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Thoughts
  
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
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Joys and blessings Aug 6, 2008 2:09 pm
Mood: 49, 93 Views
I read on Gracestillamazes blog her joys and her idea for all of us to write in our joys. Here are just a few of mine. I put quite a few but I think I could probably write a dozen more.

A warm hug

Sitting around the dining table with the people you love enjoying a home cooked meal

Driving down the road, music playing and the sun rising in the distance

Driving down the road, music playing and the sun setting in the distance

The feel of holding a fishing pole and waiting for that little “tug”

Watching and listening to my Dad teach me how to tie my fishing line (or teach me anything)

Holding a baby on your chest and watching them sleep

A fit of giggles

An inside joke

Your best friends smile just forming

Your best friends laugh

The feel of the beach sand beneath your feet

The feeling that your dog loves you no matter what

A cuddle

Singing

Children’s laughter

A text message while working saying good morning or hello (giving and receiving)

Imagination

Seeing the mist gathering above the trees letting you know the beach is just on the other side

Standing outside listening to nature

Watching your best friend and her grandchildren feed the deer in our backyard

Watching the stars

Listening to Dad laugh (the best when it’s caught off guard and a blush occurs! Mandy does this best with him! LOL )

Talking to my Aunt Karen on the phone (even better in person)

The feel of a flower petal on your cheek

Watching the clouds and finding pictures up there

Causing a smile

Listening to a child sing at the top of their lungs in church (add them dancing or moving their arms and it’s even more awesome!)

Listening to your best friend sing

The World is so vast yet every detail is simply amazing. We are truly blessed by what we have and our surroundings. I am truly blessed. I thank God every day for being able to see and hear and enjoy all the above joys.

3 Comments
Day at the Beach Jul 29, 2008 10:51 am
Mood: 49, 132 Views
We've been talking about going to the beach for months now but something always seems to pop up and our plans just sort of change to, Well maybe next week. Maybe this weekend. The beach is always there, we'll go some other time. Well we started to do that yet again two days ago. Let's go to the beach. Well we may not get there until later in the afternoon so let's not go and wait until the next day so we can have more time there. But I woke up the next day and as soon as Dad woke up I clapped my hands and said, "Dad, we're going to the beach. Are you almost ready?" He looks around the room then back at me, "Well. I suppose. All right let's go to the beach." I smile and run back to the computer to tell Mandy, "Yep let's go!" So our day begins.

It’s funny, we didn’t get to our destination until after noon but it suddenly didn’t seem to matter what the time was. It was perfect timing whatever the clock said. It was perfect timing because no matter what it looked like outside, day or night, the beach will be there and so will the smiles it causes. Mandy and I dropped Dad off to do his “casino” fun (neither one of us can fathom why he enjoys it but he does and that’s what is important) then off we went to see the beach. We were only going to stop for a minute at a lookout then check out something else yet as soon as we saw the beach we couldn’t resist taking a long walk through the water and sand. Amazing! The ocean never ceases to amaze me on its’ wonder. Even the next day I can still feel my feet sinking into the wet sand and the water splashing up to my knees. COLD but it feels wonderful! The sun is shining so brightly up in the clear blue sky, adults and children are laughing and playing in the water, kites are soaring just above us, agates waiting to be found in the sand, and my best friend walking beside me is next to perfection.

Our next destination after a walk on the beach is Alderhouse Glass. Mandy swears it’s a sight to see! I turn the car off the highway onto a quiet backwoods road and we come to a tiny little cottage in the trees. I’d never have guessed what was awaiting inside if Mandy hadn’t already been here to have seen it herself. Inside are shelves upon shelves of beautiful handmade floats, vases, bowls, lamp shades, etc made from molten glass. Everything made is crafted right here in this very room. There’s a bench you can sit on just feet from the work center and the craftsman himself is all ready to show us his talent. The heat from the furnace where Buzz heats up the glass shines on our faces and keeps you nice and warm as the glass comes to life. I’ve seen this done on TV but there is nothing quite like watching it in person. It’s even difficult to put into words how fascinating it truly is. From something that looks like a tiny blob of white nothingness to, in just a couple minutes, a colorful paper weight that looks like it has a sea anemone inside it, in perfect likeness, is well, FASCINATING! More people gather inside and we’re ready for another showing. I watch him and see what he’s doing step by step but when he holds up the finished product my mouth is literally hanging open in awe. He just made a candy dish! How did he do that? I will definitely have to go back for another viewing.

Our next venture was back to pick up Dad and down to the beach again. I can never get enough of walking on a beach. There are plenty of agates to find with three sets of eyes looking this time and plenty of laughs along the way. I am so grateful for this day out with Dad and Mandy that it’s hard to get back in the car and drive back home. But that only means we’ll have to get back in the car again for another trip somewhere very soon. God was definitely shining down on us yesterday and I thank Him for everything He’s given us and continues to give.

Have a wonderful week everyone xx
5 Comments
My loyal and four legged friend Jul 26, 2008 7:05 pm
Mood: 99, 196 Views
"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." - Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'

You came to me by accident
Lent to me from above
To teach me I wasn’t alone
And to show me loyal love.

