A little story to start your day ...  

Parable Of The Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."

"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.


Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

The Bible says that God is the potter and we are the clay.  He is the master and we are the servants. With God's leading and the still smallvoice of the Holy Spirit guiding our steps, we can do great things with our life.

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.


Author Unknown  

 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart  

 

 Good Morning!

  I'm slowly waking up this morning...busy day yesterday with getting my house ready and then joined DDIL2B at a dinner for her 'last single girls nite out'. There were about 11 of us helping her celebrate - lots of fun.  They were going bowling after that ,but I was home shortly after 10,  you know I turn in to a pumpkin after 10 at night.  I forgot to take my camera (I just can't believe I did that), but DD took lots of pics and will forward them to me today !   We'll be celebrating the arrival of DDS#4 and family (the 'Sunshine Babes') with dinner about 5 today, so after church I have to get busy cooking .

   

  ***BIG SMILE***  

Have a very blessed Sunday !  

MA  

   

   The Seasons swifty come and go
And with them comes the thought
Of all the various changes
That passing time has brought...

But one thing never changes,
It remains the same forever,
God truly loves "His Children"
And He will forsake them never!

Author: Helen Steiner Rice

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

SUPER SATURDAY

  We may not always realize
That everything we do

    Affects our lives
But touches others too

 

For a little bit of thoughtfulness
That shows someone you care,

 

 

Creates a ray of sunshine
For both of you to share

 

Yes, every time you offer
Someone a helping hand…
Every time you have

 

A kind and gentle word to give…
You help find beauty
In this precious life we live

 

 

For happiness brings happiness
And loving ways bring love

 

And giving is the treasure
That contentment is made of.

~by Amanda Bradley~

Here we are again !  Sipping coffee and making those Saturday plans.  Super Saturday !  As in super 'ma' flying around like crazy. 

Sometimes I feel like I go around in circles.  I do a little of this and that and not a lot gets accomplished.

Our painter now has the west side of the house's windows all taped over with paper.  He says he'll paint that tomorrow, but his helper quit or got fired on Friday, so we'll see...  My sister and I painted the front porch ourselves . That way we have some place to sit outside...the backyard is still full of buckets and ladders.  ! 

My 'Sunshine Babes' come tomorrow !

I haven't heard exactly when their flight arrives, but no matter...I take them any time they get here.

Have a 'super' day all !

***BIG SMILE***

MA

  

 Just for today,
I will have a program.
I may not follow it exactly,
but I will have it,
thereby saving myself from two pests ...
hurry and indecision 

    

 BEE GRAPHICS BY

  

  

 Dear God,
I'm writing to say I'm sorry
For being angry yesterday
When you seemed to ignore my prayer
And things didn't go my way
First, my car broke down
I was very late for work
But I missed that awful accident
Was that your handiwork?
I found a house I loved
But others got there first
I was angry, then relieved
When I heard the pipes had burst!
Yesterday, I found the perfect dress
But the color was too pale
Today, I found the dress in red
Would you believe, it was on sale!
I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blessed
For no matter what I pray for
You always know what's best!
I have this circle of J-Land friends,
Who mean the world to me;
Some days I "send" and "send",
At other times, I let them be.
When I see each name download,
And view the message they've sent;
I know they've thought of me that day,
And "well wishes" were their intent.
I am so blessed to have these friends,
With whom I've grown so close;
So this little poem I dedicate to them,
Because to me they are the "Most"!
So to you, my friends and family,

 I would like to say, Thank you for being a part;
Of all my daily contacts,
This comes right from my heart.
God bless you all is my prayer today,
I'm honored to call you "friend";
I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we write again.
God Bless
  Author unknown    

 A little prayer for all you reading my journal today  

 Good Morning ! 

      

 

 It's 'finally Friday'  and I'm wearing red today !!!  It's a little something to show I support our troops!  All those brave men and women protecting our freedom. I'm a proud mom today as DS#2 just made a big advancement in rank that he's been working for sometime now !  He and his wife both serve our country!  

 ***BIG SMILE*** 

  I very proud of them !  

 Have a great ,wonderful, terrific day !  

I love you all !  

 MA 

   

    Just for today,
I will improve my mind.
I will not be a mental loafer.
I will force myself to read something
that requires effort,
thought, and concentration 

       

Thankfully Thursday

  The famous Serenity Prayer used by Alcoholics Anonymous and other such groups was written in the summer of 1943 during a time when WWII was not going well for us. The Reverend Reinhold Niebuhr wrote it while serving as pastor of a Lutheran congregation in Heath, Massachusetts.

Once again, while we are in a war that seems endless and in which we feel so powerless, perhaps it would be good to reflect on each of the phrases of:

THE SERENITY PRAYER

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference - living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at
a time - accepting hardship as a pathway to peace - taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it -trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will - so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.  

 Please join me in praying for all our troops !  

  Good Morning !

  We had a nice long rain yesterday and hopefully it will be nice today so our painter can get somemore done.  With all this rain, I'll soon need to cut the grass and the back yard is loaded with ladders and paint buckets.    Guess I'll just have to trust in the good Lord toprovide !  

***Big Smile ***  

 Have a blessed day all !  

MA  

  
Just for today,
I will be happy.
Abraham Lincoln said,
"Most folks are about as happy
as they make up their minds to be."
He was right.
I will not dwell on thoughts
that depress me.
I will chase them out of my mind
and replace them
with happy thoughts

COOL DOWN ON ITS WAY !

