Gone

A lot to share with you this afternoon. You might grab a cup of tea or coffee or a nice tall glass of lemonade, depending on your weather and your local...and your desire to read. :)

We are back home and thankful. Superman flew off to save the world first thing this morning. His lunch was all ready, and his clothes laid out the night before, and after our morning prayer together, he let his sleepy wifey, sleep in!

Our kiddos mowed the yard and put up the rest of the bead board  in the living room while we were gone. I am thankful for that! They are good kiddos! (Alright, alright, I did drop a few hints...ahem...or suggestions about possibly getting those jobs done...) But, still they did it, and it was great! Now just to paint that bead board white! Shocker, I know.

I am also very thankful to have had a weekend away with my husband while our kiddos were safe. We needed some time just for us. It was nothing short of magical. The scenery was truly breathtaking on that little Katy trail. We saw countless Indigo Buntings, Cardinals, a few Goldfinches, a Majestic Blue Heron, a large variety of lovely song birds,rabbits, groundhogs, a nasty Copperhead and a few other friendly snakes (my bestie will doubt that). Just all in all so lovely! We stayed at a historic hotel, Hotel Franklin (I think I said the wrong name before) in Booneville, MO. and a wonderful historic Bed and Breakfast in Jefferson City, MO, both right off the Katy trail. We talked, laughed, sweated, I wrecked...had icecream and other treats, went to a show, played disc golf. Just really nice. But this post is not all lightheartedness.

Back to our kiddos. We made safe and good plans for them all while we were gone. By safe, I mean both physically and spiritually. The most horrific things have been occurring lately, of both a spiritual and physical nature, among people we know, both Christian and non~Christian alike and it makes me double my efforts to protect my children.

I realize, at times, that by the things I write, life may sound like a breeze, but that is rarely the case. When I write about good things, it's because life is good, even when rotten things are going on. We actually had the most heart breaking news on our way out of town for our Anniversary. It was hard to shake all weekend. My heart felt/feels heavy, hurt, sick.  But Superman and I set our minds to try and enjoy our time together. We know what a precious gift marriage is. We knew our kiddos were safe. They stayed with Christian friends we trust, with no tv or computer time unsupervised (none at all actually). They were at work, youth rally or Christian friend overnights, all watching out for each other, all knowing God and Faithful parents were watching over them.

I don't mind sounding a little overly cautious. You may think me paranoid, but I don't mind. It's so important that we do our best to protect our children, even, or especially our teenage ones. Yes, they have to grow strong, and they have to make choices on their own. But they need the shelter, guidance and protection of their parents as they learn to use those freedoms. It needs to be rooted deeply in their hearts that God is with them always. It should be both a comfort in trials and an uncomfortable thought when temptation strikes them to do wrong. So, when we are gone, we have spies and lots of them. It keeps our kiddos safe, and on their toes. You don't have to agree. On Judgment Day, God isn't going to ask you to give an account for MY parenting. I will have to do that on my own! ;)

I joke and laugh and make light, because that's how God wired me. It's just who I am, how I live and love. But all joking aside, I write today because I can NOT stress to you enough how changeable life is. Another awful event in a long string of awful events happened on Thursday. I can not, I will not share the details here. I'm not being dramatic. It involves an innocent life accidentally ended. It is horrific and soul shaking. And it is one more wake up call to me, to share with you.  No matter how tightly you try to hold onto this life, it slips through your fingers like a mist. Cancer strikes, unfaithfulness strikes, death strikes both young and old alike. One minute someone you love is here, and the next they're gone.

