Whatsoever is True

Philippians 4:8
Finally, bretheren, whatsover things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This request seems impossible, living in such a corrupt world. Just looking at a newspaper, or turning on the news, and you've already broken the law of this scripture. I believe it is referring to the things we dwell on, not just see at a glimpse.

Island vs. Real Life

Well, here I am again, haven't written in a while :( Guess I have been too busy, sound familiar? Life's like that, I know. But it really gets to be too much sometimes. I have worked too much lately, and I wish I could take a sabbatical......I don't think my boss would like that very much, not sure my landlord would either....but sometimes.... I just need a break..... from responsibilites....I know, not gonna happen, but I can dream....when I'm sleeping....which by the way...... is a waste!!! Why can't we dream while we're awake? I mean, that would be awesome...or inception?! Not sure which....But I want to live on an island.....far away from traffic, rent, phone bills, INSURANCE....don't get me started on insurance. But.....even on my breathtaking island....there would be worries.........I know....sounds crazy, but think about it. You would have to get up, everyday, and look for food, find something to clothe you, something to cover you, something to protect you from island animals, insects, volcanoes, storms....sometimes, the worries of an island may even  be more than the worries we face in our own little world. When I dream of island life, I rarely think of those things......I have a pina colada in one hand, and a good book in the other...life is good...but truly, life IS good, right here where I am.....do I have troubles? Yes, many, but I have so much to be thankful for.
Making the best of what we have, being thankful, content, that is the goal.

Oh Holy Night......

Wow, it's been a while since I've written. Mainly 'cause I tried a new job, dayshift, surgery, circulating nurse.....must I go on? I had no time to turn around, much less think or write! I missed my nightshift, glad I'm back. So thankful my bosses complied. Not sure what I would have done..... tough it out I guess. Sure wouldn't be the first time for that! I had NO idea what was going on in the world, I checked the news regularly while working at night, caught up on the checkbook, etc. Having 4 days off in a week ain't too bad either. Guess I just had to try something different to see if it would work......it didn't. Well, can't blame me for trying. I did learn some things about myself......I'm not who I used to be. I'm afraid of change, isn't that funny? Since every day is different, every hairstyle I wake up with is different...... unique to say the least! Usually every meal I eat is somewhat different....esp if I eat out, even at the same place! My kids......look different everyday...bigger.....taller....stronger. I.......well...wish I were more different than I am, but mostly......it's just me I see in the mirror. So why? Why be afraid of REAL change, we practice for it everyday? It is one of my life mysteries. How we can be so different yet we never really change. I want to really change is the thing, but get so stuck in the ordinary level of my changing existence. I wanna change like Ebeneezer Scrooge! Wake up singing, happy to be alive, just breathing, smiling and giving people raises......and the holiday off!!!!! (If I were the boss!) Otherwise, just being unbearably giddy, ok with my weight, ok with my mistakes, hmmf at my crazy hair. Why not? Do I have to be visited by three ghosts? Actually, the past visits me quite often, and the present is currently hanging around, but the future........hhhmmmm.......it is mine to make of it what I will. So why don't I????? It's just a change of mind, I thought myself into being depressed.....even melancholy....so I can think myself right out of it too!!! Just thinking of my blessings alone can spark my change. I am healthy, have 3 beautiful children, a husband that loves me, a good job, a home, a car, clothes, food in my fridge, arms, legs, mind, feet that work, I can smell, hear, see, feel, think clearly (most of the time), sleep well, wake up, sit with ease, stand with ease, walk, run if I want to.....if I want to, talk and communicate fairly well....could use some tweeking, take pictures, paint, write, type, sing, dream, have faith, hope, and I can love.........with all of my heart. Wow, what a list to start with.........my spirits are lifting as I write. I can't leave God out, because I believe he gave me the ability to do and feel all of these things. I have a truth in my life that is constant, never wavering, that is reason enough to smile, be giddy, sing, and just be happy to be alive, Ebeneezer................eat your heart out!  

Isabel's Return

I'm sure I was dedicated as a child. I certainly don't remember, but I bet I was dressed in white, with a little bonnet on my bald head.(Not so bald anymore) I just wanted to take the time to thank my parents for returning me to my creator. It may seem like a small gesture of faith, but I think it's a big deal. God thought enough of it to test Abraham through Isaac. Are we really willing to follow through on dedication? In the past 7 years, I have fallen short on my end of the deal, since the birth of my first son. We pray every night, we go to church every chance we have, we read scriptures together, but sometimes my example hasn't been "what Jesus would do." In spite of me, and my shortcomings, my son Isaac received the Holy Ghost Sunday, Novemmber the 6th, 2011. I felt such elation, my heart swelled within me. We have done SOMEthing right! It was such a motivation in my own spiritual life. I am ashamed that I have let cares of this life deter me from the path I set out to follow. I do try, though, to let my children know, I am not perfect, and that we ALL need forgiveness. Maybe showing some weakness is good, at least they don't feel like they have to be perfect, only forgiven. Dedication to me is a promise, a promise to love them, and show them how to get to heaven to the best of our ability. I truly cannot express how much I love them. It is indescribable, no match for words can I find. And with that being said, God loves us even more than that. So we must let Him know, let Him know we trust Him with our most prized posessions, our hearts.
Isabel, I love you, you have been a sweet dream that I never have to awake from. And God loves you, too. Always follow Him, and you will never fail to meet my approval. Success, to me, is always trusting, believing, and serving God. I pray you find Him early, and NEVER let go. But, if you ever do let go, always return, He will be waiting. Heaven is real, and it's worth every sacrifice.

More funny

They keep telling us to get in touch with our bodies. Mine isn't all that communicative, but I heard from it the other day after I said,

"Body, how'd you like to go to the six o'clock class in vigorous toning?"

Clear as a bell my body said, "Listen fatty.....do it and die."

                                    -?Maxine

Too Funny

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it will always be yours. If it doesn't come back, it was never yours to begin with. But...if it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your phone, takes your money, and doesn't appear to realize that you had set it free....you either married it or gave birth to it.
                        -sounds like Maxine

Isabel

Thought we were threw
little we knew
divine grace, blue angel eyes
perfect size
you came into our lives
perfect day, perfect time
big plans we have
but you'll change them all
one day
owning that shopping mall
still hard to believe
you are mine
on loan
just for a time
we keepers of a beautiful flame
vow of God means her name
who will she be?
how beautiful?
how sweet?
only time will tell
Isabel