Today as I was crocheting and enjoying the quiet peacefulness of this day I was blessed with some inspirational thoughts and words. I rushed to write them down as fast as I could because If I didn't they would have been lost or scrambled in away that would have been of me and not the inspiration that they were. you can read all that I have written on www.faithwriters.com.  just type in my name.




A Piece of Clay

 You lifted me up from the muck and mire,

You lifted this piece of clay and made me into who I am today.

The spirits of this world clung to me dragging me down,

But, you O’ Lord lifted me and saved me from my sins.

There is no greater place I would rather be than in the hands of the great “I Am”.

I am now a jewel and no longer a piece of clay, I was lifted and marred by you O’ Lord.

In the hands of the great “I Am” ,this piece of clay became a diamond,

A diamond that shines brighter each day as he the potter marred all residues away.

Jeremiah 18:4

 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter;

So he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Many times in my life I have been given beautiful words and inspirations and lost them because I was disobedient to the prompting of the gift. At times they pour out of me and other times I am as a dry well. Now I know the reason behind my drought , I will thirst no longer..


 




 




 

  I bow my head in silent prayer in reverence to what happened 12 years ago on this date. I bow my head in humble adoration of the young men and women that serve this country. The picture of this young man, my grandson that serves in the United States Air Force and the many others that stand ready to defend and die for the U.S.A. I salute you! How proud I am of you! How grateful I am for your service!
  That day 12 years ago,  truly we were "one nation under God, indivisible." The world watched as we crawled out from under all the carnage; it watched the courage, compassion and the strength of the American people as we stood united regardless of our faith, color or creed.
  We watched once again as the Eagle flew high; it's wings soaring over the nation, watching and daring any one or thing to come within its' territory.
  A nation grieved twelve years ago for the thousands of lost lives, their families and friends. Today we remember and pray in reverence to them, "Please God, never again."
  

I can't believe it has been over a year since I have written anything! I am at a cross roads in my life and truthfully undecided in which road to take. l know for a fact that ninety percent of you have stood where I stand now. There is a part of me that wants to write; share thoughts, stories, ideals; my problem is  I want to write the way I talk. I don't want to be worried about language, grammar, I am not perfect. I am a product of my education, upbringing, habits, choices and external influence. Culture and tradition also play a great part in who I am.

Today I would like to share a thought with you. What if everyone would embrace each others differences. What would happen if we truly took an interest in the multiple cultures around us. What if we shared and appreciated the beauty of all the individualities. What if all of us realized at the same time that humanity is not the center of the world, nor are we what keeps this earth turning.
What if we realized, we just as the worm, trees, birds, mountains, oceans and streams are all connected in this world called life. There is not one more important than the other. Our survival depends on the other.

There is no greater force than the ocean, can we tame it? Can we role back the waves? Are we not  at the mercy of nature and all the forces? Are we not at the mercy of each other? What a thought that we could all live in harmony with each other and nature. What a thought that one day there could be world peace!

Goodmorning America how are you? Things will be better soon, just a little while
longer and when the crap hits the fan all things will be clear and smooth
sailing, of course everyone will be on Welfare, Food Stamps and a Social Health 
Care system, but hey isn't that what you wanted.

We all had better get shovels  to dig ourselves out of this mess; the crap is deep!
Next step they will be  telling us how we can pro-create, who can and when...
all those over 60 and in ill  health will be shipped off to die; or be injected just 
to help the process along...

You won't need money any longer , you will be given vouchers, use them up too
soon and OH Well! to bad for you... our current currency will have no value; 
of  course they will send all the good monies to help the terrorist and illegals;
they won't want to offend  them...

Also, they are wanting our school systems to fail so they can program the next
generation toward their...what would you call it...way of thinking... sound
familar... yes, I am being a little over dramatic this morning, but there is a
lot of truth in what I say... if  47% of the people don't wake up...we will
have four more years of selling out America, can you believe that!....

 I am not blaming the President, he can't help himself; being caught up in
the machine as he is....If we want change for America, everyone of us had better wake up, speak up, stand up and fight for what we believe in; while we as American's; and legal ones at that, can and still have freedoms left... 

I know this may offend and upset some what I am saying; but I listen to the other side all the time. The news media is so bias and one sided, twists the truth and thinks we are stupid. They think we can't see and discern for ourselves what is going on...and when one speaks up or disagrees with them,  they try their best to ruin, disgrace and embarrass those that oppose them. Shame on them!

