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Pause before you Pitch, Remember to Reach, Reminisce, then Recycle or Restore

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I’m glad I hesitated before putting a bag into a clothing donation bin, a bag that I figured was all new 1970’s fabric – IT WASN’T. I paused before I pitched. In the bottom of the bag was embroidery plus crocheted hot pads for use or decoration. The embroidery was done but not yet sewn into a functional item like a tablecloth or fancy hanky, the fabric “Made in USA”, and the embroidery, beautiful peacocks of blue stitches with flowers of pastel colors, and those French knots were perfect and immediately it was my remembrance of my Grandma who taught all of us how to sew by hand, and make beautiful things out of thread. 

I can see myself practicing these types of embroidery French knots, they were fun as a challenge. I immediately realized this was likely my grandma’s work, maybe my aunt’s, but likely grandma’s who also had made me a beautiful pillowcase for my young birthday of an embroidered doll with lace skirt. That doll, like the peacocks in this fabric, had the neatest stitches and those fancy French knots. 

Pause before you Pitch, Remember to Reach, Reminisce, then Recycle or Restore…

There are so many things we have in our overloaded lives, things to keep, but in cleaning up 125yrs of farmhouse, you do have to pitch the decaying items, and recycle the paper and preserve the past treasures, even maybe restore one or two.

I’m glad for the remembrance and reminiscing, I will frame them perhaps, it’s interesting that my family and I might be the only few who understand and see this memory – it is cherished on the very small audience scale and like each little stitch, it was done not for world-shaking activity or applause, but for enjoyment and beauty. Yes, I’m glad I paused before pitching that bag. I can’t save everything – so I also have to be willing to give a lot away – it might become someone else’s dream to restore it, my role this time is to preserve the stuff worth preserving – even if temporary – even if to give away – to just to pause before pitching…  and yes I will plan to make good use of the thrift store donation places – save the opportunity for someone else’s dream…

But before you pitch – it is good to reminisce with the people who know those items.  And on the flip side – I find myself trying to reduce my footprint of “stuff” – save what is worth saving and parse down the rest so that good intentions are not caught in clutter.

What about people encounters (not items) and what about blessings or warnings we find in our interactions? Do we also practice caution over what we say or throw away flippantly? Do we also NOT pause before we pitch away the frustrating scenarios, get rid of them and move on? Then do we knit the good thoughts into our hearts of “random strangers”? What about our prayers and giving good vibes that we can share with others we “randomly meet” without knowing what each interaction is about? We can leave that up to the Lord for storing in their hearts, we just be the good stuff and not the junk they encounter. Will the conversation that day be something like a stitch in their tapestry of life? It is all important how God makes these stitches – even if only one or two share them.

I hope so – I hope we pause before we pitch, remember to reach, reminisce then recycle and move on – or restore a connection lost…

I hope our day is as pretty as a peacock – and not cluttered with concerns… We are to be His Hands and Feet and fruitfulness and filling stitches of strength and beauty. He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Amen

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Ecclesiastes 3 KJV
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Abundant Life – Not Perfect Nor Simple, John 10:10 and 25

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Had a GREAT birthday – activities and dinner with the kids – fun fun – and I made it fun mentally for myself – it is good to be busy and good to count blessings…

The trunk and treat at a school that my friend helps with – that was fun – the kids cleaned me out of candy and rock painting – and it was non-stop for those who wanted to make slime and do another experiment…  it was fun – and I have no idea why they do competitions but this one I won 3rd prize – cute trophy – loved helping the kids (of all ages)…

Pop Pop Pop – I was shocked at the end of the 2 hour event that they were popping the balloons – when i was a kid, well those balloon displays were the best thing a little kid could share in – the balloons were sufficient for play – life was much simpler then…  pop pop – I thought it was a shame but at the same time everyone was under a time crunch and well you have to keep moving…  these people did a lot of work – and everything from a bounce house to treats to crafts to hot dogs – wow…

And what a blessing that my mom sent me presents too… simple and nothing major – but I do remember my mom, when I was a kid, let me have those balloons from the fun events we had… ah memories…

Making new memories now with my own kids – my dinner with the kids and the presents that they gave me were wonderful because I feel like they are “adulting” and moved up in the world and aware…  that is my best present … I also saw them (each separately) “adulting” with grown up and work decisions… it was not easy for them to be in those conversations but it was real and real problem solving…

Life is not guaranteed easy or perfect or simple  it is not… It is not the goal to work into wealth even though we like the cushion of comfort. Life is about loving – about love from God and for God and for each other – and in that realizing to count one’s blessings and being OK with being OK… An Abundant Life is not material things or people you hang out with – it is not even sunrises and sunsets – it is life IN the Lord – from the Lord – thru the Lord – counting blessings that He provides – and praising Him – only Him – for all that…

Abundant Life is a life lived close to God – what’s more to life than that???!!!

Amen

and so for my birthday 10/25  – the John scriptures of 10 and 25

John 10:10, 25 New King James Version

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
…
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.

