Summer vacation started. I love having my kids home. Summer school for Elliot and Audrey is only half day. Amy is home with me all day. We have plenty of leisure time together.

Amy and I went to Lowe’s today. It was fun pulling on the blinds on display, opening doors and windows, and pretending the beautiful kitchen set-ups are our own house. Then we went to Costco and got a couple of free samples. The energy bar we ate tasted pretty good like candy at first, but after a couple of bites, it left an unpleasant taste in our mouths. We left without buying anything so we can get water to drink from the car. Walking out of Costco without a purchase is a historical event!

“I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.”

Think about that one.

Life

I think I am finally figuring out what life is all about.

God takes a long view of our lives and the events of the world. He has a reason for every little thing that happens because He sees how it fits in the big picture.
We are privileged to see just a glimpse of the big picture as God reveals it to us in the Bible. (Actually, if we take the time to study the Bible, God actually lets us in on a lot of what He knows and sees.)

In my daily life and decisions, I am to live according to principles and commands in the Bible.
In this way, the little piece of my life accomplishes and contributes to God’s big plan.

If I do not obey God, I miss out on the good stuff that is a part of God’s plan.

God’s forgiveness and mercy mean when I make mistakes, He fixes them and realigns everything accordingly.
He takes a micro and a macro view, and puts it all together.
Who else can do that but…well, God!

I think that’s pretty amazing.

true

Which one can you relate to?

Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make
sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant
is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground
easily, it is a valuable plant.
~~~~~~~~
The easiest way to find something lost around the
house is to buy a replacement.
~~~~~~~~
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive
anyway.
~~~~~~~~
There are two kinds of pedestrians — the quick and
the dead.
~~~~~~~~
Life is sexually transmitted.
~~~~~~~~
An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other
toys.
~~~~~~~~
If quitters never win, and winners never quit, then
who is the fool who said, “Quit while you’re ahead?”
~~~~~~~~
Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which
one can die.
~~~~~~~~
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the
depth.
~~~~~~~~
Get the last word in: Apologize.
~~~~~~~~
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day;
teach that person to use the Internet and they won’t
bother you for weeks.
~~~~~~~~~
Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good
for anything, but you still can’t help but smile when
you see one tumble down the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying
in hospitals dying of nothing.
~~~~~~~~~
Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder
these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they
use to?
~~~~~~~~~
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
~~~~~~~~~
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It
pays no attention to criticism.
~~~~~~~~~
Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred
dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty
cents?
~~~~~~~~~
In the 60’s, people took acid to make the world
weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac
to make it normal.
~~~~~~~~~
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest
profession. I have come to realize that it bears a
very close resemblance to the first.
~~~~~~~~~
How is it one careless match can start a forest
fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
~~~~~~~~~
AND THE # 1 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: You read about all
these terrorists — most of them came here legally,
but they hung around on these expired visas, some for
as long as 10 -15 years. Now, compare that to
Blockbuster; you are two days late with a video and
those people are all over you. Let’s put Blockbuster
in charge of immigration.

“Decisions. We make them. Then they turn around and make us.”

When I made a decision to be a Christian when I was in high school, I didn’t realize the impact it would have on my life. One decision shaped my life, and not this life only, but my eternity.

The decision to reject Jesus Christ will do the same.

How are you going to decide?

The derogatory definition of mother-in-law does not fit my mother-in-law. By her example, I’ve learned some lessons that I hope I will practice as mother-in-law one day:

Don’t give advice unless you’re asked
Keep yourself occupied with your own hobbies so you don’t meddle into other people’s business
The younger generation will do things differently. It doesn’t mean they are wrong
If they are wrong, let them learn from their mistake
Your way is not the best way, no matter how old you are, or how much experience you have
It’s ok to try and fail. Just keep trying and you will get it right
Don’t be bothered by every little thing; life is too short
Make yourself useful
Complaining doesn’t get you any where
If you want to be treated well, treat others well
Go to bed when you’re tired, get up when you’re awake

Vacation

We went to Santa Barbara for 2 days. It’s a beautiful place! The weather was perfect – sunshine with cool breeze. There is a gated community just across the street from the beach, next to the SB Zoo. They are condos, the front units have a view of the ocean. I would like to live there!

I enjoy being with my children so much. They are cooperative, they never fight, they are easy to please, they are happy, I am so blessed!

What a life!

I have the best life! I have 3 wonderful kids, a great husband who never gets mad, a nice mother-in-law who cooks every meal for us, and free time to do basically whatever I want!

I have nothing to complain about!
Well, I do still complain . . .

When one gets old, one has so many ailments. It’s easy to center conversation on health, or lack of it.

My Bible Study Leader says that being a leader in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) gives us a purpose for living. That is true. I don’t have to just talk about my problems and aches and pains. I have a part in helping and influencing people for Christ.

Whatever your age, keep doing God’s work. Keep the focus off yourself and onto God and other people.