tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55711238947987545022024-03-19T00:46:14.755-07:00"...the gentleness of wisdom""Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom."
James 3:13(NASB)Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-3311236776077094382009-04-19T14:01:00.000-07:002009-04-19T21:59:51.319-07:00My daughter<div>I would like to dedicate this post to my daughter, Rachel.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ442bcKrLC72PfOrsLigJ0NdOUwt-eXUq8Ck5fuAJx2hT2nCHefxuxUIbSdaE_13Bmv3bKfACnU1mdXjr3Elq7X0JlQIpT7P1799qO5l6nPfaSNziKd9YBDfUMClLs0tE2JH5xAit3zHB/s1600-h/IMG_1234.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ442bcKrLC72PfOrsLigJ0NdOUwt-eXUq8Ck5fuAJx2hT2nCHefxuxUIbSdaE_13Bmv3bKfACnU1mdXjr3Elq7X0JlQIpT7P1799qO5l6nPfaSNziKd9YBDfUMClLs0tE2JH5xAit3zHB/s320/IMG_1234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326625916946050354" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgnxzflLaogfUKX649bG8qyjVO97tGQVpjCJyT-EOhGcx79BGiKeXB40DS00TIgdz5D3hVrUUu0rX7zQO7ysY5SkJnaGGUFsdPz-9PhgZ3W7eUhRZM-PZkGBionuLstSXVOssEXrJW3il/s1600-h/IMG_2124_2.JPG"><br /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>God, in his great wisdom, choose to give me four (great) sons, but only one daughter. But what a fabulous daughter he choose for me!</div><div>I am feeling especially proud of her this weekend, because she has had a big achievement. She started running a few months ago, and yesterday she ran her first half marathon in Salt Lake City. That's 13 miles! I can't imagine running 13 miles! I get worn out just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">walking</span> from one end of the mall to the other! She has been working out and doing runs of various lengths around town to get herself in shape, and it's paid off! I am so impressed that she set for herself a goal and worked hard to accomplish it! </div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend was great, but there are many things I admire about her...</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Intellect</span>. She is such a fast learner, what takes me multiple attempts to learn, she picks up almost instantly. She can comprehend, analyse, and resolve problems faster and more effectively than most people can. After all, she could say the alphabet by 16 months!</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Wit</span>. Years ago friends use to tell Rachel that she was as funny as Rosie O'Donnell. Years ago that was a compliment. Rosie is very witty and funny, which Rachel is equally talented, but thankfully Rachel is normal and as already stated, smart, and also moral...and Rosie not so much. Rachel can certainly make you laugh, but even more than that...she is just very clever with words. </li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Confident</span>. You have to really know her well to detect any insecurities or fears. We all have them...of course. But Rachel has an ability to manage those feelings so that they do not keep her from being all that she can be. </li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Determination</span>. She knows what she wants, and once she has made a decison to do something, she goes after it with complete focus and discipline. She has been through some very difficult times, and has had to face challenges and obstacles that few of us have gone through. She has allowed the tough times of life to make her stronger, not to weaken her with anger or bitterness.</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Devotion</span>. She has great love for her Heavenly Father & Savior, her family and her friends. She has been hurt and deeply disappointed, but has shown acceptance of what she could not change, and forgiveness for other's mistakes. She is a fabulous (and very cool) aunt, a great sister, and I know one day she will be an amazing mother.</li><li>And last but not least...Beauty. She has always been a very beautiful person, even in the delivery room, I remember the nurse fussing over how pretty she was. I think she somehow inherited each attractive physical feature from both sides of her dad and my families! </li></ul><div>Every year I am more in awe of the inner and outer beauty and goodness of this child of mine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rachel...you inspire me!</div><div>I love you...</div><div>Mom</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgnxzflLaogfUKX649bG8qyjVO97tGQVpjCJyT-EOhGcx79BGiKeXB40DS00TIgdz5D3hVrUUu0rX7zQO7ysY5SkJnaGGUFsdPz-9PhgZ3W7eUhRZM-PZkGBionuLstSXVOssEXrJW3il/s1600-h/IMG_2124_2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgnxzflLaogfUKX649bG8qyjVO97tGQVpjCJyT-EOhGcx79BGiKeXB40DS00TIgdz5D3hVrUUu0rX7zQO7ysY5SkJnaGGUFsdPz-9PhgZ3W7eUhRZM-PZkGBionuLstSXVOssEXrJW3il/s320/IMG_2124_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326620189727579618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px; " /></a></div></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-83692610773878332742009-04-10T21:09:00.000-07:002009-04-12T08:29:51.853-07:00The Gospel of Jesus Christ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbCCaau5j6JgCMVjHp4sNir0hELxK3yaj1esoyhWW78hyk-4C2C638OI2MTMXQJ0D6UfrwxiJ31ZMUyrTkJGtAcNHp0EsYPpA-FRFzUeZGiiDLbtLu_SR29AYqalYxLkt1F7D1_UPdOTe/s1600-h/ATT00012.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbCCaau5j6JgCMVjHp4sNir0hELxK3yaj1esoyhWW78hyk-4C2C638OI2MTMXQJ0D6UfrwxiJ31ZMUyrTkJGtAcNHp0EsYPpA-FRFzUeZGiiDLbtLu_SR29AYqalYxLkt1F7D1_UPdOTe/s320/ATT00012.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323489971756750114" /></a><div>This weekend is Easter, and I would not feel right if I did not share some thoughts and feelings about this sacred holiday. <br /></div><div>So much time, effort and work...not to mention money goes into the celebration of Christmas, but only a small amount for Easter. However, of the two holidays, Easter is the one of greater importance. It's Easter, not Christmas than truly defines Christianity. It's great to remember the birth of Jesus, but it's Easter that celebrates the purpose of his life. He was born so that he could die for us, so that we might live.</div><div><br /></div><div>A friend once asked me why Jesus had to die. This person said, "I know he was the son of God and he was raised from the dead...I believe all that, but I don't understand why he needed to die?" The answer is because I am a sinner...and so are you. And even though you and I may be good people, and do many good things, we are sinners and our sin separates us from God. God did not create us to be sinners, but when Adam disobeyed God, he brought sin into this world and we were born under it's curse and damnation. If we remain in our sin, we will be eternally separated from God. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(please see Romans 5:17,18)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>God taught this to the children of Israel when he had them construct a Tabernacle and later a Temple, in which there was a "Holy of Holies" ... a dwelling place for God. No one could enter in except for one day a year, the Day of Atonement. On that day, the priest, after proper preparation would be allowed to enter to "...make an atonement for you before the Lord your God." Leviticus 23:28 (see also Heb. 9:7, Exodus 12:13)</div><div>Atonement means a reconciliation between God and man. Scripture teaches that God requires the shedding of blood, pure innocent blood, to pay for sin. "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" Lev. 17:11.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div>God also taught this to the Israelites by having them sacrifice their most flawless animal to atone for the sin in their life. Obviously, that was symbolic of what was to come when God sent his son to be that perfect sacrifice for us. Romans 6:23 teaches <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"...the wage of sin is death," <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(eternal death or hell)</span>.</span> We can't atone for our own sin, so death & hell would be our only future, but the second half of that verse say <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Hallelujah!!!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus, who did no wrong, willingly took my sin, and yours, onto himself. I don't know exactly when all the sin of world was placed on him, probably in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was there that in great anguish he cried out to the Father, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"...if thou be willing, remove this cup from me..." Luke 22:41 </span> Why was he in such distress? He knew what was going to happen, did he fear the pain and suffering he was about to experience? I don't doubt he dreaded it, but I think what caused him to feel such turmoil and grief, was not the fear of physical pain, but the horror of having all the filth of the world's sin along with it's guilt, agony & grief placed on him, and knowing it would cause him to separated from the Father. Never had he been separated from his Father, but now for a period of time, he would, and he grieved over having to endure that separation. However, he knew that if he did not, we would have no hope. It was his love for you and me that was greater than his fears or grief. He could not bear for you and me to endure this life without the hope of redemption or to enter into the eternities without him. What great love!! He tells us that no man took his life...he gave it freely...for us, John 10:18. He carried our sin upon him, had it nailed to the cross, shed his innocent blood to pay the debt and make atonement for you and me. After his death the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two. No longer did man need to be separated from God because of sin! </div><div>The story does not end there, Jesus conquered sin and it's penalty of death, by doing just as he had said he would, he rose from the dead through his resurrection on the third day. </div><div>This is the Good News (gospel) of Jesus Christ!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For if, when we were enemies (sinners) we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." Romans 5:10,11.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"...he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement (punishment) of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><embed src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" flashvars="viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="tangle" align="middle" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This video is about a father who did the same thing that Jesus did. Out of love for his child, he "took his place" and did what the child could not do. The son had victory, not by what he did, but what his father did for him. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Easter!</div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-91160551174322803562009-03-01T18:09:00.000-08:002009-03-01T18:29:47.547-08:00Special Family Time!As I get older, I have come to realize that the most cherish thing I have in this life is my family. Not that I didn't love and appreciate them when I was younger, but it's a different, maybe deeper kind of appreciate and gratitude for these wonderful people that are my family. I feel so blessed to have such great kids, wonderful daughter-in-laws, absolutely perfect grandkids, good parents & siblings, and a loving husband to share my life with! <div>Last weekend my son Joseph and his family came down from Salt Lake City to spend a week here in Henderson. My oldest granddaughter, Emily, was baptized and they made the trip down here to share in her special day. </div><div>We had a family dinner at my house on Tuesday. All 5 of my children, my 2 daughter-in-laws, all 8 grandchildren, and my parents where here for dinner. It's not often I get to have all together like that. It was a houseful, but I enjoyed it so very much! What a wonderful blessing they all are to me!</div><div>Here are some pictures...</div><div><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4e7a6b334d5467774f513d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: " src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4e7a6b334d5467774f513d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox slideshow</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-20260724769837894492009-02-17T15:15:00.000-08:002009-02-17T15:50:43.446-08:00God help us!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbOcDGk76Jz_jJHoEgURct9UsRP7lvAUfvIY7dSFW173Kk2InxTJcqRwMTLLKMNA4SAKr_DP5vZENWks2sK12graHDZL0jHrkkNkcV0TzMpmKuUjPeVIL8sEIm6LIaamIQRiHbwqK8c6O/s1600-h/Obama+taxes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbOcDGk76Jz_jJHoEgURct9UsRP7lvAUfvIY7dSFW173Kk2InxTJcqRwMTLLKMNA4SAKr_DP5vZENWks2sK12graHDZL0jHrkkNkcV0TzMpmKuUjPeVIL8sEIm6LIaamIQRiHbwqK8c6O/s320/Obama+taxes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303910635400149810" /></a>Last week....<div>Hurry, hurry, hurry...must sign, must sign now, hurry, no time to wait, hurry, hurry, no time to think. Hurry, quick, quick, must sign, no time to read. Hurry, before more Americans know what we're doing. </div><div>Congressman, Senators....hurry, hurry, no time to waste. Don't read emails, don't answer your phones, don't listen to those bible-reading, gun-clinging patriot fools you represent, no, must hurry, quick you've gotta sign this bill. Quick, quick must sign before Friday, hurry friday is coming, don't read, don't think, we need to change America, quick sign, sign, sign. America is in danger, must sign to save the country. Quick, hurry, sign! Stop everything, hurry, I don't care if your own mother died, leave, hurry, come and sign!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>A few of our elected officials stood against this awful bill. I am proud that Nevada has one good senator...John Ensign who bravely spoke out publicly against it. But not enough did, they quickly and blindly did as Obama told them to do, and they signed.</div><div><br /></div><div>This week.....</div><div>Now the urgency is gone. No need to hurry now. No need to rush. All is well. Obama goes on a weekend vacation, wants to play a little basketball with the homies, isn't that nice!?! No rush, I'll sign it later. Let's wait 'til Tuesday. Better yet, let's have the tax payers pay for us to fly to Denver and then I'll sign it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yep, change is on the way. </div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-62382430320632058522009-02-07T09:29:00.000-08:002009-02-08T10:06:25.537-08:00FireProof<div>February 5th was our wedding anniversary. As part of our celebration, we bought the newly release DVD of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Fireproof</span>. We didn't have the time to watch it on the 5th, so we watched it last night. It was very good! As for it's "Tissue-rating" it was 5 for me and 2 for Gary!</div><div>It is the story of a young couple with struggles in their marriage and how they were able to save it. I highly recommend it to everyone! Another amazing part of this movie, is that even though it is a well acted, with professional filming, music, etc. it was all done with volunteers and only 30 days of filming. I can't remember what the budget was (I saw an interview of the producers on TV) but it is just a 'drop in the bucket' of what most Hollywood movies are.</div><div> </div><div>Here is the trailer for it...check it out!</div><div><br /></div><embed src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" flashvars="viewkey=6ad44eae69606ecc16a5" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="tangle" align="middle" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-5505189070412639482009-02-04T20:35:00.000-08:002009-02-04T20:45:16.887-08:00AbbyThe weekend of January 10th, Joseph, Erin and children made a quick trip to Henderson. Erin's brother was in town before moving out of state, and they decided to have Abby's blessing here so he could be a part of it. It was a brief trip, but such a joy to see them. Little Abby had changed quite a bit since I saw her in November right after she was born. What a beautiful baby she is! It was a real treat to see all their children and to have all my grandkids together! The hard part is having to say good-bye again. I really miss them.<br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4e7a51784d6a6b314f413d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play " src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4e7a51784d6a6b314f413d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/scrapbooks" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox scrapbook</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-63047844560546132732009-02-02T19:51:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:58:21.993-08:00SheldonI do not know how I got the cutest grandkids in the entire world...but I did, all 8 of them!<br /><br /><div>This is my youngest grandson...he's a real heart stealer! He was doing some serious dancing, unfortunately he got a bit distracted when I got the camera out.