It Is All In The Tools

Ed and I just recently finished building a new home. Now we didn't do the work ourselves but we probably should have. I must admit that we did quite well getting through the whole process and we were still speaking when we moved in.Anyway we have two couples that are friends and one is building from scratch and doing the work themselves the other couple is remodeling an older home.
In either situation it is important to know your tools. I have learned alot about building and I think I can hold my own when given the chance.We have tools to paint, to scrape, to glue, to bolt,to staple, to plaster, and yes I can use most of them. Now the men in this group have banded together to purchase every type of tool made to help them with the building projects. But just how many tools does it really take?
Our contractor , didn't have very many tools and he seemed to not like them much, because I was forever picking them up out of the rain and placing them in a safer place.But my husband and his two buddies, seem to think that more is better. So it is safe to say that a new tool arrives at one of our homes weekly if not more often.
True , new tools work better, but we had a few homemade jobbies that did what they needed to do and then became trash. A few of the homemade ones have made it to the other job sites because they were so nifty! We should patent them!
Any way I believe I will be using those tools again soon as we travel to Halstead to help out with the remodel job. My husband has hidden a few of them due to the fact that I point out to him that I know how to use them! He thinks he can keep me from our own building and finishing projects. There is some physicology hidden in there somewhere.
If you are getting ready to build something with your spouse and would like advice on tools or on the art of not cementing them into the basement flooring, I can help you out. I think I may buy my own tool belt and just go into business for myself.Wouldn't that send them running?

Tis The Season

Since I work in the Doctors office, I am exposed to everything under the sun. Add that, to four little grandchildren and well we have seen alot of sickness this past three months. I awoke in the night with a throat on fire. Wow, if this is what the babies feel, they sure did better than I am.
At 2:00 am I called my husband at work and tried to tell him how badly I was feeling. I think he understood. Anyway, I am up and running for the day, but I am so ready for the cold and flu season to go away. Let there be sunshine, and baby birds singing and green grass and oh yea allergies!
Is there no end to the madness. Snotty noses just will be our trade mark until our little ones grow up.
Speaking of little ones, my son Zachary called this morning to announce that Zeke our 18 month old must be ready to potty train.After leaving a surprise on the carpet for dad , he proudly announced Daddy Look! By the time dad could get things cleaned up and back with the carpet cleaner, Zeke had put on a pair of his sisters shoes and was stomping the remainder into the carpet. Things do seem to come back around as we go through life and have little ones of our own! Sorry, bud, I didn't mean to laugh at least not over the phone!

computers

Am I the only one that has a problem with computers? It seems to be a glich in my system that doesn't allow me to understand the in's and out's of the computer. Hard as I try, there are days when I get myself into a real fix with this machine. What should be a simple click here and a click there, I now have to call out the computer experts to bail me out.
Today for example, I just wanted to change a few things on my blog site. But I have managed to mess things up and will need help later when my frustration level is down.To be a child again, yes my six year old grandson could possibly fix this for me.But I believe I will lay it in the lap of my sister-in-law, Tina. That will give me a great excuse to go visit for a while and to fix this mess.Help Tina!
I have come a long way with computers though. I had to take a course just to learn how to navigate and basically turn it on! How sad!Now , I can google anything. Change a blog site? Probably not!I can't have it all.

I LOVE YOU!

