Many years ago I heard Dr Dobson state this on his Focus on the Family radio program. My answer was no! At the time I was still hiding my emotions and relying on my "strength" to get by in life. In counseling I learned that because of abandonment issues, it was better to just hide how I felt rather than address them. After years of that, I was a mess and in deep depression. It has taken a lot to learn to trust, but I try. But I also realize that we are all human and make mistakes. Through counseling and support groups I was able to understand and forgive my mom. Thankfully there was peace and love shown before Alzheimers began to rob us. It was the death of my grandma in 1995 that opened my eyes to to how much I needed my mom. I was lucky to have my grandmas and losing them was really hard. The hardest was losing my dad. He made me feel loved and special. He told me kind and uplifting things. He told me I was beautiful and he enjoyed our conversations. We could talk about anything and I did not have to "be careful" of what I was saying. Our father-daughter relationship was also a special friendship. When I lost him, a part of my heart died with him. I miss his hugs the most. I felt secure in his arms. He was not perfect of course and I was able to question him on a few things in our later years. He has been gone 3 years now and it is scary to see how quickly time goes by as I age.

I know that no one is perfect, only God. He is my heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. People will always disappoint you. People will say one thing and do another. God is calling me to trust in Him and depend on Him. He ministers to me through his Word and His music. I feel his love though my grandkids. I have a few friends that are there for me. I can be honest with them and I know they love me. There will always be people will hurt you and let you down and sometimes you just have to say goodbye. God is calling me to be my Friend, my Father, my everything and that is where I want to be. So can we trust our emotions? No, but we can trust in God.
The song that has been speaking to me is called Just Be Held by Casting Crowns. Google it to hear it on YouTube. Another good song is I Will Run to You by Hillsongs.

March 27, 2016








March 22, 2016

We had a really nice time at my cousin Joanie's daughter's wedding in San Luis Obispo which is about 3 hours north from us. We left on Friday and the wedding was on Saturday at Holland Ranch. I will be adding more pictures of our trip over the next few days. I also got to work on my Bible journal and you can find the pictures linked to the left.

Today's Saying:

Thanks to all who were thinking of me. My procedure went well and I had 1 polyp so I will have to be tested again in 5 years. I caught up on my sleep and felt great today. I was in the backyard looking at our tomatoes and lemon tree. Then I decided to look into some storage boxes and I found something I had been looking for and I was so happy!

This is the hymnal I used when I was a kid in Sunday School back in the 60's.

It was such a pretty day that I took my Bible journaling outside. I got a new kit and I knew when I saw it I wanted to do a page from the Song of Solomon. Our homework for our marriage class had us read the entire chapter along with two chapters from the book. I have my reading done and just need to answer a few questions. Click on the Little Bitty girl sitting on the Bible to go to my Bible journal pages. Tomorrow I will be packing for our weekend get away for a wedding.

March 15, 2015

Today's Saying: Time for a check out after the clean out....
Colonoscopy!Pray it all goes well. I write this at 4am as
I finish the rest of the yucky drink.

Grandkids after Sunday School.




March 10, 2015
Today's Saying: Spring changes happening....
Hubby and I had a short visit to Disneyland on Wednesday
We ran into a fellow retired postal worker named Bob.

We got to try out the newest attraction in Cars Land at California Adventure.



Afterwards we went on the Tower of Terror ride which we love
and there was only a 13 minute wait!

We decided to leave Disneyland early and eat at Roscoes.



The food was so good! Afterwards we stopped at TJ Max were
I found several inspirational coloring books!

Today our Life group watched the movie War Room
and we prayed for our husbands.

Finally hubby and I went to our first meeting at our marriage group. We all introduced out selves and there were around 12 couples there. Pastor went over the guidelines and asked us to read the first to chapters for next week. We each got a book and we each have homework. Looking forward to this marriage spring cleaning!

March 7, 2015

Today's Saying: The beginning!.....

I got Eddie a new Adventure Bible a couple of months ago along with highlighter pencils. I showed him what I was doing with my journaling Bible and he said his Bible did not have drawing room. He asked if boys could draw and I told him yes anyone can draw/journal. I told him that not everyone is drawing in their Bible. They are using journals to go along with their Bible reading and I gave him a blank journal. This is his first page and it really blesses my heart!

I have joined a Proverbs 31 Bible Study called I Know His Name and I am really excited!

Our first memory verse is Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

I ordered the book late from Christianbook.com and then got a message that it was back ordered until March 23! Now I need to see if our local bookstores carry it. There is a Barnes and Noble close by and the Christian bookstore is in the next city. I hope I can stop the order from CBC. If not, I will give it away as a gift. I could also buy it on Amazon for my Kindle.

