rainbows and storms

 i saw a double rainbow yesterday while in Fort Smith, AR. i am thankful for the reminder that God keeps His promises. He sees us through our storms and always has something better for us. Of course, while in the storm i sometimes, okay! most of the time, focus on the storm itself. These rainbows were a gentle reminder to focus on Him instead of my storm. He has me in this storm for a reason. It's up to me to seek Him and His will and to learn from my storm.

A little girl saw the rainbows also. She was so excited to see it that she was shouting for others to look! i wish i, myself, had the courage to get that excited about showing the beauty of God to others. 

trying to live each day like its my last,,,, DA

South Dakota 2014

My husband and i went to South Dakota earlier this month. It was one of the items on our Harley "bucket list". It was a wonderful trip! In the eight days we were gone,we covered a lot of miles; 2,652 to be exact! Yes, my bobo is still a little sore but it was so worth it. 
We went to see Mt. Rushmore, drive some really curvy roads with narrow tunnels, and just to unwind. We did go to Mt. Rushmore early on day four. To see a monument of that magnitude in person, is hard to describe with words. Breath taking, huge, humbling, heart-breaking.... those are a few. Breath taking for the designing of and all the work of all the different men from 1928 to 1941. The sculpture of what should have been the finished project was extremely interesting. And one of the actual air-compressors was on display. If you get the chance to go, please do. You won't regret it. 

My heart-breaking moment came later that day. We went to the lighting ceremony at the monument that evening. They showed a short film on the making of Mt. Rushmore and why those Presidents were chosen by the sculptor. After the film and the lighting of the Presidents, the Park Ranger asked all the veterans and current service members to come to the stage for the "Lowering of the Colors" ceremony. These men and women gave and are giving part of their life for my and your freedoms. i don't agree with the President of the United States and most of the whole government system right now. But they fought for that! i am a concealed to carry permit holder. They fought for that! i am able to go where and when i want to! They fought for that! i vote. They fought for that! Ya see where i'm going with this? i am a veteran myself. No, i did not go over seas. Nor did i see any combat.

Bashing Bandwagon vs Praise Party

How quick are we to join a bashing bandwagon verses a praise party? me included. That question rose to the top for me this week.
My work place was bashed on a social network this week. A customer ranted about rudeness between one co-worker to another. i privately chatted with this customer because i felt that was the adult thing to do, to tell her that i didn't appreciate the public bashing. i know, i assumed the customer would be an adult too. not so much,,,,
i work at the local tag office. NO i do not work for the state. Each tag office is privately owned and operated. They are CONTRACTED with the state. You have a choice of tag offices to frequent. My boss is one of the most wonderful ladies, i have ever known. My co-worker's are right up there with her! We get just as frustrated with the workings of the state tagging and registration rules as most of our customers do. i guess, you could say that we, as a tag office worker, are actually a go between. 
So now back to the bashing bandwagon. This customer vented on a social network about perceived rudeness between my co-worker's. Many people far and wide jumped on her bashing bandwagon. No surprise there. How quick are we to jump on the negative about a place rather than counter act with praise? i'm guilty of this also. It was pushed forward in my brain because it became personal, even though the customer said it wasn't. But she didn't say so and so, she said in general the Poteau Tag Office. Some people said may be the co-worker was having a bad day. The customer replied to be "professional" you should leave your personal issues at the door of your work. Easy to say, not so easy to do! i hope for this customer as she matures, that she can continue to be that kind of professional. 
One person made a statement that really floored me. Her statement was "forgive her for she is an idiot.......let God deal with her later." Really!?! What kind of message as a Christian did that lady just send..... My daughters did jump to the defense of my co-workers and me. i appreciate it so much. 
So the next time i see a bashing bandwagon, i'm not jumping on it. i'll try to say something to make it a praise party instead. Will it be effective, probably not. But will i do it anyway, probably so!
trying to live each day like its my last,,,,,DA

