Boojoyful

May 31 My heart aches for the LaSource family as 3 year old Ryan is still on a ventilator fighting for his life in a Leukemia battle. His father created these vinyl decals as a fund raiser.  I put ours on our kitchen window! https://www.facebook.com/RyanLaSource/?fref=nf As painful as these last months have been watching this child suffer it is obvious God is up to something huge.  The other day over 2,000 people poured out their support on Facebook. If you are able to go read some of the prayers you will be so proud to be part of the Body of Christ. The faith this young couple testifies to is beyond belief. The other day in Jesus Calling  I read"My Presence enfolds you in radiant Love.  Nothing, including the brightest blessing and the darkest trails, can separate you from Me." "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfu

   May 30 The "Fixer Upper" piece I shared this weekend ended with this scripture passage:  Ephesians 3:14-21, which reads: “My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth… And I ask Him that, with both feet firmly planted on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine, or guess, or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around, but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” After meditating on this passage and reflecting on the article as a whole, I told the Lord I wanted to live A Surrendered Summer. Will you pray that for me?  That each day this summer I will be intentional t

May 28-29 My poor husband. Once again I've presented him with a "Fixer Upper List"!  Opening up Shiloh for the summer is a lot of work, but we know this place is a gift from God and it needs to be cared for. Yesterday morning it was 74 degrees by 7:30AM. My goals for the day were to clean/weed the beach, get out the grands' beach toys and then head to the other side of the property and clean out the boat house and make a list of needed supplies for the summer. On the beach was a large galvanized tub filled with rain water and two puffy salamanders who had obviously climbed over the side and couldn't get back out and drown.  Gross.  What a way to start. I wonder if God says, "Gross" when he sees me getting puffed up with pride over something.  Glad he doesn't toss me to the woods like I did those slimy creatures. I wonder which one tempted the other to "come on in." One of my favorite TV shows is called "Fixer Upper."  I c

May 27 Yard work always affords me the time to hear the Lord. The process of cleaning up our rose bushes, after weeks of rain,  held within an excellent life lesson. Snipping away the old blooms, from where they were overshadowing buds which had not yet had the opportunity to burst forth, caused me mind to contemplate how some individuals get  crowded out and never have the opportunity to bloom. Being a teacher, by profession, my mind drifted to the classroom, but the lesson is applicable in every day life.  Be it family gatherings, book clubs, team sports, office settings, church, or any group gathering you have your early bloomers, the extraverts, who burst forth with gusto and are grand. While they play an integral part in group discussions and often bring much needed energy/exuberance, without balance and a bit of restraint they can overshadow and intimidate the late bloomers.  The personality make up of these people, also God's creation with great worth, have an equal

These are wooden spoons I made for an egg and spoon race this past Easter. Ends up it was rather frustrating for the under five years old age group, but the parents were excited to take them home thinking they made for great disciplinary tools! May 26 A lady was stopping by whom I'd only met once and during that encounter she didn't have a nice word to say about anyone. Anticipating her visit, I came up with the idea of typing up this sign and hanging it on a board at our front door where I like to leave thought provoking messages.  I didn't do it, but was tempted.          You are entering a stroke survivor zone. Be thankful you are alive and  able to walk into this house. That means NO COMPLAINING SPREAD LOVE BE KIND AND ENCOURAGING  TO ONE ANOTHER While you are here, tell someone else that you love them and appreciate how God has made them. Remember, Jesus could call you home tonight.

May 25 The torrential downpours we've had lately certainly gave our peonies a pounding.  They looked beaten up. That's the way I've felt concerning my prayer list lately. For close to three years I've been praying for a little boy from Mississippi named Ryan LaSource.  Ryan is battling leukemia.  It's been grueling and he is really suffering through this battle at Duke right now. For the first time in a long time, nothing was posted yesterday and that concerns me. https://www.facebook.com/RyanLaSource/?fref=nf When I wrote on the word endure  the other day, this sweet family was forefront in my thoughts as I've considered...How much more can they endure?  Now doctors are suspecting chemo has caused damage to his lungs and his breathing is very labored. I so want a happy ending to this story! Just months ago we walked alongside close friends, who lost their daughter-in -law to cancer after a very similar battle.  Prolonged illness can cause you to