Sure I wanted to share our trip news. Praise my kiddos and dear hubby. But there is more. I have ever so much more on my mind today, dear friends. I write today, hoping to sway you, hoping to encourage you. Hoping you will see the importance of getting your life right with God. Of doing the best you can to show deep, agape, self sacrificing love to others. NOW before it is too late. You may not have another day yourself. Or your loved ones may not. THAT'S what life is about. Don't wait to get your life in order. And don't give up due to all the horrible battles you are facing. This life just isn't about things getting easier. It's about gathering strength for the fight and giving strength to those who have none right now. It's about obeying God and trusting in Him, His word and His church to get you through. It's about enjoying your weekend with Superman, laughing and hugging and kissing and cuddling, even though death and sadness are trying to beat down the door of your heart/mind because you KNOW that this old life is going to keep being hard. It just is.

Let's get a few things straight between us. Being right with God is NOT a feeling. It's not doing what your parents have always told you to do, or doing what your momma and daddy always did, and their parents before them. It's about true Un~denominational (not non~ denominational we accept all denominations) Christianity. Your salvation is not just something you should trust to "I think I'm ok." or to someone else's opinion! Study His word!!! So many people think they are just fine.MOST people don't think twice about God, about denominationalism, about how they all claim different roads to salvation but they CAN NOT all possibly be right!

KNOWING whether or not you are saved comes about by reading His word, obeying His word and living His word. Hearing, believing Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, the Holy son Of the Almighty God, it's about repenting of yous sins (completely turning away from them and not going back into them again), confessing that Jesus is the Christ and your belief and commitment to live for Him. It's about being baptized (fully immersed in the water) to wash away those sins, to put to death that old person/sinner you were and to raise up again a new person, one ready to live a faithful life for Christ. It's about starting today to dig and DIG DEEP (as my dear hubby would say) to be sure of where you will spend eternity.

Getting yourself right with God is NOT a state of mind. It's action, commitment and work. And it just needs to be done so badly. You just do not know if you have tomorrow. I never would have believed two years ago that my twenty seven year old sister in law would be gone now, that a baby, just turned 13 months with no health issues, would be gone. That a friend and cyclist in perfect non smoking healthy condition, would be gone.

Gone. That means no more time to get it right.

This post publishes both on my blog and my facebook. I love you, my friends. I wrote to share with you about our life. About our weekend, and the good fun times we have in our family. But I wrote to share more with you.

You many think of yourself as a close friend, a family member, or just as an acquaintance of mine. But if you're on my friends list, I love you, and I pray for you. And I ask you to examine your life next to God's word, and get it right.

Love, 

marie and Superman

Flirting, French Kissing and Fornicating Fools

This post is rated SM, that's for Smart Married people,
or for folks that plan on being Smart Married people some day.
If you're foolish, just stop reading right now,
because this article won't do you a bit of good.

Shwew...do I sound stirred up?
You can bet I am.

Me~oh~my, but I am fed up with Fools these days. Fools is just the Bible word for stupid folk. Folks that could choose to do better, but just won't do it.

Folks that think flirting is fun business, not foolishness that leads to French kissing and eventually to Fornicating. You think that's harsh? Do you really think there has ever been a French kiss without Flirting first? Do you really think there has ever been Fornicating without being preceded by French kissing? Really?

This is not a how~to guide...it's a how~NOT~to guide.
Please, read on.

Flirting has it's place...it's between two married people...
that are married to EACH OTHER of course.

French kissing belongs in the EXACT same place.

Of course Fornicating has no place at all in God's book...
except for those future and present residents of Hell.

Why do people think flirting is harmless??? I'll be the first to admit that I LOVE to flirt with my Superman. He's all mine. I can let my hand linger on his arm, or on his thigh, I can smile a sexy smile at him...it leads to lovely married things for married folk.

That's my intention. That's why I do it.
Because Flirting is not harmless.

It's provocative.

Innocent conversations start to linger on too long.
A light touch on the arm,
a soft laugh with a toss of the head exposing your neck,
a handshake lingering with gentle and provocative pressure,
fingers resting on someones shoulders with an inviting smile...
all of these are just so called "innocent" lures of Satan's that lead down a road
that many are unwilling to turn back from.

