HEY LET'S TALK

I'm sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. My intentions were to post much earlier than today, but life's interruptions made it too difficult. As well, many things have gone wrong since I last posted. Because they did, our move did not take place. It is a good thing in some ways - a bad thing in others, but life is what it is. In order to  cope with hard things we have to be adaptable.

Our Daily Battles-
Every one of us has something we are strugging with: unemployment, the loss of a child, marital difficulties, health problems, problems with our children, the frustrations that come with getting older, the heaviness of loneliness, or perhaps low self-esteem.
   As difficult as our problem may be, it helps to remember that it isn't the problem that raises our stress level, but our reaction to it. What helps me the most, during my darkest moments, is reminding myself of all the mountains I've climbed - mountains I believed too tall -way beyond my capabilities.
   If today finds you in a dark place, remind yourself of the mountains you have climbed, of how far you have come- of all you have done well. And then count your blessings. There are many, I promise. But sometimes, if we're going through an especially difficult time they're hard to see. It may take us a bit longer to find them.

       

by Michael Angier

    One of the greatest responsibilities we have is to support ourselves and others in living at our highest and best. Whether we’re parents, partners, friends or leaders, it’s incumbent upon us to help others to live as close to their unique potential as we can.

With everything we say and do, we’re influencing, positively or negatively, the people we care about. The ideal is to do this with consideration and intention. Here are ten ways you can help others see and realize the best that’s within them.

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I have such wonderful news.
Our prayers have been answered. Our daughter was unable to raise the full amount the lawyer asked for, but God answered our prayers. The lawyer agreed to not only accept the money she was able to raise, but lowered the total amount  from $50,000, to $15,000. Only God could have brought this about.He is so faithful, always honoring our faith. Thank you so much for praying with us in this matter.
I appreciate every one of you so much.
  
I'm not feeling well so won't be posting for awhile, but had to let you know how faithful God is.
    ********************************************
A little food for thought till I return:

It's much more fun,

and contagious. It isn't always easy to
be happy when we're going through trials,
but remember - trials last longest when
they are our point of focus.

Life rewards good choices,punishes us for bad ones,
so it pays to think before speaking or doing something.

Treat yourself as gently as you treat others:
you'll not only be happier- but healthier.

People are more important than things.

If you've done your best, it's good enough.

Life is short....
Create a beautiful memory today.

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JOHNNY

Only by God's grace have we made it this
far. The roads we've traveled have not all
been smooth ones. It was our being "best friends"
that kept us from saying that final goodbye,
and our desire to make our marriage work. 
 
The past few years have contained many
tears and a huge amount of heartache,
but here we are, getting ready to celebrate
our 34th Wedding Anniversary.
  
This morning, you handed me the card you
got me two years ago, for Christmas ,said,
"It made no sense to search for an
Anniversary card, Barb. This one is "me, honey,
says what I feel. Remember that, Okay? "

I took it from your hands, read it, and
of course began to cry as I read ...

Dearest Barb,

I said to myself...
Find new ways to tell her
how perfect she is for you--
how perfectly she fits into your arms,
your heart,
your life..
Find new ways to tell her
how much she means to you--
how much you admire her,
respect her, need her, want her...
Find new ways to tell her you care,
as you share smiles,
or sadness, as you listen,
as you touch and kiss
and embrace...
One way or another,
I've told myself these things,
and over and over,
I want to share them with you.
Because, more than anything,
I want you to know
how much I love you..
sometimes more
than I can say.

 I so love that card, and YOU.
You've filled my life with roses for 34 years
now,cooked for me, babied me when I was sick,
surprised me with little gifts. You never stopped
leaving little love notes for me when you knew I
was sad, or feeling bad about myself. 
Thank you for not giving up on us,
for not letting me give up on us,
and for keeping your promise to
say "I love you," every single day.
I treasure so much, the little boxes
I have that are stuffed with
telegrams and notes that say.

"I LOVE YOU, BARB - ALWAYS WILL." 
 
I love you too, Johnny, more now than ever
before.You asked what my favorite gifts were.
They are still the same: 
Your Christmas letter, and being able
to look into your eyes
and see love looking back at me.
I don't know what the future holds,
but know that the best part of it
will be being with you.



