I borrowed this from my friend, Marian's blog...I loved it so much.
Marian, I hope you don't mind.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
1st Week of Highway Patrol Training
Matt came home last night after his first week at highway patrol school...actually, it was only 3 days this week, since he started Wednesday. He was prepared for it to be tough, but he said it was much harder than he had thought it would be. Three guys have already dropped out. He said it was grueling physically. At one point, they had to stand at attention for two hours straight (a couple of people fainted). If you felt faint, you could sit down; but, if you did, the instructors ragged you about it. There is this huge dude leading their physical fitness part. When doing push-ups, once they had bent their arms with face to the floor, he made them hold it for several minutes...and they had to do it over and over. They were doing a run (can't remember length of the run) and ds's calf cramped....he did not stop, though he did slow down some. A trooper hollered and asked why he slowed...he answered that he had a cramp...but he persevered and continued on. The instructors get right in their faces and holler at them...also cursing at them and calling them names. One will do it, and then the others will feed off of them. Major intimidation. When they go eat, they have to line up in formation, and march in like they are in a drill....doing some kind of sharp turn-thing with their feet every time they have to turn. It is very intense. I think one of the hardest things (not including the physical part) for ds has been not to show emotion...and not to laugh when these instructors start to hollering at someone. Now you have to understand, Matt is a bit of a goof, and full of fun...so some of this stuff strikes him funny, even if he is the one getting the unwanted attention. At any rate, it's going to be a long 7 months!
If anybody reads this, if you lift him in prayer, his mama would really appreciate it!
If anybody reads this, if you lift him in prayer, his mama would really appreciate it!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Shopping
Matt and I went shopping for things that he will have to take with him to the highway patrol academy next Wednesday. Things like: 9 pair of brief underware (had to buy all new, because he wears boxers!); 8 crew neck white undershirts (he has always worn V neck, so had to buy all new); 6 pair black cotton socks; 8 pair white crew socks; shoe shine kit; medicated or talcum powder; vitamins; a white laundry bag; rain coat; a black hoody (with no markings on it); a black toboggan (with no markings); brown work gloves....all that adds up to a goodly amount of money. Add 3 nights spent in a hotel in Raleigh; gas to and from Raleigh 3 times; gas to Yanceyville and back twice for interviews (most of these trips during the gas hike); and a trip to see some officer in Greensboro....it has cost a pretty penny to get him into this class.
I had him stop by Hobby Lobby (could I resist when I was going right by there!?) When we came out, we say Mitch and Ellen drive up. Matt called him, and he came over and visited while Ellen went on in the store. They hadn't seen one another in months. He and Ellen are planning to get married in the spring, they think May. I am so glad. As Dave says, "that baby needs a mama and a daddy" speaking of their baby boy. May God bless them in their relationship.
I had him stop by Hobby Lobby (could I resist when I was going right by there!?) When we came out, we say Mitch and Ellen drive up. Matt called him, and he came over and visited while Ellen went on in the store. They hadn't seen one another in months. He and Ellen are planning to get married in the spring, they think May. I am so glad. As Dave says, "that baby needs a mama and a daddy" speaking of their baby boy. May God bless them in their relationship.
Monday, November 3, 2008
I need to keep my eye on Him
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,I sing because I’m free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Now....I must remember to keep MY eye on Him!!!!
Refrain
I sing because I’m happy,I sing because I’m free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain
Now....I must remember to keep MY eye on Him!!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Great weekend!
The Women of Faith conference was held in Greensboro this weekend. Oh, what a treat!
Patsy and I hadn't preordered tickets, and when I mentioned several weeks ago something about going, she (and I) didn't want to pay the price of the tickets at $75.00 apiece...especially since at that late date, we would probably be up in the rafters. About a week ago one of my church friends asked if I had tickets for it, and I explained the able to her. She said that she had a conflict and wouldn't be able to attend....and would sell her pre-bought $45.00 ticket for $40.00. Another person in the church had a set, too, that we could buy. So, we bought them!!