</div><div><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4e7a4d334f5463354f513d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play Sheldon in the News" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4e7a4d334f5463354f513d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own greeting - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/ecards" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox greeting</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-74420752728186543262009-01-31T09:49:00.001-08:002009-01-31T09:57:42.171-08:00Happy 2009!!<div><br /></div><div>I had to do a post today, because it's the last day of January and I promised I would do a post at least once a month. Just one of my many New Years Resolution!</div><div><br /></div><div>2008 was such an interesting year. Many struggles and challenges, but great blessings too! Much happen in 2008 that I could share on this blog, but for now, I will just share these pictures of our Christmas. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was a wonderful Christmas! This little 'scrapbook' just has a few highlights. I hope you enjoy it...be sure to check out the video of the snow...what a awesome thing to happen just a week before Christmas!<br /><br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4e7a4d7a4f4455324d413d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play Christmas 2008" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4e7a4d7a4f4455324d413d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/scrapbooks" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox scrapbook</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-56758604781079104682008-08-23T07:05:00.000-07:002008-08-23T07:23:25.630-07:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Y7Zc2_bVx5OuR3WBTS1ImFH5BDfmKXM6Eeo9LnbgA7c7C_J1vXxznK_klmi1wZsgmB_MZPTyhkSu7l26PpwPJAC_MnUQ6cR4LwuhwiUaveqA9YA2mIo4yM8D-TTE8_21tLV3J_v1pRL/s1600-h/IMG_1601.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Wow, it's been a very long time since I posted a blog! Much has happened this summer, the main thing has been that I started a new job. After the nightmare of my last position, I have been blessed with a job that is close to home, flexible hours, hourly pay--which means that if I work extra hours I get paid for them, something I haven't had in recent previous jobs. The responsibilities are fair and reasonable, again something I didn't have in my last job. The people are very nice and the salary is not bad. It's less than I was making before, but they pay for all my medical insurance and I am spending less in gas...so I figured it's not too much different. Plus the stress is so much less and that is certainly worth more than money! The bad news to this job is that I can't take vacation for 6 months. I was very disappointed about that. So it looks like we are having a vacation-less summer. We will have to make up for it next year!</span></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Y7Zc2_bVx5OuR3WBTS1ImFH5BDfmKXM6Eeo9LnbgA7c7C_J1vXxznK_klmi1wZsgmB_MZPTyhkSu7l26PpwPJAC_MnUQ6cR4LwuhwiUaveqA9YA2mIo4yM8D-TTE8_21tLV3J_v1pRL/s1600-h/IMG_1601.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><br /></div><div>One sunday night we had a family dinner and afterwards did some craft projects with the kids. Here are some pictures of it...</div></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Y7Zc2_bVx5OuR3WBTS1ImFH5BDfmKXM6Eeo9LnbgA7c7C_J1vXxznK_klmi1wZsgmB_MZPTyhkSu7l26PpwPJAC_MnUQ6cR4LwuhwiUaveqA9YA2mIo4yM8D-TTE8_21tLV3J_v1pRL/s320/IMG_1601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237717349761628034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo0depTnmLJoSmnZFBR5vMviBVbyVncWFQBfGt8W0UbW86PGCv7zMDPTRBqUKxgEIooG2AQ6cJfw5jjrp4T3gz7w7bUrwtvI0XTZ68FLhOG5HVNXKUNA8doRHbr6TCI6cpSIAM8mEv_03/s1600-h/IMG_1602.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjo0depTnmLJoSmnZFBR5vMviBVbyVncWFQBfGt8W0UbW86PGCv7zMDPTRBqUKxgEIooG2AQ6cJfw5jjrp4T3gz7w7bUrwtvI0XTZ68FLhOG5HVNXKUNA8doRHbr6TCI6cpSIAM8mEv_03/s320/IMG_1602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237717351090216610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEu-T20PIL48z2BdPOZMG_oT7D3Qp7wpp8BS5C3xW2zjAGtW9yPdLmw8ZvUu_p7bqCiVyrgxrtTgwNl2BdDJLPZnO6DQ0eduY5LWcI7eGdEqcPYXYQz8aQevXUSTwIfupjkAEfY0siLva/s1600-h/IMG_1609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEu-T20PIL48z2BdPOZMG_oT7D3Qp7wpp8BS5C3xW2zjAGtW9yPdLmw8ZvUu_p7bqCiVyrgxrtTgwNl2BdDJLPZnO6DQ0eduY5LWcI7eGdEqcPYXYQz8aQevXUSTwIfupjkAEfY0siLva/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237717355339389538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5cMSfnLqje0P36BGbubQbqbnEU7yhPodvKpUX6L3VGsag1_unl1qCeBRBDUUR832sxeuZ3Ov1cZNtEL3h4q7cwi4wUXZfwYI9q7sJwMEIc-kqvK9OPxqBn3zez2czUtbX9N2_B_liOrj/s1600-h/IMG_1611.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5cMSfnLqje0P36BGbubQbqbnEU7yhPodvKpUX6L3VGsag1_unl1qCeBRBDUUR832sxeuZ3Ov1cZNtEL3h4q7cwi4wUXZfwYI9q7sJwMEIc-kqvK9OPxqBn3zez2czUtbX9N2_B_liOrj/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237717360668114306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn9ErgkEvHd9xHcIVNS7Wk2-563LRhNURFebFXtPoXZOdYK-_-SPix5TY2Yjbgr1MbuEX8zxnFDljB_OZKyVI9HXFiUF4jVj8woRTwgYABRrrdB9nkyo-X_tctnmEpnxKSaOk3d5ftSEw/s1600-h/IMG_1618.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn9ErgkEvHd9xHcIVNS7Wk2-563LRhNURFebFXtPoXZOdYK-_-SPix5TY2Yjbgr1MbuEX8zxnFDljB_OZKyVI9HXFiUF4jVj8woRTwgYABRrrdB9nkyo-X_tctnmEpnxKSaOk3d5ftSEw/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237717365704267426" /></a><br />It was a fun time...don't know who enjoyed it more, Grandma or the kids?!<br /><div><br /></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-5621231228371842472008-06-19T08:27:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:42:06.652-08:00Adam's Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnSWsAbS3dYjUEGUC8x-XD7zVNRJj6eYVw1SLNZSviv4rYS7g5Cor2W00mYsLvLjNtlIEgJZHMp_1S_fFseUeOJbKALsgLKxPYlaLHbv67ux6s9bBXnvKliyjycfpobOCB29gxHYkz73a/s1600-h/sc003f3cbb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnSWsAbS3dYjUEGUC8x-XD7zVNRJj6eYVw1SLNZSviv4rYS7g5Cor2W00mYsLvLjNtlIEgJZHMp_1S_fFseUeOJbKALsgLKxPYlaLHbv67ux6s9bBXnvKliyjycfpobOCB29gxHYkz73a/s400/sc003f3cbb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213615783141073794" /></a><br />I just want to share this picture of my oldest son Adam, and his family. They gave the picture to my husband in a card for father's day. I think it's an awesome picture...looks good of everyone! They are a wonderful family, and a great blessing to my life. Love you guys!Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-56870675922410632562008-06-10T15:43:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:42:08.396-08:00My Old Home...good memories.<div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7kwjs8GsYrm7vYCwYYmKtt2fMhVkrApCXoXsMpLjYgdeaacjWV7CWuLXpPe329vUYBsHElYI6E87pm9IRU6QdW_QvPhFYsnP-SKVOZhjiAeoVJcw-HcsxZUyGM0kweWr94LKNTg7Jmge/s1600-h/IMG_1067.JPG"><img style="text-align: right;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7kwjs8GsYrm7vYCwYYmKtt2fMhVkrApCXoXsMpLjYgdeaacjWV7CWuLXpPe329vUYBsHElYI6E87pm9IRU6QdW_QvPhFYsnP-SKVOZhjiAeoVJcw-HcsxZUyGM0kweWr94LKNTg7Jmge/s320/IMG_1067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210388802649344994" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I have had the very unique opportunity to live in the same house I grew up in. My parents bought a new house in 1996, after living in this one for 34 years. They preferred to keep it in the family and since I had just gotten married the year before and living in a rental, they offered to sell it to us. We purchased it from them and made it our home for nearly 12 years. I have some great memories of this old house. I was 10 when my parents bought it, so I have memories of adolescent and teenage years there. My (first) wedding was held in the back yard. Memories of my children when there were small coming to visit grandparents, and then the 12 years of life spent there with my current husband. Three phases of my life in this house.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's a nice home, bigger than it looks from the front. It has 1860 sq ft of living space. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a large family room, a formal dining room and a large laundry room. During the last 3-4 years in the house we spent many hours (and $$) fixing it up.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WVQ4ZLbOVpgIesdybKB_f6K7MdzwYHl3rBGI795nH7bA1KsRClFT2OfSAGxANEod6ksaX87VN9tzL5BhKpHt_X05abxkUz_MKambj_BvhbpR7TkeoFdX0gpBWmlN_uEAbFlO4oDCop8n/s320/IMG_1400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210391438652326338" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; " /></span></div><div>The Living Room. When we bought it it had white walls and pink carpet. We put in a neutral beige carpet and painted the walls a pretty sage green. We place ceramic tile down in front of the front door. We left the paneling up because we thought it looked good and it's a high quality wood panel. You can't see much of it, but the dining room is next to the living room and in there we took out the pink carpet and put laminate wood flooring.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QUxoIHhbqh7LBDG8cKLybtpfqhg-P2w9XMPMJrY6nQ9CJPTdBtcrX2D2sEuJiz1jCPAZHY7BEHykXkGmf2LGOOdQQ4CgVEvJF5n4gy-SGCdUfqHBUFv1WOnpCcudGGPmhCALmHW0W7eU/s1600-h/IMG_1405.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QUxoIHhbqh7LBDG8cKLybtpfqhg-P2w9XMPMJrY6nQ9CJPTdBtcrX2D2sEuJiz1jCPAZHY7BEHykXkGmf2LGOOdQQ4CgVEvJF5n4gy-SGCdUfqHBUFv1WOnpCcudGGPmhCALmHW0W7eU/s320/IMG_1405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210393691990930930" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AuzQMypqcXE53kdOBK6wCpRgPIogv4GVzS3MpeIWQXFUfC1jFacSglYpRCF-1iKwPsio2zQJYEDNjaUrJAQTPnajdz8jx1ZkqYW4-WJ-KFps0-3DitmGmC-FRrv3v5dS7e64H1CpYUzU/s320/IMG_1401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210393680413119538" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div>The kitchen looking at two different views. The one below shows the laundry/utility room. The other picture shows two doors, one going into the dining room and the other into the family room. The built-in bookshelf use to be a window on the carport. My dad built the family room in 1978 and kept the window, putting a counter/bar on the family room side. We redid the walls in the family room and covered it, but kept it open for shelves in the kitchen. It was one of my favorite parts of the room. The kitchen has pretty oak cabinets, but when I was growing up it had metal cabinets. To try and dress them up, my parents covered them with wood-looking contact paper. Mom and Dad did a kitchen make-over a few years before we bought it, which I'm sure glad they did! The floor had green linoleum, which we covered with ceramic tiles.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFAlwEsqCiH2K0DNq9DY_P4OWzxM4ABmHDuubqCY6odg50jA4W_VL-zNWQYUmYN0iVTc0QM2LRPrIt1LgdEGZF0zHapqv-V0ovgiu70ErpW9TieFUfv1O9b9udpho9bf3uFdKJ9zA5cx8/s1600-h/IMG_1406.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFAlwEsqCiH2K0DNq9DY_P4OWzxM4ABmHDuubqCY6odg50jA4W_VL-zNWQYUmYN0iVTc0QM2LRPrIt1LgdEGZF0zHapqv-V0ovgiu70ErpW9TieFUfv1O9b9udpho9bf3uFdKJ9zA5cx8/s320/IMG_1406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210398351308787282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The family room. My dad, who is not a 'construction-type' man, built this himself. I am very proud of his work, it's really a great room! My favorite room in the house. This picture does not do it justice. When we bought the house this room had dark wood paneling on all 4 walls, and pea-green shag carpet. I was very excited when we took the paneling off, redid all the walls (I did a faux-finish on one wall) and put laminate wood flooring down!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oDxhUdbxmEP3erFgQiIzJ-0XrccoT3UEi5rit41TLdz7OhKQPwJzn0HA3NUMixQGBurOs6s-BLipgJ2IPuGP7l9Ja5V4h2l23fC8N6TKa4xIRah5iwI4RyydCkTeMaf1aV3obRbLs3jK/s1600-h/IMG_0690.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oDxhUdbxmEP3erFgQiIzJ-0XrccoT3UEi5rit41TLdz7OhKQPwJzn0HA3NUMixQGBurOs6s-BLipgJ2IPuGP7l9Ja5V4h2l23fC8N6TKa4xIRah5iwI4RyydCkTeMaf1aV3obRbLs3jK/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210401538026274082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>My favorite part of the family room. This is a wood-burning fire place that puts out some great heat in the winter. Here in So. Nevada you cannot put in a wood burning fireplace, all new homes have only gas. There is nothing like a wood-smelling, crackling fire on a cold night!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFYc467mxpIOX3yagDhC-0l-dNoxKGgettcgWOMGJS2gWiEjNI3nqy5ke1Nt8bbuUUzLMrSpNHOI3I2XwLwNawCjbxrY8yNy5APJa3pKwldOf5tQc2ab01aiP5dyWLL1X6Bo20ITkAhGC/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210402960393458962" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><br /></div><div>This is the backyard. It's not big, but very cozy. There was a 'shed' in the corner which was a playhouse for me and my sisters. Dad converted it into a shed after we grew up. It became old and in poor condition so we tore it down. We also took out 2 old huge trees. It feels almost criminal to destroy trees that provide shade here in the desert, but these were diseased, and the branches were always getting in the electrical wires. Everytime we had a strong wind storm one or more of the branches would break off, and not to mention all the lovely 'tokens' left on our patio by the multitude of birds in the trees. I was glad to see them gone! The good did not outweigh the bad!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeCDCBGB860T6yiHyXC1Jh0wOlr8mIQetTL8hm9FXp8k3RY5GowjnsQfJon41dQy8XiDTQiz6wV6AxugPaBi2H80HGSPuK7ZWePyI0HJuBCBwJIJO7pj0pNtr10fDvFxO1ngf3q5y4c4x/s1600-h/IMG_0121.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeCDCBGB860T6yiHyXC1Jh0wOlr8mIQetTL8hm9FXp8k3RY5GowjnsQfJon41dQy8XiDTQiz6wV6AxugPaBi2H80HGSPuK7ZWePyI0HJuBCBwJIJO7pj0pNtr10fDvFxO1ngf3q5y4c4x/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210406216246505170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div>Here is a picture of Gary tearing down the old shed. We made a few hundred spiders homeless that day!</div><div><br /></div><div>We sold this home last December. The buyer was from California and wanted to buy a home in the Las Vegas area. The realtor told me that the buyer (who paid cash for the house) had spent months searching all over Vegas for an older home that 'felt cozy and homey'. She said that when she walked into our house she said "this is it". She bought a good one!</div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-89384105683454705622008-05-31T07:42:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:42:10.174-08:00Trusting the Bible<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImR1c3k-ntftOO0odIH-KkgEmRw_cf5ANvG4epf3thKfskt7rHxy4R_DU_zRE19AP3OYKt4vhUGL1mZuxL8ETHeivEr1UDqDo2LMa6UVhk3Tib9ePP_4o2N8prIVMYpc1JEV8UUH31BAF/s1600-h/openphotonet_Bible+-+black+cover+old+style2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImR1c3k-ntftOO0odIH-KkgEmRw_cf5ANvG4epf3thKfskt7rHxy4R_DU_zRE19AP3OYKt4vhUGL1mZuxL8ETHeivEr1UDqDo2LMa6UVhk3Tib9ePP_4o2N8prIVMYpc1JEV8UUH31BAF/s400/openphotonet_Bible+-+black+cover+old+style2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206572676493000018" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:small;">"For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the the heart." ~Hebrews 4:12</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTh2OYfW0Cw7g9CWXoPQjnzs104S8NquPJ-fzggk6NLQywVKR-dFdnwf5bBjKSH3BDqe3xj_MmA6j5kv5X5AjW6ur1FmW94W9aOaLx7wrEBiz1h8Ocl71-ESuJhxMXJ8KtG7eDmRQ5nJs/s1600-h/openphotonet_Bible+-+black+cover+old+style2.JPG"><br /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One of my great loves is studying God's Word...the Bible. I can't remember exactly what year I started, but about 8 or 9 years ago I began having a daily Bible study time every morning. I don't mean to sound overly dramatic...but to put it simply, it has changed my life...and all for good. I strongly recommend it to anyone who desires to draw closer to God, to know more about Him and about his faithfulness, his sovereignty, his goodness, his mercy and love. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>However, before I started studying, I did not have much interest, or frankly, much trust in what the Bible said. I had been taught growing up that the Bible, although it was good, it contain errors, distortions and omissions. Before I could truly start studying it, I had to address some of the doubts that I had.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the things about the Bible that I learned:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1. Written in a 1500 year period.</div><div> 2. Written in different places...wilderness, dungeon, palace etc.</div><div> 3. Written in different times...war, peace, prosperity etc.</div><div> 4. Written by 40 authors who...</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-lived over 15 centuries</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-lived on 3 different continents...Asia, Africa, Europe.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-spoke different languages...Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-came from every walk of life...kings, military leaders, philosophers, poets, scholars, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>peasants, shepherds, tax collectors, etc.</div><div> 5. Written during different moods...joy, sorrow, despair, certainty, confusion and doubt.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>6. Contains 66 different books that read as 1<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>7. Contains: History, Law, Science, Drama, Poetry, Songs, Biographies, personal correspondences, Prophecy, and Philosophy. </div><div> 8. Addresses hundreds of controversial topics from parenting to homosexuality and with amazing harmony. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>9. Despite it's diversity it reveals one simple theme--God's redemption of Mankind.<br /><div><br /></div><div>How well is it preserved? This is where the doubts come in. For many years it was hand-copied, so how can you trust that it was done accurately? Many believe that the words of scripture was changed, either added or omitted, to support a certain belief. Is that true...do the facts support that?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, here are some facts... there are 5,656 manuscripts (hand-written copies) of the New Testament in Greek (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">original language of the NT</span></span>) alone. (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Some of these manuscripts are just parts of the NT</span></span>) There are many thousands of manuscripts in other languages too...Latin, Ethiopic, Slavic, Armenian, Arabic, Gothic, Persian and others. Together they total over 19,000 manuscripts and combined with the Greek manuscripts it totals over 24,900 manuscripts. It is the most frequently copied and widely circulated document of antiquity. Nothing come close to it. The second most preserved is Homer's Iliad with 643 manuscripts. </div><div><br /></div><div>These manuscripts have been studied, analyzed and compared. In the book, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Foundations for Biblical Interpretation</span>, by D. Dockery, S. Kenneth, and S. Mathews (1994), they said, "...although there are certainly differences in many of the New Testament manuscripts, not one fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith rests on a disputed reading." May I also recommend the book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict</span> by Josh McDowell.</div><div><br /></div><div>Learning all of this was very helpful to me and helped me to trust it more. But the real conviction came as I studied it and came to know more of our good and faithful God. This is His holy word to us. He would not allow it to become faulty. Men over the ages have tried to destroy and corrupt it, but have failed. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>~"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand for ever." <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Isaiah 40:8</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>~"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>~"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 1Timothy 3:16</span><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-1271261659181697142008-05-26T08:28:00.000-07:002008-05-27T21:29:20.355-07:00Truth<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Who and what can we trust?</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">We can trust truth, but truth and honesty are becoming rare in our society today. Politicians distort or recreate facts and present them as truth. The media spins facts into their own politically correct version of truth. Many, if not most, college professors and unfortunately many high school teachers, comb through facts to pick those that will support their view of the world and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;">especially</span> America. And sadly, even in our churches, messages are preached that are 'listener-friendly'. If a message offends, it is left on the shelf and not taken to the pulpit.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Life can be hard and confusing...we need truth to guide us through. We need it, but sometimes I wonder if we really want it. It is a dangerous, but common belief that truth is not absolute. Truth varies and can be personalized for different individuals. I would agree that is true for opinions and emotions. But not for truth. Facts are facts and should not be recreated, spinned or omitted to serve some other agenda.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I once heard it said that "conservatives get mad when you lie to them, liberals get mad when you tell them the truth", (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">may have been Ronald Reagan, but I'm not sure</span></span>). Looking beyond the politics of conservatism and liberalism, I think this often happens in our society, some of us feel happy and comfy living with distortions and falsehoods. It takes courage to seek, learn and accept truth. With truth comes responsibility and accountability. Often with truth comes a need for change and hard decision making. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This is not what I had intended to write in my post today...it's just what came out as I started typing. Should I post it? Yea, I guess so, there must be a reason for it.<br /></span>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-55467385662988539582008-05-11T08:05:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:42:10.969-08:00Sleep-Over at Grandma'sWhat a great weekend I am having!<div>Friday, after my lovely bike ride, I attended the Preschool Graduation of my 2nd granddaughter, Julianna. Here is a video of her special moment...</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwaoeXBxi3zm1ohL_UOESsnIFzTqBfHTfHjIe4WYqUHECJ-z2l__NJ1E22tqalSmAUsnfeFb0dKsYwYpwMU-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div>She is such a special little girl! She was so excited and I am so grateful I was able to share the occasion with her!<div>After the graduation we all went to lunch at Ihop. Not only was it Juliann's graduation, but it was also my daughter-in-law Shelly's birthday, so we were celebrating both!</div><div>After lunch, my daughter Rachel (who also took the day off work), and I went shopping. I had agreed to have all four kids over for a Sleep-Over. We got home a bit late, and I had not told Gary they were coming. When they all showed up with sleeping bags in tow...he was a bit surprised!</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great time....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh726xP_tMNu4qu3vTkE0NtzNVYGqjD8Adw2c7braz1A0WM4sJSo_ROIPXsvihT0ggDBLX8h2JU-kyZIOwQrifyyGJ1YrlXSo29JWrpxqEiexU9gb7zTScqASD0btzqiOMj47qctqg2vuJK/s320/IMG_1582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199144421093198594" /></div><div>All four of them hanging out in the backyard.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids enjoyed taking a bath in Grandma's oversized bathtub.</div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDICIzPqq9p3C8-vGIHfU_q79AsIdEM_mzKsWQtKUTrVC4_SGmm-XiPnTnZfUL1Fv-XLIjEGpjJh3iO4nx3Cekide_KgUcgKV7cf4xI4ZQL2WU60Raqa6qkCPtJwGSBHMf8357BUkpvgwu/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199144416798231282" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlRbEBC6MWt-6751yFdLwWrxU6VgX_Aw7OcDfWbmJcJ1IT5kPG_vNY2dyG_otq2rT_jEfVCJ6XwzT_rWws8MZfNrMRNFkEinglWj_AomOHV7p8k8itRKKzROtm1KZ-OCSMeoJ2NM5Mj4t/s320/IMG_1578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199141831227919074" /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxi4RoWvDEqEUuMoMRrfdEdoTMDMiFf3N9TJfnjMbEUwQmrWqgBhvANKjWpMLD7pnKPHjAXy7i9QXPsJ8N3pdyMfbPa6wo4-CKVahItmTmzJGh3RT2hn5zyCWsaiY0SuLLsY_BI3gXxY5v/s320/IMG_1579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199141826932951762" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Julianna, Emily and Rider in their sleeping bags.</div><div style="text-align: left;">A pretty cool thing about Rider's sleeping bag...it was made by my mother for my son Adam (Rider's Dad) when he was a little boy. The sleeping bad is made to look like a turtle, with the 'head' being a pillow. Both the top and bottom are quilted, which my Mom did herself. It was used by Adam and his brothers, and I have kept it all these years. Rider enjoyed it and was excited to use something his dad had when he was little.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUoR7vfXiIwjdC-uC1YfufocziBuMp8mq2LUOmvd8osejUqjAJXAPtk7YViVtl8_ikDOuDxHDWnC5kUOxFgyGrmdNsnsU0yuK-gK8yIxhulxJ09x_kEPhWdXzVDJ9IdxIEsWMXVxCJJoj/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199146186324757266" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday morning breakfast on the patio.