Cardboard Testimony

Last night at church we had Cardboard Testimonies. It was an amazing service. We had special singing, a video of "Watch the Lamb" and lots of testimonies. My sister's praise is wonderful! She was diagnosed 12 years ago with pulmonary fibrosis and given 5 years to live.

God gave her a new lung and she has been serving him tirelessly for 10 years!



My testimony was about how devastated I was when Tony died...I was completely without joy.



But God has filled me with unspeakable JOY because He has put so many young people in my life and has allowed me to minster to them! From all the children, teenagers and college age kids in my church, to the guys from the Bluegrass Career Development Center who are about the same age Tony would be now if he had lived (several of them took part in our cardboard testimonies)....God has brought them into my life and blessed me and I love all of them! My God is Awesome and I praise Him!! My thanks to Holly, Katie and Larra who helped me out with my cards! Sometimes I just have too many words!!!

CATS HAD A GREAT SEASON!

But I am really sad they lost to West Virginia on Sat. Mostly because of Patrick. From everything I have head about this young man he has lots of integrity and is a great athlete. I am going to miss watching him play ball at UK. Since the Cats are out I am pulling for anyone except Duke!!


Good luck in all you do Patrick!

Tony Gadd ~ October 19, 1974 ~ March 25, 1995

Missing you with tears, but remembering you with laughterLove Mom

GO CATS!

MARCH MADNESS!
March 12, 2010 ~ UK 73-Alabama 67 GO BIG BLUE!!
Patrick had 20 points. Wall 23. Cousins 7. Bledsoe 10.

March 13, 2010 ~ UK 74-Tennessee 45 GO CATS!

March 14, 2010 ~ UK 75-Mississippi State 74 in overtime!

UK Wildcats~ SEC Tournament Champs!!

MEET FRED THE FROG!

I have blogged a couple of times in the past about my Daffy Dog's pet frog Fred. Well, we hadn't seen him for quite some time, so my sister and I were shopping one day and found this really cute frog. I couldn't resist...I bought him and brought him home and put him in the floor right next to Daffy's crate. She didn't pay not one bit of attention to him! Can you believe that? Of course I guess he wasn't nearly as smelly and interesting as the original Fred. But I tried to get her to play with him anyway...

But she would have nothing to do with him...

All she wanted to do was bark at me saying "No, I would rather play with you!"

So I gave in...

She wears me out!! But I love her dearly!! She is my very special blessing from God!

Typical Wednesday?

Almost.

My day, of course started at the Richmond Register where I work in the Composing Department setting ads. I really like my job and try daily to honor God in it. I always start my day with my favorite scripture; "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

After work, a SS classmate and I took a meal to another classmate who had had back surgery. Of course I can't cook very well, but I popped some frozen garlic bread in the oven to go with the baked spaghetti that Sharon had made. The night before, I had made a batch of my famous peanut butter fudge. After a short visit, we went to church.

On the first Wed of every month we have our business meeting at church and we are always so blessed! Many may find that hard to believe, but it's true! Our church family are for the most part, of one mind and heart and want to do God's business letting Him do the leading. After all it is His business!

After church, I got home and realized the UK game was on a channel I could actually get (had to downsize my cable to basic because the rates went so high). As I have said before on other blog posts, I haven't enjoyed watching the Cats play BB since my son Tony died in March of 1995. That year when he was in the hospital, 3 of the Wildcats came to visit him. Rick Pitino was the coach that year and they were on their way to the NCAA tournament when they came to visit. One of the players, will always be my very favorite Wildcat. Mark Pope. Imagine my surprise when they showed him sitting with the Georgia Bulldogs!! He is on the staff there. Like myself he has aged in 15 years but I remember him like this.

And I also remember him picking up Tony's Bible that was laying on his bed and sharing his favorite scripture with him. Joshua 1:9. It encouraged Tony so much and became his favorite too. Now it is one of mine.
So Mark is my favorite all time Cat. But....
Who do you think my favorite player on this 2009-2010 team is?



They are all so great but...It would probably have to be....

.... Pat Pat!


Go Cats! This old woman is enjoying you this year. Oh yeah, I guess Coach Cal has alot to do with it. Go Coach Cal's Cats!

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

It's time once again to be praying about what God would have us give to The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. I am passionate about missions and am very blessed to be a part of an Acts 1:8 church. We are ALL called to pray for missions, give to missions and go on mission. Even if we only go across town or across the street. Or even sitting at our computer at work. We can always be on mission for God.

Sometimes I get so excited about our missions offerings at church, that they tease me. I have been known to talk too much and too long about missions. Our treasurer tells people that many times someone has written him a check for our missions offering just to shut me up!! Well today, my pastor, who has a wonderful sense of humor also, sent me this cartoon by email.


