Earthly Minded or Heavenly Bound?

Lots of talk about Heaven lately. I have talked to friends about what motivates me daily - where I pull from to carry on when times are tough.

Tonight Greg Laurie spoke at my church. His message was specifically on Heaven. It was 'divinely' inspiring and has given me much to ponder.

One thing specifically is that he dispelled the 'Hollywood' version of Heaven - that we are all angels sitting around on clouds, hopping from one to another.

Greg also spoke about what the Bible says about our loved ones and others that have gone before us - very eloquent and forthright message.

And I was so happy to share this time with family and friends ~ very special for me.

Go to www.freshlifechurch.com to view the archived message - it's good and good for you..

~~Relaxing after all the Details are Tended to ~~

My son Aaron and his family are here - celebrating my daughter in law's (Lisa's) parents 25th wedding anniversary. Lisa has worked hard for her parents during this week - handmaking dresses, home made beautiful cake - decorating - etc...

Lisa is a very wonderful young woman - truly an answer to this mother's prayer.

This picture if of Aaron and Lisa's wedding day - it's one of my favorites - it was the HOTTEST day of the year that year...many details and very busy as weddings are. But in this pic - Aaron and Lisa are sitting at their table - relaxed as husband and wife.

I hope she has a moment like this tonight....love you Lisa....

~ No, no, no ~

I pirated this from my friend, Carri. Why, why, why?

I'm speechless...and I think they must be a cult...

Watch til the end...when he really lights up the dance floor.

And after all the work I do to get people OFF drugs...

Lipstick and Cameras...

Had the opportunity to be out a little tonight - to 'celebrate' a friends Kalispell departure. Celebrate isn't the correct word - but it felt like a celebratory event. At one point I felt a little guilty - like I should be home watching the newest Hurricane situation unfold in Texas.

So - now I am home. And watching the news. And there is coverage of Hurricane Ike. There are random TV journalists stationed in various sites in Texas - reporting on winds, rain and destruction.

There are no other people - ANYWHERE - on the streets. At one point - this journalist - still with her lipstick on - is DRENCHED and hanging on to a bush as the wind gusts.

Amazing. That is dedication to her job.

One would think that with all our technology - we could have cameras stationed in areas and be operated by remote - not putting the lives of journalists, cameramen, grips, and drivers in jeopardy.

Just a thought.

On a different note. I am excited about my friend's new venture. I am excited that she gets to be with her guy (and I wish I could have spent more time with the 2 of them). I am excited that we are now CO-WORKERS. How cool is that.

Now - back to my news....

Lady with a Pencil

Life is interesting sometimes. Those things that make you go hmmmm...

On Myspace there is this little - 'emotion status with statement' thing that you can do. Some people write their list of today's events, some make cryptic statements about something in their lives - and some just put how they are really feeling out there.

Today I had on my mind - meeting with the 'licensing lady' for my new venture. I was a little worried and concerned - but hoped that I had enough of my ducks in a row to do okay with it.

So - when I did my little emotion thingy - for some reason - it hit me to write 'why do some women shave their eyebrows - only to then pencil them in?' And I went about my day -

I meet with the 'licensing lady.'

She is about 62 - in fact she is retiring in December after 30 years on the job.

She has no eyebrows - only a very carefully penciled in line where they used to be.

I scare myself sometimes...

A New Day ~~~

It's interesting - how we go through life - living large - but a bit misty and unclear. Life has a way of creating subtle distractions to where we don't see everything fully clearly...happy at times, but as if we are behind a buffer...

Today my son, Jesse, was baptized. In Whitefish Lake. Few things comfort a mother's heart more than seeing men who seek God's heart - praying for and with her son.

I almost missed this - I had to drive from Whitefish Lake - to Frugal's and back again - with in 40 minutes. If you ever need instructions on how to get there by only passing through 4 lights - ask me!

I was with him in the delivery room - Jesus was with Jesse in the water...death to the sinful past - and hope in the life with Jesus ~ today in Worship we sang: 'Jesus, take everything - Jesus, my rescuing King...you're everything I need.'

A New Day~~~

Look - how clear - the picture - the smile - the mist and distractions gone...

Thank you Carri - few times I get to be in the picture :)

~~ Dr Ruth and Lions ~~

Okay - so - I don't know how many people remember Dr. Ruth. She was the 'sex-help' guru for a generation a while back. A small, petite, German woman that smiled as she discussed the prevails and details of people's intimacy and how they could enhance thier time together - or alone....Way before the introduction of 'Bob' the smiling man by the pool...and the nerdy wave.

In the mornings after we are all ready for school, work, we watch PBS a little. Today - 'Between the Lions' was on. I like it because it helps with reading and putting words together...Ryan benefits.

So - on today's episode - the guest was...Dr. Ruth. Helping a young lion read the word: UNDEFEATED. And she was there cheering him on - 'yes, yes you can do it! See doesn't that feel better now!'

What??? Holy Cow!!!

On a side note - I always like to include a picture if I can with my blog and googled Dr. Ruth...when I clicked on her site, this came up: WARNING - ENTERING THIS SITE MY HARM YOUR COMPUTER AND EXPOSE YOUR COMPUTER TO UNWANTED INFORMATION. I didn't venture in. I know there is a programming manager at 'Between the Lions' laughing laughing...

BWAHAAAHAHHAAAAA

Opportunity only comes once in a while...the house is dark...the older boys are out in the guest house...I am walking upstairs...I hear the back door creak and open...and realize it's probably Joe walking in the house...in the dark...bwahhhaaahahahaa....

I am stealth (hahahahaha) and go running into the dark kitchen and scream 'BOOOO!' Joe jumps and screams (his woman scream, yougottahearittobelieveit)...and turns on the light...yells at me...'MOM!!! What is wrong with you!!! Are you crazy?' I am laughing, laughing...(standing now in the lighted kitchen...in my crazy cheetah flannel pajamas)...

I walk out of the kitchen...Joe is yelling up to me...'How OLD are you anyway? You are too old to be doing that!!! Just wait - I will pay you back!!!' Uuuhhhh, I'm so scared...

BWAHAHHAAAAHHHAAAA

~~ Hurricane ~~ Payne ~~ Anniversary ~~

Today is my anniversary. Gordy and I have been married 18 years. Really long time. Lots of life lives within those years...


Our Anniversary was 'chill'. Because of tomorrow being the first day of school (YIPPEE!!) All our $ has gone to preparation for the entry into structure, learning and socialization...

So - why we were 'chill'...we had 2 things going on simultaniously today. Hurricane Gustav and The House of Payne.

I started this morning watching all the coverage of the Hurricane. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as it could have been and it appears that the powers that be - learned something from the disaster of Katrina and were better prepared. I hope for the sake of the people in the Gulf Coast - that they have seen the worst of the storm and can return soon to their homes.

Then we began watching the 'House of Payne' marathon. It has REALLY improved since it first debuted. We don't watch sitcoms anymore as a rule - they just aren't 'family friendly' at all. Not at all. But the 'House of Payne' had some very redeeming moments. All episodes had, in part, a moral issue that was dealt with, in some manner. The family home - was the family home - rules were expected to be followed, respect to elders was a must and family was valued.

And I liked that not everyone in the cast was 'hollywood'. The cast looks normal, some tall, some short, some slim, some not slim, etc...normal people

Kimmie loved it and has asked if we can DVR it every Wednesday. We will. The marathon ended with a 2-part wedding episode. God was honored, Jesus was spoken about and men loved and cared for their women. Great show to watch on our Anniversary!!!

And Gordy is still the best bar-b-quer EVER!!!

Next week - we dine at Tie-Buckers. No kids allowed.