Weighty Issues

My latest Runner's World magazine had an interesting article titled "Running on Empty."  It talks about cutting food to gain speed and how easy it is to cross the line from eating smart to barely eating.  You can read about how weight affects running performance on my other blog, McMarathon Moments, but I started thinking about how this applies to us spiritually.  I'm not saying I'm 100% right on this, but here are my thoughts:

Overweight
I really struggled with this one.  Can we be overweight spiritually?   I don't think we can be too full of God's Spirit, but what about the Pharisees?  They fasted often, followed every line of the Law, but were also extremely critical of everyone who didn't measure up in their eyes.  A great example of this is found in Luke 18:10-14.

Slightly Overweight
Perhaps this is a person carrying the extra weight of works ~ at risk of doing too many works and not taking the time to get their spirit filled up.  Not quite a Pharisee, but in danger of going that way.  This might happen when a person is busy in the kingdom and they start looking around at people who don't seem to be doing as much. 

Average Weight
This is the best place to be.  Your prayer life is consistent, you spend time in the Word because you want to, you enjoy worshiping freely and you experience joy even in the hardest of times. You love God and your fellow man.  You enjoy giving of your time and talents.

Slightly Underweight
You suffer from being undernourished.  Your prayer and Bible reading time is limited to church services.  There are still times of joy, but not as frequent. You start looking at the world and wanting a taste. 

Underweight
How do you become undernourished?  Just stop going to church for a while.  Find other things to do with your time.  Fill your mind and spirit with "junk food." You will suffer as your spirit tries to break through every time you do attend service.

Drastically Underweight
Talking about running, the article said "If you've basically stopped eating, you tax your heart so much that you're at risk for a heart attack or stroke."  For the spiritual man, if you've basically stopped eating spiritual food, you will tax your spirit so much that you're at risk of being lost.

Just as there are many charts that suggest a healthy weight, I'm sure there are many ways to find a healthy spiritual weight as well.  The most important question we have to ask ourselves: "Is there anything in my life today that would keep me from heaven?"

Bible Quizzing 2012

I'm happy to report that our niece, Hannah, is in Bible quizzing again this year. They are studying Pentecostal Doctrine, the topics include: The Bible-The Infallible Word of God; One God-The Mighty God in Christ; Sin and Salvation; and Christian Living. Here is the first update for the year from her daddy, Lance:

Just thought I'd give everyone their first quiz update of the year.
 
Last weekend we had our first JR quiz tourney. 26 teams participated - with 17 in the JR division and 9 in Beginner. The amazing thing is Calvary Tabernacle had 11 of the 26 teams - 6 JR and 5 Beginner! To my knowledge that is the most teams any one church has ever fielded in any tournament of any kind. We have 18 JR quizzers and 17 Beginners. It has created a bit of a challenge to find enough coaches, practice rooms, buzzer systems, etc., but a great problem to have. Oh, and on top of that, we have 7 Senior quiz teams. Did I mention we don't have enough coaches, buzzer systems, rooms.......

We split our experienced quizzers out onto separate teams. We did this to give the other kids ample opportunity to buzz-in, since their captains could only answer 6 questions per quiz. While this reduced our teams' results, it did let us see what some of the newbies could do.
 
Anyway, our Beginners still finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and took all 5 All-Tournament team spots. Our Juniors were 3rd, 5th, and 7th, with 3 quizzers of the 7 All-Tournament team.
 
Hannah quizzed with a team of 2 brand new quizzers. Since Hannah chose to start the year 3 weeks later than the other Calvary kids (we both think the quiz season is too long), she only knew 60 of the 81 verses covered. This proved to be a significant handicap, especially when her first quiz had a disproportionate amount of questions outside her material. She answered 2 questions in her first quiz and 4 questions in the second quiz. Though it wasn't her best performance, I am nonetheless thrilled with her attitude and accomplishment of learning 70 verses of Pentecostal Doctrine word perfect with references so far this year.
 
We have another tournament in 3 weeks, and Hannah will be joining another experienced quizzer on a team. I suspect this will be more familiar and comfortable for her and likely result in her answering more questions.

the Proud Dad

I'm so thrilled to read of this many children studying the Word of God!

