HOWEVER, I will kindly say that criticizing me personally will be ignored.  I stopped blogging because I received a personal attack about what I have written. I didn’t receive it in written form. I received it in a phone call that was a rant. Not only was it a phone call, it was a phone call to my husband. If you wish to rant about what I write, please write it in this forum.  Rants on the phone will not be tolerated.

So, now that I have cleaned that slate, I will start all over and begin this whole process.

The program was nixed a couple of years ago. 

I miss the fellowship with the other women.  I miss the ability to open my heart with women that understand what I am experiencing.  I miss watching the women whom you wouldn’t put together, become friends.   I miss the mentor relationship you develop when cut off from the rest of the world and you are with God and other women.

We started small.  The first year, we had about a handful of women.  Word got out, and the second year we doubled in size.  That year was such a success, that the third year was even better.  I don’t remember if we had a theme the second year, but I remember that the speaker rocked.  Holly Barry was her name, and she was great.  She really opened her heart and her faith story inspired the women.  The third year, we had a travel theme.  The journey was wonderful with the women.  We traveled to Israel with Julie, and our journey with God became stronger with the breakout sessions.  Our speaker with Bobbie Muncy, a friend of mine, who has had an incredible journey through life.   The ladies spiritual bags were full at the end of the weekend. 

I recently was driving and was pondering the retreats.  I even thought about how I could go ahead and have a retreat.  It’s all planned, just implementing it.   I don’t know if I would get enough interest.  I did see a friend the other day, and she said she missed them and would help if I ever planned one.   Hmmmmm….. the juices are flowing.  Any interest?

The top 10 resolutions, according to “About.Com” are: 

1.  Spend more time with family & friends    

2.  Get Fit                                                                  

3.  Lose Weight

4.  Quit Smoking

5.  Enjoy Life More

6.  Quit Drinking

7.  Get Out of Debt

8.  Learn Something New

9.  Help Others

10.  Get Organized

I think I could adopt many of these goals – except the quit smoking thing; I really like my cigars.  (Just kidding.)  But in God’s plan for my life, I think these would all happen.  If, as Christians, we are to live more like Christ, would any of these be a natural by-product?  I would imagine so.  If we go into the new year with the mindset to honor God, and grow spiritually, you would study the Bible more.  By studying the Bible, you would also want to seek God’s will in your life. 

So, in setting my resolutions for the year, wouldn’t it make sense to:

1.  seek God -  Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

2.  ask for His wisdom – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5

3.  rely on Him - I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12

4.  and always, always, give God the Glory -    So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.   1 Corinthians 10:31 

and remember to – Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Psalm 37:5-6

About Dogwood (from the Author)

I wrote a story about the small town I’m from in West Virginia, changing the name to Dogwood. There are some really great people in small towns. But small towns have long memories and in this locale, the people have a hard time forgiving Will Hatfield for what he did. Still he returns, intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved — only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison.

Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three children and survive the best she can.

The secrets of Will and Karin’s past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn’t survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. But the trigger that will lay bare their past and force them to face it is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman whose prying and persistence forces unexpected consequences.

I really love the story of Dogwood and hope you will as well.

My Thoughts:

If you know anything about me, you know that I am an avid listener of ‘Chris Fabry Live!’  I started listening a little over a year and half ago, and was instantly hooked.  Chris is real and open about his life and family, and is just himself on the radio.  I could go on and on about how he picks great topics, and guests, but they are not necessarily the latest current topic or the author that is making the rounds because they have a new book out.  His topics are relevant to today’s Christian and are sometimes just a chat over the back yard fence.   So, when I heard he wrote a book, I had to read it.

The story is told in first person, by several characters.  Chris’s southern upbringing comes out in this story set in the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia.  As I read the story, I cheered for and hated each character throughout the book.  As with any small town, Dogwood is a usual small town where everyone knows everyone; and everyone knows your past, present and future.

Will has spent his time in prison and is ready to go back to his hometown and pickup his life where he left it 12 years ago.  Unfortunately time does not stand still, people move on, and he is being judged by his past.

Karin is living with her second choice in life, and trying to make the most of it.  Or is she really happy with this choice?  She seems to be somewhat numb to her life.

I completely enjoyed this book, and couldn’t put it down.  I was drawn in on the first page and did not expect the ending of the book.  I try to figure the ending of the book, and the surprise at the end was a WOW!  This book won a Christy Award, and I completely agree.  It is well written, the characters are likeable and hateable, and the ending is a WOW!