Praying Vegas – Slaying Vegas – Staying Vegas – LOVING VEGAS

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I prayed “Lord Willing” – HE WAS !!!  I got there for my mini-vacation with so many activities including the down-time (which is never enough)…

I prayed Vegas, you could say that I “slayed Vegas” in knowing now what works and doesn’t work for me, and there are many aspects that I will stay in Vegas-mode, in my heart… but yes, I was so grateful to get home too, to my family, to have beautiful coolness mornings, summer bugs, and a refreshing rainstorm the other night that was just truly northeast late summer weather… Today here will be 80s and I plan to do errands then get to the beach to refresh my ‘ahhhhh’, yes – relaxation – home but also remembering home is where your heart is – and it should always be with the Lord…

I have so many things to be thankful for this week, YOU HAVE NO IDEA… honestly, I have no idea too, I could never wrap my head around this all, and our lives here, because the Lord gives us SO MANY things beyond our comprehension. Including and especially HOPE. 

“Slaying Vegas” is a new book! Many wrote chapters in the new book about making the best and truly all the women who wrote chapters have been “slaying life” – “slaying Vegas” – meaning living with gusto, giving it all they got, making the Vegas landscape a better place, and inspiring women and all along the way…  It is empowering to see women empowered. “Slaying Vegas” is available on Amazon…  There is my promotional plug support!!!

I also want to shout out another Vegas transplant – one that brought sunshine into my heart and palate – HANDEL’S ICE CREAM!!!! Yes – this is a company from Ohio – and there are some franchises out east – but now I found that they found them in Las Vegas – oh the joy of the 4 scoop sampler for less than $7… Took the desert of Las Vegas and made it into the dessert of the day… Oh – the blue cookie monster ice cream – there was none lost none wasted for the 4 year old ate it all and even the whole cone…  yum and fun… 

And yeah – that is what half my vacation was – even though evenings were for Vegas thrills, – the mornings were also blessed – being with a 4yr old, and an 18-month yr old and sitting on the floor and playing blocks – and chicken nuggets and making a cheese quesadilla for the little girl, just like I made 20 years ago for my oldest…  Yes, time with kids reminded me how long ago I had mine – and oh it reminded me of the kids back home who are now both over 21 – both driving – both adulting – and how time flies… We raise kids and then we raise adults…  And we should take time to BE with the kids when they are little – because it makes THEIR childhood more idyllic to have love – and yes get ice cream and yes play in the dirt and then a hose in the backyard (and THANK GOD I can still get down to sit on the floor at their level)…  And our trip to the McD’s playground inside and our trip to get a haircut for the 4 year old – amazing – (that is what pleases a grandma all the world around: a haircut!) – and seeing joy in making a connection with the hairdresser (from Ohio too like the ice cream). And yes our other trip to Dairy Queen near the Hoover Dam in Boulder City – with chocolate dipped vanilla ice cream – yum (all while keeping the kids in the car – remember those days?) – and our trip to see the blue caboose of the old time railroad from our car windows (not getting out of the blessed Air Conditioning at 116F)… and playing in a dirt pile at the construction corner – and seeing the kitties  – and vacation is being a kid as an adult (with your own money now and ability to buy ice cream) and seeing the blessed newness in their eyes and in your heart. Being on vacation means changing your mindset too. And accepting a new season of life for temporary. And making memories that last longer than the photos. Yeah – that is what vacation can be…  Memories…

And my 7-11 trips were a blessing – walking 2 blocks in the cooler mornings while seeing the mountains were a highlight too – because I built a nice rapport with the cashier and told her all about the neon and the show to see Donny Osmond – and the Hoover Dam – and the everything…  I also needed someone to share with and she was it… God provided…

This is the “staying Vegas” part of my story – because it is hard to transplant oneself into a dry arid environment like the Las Vegas desert without bringing the need to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t and what you bring home in your heart and what you leave behind and what “staying Vegas” even means… To “stay” means what? Sure, we can have that concept of slaying vegas, but STAYING? well – it means ADAPTING…  Vegas is truly a place where you have to adapt – adapt to desert living – adapt to new places – adapt to new people but they are likely transplants themselves – adapt to new roads and ice cream places too – and a 7-11 big gulp of lemonade instead of my convenience store – yes adapt to everything – but all in all, know that God is here too…  And that is what I asked myself the first day – where will God reveal Himself to me here – and in the majesty of the mountains I saw His Handiwork – and in the curiosity of a child I saw His Joy – and in the ice cream I saw the Father of God who pleased – and in the Grandma? “Mimi” – well, I saw the Love of God… 

YES – Grandmas who will move their whole lives cross country to LOVE on their grandchildren are GOD’S LOVE –  all and all… This is LOVING VEGAS to a whole new level. LOVE that is a sacrificial LOVE is what love is all about.

So – I saw God on this trip – and God was and IS: LOVE.

Amen

VBS day 1 – Take Everything – But Need NOTHING but YOURSELF and God and HOPE (and a swimsuit for the beach)

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Sunday was a fitting time to get a sticker that said “You are enough” – I thought You Lord are enough! Thanks for blessing me!

Well – what a wonderful day one at VBS – EGYPT – and the whole day down here at the shore – my first vacation bible week is here both working at VBS and resting with friends at the beach.

