Abba's Girl

I am sort of stealing Ang's title for this post, though I transposed blogging and Facebook. My cousin asked me to join Facebook, so I did - and in case you wondered, when I was young if he had asked me to jump off a bridge with him, I would have. Wayne and I were inseparable and probably caused our mother's to grey early, though due to the fact his mother was a beautician, we never really knew what colour their hair was. I am not enamored with Facebook yet, I may be...but for now, I prefer blogging. I did find a classmate on Facebook, 1 of the only people in my class I was never friends with for no particular reason. Didn't dislike her, didn't like her either. We both entered our school in 5th grade. Since we sat alphabetically, she was way across the room, maybe that's why we were never friends. I am going to Matagorda to plant lots of Bluebonnets this weekend. The rodeo parade is in Houston tomorrow and in the typical parade weather, it's 80 today and will be ...

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited; until you try to sit in their pews. Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers. It is easier to preach ten sermons, than it is to live one. The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there. People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church. Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the front door forever. Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong. If a church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has. We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges. God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. I don...

2009 seems to be flying by at a high rate of speed. 4 weeks ago I attended Bible Study with Annette G and her friends, a little concerned I would be out of pocket for a couple of hours and an hour away from home. My husband was working late but said he would get home asap in case mom and dad needed anything. The night was great, travel time to and from 1st Baptist was made in record speed. Beth Moore's teaching was anointed and the praise and worship was magnificent. I am going to attend tonight as well. It's almost time to choose another Siesta Memory Verse. I cannot believe it, seems like I just chose 2 for Feb. 15. I posted week 8 in the chronological Bible reading I am doing with a few fellow Siestas. Anyone can join us any time. I am now on week 9 readings...hard to believe. Winter veggies are thriving. Tomatoes are doing well. Bluebonnets will be blooming in a few weeks, Texas is beautiful when the wild flowers are in bloom. Spring will be here before I know it, then our ...

I just wanted to report I went to the grocery store today, no alarms sounded - none - zero- zilch...it was a much more pleasant experience than a couple of days ago. I am using many of the recipes from More with Less. If I had not purchased a gallon of organic milk and a couple of 12 packs of Diet Coke (they were on special) my bill would have been 10.00 less than normal. I did buy produce, meat, and chicken on sale. I planned menus for 8 days. I will have to purchase more produce but no more meat or chicken for at least 2 weeks. I will be using olive oil instead of shortening in the recipes. There is a great book called Simply in Season I like very much. Some of the veggies which are in season now are growing in large pots in my yard. Hopefully I can harvest them soon. I have also taken a chance on 6 tomato plants. They are in pots ready to come indoors if need be. I want to eat a homegrown tomato in the worst way, broiled with a little Cajun spice sprinkled on it and a bit of melted ...

I read the book The Vision of His Glory by Anne Graham Lotz about 10 years ago, I highly recommend it. In January, I began the Bible Study The Vision of His Glory. I highly recommend it too. The group meets in my home for 90 minutes on Monday from 11:30am to 1:00pm. 3 of us work, so we really try not to run over. Everyone brings their lunch to eat, my oven and microwave are available, I provide paper plates, napkins, cutlery, water and coffee. Mostly people bring their own cutlery and plates. For the last year we met at night, this January the night thing fell apart and we found a day to meet which worked for everyone. The point of this post is to remind you, Bible Study with a group of people is so edifying to everyone in the group. Some of these women I barely knew, I just invited them over a couple of years ago for a study. Now we are a tight group, all ages, all stages of life. Time to peel a Clementine...have a great weekend and remember your are loved by the One Who knew you befo...

I keep trying to convince myself I love a certain retail Giant I will refer to as Wally World...I went early this morning to buy a few cleaning items. The produce looked decent so I bought a bag of Clementines as well and decided to buy lowfat, vanilla yogurt as well. As I reached for the yogurt, a code something was announced over the loud speaker, employees really scrambled and the store was on lock down. For a moment, I thought I do not want to be held hostage in Wally World and then realized the situation was due to a lost or snatched child. A few moments later everything was back to normal. As the cashier was ringing up my purchases, the fire alarms began sounding...I thought this better be a drill and she better let me pay. (No smoke, no firetrucks - this girl ain't leaving Wally World without her cleaning supplies, Clementines, and yogurt.) Employees dashed out...customers continued to shop, then the voice that reminded me of a school teacher came over the loud speaker, this...

I skipped church yesterday, was up and ready in time to go and then decided to stay home and read the Bible. Yesterday was one of those days I wanted to be with the Lord but not people. Does anyone know if that if a grief thing? My friend's parents attended church and talked to my mother. They have not attended church in 30 years, Mrs. S was very moved by my father's funeral service. I hope they felt the presence and love of the Lord on Sunday and will be back next week. I pray Jesus is their Lord and Savior. My husband and his friend are smoking sausage...it took up most of the weekend...they had to watch the fire box in the smokehouse for hours on Friday, almost all day Saturday and Sunday. I drove out to the "scene" Saturday night for dinner and again last night for dinner. Pleasant dinners prepared by my husband away from our kitchen (can I just say Yeehaw)and dining with him and our friend make for a nice evening. We ate girl Scout cookies for dessert...Thin Mint...

As someone who has never watched American Idol, I was shocked when I came across this video. Enjoy...and while you're at it, Shout to the Lord!