As you listen to this song, I want to share an experience I had today while driving the FedEx truck down a dirt road. 

A bald eagle flew off a tree beside me and slowly flew just in front of my truck at about a few feet above me.  Then as Chris Tomlin sang “I will rise”, the eagle slowly rose up and flew over the field next to me.  This happened for about a fourth to a half mile.  The only reaction I had was to pull over and thank God…..

One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling

Laurraine Snelling

As Christmas Eve quickly approaches, one mother waits anxiously for her husband to return from an overseas business trip, so they can celebrate their last Christmas together before the twins head off to college.

“Two mothers end up more closely connected that they could dream…and yet they are strangers.

However, the other mother barely notices the Christmas festivities since her daughter is waiting desperately for a new heart and prays for a miracle. God’s miracles are sometimes bittersweet.”

My Thoughts:

First, I have to admit that Lauraine Snelling is one of my favorite authors.  She writes Christian Fiction and I think I have read every book she has written as it comes out.   Having said that, I enjoyed the dual storyline in this book.  As Nora deals with death, and Jenna celebrates life,  Lorraine flipped back and forth between the two mothers to give their perspective of the events as they were happening. 

Both mothers at the beginning of the book had the desire for a perfect Christmas for their children.  I could relate to this.  Christmas is such a joyful and special celebration, and to have one perfect Christmas to create the fond memories is every mother’s desire.  But an accident changes both of their plans; one in a good way, one in a bad way.

As the story unfolded, I was kept guessing on how the story would play out.  I like to guess the storyline as I read, sometimes I’m right and sometimes I’m wrong.  In this case, I was both, and neither.  This book was rather emotional. I laughed at the joy in the book and cried as it dealt with death and serious illness.  The issues of cremation vs burial and organ donation were discussed.  I have to admit I have rather strong opinion on both issues.  Although I did not agree with the decision of cremation vs burial made in the book, I think I understood the reasoning, I think.

As the book progresses, you are drawn into the process of a family mourning  and the tendrils death effects each family member.  As they cope differently, one being that Nora spirals deeply into depression.  Jenna starts out living day-to-day and slowly opens to the fact she can make plans for the future.  She comes to the realization that there is a promise of a future for her with her daughter and for herself personally.  I liked the mirror of two mothers and two young adult girls and each story line their individual reactions and emotions.

I would have like to see Nora’s reaction to the letter at the end of the book.  As a person that wants to know what happens next, I would have liked to see Nora and Jenna, and Christi and Heather meet or make contact with one another.  Leaving that door open does leave it open for another book.

I had a different feeling the day of the Luby’s Massacre in Killeen, Texas.  The tragedy was more personal.  On October 16, 1991, I was living in Killeen, Texas.  I worked in a business office for a chain of stores, and we planned on taking our boss to lunch for Bosses Day.  We were going to take him to Luby’s, but he was late.  We heard there had been a shooting at Luby’s.  We were supposed to be there.  God had intervened.  We finished the day working, not knowing how tragic the event was. I found out more on the way home.   Al was doing some advanced military training in Alabama, so I tried to call him to let him know I was ok.  No phone lines available.  I tried to call my mom.  No phone lines available, they were jammed with the huge amount of phone traffic.  When I finally got through on a line, it was to my mom.  It was the same time the 6 o’clock news came on….  my first views of the day’s events.   I broke down on my mom’s answering machine….   “Mom, I’m ok.  It’s just horrible……(crying, sobbing)”  She had no idea what was going on when she heard the message 4 hours later, until she watched the news.  Later that evening, I was able to leave a message with the CQ (charge of quarters) where Al was  going to school.  The message was “Tell Al his wife is ok.”  Simple enough.  No one could mess up that message.  Nope.  The message was too simple.  The CQ didn’t bother to tell Al.  Three days later I was finally able to talk to Al.  I told him  I had left a message.  When questioned, the CQ said he did get the message, but didn’t think it was important enough to tell Al.  It was then explained to the CQ that his wife lives in Killeen, and asked the CQ if he knew what had just happened in Killeen…….  The simple message was not so simple any longer.  To this day, I feel for the lives lost that day, and the lives changed by a man who never gave a clue to his reason for the day.

I sat on the floor of our tiny rented house.  It was an old farm house in Germany.  I was in front of the tv with the volume on low, and blow drying my hair.  I couldn’t believe was I saw, so I quickly turned off the dryer and turned up the volume.  The United States bombed Libya……  I ran upstairs to wake Al.  At the same time, the phone rang.  The Americans we being called to base, and Al was on Red Alert.  The operation lasted only a few minutes, and by the end of the day, we went home to our own beds.   All was done.  The muscle was flexed.  I don’t think anyone living in “The States” even knew anything happened on April 15, 1986.