Good intentions of helping some poor hurting woman/or man (whichever is your opposite sex)
to get through a hard time may be just that to you... initially.
Good intentions...
but to Satan, you have swallowed the hook and imbedded it firmly in your jaw...and you'll not have such good luck removing it.

Yes, people in this old sin sick world need help...
and you AND YOUR SPOUSE may be just the ones to do it.
BUT NOT YOU BY YOURSELF.

Too many of our Christian friends have started down that path.
Well intentioned enough to begin with, then their egos were stroked and molded by that wicked one, in the form of a needy co~worker or friend with batting eyes and sheathed claws...and sometimes low cut blouses with plenty of cleavage showing.

I hate sin.

I HATE IT!!!

I hate the destruction left in it's wake as marriages are destroyed, children are devastated and wives or husbands are broken...left fallen to the ground weeping...
All wondering how this happened to a good Christian family.

I simply am beyond FED UP!!!

Wake up folks!

If someone needs help, get them help.
Talk to your spouse about them.
Come up with a plan together to help them.
But don't take the bait.

If someone starts flirting with you, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, IMMEDIATELY start talking about your handsome husband,
or your beautiful wife whom you adore.
Praise them, then move away.
Send your message loud and clear.
No, I'm not being dumb or paranoid.
Cliche but true, better safe than sorry.

The Proverbs writer, inspired by God,
warned again and again of the importance of not going NEAR the paths of sin.

"When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee; understanding shall keep thee:...to deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. " Proverbs 2:10,11, 16~19

Compare that to those that are truly seeking God's wisdom! "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise(profit) of it is better that the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasure, and all her paths are peace...my son let not them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck." Proverbs 3:13~17,21,22

"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it,
pass not by it, turn from it and pass away...Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are all the issues of life...Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established." Proverbs 4:14, 15, 23,26

"My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding; That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two~edged sword. Her feet go down to death;
her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable (unstable) that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her,
and come not nigh the door of her house;
Lest thou give thine honour unto others...Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well...
Let thy fountain be blessed:
and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
And why will thou, my son,
be ravished with a strange woman,
and embrace the bosom of a stranger:
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings." Proverbs 5:1~9,15,18~21

Don't linger or bask in the rays of compliments, flirting or affection from someone who has no right to give it to you, and from whom you have no right to receive it.
Run don't walk.
Your ego may be too weak...and before you realize it is, it may be too late.

Flirting leads to French kissing and then to Fornication...all things that outside of marriage lead to Hell and Destruction for us, and incomprehensible Pain and Hurting for those We love.

Wake up my dear ones.
And if you're already wide awake,
give those that you love a nudge and pass it on.

Love you all~

marie

Fed Up

Good morning my sweet family and friends!
(er afternoon~eveningish...this post took a long time to write)

I wanted to tell you thank you for all of your encouraging and uplifting comments, messages and emails. It's one thing to be reprimanded when you are being a stinker and unkind, but it's another thing to get that when you are really trying to do your best for your family, for your friends and for the LORD.

In my sweet Sugarbears words "That weally thtinkth!" (that really stinks)

No biggie.
Not trying to whine...
o.k....maybe a little...
I DID get the wind knocked out of me for a bit.
But that's o.k.
God is sooo good and here HE gave us a brand new day on this side of eternity to enjoy and glorify HIM!

You all know that Our sweet Shauna left us this year (No, I still can't say died) .
I had cancer this year.
I don't feel a little focused on Heaven.
I feel a LOT focused on Heaven.
Again, I'm not "ALL that".
Yikes, I have so far to go.
But I LOVE MY LORD, HIS WORD and MY FRIENDS.
I know my goal, and I am so thankful that my sweet Savior knows ME,
knows my heart,
knows my intentions.

So, I was a little fed up.

I admit it.

You see, my family is stuck with me.
My dear LORD and Heavenly Father are stuck with me.

That leaves you, my friends.

