Climb Every Mountain!

Okay, here's what happened... Lyn and I were movin' and a'groovin' on our 4-mile trek when she told me about an uphill climb she and her daughter used to attack. That did it! "Let's go!" I said. And Lyn, fit as an Olympic gymnast, didn't have to have her arm twisted. We turned around, walked the mile and a half back to my house, then drove to THE MOUNTAIN. Up and down we went, twice, Lyn always far ahead of me. It was great fun, and I dont' know when my lungs have been that worked up!

All total, my guess is that we walked 100 miles. Ok, maybe only six or seven. Still, I did it! I thought about the guys and gals on The Biggest Loser (my very favorite show): How do they RUN up those mountains??????? I think it's that whip their trainers snap on their legs; Just kidding! Maybe I need to buy Lyn one!

Anyhoo, what mountain have you been wanting to climb, lately? To lose 20 pounds? To get organized? Learn a new language? Open your Bible more than once a month? You can do it! Just put one foot in front of the other, choose a pace you can live with, and just climb every mountain....one at a time! Good luck!

Oh, the Weather Outside is Delightful!

Not frightful at all, like Dean Martin sings on my new Christmas CD! He says the weather is frightful and the fire delightful.... I think fire's are a delight, too, but today's not cold enough for a fire. It's just perfectly delightful!

And if that isn't enough, I also had the delight of an unscheduled day off. That makes a regular ol' day like a holiday! It's like a surprise birthday card -- like the one I got from Cheryl Dear in today's mail. I was so happy when I saw it that I just cried. A delighted cry of friendship remembered. (Do you know what I'm talking about?) Lifelong friendships are delight-a-mundo!

Dinner's been slowly roasting all day in the oven, and the smell reminds me of something Grandma would make when we were kids. A new Christmas book arrived in the mail... and a hot bubble bath awaits. I'm gonna go slip under those puffy perfumed clouds and read and savor every word that Cheryl wrote in my birthday card...

It's been an unusually wonderful day. Just as delightful as the weather!

There really are such things as happy endings! Remember that plate fiasco I shared two days ago? Well, thanks to the grace of the Lord, the Ebay seller kindly agreed to fix it all, accepting my original offer and erasing my blunder. Oh, happy was I to finally get an email from her!

Two friends gave me the same counsel for this pickle I canned: Ask for forgiveness (for the lust of the flesh that waylaid me) and ask for grace ('cuz i needed it in that Ebay situation). For me, asking forgivness was easy, but asking for grace... when I didn't deserve it?... well, I was a bit more hesitant with that. Silly me! What is grace, after all, but God's undeserved favor?! And do I need that? Oh, yeah, Baby!

So, my big blunder was erased twice - once from the blood of the Lamb, and once from the gracious Seller. A happy ending, see? Happy are those whose God is the Lord!!! (Psalm 144:15)

Guess what I did today? Walked over five miles with Lyn! And we talked the whole time, too. Not just gibberish, either, but fellowshipped to the full hilt. We encouraged one another in love and good deeds, and mingled in with that was always some admonishing. And we're still talking! Our time together is just wonderful!

I remember my friend Shannon and I doing the exact same thing, years ago, back in our younger days. Sometimes, the little pricks and proddings would make our flesh get all riled up, and off we'd stomp. But not for long. Both of us wanted the truth, always, even when it was painful to hear. We'd quickly come to terms with the truth and be right back to our great friendship.

Do you have an encouraging friend (or two)? Now's a good time to tell them how thankful you are for their support in pushing you heavenward. If you do not have this kind of friend, quickly get with God and ask that He provide one...or two. He will, and you will see just how wonderful it is!

Joining the Blogger World

I saw it, and had to have it! It's not the first time this week that it's happened, either. Yesterday was my birthday, so, of course, when I walked into Olcott's (an upper-class store, full of gorgeous allurements for the home) and saw those darling birthday plates, the words just pushed their way out of my lips, before I even thought about it: "I'll take them all! Wrap them in fun birthday paper, please." So, when my friend Emily showed me her new blog, I wanted one. And, though I didn't even know what a blog was till three weeks ago, here I am.... making my first blog ever.

So, welcome! Like most things I do, I'm not certain the direction this will take, but I hope that it steers you towards Jesus, and that you will be encouraged along the way. :)

I have to tell you, too, that having everything your eyes land on is not necessarily healthy for you. Ever since I've brought those plates home, I have had little sleep, as it's kept me up at night, thinking about Katrina victims and how frivolous this purchase was, though Mike was fine with me getting them as my birthday gift...from him. (See what a good helpmeet I am, saving him from extra work?) But see, I didn't stop there. Oh, no! I jumped with both feet right into Ebay and made a best offer on the matching bowls. Well, it bit me in the hiny, 'cuz I made a best offer and did it all wrong. Thus.... I ended making it look like I was offering MORE than the asking price. Sheesh!!! Now my stomach hurts. WARNING: Giving in to the lust of the flesh is hazardous to your health!

The Bible says, "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied" (Proverbs 27:20). I'm living proof!