Pastor Appreciation

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I am SO blessed! I have a great man of God whom I call Pastor. I've also been pastored by two other great men of God. My life has been blessed because I've followed them as they followed Christ.


Pastor Murray Layne was my first pastor. He baptized me in Jesus' name. He was a wonderful man and I loved his family! They left when I was only eight years old, but his imprint will always be on my life.


Elder Vaughn Morton. I could fill up many posts with how this man has influenced my life. I worked for him for 10 years - he lives exactly what he preaches. He is true blue. He is my friend.


Pastor Philip White. I met the Whites before I knew about Victory Tabernacle in Burbank. When Les and I were engaged I was not worried about my new pastor. I knew I would be in safe hands as I left my childhood church. Nearly 20 years later, I am still in safe hands.

There are two more pastors who influence my life - they were Les' pastors before he came to California. They helped to mold the man I married. Their imprint remains.


Elder C.M. Becton. There is something about the man of God who gets you through your teenage years. Les and I both have great love and admiration for this wonderful man.


Pastor Scott Smith. Les lived and worked in Saluda, SC for a couple of years while he was in college. Bro. Smith was his pastor during that time. He preached it straight then and he preaches it straight now.

When I'm Gone

I found this beautiful poem and know this is how Mom would have felt...

When I'm Gone

by Mrs.Lyman Hancock

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile


Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun


Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day


Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay


And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best

Mom,
There are so many things I remember.
Most of all I remember your love. You'll never be forgotten.

Norma D. Fultz
January 1, 1940 - October 10, 1998

Muddy Buddies

I'm not talking about these...


Although if you'd like to make me some, the recipe is here.

Oh no, I'm talking about me, Les, our mountain bikes and Las Llayas Canyon Trail after the rain! We went for a ride yesterday and what a difference the rain made. The sand was washed away, it was hard packed in most places, with some interesting ruts, and a few puddles! Les went through one puddle so he was the muddiest of these buddies!


This bike is clean compared to what she looks like now! We were slinging debris and laughing all the way.


Can't wait to go again!

Friday Foodie - Think Pink!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a topic very close to my heart since Mom's cancer originated as breast cancer before spreading. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation was inspired by a young woman who died of breast cancer. Since its inception in 1982, it has invested nearly $1.5 billion in the fight against breast cancer in the world.


So while you're enjoying Fall, open a can of Pink Ribbon soup...


Or stop at your nearby Panera Bread for a Pink Ribbon bagel...


Or just enjoy some pink M&Ms!


And don't neglect your regular check-ups! If you're over 40 and have been avoiding having a mammogram, don't rejoice because of the new guidelines that say you can wait until you're 50. Mom had her first mammogram at 50 and cancer was found immediately. Do NOT take your health for granted. A few minutes of discomfort are nothing compared to months of chemo.

Okay, off my pink soapbox now...

Drenched!

We got nearly an inch of rain yesterday...


Wasn't it just last week that I wrote about record breaking heat??


And I was chatting with my friend, Joe, about how dry it was and the threat of fires...



And our air conditioner was kicking on at 11:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and other times throughout the day and night...


I obviously wasn't prepared for this rain as evidenced by patio furniture that is now drenched!

Mirror, Mirror

Les taught a really good Bible study last Wednesday night. "God's Image versus Self Image." He brought out so many points about how our self image is based on family or friends or Hollywood instead of remembering that we are made in God's image.

He challenged us to look in the mirror first thing each morning and say to ourselves, "YOU are made in the image of God." I've been trying to remember to do that each morning. If I remember I am made in God's image I'm going to do a better job taking care of myself. Les and I had a really funny exchange as we were getting ready for church Sunday morning:

Les: What do you see in the mirror?
Me: Bushy eyebrows...
Les: Uh!! (with much eye rolling and shaking of head)
Me: Well, that's what I was looking at! I know, I'm made in the image of God. I guess God has bushy eyebrows...

What a difference it makes when we aren't trying to look like the latest rising star or the thinnest runway model or the tallest basketball player! We all have days when we would rather not even look in the mirror. On those days when you're looking at eyebrows that are bushy, or hair that is flat, or a figure that isn't what it use to be, remember:

You are:

• Made in the Image of God
• Chosen by God
  
• A Child of God
• An Heir of God
• A Joint-Heir with Christ
• A King and Priest Unto God
• The Apple of His Eye

Feeling better, now?

Happy Monday!

It's cool and raining. Today's high is suppose to be about 65 or 70, only 35 degrees cooler than last Monday...



I went to the grocery store and found canned pumpkin...


It's a perfect day to make Pumpkin Muffins!

Thankful

Today is Mom and Dad's Anniversary. If Mom were still living they would be celebrating their 52nd!

I'm so glad they loved each other...


And their kids...


And they were thrilled to become grandparents!




We never had to wonder if Dad was going to take his paycheck and spend it before he made it home. Or if Mom was going to disappear while we were all at school.



No, our home wasn't perfect, but it was a safe place. Filled with laughter and some tough times, but through it all, we loved each other.




I'm so thankful for my wonderful parents!

This Morning's Sounds

It was a little dark when I headed out to run this morning. With the darkness comes a rare treat - I get to hear our neighborhood owl before he goes to sleep for the day. Who-who-whoooo...



I love to see them fly overhead. I can always tell when it is an owl - their bodies are much wider then most other birds.


I've also been listening to thunder. It's dark and cloudy and we've even had a few drops of rain.


It's feeling like a very lazy day!

Victory Tabernacle Craft/Vendor Fair

What: Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair

When: Saturday, October 23rd
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Where: Victory Tabernacle
1614 W. Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

Beautiful & Unique Items for Sale

Food, handmade soaps, handmade hand bags, various home decor, children's items (hair accessories), vintage luggage, Pampered Chef cookware, handmade crafted fabric stationary, shoes, skin care, coffee, and more.

Free Admission * Fun * Food * Prizes

If you in the area, come on by! If you are interested in selling something you make click here.

There's Hope!

There was a thunderstorm on our way to church Wednesday night. We could see the dark clouds and occasional flashes of lightning. Although it felt more like a Tennessee summer storm than our usual rain storms....

Les had to make a trip to San Diego yesterday and he sent me this picture:


It was still in the 90s, but our endless Summer may end eventually!