His grace is truly AMAZING

We as people often lament over the loss of our dearest loved ones, "ifI could have one more day, or even an hour to say those words I couldn't, or just a moment for one more hug (that hug I didn't get to give the last time I saw you...), then I would be ok." But that's not the truth. We'd want more. One more day, one more week, another year would be awesome, but we'd still want more. Because we're greedy. We're selfish. And we are never ready for the final goodbye. I miss my Grandma Lady every day. More than 17 years since she went home to Jesus. Every now and then as I drift off to sleep I selfishly ask the Lord for a dream of her. My dreams are always full color and sound, very much like being awake. (That's why I hate dreams, I often feel like I used an unnecessary amount of energy for my dream, and they are usually just nonsense, anyway.) If I have to dream, Lord make it something worth dreaming,and dreaming of the Grandparents K, would be

I was listening to the radio a couple of weeks ago, I enjoy a live call in program where people call to ask questions about the Bible or Christian beliefs. The mem on the program do a great job sticking with what scripture says and really do a good job of leaving their opinions out, or being clear about what is opinion and what is scripture. Anyway. I was listening in the car, as i often do, and a woman called in and said she felt like she needs to separate herself from her toxic mothe. The pastors gave her cautious counsel without really explaining what she wanted to understand -- that it is ok to walk away from anyone who is harmful to you, even if it's your mother. They did speak of the importance of forgiveness and said that anyone who is toxic or abusive should be removed from one's life. I desperately wanted to call in, but I was not able to. Hearing this call made me want to shout,"Yes! It is OK!" It is ok. I heard two different pastors on that same radio

They wanted a road trip with Mom. So I granted their wish. There was a lot of anxiety involved. I wasn't sure how I would handle doing all they wanted me to do. But I did it, with more grace than I have. God worked amazing miracles. He is so good. It was an amazing week. Filled with favorite places, foods, activities and people. But better than that was the attitudes of my teenagers. They got along with each other, I noticed zero bad attitudes, they weren't greedy or opportunistic. We just had a great time and enjoyed everything.  Thursday on the way to GP, we stopped and saw Crater Lake ❤️, one of my most favorite places. Then we saw some dear to our heart friends. We got in to the Airbnb early enough to make a frozen pizza, and cookies and brownies for the week. Thomas invited a friend over for a couple hours, and Barbara and I shared some crab 😋. To my shock and awe, the cookies and brownies lasted the week with some leftover. Amazing!! Barbara got hé first taste of Anne of

I sometimes think I am so easily overwhelmed. By good things. I still feel so unworthy of the generosity of others. I mean really who is worthy? Of anything good? But a sincere thank you and a smile always seems like it is not enough when it comes from me. But God has given His approval for a splurge i was allowing myself to afford even though I was not sure I should really be affording it. Then randomly, unexpectedly I was gofted the EXACT amount rthat i needed to pay for such extravagance... He is so good to me.

Life is hard.  Change is necessary. And painful. I am so thankful for those in my life who are willing to show me what I need to see, even when they might be nervous about pointing out my shortcomings. Those are REAL friends. The ones that see what you need to change in order to be a better person, not for their preference, but for your good (and God's glory!). Most who know me know I am a giver. A giver of myself, my time and energy (I have no money or I'd probably give that, too!!). Those who know me well may think (rightly so) that I give myself away to a fault. Reserving little or no time for myself. If someone needs assistance (or not), or a menial task needs to be done, if I see it, I will jump to do it. As a guest I rarely just let the hostess do everything (unless I have been TOLD!). In fact, sitting and seeing something that needs to be done is one of the hardest things for me to do.  Yesterday I saw a video clip that explained this as a learned response to the adults