Gettin a Little Sunshine

I heard a rumor that there was a petition going around the neighborhood. It seems my grass was too long. Have you heard the weather reports lately? Rain, rain, rain! I have been watching the neighbors yards as I come and go and I'm just wondering....when are they getting their grass mowed? All nicely trimmed. One of my neighbors even took a swath down my side of the fence. Oh, that really helped my yard look better.

So I decided that today was the day, rain or shine. I got out pretty early and it was muuuggy! I trimmed, picked up lots of sticks and even scooped up gopher dirt hills. The word must have gotten out because I could swear the traffic increased in front of my house. I couldn't look up at them but I'm sure they slowed down!

I always marvel at those ladies who do their yard work looking like they just stepped out of the salon. I'm not one of those women. First of all I sweat! Not just a little, oh no, I need a sweat band! So, there I am sweaty, red faced and wet hair working away.

Enter Samuel, He returns home and I with a smile tell him I'm ready to push mow (or trim as we call it). He told me that he was going to do the trimming. Bless you my child!

"Oh, and you might need to charge the battery, I forgot to get a new battery for the riding mower," I told him. One would think that with the long break from mowing that one would have taken care of that. Sure enough the battery was dead and needed that charge. I took advantage of the break to do important things: eat lunch, check e-mail, face book and surf around the Internet. Once "cooled off" I thought I would try to improve my appearance so I took off the sweat band and combed my hair....it really didn't help.

I'm getting more efficient with the riding mower. I finished in a little over 2 hours! Let's see, I was stalked by a red wasp, saw a young mockingbird, had grass thrown all over me on more than one occasion and lost a flip flop. I was quite the site.

All is well in the neighborhood....
The yard is mowed and I got a little sunshine.

Cindy Sharp

I found out today that a very dear friend's battle with cancer is over and she is now in the presence of God. That makes me happy. My sadness is selfish. I will miss her. Cindy came into my life almost 7 years ago when Galen died. She helped guide me through mountains of paperwork and was a constant encouragement to me. The last time I saw her was in early February and she was fighting the cancer. As usual she pointed our conversations to God's goodness in our lives. As I was leaving she again told me how proud she was to be my friend. The last thing she told me was how she thought I looked beautiful and that she couldn't wait to dance at my wedding. I laughed and told her we would have to find me a Christian man first. She laughed and said, "Oh be patient, he is out there and God is preparing you for each other."
I always left her feeling better about myself. I will miss her...

As usual with me a song pops into my mind now when I think of her. So here are the words...
Cindy flew to Jesus today!

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Making My Moma Laugh...

I chose this story to be the first one that I post because it is one of my "colorful" stories. It is a true story and one my family's favorites...especially my moma. Go ahead, shake your head, because you will see that I'm a mess!

Before I begin, my sisters and I have always called our mother, momma. Except we spell it moma. So don't think I can't spell it and don't say it with a long O. :-)

Making My Moma Laugh...

Every mother thinks their children are angels and mine was no exception. I remember clearly the day she found out that I was, well....not. She might have suspected such but never let me know.

It was a very hot last day of school and my sister Kathryn and I arrived home with our car loaded with the contents of our school lockers. We started hauling it all in passing first my mom's car, on into the house, down the hall, past her bedroom and on to our bedrooms. About the second or third trip out to the car, as I was passing Kathryn (which happened to be in front of my mom's bedroom) I said, "After I get this next load I need to take a quick shit." And on I went outside. Kathryn met me just outside the front door with her hand on Moma's car and said, "ELIZABETH! I can't believe you said that!" To which I replied, "What?" She then thumped our mom's car and said, 'Uh, I guess you forgot that Moma is home, in bed, down on her back!"

That's when it all became crystal clear! How many times had I passed her car, her bedroom? I just had one thing on my mind and that was the "quick ....!" Anyway, the last thing I wanted to do was go back in the house, but I really needed to. So, I took a deep breath and marched inside hoping maybe she was asleep or something and headed for the bathroom. As I turned the corner heading for the home stretch I heard her, but her voice sounded different "Elizabeth Ann, come in here right now!"

Busted!

My mom started telling me how shocked she was to hear me use such language and I don't remember the rest because I was looking at her, trying not to laugh, realizing that she was fighting back the chuckles herself!! We ended up laughing together, talking about speech becoming of a young lady and that she never wanted to hear me use such language again.

I learned a few things about my moma that day. First, after laying there in shock from what she had heard she started laughing and had to try to get a hold of herself before calling me in. Not to mention laughing hurt her back. Second, if I want to make her laugh, really laugh...just throw in a "choice" word at appropriate times and catch her off guard...well, it works every time.

Over the years I have perfected the "gift" with my mom even though she never wanted to hear me use such language again.

He Giveth More Grace

Can't remember if I've ever posted the words to this song but tonight it is on my mind. The words have been a comfort to me and I hope they are a comfort to some dear friends going through an unimaginable time....

He Giveth More Grace
Annie J. Flint
1866-1932

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
Four out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

My love & prayers to Michael, Chrissy and sweet tiny baby Lilian