 

I see your face everywhere,
for love, having eyes,
reveals your hiding places;
sometimes eraces the loneliness
of the night,

warming me with the memory
of the first time we met.
You came into my life unexpectedly,
like a rush of wind,
sweeping me off my feet.
That first look stole my breath away.

I so love you, Johnny,
and always will.

Barb

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Things are so much better when we remember to do that, especially
when we're going through rough waters, as so many of us are at the
moment. Focusing on the beauty around us is quieting, settles the
mind, quiets one's spirit- enables a man to see beyond his pain.
   I want to thank every one of you for your prayers and support,
wish to reassure you that everything is going to be okay. I have no
idea how God will solve our present problem but have absolutely no
doubt that He will. My daughter, bless her heart, knows this too.
    Life gets hard sometimes, which is why it pays to watch out for
those unexpected things. One reason I was so stressed is because I forgot to do that. There has been so many things going on in my life that I got caught up in them, forgot to take time for what matters; not just the beauty outside, but in people (like every one of you), in the laughter of little children, a loved one's embrace, in the beautiful way a friend expresses himself as he tries to lift your spirits.

  
While talking to my daughter last night I got to remembering something she did when she was a little girl - something she said. Remembering it set everything right again (for me, and for her too).


 The entry: 

               

  
     I was thinking, while sipping my morning coffee, of all the beauty that exists in the world and of how often we take it for granted.  I have been taking a morning walk this morning, a mental one, walking backwards in my mind and allowing myself the luxury of lingering when I come across a special memory. I was given red roses which reminded me of  a special time with my daughter. She was not quite three years old and, like me, loved flowers. She used to suck her thumb when she'd start getting sleepy, which told me she was ready for her nap. We were outside one day, looking at the roses in our yard. I was talking to my mother and right in mid sentence she looked over my head and a huge smile lit her sweet face.
   "Now that would make a terrific picture," she said. I turned to see what she'd been looking at and saw my little girl with a rose in her hand. She was holding it carefully in her little hand turning it this way,then that way, every once in a while smelling its fragrance. Then, while we watched, she broke off a petal and carefully set the rose on the ground. She took the petal and set it gently and carefully on the thumb of one hand. She sucked the thumb of her right hand while stroking the soft rose petal on her other thumb with her finger on  left hand.  Oh just remembering this moment makes my eyes tear up. 
    My mother hugged her and asked what she was doing with the flower. She looked at my mother and then at me and said, "just loving it." Out of the mouths of babes. I never saw a flower after that without remembering my little girls words. "Just loving it." she said. Three words that could make our lives so much easier.
Her words made me view things differently, especially the world around me. The mountains, rivers and oceans, diamond-studded skies, rainbows, trees and green lawns, roses, gardenias, lilac, jasmine, and every other kind of flower in existance. I spend as much time as possible outdoors, looking at all the wonderful things our Creator created just for us. Like my daughter, when my husband or somebody else asks me what I'm doing when I'm
enjoying something I'll simply answer, " I'm just loving it."
   What if we applied her three words to our relationships? What if we simply made the decision to " just love the people in our lives? Love them as theyare, unconditionally, without any expectations? Do we have expectations? Of course. All of us do. But how wonderful it would be if we at least (tried) to make the effort to
"just love them." ...exactly as they are. **Just food for thought.*
********************************************************


I have a lot of major changes coming up; changes that
could knock me off my feet if I let them. But NO WAY!
Life is what it is, right? Bad things happen to us all. But
that's okay! God will see us through it. Meanwhile, we can
remain positive. And rather than feel sorry for ourselves, we
can try to make our corner of the world a little brighter. 

Let's not take life for granted. Today is a brand new day,
offers us a DO OVER. Le'ts take advantage of it. Let's keep
trusting, God Let's keep enjoying the moments of our life:
Our children, friends, our computers, music, our hobbies,
our book, cars, toys, grandchildren, the rain, sunshine,
our favorite foods - whatever makes us smile.  

Happiness is contagious, so let's do our best to
brighten somebody's day. 
<FONTCOLOR=#0000A0>
Guess that about does it, guys & dolls.
I am going to make myself some breakfast.