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was great to spend the time with them. They are great kids! But boy they can keep you 'hopping'! That darn Garth Brooks song still keeps running through my mind..."I'm too young to feel this damn old"!</div></div></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-11640668926973034192008-05-09T08:58:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:42:11.028-08:00My Bike Ride<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc6QfBedOkY5IVaK42kacjOT2YKXvBOuJtzSu8B9IbRZNRZNqM4oGL6WualnQtfjYJV4d8GRJ6QlzCBIby0dt8KC3Ns4aOluSUKxPy6dh_TQkUVpbvr_NyJyRZskQKC7s7wRQmAf_NqmM/s1600-h/IMG_1501.JPG"></a><br />Today is friday and I have it off work-YEA!! I am so excited! I love days off!<div>I decided this morning I would start off my day with a bike ride. About a month ago, my husband Gary purchased bikes for us. We are not exactly what you would call 'athletic people' but since we have recently moved to a neighborhood where there are many bike & walking trails we decided it would be a fun thing to do. Also, my son Adam and his wife got bikes for all of their family last Christmas and we are hoping to do some bike riding with them. </div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc6QfBedOkY5IVaK42kacjOT2YKXvBOuJtzSu8B9IbRZNRZNqM4oGL6WualnQtfjYJV4d8GRJ6QlzCBIby0dt8KC3Ns4aOluSUKxPy6dh_TQkUVpbvr_NyJyRZskQKC7s7wRQmAf_NqmM/s320/IMG_1501.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198411161814185282" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a picture of Gary putting one of the bikes together.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>They are nice bikes in a pretty green color, and of course they match. We may be old and a bit pathetic looking when we ride, but our bikes will look cool!</div><div><br /></div><div>We have gone for a few bike rides on saturday mornings which I have loved!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, today I decided to go by myself, and I learned a few lessons during my ride. I would like to share them...</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div>1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">You need to look up while riding.</span> During the first part of my ride I kept my eyes on the path I was on, but after awhile I realized I was missing the best part of the ride. I told myself to look around...there was so much beauty I was missing by looking down. The scenery around me was lovely and yet all I was seeing was pavement. This is also true in life. I am often looking at the 'path' I am on rather than the 'scenery' around me. It's good to look down long enough to keep you on course, but how sad it is to miss all the good and enjoyable pleasures there are around you. Even when the path became hard to travel...the view was still beautiful!<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div>2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Know where you are going before you start</span>. I just took off this morning <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">assuming</span> it was going to be an easy ride. I have driven past this bike path and it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">looks</span> very easy. However, there was more incline than I realized, and it ended up being much more physically challenging that what I expected. It's good to take on challenges, both in bike riding and in life, but know your abilities and limits and choose appropriately. It's ok to say 'no...I'm not ready yet'.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div>3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Face the truth...</span>I am overweight and out of shape! My heart was pounding and my breathing was not very 'lady-like'. My head and chest hurt, my hands felt numb, and my knees starting screaming at me as if they were saying "what in the heck do you think you are doing"?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>An old Garth Brook song kept running through my mind..."I'm to young to feel this damn old".</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-57485735825598184462008-04-26T09:03:00.000-07:002008-12-09T20:42:13.436-08:00My Family<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubdDpmo6TIiPqh0T7MvUddnIJYsd85yoqhUlyIdFFvHLUGoBwu4AAiRyCf4VpyCIAPQHEz1Scg3E4H4uRYYQy9jQtpJrEOwL4uNZBbD4IhmDptE2fWI4ugMOAqpEJ0TM9htI2ZDNgpL8R/s1600-h/IMG_1354_2.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB52GxrpxrAVgz1G3qqXHqz3q_6A15oP5br8trIx1-XRIdMsUG0fOsbXOEJhXwlsvKW7w082uUuhyphenhyphenCQI3jRW6nm9lmytOQnXUdqBXPj8SF5FqT_Emi1U8DUHzX3e2FbDVBM_ZEethftJq/s1600-h/IMG_1355.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB52GxrpxrAVgz1G3qqXHqz3q_6A15oP5br8trIx1-XRIdMsUG0fOsbXOEJhXwlsvKW7w082uUuhyphenhyphenCQI3jRW6nm9lmytOQnXUdqBXPj8SF5FqT_Emi1U8DUHzX3e2FbDVBM_ZEethftJq/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193588824935004354" /></a><br />I am excited to write a blog about what is near and dear to my heart...my family! <div>I am the proud mother of five great kids. Actually they are not really kids but grown adults, but Moms have a very unique gift of looking at a 30 year old offspring and seeing both a great adult and a 9 year old boy at the same time. I don't exactly understand how we do it, but the man or woman of today is still shadowed by the child of the past. So, to me they are still my 'kids'. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have 4 tall, handsome, smart sons.</div><div>Adam, Joseph, Daniel and Jacob. It's not often I can get all 5 of them together for a picture. But when I do, they will always put themselves into birth order. I don't ask them to, it doesn't really matter to me...I just want a picture, but they will rearrange themselves in order. In this picture, they are in order, it just R to L, Jacob is the youngest in the black coat. This picture was taken last Thanksgiving at my parent's home. It was no easy task getting them to pose for the picture. I often have the same trouble with my grandkids, getting them to be still and pose, but they are small children so it's understandable...but my boys are almost as difficult. The picture above is good, but see what I had to go through first to get it....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3dVzNVT4K2Eb4ntAXCcLpwatW1SHtGQ5aoXDAMrjPq0MJE763GNZjIlEJQ-YMybL97TaG4h9Dln_t4ss3mdxjl4LDyHXUxJuxrApYFKl_IqxHBXI9scIDIXvvSDRzMc8ugYbtVmBY1Qi/s1600-h/IMG_1352.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3dVzNVT4K2Eb4ntAXCcLpwatW1SHtGQ5aoXDAMrjPq0MJE763GNZjIlEJQ-YMybL97TaG4h9Dln_t4ss3mdxjl4LDyHXUxJuxrApYFKl_IqxHBXI9scIDIXvvSDRzMc8ugYbtVmBY1Qi/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193593858636675314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxH_Kh7B0VL27ZHXevVov5shQdCBWGnuwXoKTJBZYaWKqMamFB4ijDuw1rfFGsgG0JwXO6LmVOuLOM54af99rOUVgYMzkvhvbhBagAjzgk-E_S7bry4poBp90rZBjA4JAG2qMcCffooXO2/s1600-h/IMG_1353.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxH_Kh7B0VL27ZHXevVov5shQdCBWGnuwXoKTJBZYaWKqMamFB4ijDuw1rfFGsgG0JwXO6LmVOuLOM54af99rOUVgYMzkvhvbhBagAjzgk-E_S7bry4poBp90rZBjA4JAG2qMcCffooXO2/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193957878589848002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p9wuIWXcJ3rlNEZlRulIZ_-WwalOnpaOYH36OF-3n6sIb4IDGzWHPtSKsFfb_RG9q6eOhlkEBLfxYVabl4OKV5znvZhRacHyxu4CfUj-MAWTrtfcE05mfnQawFJmKzUh0cQlQ1Ma5PrL/s320/IMG_1354_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193935287061870850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also have a lovely daughter, Rachel. She is a great joy to my life! I have such admiration for her...she is extremely talented and very smart. I have often thought if I had had such insight and wisdom when I was her age, how different my life may have been.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfALiPAGJpDCYpyuRmuFt2JY3Bpn6Etb48v2ZNeiSe6JbKSrn3hTT7N2H7bgdwSZ8a52UQi_yQBl17C1q2_n4zjHxFWyUc1nmtf41Dd1ZCUSJl64mvGvY9Xa9d_VDXE-ENT2Dy0LWtE4n/s1600-h/IMG_1206.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfALiPAGJpDCYpyuRmuFt2JY3Bpn6Etb48v2ZNeiSe6JbKSrn3hTT7N2H7bgdwSZ8a52UQi_yQBl17C1q2_n4zjHxFWyUc1nmtf41Dd1ZCUSJl64mvGvY9Xa9d_VDXE-ENT2Dy0LWtE4n/s320/IMG_1206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193936395163433234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div>I took this picture of her on a trip we took last September to Orlando, Florida. My job had sent me to a conference there and I was allowed to take one guest with me. We had a great time. We took a little side trip to St Augustine to see the ocean. I thought this picture was so pretty with the colors in the sky.