Here's our newest grand dog with a very happy face. May 24 Don't you just love it when the Lord speaks to your heart.  Opening my eyes the other morning I was heavy hearted.  As I said, "Here I am Lord," he answered, "Hand me your heart." Immediately, I melted.  His next words were "I am the Maker and the Mender." The Maker, the one who created each of us and knows every hair on our heads.  The Mender, the one who has great kingdom purposes in all that we experience. Later that morning I had an encounter with a gentleman concerning a replacement shipment for some tile which had arrived broken.  He said it could take five days, which was going to really delay the project, so I said, "It's not of eternal value, but I'm going to pray it arrives faster."  "Huh," he chuckled "If you want to pray for something, pray for my elbow. I have tendinitis."  So, right there on the spot I prayed and wa

Our granddaughter at a doctoral celebration party for our daughter! May 23 Following the stroke there was an issue with my left eye.  Diligently, I worked on the prescribed exercises, but had waited until my regularly scheduled yearly appointment in May to see if the issue had resolved. Praise the Lord it has and my doctor said she was thrilled to see my eyes so healthy! Good eye sight is such a gift, so is godly insight!  I prayed for a good verse on insight and opened up Biblegateway and there as the verse of the day was Romans 11:33. Such a good reminder. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" I'm printing off these two passages from Psalm 119 to pray regularly. "God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me-my whole life one long, obedient response.  Guide me down the road of your commandments; I lo

May 21-22 May 12th,  our daughter and I had the honor of accompanying our daughter in law, as the guest of her mother, a US Congressman's wife, to the Congressional Club's luncheon honoring the First Lady. It was a lovely affair and Michelle Obama was most gracious in her comments. In my younger years, I can remember thinking it would be fun to be a princess or the child of a president.  Interestingly enough, I never wanted to be queen or First Lady, for I guess deep down inside I knew the huge responsibility which came with that.  Your time is not your own.  You are in service.  Plush service yes, but still you have a whole world watching your every move. While holding the position of Head of School at a small private school, my husband doesn't see himself as first  or top dog.  Lower school PE teacher is something that he has added to his plate, feeling this allows him the opportunity to get to know these children better.  One of the lessons he teaches them is Ma

May 20 Whether it's the rainy weather, the lack of praise time and formal Bible study for a couple more weeks, the depth of heartache on my prayer list or other external influences, I found myself floating into a funk the other day.  I wanted to call a friend or my husband and unload, but I knew the proper protocol for holy living was to go to the Lord. Before I could get my thoughts verbalized He said, "Endure!" Going to a couple dictionaries, definitions such as:suffer patiently for a long time,  remain in existence, and deal with or accept something unpleasant surfaced. Typing endure  into Biblegateway unearthed seventy verses. Two quickly spoke to me personally, while numerous Psalms lifted my spirits. In John's message to Ephesus in Revelation 2: 1-4 he says, " The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lamp stands, says this: 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cann

Love the mix of intensity, concentration and elation when this little one creates. May 19 While she was visiting, she wanted to paint her toenails herself. I laid out a paper towel and told her it was important to keep her piggies on the towel.  I stepped out for a minute and when I came back I noticed a spot of nail polish on the tile floor. When I went to use the towel to get it up I uncovered a bigger mess.  She began to tear up, knowing she'd tried to cover up a mess.  Cradling her in my arms, I explained accidents happen and we all make mistakes, but it's important to be honest and seek forgiveness and help if necessary to right the wrong. Sarah Young had written on this topic in Jesus Calling on May 9th. "Don't be so hard on yourself.  I can bring good even out of your mistakes.  Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret.  This is a wast of time and energy, leading only to frustration. Instead of

Papa and his youngest grandson. Are they cute or what! The oldest grandson. It was just by accident we were all so pinkie! May 18 Recently we've been walking through a season of heart break and suffering with several people. It was so good to be in church Sunday are praise the Lord with hundreds of brothers and sisters in Christ and be reminded by our pastor, in his sermon series on the Armor of God, that we have power to prevail through the battles of life.  I pulled up a file I had made full of verses which remind of that our strength is in the Lord. There are two individuals in particular who are literally in ICU units fighting for their lives and enduring much physical suffering. So, I'm taking time daily to pray these verses over them. “Do not grieve,  for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will quiet you in His love, He will rejoice ove

