One of the best birthday presents ever!

The day after my birthday, Corey and Jesse

told me they were taking me somewhere.  

In the car, they told me that it was an intervention.

They think I need to dress more flattering and they

wanted me to have something nice to wear when

I go visit Terry, Donna, Christopher, David, Eric, Sarah, and 

new baby Michaela. (So excited!!)

Since I already had a gift card to Macy's they decided to 

go there.  I had sooooo much fun.  I've never

tried on soooo many clothes.  I did get really tired and

too many hot flashes (medication) I had to take a break.

The clothes were all so nice and they were having

a fantastic sale plus an additional 20% off everything.

 Corey also told me I needed to get fitted for

a new bra.  I really didn't think that was necessary but

did it anyway.  I got one the size the lady told me,  

spent a little more than I normally would,

and found out that bras aren't supposed to be uncomfortable.

Who knew?  All these years I've been suffering

with yucky uncomfortable bras.  Thank you, Corey

and Jesse!  So much fun and so happy with everything

you two picked for me!!  Love you both!!

 I would never have thought of even

trying on this dress but it's one of my

favorite things.

 I never would have tried these either because

they are like jeggings but they are so

comfortable!

And - I absolutely would never 

have tried this skirt, which goes with the

sweater above but it's cute and I love the

texture.  This photo shows the color

 and this shows the texture

 this is a maxi dress I picked out

on my own a few weeks back,

another great sale from Lands End.

I'm really happy with it too.

Go visit this site for an interesting read about Ruth:  The Original Bachelorette

   

Dad's Birthday

Today would have been Dad's 81st birthday.

It's hard to believe it's almost been a year.

Love you and miss you Dad.

This was taken last year at his 80th celebration.

and this was around 1975

I know Dad's seeing the glory of 

the Lord in person.  What a blessing!

thinking...

Reading this morning:

God will give us opportunity to be a servant, and then He will check our attitude to see how we’re doing.  Jesus gave us an example of servanthood by washing the feet of the disciples and then telling them, “You should do to others as I have done to you.”

Some people fail to be servants because they don’t know who they are in Christ.  They feel they must be doing something important, or they don’t feel they are worth anything.  They fail to see the value of doing whatever they are called upon to do, regardless of how ordinary or mundane it may seem.

We need to be willing to do whatever God wants us to do, to be used in whatever way He wants to use us.  The attitude of a servant should be displayed in every area of our life.  The servant test is simply how we respond to the opportunities God gives us to be a blessing to others.  It reveals whether we really and truly want to be like Jesus.  When God anoints a person.  He is anointing that person to be a servant, not to be a famous person.

I will be faithful to wash some feet today, starting with those in my own home.

from Joyce Meyer

going thru photos:

Mom and the dogs.  They love her.

These pictures are from the 4th.  I'm so behind in posting.

Jesse made these strawberry jello treats, pretty.

and she made Milly patriotic

then she made Millie cool

Chuck got me a two bird feeders.

One for hummingbirds, I haven't seen any yet,

and one for any and all other birds.  So far 

I've only seen cardinals and these guys.

More reading today:

Jesus left us with a clear understanding of Christian life in community.  Again and again he repeats,  “Love one another..love one another as I have loved you.  If you love me you will do what I tell you…that you love one another.”

Briefly and succinctly Jesus reemphasized the rock foundation of the Christian life.  And in so doing, he wants us to respect one another and take care of one another; he wants us to fuss and worry about, to be concerned about and involved with, to forgive and make excuses for, to be good to and love one another until the day we die and ever after.  “In short, there are three things that last:  faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love” (1^st Corinthians 13:13)

Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:13

from Reflections for Ragamuffins

When I read the part above that said, "respect, take care of, fuss and worry about, to be concerned about and involved with, to forgive and make excuses for, to be good to and love until the day we die and ever after --- I just saw my Mom the last few years Dad was alive.  She was like this for him.  Dad had Dr.'s tell him how lucky he was to have her.  I think she has a servants heart and loved and loves him, much.  I hope we all can do this because when someone you love is no longer here, we think about them all the time and we miss them so much.  

This also made me think about the things we say to each other.  

What if, something you've said, is the LAST thing you ever say to someone.  Do you want whatever words, unkind or otherwise, to be what they remember for the rest of their lives?   

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14