You, lucky folk that you are , are not stuck with me!
You can "unfriend" me if you want to.
Just take me right off of your friends list if I offend you.
It will NOT offend ME or hurt my feelings.
It's o.k.

I would rather you did so, as a matter of fact, rather than you leave ugly and unkind comments on my page. I do not put ugly or unkind comments on my page directed towards you, nor do I post them on your wall. I have a very strict rule for myself to try to only leave uplifting and honest comments for others. If I have something to say that might be construed as confrontational, no matter how carefully I say it, then I will send it to you in a private message.

That is my Biblical understanding of addressing a matter of disagreement in the church. If you believe me to be sinning, please be so kind as to call me, message me, email me and let me know. I am open to discussion. You are on my friends list, because I think you are my friend.

But anyway, onward and upward...

Before even opening a facebook account we had a lot of family discussions. We discussed getting ad blocker first, to avoid the often pornographic ads that pop up on the side bar of facebook, which we did. We discussed family rules on what would and would not be appropriate content on our pages and on our friend's pages. (We have sometimes had to talk to our children about comments they have left and what some might construe from them and had to remove them. We have open access to each other's passwords and pages)

So after much discussion and thought, I finally opened a facebook account, this social networking venue, to reach out to my friends and family and share God's word with them. Our family uses facebook to grow spiritually ourselves ( I read tons of Bible articles on here), and to try to uplift and edify others.

Sometimes that means I have to s-t-r-e-t-c-h and grow a bit.

Sometimes I might be trying to encourage you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h and grow a bit. Sometimes I get my heart pricked and realize there is an area I need to do better in. Sometimes I try to pass that on to others, because surely I am not the only Christian that has some maturing to do.

So, see, I am going to continue to study and write Biblical articles. That's the point of my life. To grow and do what I can in my little corner of the world for my Father.

If you are on my friends list, I'll be writing to you, too.
Like anyone that writes Biblical articles,
I spend a lot of time in study and prayer each time I write.
I try to go over everything with a fine tooth comb.
I won't say it all perfectly but I will do my best.
Yes, there are others with more knowledge than me.
I think that just about everyone can say that.
I don't claim to be spiritually mature (or think I am, ahem, not a nice dig by the way).
But I'm not a babe in Christ.
I do have years of study under my belt.
I have sat at the feet of a lot of Faithful, sound, Godly men and women and taken their sound teaching to heart.
Some of you guys as a matter of fact!

It just doesn't make sense to me to do all of the study, prayer and preparation in writing and then to say, "Don't worry, I'm not talking about you, or to you, just ignore this article!"

That would give you a free pass to NOT do some self examination, which is the whole point of a biblical article. How much good would it do me if, before I read an article, the author gave me a disclaimer, "Debbie Heck, don't worry this article is not about YOU, to YOU or for YOU. Keep on the path you're on and don't examine yourself!"

Now onto the comments as to the need for patience, grace, mercy, humility towards others...

Any of my friends that read what I write on a regular basis knows that is my "battle cry" so to speak.

I try so very hard to encourage others to show the great love,
mercy
and patience
that Christ has shown to us, to others.

However, along with that undeniable and necessary attitude of agape love, we must be aware that some sins cause others to stumble NOW.

Some sins must be stopped NOW.

We can't keep on fornicating, or raping, murdering, looking at pornography, molesting children, stealing, lying, etc. These sins hurt and effect others.

So does the sin of immodesty.

You have no idea how many men are involved with pornography in the congregation you attend.

You have no idea how many hurting couples have come to us and complained about the way Christian daughters and mommas are dressed and the temptation it puts before their sons and husbands. The problem is church/world wide and epidemic.

You don't know how many private messages I got from Godly, good men that were grateful this issue of immodesty in the church was addressed because they can't hardly serve on the LORD's table as they pass the plate over exposed thighs and cleavage.

I am tired of the cry, "Men need to not look...they are just bad, dirty men. " Of course they need to look away. They are trying. Hopefully you won't be the one with grape juice spilled down your chest as they close their eyes over you while they are passing the fruit of the vine.