May 17 Wasn't the word  annoying  part of the definition of bird brain? Not sure if you remember my post on the robin?  Well, this ole fellow took his revenge after I prayed him away from messing on our windows. The name of Jesus may have kept him away from the house windows, but he went and defecated on our cars. This verse is not specific about revenge towards animals, but a reminder God will avenge! Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath,  for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Romans 12:19 We also had a bluebird, who began flying into our bedroom windows every morning. He wasn't making the mess the robin did, but the constant tap, tap, tap was quite annoying. I began writing this post yesterday morning and then headed out to do some window washing.  Working behind one of our fountains, which was not turned on and void of water, I glanced inside and there upside down was

Thanks to this sweet family for hosting us over Mother's Day weekend. May 16 Our daughter, who experienced three miscarriages and the heart break of infertility, had a precious post on Facebook over Mother's Day weekend. May we keep this in our hearts throughout the years and allow God to equip us to be sensitive and love others well. "I love getting to celebrate Mother's Day with my littles but it always stirs my heart to think of the women who ache on this day. I've been one of them. So Heres to you, women who long to be a mom.  My heart aches with you an I am praying alongside you that God would grant the desires of your heart. Here's to you who have lost a child. Your child is not forgotten, nor is the love you have for them. Here's to you missing your mom on this day. I pray that you would not feel alone and that God would fill the empty spot in your heart. Here's to the women who help mother other children. Teachers, friends,

Our backyard balance beam. May 14-15                         Puppies need lots of direction...so do people.    I was looking for scriptures on having a balanced life and Biblegateway referenced Proverbs 11 (MSG) There's a lot to nibble on! Maybe I'll slowly unpack this over the weekend. "Without Good Direction, People Lose Their Way" God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard. The stuck-upfall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm. The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin. A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst. Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life. Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust. When the wicked die, that's it-the story's over, end of hope. A good person is saved fro

Our son and his wife are jumping for joy at their daughter's trampoline birthday party. I'm not jumping yet, with this back issue, but I've got my joy back! May 12 As I shared yesterday I felt disconnected from God. He hadn't gone anywhere, I had.  He did the most amazing things Tuesday.  (Okay, He does amazing things everyday, I just fail to acknowledge them.)   I decided to go for a pedicure, mostly because I wanted to sit in the massage chair and see if it would loosen up my back. I started to call a girlfriend to join me, but then just headed up on my own knowing I didn't need to unload my problems on her.  The place was packed, but I got to sit in one of the chairs for 30 minutes before the pedicure which was perfect. I opened Jesus Calling  on my phone and there was God!!!!  I keep telling you, when we get alone with God and His Word he shows up!  Here's what Sarah Young had written: "Do not resist or run from the difficulties in you

No, he's not ours but as one of our sons said, "He's a looker!" May 11 I was elated to have the opportunity to baby sit this sweet fellow last week. Oh, how I miss some good bulldog love.  While having another bulldog is a desire of mine, I know realistically a puppy is probably not the best item to add to our lives right now.  We get up in the middle of the night enough on our own and our backs are beyond the toting bulldogs around days.  It's a good kind of love though. I fell into another tempting purchase last month. My husband shook his head as I entertained the idea, but let me go through with it knowing I had a couple special events coming up where I thought I needed to look stylish.  I bought a pair of shoes with a little heel.  Can't even remember the last time I wore heels and I am not smooth at all walking in them.  Now my back is out and they are probably money down the drain. Do you ever feel your mind drifting away from the thin

How cute is this little one in her hot pink high tops! I want a pair. I remember in high school when our volleyball team all decided to get high tops! May 13 In our hip culture the response to someone saying, "No way?" can simply be followed up with the word: "Way!" Well, God's ways are not our ways. Time and again I've come to see that when I think I know what God is up to, I'm wrong!  I told my daughter the other day I sense the Lord posing the question to me, "If the opportunity arose would you be willing to walk away from EVERYTHING in your home?"  My response was "I totally trust You Lord.  Absolutely."  My mind interpreted this question as the possibility of someone knocking on our door and saying, "I want to buy everything, house, furniture, linens, dishes, boats, life jackets, patio furniture, etc." The following day I awakened in the middle of the night with a terrible pain in my right uppe