Friday Foodie

Can you stand another pasta recipe?  It's almost a joke with us each week as I plan my grocery list.  I always ask Les, "Do you have any requests this week?" and most of the time he doesn't.  This week we started talking about my wonderful Pasta Maker and what other recipes I needed to try.  That's when Les said, "Chicken Parm," as in Chicken Parmigiana.  As much as we love Italian food, that is something I have never made... until this week!  The recipe comes from my favorite cookbook ~ Rosalie Serving Italian.  Hers called for veal, but I substituted chicken instead and cut the recipe in half.



Chicken Parmigiana over Spaghetti

Pasta dough
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Water
1 Egg
3/4 cups Semolina Pasta Flour
1 tsp salt

1.  Combine semolina and salt, add beaten eggs, water and oil. Mix to make a stiff dough.
2.  Knead 10 minutes or until dough is elastic. Wrap dough in towel or place in plastic bag and let rest for 20 minutes.  While it rests, prepare chicken.

Chicken Parmigiana

2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced, then cut in half
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

1 1/2 cups Marinara sauce
1/2 cup grated Italian cheese blend

1.  Preheat oven to 400.  Place bread crumbs in shallow plate.  Dip chicken in eggs and then in bread crumbs on both sides to coat evenly.  Fry in hot oil about 2 minutes on each side.



2.  Pour 1/2 cup marinara sauce in bottom of baking dish.  Place chicken on sauce in one even layer.  Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese.

3.  Bake uncovered 8 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly. I covered the dish with foil and let it bake longer while I rolled and cut my pasta, uncovering for about 3 minutes once the pasta was cooking.

This was SO good!!  I really can't believe I've never made Chicken Parm before, it's very easy!  I used the spaghetti cutter on my pasta maker for the first time and it was wonderful. 

Nutritional value for chicken only:  235 calories / 18.5 g protein / 12.25 g carbs / 9.5 g fat / 1.8 g fiber / 5 WW PP per serving, makes 4 servings.

Where You Can Find Me

I joined Les in Santa Barbara on this harsh Winter morning...

Surely the Presence

We started our fourth week of revival last night with a beautiful move of the Spirit of God.  Bro. Brown preached from Genesis chapter 28.  Jacob is on the run from Esau.  He stops for the night and falls asleep.  It is there that he has a dream of a ladder to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it.  Verse 16 says, "And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not."  Bro. Brown talked to us about missing the presence of the Lord when He is trying to move in a service.

As I was praying towards the end of the service, I thought of something that was said in Sis. Ballestero's funeral.  I think it was one of her daughters who said, "She had a Martha and a Mary spirit.  She could cook and serve like none other, but she always took time to sit at Jesus' feet."  I felt convicted of being out of balance ~ way too much Martha-ing and not enough sitting at His feet.

If you're involved in your church like I am, it's easy for the serving side to get out of balance.  There is always work to be done ~ Always!  There are services to play for, choirs to direct, classes to teach, bathrooms to clean, souls to pray with.  But I found myself guilty last night of missing His presence in recent services.  I've prayed, but mostly with others.  And that's not wrong, but I can't help anyone if I am running on empty.

I woke up singing this morning.  My spirit was refreshed.  I had to go to the piano and play this old song.

THERE'S A SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place
And I know that it’s the presence of the Lord.
There are sweet expressions on each face.
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Sweet holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise.
Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived
when we shall leave this place. 

I never want to leave a service saying, "Surely the LORD was in this place; and I knew it not."

So Sorry!

 
We are in the middle of refinancing our house and I just don't have the time to post anything encouraging or inspiring!  I've got several things brewing, but no time to sit and get them finalized.  Maybe tomorrow...

What to Do on Rainy Saturday Morning

We haven't had rain in over a month, but it's raining today!  We've received 3/4 of an inch so far and it is needed.  I also needed a lazy morning, no running or cycling, just resting.  Here's my plan for the day...

Sleep in...

Have a tasty breakfast...

 Warm my feet by the fire...

Read a good book...

And possibly take a nap!

1:20 edit:  I haven't read or taken a nap - I spent 3 hours listening to the funeral of Sis. Ballestero (while sitting by the fire and it's no longer raining!)  It was a beautiful home going service!  You can listen here if you'd like.

In Memory of Sister Connie Ballestero

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Sister Ballestero, although I know she fought a good fight and finished her course with joy.  For her there is no more sorrow, but a crown of life in the presence of the Lord. 

What a great lady!  The wife of the late Reverend Carl Ballestero, she was a familiar face at Truth Tabernacle in Fresno. Her smile was contagious and her hugs wonderful!  She lavished love on everyone who allowed her.  We were blessed by their presence many times. 

Sis. Ballestero and me, April 1985

One memory, in particular, comes to mind.  It was some time in the mid 80s.  Many of my friends and I were single and "waiting."  Somehow, Sis. Ballestero convinced Elder Morton to give up his home for an evening so she could spend time with us (he may have been out of town, I don't recall at this time.)  It was a Friday night I will never forget.  Sis. Ballestero talked to us about walking with God and waiting on Him, she prayed with us, and I know she laughed with us!  It was such a memorable time.  We finally went to sleep and were surprised the next morning with homemade cinnamon rolls!  She was the first to get up and had them ready to go in the oven as soon as we started waking up.

As I think about her, the same thing I wrote about Sis. Margie Becton comes to mind, one word: Joyful!  She knew Who held her hand and she walked with Him until the end.  Her beautiful smile said, "I trust Him, He's going to take care of me."  Her son, Bro. Martyn Ballestero, has written of her ability to turn a bleak meal of beans (for a solid month) into a fun time of pretending they were eating fried chicken or corn on the cob.  She lived up to her name - Content Faith!

Please remember the entire Ballestero family in your prayers.  She will be missed greatly.

Book Review - My Emily

I've recently become acquainted with a website that lists free Kindle books on a daily basis.  The books they list are all Christian themed and usually free for only a day.  I've downloaded several that look interesting and I'm not worried if I like them or not since they are free.  If they don't strike my fancy, I won't feel the need to finish them.

My most recent find was "My Emily" - about Emily Patterson who was born with Down Syndrome. Written by her father, Matt, it is very touching.  When Emily was two years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia and the pain they experienced just broke my heart.  I was bawling while eating my lunch, so beware ~ you may want to read this in a private place!

Note: A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will help families with special needs children, those who are battling pediatric cancers, as well as parents grieving the loss of a little one. 

Hey! Look Over There!

Just wanted to remind you that I have another blog going.  McMarathon Moments is tracking my progress in training for the Ojai to Ocean Marathon.  I'm starting a weekly "Wordy Wednesday" (as opposed to Word-less Wednesday) where I'll be explaining some of the terms that pop up in the running world.  Yesterday, I gave a detailed description of the training plan I'll be following for 16 weeks.  I'm also tracking my miles for this year over there.

A Place for Freedom

Today, as we pause to remember Martin Luther King, Jr., I am thankful for the church.  We just completed our second week of revival and during that time we have had people of many races in our altars.  Mariah, who I wrote about last week, is African-American.  Tiffany is Caucasian.  Jose is Hispanic.  They all have one thing in common ~ they are seeking God and He is being found of them.

The church has no room for prejudice.  Yes, there are people who are prejudice who go to church, but the body of Christ cannot be healthy with the disease of prejudice in it.  It's been an issue since the book of Acts, and it will continue because Satan uses it to cause division,  but it's a beautiful thing when we embrace each soul who comes through our doors just as they are.

We do well when we sing the children's song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and remember that we are all precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Friday Foodie - The Pasta Making Process

I've written a couple of times now about making homemade pasta with my Pasta Machine.  Here is the process in pictures...

Knead the dough for 10 minutes.

Allow it to rest for about 20 minutes.

Now the fun begins!  I cut the dough in about 6 pieces.  Then add one piece to the machine and start rolling.

Adjust the dial and continue rolling...

continue changing the dial and rolling...

Lay the piece to the side for now ~ this is a "5" thickness, which means I've rolled it five times, adjusting the dial each time.

And roll some more!

Les took this picture ~ my hand was really cranking!

Now it's time to make linguine.  Put one piece in the cutting attachment and allow your husband to do the  rolling...

All the pieces are cut...

Throw 'em in a pan of boiling water for about 3-4 minutes.

Tonight I added them to left over roast with gravy and made beef and noodles!

It's a favorite around here!

What Will You Get?

I received this quote from Runner's World earlier this week:

Running is just you, the work you put in, and the clock. You can't cheat yourself. If you don't put in the miles, you can't go to the starting line thinking you're going to pull a miracle out of nowhere. You get out exactly as much as you put in.
~Desiree Davila

Last night, Bro. Brown preached "Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?" from Genesis chapter 18.  He talked to us about believing God can do anything.  WE limit God by our lack of faith.  He also read Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  God will reward those who diligently seek him.

At the close of the service, Pastor White told us that God does not reward laziness.  He wasn't talking about running a marathon without training.  He was talking about prayer.  We cannot expect God to do great things for us if we don't take the time to pray.

I know that I won't finish my marathon in June if I don't run consistently between now and then.  Do you have a need that only God can take care of?  He's the only One who can pull a miracle out of nowhere, but you need to pray consistently between now and the time that He does it.  Thankfully, with God, you often get more than you hoped for!

Beautiful

I've been blessed to see some amazing sights in my life. The Colosseum and Pantheon in Rome.  The Rialto Bridge in Venice.  Cathedrals in Europe.  The Mall in Washington, DC with its many monuments ~ the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House.  I've crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and walked through art galleries with inspiring paintings.

I've also seen God's creation at its finest.  An unfolding rose and the turning leaves of Fall.  I've seen a hawk soaring overhead and watched a deer leap across my trail.  I've hiked to the top of falls in Yosemite and walked along the fine sands of the Gulf of Mexico.  I've walked the top of the Haleakala crater on Maui and kayaked a river in Kauai.

But there is nothing quite as beautiful as what I witnessed last night.  It was at the end of service, while we gathered for prayer.  Eight year old, Mariah, gathered with us.  She wasn't sitting quietly next to her mother, or even playing around with one of her friends.  Mariah was seeking God with her whole heart.  As tears streamed down her cheeks, I think God must have loved the sight even more because He came down and refilled her with His precious Spirit.

Something deep inside me is touched when I see a child praying.  I see such potential and feel such hope.  I know that God can keep them.  Yes, they'll face troubles in life ~ we all do.  But the scars that many adults carry due to a life a sin can be avoided in one so young if they will keep coming back to that beautiful place in God's presence. I know that God can turn lives around ~ He's so good at it.  But He is also good at keeping His children in the palm of His hand.  In my eyes, there's just nothing more beautiful.

Mom and Dad, have you prayed with your child today?

What is Old Age?

In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways. 
~Edith Wharton

I'd have a few thoughts about old age floating around in my head  lately.  It all started when we got an invitation to a Christmas party.  It was the "Oldies Party ~ Over 40."  Over 40?  Les and I both laughed at being called old while in our 40s!

Old age is 15 years older than I am. 
~Oliver Wendell Holmes 

I certainly don't feel old.  I find so much enjoyment in my life!  No, I don't do the things I did when I was in my 20s, but I've found that I enjoy getting up with the chickens, hopping on my bike and seeing how fast I can ride.

I'd like to stay healthy enough so that I'll be one of those old ladies who is still out there running. 
~Jennifer Dall

But then I read an ad in the magazine from the League of American Bicyclists.  It was for Senior Cycling - 50+.  Oooo... that's only a little over two years away for me!  I was okay with the "Senior" label, until I read "Old Folks on Spokes."  There was that "old" label again!

It is a mistake to regard age as a downhill grade toward dissolution. The reverse is true. As one grows older, one climbs with surprising strides.
~George Sand

It's interesting that we seem to label folks either young or old.  I started wondering, why do we avoid the middle age label?

The long, dull, monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather for the devil.
~ C. S. Lewis

I remember when I turned 38.  I thought "I am now middle aged."  That's all there was to it.  I didn't consider myself old, but I also knew my teenage years were far behind me!

At middle age the soul should be opening up like a rose, not closing up like a cabbage
~John Andrew Holmes

A decade later, I don't feel any older.  In fact, I feel younger.  That has a lot to do with how I've taken care of myself.  I am definitely healthier ~ I eat better (most of the time) and exercise regularly.  I also know I can't please everyone.  If God is pleased with me, then I know I've done the best I can in whatever life has thrown my way.  Learning that lesson has made life a lot less stressful.

Patience makes a women beautiful in middle age 
~Elliot Paul 

If I live 90 years, then I am definitely in my middle years.  I'll let you in on a little secret ~ the idea of turning 50 in 2014 sounds fun to me! (I am not planning a party ~ especially not an "Over the Hill" type.)  As long as I continue taking care of my health, both spiritual and physical, I think 50 will be a great age.  When can I start wearing a red hat with my purple??

The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.
~ Theodore Roosevelt

What do you think?  If you're no longer under 30, what do you think of the middle aged label?  What do you want to be called?  Have you reached an age that you consider yourself old?

Let's Have Revival!

We started revival on Tuesday night with the Michael Brown family.  They are so precious to me - I knew Bro. and Sis. Brown's parents before they were married and I've watched these two go from babies, to kids, to teenagers, to the wonderful adults they are today.  They are a fine example of young people who lived for God through their teenage and young adult years.  I'm sure they weren't perfect, but they stayed true to the truths they were taught.  Their two little ones - Gentry and Avelyn - are a blessing as well.  They sing and worship, and Gentry plays the drums.

As for our revival - it feels like Harvest Time!  I don't know any other way to describe it.  Some revivals are directed more to the church, but this really feels like a time of evangelism.  We have had several praying in the altars.  None have received the Holy Ghost, YET, but it just feels like God has something great in store for Victory Tabernacle!

It's a great way to start a new year!

Friday Foodie

Sorry for my lack of meaningful posts this week - we started revival! I knew we would be rushing most evenings, so I wanted a complete meal that I could cook in my crockpot.  What would we eat without the internet?  The recipes are endless!

Slow Cooker Ham Scalloped Potato Casserole 

Ingredients (I cut this in half and it made four servings):
Vegetable cooking spray
1 pound diced cooked ham (about 2 cups)
4 pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 8 cups)
1 large onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's® Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
1 cup milk

1. Spray the inside of a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker with the cooking spray. 
2. Layer the ham, potatoes and onion in the cooker.
3. Stir the soup and milk in a small bowl. 
4. Pour the soup mixture over the potato mixture. 
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until the potatoes are tender. Time-Saving: Or you may cook the recipe on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

This was really good!  Les worked in Santa Barbara on Tuesday and didn't make it home until very late.  I had already left for church, but I left my crockpot on "keep warm" and he had a hot meal when he got home.

Wordless Wednesday

I love this!

Friday Foodie

I know it's only Tuesday, but I could not wait to share this!  I made homemade ravioli last night and it was to die for!!  I combined several different recipes/techniques to get what I wanted.

Sausage Filled Ravioli

Pasta recipe from Bob's Red Mill:

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Water
1 Egg
3/4 cups Semolina Pasta Flour
1 tsp salt

1.  Combine semolina and salt, add beaten eggs, water and oil. Mix to make a stiff dough.
2.  Knead 10 minutes or until dough is elastic. Wrap dough in towel or place in plastic bag and let rest for 20 minutes.  While it rests, prepare the filling.



Meat Filling recipe adapted from Rosalie Serving Italian:

1 1/2 Italian turkey sausage links
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 egg, beaten
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
bread crumbs, if needed
salt and pepper to taste

1.  Brown meat until no longer pink.  Add chicken broth and simmer about 10 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat and let cool.
2.  Add the egg, parsley and cheese.  Add a few bread crumbs if the mixture is too moist.  Mix together, adding salt and pepper to taste.  Put the mixture in a food processor and pulse 1 to 2 minutes until the meat is pureed.

Preparing the Ravioli, instructions from Marcato Pasta machine.



1.  Pass the dough through the flat rollers of the pasta machine until you reach 5 on the regulating knob.  The dough should be flexible, not stiff and exactly the same width as the flat rollers.  (The width is very important - I learned the hard way!)
2.  Place the Ravioli attachment on the pasta machine.
3.  Lightly flour the dough sheet on both sides; fold in two.  Even out the sides by cutting the uneven edges with a knife and insert the dough into the center of the ravioli rollers turning the handle about one quarter of a turn.
4.  Separate the two parts of the dough sheet, placing them on the small metal rollers, one on each side.
5.  Place the hopper on the attachment and pour the filling between the two dough sheets, slowly start turning the handle.  Add more filling when necessary.  (I had more dough than filling, but not much)
6.  Place the strip of ravioli on a lightly floured surface and let it dry for 5-10 minutes. Separate the ravioli one by one.
7.  Ravioli can be cooked right away or stored in a refrigerator for up to 3 days.  It may be stored longer in the freezer.



8.  Cook ravioli in 8-quart pot of boiling water for about 5 minutes.  Place the lid on the pot midway to steam the ravioli.  Remove gently with slotted spoon.
9.  Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

One important note - this is not a one person job.  Once it is time to roll the pasta, you need four hands.  I fed the dough into the machine while Les was turning the handle.  Both of us were guiding it as it went in and came out.  Smaller amounts are definitely more manageable.  It is definitely worth the work!

 

You are looking at one happy husband!  This was so good.  I am thrilled with my Pasta Machine.  The pastas I have made so far have been incredible.  It is extremely light and tastes wonderful.  I used two different sauces last night - marinara and pesto.  And we exclaimed our way through the entire meal!

Finding Time

My Runner's World thought for the day was simply this: 

We find time for the things that are important to us. Period.
~Scott Douglas

And today's verse of the day is:

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
~ Psalm 90:12 

As we start another year, I'm sure most of us have goals or resolutions or plans.  Many of those plans, by the end of February, will be put into the "I don't have time" pile and discarded.  Before you get to that point, look closely at your time.  It's amazing how much time we can find if we really look!  Don't have time to read your Bible, but you're reading this blog? (Ha! That wasn't really planned when I started thinking about this post...)

Earlier this year, Les and I started a home Bible study with Jose and Maylee.  We would go to her mother's house on Thursday evenings and it was working out great.  Les had a job change that turned his commute into 75 miles each way and bam! Thursday evenings were no longer available.  We missed several weeks and it really bothered all four of us.  Finally, the only time we could get together was Sunday afternoons just before church.  Yes, it cut into my Sunday afternoon nap.  Sometimes it seems like we just get home and eat and it's time to turn back around.  But it has been worth it.  We finished the formal Bible study and are continuing on, digging deeper into the Word.  It's important to us.

Les had an exercise he did when he was coaching Bible Quizzers.  They frequently "didn't have time" to study.  It didn't take long to figure out that they had time for basketball, the mall, phone calls and goofing off.  Once they looked at their time, the excuses were gone.

I can't tell you what's important to YOU, only you can figure that out. Take a little time to find time.

What a folly it is to dread the thought of throwing away life at once, and yet have no regard to throwing it away by parcels and piecemeal.
~ John Howe

Happy Birthday, Mom

New Years day is more than a typical holiday to me ~ it is Mom's birthday.  She would be 72 today.  How I miss her! So much life has happened since she's been gone.  So many times I've wanted to call and tell  her all about it... to whine or laugh or cry or listen to her calm voice telling me it's gonna be alright.

As we enter this new year, let me share one of my favorites from Mom's Bible:

Repeat to yourself and store in your memory some good thought everyday.
Look for something beautiful everyday, no matter where you are.
Do something kind and helpful for someone everyday.

What an incredible year we would all have it we followed that advice!