24 years ago today

Today is my son's 24th birthday. As i remember through the years, my heart swells with pride for God blessing me with this little bundle. It was the Monday after Father's Day i felt a good contraction. Because he was breech, we knew he would be born by C-section. So it was "time" to go welcome our little man into the world. Family and friends had gathered at my mom-in-law's house for a surprise baby shower. Yep, we never made it. We went to the hospital instead. I don't remember much of the events really. Drugs, given correctly, can be wonderful. I do remember wanting to watch the  procedure but couldn't, Mike did. There were a few moments that Andy wasn't breathing, but God made him holler. 
Andrew Michael Wilson was here! i thank God for loaning Andy to his daddy and me. We weren't the best of parents but we did our best. There were a few trips to the ER and a few almost trips. i could tell lots of stories but i think that'll wait. We liked to have lost Andy a few days after his high school graduation due to a truck met river incedent. But God wasn't ready for him just yet. i know God has something special in store for my young man or he wouldn't still be here. My son has grown into a wonderful young man. He has a family of his own and a good job. He's learning like his daddy and i had to but he's trying. My prayer for my son today is that he keeps on keeping on. No, it won't be easy but with God on his side, he can do it. Happy Birthday, Andrew! i love you, Mom

A Sparrow

Today while walking to the bike after stopping at a local store, i spotted a small sparrow on the ground in this huge parking lot. At first, i thought it was dead because of some reddish stuff beside it. But as we approached the little bird, it started to try to fly away. It's foot was stuck in the reddish stuff, candy. i handed my bag to my hubby and squatted to scoop up the little bird. My past experience made me scoop while preparing to be bitten. But not this time. i cleaned the candy off it's foot as best i could with nothing but my hand and got some of the candy off it's beak also. i opened my hand to just let it go when it was ready to go. A few seconds at most. 

The reason for that moment for me is that my Abba does the same for me. When i get stuck in the "candy" of life, He scoops me up to help me out. The candy can be anything in life. My "candy" at this moment in my life: my feelings had been hurt by something innocently "said". i so wanted to listen to the mean voice in my head and retort something ugly! But He scooped me in His hands and cleaned off the "candy". Yes, my feelings are still hurt and they'll mend in time. If i had listened to the mean voice, others' feelings would have been hurt. Misery loves company type thing, ya know!
But my Abba took care of my "candy" and soothed my hurt feelings before i could. i'm thankful that He loves me that much!
trying to live each day like it's my last,,,,,,DA

Celebrating the 21st anniversary of my 21st birthday

So Monday is my birthday. Last year i celebrated the 21st anniversary of my 21st birthday. This Monday i will celebrate my 43rd birthday. Why the change you ask? Let me tell you....
My oldest sister, Donna, passed away when she was 42 years old, ten years ago this June 13th. i remember so much of Donna and some things i wish i could have handled differently. 
-i remember when she gave me my Holly Hobby pillow for a very long ago birthday. She had just "moved" out of the family home. And i was afraid she would forget my birthday. But nope she came by in the afternoon and gave it to me. i think a dog of hers had tried to help me open it before she could give it to me. 
-i remember when she first met my husband, Mike, before we were married. i think we had been dating a little over a year and a half at the time. We were sitting on the tailgate of his truck in my parent's yard when Donna and Olan, her husband, drove up. Donna, in her own style, asked Mike, "Who the hell are you?" 
-i remember her pictures of her adventures in life. She didn't ever hold back. She helped me more than she could have ever known. And she still does!
-i wish i had spoken to her more. 
-i wish i had asked her advice more.
-i wish i had known her for herself more than just my oldest sister. 
Both lists could go on and on but.... i will celebrate life instead. 
So if you see me Monday it will be with a smile on my face as i survived my 21st anniversary of my 21st birthday. And plan to celebrate my 43rd birthday!
i love you, Donna!!
And i plan on trying to live each day like it is my last.......DA

         So Mike and a group are in Little Axe, Ok this weekend to help with clean up and such from the recent tornado that hit Moore also. i wanted to go with the group but i couldn't. Last night they got hit by severe storms. They took cover in a concrete bathroom at a lake camp ground to ride out the storms. One of the youth with them text, "A dumpster now lives in a tree..." Mike sent a picture of the sky before dark and the one i've included. He sent a video also. The video was dark with the exception of lightening flashes and sounds of "chaos". i had The Weather Channel on just to keep up. And yes, i was glued to the TV. i tried not to text Mike a lot and to be a nuisance. Was very hard for sure. i shared this picture on Facebook and a friend commented...  
God's light in all this darkness.         
          