<div>Please check out Rachel's blog at www.thoughtsandotherminorthings.blogspot.com<br /><br /></div><div>Adam and Joseph are both married. I am so blessed to have such wonderful daughter-in-laws!</div><div>When my kids were young, I often wished for another daughter, and Rachel use to complain that she didn't have a sister. God has fulfilled that desire for both of us by send Shelly and Erin into our lives! If I could have chosen wives for my sons, I couldn't have pick any better than them! They are both loving wives to my sons, and devoted mothers to my grandchildren. They have added much to our family and I love them both!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnUJncwRfYXtHcp6wWVryFSkYJ1Va2KOnl47AxN3ZCA-ySSwdShIgKz4irOufZOBFZOO034QHDqebdLyS-WiFwQSZpu58tsB-MAGXk8rQYWnSeIbRfYlev7ApjMt9GVEE_I2fjbYKT-ox/s1600-h/IMG_1093.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnUJncwRfYXtHcp6wWVryFSkYJ1Va2KOnl47AxN3ZCA-ySSwdShIgKz4irOufZOBFZOO034QHDqebdLyS-WiFwQSZpu58tsB-MAGXk8rQYWnSeIbRfYlev7ApjMt9GVEE_I2fjbYKT-ox/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193942640045881650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">Adam and Shell</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">y</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NYZ1jmQm75nj-iohTe9KI89rsyChDpKcV0y4bKtkHAXRkdKy8AcI9lGvalJdsdF5f_umUiCOO9YRPyUcWIMKhFeMsdD_uWNd0vgyf8oD-owa0jkhnoCpBCSJUU0c3aMTj0yXbvVdK59s/s1600-h/IMG_1081.JPG"><span><span></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NYZ1jmQm75nj-iohTe9KI89rsyChDpKcV0y4bKtkHAXRkdKy8AcI9lGvalJdsdF5f_umUiCOO9YRPyUcWIMKhFeMsdD_uWNd0vgyf8oD-owa0jkhnoCpBCSJUU0c3aMTj0yXbvVdK59s/s320/IMG_1081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193944448227113282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; ">Joseph and Erin with baby Jordon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: ;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">Adam and Shelly have four children, Emily age 7, Julianna age 5, Rider age 3 and Sheldon who just celebrated his first birthday this month</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU_25npSsPDoPkjB6gLjf8A-n1L6Ikd5YUR13Ntam7Qr2wI63agd3wFPG_YZ2dBgukYKSJug6ya1VilMju2NPG6JTapuk-VcfhPKwcKHrPgAQPavX-LFj7pWyhEpfruWa2pJVsjuN4nxE/s1600-h/IMG_1094.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU_25npSsPDoPkjB6gLjf8A-n1L6Ikd5YUR13Ntam7Qr2wI63agd3wFPG_YZ2dBgukYKSJug6ya1VilMju2NPG6JTapuk-VcfhPKwcKHrPgAQPavX-LFj7pWyhEpfruWa2pJVsjuN4nxE/s320/IMG_1094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193951741081581906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Emily<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6FfzdslYTeEtZoqCIVTso4fNBuxAx8l_Arn5Wu7EGfSoXa-W6TXsROXNc6Pvgtp0jPOkFcZTVyeyi40EJhUfD8cBBDuLDUW36-VySthykk7l_ivEqCeh0K1U6Jce9AQMtzIPRn7Yjvej/s1600-h/IMG_1137_2.JPG"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6FfzdslYTeEtZoqCIVTso4fNBuxAx8l_Arn5Wu7EGfSoXa-W6TXsROXNc6Pvgtp0jPOkFcZTVyeyi40EJhUfD8cBBDuLDUW36-VySthykk7l_ivEqCeh0K1U6Jce9AQMtzIPRn7Yjvej/s320/IMG_1137_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193951745376549218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Julianna</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGvBhmIK_-yOHnjmg3s_db1vmOJw5oex16cboXqCbJWxAQ39XY2mlSIW1qYIoUG4OBz4HYf2qC-ahsnE5fHIF6zMn09GVKRslbCPquvVXhRZD36HjQ4N9b5nghdbeF4X66Ev0UJnFAac6/s1600-h/IMG_1136.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGvBhmIK_-yOHnjmg3s_db1vmOJw5oex16cboXqCbJWxAQ39XY2mlSIW1qYIoUG4OBz4HYf2qC-ahsnE5fHIF6zMn09GVKRslbCPquvVXhRZD36HjQ4N9b5nghdbeF4X66Ev0UJnFAac6/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193951758261451122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Rider</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmTfZZ2JfRIrW-dAWIMPkOKV1Qr5nS7eFICYKOdGj2QAghjAVDHYcv1Ugs7HHp-JbTIFiuSbSG2fVoO8hxzH7LPwYOayP9asXzLX_y4w3Ju9Ptzlx2lKAxjsG18qh6kO_pC2YukIE5ulO/s1600-h/IMG_1532.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmTfZZ2JfRIrW-dAWIMPkOKV1Qr5nS7eFICYKOdGj2QAghjAVDHYcv1Ugs7HHp-JbTIFiuSbSG2fVoO8hxzH7LPwYOayP9asXzLX_y4w3Ju9Ptzlx2lKAxjsG18qh6kO_pC2YukIE5ulO/s320/IMG_1532.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193951762556418434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Sheldon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joseph and Erin have three children, Michael age 4, Ora age 3 and Jordon age 16 months.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Please go to Erin's blog at www.littlepod.blogspot.com to see more pictures of their family.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZnlaRgzBJqa4fSLhcjCIu9Km8-9sp9l9UG6f2r6FUdesgl84gtlODcC8rUvphlS1cwwiflnXmhFlpFJRY3GQai_5EYp6R_vjHXX6xiNU8Lnovx1e1AdMDnnIy58OkG_PguWqePsqJ4Sw/s1600-h/IMG_1036.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZnlaRgzBJqa4fSLhcjCIu9Km8-9sp9l9UG6f2r6FUdesgl84gtlODcC8rUvphlS1cwwiflnXmhFlpFJRY3GQai_5EYp6R_vjHXX6xiNU8Lnovx1e1AdMDnnIy58OkG_PguWqePsqJ4Sw/s320/IMG_1036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193953343104383378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Michael</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSenwknsMap6ErZv766OBbl61JeJH79o779m-ba0du1PeBXclOL4Yet99klupTwjOAzBixeOudzi9i20WINcMxMhqAVUo4s7QPZZu04h-BXgV9Pp_W0KvP5teLDE_NE-QTPS3-OzAmixk/s1600-h/IMG_1358.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSenwknsMap6ErZv766OBbl61JeJH79o779m-ba0du1PeBXclOL4Yet99klupTwjOAzBixeOudzi9i20WINcMxMhqAVUo4s7QPZZu04h-BXgV9Pp_W0KvP5teLDE_NE-QTPS3-OzAmixk/s320/IMG_1358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193953347399350690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Ora</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC-LNOh9T_NXu9gnlD4zjxe2uDOMeEfpkruoF59vpLFU4No0jGj5ox22wzhzfXLGKc7Z7uAy7afOaNloo6I8YJ6R3gxTSaLuRIQyZCLN7X5bKs_TXhxPNHOQe-XgEdAZtfIz-YJmsin0X/s1600-h/IMG_1335.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC-LNOh9T_NXu9gnlD4zjxe2uDOMeEfpkruoF59vpLFU4No0jGj5ox22wzhzfXLGKc7Z7uAy7afOaNloo6I8YJ6R3gxTSaLuRIQyZCLN7X5bKs_TXhxPNHOQe-XgEdAZtfIz-YJmsin0X/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193953351694318002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Jordon</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: ">My first grandchild was born in 2001, and one has been born every year since. I think that has been pretty cool! But I know it can't continue. In 2006, I didn't think I would have one that year, and then we learned that Jordon was coming in December. Again this year, I thought the same thing, but we just learned that Erin is expecting her fourth child in November...so I'll have #8 in 2008!!! I can't help but be curious if there will be a #9 next year...we'll just have to wait and see!</span></span></div></div>Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-24543591304832290222008-04-20T10:00:00.000-07:002008-04-20T20:40:08.101-07:00Casting my netThere are so many things I want to write about...my family, my new house, my goals and plans for the year, memories, my thoughts on what is going on in the world, our upcoming presidential election...(actually there is only one word for that--HELP!). There are many things to write and pictures to share, but I am going to post one more blog about this job of mine. Not that it will be of much interest to anyone, but I just <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">need</span> to write about it.<br /><br />I shared last time about how demanding it is. Well, it has only intensified each week, and I feel more and more consumed by it. The administrator pulled me into her office this past week and asked me how I was feeling about things. I confessed to her that I was very unhappy. I feel that every waking moment of my day is spent thinking, planning, worrying or dreading some aspect of this job. I don't sleep well, I wake up at 3:00 am every morning with my mind 'racing'. I feel I have no energy or emotion for my marriage, my family, or any other aspect of my life. She agreed that it was difficult, and reminded me that to correct the problems of this facility it was going to take about a year of long days and hard work to get there. She then asked me, " Are you willing to stick with me to do this?" I said no.<br /><br />I hate to think of myself as a quitter. But, after much thought and prayer, I believe the right thing to do is to admit that I am not able to meet the needs and the demands of this position and the fair thing for both me and the facility is to step down and allow another more experienced nurse take the director position. I have to admit my pride is getting kicked a bit. She asked me to stay for a month and I agreed. I hope my ego won't be too badly bruised during the next month.