Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friends are God's way of taking care of us
This was sent to me by email and supposedly written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:
I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over... Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.
When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than
that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her.. It was a nickel.
At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.
I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying! ,'so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back aw ay from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'
I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.
She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.
So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.
I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'
This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'
It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.
Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the
flutter of their wings...
Psalms 55:22 ' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'
Please pass this on. Here is the prayer:
'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends,
relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new
revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to
their spirit this very moment.. Where there is pain, give them Your
peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence
through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'
I checked Snopes.com for the validity of this post and they say it's undetermined, I choose to believe it.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Where is the BC?
Photo Courtesy of NatalieMaynor License:Creative Commons~Attribution
She wrote, "Does the cabin where I will be staying have its own "BC?" If not, where is the "BC" located?"
The campground owner received the letter not knowing what "BC" meant. Baffled by the euphemism, he showed the letter to his wife. She knew that the lady was the widow of a famous Baptist preacher. She was sure that it must be a question about the local Baptist Church. "Of course," "BC" stands for "Baptist Church" and so her reply was:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for inquiring about our beautiful campground here in Branson. I must inform you that the "BC" is located nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people.
I admit it's quite a distance away, especially if you are in the habit of going regularly. No doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late.
The last time my husband and I went was six years ago and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that we are planning a fundraiser to buy more seats. They are going to hold it in the basement of the "BC."
I would like to say that it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it's surely no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather.
If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time, sit with you, and introduce you to all the folks.
I want you to know that your letter has been an encouragement to me and starting this Sunday, I am going to invite family and friends to go with me in order to have a packed out house every week. We hope to see you soon, because Branson is a moving experience for all God's children.
This was just too funny not the share, I found it here
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Single Black Female Seeking Love (Funny Ad)
It is reported to have been listed in the Atlanta Journal.
SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good girl who LOVES to play.
I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire.
Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand.
I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me.. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy,
I'll be waiting....
Please scroll down…
Over 150 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Where arte thou brave? Memorial Day Poem 2009
But where arte thou brave?
Some still walk among us,
Others sent to an early grave.
They're the ones who answered,
Their nations call to serve.
The ones who protected,
More than we deserve.
They defended our rights,
Yes, every last one,
Even to speak like an idiot,
Or to own a gun.
They kept us safe at night,
And all through the day,
Combating foreign and domestic,
And kept the enemy at bay
They were our sons and daughters,
Who we've raised from birth.
Whose virtue, honor and sacrifice,
Is now lost in the Earth.
They were our brothers and sisters,
Both younger and older,
With out them in our lives,
The world is far colder.
They were our husbands and wives,
Sent to fight in the war,
Whose love and compassion,
Will be felt no more.
They were our fathers and mothers,
Who wanted to protect,
Their children and loved ones,
So pay your respects.
Pay your respects,
To the ones who were lost,
Our freedom came with price,
Their lives were the cost.
I wrote this to honor my fallen comrades both past and present. May they rest in peace.
Respectfully,
Cpl Craig, USMC 2001-2005
Dreadspydr 5-22-09
This was written by a friend of mine over on Newsvine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Yoga???
AND
2. YOGA FROM Missouri
The Missouri class is full for this session. I'll get back to you when it opens up again!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Smoke Free with More Cash in My Wallet!
Just over a week ago I quit smoking. I've been staying away from the computer lately because it is a trigger for me. Before, when I sat down at the computer I would light up a cigarette. It was just something I would do, whether I needed to smoke or not. Now when I sit down over here, my eyes will dart to the spot where the cigarettes were before I remember I quit. But I'm feeling stronger now and it gets better everyday.
I was a little stupid, ok maybe a lot stupid and started smoking when I was 40। Who does that? I mean, I made a conscience decision to start, and did. I know....that was really pretty stupid.
So, after almost 15 years of a nasty habit that caused my house to smell bad, my clothes to smell bad, and probably made me smell bad, I quit!
Stamp out nasty ashtrays and poison cigs!
This is what my method was to quitting, I don't know if it would work for everyone but it did for me. When I made my decision to quit I still had a couple of packs left. I decided to smoke them as fast as I could, hopefully to make myself a little tired and maybe a little sick...
I think it pretty much worked because by the time I was done with the supply I had I was ready to stop. When they were all gone, I picked up all the ash trays I had in the house and washed them, picked up all the lighters I had around and put them away.
Then I took out the trash in each room to clear out any possible butts. I aired out the house as best I could and also sprayed all the furniture with that Febreze stuff.
The cigarette smell has not totally left the apartment, but it is a little better and as soon as it warms up I will be opening all the windows and really airing it out. I also plan on asking my landlord if I supply the paint if she will paint my apartment. I've been here over 3 years and hopefully she will do that for me. If not, I'm going to have it done myself.