           Thank You for the gentle reminder. i turned to my Abba in prayer not just for Mike and the group but for those who the group is there to help. i prayed for the ones who have lost loved ones. Also, i prayed for the ones who have lost things. Things are things and are not as important as people but they still matter. Who's to say that God doesn't use things to give us the reminder of His love, we need through a picture or scripture in a frame not destroyed in an EF-5 tornado. His love is the light in all this darkness. Not just in the storms of weather but in the storms of life!

          i cherish each day with my spouse and Yes Lord, He is in Your capable, wonderful hands.Thank You for the reminder through a wonderful friend.
          
        Trying to live each day like it's my last.....DA

A Long Time and So much Has Happened

It's been a long time and so much has happened since I blogged last.When I look out my kitchen window now, the scenery has changed. We "sold" our house in Cameron to our son and his lovely bride and moved to Poteau, over a year ago. Mike and I are grandparents to a gorgeous little girl. I have a full time job other than the "house-job". Mike has been promoted to an "office" job with the same company. Our daughter has graduated from CASC. I legally changed my name to the name I have been going by since I was 13. And lots of other daily life stuff. Just checking in and hoping to start blogging again.

Living each day for my Abba,,,DA

Semi-Empty Nest & A New Normal

So my son has officially moved into his own apartment. My daughter is living (during the week) at the dorms at the local college. i guess my husband and i now have a semi-empty nest.
During a funeral for a seventeen year old last Saturday, i learned a new term. It's called "A New Normal". The family of the seventeen year old will have a harder time adapting to their new normal than my husband and i will to ours. i really have no "empty-nest syndrome". i mean really, i don't. 
This is a day that i have prepared for since they were little ones. My children have always been in God's hands and now they are there more so than ever. My faith is strong that God knows the plans He has set for my son and my daughter. He even tells me that in His Word. If this wasn't so, then in May of 2008, my son would have perished when he drove his truck into the river by over-correcting. And my daughter wouldn't have been born. My last child, i didn't ever get to hold in my arms, but he will have a forever place in my heart.
My hubby and i have done our job with our son and our job with our daughter is coming to a close. We were blessed with our son nine months after we were married and our daughter 16 months after her brother. So we really didn't get the chance to be a couple. i am looking forward to our new normal. Trips are planned that if our children were younger, we would have to be planning for four not just two. 
As one chapter of our lives is coming to a close, another is opening. i will admit that i am looking forward to what God has in store for my darling hubby and i in our new normal. 
Trying to live each day like it's my last, DA

Walking down a hard path...

Today is one of my niece's 16th birthday!
Today would have been my oldest sister's (said niece's momma) 49th birthday. 
i'm trying hard to concentrate on the good today.
Why is today harder for me than her other birthdays since God took her home to Him?
Is it because it's a milestone birthday for my niece? Dunno!
There is so much going on in my life right now, it scares me!
i'm trying to let God!
i know that my Abba has me in His comforting arms walking with me down this hard path. The "Footprints in the Sand" has been running thru my little brain....
John 11:35 has also. Thanks to my earthly shepherd for the Abba's message on Sunday. i didn't realize that i would need that this week. 
Trying to live each day like its my last....DA

Ever Watching

i have a pot-bellied pig and 4 ducks left of my farming days. My husband is very thankful that those 5 are all that remains. i had several ducks, several geese of various sorts, lots of chickens, and a pygmy goat. i've given away all but 4 of the ducks, ALL of the geese, and the chickens were devoured by dumped dogs and a few predators, and the rest were given away. The pygmy goat went to a farm with lots of females because he was becoming his own best friend and i didn't want to explain to my then young children why he was. My husband referred to our house as "Ole McDaryl's Farm" and the only place in LeFlore County that you could walk in the yard and step in 14 different kinds of animal crap! But that isn't my point today.