<br /><br />I have no other job to go to yet.<br />That's a bit scary, especially since we just bought a new house with a pretty hefty mortgage payment. But I reconize this as an opportunity to walk in faith. I am trusting in God. He knows my needs and I know he will direct me to a position that will fit perfectly with my skills and strengths, and will provide for us financially.<br /><br />Yesterday I sat at my computer and filled out a long, tedious on-line application with the state for a VA SNF that is just a few minutes from my home. I also updated my resume and posted it on several sites. I also emailed it to some hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. I am also considering a couple of positions within this same company. As I was doing all of this, I thought of the story in the New Testament of Peter who by trade was a fisherman, and had had a very unsuccessful night of fishing. I am sure he was discouraged and probably worried about the impact it would have on his family. Jesus told him to go back out and to cast his nets. Peter reluctantly did this and his catch was so great the boat began to sink. (Luke 5:4-6) God does care about our jobs. I have cast out my 'net' and will trust in God to fill it.Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-74972128472565825552008-03-29T08:14:00.000-07:002008-03-29T09:21:59.825-07:00Help...I didn't sign-up for this!Thursday night I came home from work after another 11 1/2 day. My sweet husband was sitting home waiting for me, and when I came in he hugged me. I hung onto him for quite awhile, and then I burst into tears. I went onto the patio and sat in my favorite rocking chair and had a good cry. It was one of the best moments of my week!<br /><br />This new job is overwhelming and is draining everything out of me. I am always exhausted, grumpy and I have asked myself several times this week 'what was I thinking'?!!! My last job rarely required more than 8 hours a day, and since I had a home office I got to be at home much more. Now I drive 24 miles each way to work, on freeways and through downtown where the traffic is horrible. I am at work anytime between 6:00 am to 7:30 am and leave around 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.. While I am there I am forever being confronted with a multitude of various problems and issues. The bathroom is about 10-12 yards from my office, and one day, due to people wanting to talk with me, it took me a half an hour to get to it! Not a good thing! Several times I have looked out my office door to see 2-3 people lined up waiting to come in. With very few exception, they are waiting to tell me of a new problem or issue or complaint. I have never worked in this capacity before and I don't know what all the answers are. I often feel so inadequate. I have a staff of about 75 nurses that work under me. I am ultimately responsible for all the nursing care that is given, and that we are in compliance with all federal, state and corporate regulations. I also care about these individuals and desire to give them good leadership. My decisions impact them and I want to do what is right, safe and fair. If there was ever a time I need the blessing of wisdom--it is now!<br /><br />I decided in January that I would study the Old Testament this year. Most of my Bible studying has been in the New Testament--which I have loved. To me, the OT is a bit more challenging and intimidating. I am grateful that I am studying it, I have already learned many things. One thing I keep thinking about is Moses. Here is a man who was very content to live with his father-in-law, tend sheep and raise his family. He had no interest or confidence in being a leader of thousands of people. And he had absolutely no idea of how to do it. Absolutely none! But he did it by trusting God, listening and obeying him on a day to day basis. God did not give him all the answers at the beginning. It was a step by step process. I believe it is the same with all of us. Step by step, day by day, sometimes hour by hour. I don't know why God put me in this position. But I do know that he is good, and he is always at work in my life. I only see the moment, but he sees all eternity. I only see the obvious, he know and sees the heart and mind and thoughts of not only me, but the 132 residents (patients) that reside in my nursing home and the rest of the staff that work there. I trust that he will be with me and will give me what I need. He never promised it would be simple & easy, he only promised that he would never leave me, and he would help carry the burden.Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-66133416059088913702008-03-14T21:50:00.000-07:002008-03-14T22:49:37.746-07:00ResumeThey say the perfect resume reflects your strengths, accomplishments and experience and will fit onto only one piece of paper. That could be a real problem for me...NOT because I have such a long list of strenghts and accomplishments, but because I have so much experience that I don't know how to make it fit on one sheet of paper! <br /><br />You see my problem is that I have never had a job for longer than 2 1/2 years. Never!<br /><br />I entered the nursing field in the late '80s and ever since I have change jobs many, many times. I have often had 3 or more W-2 forms when doing taxes. <br />In 2005 I did break a record and passed the 2.5 year mark by remaining with the same company. This June I will have been with my current company for 6 (count'em six) years!!! A big thing for me. However, I have continued to change position (even in the same company) at least every 2-2 1/2 years. <br /><br />I share this because two weeks ago, I changed jobs again. In my almost 6 years with this company this will be my fourth position with them. <br />I am the new Director of Nursing at a 136 bed skill nursing facility. It is a position with many responsibilities that can be quite over-whelming at times. I have worked in LTC facilities for many years, but this is my first time as a DON (Director of Nursing). <br />I was quite nervous on my first day. But when I got to work, I found a big "Welcome Sally" poster on my door and they had a big lucheon with a "Welcome Sally" cake!<br />WOW..I felt so loved!<br /><br />The scripture I copied to take with me on my first day is found in 2Timothy 1:7 and says:<br />"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."<br />What a great promise...what a great encouragement! And, as always, God is true and faithful to all he has promised. It's been a great two weeks!Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571123894798754502.post-17394687759423700432008-03-11T21:20:00.000-07:002008-03-29T23:06:23.369-07:00The BeginningWell, I have thought about it for quite some time. Some of my kids are doing it...which is very cool and inspiring. So last night I finally did it...I created a 'blog', and tonight I am actually writing my first post!<br /><br />Pretty 'techie' for an old grandma!<br /><br /><br /><br />I have named it "...the gentleness of wisdom" which I took from the New Testament book of James, chapter 3 verse 13. (NASB) Why? Well, as I have gotten older, I have longed for wisdom. I have learned to see it's worth and value in life. When I was younger, I didn't really think much of it. But now, I recognize just how much I need it and all the ways I am lacking in it.<br /><br /><br /><br />To have knowledge, understanding, discernment and insight to face the trials of everyday life is such a blessing. Truly greater than fame or wealth.<br /><br /><br /><br />I love the chapter this verse comes from. James talks about two types of wisdom...one that is earthly, natural, demonic. This is where jealous, selfish ambition and disorder is. (vs 15, 16) The other wisdom is from above ~ pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good 'fruits' and without hypocrisy (verse 17). A real fail-proof checklist!<br /><br /><br /><br />About 8 or 9 years ago, I was challenged by a women I greatly admired to read and study the Bible. I was hesitant, and quite sure I would not enjoy or understand it. But she talked me into trying and I began reading. Well, it changed my life. It is now a daily, and hopefully life-long habit. Many benefits have come from it, but one of the greatest is the blessing of wisdom. I have a more clear understanding of myself, of life and it's purposes, and mostly of the goodness and love of our great God. My degree of wisdom is small, but growing, and I am blessed by it's gentleness.Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740764300027261615noreply@blogger.com