I don't have my memory verse memorized...I have the 1st half of it but not the rest. I am amazed at my lack of concentration. I suppose it is a symptom of mourning. I almost lost it at Target while looking for a birthday card as well as Valentine's cards. Totally forgot to buy a sympathy card for a friend who's father died the day of my father's funeral. As I looked at cards, I was overwhelmed by the fact I would no longer search for "the" card for my father's birthday or father's day. I suppose it's the little things of life that cause us to love so deeply and cry the tears of grief. I am so thankful I know where my father is and I know I will see him again. So tonight I will try to learn my verse so I can pray about which verse to begin learning with my Siestas 02/15. Happy Valentine's Day everyone, remember our true Valentine is our Lord Jesus Who loves us so much, He died to save us. Go out and spread some of His love and joy this weekend. ...

Mom and I just met with the Pension Board, the HPD Credit Union, and the Houston Police Union getting papers signed and accounts changed. We had a family assistance officer to help us. I must say everyone we met with was kind, knowledgeable, and ON time! My husband drove us through the morning rush hour traffic...he made it without saying bad words, a miracle indeed. I am so tired...the legal stuff is so tiring...I can't wait for 5pm to leave the office and go for a quick bike ride and then to bed.

I watched the Westminster Kennel Club Show again last night. I wanted the Giant Schnauzer or the Rottweiler to win the working dog best of group category, the Giant Schnauzer won. I wanted the Yorkie or the Brussels Griffon to win the toy best of group category, the Brussels griffon won. The Yorkie did not even place, I was so shocked, the Yorkie really strutted his or her stuff. Texas was well represented in the show, one dog is from Richmond, he lost too, though he did win best of breed. The Best in Show is Stump from Houston. (I didn't root for him to win, but I have to love the fact a Houstonian won...) Sometimes we feel like losers when life doesn't seem to be going well. Remember in Christ Jesus we are not losers, He loves us and we are always winners to Him. If we are not treated fairly, He notices. The Bible tells us: Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great ...

When you hear the word Westminster - do you think of the Abbey in England? Such a beautiful place, I bought several post cards of it when I toured it on vacation years ago. When I hear the word Westminster, I think of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show...I must say this is my favorite TV show. I want numerous dogs by the end of the 1st night it airs. Last year I watched it with dad while he was in the hospital. The 1st night I wanted another Rottie, a Fox Terrier, an Affenpinscher, a Giant Schnauzer, a Great Pyrenees, a German Pinscher, a Scottish Terrier, a Manchester Terrier, and another Yorkie. Obviously I cannot give into my desire to own so many dogs. I was looking at Bulldogs the other night, one looked just like the Georgia mascott, the handler mentioned they detest exercise...this could be a great dog for me since I no longer head out to exercise each morning, though I am trying to get back into the routine. I always said if I had a Bulldog I would name him Onslow after Hyaci...

I went out to plant flowers and pull weeds this morning. It is so windy, I cannot stay out there much longer. I turned on the air conditioner while inside getting a drink of water. This is February in southeast Texas...77 one day 55 the next. You never know what to expect. Some Februarys are wet and cold, others warm and dry. Thankfully we know what to expect from the Lord, here are a few things we know about Him: He is faithful. He loves us. He died for our sins. His Word is true. He is returning. He is the Alpha & Omega. He is the Prince of Peace. He is the Lord of Lords. He is the King of Kings. He is soooo much more. Praise our Lord today. Today is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

Not to say I will not cry more over my father's death and don't need more prayer, but today I woke up at the normal time and felt like making coffee, I felt like reading the daily readings from Exodus, I even felt like going to the car wash...my car is filthy, I stood there long enough in the cool breeze to get the outer most layer of dirt off the car. The sun is out, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, our usual Dove, Woodpecker, Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Sparrows are at the feeders. I want to play hookie and plant delphinium, petunias, and pansies I bought last night. Burgundy petunias, light blue delphinium, light blue and dark blue pansies. May sound like a weird colour combination, but it's very pretty. I feel so good today because I have been lifted up in prayer by friends, family, and complete strangers. I feel so good today because I know where my father is and he was secure knowing he was saved. There will more tears...but there will be laughter as well. Scripture tells us:...

Last year my father became ill the day I was taking down the Christmas tree and as a result it did not come down until the 2nd week of February. This year I began taking down and putting away decorations 01/07 (I leave them up through Epiphany.) and decided to finish 01/08...well, I rushed dad to the ER 01/08 and did not finish the job. My cousin Paul arrived Friday night and said I know, you left it up all year and we laughed. It was up last January when he was here, it was down when he visited in October...but he conveniently forgot about that. Saturday night a childhood friend arrived, she was thrilled to see the tree up and decorated. The last 2 years, her parents have been ill during the holidays and she was not home to decorate. She asked if we could turn on the tree lights, I said sure. Funny how something so simple really blessed her. It was nice to bless her as she was here to bless me. Through my sorrow and tears, I still want to be a blessing. I want to be the hands and feet...

Saturday was my 1st blogiversary...I had planned on posting something, but obviously did not have the time or heart to do so. I am posting something that I love. I had friends e-mail me Scriptures they hung on to during difficult times in their live. As I proceed through the next weeks with tender feelings over the death of my father, I thought this was worth repeating...it's a creed in a way more than a prayer, though my initial thought was to compose a prayer. Heavenly Father, I know You are not the source of pain because that would be contrary to Who You are. You provide comfort and solace to those Who seek you during times of trial and suffering. Your Word says to call on You, Yaweh in my distress and You will answer me. You are my fortress and refuge, my strength. You will save me from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. I stand in the Name of Jesus on Your promises: I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " He plans to prosper me and not ...

Yesterday's service was wonderful and uplifting...I am tired, but blessed beyond measure. God rocked the house...He showed up and lives were touched during the sermon, in the music, and during Communion...Thanks again for all your prayers and precious comments...and text messages. Love, Annette