VBS “Egypt” about Joseph’s travails from Prison to Purpose, day one on Monday. “GOD GIVES US HOPE” – My friend and I walked into the VBS not knowing all to expect but we were pleasantly surprised at the ways the Lord had been there setting up and putting things in place – and came with a wealth of supplies. Well, the people were super awesome and very giving – and the decorations were adorable and well laid out. I helped at first putting up the registration tent – whew hot to start the day. And then settled in to be the “Family Leader” – we became family Rosetta, and we ALL (teen helpers and multiple other staff) travelled together from station to station. We could not have had better kids – wow – awesome. Opening celebration was fun with music, family time where I led discussions and showed a tiny beach ball for the inflated HOPE and deflated despair emotions. We as a family also learned our first scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to good (thumbs up) and not disaster (thumbs down), plans to give you a future and hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (this has been a repeating scripture every day for me and a few friends like for a couple weeks – so good!) – I knew this coming into VBS – with a car full of VBS-adaptable supplies and stickers for my family crew of kids – and adapted to just assess and immerse myself into the calling. “Feed my sheep” as an “encourager” is called to do.

Then our “family” travelled to hear the story of Joseph – amazing actors so giving and sweet as Joseph and the prison guard so perfect (and picked last minute, wow). We learned that Joseph was in prison because he didn’t “want to be the boyfriend of a woman already married”. And Joseph showed us a basket with lights – and when we had HOPE the lights shined – and when we had something bad it was as if the basket would cover the lights – but the lights still shined through the holes in the basket – that is us – we are to shine too! We did a cheer for Joseph – “Let’s go Joseph!” then clapped our hands in the classic cheer – clap clap, clap clap clap. Then we were off to the marketplace and visited making a jeweled collar.

Then yummy Egypt snacks to try – dates and grapes and the sugar cookies – yum and served by the sweetest people. Then back to the marketplace to the hieroglyphics leader (my friend whose sister has the house down here) – where we stamped our names in the symbols – cool!. Then outside to games! There the kids wrapped each other in toilet paper as mummies – fun! It was challenging but they did! Then they had “shepherd races” going from mat to mat with canes. Wow these kids were worn out!

Back at family time, we reviewed our stories of the day – and one girl remembered that i promised to read Joseph’s story again – and I did – from a colorful bible that was found in a closet at my old church – given to a friend, Miss Bonnie, who loved children (of all ages) and taught them. This story of Joseph and us having hope is good fitting as I know Bonnie is in Heaven with Jesus and we have that HOPE too. Heaven as our plan and HOPE. Well, as exhausted as the children were at the closing celebration singing, I know that VBS day 1 was an amazing success. Please continue to pray for the children to hear the messages, take them to heart, and enjoy. And for the leaders and volunteers to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

After VBS, we drove the 2 blocks down to the beach front and had LOBSTER ROLLS – yum – while sitting on the boardwalk in the shade – then hit the dollar store (dangerous and fun) and then got our swimsuits on and travelled the short distance to the beach for a couple hours before the rain came. It was still warm and tropical and the water was certainly warm enough – but rough. Today we will plan more beach just after vbs (keep us away from that dollar store lol). Then walk around (weather permitting) a local farmers market and beach town nearby. BLESSED.

I didn’t have my phone (broken) but I remembered that I still have connections – and really even though I would take everything – we/I needed/need nothing but our self (myself) and God and HOPE (and a swimsuit for the beach). BLESSED!

(please continue to pray for my cat back home – not eating – barely drinking – thanks. Through modern technology computer phone call last night and then this morning, my daughter sent an encouraging photo of the cat at the bathroom faucet drinking – yay! Oh my God gives us HOPE !!!!)

The Moments that Matter – Spending Father’s Day Like My Dad Would Have

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It was a good father’s day of remembering special years, having cheers, switching gears, and yes a few tears. I remember my Dad as awesome – and also remember folks whose dads are gone – and those who are not gone but gone from people’s lives – it is a mixed emotion type of day. And we all need processing for whatever state we take Father’s day. I hope we all processed how much our Heavenly Father God loves us. God is LOVE – and my friend whom I have been helping handed me a pin that said “GOD IS LOVE” … Amen…  That processing will take the rest of our years and then forever… God is love and therefore love is God.

God always provides the LOVE – so don’t worry about that – Jesus said DON’T WORRY about anything – and if Jesus was saying it – He was showing it too.

Cleaning out my friend’s house “has been a process” for sure – literally and emotionally. The pods drove off yesterday, the process was intense but spread over the course of a month. We both would say that 8 months ago it was seemingly unimaginable, but it was real and really happened. And the stuff behind will be donated and some trashed – but the bulk is recoverable to someone. In other words, it is good stuff – and some junk too…  But that is all our lives and our stuff – good and some a bit of junk. 

Here is the junk of the day: the junk is the mindset of “I can’t do this” or “I can’t help” – none of that is true – that is pure junk thoughts – because WITH God everything is possible. And he demonstrates it too!

On Father’s Day – after my sermon – I spent a couple hours back at the paper pile – but sitting outside – cat outside – and working either at the back of the subaru or later in her driveway finishing off a whole wheelbarrow full of paper. We figured this was from 8 people’s important junk paper barrage that we get in life. One paper that struck my attention this morning was one of my own – “The Moments that Matter” – yup – these moments even if mundane or whatever do matter – because it is the place to help and to plug in – and as the woman across from me separating paper said: “It’s like the modern day equivalent of sitting on the porch and taking the ends off the beans.” – EXACTLY…

We came across not just paper that needed shredding – SSN’s everywhere – but then inside her Dad’s wallet – her brother’s irish cap – her mom’s hat – her many memories held onto with trinkets and treasures. And in this seemingly endless packing – it was done…  the kitchen table pretty much empty – the pods full, the car full, the process made it to progress. My friend would say: “look at all the angels that God has sent me”.  

