CHAPTER 7, PAGE 21

This morning I’m going to share an e-mail I received …

Listen To Me

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life.

I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10 Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also:

1. QUIT WORRYING

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST

Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME

Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs. YOUR problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

 6. HAVE FAITH

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong.

You are very precious to Me.

Don't ever forget that!

With all my heart, I love YOU!

GOD

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

I got this ‘notice’ in an e-mail recently. Wow did it hit home…guess I needed a little note from God so I’d remember who was in charge. You’d think at my age I’d realize that by now. Not so !

I just need to keep the faith. I just have to love my Lord and know that he is there with me. I just need to know he loves me, and then I have to give over my control and let Him control. I just have to believe controlling change is not nearly as important as letting Him have control.

You are never too old to hold your Father’s hand….

Hey ! Its Friday ! It’s going to be a grand day !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

God is not in need of anything, but all things are in need of him.

-- Marcus Aristides

May your day be filled with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

www.heartwarmingholidays.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 20

Standing For What You Believe In

Standing for what you believe in,

Regardless of the odds against you,

And the pressure that tears at your resistance,

...means courage

Keeping a smile on your face,

When inside you feel like dying,

For the sake of supporting others,

...means strength

Stopping at nothing,

And doing what's in your heart,

You know is right,

 ...means determination

Doing more than is expected,

To make another's life a little more bearable,

Without uttering a single complaint,

...means compassion

Helping a friend in need,

No matter the time or effort,

To the best of your ability,

...means loyalty

Giving more than you have,

And expecting nothing

But nothing in return,

...means selflessness

Holding your head high,

And being the best you know you can be

When life seems to fall apart at your feet,

Facing each difficulty with the confidence

That time will bring you better tomorrow's,

And never giving up,

...means confidence.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

It’…Thankfully Thursday ! I say thankfully because you know what tomorrow is – that’s right – my favorite day of the week FRIDAY !

There have been no family outings or visits around here for awhile and I can tell you I’m missing them. It’s been too quiet around my house. The beagle chases the cats around every now and then, but that’s as exciting as it gets here.

Next week I’ll be celebrating CHRISTMAS IN JULY ! The 25th. Is the date I’ve picked to start making Christmas gifts. This year my family has requested a ‘Family Cookbook’ so I’m typing up recipes into a nice cookbook program DDIL #1 gave me and will put it all together in a nice notebook for each family.

 I’ve already done a little bit , but on the 25th my Christmas Countdown will be officially begin. That by it’s self will keep me busy and out of trouble for quite awhile.

Meanwhile – I OWE , I OWE , It’s off to work I go….

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.

Henry David Thoreau

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

Sunflowers provided by:

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 19

Take Time For 10 Things...

1. Take time to work . . .

It is the price of success.

2. Take time to think . . .

It is the source of power.

3. Take time to play . . .

It is the secret of youth.

4. Take time to read . . .

It is the foundation of knowledge.

5. Take time to worship . . .

It is the highway of reverence and

washes the dust of earth from our eyes.

6. Take time to help and enjoy friends . . .

It is the source of happiness.

7. Take time to love . . .

It is the one sacrament of life.

8. Take time to dream . . .

It hitches the soul to the stars.

9. Take time to laugh . . .

It is the singing that helps with life's loads.

10. Take time to plan . . .

It is the secret of being able to

have time to take time for the first nine things.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Do you take time for yourself? You all know that I do. When things get to hectic or stressful, we all need to take a step back and just smell the roses.

I have a special rose bush just outside my back door. It was given to me by a dear friend several years ago. It has grown a lot from the tiny little plant that it was and it just blooms and blooms all summer. I often think of my friend so very far away, especially when I smell the roses!

Sometimes we all need a reminder like that to make us remember to take time…

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven - A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. -

Ecclesiastes, 3:1-2

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

provided the 'trip to the beach' graphics today !

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 18

Be Yourself

Be strong enough to face the world each day.

Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything.

Be generous to those who need your help.

Be frugal with what you need yourself.

Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.

Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.

Be willing to share your joys.

Be willing to share the sorrows of others.

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.

Be a follower when you are

shrouded in the midst of uncertainty.

 Be the first to congratulate an opponent

who succeeds.

Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.

Be sure where your next step will fall,

so that you will not stumble.

Be sure of your final destination,

in case you are going the wrong way.

Be loving to those who love you.

Be loving to those who do not love you,

and they may change.

Above all, be yourself!

Author Unknown

God has appointed...apostles...prophets ...teachers...workers of miracles...gifts of healing...those able to help others...those with gifts of administration..."

(1 Corinthians 12:28).

There is no shame in being in our place, wherever or whatever that is.

GOOD MORNING !

Often we think that if we were someone else, we’d be soooo much better. If we had their talent, skills, beauty, money etc…we’d be much different. The truth is we were each made unique and it wouldn’t be much fun if we were all the same.

Today we are supposed to get some showers, which will be a little relief from the heat of yesterday. The temps are suppose to be in the mid to lower 80’s the rest of the week. That is more like Ohio weather.