For a reward, my Sister and I went shopping and I purchased a new bracelet and a couple of rings. They didn't cost much more than a couple of weeks of smokes, they won't give me cancer and will last so much longer. We discussed that as long as I didn't turn this into my new habit that I should do alright. Actually, tomorrow I'm going to the bank and increasing my monthly savings deposit by the equivalent amount of a half month's cigarettes. Now I think that's really good news!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
In Pursuit of a Dream
One thing that links us all together is that each and everyone of us at some point in our lives have had a dream. As children we all dreamed of what we would become as adults. Maybe it was idealistic, that we would make the world better. Maybe it was materialistic, that you would have more and live better than your parents. A dream of college, of marriage or maybe a better life for your children. Unfortunately many times those dreams get deferred as life interrupts.Recently I became aware of two friends who are also pursuing a dream and have a real shot at attaining it as I did. I first read about it in this article: A Radical Notion
If you want to help out, you can go to the website they built for the project, breachthewall.com. There's instructions there for voting and a link to the contest site, as well as a poll about what walls should be documented and a sign up for a mailing list.
Or, you can go directly to the contest site to vote. You do have to register, but it's a really quick process and you can opt out of ever being contacted.
It's easy to vote, just click on the up arrow that says vote here and it will take you to a form for registering. It doesn't require much information at all, they just want to make sure folks don't vote more than once.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Extreme Sheepherding
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
My Sister is 60 today!
She worked her way through college and graduated, found a job with the local telephone company and worked there for 30 years before she retired. She is active in her church and finds time to explore some of her favorite hobbies as well. She likes to do pottery, grow flowers, also works with her husband in a catering business and helps out with his deer processing plant. Frankly I don't know where she finds the time to breathe let alone take time to help me out when ever I need it.
Thank you my Sister, I love you very much. I hope you have a wonderful birthday today!
These are flowers from her garden.
Leann Stiegman
To me you are an angel in disguise.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Skywatch Friday #14 Gray Days
by Steve Patterson
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Rated "G" by the Author.
a gray day today
a gray day
done come my way
a little bit foggy
dew
and rain
a little bit soggy
but i ain't blue
whatcha' gonna' do
i ain't goin' insane
ain't gonna' be mundane
ain't feelin' no heart pain
and though this day is gray
i remember yesterday
it was sunny
skys were blue
ain't it funny
whatcha' gonna' do
somedays are just that way
and somedays are gray
gotta' take the rain
with the sun
gotta' take the pain
with the fun
no need to go insane
no need to run
ya' can't appreciate the darkness
'till it's too late
can't know it's starkness
until there's no light
until the day is night
until the day is gray
until the Sun's passed
away a gray day today
a gray day done
come my way but that's OK there's always another day
Friday, February 27, 2009
Skywatch Friday #13 Come visit the Ozarks Sky
I liked this one because the sun was trying to hide
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ozarks Sky with a bonus!
I'm trying out something new. Loading my photo from Flickr directly to my blog. This was yesterday's sunset and after up loading it I noticed not only did I capture a great sunset, I also captured some birds! They are too far away to tell what they are, but my guess is that they are geese.
If you click on the picture you'll get to see a larger image with the birds outlined in a box.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dog Logic
The reason
a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his
tongue.
-Anonymous
There
is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams
A dog is the only thing
on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh
Billings
The average
dog is a nicer person than the average person.
-Andy
Rooney
Anybody who
doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
- Franklin
Jones
If
your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise
-Unknown
My dog is worried about the
economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog
money.
-Joe Weinstein
If you pick
up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is
the principal difference between a dog and a man.
- Mark
Twain
Dogs are
not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger
Caras
If you think dogs can't count,
try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
-Phil
Pastoret
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Skywatch Friday #12 Joint Family Contribution
Visit the Sky Watch Friday home page anytime after 7:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Thursdays to see sky photos from around the world. You'll be glad you did
This week my Sister had my camera for most of the week, since I'm so addicted to posting a Skywatch edition weekly I asked her to take a sunset picture if we had one good enough to shoot. I also asked my Brother if he could to get his own shot of any good sunsets on his side of town. So without further ado, I offer a family post!
She captured the above shot, she said she had kept her eye on the sky the entire week and finally she had an opportunity to get one and almost missed it! As you can see she has a better horizon than I, no close trees or houses in the way. I think she got an interesting and mysterious sky!
My Brother's view of the sky is much more cluttered than even mine, but he was able to capture this colorful shot from his back deck. He did really nice considering his view is almost totally blocked by other houses and trees.
The night Sis returned the camera, I was offered up this wonderful view. If you look closely you can even see a glimpse of a sundog over on the right. That's the first time I've ever seen one, let alone capture it! The funny thing about the whole loaning out the camera situation is that now, Sis and Brother both call me and ask if I got to see the latest sunset! I think I got them hooked! Maybe one day I can get them to create a blog and start sharing....
