"Tomorrow is another day..."

Granddaughters are ballerinas on Tuesday afternoons, so after their class they and their mom came to Grandaddy & Grandma’s house for supper.  As they were coming into our house, calling out our names, Hannah took a photo.  Now it is one of my favorites because when I look at it I can just hear them calling out to us, bringing laughter and fun through our front door!   

Ophelia asked what was for supper and I told her, “Breakfast!”  She asked about bacon and of course there HAS to be bacon!  A big smile came across her face!  Azalea got busy with a project I had put on their little table in the kitchen – coloring a wooden photo frame/ornament for our Christmas tree.  Soon both of them were busy coloring their ornaments.  

After dinner, while the adults were visiting, the girls went to their play area under the steps...a little space with a play kitchen, a stack of drawers for all their treasures, dolls, stuffed animals, doll clothes, etc. and books.  Lots and lots of books.  The place is cramped for two little girls, so they know it’s  okay to bring the things they want to play with into the sitting room.  Azalea asked if I’d come in and read to them, so the three of us cuddled together for some stories.  

 

Soon it was time to head home.  Hannah told the girls to pick up their things and put them away for next time.  But it was nearly their bedtime, so I told her I’d put everything away.  After hugs, kisses, and goodbyes.  The house was quiet again.  Little did Hannah know that I had no intention of putting anything away just yet.  All the things they pulled from their play space last night are exactly where they left them.   

 

I like seeing the evidence that our granddaughters came for another visit!    And I’ll put things away...eventually.  To quote Miss Scarlett, “Tomorrow is another day!”  

 

I have officially become the grandmother I used to make fun of.

Always remember: if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Most comforting thing I've read this week...

 

Remember me between the stitches...

I used to write a blog about sewing.  Since that blog is sort of gone with the wind, I decided to share just a few of my favorite postings from that blog on this one. 

December 26, 2009...

    I would like to share an email I got from a friend that I see once a year - at Camp Sychar in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She and I grew up there, albeit many years apart! I am 56 years old and she's a spring chicken! 

    After looking at some of my pictures on facebook and reading the blog posting about my dear Mother, Kim Harmon sent this note: "I remember your Mother from when I was little and I was just telling my kids the other day (while looking @ your photos) how kind she was to everyone. She ALWAYS had such a sweet smile and sweet spirit about her that even though I didn't get to know her as much as I now wish I would have, I'm so thankful for the example she gave us during those short 10 days of the year that we spend together.  I also wanted to share with you a little quote my Grandmother DeLong wrote in my Diary when I was a small little girl. She died when I was 12, and the Diary is a "Holly Hobbie" one so I know I must have been like 8-9 years old maybe when she signed it.... she wrote: 'When you're old and mending britches ~ remember me between the stitches.'  Maybe you've heard that before but I loved what she wrote and through the years it's made me smile when I mend something and think of her. I have her old Sewing Basket, which I use as my own. It's extremely unorganized and still has most of Grandma's stuff in it! I just can't get the nerve up to throw stuff out!"  Thank you, Kim, for sharing that with me!

Reading that post again made me smile.  I had the sweetest mother and I'm glad other people knew that, too!  

Always remember that if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Definition of Marriage

Wish I could remember who sent this to me so I could give them credit.  Thought this would make you smile tonight...  

In our case...Joe Green's wife is the weirdo! 😁

And remember, if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Watching the Dodgers

Watching the Dodgers play baseball with my husband.  

Here's the scenario...

        announcers are announcing

        volume is turned up kind of loud so my husband can hear it clearly

        closed-captioning is on because he can't hear everything

        Joe is in his favorite chair and I'm in mine

        Joe gives me play-by-play while we're watching and the announcers are announcing

        I'm trying to hear the announcers, read the closed-captioning, and listen to Joe

        I'm not doing any of that well

        Betts, Freeman, Lux, Turner and the guys are doing their thing and doing it well

        Urias or maybe Kershaw is pitching

        I ask questions and get explanations that help my understanding of the game

        Roberts is chewing gum and observing

        Joe either complains about Bellinger or says he's doing better

        Dodgers win - we celebrate

        Dodgers lose - we remind one another it's only a game

😁

 

...asking for a friend

Is there a deadline for when packing boxes should be empty, broken-down, and recycled after the move to another house?  I’m asking for a friend.