Yesterday I got a grand raise of 50 cents an hour. When I figured this up over a years’ time it doesn’t make up for the difference I’m paying in gas for the car or to heat the house in the winter.

I think it was supposed to be like a cost of living raise, but it doesn’t quite make the grade. Now I’m going to have to revamp my budget and decide what I can no longer do without. I already know that the thermostat will definitely be set lower this winter.

Oh well, I’m off to work again and will be ‘smiling’ all the while, wishing that I was on the beach with the coolbreezes blowing !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There are smiles that make us happy,

there are smiles that make us blue

there are smiles that steal away the teardrops

as the sunbeams steal away the dew.

there are smiles that have a tender meaning

that eyes of love alone may see

but the smiles that fill my life with sunshine

are the smiles that u give me

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

graphics by:

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 17

Your joys, triumphs, successes,

and happiness are not mine;

Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make,

nor to judge;

I can only support you, encourage you,

and help you when you ask.

I can't prevent you from falling

away from friendship,

from your values, from me.

I can only pray for you,

talk to you and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which

I have determined for you.

But I can give you the room to change,

room to grow,

room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart

from breaking and hurting.

But I can cry with you and

help you pick up the pieces

and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.

I can only love you and be your friend.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

All across our country we are experiencing some terrific heat. I hear from friends out west, down south, up north and over east and we all have it.

I hope you all remember to drink plenty of liquids and stay in a cool and well ventilated place. I am blessed with a/c both at home and at work, so I’m pretty comfortable right now..

I keep the thermostat set at 80 degrees at home and have my ceiling fans going to circulate the air. Thank the dear Lord for His many blessings !

I don’t like the idea of staying indoors on a summer day, but right now it’s the only place I want to be. Take good care all !

Thought for Today

Nothing on earth

Can make life more worthwhile

Than the sunshine and warmth

Of a beautiful smile.

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

Graphics by:

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 16

Love vs. Obligation

A house is a house is a house-until

love comes through the door, that is.

And love intuitively goes around sprinkling

that special brand of angel dust that transforms

a house into a very special home for very special people:

your family.

Money, of course, can build a charming house,

but only love can furnish it with a feeling of home.

Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch,

but love may decide to tuck a little love note inside.

Money can provide a television set,

but love controls it and cares enough to say no

and take the guff that comes with it.

Obligation sends the children to bed on time,

but love tucks the covers in around their necks

and passes out kisses and hugs (even to teenagers!).

Obligation can cook a meal, but love embellishes

the table with a potted ivy trailing around slender candles.

 Duty writes many letters, but love tucks a joke

 or a picture or a fresh stick of gum inside.

Compulsion keeps a sparkling house.

But love and prayer stand a better chance

of producing a happy family.

Duty gets offended quickly if it isn't appreciated.

 But love learns to laugh a lot and to work

for the sheer joy of doing it.

Obligation can pour a glass of milk,

but quite often love will add a little chocolate.

By: Unknown

Good Morning ! 

I write lots of letters.-- E-mail letters . I send one off every morning and also post a Good Morning to all here in my journal. I think of you all each day and wonder what you are up to. It’s soooo good to keep in touch with family and friends.

Every now and then I get a picture or two sent my way which is just like that ‘ stick of gum ‘ mentioned above. They are such a treat!!! I get to see how much everyone is growing and also am able to see their smiles and the sunshine in their eyes.

I’ll be going to church as usual this morning for my weekly dose of R & R And I’ll be praying for each of you. The good Lord knows each of your needs and answers all our prayers.

Thought for Today

Do not wish to be anything but what you are and try to be that perfectly.

St. Francis De Sales

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

www.heartwarmingholidays.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 15

Start Your Own Rainbow

If your world looks gloomy

and you're feeling grim and glum

make a rainbow for yourself,

don't wait for one to come.

Don't sit watching at the window

for the clouds to part.

There'll soon be a rainbow

if you start one in your heart.

Take some lovely thought

out of a poem or a prayer.

Turn it over in your mind

and let it linger there.

Keep out every memory

that dims the light within,

And hold on to the magic word

that lets the brightness in.

Work your own small miracle

and make the dull days glow.

Put some sunshine into life

and let the glory show.

Make a rainbow for yourself

with colors brave and gay,

And underneath its golden arch

your careswill fade away.

author unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Maybe there’ll be a rainbow for us here in Northern Ohio today ! The rain is supposed to change to sun somewhere along the way . Then we are going to get hot.

Hot as in the 90’s. I know that some of you are experiencing much hotter hot than we are, but you have to remember, we in the north, are just not used to this heat. We have so much cold, cool and cooler weather that when all of the sudden summer decides to share the warmth with us, it’s a shock to the system.

I know that a friend in California is having 106 degree weather…I can’t imagine what would happen if we had that here…we’d probably loose power from an overload with all the fans and air conditioners running.

It is Saturday morning and I’m slowly sipping the good coffee and enjoying this wonderful down time. It is a small bit of heaven!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

When summer turns to winter, And the present disappears, The laughter we were glad to share Will echo through the years.

Author Unknown

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA