Everyday Blessings...

Good morning! This is what we are seeing today, even just after noon. The fog is hanging on. I am having trouble feeling very motivated to do much of anything today. This is the kind of day I really could just curl up with a good book under a blanket and read hours away. But...there is too much to be done. Laundry, grocery shopping, projects...etc. I need a swift kick in the pants... I long for...flowers and warm temps. We need some sunshine for flowers and since "THE STORM OF THE CENTURY", or so they say is on the way, I guess I will have to wait a bit longer. The temperature is going to drop forty or so degrees tomorrow. If the Weather Channel is right. Brrr... Thinking of a good soup recipe and making sure we have enough wood for three days of cheery fires to warm the room and the soul. Sounds good. I want to introduce you to some sweet friends of mine. These wonderful ladies live in West Texas and I miss them. They will be forever locked in my heart and cherished. Shana...

Beautiful Letdown: Switchfoot It was a beautiful letdown When I crashed and burned When I found myself alone Unknown and hurt It was a beautiful letdown The day I knew That all the riches this world had to offer me Would never do In a world full of bitter pain And bitter doubts I was trying so hard to fit in Fit in, until I found out I don't belong here (I don't belong) I don't belong here (I don't belong) I will carry a cross and a song Where I don't belong I don't belong It was a beautiful letdown When You found me here Yeah, for once in a rare blue moon I see everything clear I'll be a beautiful letdown That's what I'll forever be And though it may cost my soul I'll sing for free We're still chasing our tails In the rising sun In our dark water planet still spinning In a direction no one wins No one's won. See, I don't belong here (I don't belong) Well, I don't belong here, I don't belong I will carry a cross With a so...

Good morning! This blog entry should have happened a few months ago... just a little behind schedule! Shocker. At the UT/Baylor game UT retired Colt's #12. We could not be there but cheered from afar. I love these pictures of the event... The guys look good but the girls look gorgeous! Sweet Colt...sweeter Rachel Colt with DaddyBurl and Uncle Gerald. So proud of you Colt. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/texas/7245689.html We are loving this warmer Sat. today. I think it is time for a long walk. Blessings on your day! Amy

Good morning! Do you ever have months were things just seem to be in a state of upheaval? When it seems like you get over and through one tough thing and another jumps up? (Knock on wood.) Months like these sure do keep me in better touch with the good Lord and I am ok with that. Our oldest boy is trying to get in better shape to try out for the Aggie football team. He has worked so hard. The tryout is next week and yesterday he pulled a hamstring as he was training on a sprint. Devastated. That is what he was. Sid and I jumped in the car and went to see him yesterday and helped him get into a physical therapist. As you get older you can see from your past the detours that God took in your life and that they were with out a doubt better paths than what you had planned. It is hard to have plans changed when you are so excited and working so hard. We did a lot of talking about seeing the big picture and just trusting in God when things don't go according to our own plans. His state o...

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired....

The doc says it is a cold. I'm not buying it. I think this stuff has taken a turn for the worse. I think if we went back in and did a flu swab it would say YES but it just did not look like the flu three days ago. Advil is my friend and... hot tea kleenex lots of blankets cough meds my trusty cold corn pillow and sleep. Hoping to feel more alive tomorrow. Please. Sid is seeking some Vit. D. hoping the sun will help him get well. Was feeling decent enough to throw together some chicken soup a few days ago. Luckily a sweet friend brought by some corn chowder too. Eating has not been a high priority. You know I am sick when I can say that. :) Chickens below are watching their friends being cooked. I've been watching the birds when I can get up off the couch. They are liking the sun too. Lovely birdies. Blessings.

Psalm 18:19- He brought me out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He delighted in me. 28- You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 32- It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. The past months have been really trying for my folks. Mom was diagnosed with diabetes and then Dad had this terrible tractor accident and follow up surgery that paralyzed his vocal cord. We were very thankful to find out why he is coughing and having trouble breathing and eating and talking but now he has to deal with working hard to gain his voice back and trying to get back to normal. I am so proud of how positive he is being and how God is working in his and Mom's lives to encourage and strengthen them in so many ways through all of this. Mom always finds something positive to text to me early in the mornings most days. It is nearly always a scripture and thought from her early morning bible reading. What a blessed people we are to have the Wor...

Another Hallelujah Chorus Flash Mob. I needed this today. God is alive and well and PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME! Blessings. Amy (please pause blog music and enjoy.)

I love this blog post from http://smellingcoffeetoday.blogspot.com/ Thought you would like it too! Enjoy! By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the local newspaper "The Plain Dealer", Cleveland, Ohio. (I thought that it was kind of cool that this newspaper is from Cleveland. We read alot about Colt in articles from "The Plain Dealer". Woo hoo!) 45 lessons life taught me: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with...

We just got word that Wes has NO CANCER in his body. Lymph gland was just infected. PRAISE THE LORD!!!! Thank you for your prayers. They mean so much to me. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Blessings. Amy

Good morning. We have not seen the sun now in quite a few days. So thankful we have Son shine to combat no sunshine. Galatians 2: 20-21 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” This past weekend I went with Wes and his youth group to a huge youth rally in Arlington, Texas called Winterfest. The singing was awesome and the messages were powerful and challenging. I am thankful this morning for the words we heard and the encouragement it gave us. What a blessing for kids to hang out with church youth groups. Just good, pure fun and a great atmosphere to bond with other people that love the Lord or are learning to love Him more. While we were there Mom called and said that Dad was put back into the hospital. We were so much clos...

I am cold... I thought a few warm weather pictures would cheer and warm us up a bit... The Trouble Tree ~author unknown~ The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farm house had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire had caused him to miss an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pick-up truck refused to start. As I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. When we arrived he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked to the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles; he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed by the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. “Oh, that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, they...

Good morning! This article below was something my sweet sister-in-law Debra sent me a few days ago. It is great. Hope you like it too. Blessings! Facing the Giants Mary Southerland Today's Truth 2 Timothy 1:7 "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control." Friend to Friend A cloud of terror hung over the Valley of Elah as snarling threats and vile promises spewed from his mouth. The intimidator strutted along grassy slopes swinging an enormous club, his mammoth, ironclad feet pawing the ground like an irate bull, ready to attack. The huge, ugly monster was Goliath, a nine foot giant, the pride of Philistia. He wore massive armor; a bronze coat weighing 200 pounds, a solid iron spear, a heavy bronze helmet. The target of his ranting and raving was a frightened, helpless group of Israelites, cowering in their tents. For forty agonizing days, Goliath had come, taunting them, promising certain destruction and doom. The Isra...

Isaiah 43:1-3 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; "Thank you Father, God for your promises and your comfort." My heart is heavy today and a little fearful but also comforted and starting to feel peaceful. I ask for your prayers for our youngest. The pictures below are at his football banquet last Sat. We are praying and concerned about a health issue with Wes. I guess it is human nature to jump to the worse case scenario, but I don't really want to do that. We are asking God's blessings that it will be something easy to treat and not life threatening. Having sa...

Snow like this is what we are hoping for today: (Just a little Calvin humour.) So far it's just cold wet rain. But...rain or snow, it is nice because this is what is going on... It's hard to see that there is a big ole' tired seventeen year old boy fast asleep on this cozy couch by the fire. ( I did not want to use the flash for fear it would wake the sleeping giant.) All activities have been called off for the rest of the day because of the prediction of snow or ice or whatever. All I know is it is just wonderful to be home and snuggled in and slowing down for a little while. Makes me wonder if we are just too busy when we all breathe a sigh of relief that the weather is calling a halt to everything. Maybe we should just slow down on our own. Blessings on your evening wherever you are. I pray it is peaceful and calm and a time of rest and fun with your loved ones. Come on snow!! I'll take another one of these days tomorrow! Blessings. Amy

Good morning! Psalm 5:3- In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation. I wanted to tell you about the project that I dove into yesterday. I had so much fun! I had a table and chairs in our kitchen dining room that were just too big for the small space. Grumblings were heard when ever three big men were trying to maneuver around the table to eat. So...I went on a hunt yesterday for a table and found this sweet little thing at Goodwill for $25.00. I have a picture of the one I really wanted below at the cost of over $300.00 but just did not want to shell that out right now. I am investing in coffee for the Keurig right now. HA! (That was just a chuckle for Debra and Shawna.) Love our Keurig...but those coffee K cups are expensive! :) Anyway, I painted this sweet table and the chairs that went with my other table and waa laa! Now, I have to say that I am REALLY sore and am moving slow this morning but I am so happy with th...

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matt. 6:33 A blogger/minister friend of mine just put this on his facebook status. : Following Jesus often means living in a way that others see as crazy . If your life seems normal to unbelievers that may be a sign something's not right. (Trey Morgan) Good morning! Just some random thoughts this morning. I wanted to share with you some really good books that some REALLY sweet people gave me for Christmas. Debra and Brad gave us this one. Love and Respect. I am in the second chapter and boy, it is good. Check it out. These books are called "The Potluck Club" books. They are Christian fiction with good recipes and lot of humour and even suspense. They remind me a little of the "Mitford" books except faster and more light hearted. Enjoying them. Thank you Mom! We (I) like to keep a little Christmas alive all year long so I love to leave out this twinkly light jar to enjoy. It makes me smile. Did your boys (w...