Ok, one more "beginning" Hubby and I will be starting a class at church called Marriage By Design which was written by our Pastor of Counseling. You can read about the book Here A much needed tune up as we approach 42 years of marriage!

March 4, 2015

Today's Saying: Made to Create!

The days are just flying! We had Life Group here on Thursday and it was really good as we discussed marriage. Next week we plan to see the movie War Room. After our group, my cousin Joanie and Coreen stayed and you can read about it at my Journaling Blog linked at the bottom left column. Just tap the girl on the Bible.

We picked up Jazzy yesterday from school because she was sick and she stayed with us today. Poor baby has the flu. I sure hope I don't get it! We are expecting rain on Sunday and Monday so Renee and I are going to Costco's and Joann's Crafts tomorrow. I hope to make some soup either Saturday or Sunday. I am craving albondigas- meatball soup. I have the recipe at Our Kitchen listed at the Site Map which is linked at the left.

March 2, 2015
Today's Saying: Family Time.
Saturday was the baby shower for my niece Armida.
Renee could not go because she had to take Jazzy to a party.

Dessert table, tablecloth was my moms.

This was Armida's baby dress that we borrowed for Renee and I has saved it.

Me holding Rei and Kylo after the shower when we sat with the kids.
Andrew named them after Star Wars characters and Rei is the girl and smaller.

We also had Eddie for a couple days since he had sprained his foot. Then we went to Andrew and Marina's house on Tuesday to watch the kids. Marina's uncle suddenly passed away and she went with her mom and grandma to the hospital. So sad for the whole family. He was only 57. We never know what can happen so always be at peace with each other and God.

February 24, 2015
Today's Saying: God speaking.

As mentioned on my Feb 7th entry, I played Mandisa's song God Speaking before our life group meeting. God speaks to us in many ways. We just have to be still with a spiritual ear to hear. I find God speaking to me through His Word and n my dreams. But I have to have my heart open to Him. Today hubby and I went to see the movie Risen. It was really good. While watching the movie, some specific Bible verses came to my mind and I know it was God speaking to me. I plan to journal some of those verses. Prior to the movie several previews were shown and they were all Christian themed. I know God is reaching out to people despite the growing number of things that are taking God out of our society. God's will will prevail. There are so many signs pointing to that on the political front.

I decided to do some pages on Bible journaling and there is link on the menu coloumn. I stayed up late "drawing and listening to the Chris Tomlin station on the radio. I can't draw like my friend Coreen, but I can try and be me. God will Color my World!

February 21, 2015
Today's Saying: Catching Up

Valentine's 2016
After shopping at local antique stores we had
dinner at the Mission Inn Campanas Patio Restaurant








Been enjoying my Young Living Essential Oils!

Been collecting my itmes for Bible journaling.

Joanie and I begin our Bible journaling adventure.

Our friend Coreen will be joining us too!

Finally enjoying the grandkids!
Jazzy dressed up for her father daughter dance.

Eddie playing Star Wars on my Kindle.

Cuddletime with Elijah and Audrina.

February 11, 2015
Today's Saying:

Today our Life group had a Valentine's party. There is a link on the left with pictures. I am so happy to see how the women have bonded. I still have not had a chance to start my Bible journaling. I have all my supplies now and I am going to rearrange my desk to give me plenty of room. I got a new light that will enhance the work surface. You can find tons of examples on Pinterest. One of the girls in our group wants to join Joanie and I and another girl is already doing the coloring and colored Valentine's cards for us.

On Tuesday I went to a Young Living Oils party and we made some healthy goodies for a massage and well being. I order something every month and even hubby is asking for certain things now. I have a link on the side if you want to know more about it.

I need to get to bed early tonight since we have a funeral tomorrow morning in Orange Country. At least the weather will be nice since we have been in the high 80's! If I don't make it back before Sunday...

February 7, 2015
Today's Saying: Coming back to the heart of worship.
It's all about you Jesus.

Those are words from a song I am listening to on Pandora Christian music. My word for the year is purpose. But my other word is ignite. That is how I feel at this time. I went through a long season of taking care of others and did not have a lot of emotional energy for a lot more. But last year I felt the Lord calling me to enter a new season. So I knew that when we were buying our house, I wanted to open it up for a life group for women of our church. Life groups are small so our church has a lot of them. During the holidays they were requesting hostesses and I signed up. A the facilitator, you can use the notes provided that go along with the pastor's message or use your own resources. I prayed about it and felt like the Lord wanted me to reach senior women, especially since I was in this new season of life. So my group if called Finding Purpose in the Senior years. I talked about our first meeting on my Jan. 28th post.

