second this car will never delight MJTs loving hands on the steering wheel again.  It will, someday!

Oddly enough, Pig Pen doesn't even want the Alpha for himself.  Before you get all up in arms, it will remain in the family. 

Lines...remember the lines.

Have I failed to mention that POPS has restored many vehicles as pet projects over the years?

Well, this was his Father's Day from us:

Let me tell you, he was ecstatic!  He's always wanted to have a fun convertible and he truly enjoys and takes pride in restoration! 

And the funny thing about the day we brought it over to him, he was working on his sisters 1980 MG convertible too!

MJT, one day...your car will rival this one yet again!  If anyone can work magic, it's Pops!  He will do you most proud!

As hard as it was to let this treasure of yours go, it will always be "In the Family" and loved!

Don't be surprised if sometime in the next year or so, you hear the familiar sound of a horn toot in your drive way...

Because he's already getting parts in...

The work is already underway...

And you will be at the top of the list when this baby rides the road on her own again...

It's all in the family forever my friend...  and if you needed further assurance Mrs. MJT, consider this:

Maybe we can convince Pops to keep the name and think of it as "Mike and Jan's, Too!"

Like I said, some things are just meant to be.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Is it the End?

Every once in a while, I am faced with a question.  Some people approach me lightly because it can be a sensitive subject, others just come right out with it.  In the past few days, two folks have come right out with it.  So I thought I would would go out on that limb.

Have any of you heard that the world is supposed to end on Saturday, May 21st at 6:00 PM?

 

I hadn't.  But apparently many people have.  The rock I have been under and all!  I don't know the exact details of the prophecy nor do I feel I need to -personally.  However; because there are so many folks out there whom I love dearly and am praying for faithfully, I wanted to share my understanding of the matter.

So follow along if you will.  If not, that is OK too.  I won't be offended nor will I be ashamed.  If I didn't love, I wouldn't bother.

When will the world end?

Matthew 24:36-44 (NIV)
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 (NIV)
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Do not be deceived.

Matthew 24:1-8 (NIV)
1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

What should we do?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

God's Promises.

Hebrews 6:13-20 (NIV)
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Salvation.

John 14:1-7 (NIV)
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Romans 10:8-13 (NIV)

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you've made it thru to the end of this post, then I want to thank you for going out on a limb with me on the proverbial Tree of Life. 

It is not often that I refrain from fun and mischief, however there is no greater exception to be made. 

I fully realize this post may be difficult, thought provoking 

or encouraging. 

Above all things, I hope it relieves you of any fear or doubt.

"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."

Jeremiah 29:11

That said...I will close by saying...

"See y'all after 6pm on Saturday!"

Candy Cane Wishes

The Legend of the Candy Cane

A Candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".

The candy maker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

He stands at your door and knocks.  My prayer for you this Christmas is that you have room at your "Inn" and in your heart so that He may enter.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

May God Bless You!

Love, Diana

Serenity

My SIL struggles with Anxiety...it runs in the family.  Earlier today, when I read her post on Daily Dose of Davis, it screamed at me like a Banshee...

So I told her that I would help verse her a little on my theory...maybe it might help????

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

When I was a kid, my mom made us learn this.  Well, I don't think she knew what she was doing exactly.  She was married to my step-dad, who was an Alcoholic.  Now I dearly loved my step-dad, don't get me wrong.  But even thru that hardship, something good did come out of it.  Doesn't it always??  We went to Ala Teen.  This is the first thing they teach you, The Serenity Prayer.

If you REALLY read it, it can flow over to everything in your life.  I used to agonize over every-little-thing.  From work, household issues like hanging my pictures perfectly symmetrical or making list after list of things that needed to be done.  I think I had lists of other lists that I needed to make.

Let me tell you - it took years to break the ferocious crazy in my life.  I had alot of help from friends who laughed at me, friends who coached me and oh, friends who laughed at me.  Now, my family and friends would say I am fairly easy going.  At times, I have been accused of having a "Don't give a $hit attitude" even.  But it ISN'T that.  I choose my battles and try to win the war.  I let go...I believe God will never take me to a place He can not keep me.  Period.

And alternatively, when I am frustrated beyond belief and I simply want to throw in the towel or use it to strangle the world...I lean on what I inherited from my Dad's side of the family....HUMOR.  Yeah, I've been known to hide behind it and a become a Smart A$$ even...it saves me too.

So, Jen...in case you never studied this one either, here goes:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I cannot accept,
And the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people
I had to kill today because they pissed me off.
And also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today
As they may be connected to the ass that I have to kiss tomorrow.


Help me to always give 100% at work... 12% on Monday, 23% on Tuesday,
40% on Wednesday, 20% on Thursday, and 5% on Friday.
And help me to remember...
When I'm having a really bad day,
And it seems that people are trying to piss me off,
That it takes 42 muscles to frown
And only 4 to extend my middle finger and tell them to bite me.
 

Prayer Request For Kim and Steve

This is a prayer request for my Step-Sister, Kim.  Her Father, Steve, is in the hospital and in danger.  He is having severe heart trouble and Kim was called out to be with him.  I know that she can not see this right now, but I believe in the power of prayer.  So please pray with me!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the awesome privilege of coming directly to the throne of grace. We come before you because your Word says to cast our cares on You and that You care for us. So we ask that You would hear our prayers and answer according to your will. We understand that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your ways higher than our ways and Your thoughts than our thoughts (Is 55:9).

Your Word says that you know the plans you have for us and that you will never leave nor forsake us. We know not what your plan is for Steve but we trust Your word. We ask that you heal his ailing heart and bring Your comfort to Kim and her family. May Your strength be theirs when they have none and may Your Grace be sufficient. Please open Steve's heart to healing and forgiveness so that he may know You and draw close to You. For only You can sustain us. Please bring Kim and John home safely and filled with joy. Above all else, may You be glorified in this circumstance. We pray these things in Your precious name. Amen.

.