What would my Dad have done in this occasion – on this day – with friends and strangers he didn’t know – yes my Dad was a helper – both my parents always had lots of projects helping – my Dad especially was the organizer for many but the hands-on worker too – from putting together paper directories for the service clubs – to making the coffee for workers coming to help at the camp rebuild cabins getting it ready for summer – all this volunteer work on the evening and weekends – and yeah some “volunteer” at his work too – setting up internal potlucks and raffles to help colleagues with cancer treatment and living expenses…

Yeah – and separating paper – not a hard job and remembering that it is a sitting down job to take a break from the standing up hauling loads job – that’s what my Dad did too…  He was also the treasurer to many organizations. And one special time, I was too little to remember, he would drive up to an hour each way in the evening to go help flood victims each night – cleaning out their houses – people he didn’t even know.

Of course, he got to know them – being personable too – he helped a neighbor of a friend he knew thru his service club and we would go visit them years later – he would bring us to see them – both households. The neighbor was a glassblower – immigrant family – old timers – nearly 80 in the 1970’s then – but in his hayday he made beautiful artwork – and then when my mom was talking in the kitchen with his wife, the wife would sneak a piece to my mom to give her – and say “don’t tell my husband’ – but the husband knew and told my dad it was OK to let my mom take them… We still have them – and even I have a glass-made crystal clear candy cane uniquely made by him for that christmas…  Treasures – but of memories over items – the items will last – for a time – the memories will be treasures forever.

That is special remembering my Dad – that He would have helped too…

That is special knowing the Lord – that He has made us His Hands and Feet – He helps and He has us help too – to share that love – to be of service – to make a difference – and to shed a few tears in between.

And to be present.

That is the moment that matters most – being present (presence) IS the present (gift) for the present (now).

God always provides the LOVE – so don’t worry about that – Jesus said DON’T WORRY about anything – and if Jesus was saying it – He was showing it too – a moment that MATTERS.

Amen

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Matthew 6:25-34 New King James Version
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

The Forget-me-nots of Mother’s Day

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It is a blessing to come up north for Mother’s day weekend to celebrate my mom, to absorb the spring again (40 degrees rain became 60 plus sunshine), and to get some projects done! Yeah, my mom doesn’t sit very long, we get up and go! (Saturday was first 9am cleanup session at preparing the camp for special needs kids for summer programs, it’s a camp my family has helped with for 50 plus years – beautiful in the rolling hills. )

(I’ll be traveling south later today for home, and my kids to have dinner with me! )

This repeat spring for me (there’s like a 3 week difference in our seasons and temperatures) meant I was getting a chance to revisit my favorite flower in forget-me-nots, as seen in my family’s backyard under the redbuds, as well as smell the lilacs, which are much more prominent up here. I missed the whole season in home south. I caught it up here! Mmmm…

These are forget-me-nots of the seasons. And these are times to remember the forget-me-nots of mother’s day and forget-me-nots of the Lord as our Shepherd gathering us but also letting us wander. Our mom’s sacrifice in love to bear us, raise us, keep track of us, inspire us and keep important memories alive. Moms also let us go do our own thing – cutting apron strings but keeping the kitchen open. My mom reminds us of our good times and the sacrifices seem obvious.

The Lord? The Lord never wants us to “be independent”, He does want us to both “forget-me-not” in His previous care and forget-me-not in everything in front of us. The Lord will continue to sacrifice and Shepherd. The Lord raises us as children not to be forgetful but to be trusting. TRUST – that is the TRUTH of motherhood too – trusting children to be OK. Thanks mom – thanks Lord…

May we love our moms and our Lord today, and BE THANKFUL!!!

AMEN

Psalm 126 NKJV

A Joyful Return to Zion – A Song of Ascents.
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.

Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.

Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

Better BUILDING by the Lord, Psalm 127 and more…

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I have a friend who is “breaking down” her house – moving – it is tough but her children are going to be there to help to both pack up this one and blessedly to open up the new life for her in her new place. It is a process that the Lord started by building up her family to help her – as she helped them build their lives, they are helping her build and rebuild hers. And she will get to see her grandchildren and be part of building up of their lives. And the Lord? The Lord is the Cornerstone of all. Let us Let the Lord build us up.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it”

Better Building is by the Lord – Better Building – of faith, of foundations, of families – of fruit – of Forever. The road to the Peace of the Lord is by His “Smoothing” of our road travelled and of the conditions allowing the building up of plans. If we want to see something to succeed – it is best to be planned with the Lord rather than ask for the Lord’s blessing after the fact. It is best to also watch what the Lord is building and then join His Labor Crew. 

With my friend moving, I have watched the Lord provide the time the people the energy as “on a needs by basis” – doled out not in one big flourish of movement but by continual piece by piece falling into place.

I am always fascinated by the understanding of scripture being revealed with an eye-of-the-brain “Ah – ha!” … And I am intrigued how people of the scriptures did not see something until the Lord let it be revealed to them. I know that the Lord has given us a brain – and a heart – and a soul – ears and eyes – but we require the Spirit of interpretation to see things from His Perspective. Yes. And we do need the Holy Spirit to guide us in building up ourselves, our faith, our families and our plans. We need Jesus as our Cornerstone – as He is the Cornerstone of the building of us into the Kingdom of God.