 

We both know I’m not asking for a friend.  I just want someone who reads this blog to make me feel better after having moved into a house one year ago this week with boxes still randomly sitting about.  Most things are unpacked, but my sewing room is a maze of boxes.  The sofa that belongs in there is in our neighbor’s garage.  The table with built-in lamp that belonged to my sister is still in a giant box.  I’m not quite sure when I’ll get around to unpacking that room.  Not all the pictures are hanging on the wall yet.  

 

I just celebrated my 69^th birthday and I’ve lived in 22 places.  

1.     Greensboro parsonage #1

2.     Greensboro parsonage #2

3.     Galax parsonage

4.     Woodlawn parsonage

5.     Abingdon parsonage

6.     McComb parsonage

7.     Sabina parsonage

8.     Columbus/rented a room from aunt & uncle

9.     Columbus/German Village

10.  Columbus apartment

11.  Wilmore trailer #1

12.  Wilmore trailer #2

13.  McClure parsonage, which was an apartment in the church building 

14.  Dryden parsonage

15.  Ft. Oglethorpe parsonage

16.  Radford parsonage

17.  Alcoa parsonage that we liked so much after 10 years we bought it!

18.  Cleveland purchased home

19.  Kingsport parsonage

20.  Kingsport purchased home

21.  Maryville purchased home

22.  Alcoa former parsonage that we bought from the man we sold it to!

 

My daddy was a minister.  The first seven moves in my life was with my family, growing up in the south, then moving north to Ohio.  My mother did most of the packing when I was little but when I was 9 years old, she taught me how to pack up my bedroom.  She didn’t help me, but sat down with me, making suggestions on how to keep things from being broken in the move.  Who knew that pajamas and nightgowns wrapped around lamps and jewelry boxes would protect them!  Underwear was good for my little breakable things on the dresser.  And rolls of toilet paper could make a great box filler!  

 

Now I’m a grown-up, married to a minister, and know how to pack really well.  I kept a list of numbered boxes on my computer, with the contents of each box listed there.  Each room had their own boxes marked with the rooms they belonged in for our movers to take care of.  Signs were hung above each door to each room and we did great!  My organizational skills were put to use and worked extremely well.  Most of our moves were done this way.  (Pre-computer, I used a notebook and lined paper for the same information.)

 

Those methods worked extremely well until this last move to our forever home.  

 

Because we lived in the next town...boxes were packed and brought over periodically.  Nearly every time we came to the house while it was being remodeled, we’d carry over some boxes and stick them in closets.  No numbered boxes.  No lists.  I’m really regretting that now.  Hard to find what I need out in the garage which is still FILLED with boxes.  

 

The next time I move, I won’t have to pack anything!  

Next time I move...it’ll be feet first!

 

 

 

 

If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

There may be a urinal mentioned in my blog...

I was recently tasked with the job of putting signs up in restrooms at Lake Junaluska where our denomination's Annual Conference is held.  I had no problem with getting the signs into the Ladies' Restrooms, but had to have my husband and a couple of his friends help me get signs into the Men's Rooms.  

After realizing that I missed a few of the men's rooms, I had to find gentlemen who could help me.  I suppose it wasn't a great idea to stand and watch for men going in and out of the restrooms I had missed.  And it probably wasn't the smartest move to ask a total stranger - as he was leaving the facility...

        Me: "Are there urinals in there?"

        Stranger: "Excuse me?!?"

        Me: "Did you notice if there were urinals in there?"

        Stranger: "I don't remember."

  (he doesn't remember?!?)

        Me: "If there are, will you go back in and hang this sign over one for me?!?"

        Stranger: "Okay..."

...he said as he walked back into the restroom with one of my signs that already had tacky stuff on the back to make it stick.  

I guess there was a urinal in there because he didn't bring the sign out!

If you think that was a weird conversation, remind me to tell you about the wet nuts.

I like to close my blog with this: If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Grands

 Joe and I enjoyed the afternoon with our two granddaughters Ophelia and Azalea.  (Aren't those just the best names?!?!?)  Ophelia is 5 and Azalea will turn 4 this month.  

I don't know if these blog postings are even read anymore now that I can't promote them on Facebook.  But if you're still reading, let my grands make you smile today...

💛

Ophelia is always very careful around Grandaddy and doesn't climb on him quite as much right now because "...he just got his heart fixed and we don't want to break it again."  

💛

Azalea has been dealing with an "ear confection" but seems to be better.

💛

Azalea was exasperated when her scooter kept rolling away from her when she'd stop and get off for a moment.  Each time it rolled, she'd yell, "this in in-acceptable!" before running to catch it.  The more it rolled, the more she yelled at the scooter!  "This is completely in-acceptable!"  I agree, Azaea, but it sure was funny!

💛

Always remember that if you have a pulse, you have a purpose...so, make your life count!

All better...

Joe had his surgery for aortic valve replacement May 2nd and did quite well with everything.  He's recuperating nicely and is right on track for what is expected during this time after his procedure.

I just have to tell you what he did post-surgery...

Joe was rolled back into the room where our daughter and I sat with him before the procedure.  The surgery turned out to be the one that is less invasive...thankfully!  His eyes were closed and I thought he hadn't truly awakened from this.  The nurse stepped up to his bed and started fiddling with the machines around him, then asked, "Mr. Green, how are you feeling?"  

His eyes still closed, he began to sing, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright..." from West Side Story.  Joe once again cracked up everybody in the room!  The two pastors/friends got a kick out of it.  

Glad to know the surgery didn't hurt his sense of humor that day!!!

My husband is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're gonna get!

If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count! 

Joe's getting his heart fixed!

It all came around rather suddenly...and now, there is a date set for my Joe to have aortic valve replacement.  He's pretty cool about it and has even made jokes.  (I love a man with a sense of humor!) 

If he gets a cow valve, we'd be able to find him in the front yard grazing in the grass.  If it's a pig valve, he'd be rooting around in the mud.  I told him that if they replace his valve with a cadaver's valve...he'll just lay around all the time doing nothing.  That got a grin out of him.  

Turns out, he'll be getting a cow valve, so I guess I should cancel the yard guy for the summer.  

I've seen some funny cartoons dealing with heart stuff...

"You need a heart valve replacement.  Don't worry.  We have staff going down to a nearby farm to look for a donor."

"Your cardiac surgery was a success.  You still have a song in your heart, but we had to remove two verses and one refrain from the choruses."

Seriously, we're praying for a smooth and complete recovery for Joe!  Won't you pray for him, too?  Thanks!

As always, remember, if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!  

Happy Easter!

 Joe and I made a stop this afternoon to visit our granddaughters and give them their Easter bags.  Yes, bags...because they have their own sweet little baskets.  We were greeted with squeals and hugs, which we absolutely love, and plenty of happy proclamations!  

"The Easter bunny is coming tonight!"

"Tonight, the Easter bunny is going to bring candy and toys!"

It sounded as though Santa would be coming!  Ha!  Ophelia was especially animated!  When she asked what we were going to do tomorrow, I told her that we would be going to church to celebrate.  

"Celebrate what, Grandma?"

"Jesus!"

"Jesus," she repeated after me in a very quiet, reverent, and awe-filled voice.  I loved hearing her saying His name that way!  

Praying that your family and mine will always remember who Easter is really about...even when we celebrate with colored eggs, candies, baskets, and fun!  Have a blessed and happy Easter, my friends!

Sometimes I'm too serious.

 I miss being on Facebook where I would post all sorts of nonsense just to make people laugh.  So here's one for you...

I was doing a skit here.  Not my best look, but I loved the shirt!

In my opinion...what true worship is, and what it isn't.

Early in the shutdown due to the pandemic, Joe and I did a ZOOM interview with a minister in Holston.  He recorded it to use in a sermon series that would conclude with a message on worship.  The minister asked us to share our experiences with leading worship, experiencing worship, and explaining worship.  I don't have the notes that Joe used for his part of the interview, but recently found mine, which I decided was worth pasting below.

Music in a church service can be uplifting organ/piano music, choirs, singing congregational songs, or special music.  These things can move us into the presence of God and truly worship Him.  But these things can also be a performance.  A focus on the people presenting the music instead of focusing on the REASON we worship.  

I am passionate about the music that is shared in a church service.  My job at Alcoa First UMC is Director of Music/Worship Coordinator.  I plan the services, the order of worship, the music that will be shared, and the Chancel Choir's music.  (I don't plan the worship music for the Contemporary Service - only the Traditional.)

When we come together in corporate worship, the music shouldn't be about us, unless we're singing to one another in witness of the greatness of God...His goodness and mercy...His forgiveness.  The rest of our music - in my opinion - should be thankfulness.  An expression to God...of His greatness, His majesty, His goodness, His mercy...His forgiveness because of what His Son gave for us.  

There are lots of publications one could read and learn so much more than this little mind of mine can share.  No matter how beautifully music is presented, unless it becomes 'as unto the Lord' it's just a performance.  And again, in my opinion, that's exactly what it becomes...a performance.

Here are some points I shared on the ZOOM video were about leading a congregation in worship music:

Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT) ”Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Ideally, when planning a musical portion of corporate worship, I feel we need to start with horizontal worship. What is that?  It’s singing to one another about our great Savior, our almighty God, and tell one another how awesome He is and what He’s done for us.  Then that worship needs to start going vertical…where we direct our hearts, voices, and words toward the only One who is worthy of our praise.  We tell Him of our love for Him, we thank Him for what He’s done for us…and then we go truly vertical when we leave ourselves completely out of the songs/lyrics and only sing to Him.  He is an awesome God!  He wants us to proclaim that awesomeness with our voices lifted to Him in praise!  

A worship leader cannot take a congregation into the presence of God if they’re not first willing to go there themselves.  And a worship leader should not take baggage to a place of leadership in music.  Worry, anger, frustration, all need to be left behind.  Louie Giglio (pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta) said: “Worry and worship cannot exist in the same space.  One always displaces the other.  Choose worship.”

I recall the church we served in Ft. Oglethorpe where we had an evening Praise & Worship Service with music, preaching, and a time of ministry at the altars.  I was blessed to be the worship leader for those services and even more blessed to have amazing musicians and singers on our Worship Team.  People like Doug Markle (drums), Eric Adams (bass), Jeff Lambert (lead guitar), Lisa Adams (vocals), and others (who my 68-year-old mind can't recall) who took worship as seriously as I did.  After an hour of rehearsal, we'd go into a Sunday school classroom and have a prayer meeting!!  That time together was as powerful to me as any worship service could be!  Our hearts were so ready to praise that we came out of that prayer time on fire!

Okay.  Sermon's over.  But let me leave you with this thought: When looking at what it means to worship God, it isn’t the elements of worship that are so awesome and powerful.  It’s really about the object of our worship Who is awesome!  And His Name is Jesus!  

If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Baby of the Family

Remember...if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

My Name is I AM

Sometimes I’m overwhelmed over a situation over which I have zero control.  Other times, I’m so confident in all God can do in situations that I surprise myself.  But a lot of times, I don’t even think about Who I serve, Who I sing for, and Who I’ve surrendered my life to.  

Then I read this…written by Helen Mallicoat…and I remember.  I remember that I surrendered my life to him in 1973.  

I remember that I told Him at that time that I would go and do whatever He wanted of me.  Now, 49 years later, you’d think I wouldn’t need a reminder.  But when I read this piece written by a lady named Helen Mallicoat, I know that He is the great ‘I AM.’  Thanks be to God!

 

I was regretting the past and fearing the future…

   Suddenly my Lord was speaking: “My Name is I Am.

                     He paused.

            I waited.

He continued,

    When you live in the past, with its mistakes and regrets,

        It is hard.

            I am not there.

My Name is not “I Was.”

    When you live in the future, with its problems and fears,

        It is hard. 

            I am not there.

My Name is not “I Will Be.”

    When you live in this moment,

        It is not hard.

            I am here.

                My Name is "I Am."

 

No matter our circumstances in the world right now and even in our own homes…God is still The Great I Am!  

“When you live in this moment, it is not hard.  I am here.  My Name is I Am.”

 No matter what is going on in the world today…He is still I AM. 

If you have a pulse...you have a purpose.  Make your life count! 

The New Serenity Prayer by Fr. James Martin, SJ

I found this a year or two ago and cannot remember from where...but here is hoping that you'll find a smile creeping across your face as you read it!

God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I’m clearly not You, God.  At least not the last time I checked.

And while you’re at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I’m not you, which means I’m not perfect.

It’s better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people, who, as you’ll no doubt remember me saying, I can’t change anyway.

Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I’m clearly smarter than everyone else in the room, that no one knows what they’re talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers.  

Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I’m not You.  Amen.

I always close this blog the same way: If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Make it Funny!

 My motto is: If you can't make it FUN...make it FUNNY!