It's me!!! Thanks Brother Kenny! Brothers and Sisters....it's time to get your wallets out!!

To learn more about The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, click on the title of this post.

Can God really teach an old dog new tricks?

Well duh.

God can do anything. One of my goals (not resolutions) this year it to STUDY the Bible this year. Not try to read it all the way through. Study, meditate, research. I find my self saying more and more as I read God's Word, "Huh! I never knew that!" I have even started writing in my prayer journal "What God taught me from His Word today" I'm lovin' it :-)

I'm reading in the book of Leviticus right now. I never really thought about what God could teach me about the way Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices and how they had to be consecrated and all.

In Leviticus 8:22 it says "And he brought the second ram, the ram of consecration. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. V. 23 and Moses killed it. Also he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot." He did the same with Aaron's sons.

Why would he do that? Alot of you probably already knew the answer to that, but to my shame I must admit that before when I read Leviticus I just kinda skim through because Jesus died for my sins and I don't have to offer sacrifices. So I never really thought about it. This year I want to know God more intimately. Why did He do that? Because Aaron and his sons needed to be consecrated to Him. They needed to hear Him with their ears. They needed to serve Him with their hands. They needed to walk in His paths. Blood on right ear, right thumb and right big toe.

Leviticus 14 talks about lepers. About how they were unclean and couldn't live with the rest of the congregation. But when they were cleansed they had to show themselves to the priests and there were certain steps in the cleansing ritual he had to follow. V. 14 says "The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot." It was symbolic of the fact that he needed to be cleansed spiritually too. To hear God's Word, to serve Him in righteousness and to walk in His ways.

I don't have leprosy. But I need to be cleansed daily.

Jesus please make sure I have a drop of Your precious blood on the tip of my right ear, on my right thumb and on the big toe of my right foot. Cleanse me and make me a fit vessel to hear Your Word, to serve You daily and to walk in Your ways. Amen

Simple Pleasures

Over at Kelly's Korner today, she blogged about some of her simple pleasures. So it sounded like alot of fun, and I am not very busy today. Most of my favorite pleasures are simple...

Like having my Daffy Dog snuggle with me when I am sick like I was last week.

Getting unexpected email pictures of my grandchildren, like this one of McKenzie at a kids make-up party! She had her nails done and a pedicure too!


Another simple pleasure I have is having a snow day on Saturday with no where to go and no need to get dressed or put on make up...

Cheating with a Snickers bar every now and then like I did Monday...

Climbing into a bed with fresh, clean sheets...

Hearing one of the kids at church talk to Jesus....

A good cup of just plain old coffee with cream...

Coupon days with my grandchildren...

God giving me sweet, sweet memories of Tony and Roger...









and last but not least...

waking up on Saturday morning and realizing I can go back to sleep!!

Who Never Changes?

Not these guys....

Last week they were #1,
This week they're probably not.

But,

Jesus Christ is the same...
Yesterday
Today
and Forever
Hebrews 13:8

The UK Wildcats are having a great year, but they can't be number 1 forever.

Jesus will always be number 1.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?

WE'RE NUMBER ONE!! GO CATS!

Haiti Response Fund

More than 2 million people in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and many more throughout the country are in desperate need of water, food, shelter and medical care following the catastrophic earthquake Jan. 12.
To help with Southern Baptist Haiti relief efforts please visit the IMB webpage by clicking on the picture below.
100% of the money received will go towards Haiti Response Fund and zero dollars will go toward administrative costs.
If you would rather give by check or money order, make it payable to IMB and reference the Haiti Response Fund in the memo section.
Send to:
Office of Finance
International Mission Board
3806 Monument Ave
PO Box 6767
Richmond, VA 23230-0767

7th Heaven

Anytime my grandson Aaron talks about his papaw he calls him "my Papaw in Heaven", probably because he has another papaw that lives right next door to him. :-)

January 27 is Roger's birthday. His 7th one in Heaven. I know there are no tears in Heaven, so I can picture him looking down on his grandchildren and....




....smiling.

We all miss you Papaw.

RETRO ME

This is me about 34 years ago.




The trouble is, when I look in the mirror I see this...

...and I say...

"Who are you and what did you do with Sheila?"