The second meeting was great. We played the song God Speaking by Mandisa. It is a beautiful song. I shared about my dad and his spiritual walk his last years and how hard it was to lose him. The topic which I had planned in advance was perfect because it went along with the Pastors message of Are we listening when God speaks. I used different Bible verses but it still tied in. One thing we all agreed is that we all felt we needed to be in the group. God is teaching me as He uses me to facilitate the group. I feel more on fire too. My cousin Joanie is in the group and we are both getting ready to Bible journal. I will talk about that at my next post. Happy Superbowl Sunday!

February 1, 2015
Today's Saying: Weekend Fun!

Hubby and I made it to Disneyland on Friday and we had nice weather in the low 70's and sunny. The railroad is closed now for a year and a half while they build Star Wars Land. All rides on the Rivers of American have been closed. They are taking photos at each of the stations so we took ours. I finally got Jr. to go with me on Hyperspace Mountain. He does not like going on a ride in the dark. But I went on Indiana Jones and that is a really bumpy/jerky jeep ride. We hope to go back the Friday before Valentines.

On Saturday I took my Aunt Rosie(Joanie's mom) to Joy's bridal shower. It was really nice but a bit cold since it was outside. The food was so good! We took pictures at the photo booth and I won a body scrub.

As predicted, the rain came in Sunday and it was a big El Nino storm with lots of wind. But there was this beautiful double rainbow that came out for awhile over our church! After church we picked up Audrina and took her out to lunch and a few stores. She picked out goodies for her cousins. Then we went to her house so Andrew could sleep since he was sick and Marina was doing a Young Living Essential Oil Party. We finally got home and relaxed with the fireplace on. Here is a picture of our winter snowmen which got packed up today. Time to decorate for Valentines. I should have my blog changed over with my next post in a few days. Hugs.

January 28, 2015
Today's Saying: Turn, Turn, Turn

Today was the first gathering of my women's Life group. I asked the women to read Ecc 3: 1-12 before the first meeting. We also listened to the 60's Bryds song called Turn, Turn Turn which was taken from the Bible! It was a great time of sharing and the women are excited to meet again. A couple of the things makes this group feel special; we are seniors and what is said in the group stays in the group. This is the first time we have an age specific group for seniors. One thing that is good about hosting a life group is that my house gets really clean!

I did not sleep well last night because we got a call that the baby was having a hard time breathing and they were taking him to the hospital. Turns out he has croup and a touch of bronchitis. After everyone we left, hubby and I went out for lunch and they we came home and took a nap. So we were rested a ready to watch the debates. I was glad that Trump was not there and the others had a chance to talk. He is to extreme for me and has bashed to many groups. A president needs to excel in wisdom and diplomacy and not be out of control. He does not have the qualities/character I want for a president.

I have buying and using Young Living oils for a year now and I finally earned enough points to get my Oils of The Bible Kit. The picture below is linked to my Oils page. I use two of them already, Frankincense and Cedarwood. I will need to do a page now for the 12 Oils of the Bible.

We plan to go to Disneyland tomorrow and I will be busy Saturday and Sunday so I hope to be back on Monday! Have a great weekend!

January 24, 2015
Today's Saying: Happy Sunday!

Sitting here enjoying a quiet house after having family here a lot of this week. We went to church early today because we had sign ups for our Life groups. Sign up were taken after each service and I had my group spots filled after first service. I went in with 3 spots taken. I have 9 women plus my self. We have the option of going over the sermon notes or doing our own thing. My group is titled "Finding your purpose in the Senior years." Before the sermon, Pastor Jim had a few people on stage talking about why join a life group. A young man leading a young adult men's group said something I had to write down. Joshua, said he was busy with work and school but we have as much time as we want to make for something important to us. Wow that is so important for us. I thought, I have a lot of time, but I don't always manage it well. Pastor Jim also said that we need to step out of our comfort groups and fellowship. I know I need this fellowship and God has provided this home for us to do so. It is time for me to get involved again. Oh, Joshua is around 26 and was in my Sunday school class 20 years ago!

After church we went to buy things I need for my group like coffee cups and bottled water. I will provide a light snack since the group meets at 10am, after breakfast but before lunch. Then Jr and I went out to lunch. We went to a placed called Godfathers. it is a place that my parents enjoyed because of the atmosphere and music. We had their creamy chicken and rice soup and a pastrami sandwich. We will have leftovers tonight. Well I better get going and work on my group list.

January 20, 2015
Today's Saying: Preparing

It has been another few busy days. We had a special message at church on Sunday by Pastor Jim. He shared his experience with his mild heart attack. He really shared his heart and I was able to give him a hug after service. After we had lunch with all the grands. We had Eddie and Jazzy overnight through Monday. I had to go shopping and Eddie went with me. I have been busy getting some Bible journal supplies together. We stopped at Life Way Christian bookstore so I could get some journal pens. Then Eddie took me over to the Kids Bibles and he showed me the one he wanted. It made this Mema happy. He is in second grade and reading at a 4th grade level. We also went to Hobby Lobby and he we got a few more supplies so he could make bookmarks for his memory verses. When we go home, he went right to work and I had Jazzy paint too.