It is my opinion that we have to decide which one of the two evil's we want in power! Personaly I don't like either parties Candidate at this time..we are at a fork in the road, which one we choose will decide and mold the future of future generations to come.. The dawning of Aquarius is over, Cancer has arrived!! It is up to you to decide which course of treatment you want. Choose wisely!  God Bless everyone and God Bless America and those fighting for my freedom of speech! I hope  no one will burn down an Embassy over this...

"You two are in big trouble!"! That is what I remember screaming at my younger brother and cousin as I gently took the youngest cousin down from the ropes he was hanging on!
 Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers,  the Lone Ranger and Daniel Boone had nothing on those two boys; Tom and Steve. Tom my little brother was always packing a six gun, a couple of bowie knives, bow and arrows around his neck...He was only out dressed by Steve, who was just a tad older and of course had to aways be the Sheriff, good or bad! They loved to find different ways to get our youngest and smallest cousin, Gary, the one hanging from the tree to play along with them; so they could always have someone to shoot at, or hang!

I was babysitter for them and many other younger cousins.. lunch time was always exciting, because it was then, when I was busy that they always seemed to get into some type of mischief.
Now, in my defense I was a great baby sitter.. just happened to be kindred to some pretty crafty and imaginative cousins! I was reminded of this story as I watched a western the other night.. I can still see and hear all the activity and the faces of my younger brother and cousins.  I learned early if a child became quiet to check out the circumstances quickly.. as I did that day.

The boys had been whooping it up all morning and playing well together, so I go in to fix some lunch for us all, I could hear my own heart beat and my world was suddeny just to quiet... Tom and Steve swagger in the living room, arms at their side.. wiping their foreheads....I remember asking, " Where is Gary?"  " Well the pole cat done stole his last horse, we 'hung em high'." that was their reply to me.... 'No, where is he?'  Panic took over as I looked at thier smiles, I ran out side and there was ittle Gary, kicking and clawing at his neck! I ran over over and lifed him out of the ropes and prayed he would stop gasping and breath. Tom and Steve looked frightened as I felt. They were only playing. To hear Gary tell this story today, he swears they were seriously trying to hang him...

Gary had rope burns for a week, let me say Tom and Steve had another type of burn....they did learn a lesson that day as I; accidents can happen at anytime even while having fun! Even to this day when I watch a western, I smile and think of the day when my little cousin Gary was hanging high! I am grateful that the rope was cheap; they only hung Gary a few feet off the ground so I could reach him...Boy! what a memory.  Thanks for the memories boys!

Sometimes we forget that others look up to us...sometimes we forget that  others are busy too; so we feel hurt at their seemingly unconcern. A mother  waits to hear from her children.... a call never comes, so she picks up the  phone, no one is home... a grandmother sits alone in her room, waiting for a  surprise visit; or if she is lucky enough to still have her husband, for him to  acknowledge her.

  A wife grows weary and wishes her husband would just talk with her; or sit  quietly and hold her.... he is tied up on the computer, TV or game; even maybe  in the garage doing his thing...how is it possible to be surround by many and feel alone? Sometimes we forget about those around us because they are always there.

 I know it is not all about me.....that stops when one becomes a wife, mother,  grandmother, caregiver..... Compassion, love, understanding, helpfulness,  unselfish acts.... Those things  become your banner, armor and shield. You don’t  dare cry…your armor is tough but could rust. You don’t dare complain….that won’t  change a thing. So, you set in your golden years, battling thoughts and fighting  back tears… it seems that no one understands that your mind and heart hasn’t  changed, only the depth of the wrinkles on your face and hands. 

I wonder if men feel the same; they of course never care to talk about such  things. So, we really don’t know! I have to admit that there are some men that  are romantics, listeners, compassionate about the feelings of a woman; but I  haven’t had the privilege to know one. I do know they exist. Maybe I have been  so busy I never noticed them in front of me.

 The Golden Years are difficult; they are for me anyway. You remember how things use to be, you wish things could be the way you want them, you fear  tomorrow; you fear never knowing what may have been had you  paid more attention to those in your world. You fear you were to busy to make a difference; you fear  you missed the chance to fulfilled your destiny. You fear, "did I even know my destiny?"
 
  The Golden years aren’t what they perceive it to be on TV,  in books, or  commercials.  I believe I am living in the true reality that life in the Golden Years really is a fantasy; a fantasy where we convince ourselves everything is just fine and fun. Have I  been so busy forgetting those around me because they were there, that I missed  the dance? Have I been so busy I missed my Golden chance?


　


　


　

I mentioned to my husband a few weeks ago that I would keep the kitchen floor mopped more if I had one of those new steam mops. I was half joking, but I really wanted one. So today, he came in from shopping with a smile on his face and a new steam mop for me!  I just love my husband!

I had already cleaned and wiped down all the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, so when he walked in with the new steam mop I had to stop what I was doing and  mop the floor right away.( I love new toys!) I put my new mop together and was so impressed with it after I had mopped the floors, I thought to myself, what about the tile counters. You betcha, I went crazy steaming the counter tops, steaming the tile entry in the living room, I even steamed  the tile in front of the fireplace. I wanted to steam my bathrooms, but that steam mop done wore me out!
I am exhausted. So, tomorrow at the crack of dawn, I am going to start steaming again!

FYI:
Let us learn a little bit about what steam really is, and its power.
Steam is water converted into an invisible vapor or gas by being heated to the boiling point; vaporized water; it is used for heating, cooking, cleaning, and under pressure as a sorce of power. Why we sometimes even blow off steam to express strong feelings, pent-up emotions.
 
There is the steam bath, steam boat, steam broiler, steam engine, steamer, steam heat, steam iron, steam roller. We have steam rooms, a steam ship, steam shovel, steam table, even a steam turbine. Now we can add the steam mop. I did not realize how powerful steam could be!   Steam effectively kills 98% of all germs too!

I am so happy with my new steam mop! I only wish I had asked for one a long time ago!  Thanks for letting me share my excitment with. I learned a lot today, about steam and also the old truth of " you have not because you ask not! "  If you don't have a steam mop already then I recommend you invest in one.
You will have a steaming good time!  It's powerful!

James 3:8-10
But, no one can tame the tongue it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and
Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

In Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus gives a solemn  warning about the dangers of words carelessly spoken. We need to remember that  God takes our words seriously, even when we ourselves do not. "Idle words, "  that is words spoken carelessly without premediatation are often foolish or  negative. Some of us even excuse ourselves by saying, "But, I didn't really mean  it". The fact that the speaker doesn't really mean them does not in any way
minimize or cancel the effect of the words spoken, nor does it release them from  accountablity.

In Proverbs 6:2 Solomon warns a person who  has unwisely put up a security for a neighbor. This is only one of the countless  ways in which people are "ensnared by the words of their mouth". One way in  which we frequently bring upon ourselves various kinds of trouble, of which we  do not understand the source, is by speaking negative about ourselves and or  others.  We all have heard about the sins of the father, the sins of the flesh,  but what about the sins of the tongue?

Be  watchful of what you say because you will get what you confess with your mouth.  Do any of these statements sound familar to you? " I get so angry", "I get so  tired", "I get so busy with my life", or maybe, " my husband doesn't understand  me", " my children don't appreciate me". " It is driving me crazy", "when ever  there is a bug I catch it" " I can never make ends meet". The list could go on  and on, but you get the picture.  In Genesis God said " let there be light, God  said " be fruitful and multiply", he didn't say "only if I could see light  today", or, "only if they would multiply".

We are all guilty  of condemning and restricting our success in life, our happiness, our finances.  We shut the door of opportunity and blessings of God by opening our mouths and  speaking words of negativity. Not only should we keep our thoughts captive but  also our words. We should learn to pause and count to ten before we speak,  really think about what we are going to say before speaking it. We should ask oursleves how the words we speak impact our thoughts and emotions. Will our  words be uplifting and edifying to ourselves and to those whom we are speaking  or referring?

The main vehicle of both  blessings and curses is words. Such words may be spoken or written or merely  uttered inwardly. Scripture has much to say about the power of words. The book  of Proverbs in particular contains many warnings as to how words may be used  either for good or for evil.

The sins of the  tongue are one of the snares of the enemy. He doen't want us to realize and  understand the power of the tongue. According to God's word life and death are  in the power of the tongue. We must be decisive, disciplined, dedicated and  determined to use our tongue to edifly ourselves, our families and the body of  Christ. We can no longer allow the sins of the tongue to destroy that which God  has so graciously given.... Our Blessings.

By,

LaVerda

  
  

The approaching weekend, (Memorial Day) has been special to me for as long as I can remember. As a child, each year we  would take turns gathering at one of the many family homes for a barbeque. This of course was after my Father, Mother and Aunts would load us children into a car or two, sometimes three, to visit several cemeteries. Being the eldest I was usually the one sitting between all the flowers and wreath's until they were placed upon headstones or graves . That was because I didn't break, tweak, or damage the decoration before they got to their destination. I would sit with my eyes shut and focus on the fact that this weekend meant no more school, and summer was finally here. All I was concerned about was the barbeque, cousins, games, and being able to stay up late and catch fireflies, thinking fo no one but myself.