My Heart Is HIS Throne-2010 Goals

Well, I was going to resolve to lose weight this year...walk more...be healthier. But I resolve that every year and always break it! Maybe if I just say it is one of my GOALS I might do better. Have to wait and see. I am always so half-hearted about things like that. I love to eat and I don't love to exercise. I do love to walk my Daffy Dog but it has been so cold lately....(see what I mean? Excuses, excuses). But there are a few things I am passionate about resolving. Can't do it by myself. Well, can't do anything by myself for that matter. But I am rambling. I need God's help in 2010 to achieve my goals. And here they are:
1. I want to STUDY God's Word and not just read it. Even if it means I don't read through the Bible in a year. I want to take time and really study.
2. I want to HEAR Him when I pray and not just talk.
3. I want to be OBEDIENT when I know He is speaking to me.
4. I want to LOVE Him more.
5. I want to LOVE my neighbor as myself.
6. I want to be a better mamaw, step-mom, MIL, sister, friend, Christian.
7. I want for people to KNOW when they look at me that I have Jesus inside!!!
Please, if you read this, pray for me to reach my goals!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering WE MET GOD'S GOAL!

Christmas Tree Lighting 2009

We set our goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at $12,200 this year. But somehow on the banner the goal got written as $12,500. Well, apparently, God had His own idea about the goal, because our treasurer has reported that with the cash we have already raised and the pledges made we will meet or exceed the $12,500 mark!! Our God amazes me!! Please continue to pray for all our international (and of course our North American) missionaries...for clean water, good food, a comfortable place to stay, language skills, people of peace, opportunities to share the Gospel, encouragement, joy, peace, provision and protection.

VOTE!

LISA DAVIS for county clerk!

She loves babies...

She loves Brother Kenny...

...and she loves me!


She also loves being a conservative Christian.
ps (she also had so many clothes on this cold December night that she couldn't move) She's not really that...
uhhh...
hefty.

Click on the title (VOTE) of this post to go to Lisa's website

Sweet Dreams

First of all let me say I am a diabetic. Have been for many years. I don't enjoy it but it is part of my life. I am also a choc-aholic. Well really I love candy of any kind. But especially at Christmas.



I have so many good friends at work and one of them makes wonderful candy every Christmas and shares with us all. Even if we're diabetics. I took mine to my sister's (who is also a diabetic) Christmas Eve so I wouldn't eat it all by myself. Notice in the picture the little Snickers Santa on my easel? That was a sweet gift from my boss. I didn't think to take a picture until I had already bitten his head off. I am so thankful for my insulin pen that comes out every time I have sweet times of cheating! Alas, the Christmas candy is all gone now, but I can still dream of it everytime I see this picture...sigh...and then eat a sugar-free peppermint!

Merry CHRISTmas

Calvary's Babe

words and music by Annette Herndon/BMI

His name is Jesus, precious Jesus,
The only one who is worthy of our praise.
Many years have come and gone -
God's still searching for faithful ones
Who will raise Calvary's Babe in worship and praise.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bitter-Sweet Christmas

I have a small Christmas tree this year that I decorated by myself. Without Roger. Without Tony. But God never leaves me and He let me find this sweet ornament in one of my boxes that I hadn't gone through in several years. I love my little Christmas tree and I am full of the joy of the birth of my Savior!

Bethel Ornament Exchange 2009

On Friday, Dec. 11, the ladies of our church got together for our annual ornament exchange. Here is the way it works...everyone brings an ornament to put under the tree. Then we draw numbers from 1 to ever how many ladies that attend. Number 1 picks an ornament from under the tree. Number 2 can either take an ornament from under the tree or take number 1's ornament. If she takes number 1's then that lady gets to pick another one from under the tree. And so on...We have another funny rule that not every one enjoys! You have to do a little dance as you are picking your ornament! :-)
Like I said, not everyone likes this rule (we are Baptists!:-)) but we have fun with it anyway! We bring finger food and eat and laugh and have a great time!

"Oh, Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good!"

Sweet Addison Grace had her surgery Monday at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville. God's hand was on her the entire time and she got to come home on Wednesday. Now she is almost back to her normal self, with just a little soreness. I just want to praise God with my whole heart! Thanks to all who prayed for her. Just see in this picture how much Aaron loves his Sissy!

WHAT IS IT?

"What is that thing Earl?"
"I have no idea Henry, I can't see it very well, can you get a closer look?"
"I'm-trying-to get up-a little higher, uuhh!"
"Can you see it now Earl? What is it? Huh? What is it?"
"I-can't-quite-see...Henry..."
"Is it a mouse, huh, Earl? Or maybe a bird? Is it Earl?"
"No! It's not a mouse! It's not a bird! It's that Daffy Dog from next door!"
"Run Earl!"



No these are not my neighbor's cats...I just like the picture. :-)

Does Practice Really Make Perfect?

Not yet. But Daffy is a good subject to practice on! I am not used to having a camera so I missed a great photo opportunity last night when I gave her a bath. She loves her bath. Maybe next time. Meanwhile, here are some pictures of my sweet girl. (Yes in the bottom picture, she is sitting on my lap and that is my foot you see!) :-)