The interesting scripture to contemplate is of how the disciples of Jesus walked with Him thru the Temple of Jerusalem built by Solomon and rebuilt in the time after the Babylonian exile. Solomon’s marvelous temple, destroyed and pillaged much – is still remembered today. Jesus was and IS a marvelous Temple of God Himself, destroyed and pillaged much – but still remembered. Jesus, the flesh, was in a time for a purpose and Jesus the God is for Forever. 

Jesus talked about the temples being destroyed – the building (as He walked with His disciples marveling at it) – and of Himself. Certain people could not wrap their heads around this notion until by the Spirit’s Guidance. This is recounted in Matthew 24:1-2 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Jesus talked about the Temple being rebuilt – HIMSELF – in John 2:18-22, the Gospel of Wisdom, about the authority he used to overturn the crooked unfair dealings of the money exchangers in the Temple – The confused Jews said to Jesus: “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

And Jesus talked about Himself being the Cornerstone – our faith’s cornerstone and that being the foundation of the building up of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mark 12:10–11 Have you not read this Scripture: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

Luke 20:17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?

1 Peter 2:4–7 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

Blessed to be in the Build – BETTER BUILDING BY THE LORD!

Amen

Psalm 127 NKJV

Laboring and Prospering with the Lord – A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Communion with the Lamb

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“A family that pray together stays together” – that is a great saying – my family spread to both east and west coasts early on – and honestly any of us with ancestors who came on the boats in the great immigration era should remember those people endured leaving family that they never saw again – letters were sent and sometimes packages in my family – but no plane ride home to visit – all my great grandparents would have left home in the same ages of my kids now at 20 something – that is just the way it was…

I remember my Dad today with finding a newspaper clipping about his 1st communion and other articles, like with scouting. I remember many blessings growing up like family trips and family stories – remembering this morning while giving my cat water of when my Dad who vowed that he hated cats said to my mom: “we need to get cat food – there is a stray in the garage” – and wouldn’t you know it? we became cat people – as the stray was pregnant and had her kittens under my bed – on a green velvety blanket that was my grandmothers. We gave all of them away except one who became my cat.  

Spreading the love and taking care of others – that was my Dad – taking care of your fellow man – and realizing to be appreciative for everything you have – and treating them fairly – and all this good advice that still fills my brain and my heart. I had over 50 years with my Dad before he passed few years ago. I remember his stories (and to make sure I have good brakes for the car)…  I recently found during family history searching, newspaper articles about our family. I found the great scouting article where my family spoke of their many sons in scouting and how good it was. I found a letter to the editor about my Dad as a persistent newspaper carrier, telling folks they needed to buy a subscription – VERY CONVINCING – I also found what we discovered years later that he was a hero for saving a boy who broke away from his troop and fell at a scout camp in the rugged terrain. We also found good articles of the dedication of my grandmother as a den mother.. cool…

A family which prays together – and plays together – and all that – well I found an article from the parochial school of my father’s first communion – a family which worships God together…  It is comforting to me that it was my grandparents who instilled faith and instruction into my dad and his siblings – by enrolling them in parochial school. Even if my father railed against the hypocrisy in the catholic church and the unfortunate but totally human going-wrongs of the day, I am encouraged that the Lord’s teachings still got instilled in that generation – including first communion. My faith is that faith was instilled early and demonstrated weekly and daily and moment to moment by my Grandmother.

I remember my Dad taking great concern for visiting my Grandmother in the nursing home every day – yes every day – sometimes in the morning before work – sometimes at lunch – sometimes after work. I trust that my grandmother, is in Heaven by the Love of Jesus. My Grandmother,  whom I never heard complain ever, even with a noisy roommate and with many aches and pains of leg amputation from diabetes and cancer from mesothelioma,. And I remember my Dad talking about his father – about the generosity of helping others – about the chickens they bought and then had eggs more than they could handle and beng directed to go give them to all the neighbors – that my grandfather would have directed them to take their wagon and go door to door not to sell but to give away… Yeah – family who takes care of others…

I thank the Lord for these memories and my family. I am grateful for these newspaper articles for new memories.

My connection to a lamb scripture today – is that the Lord told the families in the first “Passover” – to share between neighbors – to make sure there is enough but not too much – to take care of their households and of each other. I would know that my family was trained to take care of each other by the generosity of the Lord – the Lamb gives of Himself – and no one is to waste it – like the Lord’s Word which comes to earth and never returns void – always shared to do His Work.

May we always be remembering good memories – and may we always be thankful to the Lord for all our life experiences good and bad – and the perseverance the Lord has enabled in us to survive and yes to thrive… Amen

Thanks Lord for my Dad and family… Thank You, Lord, for You!

Amen and amen…

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. Exodus 12:1-3

Camping the “Good NOW Days”

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There is so much good in good Girl Scout camping – I could never write enough – thank you for buying all the girl scout cookies and funding camp. I loved the box of firewood so conveniently boxed in a peanut butter sandwich orange box outside one of the other lodges. I am SO THANKFUL to our scout moms who organize it all and run such a fun rewarding experience for the girls – even up to senior year and then they can come to be co-leaders!