They're not bad or dirty.
They're men.
They are your husbands, sons, brothers and daddies, trying their best to get to Heaven pure,
and one of their biggest stumbling blocks is often their sisters in Christ.
What a shame that is.

While discussing this subject with my Dear Father in law, he said "God made men this way. They are visually wired, and it effects both young and old.
I don't know at what age men aren't effected by it."
They have to work hard all day every day every where to guard themselves. It is not right to have to do it in the Lord's worship service as well. It should be the one haven of safety that they are afforded.

ONE sin can forever alter the course of your life. One act of fornication. One time to purchase pornography or take that first drink. Sin is HORRIBLE and it's consequences are NOT to be taken lightly. We get so calloused to the idea of one little sin, one little area of sin in my life that I need to improve on, that' I'll get to eventually. Yikes.

If you want to be angry about something, well, to be frank, don't be angry someone is asking you to cover up your boobs. Be angry about sin.

So, from this long blog you can see that I have been "fed up".

I chuckled to myself
(now)
as I typed that.

Because I thought and prayed almost all night long.
I cried, a lot. Eek, you should have seen my puffy eyes this morning.
It weren't pretty.
I vacillated between down right boiling mad, to indignant and sorry.

I felt fed up.

Then I asked myself, as I often do, to examine my every emotion, and who/where/why it was coming from.
God or Satan.
It's a frequent family discussion at the Heck household.
Who are we trying to please, which one?
Why are we really aggravated?
And I reasoned in my little old head that anger would only be pleasing to that old liar the devil. I was feeling fed up? Well, maybe I should get "FED" up to the full with God's word.

So, you see, initially I felt "fed up" with people being defensive and angry.
Some of my friends were "fed up" with my Biblical articles and evidently with me.

Many of my friends were "fed up" with those friends comments. (Which I have to say, I did appreciate your love and support...what can I say...I'm human.)

But, with a lot of prayer and study I'm thinking we should just all be "fed up" with God's word.
As in "fill yourselves us with His word and His will.
Eat up His word, not each other.
Hide His word in your heart,
not anger.

Let's all be FED UP TO THE FULL in our Bible hearts/minds with His goodness and humility and don't be bent out of shape with each other, or even for each other. (Ahem...but did I mention that I appreciated, and NEEDED the support you gave to me my sweet and tender friends!)

God is SOOOO Good.
Sin is soooo bad.

Let's all be on the same team guys. It's a hard road ahead.

But, if you're still aggravated with me, hit "unfriend".

It's o.k.

My Father's got big enough shoulders for the both of us.

I love you all!
I hope your day is super duper!
~m

To the Sweet Young Girls in my Life

Good morning girls~

Yes, this post is just to the girls. Specifically to some young girlfriends of mine. I love you very much. I am constantly impressed by your kindness, your deep love for others, your caring example in looking to the needs of others, your desire to please the LORD. Your faithfulness in attending services. I LOVE YOU!!!

But you, like me, are not perfect. I have my struggles and you have yours. I know one of those struggles put upon all of us is the pressure to conform to the world. The pressure to buy into the foolish idea that you must win a fella by your outward beauty and by showing off your lovely young figures. Sweet friends of mine, please do not buy that lie Satan is trying to sell you. Please look to His word for His idea of modesty. Do a word study on articles of clothing. I assure you from my deep study, and the study of many other faithful men and women, it will conclude with the knowledge that God wants us covered from shoulder to knee. Please do not come to church again (or anywhere else) in short dresses or with ANY cleavage showing, with skin tight T~shirts stretched tightly across your chests. Wearing a see through lacy undershirt under your too low cut t~shirt does not make your outfit modest. It draws the eyes right to an area of your body that is CREATED to be seen by ONLY your husband. It's for your future husband's pleasure some day, and for nursing whatever sweet babies God may give you (if you chose to do so). It's not for my sons to view( unless one day they are your husband...which right now they AREN'T) It pleases that old liar the devil, and he couldn't be more happy that you have been caught in his trap. It saddens and angers our LORD, who continually warns us to be READY. To remain PURE. To stand fast always, to be watching for HIS return..