  Even Though...

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings every morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear; there are many who are deaf.
 
Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see; there are many who are blind.

  Even though I huddle in my bed and put off getting up, thank you, Lord, that I have strength to rise; there are many who are bedfast. 

  Even though the first hour of my day is hectic--socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short--thank you, Lord, for my family; there are many who are lonely. 

  Even though our breakfast table never looks like those in the ladies' magazines and the menu is sometimes unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have; there are those who are hungry.
 
Even though my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work; there are many who are out of work. 

  Even though I grumble from day to day and wish my circumstances were not quite so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.

Author Unknown   

     

 GOOD MORNING !  

Well you know all of the above does not apply to me,  the animals are the only ones I can fix breakfast for here... but it's true -- we have soooo much to be thankful for !  Things we just take for granted.    I finally got my end of the quarter reports finished at work yesterday,  now we go on with the regular business.  

 Big Sigh !!!  

 I spent most of yesterday evening in the dentist office after work.  Yuck!  2 fillings !!!  I'd better floss better.  After I got home I fought with the sweeper belt.  There should be someway to make those things easier to replace.  It's still not working right ???  This evening I'm hoping to get finished with the baby proofing of my house.  My 'sunshine babes' will be here Sunday and those two little guys will just love all the 'stuff' grand'ma' has all over ! (yes, I do have 2 baby gates too)  

***Big Smile***

   

 Have a bright beautiful day !  

Ma  

   

 Just for today,
I will adjust myself to what is.
I will face reality.
I will correct those things
that I can correct
and accept those I cannot  

   

 www.graphicgarden.com  

ANOTHER HOT MUGGY BUGGY DAY !

    You are Unique 

Think what a remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing it is to be you! Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU!

No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.

No one's hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one's finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.

The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don't sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you - NO ONE!

No one before, no one to come.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!

Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren't meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.

You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone's mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.

If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.

Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!

No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.

No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.

Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!

See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you!

YOU ARE UNIQUE!

Author unknown

 

  

GOOD MORNING !

(((HUGS)))

Did you ever feeling like you just needed a big hug to make things better ?

I sure do !  One of the things I miss the most living by myself is that there is no one around to give that hug, or pat on the back, or even a scolding, if I needed one.

So I'm send you all a hug this morning - just in case you need one !!!

***BIG SMILE***

   

The weather here is soooo muggy, I sweat even in the A/C.  I could turn it down so I'd be cooler, but I'm sure the electric bill will be big enough.  As it is I feel guilty having this comfortable house all to myself when I know there are lots of people without any air conditioning.  And my dogs, cats and the bird get to enjoy it all day too while I'm at work !  They have the life !  Just sleep eat and enjoy !

Take good care all !

Have a happy day !

MA

 

  Just for today,
I will make a conscious effort
to be agreeable.
I will look as good as I can,
dress becomingly,
speak softly, act courteously,
and not interrupt
when someone else is talking.
Just for today,
I'll try not to improve anybody
except myself.

     

 

 

 GRAPHICS BY :  www.irenescorner.com/graphics  

ANOTHER HOT STEAMY DAY HERE

   

 

 Just for today,
I will live through this day only,
and not set far-reaching goals
nor to try to overcome
all my problems at once.
I know I can do something for 24 hours
that would overwhelm me
if I thought I had to keep it up
for a lifetime  

 written by Dear Abby  

    

 Good Morning !

  I'm sipping my coffee and trying to wake up this morning ! 2 more days of this heat wave and then we're supposed to cool down to the mid to lower 80's they say !   I hope you all are keeping cool and not suffering too much from this heat.

I think I hear thunder out there but it's not raining yet !

 

Have a great day !

     

    *** BIG SMILE ***  

 MA  

 

    

  Remember

A good cry is a wet-wash, but a hearty laugh
gives you a dry cleaning

 

    graphics by:

    

SUDDENLY SUNDAY !

 

 

Good Morning !   A little story for you to start the day !   ***Big Smile***    

Carried Any Donkeys Lately?

An old fable that has been passed down for generations tells about an elderly man who was traveling with a boy and a donkey. As they walked through a village, the man was leading the donkey and the boy was walking behind.

The towns people said the old man was a fool for not riding, so to please them he climbed up on the animal's back.

When they came to the next village, the people said the old man was cruel to let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them, he got off and set the boy on the animal's back and continued on his way.

In the third village, people accused the child of being lazy for making the old man walk, and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man climbed on and they set off again.

In the fourth village, the towns-people were indignant at the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down the road.

We smile, but this story makes a good point:

We can't please everybody, and if we try we end up carrying a heavy burden. Well-meaning Christians may offer us advice, and much of it is valuable. But when we try to do everything other believers want us to do, we can easily become frustrated and confused.

That's why we need to remember that the One we must please above all others is Christ. And we do that by obeying God's Word.

Carried any donkeys lately? You don't have to if you're trying to please God.

Author Unknown  

    This morning I'm off to church to sing praises, give thanks and ask for God's blessings for my family and friends and for me too !   Refreshed and Renewed for another week!    

 

The countdown is on--   20 days until the wedding!   7 more days until my 'Sunshine Babes' are home...   I hope I counted those days right - if not it's close !  

 My hope for you all this morning is that you take time to 'freshen up' too !   We all need that once in a while !  

    (((Hugs)))  

MA  

   

GRAPHICS BY: www.graphicgarden.com