Girl scout camp is not just the best getaway for fun – it is like a “slice of heaven” away from the outside world. Yes the outside world is never too far away – and gratefully the girls were device free for the weekend. The news certainly could crash in (plane crashes, fires, you name it) – but the purpose of this camping is to build resilience, teamwork, skills, and camaraderie – which surely these girls will and would need when returning to their normal lives… In other words, we are now building the “Good Ole Days” for their futures. Camping is the “Good NOW days”. and isn’t that the truth – the Lord allows us time to be His kids – enjoying and learning…

And trust me, the real world is still really present – yet we had the time to divest our angst and just talk about how we handle the times – and the girls are not immune – this one girl had terrible homesickness – which our leader was able to distract her from and find the real cause of the issue and in the discussions with mom (an easy phone call home helps) we learned that she believes her breast cancer scare and recovery 2 years ago impacted her daughter’s coping right now.  And another older girl was learning her own set of coping skills as this young lady had a tragedy in her family losing a sister to violence, and our leader and the other girls around her were able to have a heart to heart discussion – these are the times where we need our sister scout friends – to guide us through tough times.

And of course – the tears come to my eyes when we sat down with a beautiful growing strengthened young lady at the fireplace – for our annual photos – three scout moms could never replace having her mom, our friend, who would have been at camp with us if her health had allowed. This is one year anniversary now for our friend to have passed away and this child is amazing in growing up – a resilient kid – friend to all – and the least trouble – she listens and plays with the other so well – it is necessary for you to remember she had 2 liver transplants like 6 or 7 years ago – now she is that healthy…  AMAZING… God is Good! 

Remember that we also had tragedies in our youth – but our parents sheltered us too – we got to play when tragedies were occurring in the news – and that is the blessing of God our Father too – Who shelters us from the biggest storms.

So camp activities! And yes eating our standard winter camp fare – cheese balls and twizzlers for evening snack Friday – pancakes and bacon for breakfast Saturday – grilled cheese and hotdogs lunch (eliminated peanut butter and jelly or fluffernutters now that some are allergic) and then the big spaghetti and meatballs and salad dinner Saturday night – family style – with smores for snack – Sunday is cereal and muffins and fruit all weekend and celery and carrot sticks all weekend – and did I mention CHEESE BALLS?!!!!  camp food never tasted so good! Was great to walk to digest – a short walk just across the parking lot to the lake  and away from the parking lot lights.  the stars were amazing – the photos are from my friend’s phone – she figured out the night mode…  seeing the stars so bright plus the moon – we saw 4 planets visible and there were 2 not visible – we were under Orion the hunter and Taurus the Bull and Canis Major (the dog star Sirius) and Cassiopeia the lady sitting in the chair and the Pleiades which are the seven sisters used as the image of the Subaru logo.

Nature hikes and science experiments and painting and card games and Bananagrams and bracelet making. We took a hike around the lake and later a few of us went to where the littlest Daisy girls were staying. You realize how BIG the little girls are when there are even littler younger ones there – and what a joy for me to see 4 of our girls run two science experiments for the littlest ones at their cabin. We enjoyed isolating strawberry DNA, making slime, making homemade playdough, making pH color changes for the red cabbage juice with vinegar and baking soda. They were really good to go with the slime and the elephant toothpaste experiment too – once it was set up the girls had free reign – this is camp and yes you can trust them with food coloring and controlled messes…  it all washes…

Camp beauty – an out of state friend questioned the other nature photos on the last email, if the photos of the glorious views were from this season and this weekend –  and yes they were! We all had 50 degrees and rain that Friday – and then it got chillier 40 when we walked on Saturday with the breeze starting – and then 20 chilly degrees on Sunday morning warmed to the 30s or 40 when we packed up at noon – both glorious sunny Saturday and Sunday.  Yes, in some photos there are some fall color leaves seen – we had a cold snap after a very very warm September and October – so when the cold hit, some of the trees didn’t have time to finish to excise their leaves – since the leaves were holding on so long…

Isn’t the truth – Praise God for holding onto us – holding on forever…. I am thankful to Him for allowing me to get to camp!!! It was yummy, funny, science-y, stary-night-ly, and scout-sisterly… Blessedly! 

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Camping in such absolute beauty, 

PRAISE of God in awe is my duty.

Getting here is so convenient, 

Escaping here was exactly needed.

The walks are worth the chill,

The natural views are our certain thrill.

Some rain, some sun, certainly lots of fun.

As the time with friends is the best still.

Make new friends and keep the old,

Some are silver and the others gold…

Girl Scout Camp

Girl Scout Camp 

Gee um, I’m in NO hurry to get home. 

Yes um, this place is Camp home…

Blessed and AMEN

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Thanks for letting me share – time to go back to reality – of course I am grateful for the time away to live in joy for God’s “Good NOW Days” as they later become the “Good Ole Days”…

Reprise Posts: Retackling my Writings and Church Family Cousins

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Re-tackling My Writings, 22Aug2017

So I asked God if I could tackle my editing of my writings after VBS was done (or nearly done – I’m still cleaning, LOL)

James 1:17-18 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.”

It does not surprise me God did not give me time to edit what I have accumulated, He had me tasked with so many new things this year – I would be the first to tell you that I didn’t have time or an urge to write, but I felt so forced to do so and HE is the one Who woke me up early and created more time in my day, and I wrote.

Discussions with the Lord are the best done in my mind THRU my fingers… I’ll also will be the first to tell you I didn’t have time to exercise or eat healthy but God found that time too!  All good things are from God, so He surely was the one who woke me up early, and gave me extreme intense focus for my health, and still does. He still focuses me… And I will also be the first to tell you I couldn’t sing, but felt addicted to the praise music and God said OH YEAH? Sing anyway, sing MY praises and I will help you thru… Sing MY praises and I will give you a support group that you could hardly ever imagine.