I'm surrounded by them, here in J-land.

 Love you much,

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Please take a minute to stop what you are doing and pray
for my daughter, Diana. The stress of her present situation
is taking it's toll. She had to call the Paramedics last night
because she became so ill. As several of you know, she has
been working three jobs in order to pay the lawyer
representing her son. He just told her that he needs
another $12,000 if he is to continue representing her son. If
she can come up with $7,000 of it by January 7th, he will
allow her to make payments. Our family has been helping all
we can, but this additional amount is beyond our means.
It is however,  not beyond GOD'S. Please pray, now, asking
Him to provide this amount. I know it is not beyond His
ability, and I know He always honors ourfaith. Those of you
with children will understand how her situation distresses
me, and my Johnny. She is our baby, even though she is grown, has been through so much this past year. At the  present
moment I am unable to visit her, to help her through this
difficult time so have to do what I can this way...with YOUR help, your prayers, your support. I am counting on your prayers, as always. It is what gets me through the rough spots.

Thank you for praying for her, and for us. We all need it right now.

Love you much,

Barb

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Good morning,

Christmas was nice, although Johnny and I both had to force away tears once in awhile, remembering the death of our daughter's sixteen year old son, and our concern about our other grandson. As well, my youngest sister is not doing well. She is do dear to my heart, so very dear. I am not ready to lose her (guess we never really are, are we)? But, as I told my Johnny, one has to look for the present blessings midst hard times. If one doesn't, it is easy to slip into depression, easy to lose one's bearings. So we gave our attention to our company; our son and his family, especially his little girl, not quite two yet. They are such a blessing, make it possible to smile, though one's heart is breaking.
  I received a lot of mail from hurting people, people coping with a lot of things at once. Several of them are overwhelmed because the plans they made fell through. One friend said in her letter "I can't believe it, Barb. We'd planned it so carefully, made allowances for everything!  Now what?
  The best laid plans do fall through. It happens to us all. When life throws 

                                             
me a curve ball I remind myself that blessing are in each monment.
I can't say I'm always aware of them. I had to teach myself to get into the habit of looking for them no matter how badly things were going.
  A moment holds much more than we realize; offers us a chance to be brave, to exercise our faith, to try something new, to be honest withourselves - about ourselves; offers us a chance to forgive, to laugh, to find humor in the worst situations. If we cannot find humor,  we can surely find good, if we look for it.
                                                                                                      
                                                                                   
I forced myself to hum this morning rather than focus upon things I
can do nothing about. I took a walk after having my morning coffee and thanked God for putting Johnny and I in this beautiful place. The grounds, in the Spring, are gorgeous, flowers everywhere. The silence I crave and need so much is available morning, noon, and night, the solitude as well. I can walk alone in the twilight hours, knowing the Lord walks with me, or can sit alone on a bench and view the heavens, watching for the moment God turns his night light on. A moment holds so much. 
   We can smile at someone and find, when they smile back, that we're no longer lonely, that strangers are not really strangers after all. They're people just like ourselves, walking through life doing the best they can. 
 

 People often ask how I manage to be at peace and have such a strong faith when my life is so hard. I tell them the truth, as I see it, that peace is a given. God, who loves us so much, is so willing to give us peace. We have but to open our hands and turn loose of our burdens; of all that is making us afraid, sad, discouraged, and worried. Then, we must trust that HE knows our needs better than we do, and will never fail to meet them. Not ever!
  I am no different than any of you. I have been facing some things that have tested my faith to the max, and drained me emotionally. .
   Years ago, I used to be a planner. Most of us are. We plan for tomorrow, for birthdays, holidays, vacations, weddings, births, and graduations. We plan for everything except TIME to be alone with the Lord - and He misses our visits. My life was a disaster till I realized in all my planning that the world got 90 % and the Lord got but 10%. No wonder I was lost, fearful, lonely, and overwhelmed with life. No wonder I was doubtful and failed to accomplish anything.
   "Without me, ye can do nothing." Christ said. Truly believing that can change one's life in a mere second. 
   I pray that your day is going well, but if not, take a good look at how you've used the moments given you. Each one of us has the ability to bless others, and never as greatly as when we're suffering ourselves.