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Noah Today
who was now living in the United States, and said:"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me."
Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
Roofers Don't Take Sunday Off???
We had a dusting of snow last night, it's cold, about 32° F. I almost feel sorry for them. Well maybe that's a lie. I feel sorry for myself and fellow neighbors. We are going to have to listen to them pounding all day again!
Even my birds are unhappy with this, yesterday I noticed all of my feeders had been taken down! No one asked me, just all of a sudden there were a whole bunch of empty hangers! At the time there was a truck and trailer parked right in front of my window. They were taking off the old shingles and the paper underneath and shoveling it into the trailer out my window. I guess they were concerned they might damage the feeders, so they moved them.
I went out and retrieved the feeders and brought them inside so the tray feeders might not get asphalt junk in them. I just put them back outside and you would believe how quick the birds found them! I guess they were hungry. They must be depending on me more than I thought.
This guy came early today.
These guys aren't afraid of anything!
However now that the roofers are back, I'm sure the birds won't stick around. I hope they at least got something to fill their little bellies...
Better eat fast guys!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine Dogs for my Blogger Friends!
I hope you have a great day!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Skywatch Friday #11 Ozarks Sunsets
This one was taken last Friday, just before we had a storm.
This one was taken on Monday the 9th the sun had already set but the clouds reflected it anyway.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A Letter to all Horses
Dear Horse,
I love you very much, and I truly cherish your presence in my life. I would never wish to criticize you in any way. However, there are a few trivial details regarding our relationship that I think might bear your consideration.
First of all, I am already aware that horses can run faster than I can.I do not need you to demonstrate that fact each time I come to get you in the pasture. Please remember that I work long and hard to earn the money to keep you in the style to which you have become accustomed. In return, I think you should at least pretend to be glad to see me, even when I'm carrying a bridle instead of a bucket of oats.
It should be fairly obvious to you that I am a human being who walks on only two legs. I do not resemble a scratching post. Do not think that, when you rub your head against me with 1,000 pounds of force behind it, I believe that it wasn't your intention to send me flying.
I am also aware that stomping on my toes while you are pushing me around is nothing but adding injury to insult.
I understand I cannot expect you to cover your nose when you sneeze, but it would be appreciated if you did not inhale large amounts of dirt and manure prior to aiming your sneezes at my face and shirt.
Also, if you have recently filled your mouth with water you do not intend to drink, please let it all dribble from your mouth BEFORE you put your head on my shoulder.
In addition, while I know you despise your deworming medication, my intentions in giving it to you are good, and I really do not think I should be rewarded by having you spit half of it back out onto my shirt.
Sometimes, I get the feeling that you are confused about the appropriate roles you should play in various situations. One small bit of advice: Your stone-wall imitation should be used when I am mounting and your speed-walker imitation when I suggest that we proceed on our way, not vice versa.
Please also understand that jumping is meant to be a mutual endeavor. By "mutual", I mean that we are supposed to go over the jump together. You were purchased to be a mount, not a catapult.
I know the world is a scary place when your eyes are on the sides of your head, but I did spend a significant amount of money to buy you, and I have every intention of protecting that investment. Therefore, please consider the following when you are choosing the appropriate behavior for a particular situation: When I put your halter on you, attach one end of a lead rope to the halter, and tie the other end of the lead rope to a post or rail or whatever, I am indicating a desire for you to remain in that locale.
I would also like the halter, lead rope, post, etc., to remain intact. While I admit that things like sudden loud noises can be startling, I do not consider them to be acceptable excuses for repeatedly snapping expensive new lead ropes (or halters or posts) so that you can run madly around the barn area creating havoc in your wake. Such behavior is not conducive to achieving that important goal that I know we both share --- decreasing the number of times the veterinarian comes out to visit you.
By the same token, the barn aisle was not designed for the running of the Kentucky Derby and is not meant to serve as a racetrack. Dragging me down the aisle in leaps and bounds is not how "leading" is supposed to work, even if someone happens to drop a saddle on the floor as we're passing.Pulling loose and running off is also discouraged (although I admit it does allow you to run faster).
Friday, February 6, 2009
Baby meets Dog
This is just so sweet, someone sent me this in an email.
As you can see it's from The Bonnie Hunt Show.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Skywatch Friday #10 -- The Sky over Truman Lake
The Truman Lake area provides numerous recreational activities which include boating, fishing, water skiing, sailing, camping, hunting, horseback riding, and hiking. Primitive and modern camping facilities are available along with numerous lodging facilities near and around the lake.
The available fish in Truman Lake are Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Whitebass, Catfish, and Walleye.