James 1:17-18 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.”

I can’t acclaim I had anything to do with all these things… but I am actively asking God to give me a chance to edit my blogs…

So, I have a whole 14 months to edit – over 150 “newer” writings much more mature then my initial ones – I’m going to do it slowly –  I want to get them in my WordPress blog so that they are organized… I am NOT advertising but they are “on tap” for whenever I need to reread them, just like today, or if I want to share a particular one – but mostly for whenever God wants to use one anonymously in the Ethernet… It’s up to HIM…

I started writing in Dec 2014 but did not post until later on – and retro-posted my early writings. I came across this early one from June 2015 (which stuck with me a while) into us making a net with our arms at the VBS morning meeting on day 2 – when we talked about Jesus and Peter on the water…

I love being in my church families – something I will always cherish – I know that we are “not of this world but in this world” and the fact is that while we are here, we are tasked to create a family net that can grow the kingdom… it’s an awesome task… It’s so many layers of faith family I have – VBS, women’s retreat, band, UMW, visitations, committees, youth group activities, and that’s just scratching the surface of nets inside and outside the church too… so many layers… so much love… all LOVE is from the Lord – we get to share it by being vined with HIM.

Today I heard of a few tragic circumstances in other people’s lives and I am inspired by the LIGHT and LOVE of Jesus that was still shown thru each of those folks… I am grateful for each day and for being in the world in a wonderful time with such wonderful people.

Our faith families have been joined to us by God. They really have.

Here is a post of early thoughts – #192 from June 2015.

https://debbieupper.wordpress.com/2016/08/22/church-family-cousins-20jun-192/

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Right now it is dawn in the mountains, camping with a great friend from church, helped her open her cabin for the season… It’s her and her kids tackling the big tasks and building new family memories…

Truly a prime example of church folks becoming my extended family (family away from family) and in turn I became extended family to them… Giving back as much love and time as I can, being part of a reciprocal family network… She needed the help, I love to work hard, I needed the retreat (no phone or data service), I needed to sit on a rock and unwind… after a great night’s sleep – this devotion came at dawn – about building Jesus’ net:

Church Family Cousins, 20Jun

Remembering how blessed I am for my blood family AND my blood family. My blood family extends deep and wide biologically, established in my parents generous LOVE, making every effort travel and to share with me a great multiplicity of extended love… cousins… “let’s go meet your cousins”… and I did… I have absorbed their love… I have given back love…

Most of the travel adventures I had as a child were on the way to see aunts, uncles, and cousins… Twice a year up and down the east coast – hitting all the big and little tourist and history hot spots and taking time to interact with the locals along the way.

Blood cousins, we are far apart now in a too busy lifestyle, society demands busyness, vacation for us now is less frequently cousin-hopping, and certainly less interacting with locals along the way…

Same in church… Blood relatives are there too, united in Christ’s blood. I came to church with a small baby, I came to establish roots, I moved away from my family, I came to church to grow more, I knew I needed them – but I needed them more than I knew… I found family anew. They then became my cousins in Christ.

My Roots, His Net…

In a new church I worked hard establishing deep roots, that fed me first in society love, but that grew into family love, that I was able to extend back to them… Love so deep that I don’t want to dig it up and transplant… And love so strong that I had to extend out extra roots into new space, into extra non-congregational lands to support my ever growing faith…

Faith family became blood family when, I accepted Jesus, took in His Flesh and Blood AND acknowledged a path that I must travel. “The path is narrow, but it is sure”… I don’t have a map for this path – A compass yes! and a firm sense of my skill set, and enough supplies to last a lifetime… Yes and direction – Jesus gives us direction – “He will show you the path to take Proverbs 3:6… Yes it’s travelling time.

Cousin-hopping feeds you love best when you reciprocate… When you are as much the giver of love as the recipient… When you provide the soil for your blood cousins to put down their roots.

When you look to your congregational family for support, it’s good to ask yourself if you have done the same for them… Feed them so much – and don’t worry if you get it directly back, hopefully we all realize that we are being fed cross-network and not back and forth…. Set up this network for others as you have enjoyed for yourself… Trust me, you will be fed… Just change the type of diet you long for…. Feed on JESUS’ LOVE and not individual human love and you will never go hungry. Look for the love of Jesus under stones, in the dark spaces, and plain as day in the open… But make sure you cousin-hop. Don’t over eat.

At first I went to church for the people. I needed and always will need people, that’s who I am, that will never change. Once in my church family, I followed God’s love in a unique path that I didn’t realize I was taking. God drew me near and I found Jesus along the way. In a long term plan, God was reeling me in… Slow but sure… Slow enough that my wriggling didn’t unhook me, God used a wide hook made even wider by my own extension of love into my church family, a network woven tight, built strong… A network that is GOD’S fishing net, the tighter the weave, the smaller the fish you can catch, the wider the net, the wider the range of fish you can catch, the stronger the safety net behind the first net, the more fish you won’t lose when things break…

See Jesus is a Fisher of men… Humans are the fish caught in the nets, but they must then become the nets themselves… They can be the builders of new nets, repairers of old nets, designers of new net styles, and then embed themselves into that net.