I had some surgery on a toe in January.  You'd think a toe wouldn't be that big of a deal, but it is if you have a four-inch pin going through the toe and only a smidgen of the pin is visible.  Can you guess where the rest of the pin is?  It's in my foot, keeping that toe straight so it won't keep sticking up higher than all the others.  My foot will look better in sandals next summer!

Having the third toe on your right foot in a perpetual 'bird' position can be funny, if you think about it.  Joe would be teasing me about something for just a little too long and I'd tell him I was flipping him off in my shoe!  

That'd always get a laugh.  But now my toe will be laying down next to the other four, behaving itself.  

My stitches are out, but I still have to walk on my heel in a special open-toed, hard sandal/shoe until four weeks post-surgery.  I use crutches most of the time, but when I'm around a lot of people I use a walker so no one can get close enough to bump my foot.  

Just for fun, I made a 'Caution: Slow Moving Vehicle' sign that looks like a bumper sticker, and taped it to my walker.  Folks smile when they see it.  I also made another sign that looks like a bumper sticker that reads, 'Caution: Driver Singing' which gets a few laughs. I have that same sign on my car's rear window.

Like my motto says: If you can't make it fun, then make it funny!  

If you have a pulse...you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Sisters

 I miss Vangie.

I miss my sister so much sometimes that I actually ache inside.  But then something happens or I run across an object that makes me smile and gives me comfort.  Vangie didn't write this poem, but I found it in her things when I opened her Bible case.  It's faded, but I hope you can read it...

She had lots of handwritten notes in her Bible and this is one of them that makes my heart happy.

Remember: If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

Happy Snow Day!

This month, two different weather systems have promised snow, but it never came.  Today, the promised snow is falling and sticking!  Reminds me of the song from the movie "White Christmas" called "Snow."  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G47k6qSKgPw

And THAT reminds me of a family tradition that started when our daughter was just a little girl.  Every time the first snow of winter began to fall, Joe, Hannah, and I would get bundled up and drive to Dairy Queen to have ice cream!  It falls in line with other traditions - the Red Plate - the Vegetable Dance - and a few others that will have to wait for another blog at another time.  Today, our daughter is at home with her husband and their two daughters.  I don't know what traditions they're building for themselves, but I hope somewhere along the line it will involve a trip for ice cream!

Other traditions when it snows?  I cook a beef roast on snow day.  I make a pot of chili the next day.  The next day I make vegetable soup with the leftover roast and broth.  The snow may be gone, but the traditions are always there.  I love traditions!  What are your traditions?  Share them with me in the comments section of this blog posting.  

Always remember: If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!

The Stupidity Factor

 Before I deleted my Facebook account, I saw this post and knew I needed to save it.  This is so me!

            Even though this made me laugh when I first read it, I soon realized that it’s true!  God put a calling on my life to be in ministry with my husband, to be in music ministry, in radio, and even in comedy.  And when God called me, He called ALL of me…my talents, my personality, my sense of humor, and anything else He would use!  That means, my shortcomings as well.  

My mother never liked me to say the word ‘stupid’ and would get after me when I did.  But in this case, there’s no other way to put it.  We simply do stupid things sometimes!

God knows everything about us, y’all – including the parts of us that mess up on a regular basis.  Like the post says, “…He already factored in” the stupid things we’d do.  Well, that’s a relief, isn’t it?  He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He loves us!  All the parts of us!  That’s the most comforting thing I can say to you today.  

 

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (NLT)

“If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

  

January 1, 2022

Christmas is in the rear-view mirror. We work and plan for that special day and then...poof! It’s gone for another year. And here we are in a new one! As we walk into a new year, a lot of us make New Year’s Resolutions. (I’ve already broken a couple and it's only the first day of the year!)

Making New Year’s Resolutions can force us to look at our past. A lot. Have you ever felt like your past mistakes were following you around…like they define who you are and how your future will be shaped?

God’s word says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Even believers forget and fall into dwelling on the past. The Word of God is a constant stream of renewing power as the Holy Spirit reveals our loving Father's truths about who we really are and what His plans are for us! When we step into that stream...it is easier to get a grip on what God has planned for our lives.

I have the above scripture printed and posted on our bathroom mirror – as a reminder. I’m trying to keep that scripture at the forefront as I've stepped into this new year. I guess I've made this scripture my new year’s resolution!

May God’s richest blessings be yours in the coming year!

And always remember...if you have a pulse, you have a purpose.  Make your life count!