My point... Today is there are 3 (that i know of) predators stalking my ducks and pig. i discovered this the other morning when my pig, Bacon, was making a different squeal. i looked out my window and saw her running on her stubby little legs as fast as she could, into the yard. i looked out farther into the pasture and there was a coyote, belly to the ground, stalking her. The double barrel is now by the back door ready! Yesterday brought two different coyotes too close to my yard.They ran when i walked outside with the gun. Okay now that you know that, here is my real point...
How like what is going on at my house, is our Abba watching over us? Is He watching the bumps and turbulence that satan puts in our way? Of course He is, if He is your LORD and Savior. And sometimes even if He isn't yet. i know that it is so very hard to fully let go of a situation because we think we can do a better job or we don't want to feel that we are not in control. i struggle with this daily. i know of the 3 predators of my animals but how many are actually out there? That i have no clue but my Abba knows exactly how many there are and when they will strike. Just like He does for how many bumps and turbulence are in my daily walk and when i will trip on them and what i'll do about them. NOTHING surprises my Abba!! Not even me! And satan runs when God walks out the door with His gun (i know but ya get my point)! God has my back and He's continuously watching over me. i just have to trust Him and tell others about Him!
Trying to live each day like it's my last, DA

How do you know a true friend?

A friend will bail you out of jail. A true friend will be sitting right beside you saying, "Man, that was fun! But let's not do that again!"


No seriously, how do you know when a friend is a true friend??!!
To me, a true friend is willing to talk out the hurts, the hang-ups, the he said/she said crap, the anger, the disappointment, anything that bothers them about you and with you, all while still loving you! i have several friends, but only a handful of what i would call true friends. Sorry, ladies, but i married my bestie. But that is not to say, that you each are not my true friends. Because you are!!
i cherish you each! i'm thankful that my Abba has placed you in my life to sit beside me in jail(tho it hasn't happened....yet!), to kick me in the butt when i need it, to hold my hand when i need it, to give me a shoulder to cry on, to listen to my complaints, to tell me what you see me doing wrong (even when i don't wanna hear it!), to guide me back to my Abba when i have strayed! To laugh with me and at me!
Life is too short to squabble over the small stuff! I have learned that first hand!
Love you so very much, my true friends!!!
Trying to live each day like it's my last, DA

Thank You, ABBA!

My life is so very busy right now! There is so much going on i don't know where to start....
   My family is growing and growing up! My son is engaged to a wonderful young lady!
   My husband and i will have been married 21 years on the 14th!
   My daughter has moved to the college dorms! (at least she's home on the weekend, sometimes!!)
   i have traveled MORE this year than ever!
   i was involved in a Lance Armstrong Foundation Bike Ride this past weekend. (No, i didn't  ride in this one, i was a sag wagon driver.)
   Friendships are growing and unfortunately some are waning! 
My friendships are very special to me. i know this comes from not having many in school! So, yes i am very hurt right now. My heart feels to be in many pieces. i want to pick up these pieces but i know that my ABBA can and will do a better job than i!! It is just very hard for me to let Him do this for me! i've always been a "Me do it!" person. My morning Bible study has me in Psalm 28 - 29! Thank You, ABBA for your kind but sometimes hurtful words. i know that You have my best interests in mind and in Your heart! 
SO THANK YOU, ABBA FOR EVERYTHING!!
Trying to live each day like it's my last, DA

Eulogy

Have you ever had to write a eulogy for someone?
Our "assignment" in our fuel cell last night was to write a eulogy for one of the people at our fuel cell.
The whole point of the "assignment" was 'Will Jesus' eulogy of you be the same as the persons who just wrote yours?' In other words, is what people see the real you? Are you a poser (the movie 'Wild Hogs' comes to mind) or the real deal?
i pray that what you see in me, is really what Jesus sees in me. i strive hard to be real.
Living each like it's my last, da