I had started to pack my suitcases.  Just a couple of days till I was on a plane to Germany.  Al had found a house and I could finally join him.  The tv was on and I was getting ready for the day.  I had stayed up late reading.  I had acclimated myself to the time change, so I would stay up half the night reading, and sleep almost until noon.  I was about to move to Germany to be with my husband.  The buzz on the tv was focused on the teacher that was going into space.  The Challenger space shuttle launched on January 28, 1986.  I was watching the launch, then stared in disbelief as it exploded before my eyes.  It’s not supposed to do that.  My thoughts for the rest of the day flipped between the shuttle member’s families left behind and whether I would still be able to fly in two days.  What if there was debris  in the sky we couldn’t fly through…. (I know stupid thought).  

So much can happen in just an instant.  God is in control.  I know that whatever may happen, God is with me.  And I know that should something happen to me, God will call my name and I will be with Him.

Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:5b-6

I have learned so much about myself.  Besides being a dork (thats good); I also have learned I have a wide variety of friends and family.  From my church friends to my son and husband to dirt track racers to that one kid that is into cars.  I just like looking at the progress of this project cars, I’ve never met him, but sure would like some of the cars he has.

I also like taking the goofy quizzes.  So far, I have taken quizes and found out:

Which Bible book am I?  Hosea

Which Jeff Dunham character am I?  Jose the Jalepeno

Which Metallica song am I?  Broken, Beat and Scarred

I got 93% on the kitchen gadget quiz…

How country are you quiz…  only 50%

My Native American name is    Strong Heart

My red neck name is     Rhonda Sue

I had my fortune done.  It gave me 1 Corinthians 13:13 ….. ”And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Jesus, in his wisdom, spoke the truth. For it is by faith and hope that our love exists. To love is to lay it all down and submit, just like in faith and hope, but it is harder to submit to love than in faith and hope. “

So what have I learned from all of this??  I spend way too much time on Facebook!   I doesn’t matter, it’s pure fun and a chance to stay connected.  So to all my Facebook friends, see ya later!

I was asked by 2 different people today, how many miles do I usually do…. about 200.  So of course, what do you do for that time? I listen to the radio. I get such a kick out of Tim Norton on The Pulse, 100.1FM.  He can be such a dork, and other times I am talking to him, telling him to “preach it brother”.  He has gotten on some pretty good topics.  I must look pretty funny talking to myself, when I am really talking to the radio.  (One more chink in my armor of sanity – but who really is sane?)   www.100thepulse.org 

By the middle of the afternoon, I am pretty much musiced out, so I change and Listen to “Chris Fabry Live” on 102.7.  His program is “a conversation over the back fence.”  It’s such a personable show that covers topics wide ranging.  I have laughed, cried and grown spiritually listening to Chris and his guests.  Chris is like a neighbor; you know what is going on with his family and you feel their ups and downs and pray for them.  The topics discussed have been so wide ranging that I never get bored. From spiritual issues, church issues, personal topics, and even current events.  I don’t think I have ever changed the station because I didn’t like the topic.  I have even called in to the program.  He said he could just see me driving around in my FedEx truck.     www.chrisfabry.com   I am currently reading Chris’s book “Dogwood”.  Pretty good read so far, it’s one of those stories that has twists and turns, and if I was one of those people that read the end of the book to find out what happens, I would do that…..but haven’t because I’m not one of those people.

May 23, 1997 – It was a Friday – Memorial Day Weekend.

Dad was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) that had metastasized into his lymph nodes (and the rest of his body) the first weekend in March.  Three months later he was gone.

Alot has happened since then.  Molly and Kirsten are all grown up and are mommies now, so is Jodie and Lindsay.  Kelly wasn’t even a daddy then.  Add eight grandchildren.

I sometimes morn the fact none of his grandchildren will know what a great person he was.  Even Greg will not know much about him, except the information that Kelly, Jodie, Lindsay, Molly, Kirsten, Al, Tracy, Terri and myself share with them. 

He was a common person with common sense; and never forgot where he came from.  He never thought of himself better than anyone.  Labels and tags didn’t matter to him, but who you are on the inside is more important. 

A common saying he had was:  “Work 8 hours and sleep 8 hours… but not the same 8 hours.”  How can you beat that??

Miss ya, Dad…