Today we watched the younger grandchildren Audrina and Elijah. I am so blessed to be able to be a big part of their lives. I am also blessed to have a hubby that helps with them too.

As I write this I am listening to Chris Tomlin's song Father at His Kingdom Come, a group I just joined. I was blessed to see him in concert the week before Christmas along with Lauren Daigle. I have been listening to a lot of Christian music and it feels so good to have my soul nourished with as my grandkids call Jesus music.

So back to preparing. I am preparing for how God wants to use me. I have to be willing to go forward in spite of my fears which I talked about in a previous post. I am preparing things so that my grandkids will remember me. I am going to do more scrapping with them. I am preparing to test the grounds of my artistic abilities as I begin Bible journaling. I am preparing my heart for eternity. It feels good to be thirsty again after a few years of feeling dry. This all ties in with my One Word that I wrote about and is linked to the right and the Site Map. God is good!

Jazzy enjoying her peanut butter spoon and Eddie with his Bible.

Elijah and Audrina relaxing with a sing along video.

January 14, 2015
Today's Saying: Inspired.

I finally have my "One Word" for the year(linked on the right) and it isn't inspire though that is a good word. Funny how one word leads to another and and another. It is like being refreshed after a dry spell and it is so encouraging! I am going through one rough trial in my life right now and I am determined to not let it bring me down. I am trying to think positive too. I had a good nights sleep last night and when I woke up I checked my phone and saw that I had a message from Kaiser. It asked for my medical id number and I could not remember it! I am hoping it is because it was so soon after waking up. But then there is always that feeling of panic wondering if I am getting Alzheimers. My mom died from it when she was 75 and I am 60. I remembered it later but still made me think. But I did not dwell on it. I decided I would work on my Bible study and one word which let me to Pinterest. I was looking at journaling and before you know it I was off to the Christian bookstore. I spent an hour and half comparing to journal Bibles. I finally chose the NIV version. I didn't buy any journal supplies because I wanted to see what I had in my scrapping supplies. I did get some Christmas cards for next year and a birthday card for my son.

My first 35 tomorrow Jan. 15th. After 4 years of infertility and 3 miscarriages, the Lord gave me my son Andrew!

January 11, 2015
Today's Saying: Winterizing and planning.

I am in the process of working on my One Word for the year. I should have it ready for my next post. It kind of goes along with the Bible study I will be leading in a few weeks. I am still breaking down Christmas. It takes awhile because I put everything back in the original boxes and I am also rearranging as I go along. My nephew is here adding an electrical switch outlet on my entryway wall so I can have a little lamp. We have a landscaper coming out on Wednesday to give us an estimate on some work we want done for the front yard. I do want a new front door and I will be checking into that too. We had money earmarked for a month long vacation, but we want to enjoy our house for many years to come. My dream is to have a pool, but I would be happy with a spa. Don't forget to see my family Christmas page. Click on Christmas Site on the links menu on the right and it will take you to my Christmas home. Have a great day. Hugs

January 8, 2015
Today's Saying: Transitions on my mind.

I have been working on my annual Christmas page and you can find it at Christmas Site which is listed on the right. I putting away my Christmas things but am keeping up snowmen for a few more weeks. Our local mountains are full of snow from all rain we have been getting. We are hoping to rent a van to take a day trip up there. It takes about an hour and half to get there.

Our church has life groups and I will be hosting a women's Bible study in a couple of weeks. We can use the questions that are based on the sermon or do our own thing. I have been praying about this for awhile and will be discussing our purpose in the senior years. The new facilitators meet with Pastor Jim on Sunday and sign ups begin on Sunday.

January 3, 2015
Today's Saying: Planning Ahead.

My cousin Joanie is home from the hospital and resting. She will have to take several medicines to help her heart heal. We hope to start walking when she gets the okay. I plan to start watching my eating again, healthier for sure. I have to go in for blood work in about a week and I need to order my glasses so I don't have to use 2 different pair of glasses.

I have been taking down my Christmas ornaments the past couple of days. It takes awhile since I put them back in their boxes. I am giving some to the kids too. I really have a lot of snowman and they are all so cute! I have to get my house back in order because I will be leading a Bible study that begins at the end of January. I am also thinking of my One Word for 2016 and one came to me while I was at church today. That will be in my next post.

January 2, 2015
Today's Saying: Happy New Year!

It took me awhile to get this blog changed over to winter. Please pray for my cousin Joanie. She had a stress induced heart attack and I was with her. I will write about it more later in my next blog post. It is almost 4am!

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