LAUGHTER IS CONTAGIOUS!

Laughter is also the best medicine! It lifts one’s spirit! It warms one’s heart!

Click the arrow, make sure it's unmuted and enjoy!
I bet it will change your countenance and have you chuckling. Laughter is contagious-there’s no doubt about it. 

SERENE SABBATH

Grace and Peace. Blessings from God’s hand. 

From Thessalonica, Philippi and Corinth of old to those in present - day Memphis, it’s available. 

So grateful to be a benefactor during this latest struggle 

“My” Molly’s pre-surgery (8/31/2020) pillow says it all for believers whose anxious thoughts multiply that within them.......

give it to God and go to sleep

.....allowing God’s Grace and Peace to envelop them

S. T. R. E. N. G. T. H.

S.

T.

R.

E.

N.

G.

H.

T.

In order to follow my newest medical protocol of keeping physically active and intellectually challenged, I will be working on an acrostic for S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. A spiritually inclined acrostic. 

STRENGTH being our Women's Ministry word for next year is spot-on...as is the verse, Psalm 59:16.

 I shall sing of Your strength; I will sing of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 

If anyone has some strength verses or strength acrostics to share I would appreciate the info.

*Crickett, our Women's Ministry director, used S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. to show the attributes of God.
S tronghold
T trustworthy
R efuge
E verlasting
N ourishment
G ood
T triumphant
H elp

SMILING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL & ONE'S HEALTH

When not feeling "up to snuff" I am grateful for encouraging friends and family who know me so well.

ljj is one of those! A "friend who loves at al times....(Proverbs 17:17)

Though miles now separate us, she has sent me creative little humorous clips or cartoons since I've been in the hospital. After she heard about my hallucinations in ICU, she texted a pic of one of "my" little people participants.....a cartoon of "The Family Circus," Jeffy sittng on an exam table with a doctor listening to his chest. Jeffy asks, "Do you need me to talk louder so you can hear me?" Not exactly the Dolly, Billy, Jeffy and PJ  dancing in a circle on grass at the foot of my bed but I liked the connection and poking fun at my crazy-mixed-up brain.

Today I received this gem from her. It defines me as I'm following doc orders "to rest"!

It made me smile!

Dancing DANCING AGAIN

To all my prayer warriors & encouragers, I want you to know that I appreciate your prayers, love, wit, puns, Encouragement and concern! I am dancing again but this time it is at Baptist East Hospital ICU room 215! Once again the Lord has turned my mourning into dancing! I am just doing it while I am all wired up—figuratively & literally.

Next test will be at 4:30 PM central standard time.

🥰 & hugs to all! I hope you dance! It’s the life of abunDANCE. I know that for sure exclamation

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways  acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

  

MOUNTAIN MAGIC

Hooray! Hooray!! We're on our way. 
Our social distancing vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains begins today!
......and it's suppose to rain everyday!.....
But that's the mountain way!

KEEP ON DANCING!

Do you feel sometimes as if you're stumbling backwards during this pandemic?

My "feelings" are trying to keep me overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, IRRITABLE! (note all CAPS)

As I pulled out a napkin for my morning cuppa, from my "clean out/use up Cover-19 pare down stuff stack", I was astounded.

Like a tap on my shoulder, the napkin said it all. I was soon tapping my toes and humming, "Lord of the Dance". "Dance, then, wherever you maybe, ..........I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,....I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he" (S. Carter's English Hymn with melody from Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts")

Don't give up when you stumble. Remember who your dance partner is---look up, not at your feet, and let Him lead with a new unique step, turn or dip.

Don't quit! Just keep on dancing with your eyes on the LORD. It's when we look down at our feet, (those overwhelming, anxious, frustrating, irritating, circumstances) that we stumble. Turn up the music so you can hear from Him not from the discouraging words in your head.

Though he (she) may stumble, he will not fall (be hurled headlong), for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:24)

Remember who has your hand in His when you're dancing, allowing Him to guide you with His righteous right hand and...............KEEP ON DANCING!

G.R.A.C.E.

Acronyms of Grace for Wordsmith Wednesday.

Acrostics often help me to recall truth, especially as I age. I often remember  EGO= Edges God Out. GRACE= God's Redemption At Christ's Expense.

All to Jesus, my Robert Morgan devotional guide, has seemed to emphasize "grace" this week.

8/10 Indeed we have all received grace after grace. (John 1:16)

ended with, a new to me, acronym for G.R.A.C.E.

God's Riches Available to Claim Everyday!

Hubby reads Bob Goff's, Live in Grace-Walk in Love to me each night. Last night grace jumped off the title page and right into my psyche. Love to others is an overflow of God's grace to us. Grace's practical application =Walking in love! 

This morning, (8/12) Titus 2:11-12 was the "grace" intro to Morgan's entry.

For the grace of God......teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled....lives in this present age.

One more "grace" filled verse had me humming, "Grace, grace, God's grace" as I stirred in extra measures of God's grace in my  morning cuppa and praying Acts 4:33 for our country during these tumultuous times......that we might be of one heart and one soul with...."much grace upon us all". (Acts 4:33)

G.R.A.C.E. acrostic as prayer prompts for our nation....

God Releases Altruism, Compassion & Empathy....so that we might give

Give Real Assistance & Care to Everyone! 

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Can anyone find a positive during this pandemic?

Coral Ridge Presbyterian church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida did. 

They chose to honor the death of one of their saints with masks, social distancing and livestream. 

For me, that broadcast allowed me to attend the service of Kaye Carlson, my dear friend Julie's mom. My fiesty, fearless, comforter and best friend was how Julie described her.

A beautiful organ prelude had a few notes changed by one of her former choir members as a way to honor "Miss Kaye" beyond the ordinary funeral fare. 

Her memorial service began with praises and honor to Jesus.....a celebration of Kaye's life with Him as her Lord and Savior. "Great is Thy Faithfulness," sung by all, echoed that relationship.

Scripture reading of Psalm 121:2--reminded us all that our "help comes from the Lord"; John 14:1-6--comforted all with assurance that Jesus, "the way the truth and the Life," is the way to the Father; and Romans 8:37--was a powerful proclamation that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How spot on was the pastor when "and so it is" concluded his reading! Amen!

Friends and family thanked God for every remembrance of her in their lives and  descriptors shared of Kaye are way too lengthy to mention here. All rejoiced in knowing her, saw her as the "Queen of Hospitality" whose door was always open to extras. Kaye fed the multitudes and was famous for her potato salad. Daughter, Julie, shared that her mom was such an anchor for all their souls as wife and "life of the party" to their dad, a mom to Steve and her, a surrogate mom, a foster mom, a grandmother, a Gigi, a sister, a choir member, etc. With an affinity for all the writings of "The Bard," Julie had to read the works of Shakespeare to fully converse with her. My favorite part of Julie's sharing was Carlson Family's Friday Fun Night---attendance was required and her mom orchestrating many trips, from campgrounds (not w/ tents) to IA and MN. Her brother Steve found "FIREWORKS" in Tennessee. That really resonated with me because Tennessee is where my path crossed with Julie and I got to meet Kaye.

She is her mother's daughter. Together we tag-teamed in caring for mutual friends, Claudia and Terry Parlow, through both paralysis and cancer. I'm sure we were strengthened with prayers from her parents, Kaye and Jim, along the way. 

Kaye's memorial today was also the day she married Jim 60 years ago! What a memory for a life well-lived with her spouse.

The service ended as it had begun-- honoring Jesus with the standing and singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus" followed by a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace" as the family exited.

What a celebration of life and of two funerals---Kaye's and Jesus'.