Early this morning I was reading the Psalms and Proverbs.We are currently doing a bible study on the book of Hosea and John,so I felt familiar with it.But this morning it was different.God directed me to Hosea 11:8reading from The Promise.
"Israel,(Terri), I can't let you go,I can't give you up. How could I possibly destroy you as I did the towns of Admah and Zeboiim? I just can't do it. My feelings for you are much to strong."
Wow! I was crying at that point. I then went on to read, "No matter what your sins are, God can't forget your status as His own child. He will bring you back to Himself, even though you stray far from Him. You will not be able to forget God, your thoughts will always turn back to Him and the early joy in His love.He will bring you home again."
I couldn't stop crying at this point. I thought about my own children and how I hated fighting with them.It always hurts my heart when they tell me how much they hate me. Or when they strayed away willfully disobeying all of our rules.My only thoughts were of how much I loved them, how much I wanted to hold them.
Our Heavenly Father feels the same about us. .He made such a big sacrifice to give us life. Yet we turn our backs and willfully disobey.
Our Father, placed our names on the palm of His hand. He stamped His love on our hearts,so we couldn't forget Him.
Yet in our rebellion He is forced to allow us to wander in darkness. Tough love is something all parents have had to use at some point in time. It is no fun for either person involved.Tough love hurts, it breaks us down and makes us weary. Then you are offered the chance to come home.There you are as a parent, arms aching, your heart is pounding, then your eyes spot that wayward child. Who runs faster?
I ran this morning. Tears streaming, my heart pounding I ran to my Heavenly Father and begged to come home. Oh what a feeling, to be loved so much! As the sun came up I went out side to head to the barn.
The Great I Am sealed my return with a kiss! The most beautiful sunrise was just beginning. The horses were all waiting for me at the gate. We walked together in silence as the new day dawned!
Thank you for loving me , even when I am not so lovable. You are God, the Almighty. I give you my heart forever.

Horse Games

Once again we have a horse that is injured. Ed and I own four quarter horses , thanks to my loving Brian! I do love ya! It all started some years ago, when Brian and Ed became good friends. Brian owned a horse which he had named Shotgun. As their friendship deepened the guys thought it would be fun for both of them to own a horse. This sent the two guys on a quest to find Ed one,enters Tripp. He was a beautiful and very hateful sorrel horse. He had an attitude from here to New York! I disliked this guy from the get go. He hated me also. But with time, Ed and Tripp began to build a relationship, probably because they both were alot alike!
As the years went by, we began picking up more horses.Next came Danny,then Missfire arrived via Shotgun! And last but not least we have Boone.As of today, because of these four ragtag characters, we now have forty acres and a new house in order to be near them to care for them properly. I love my house so I will not complain!
Any way these horses keeps us busy just keeping them healthy. Tripp now has an injured leg (nothing serious), but it is more work to keep him quiet so he can heal.After rearranging the barn to accomodate Tripp,we are doctoring and praying for a fast recovery. We love our horses and God did us a favor by bringing them into our lives. So Brian, I must say thank you for your part in this adventure! Come and see us, they all need to ride.

Listening to God

The other day in church , a call was put out for support for a childrens trip. It seemed almost immediately, God tapped me on the shoulder and told me to give. I don't know about anyone else, but I tend to argue a little with Him when He calls me to give up much. The dialoge is usually one sided, my side! Are you sure? This can't be so again , Lord. But the more I fight with Him , the more He lays guilt and shame on my heart. So I did what He has requested. The money is still in my hands, but I haven't seen the right person yet to give it away. I should know by now that to those given much , much is asked of you.
During the holidays, the Lord directed me to hand out Christmas gifts to those less fortunate. I emptied my savings account which didn't take much doing, and bought as many things as I could. My grandchildren and I went to the local nursing home and gave each resident a stuffed animal. It was amazing to see the children as they anxiously gave to strangers! The Lord was working in them that day! The awesome thing about this is, He refilled my savings account double what was taken out! Yes, tithing and listening to His instruction has diffinate benefits!
I hope that anyone that reads this will someday learn to trust in God's nudgings. He has great and wonderful things in store for us when we do!
So today , I will give and thank God for His many blessings that He has poured out on me and my family. Father, I will anxiously await your next assignment.

Life Is Good

As I awoke this morning, I laid in my nice cozy bed and thanked God for His many blessings in my life. My son and his wife have had a stretch of illness in their family these past months. But God has been good and healed them all. My daughter and her family are flying to Florida today to enjoy Disney! Pray that they will be safe and come home with many stories!
As I look around me and see the pain and suffering in others lives , I am reminded of how much I am blessed with. I had to really work on my attitude this morning. I had allowed my feelings to be hurt and I was letting pride get in the way. With God's strength , I will let this go and move on.I want what is best for all that are involved.
I am hoping to go home tonight and scrap book a few pictures of our babies! When they all get home from Disney , this grandma will be busy with many pictures! Heather,Sean, Aidan and Landen, please be safe and have tons of fun!
Zachary, Chauncey, Falyn and Zeke, please get well and stay well! I love you!
Alex and Tracy, please soften your hearts and allow us back in. I miss you terribly. Life moves to fast to not have us all together.