When I look in those big brown eyes
My heart melts to something so kind.
I treasured you every day
Even when you wandered and strayed.

You must have known your job was big
A new owner with much to learn
But you jumped right in with all four feet
And only asked for attention in return.

It has been a long road for you my friend
You’ve lived quite a life.
Your tired bones and muscles can rest now
I hand you back to God

I can remember when my sister, Rhonda came home with this little puppy. She was so excited. She was calling me up and telling me how cute this little guy was. “What’s his name?” “His name is Sampson.” He followed her everywhere and she spoiled him as only a good Puppy Mommy would! That was 10 years ago. Sampson was just about the most loyal dog you could ever find. Two years ago Rhonda suddenly passed away in her sleep. Sampson never left her side. He slept at her feet all night until he was taken next door. He was faithful and knew where he was needed. Right at Rhonda’s feet to watch over her as God called her home. I brought Sam along with his puppy sister, Lilah and kitty sister, Sydney home with me after Rhonda died. They were her babies and I couldn’t imagine not taking care of them as best I could. It was difficult to even breath those first few months but every single day Sam was there morning and night at my feet showing me his love with those big brown eyes. There’s something special in a dogs eyes. They love unconditionally without judgment. That’s definitely something special for sure. I only wish people could do the same. Sam has had it rough lately. He’d gotten pretty old…an old man of 84 by golly! He stared showing signs of tired breathing and the not too friendly arthritis. I haven’t been home as much lately as I’ve been staying with my Dad but every time I walked in the house Sam was right there as if I had never left. That unconditional love thing again. Today I was at home and I knew something was a little different with him. He wasn’t walking very well and he looked even more tired so I took him outside, just the two of us in the sunshine. Sitting side by side on the grass I thought maybe we’d have a little conversation. I asked him, “So, Sam how you doing today?” He looked up at me with those big brown eyes as if to say, “Kristy, I’m pretty tired.” Resting my hand on his forehead, he drops his head onto my knee, “You’re a good dog Sam. If you’re ready to go see Rhonda then I think it’s a good idea. I know she’s waiting for you so you go on ahead and just fall to sleep. I’m all right. Lilah will be fine. She’s got Boo to keep her company.” He looked up at me again and licked my hand. I took him inside and he set himself next to the sofa and fell asleep. He was ready. It was his time to go and he knew it. A dogs love is unconditional and forever. Definitely God’s special work.
7 Comments
Family affection Jul 26, 2008 10:18 am
Mood: 56, 177 Views
I'm a people watcher. Whenever out and about my eyes wander and I tend to watch everything and everyone around me. People interest me. God made us so completely different that there isn't anything thats not interesting. I am going somewhere with this I promise. Every week when my BFF/roomie and I attend church we sit in the last row right on the corner. Mainly because it's easier if one of us needs to get up in a hurry. But it's also interesting to sit in the back because you can see everything. This church is huge and pretty much fills up every week. Of course it does...who wouldn't want to attend such a fascinating wonderful place to hear the Word of God? (raises hand and bounces "I do!") Last week while we were singing my eyes happened to scan just ahead of me and spot a family of four singing right along with everyone. It wasn't really the singing that caught my attention though...it was the affection they showed as they sang. A father, a mother, and two daughters perhaps 4 and 8 maybe. The father held the 4 year old in his arms and the other daughter stood on the chair next to her mother with arms around each other. It may sound like nothing really to you but it was very fascinating to watch. The idea of actual "real" loving affection between mothers and fathers with their children was wonderful. If an arm lagged just a bit the girls would pull them back around so they wouldn't be forgotten even for a second. And with those embraces there were smiles back and forth with the belting out a beautiful song to Jesus.

I bring this up as fascinating because it seems these days the only affection I see out in public between parents and children are..."Don't touch that." "I want that toy! I want that cookie." "Stop that." Or the ever popular event of watching a parent talking on the cell phone while the toddler or child wanders off or sits in the cart being ignored. Kids are really like sponges and they're not unintelligent. They pick up on things no matter how small they are. I'm trying not to get preachy here, I really am. It's just that it was so amazing to watch children being loved like that in church. And of course vice versa. The mother and father loving that their daughters love them and want to feel their arms around them also. I pray one day, when God deems it time, I may have the opportunity to stand in church with my children right alongside me singing the Word of God...hugging each other with smiles of praise and love on our faces.
7 Comments
Hello all Jul 20, 2008 1:25 pm
Mood: 113, 409 Views
First time blogger here. Heard about you all from best friend and fellow blogger GraceStillAmazes aka Amanda. I hear nothing but good things about all of you so I can't wait to meet you.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Kristy
22 Comments
 

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Most Recent Comments by Others
PostPosterPost Date
Joys and blessingsmeow33744Aug 6 7:45 pm
Family affectionheartforedjehuAug 4 8:16 am
Day at the BeachKristina_hopes6Jul 29 2:51 pm
My loyal and four legged friendGodsKyWomanJul 27 4:57 pm
Hello allGraceStillAmazesJul 26 9:00 am