Anytime you network in Christ means you produce more nets for His work, for Him to draw upon…

See, after I accepted Jesus, I accepted being part of HIS net. I know my tool set, sometimes I build, sometimes I repair, sometimes I design, but all the time I network from within, by being part of that net… I am and we are called to work, as well as exist… we must be networked to work within and not outside God’s workshop.

I used to go to church – for the people…. Jesus caught me in His net… So, I now hunger NOT for people love but JESUS LOVE… And so I now go to be the church – for the people… same reason – new love – expanded reason: JESUS LOVE…

I am here for Jesus. I am blessed to be a member and a builder of His Net.

AMEN and AMEN

Local Flair – more parades and paintings and fresh air

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I love the local parades. The old cars and old fire trucks and the old time feeling of people enjoying themselves – being outside of course… Yes, I love the neighborhood-ness with the friendliness of neighbors and even people whom you have never met… I try to get in the first parade, Saturday morning, to then have Sunday and Monday for parades too, weather and schedule permitting. So, I continued to sit after the parade yesterday morning for a good 10 minutes after it was done so that I could simply soak in the neighborhood feel a little more, take the moment while making my facebook post of all the cool photos – the emails etc. I send my photos to my friend who is a online local newspaper editor… Local-ness, I appreciate it here, I appreciate being local wherever you are. And today, a woman was happy to chat with me about her brother, a Vietnam Vet, in the parade. I don’t worry about going alone to parades, God always finds me someone to talk to! Yesterday after that extra stretch of time sitting, people came by with chairs and asked if the parade was about to start – but I sadly had to tell them it was already done – sad look on the young tween-age kids faces, so I am glad the Lord gave me the notion to hand them all the candy I collected (not needing any of it) – and saw the smile in the young lads face.  nice. I handed the young lady the flag given to me and a few pieces of the candy too – and I thought: God must have delayed me on purpose…  cool…  (and as I walked back to my car I collected some more roadside candy – saw my favorite blue vanilla tootsie roll – yum…  Satisfied!

In the afternoon I made it to my friend’s art gallery show where it was a showing of all “plein air” – painted outside – paintings of local buildings. And this local Patterson farmstead, now owned by a local conservatory art project group, where they host summer camps, there were all the old farm buildings and fields – oh, I felt like I was up home. Was so nice to have farmland less than five minutes from the hustle and bustle of this area. The trees that must be near two hundred years old, including a heritage magnolia twenty-one feet around. Fabulous. I hung around the farm a little bit longer after seeing the art and my friend, thinking that I would do some writing – but instead I found myself attending to their outdoor flowers, taking the dried blooms off of the pansies and petunias, which entices new blooms to grow. I took an opportunity to water the plants too. I enjoyed helping an obvious need. I love the flowers – especially pertaining to memorial day – flowers. Flowers are the personal delight for you in sight and in the giving. Memories are the personal touching moments that are natural to each of us. God made us soft-hearted on purpose – God gave us emotions to care and love – to feel and smile – to laugh and cry…  

In my memory of the fallen, I know I have many just from this past year who have “gone ahead” – many. I also heard and saw the new-ness of a little baby yesterday – age 3 and a half weeks, out at that farm – and held a 6 month old baby today – bursting with energy…  New life abounds in these times – new life comes always with blessings and gives us focus to keep going. We don’t always see our relatives who are distant – but often we are given new life moments HERE – locally – in our sights. We can share our love locally for distant hearts.

And this brings me to my devotion for this Memorial Day Sunday – that God went LOCAL… He moved not a distant love but ALL His love to local.  Yes – God sent Jesus here – local on earth and even in our hearts – for our hustle and bustle and for our limitedness of local. Jesus came to us. Came to save and not condemn – came to our place – which is His place to be in our hearts. Jesus came to simply be with us and in all complexity to save us. God went local, still does.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17

I hope to return to this farm, if not today then soon. And I do plan on more local parades – in between the raindrops we hope. I love my tourist in my own town” feeling too. I saw a little boy in the latest parade and as young as he was, he greeted the crowds with enthusiasm – knowing his ability to wave from a firetruck was just as cool as to wave to a firetruck. Sometimes we are in our own parades of fun too – and Jesus, He is holding the banner of LOVE while we wave.

Amen and God Bless local living – local flair and fresh air…

Graduation POEM: I’m that Mom with the Bag

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A poem from graduation!

I’m THAT mom with THAT big purse, a mom-bag, 

I’m NOT complaining, MOM is the BEST job I’ve ever had. 

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It’s filled with STUFF – lots of GOOD junk and necessities for life’s fray.

And like my whole mom-hood, it was a bag to hold the day.

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Now a daughter’s decorated graduation cap, diploma folder, the program too.

Yet it’s really holding her TRUST, because as moms, that’s what we do.

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It holds money in the cloud via wallets full of cards, maybe one twenty and a few coins too.

It holds an extra battery for the phone camera for photos do hold my memory moments in view.

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My mom bag is not assuming just plain useful.

My mom bag is not better empty than really full.

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Maybe tomorrow or in another week or two, 

I will clean the bag pour our stuff and look at memories in junked up view.

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I will appreciate the mom bag

not for stuff to brag

but I will appreciate the mom bag in all it’s dream moments that it helped make true,

as God helped me carry the load, realizing these years of blessings are what HE caused to shine through.

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Thank You Lord for my blessed mom-view.

Amen