Your own dear mommas or grandmommas may not stop you. They may not have the Bible knowledge themselves. They may be thankful that you are improving in your dress, and be afraid to push you a bit farther to where you need to be. But sweet girls, Immodesty is a sin. Immodesty can not only cause you to be lost, but others to stumble as well. Other girls because they see YOU as a good Christian girl and think it's o.k. to dress like you are dressing, and boys because they can't help but stare...and imagine. They are not bad boys. I am a woman, and I can't help but see, and males are just more visually effected. That's how God created them. That's why it's COMMANDED that as women we adorn ourselves in modest apparel. There will be a time when you get to bare all. It will be right, good, pure, wonderful, complete happiness...in your Christian marriages. But for now, keep those beautiful, lovely bodies covered up. Keep it a mystery and just shine with your beautiful smiles, your beautiful actions, your beautiful modest clothing.

I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! I look forward to spending more time on this earth with you. You light up a room just by your very presence. I look forward to spending eternity with you, sweet girls. Will you please think about these things? Will you please be willing to die to self, and follow the LORD and His will even though it's hard. Will you please try to have a humble heart and not be angered by this note to YOU? Will you please be brave and post this on your own page to encourage your own dear friends?

Have a super day my sweet young encouraging friends! Big warm hugs to all of you!

Love~
me

24 Days of Blessings 1-5

As I sat here all cozy in my window seat this beautiful November morning, sipping a hot cup of spiced tea, and gazing at the bright leaves plastered on the ground, I pondered for a while all the blessings God has bestowed upon us, and me, in particular in my life.

The first thought of thankfulness that crowds all other thoughts from my heart is being thankful for His infinite mercy and love for taking a wretched sin sick sinner like me, and looking into my heart, knowing if only I knew Him I would obey Him and love Him for all I'm worth. Then His Providential hand placed one kind and loving good man in my path that would show me the way. Oh the depth and the riches of God's saving Grace flowing down from the cross for me! It is a fact I ponder daily that His infinite Mercy and Grace are completely unmerited by me.

My first thought of thankfulness always turns me right to my second, my dear husband, my Enri, by David Wayne, my Superman, my savior that led me to my Savior. I do believe in soulmates, and he is mine. No matter that we may disagree on some things, no matter that communication can sometimes be difficult between a crazy busy gal who sometimes uses way too many words, and a good and Godly man of few words; He is just what I need, and I am infinitely thankful for him. He is my life, my strong and steady, my best friend, the one who loves me, guides me and stands beside me through every battle that has come our way.

And battles lead me to my third thought of thankfulness. I am thankful for God giving me my best (girl) friend, Tammy, a faithful Christian, a treasure, a true best friend, a therapist, who would truly help me to heal and push me to be the best that I can be. Whole, faithful, Godly, focused, happy, content, at peace with my past, letting go of my past, and pushing forward with Joy for today and All God has blessed me with. Knowing where I came from and where I am is enough to make me the firmest believer in God's mighty Providence. My salvation is enough. My husband is enough. Tammy is enough. Any one of these blessings in my life brings me to my knees with Thanksgiving, completely humbled by the Mighty loving care of a God who has woven this wonderful, impenetrable fabric of loving care and concern throughout the days of my life to bring me to this day.