It's a good think she was icing cupcakes just for herself, as the knife landed in her mouth in-between each stroke of the icing process! May 10 By 3AM, the Tylenol I had taken for some fierce sciatica pain had worn off and I was awake and pleading with God to heal my back pain.  The string of requests that followed were worldly, self-centered and not of eternal value. Moments into my list I realized my requests were void of the best part of a prayer life ...surrendering to God and listening for His will, for His plans, for His purposes for my life that will bring Him glory. Makes me think of the song "Glory to God". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h64opCwLZCw To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen Philippians 4:20 It's not about us!

We had the privilege of baby sitting this little fellow and he wanted to play goalie! May 9 Goals are important to have in life.  Our nation is in such disarray. 2 Chronicles 7:14 holds within it's punctuation some good goals for us as Americans. It is prefaced with the stipulation of holding true for "God's people." "... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Sunday we were worshiping at one of our son's churches and there were several baptisms.  Each individual had been interviewed and videoed before hand and their testimony was shared on the big screen. The first young man brought me to tears as he told his story.  As a child he'd prayed with his mother and grandmother, but he said he had no idea who he was praying to.  In college he went to church and it felt good,

Happy 5th Birthday to our oldest granddaughter. Thanks for sharing your last week as a four year old with us! May 7-8 Girls just want to have fun! We fished, painted, colored the patio in chalk drawings, sewed, weaved, glued, baked, shopped, read, memorized scripture, built sand castles, baby sat a bulldog puppy, made butterfly sprinkled pancakes and even napped together while listening to praise music!  I observed while she swam, did gymnastics, played hockey, rode her bike and learned 3 songs on the piano.  Now she is five and beautiful on the inside and out! When discussing the approaching birthday she said, "Friday, I will be five and after that six, seven, eight, nine and ten!"  The days of life are fleeting.  May we be intentional to make each one count for the Kingdom in some way. "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is." Psalm 39:4

"Please Follow the Rules" May 6 A sign photobombed this picture of our girls.  It is in the Chattanooga Children's Museum and says, "PLEASE, FOLLOW THE RULES." It cracked me up when I downloaded the  photos and saw it! Last week I completed a study on the amazing life of Moses. It's been so good, I'm going back and reading Charles Swindle's book The Man of Selfless Dedication-Moses. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 has God speaking to Moses and Aaron (who has died). "For both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribath-Kadevsh in the Wilderness of Zin by failing to treat Me as  holy in their presence.  Although from a distance you will view the land that i am giving the Israelites, you will not go there." Whew!  Moses and Aaron were some dedicated servants, but their rule breaking had some consequences.  While they didn't get to dwell in The Promised Land, we are told they were "gathered up to t

May 5 We dusted away the pollen, cleaned the boat, dock, patio, outdoor chairs getting ready for a prom night photo shoot and it rained!!!  Fortunately, there was only a mist when the kids arrived and we scurried around the property (well the girls in high heels didn't scurry) taking pictures in the woods and even on the water. My husband was in his usual servant mode as I tipped him off to our next move in the photo shoot and where I'd needed his help.  Several of the students mothers had come with their cameras as well. One lady looked at me and said, "You two been together a long time?"  I said, "Going on 38 years."  She said, "How long did it take you to get him trained like that?" My husband said, "I hope you told her once you became a submissive wife, it happened." "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22 We both ended the evening, sore and exha

Kennette Pyles May 4 It's been many, many years since our children took swimming lessons, but I know the experience was nothing like what I watched in Nashville.  This instructor has made teaching children to swim her passion.  Her three year old drown years ago and she decided to do all she could to see that no other parents experience this. The number one goal is to teach these children from infants up, to turn over and float in the water if they get into distress. This particular grandchild is not one to warm  up to new activities quickly, but Kennette's whispers in his ear have won him over!  Watching her teach is truly a beautiful experience.  The graduation lesson requires the child get in the water fully clothed, I think even in a jacket, and show that they can turn over and float.  This grandson has loved the swimming lesson experience so much that now he is taking lessons to work on his strokes. "Servants, do what you're told by your e