As I grew Older and understood the true meaning and history of Memorial Day, I didn't mind sitting among the flowers and wreaths, I felt it a privilege. I believe I was in the fifth grade when the teacher told the class about the origins of  Memorial Day. It began in 1868 (May 5) around the American Civil war when members of the Grand Army of the Republic asked thier commander, Civil War General John A. Logan, to decorate the graves of their fallen compatriots with flowers.  Memorial Day has since become the day on which the US honors the dead and fallen heroes of all its wars. ( I did not remember all this data, I did a little research). Some older people may refer to it as Decoration Day. Others, as I did before I was old enough to appreciate it, may think of it as the beginning of summer, or a day off work.

I was blessed with my first child on Memorial Day weekend in the mid. 60's. The Viet Nam War was still full force. I had a greater and deeper appreciation of Memorial Day by that time as many Americans did. We loss so many. Since then I have lost many friends, loved ones, and have heard of the lost of many young men and women in our Armed Services. My husband served in the Armed Services for 27 years. As many of our young men and women do, he grew up too fast, and saw things that most should never see.  Several of our children joined the Military, and at this time we have a grandson serving our country in a far dangerous place. I know that there are brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, sons and daughters from some family, every where serving and  keeping us free and safe.  They  too, the living, deserve our  thoughts, prayers, and thanks for their sacrifice this Memorial Day Weekend.  It's about remembering .

I still look forward to the barbecue's and family get togethers, but as an adult my heart is in a different place.
 I reflect back on those that have gone before us, to give us this freedom, to give us our life, liberty and justice for all. So, this weekend as you celebrate and honor our fallen heroes and loved ones, lift up those living young men and women serving their country. Make it habit that every barbeque you have, or attend, every day, that each  freedom thing that you can do, please stop and remember them! Pray for them, in your heart be grateful and  thank them. Memorial Day should be in everyones heart everyday not just Memorial Day Weekend.

God bless those reading this and God Bless America!

Ok, Ok, I know everyone has a flat tire at one time or another in their life time. But, to have one traveling at the speed of 65 mph and on interstate 10, by yourself, and at my age, was a hair raising adventure!
At first I didn't know what had happened, it happened so fast. This  sort of thing happens to others not me!

The loud popping sound startled me from thoughts of how I was going to spend the rest of my day, (There went all my great plans out the window and on the wind). I looked around and made sure I wasn't shot or anything like that, then about that time I was brought back  to reality by a roaring sound that vibrated the entire car. I thought to myself," what the heck just happen! The car wasn't pulling, but should I pull over? " "Of course you are not an idiot". I said out loud.

I slowly and calmly put on my emergency lights and made my way into the right lanes and off onto the right shoulder. After several attempts I was able to get out of the car to see what had just  happened. Maybe my engine fell out!  Well you guessed it.... big ole flat tire, right rear passenger side. Now what do I do? I can't change a tire, I'm 67 years old and can't turn no darn lug nut!  

I called my husband, (thank God for cell phones) I told him I was hyperventilating,and had just survived a terrible flat tire incident! Now, I would like to say at this point I know what to do in case of an road side emergency, but there where two insurance cards in the glove box and I had no ideal which one we were covered under. ( lesson number 1, know who your carrrier is) So, after learning that we had Geico I gave them a call. (I love that Lizard)!

The young man at Geico was more than helpful, he asked me if I was alright, and if would I like some help! "Excuse Me, that is why I am calling".  Kidding aside, he was very helpful. I will give that young man  a good review when I get the form, he  deserves it. He took care of everything for me!  All I had to do was sweat. He called the Highway Patrol and a roadside service for me, also informed me that it would be take forty to forty five minutes for the service truck to reach me, but the highway patrol would be there soon. As promised the patrol car was there within minutes. 

 Now, I was in tears, I had to pee, it was hot, hot, hot. 98 degrees plus. I was  beginning to get scared with all the traffic flying by me so fast that the car  would shake...I had little water left... OH NO! I'm stranded in the desert with
little water. ( lesson number 2, always take triple amounts of water when  crossing the desert) You tend to drink twice as much when you are having an  anxiety attack!

The officer was very professional and comforting. He escorted me to the sqaud car to sit with him while we waited for the service truck, he could sense my frustration and anxiety. (Lesson #3, you can turn your air conditioner on if you have a flat tire.) No, I am not blonde!  Also, my face was so red from the heat that  Rudolph would have hid his nose in shame standing next to me!

Soon the service truck arrived, twenty minutes early! Yea! I was sent another professional, courteous man! He put the little donut of a spare tire on for me and explain the do's and don't's of driving with it until I could get to a tire shop. I shook both mens hands and thanked them for their help, compassion, and understanding. Both men  watched as  I safely pulled  back on the freeway and drove off into the noon- day sun! Gary Cooper would have been proud of my exit!