This one friend, my bestie, and this woven fabric that surrounds me, leads me to counting my other greatest blessings, my other best friends. Blessings upon blessings have been showered upon me because of my wonderful daughters Ashley and Candice, my sweet Shauna, my dear Chasity, Luvenia, Colby, Tina, Cindy, Joy, Nancy, Judy. Good women. Better that good. Good doesn't say enough. Tough. Kind. Loving to the depths of their souls. Honest. Strong. Faithful. And here for me every step of the way. When we were hurting and barely able to lift our heads, when we laughed until we cried and every painful step in between. I thank God every day for these precious women who have borne it all with me. I thank God for weaving them into the fabric of my life to mold me, form me, make me into this woman that I am. A woman that loves deeply that wants to show that love to them and be here for them like they have always been for me.

My last thought of thankfulness for the day will sound strange to some, and make sense to others. I am a bit ahead of the game as I believe this will be my fifth thing to list and it's only November third, but these five all go together. You may think it's strange that I have not named my children, my precious, precious children yet, but I will. I will get to each one of them individually. But it's these first thoughts that help me to love my husband and my children as God would have me to. That help make me the wife, momma and friend that I want to be. So the last thankful thought I leave you with today, is my cancer. I thank my Father every day that I had cancer. It hangs over me as a shadow. Not frightening me or worrying me, but reminding me that I truly don't know how long I have. It helps me not wait until tomorrow to tell my blessings and grandblessings that I love them dearly. It reminds me to hug them and rub their backs and hold them and love them for all I'm worth. It prompts me to fall on my knees thanking God for one more day. It focuses me on peace, patience, love, tranquility, faithfulness, mercy, grace, seizing the moment, and working with all my might today. It taught me to sit and wait. To enjoy every moment both the quiet and the crazy. It gave me a doctor who has helped me let go of my imperfections, and truly feel whole and normal, even when dealing with a possibly terminal illness.

Oh, I am thankful. So very thankful. I love you my friends. I pray your day is blessed with REALIZED blessings.

love~
m

Top of the morning to ya!

So hubby and I have random conversations.

I do admit that sometimes they are a little too silly.

The other day...well a few weeks, or maybe even months ago, really, while one of our sons was doing the icky, yucky "tick picking duty" on, or I should say OFF of our poor dog, Duchess, I had a light bulb moment.

I turned to hubby, grinned mischievously, wiggled my eyebrows and said,
"Honey, YOU are a chic magnet and Duchess is a tick magnet."

Hubby promptly replied, "No I'm not, I'm a "MY wife magnet."

To which I laughed and said, "Well, I'm a chic."

Hubby was not nearly as amused as I was.

****sigh*****

But it was funny.

:)

Have a super day friends!

God loves each and every one of us sooo much.

He will give us strength for each day, so start this one with a smile!

Love,
m.

Haallooooo and A Yummy Good for You Recipe

Well, it's been a while.
A super di duper Looooooooong while.

I've had plans, plans and more plans to write oodles of things, but...alas...I don't seem to get around to it. I am confident that I will eventually, because it's on my list to get back to blogging.

And if it goes on my list, eventually, it gets done.

Anyway. I'm really on an eating healthier kick. Trying to help hubby any way I can mend his broken leg, and do my best within my power to prevent my cancer from re~occurring.
So, spur of the moment today I threw together this marvelous, this super duper, this amazing~fresh~maybe~my~favorite~salad~ever. My momma used to fix a waldorf salad when I was a kid that I liked. I had a bit of that taste in mind, added a bit of fresh this and that, and here's what I came up with for our lunch today.

Fresh Waldorf Ambrosia
2 large handfuls fresh spinach leaves rinsed and patted dry
1 small head romaine lettuce rinsed, patted dry, and torn in smallish pieces
1 1/2 pounds red grapes with seeds removed (grapes with seeds are better for you)
5 stalks celery rinsed and chopped
2 granny smith apples cored and chopped
1 cup fresh snap peas rinsed and chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1/2 to 3/4 cups raisens

This makes a ginormous amount!!

Dressing is:
1/2 cup light miracle whip
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together, then pour and thoroughly toss salad.

Oh me oh my, it is sooo good!
Enjoy friends.

Hopefully be back soon!
love,
marie