The theme this year was Infinite Grace. Mary Graham, the president of WOF, who usually does all of the introduction of the speakers, was taking a break (was there, but not active.) Lisa Welchel, who played Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, filled in for Mary.
Patsy and I arrived around 6PM for Friday night's program that began at 7 PM. We were the first to arrive in our assigned section. It wasn't long, though, until Nancy, the woman who had ordered all our tickets arrived. She had a gift of hand cream and hand sanitizer for each of us. Soon, others from my church arrived; Kathy, Melinda, Rita, Margaret, Trudy, Joan and Donna, then a little later, Sheila, Mickey, and Debbie. The Women of Faith Worship team opened the program with several inspirational songs. Lisa then introduced each speaker with most of them giving just a small foretaste of what they were going to present to the audience at a later time. They included Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh, Allison Allen, Sandi Patty, Nicole C. Mullen, Louise Duart, Natalie Grant, and Anita Renfroe. Longer presentations were given by both Sheila Walsh and Natalie Grant...with her sing several songs and Sheila expounding on her topic....praying. She voiced how pray does not have to be a bunch of pretty words, or formality...but one just needs to talk to God...that's all He wants for us to do...just talk to Him. Around 10 the program wound down. Our group gathered in a closing prayer offered by Donna.
Saturday morning, Patsy and I headed out, stopping by McDonald's for a bit of breakfast.
Patsy Clairmont was her usually ball of energy and was a delight. Marilyn Meberg gave a moving talk on abandonment. Braving traffic and parking, we finally arrived back at our seats. Patsy Clairmont was the first to speak. She was her usually ball of bursting energy. I just knew I would remember what each one spoke about...but for the life of me, I can't remember her topic.
Marilyn Meberg gave a wonderful, humor filled talk on the sad subject of abandonment. We each have felt this despairing emotion whether the abandonment was a voluntary abandonment or an involuntary one. She ended with the reminder of the One who would never leave or forsake us...no matter what.
Allison Allen preformed several sketches that were written by Nicole Johnson.
Sandi Patty's talk about our wrapping ourselves in layers though our lifetime...layers of guilt, pain and shame...and allowing God to remove those layers to allow us to become the women God planned for us to become. Plus she belted out sever wonderful songs.
Nicole C. Mullen...what can I say!! She, alone, was worth what we paid to get in! She sang Redeemer; Black, White, Tan; Witness; Come Unto Me and Brainwash...may have been more, but that's all I can recall right now. Talk about an energize powerhouse! She sang with her entire being... a theatrical singer/dancer. Team NCM joined her for several numbers. Great job!
Anita Renfroe actually only spoke on Friday night. She sang her The Mom Song ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM )a wonderfully funny whatmomssayallday to the tune of William Tell Overture. She also did a funny one called Before I eat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygWO30gdpK4
Louise Duart, a talented impressionist told her story of how God used a broken dream and a broken marriage despite the fact that at times it seemed He had perhaps forgotten her. She laced her entire program with great impressions of George Burns, Joan Rivers, Carol Burnette, Edith Bunker, Hilary Clinton and Cher...among others.
The evening was closed with song by Natalie Grant.
All-in-all a great weekend. Looking forward to next year's WOF conference.
Patsy and I hadn't preordered tickets, and when I mentioned several weeks ago something about going, she (and I) didn't want to pay the price of the tickets at $75.00 apiece...especially since at that late date, we would probably be up in the rafters. About a week ago one of my church friends asked if I had tickets for it, and I explained the able to her. She said that she had a conflict and wouldn't be able to attend....and would sell her pre-bought $45.00 ticket for $40.00. Another person in the church had a set, too, that we could buy. So, we bought them!!
The theme this year was Infinite Grace. Mary Graham, the president of WOF, who usually does all of the introduction of the speakers, was taking a break (was there, but not active.) Lisa Welchel, who played Blair Warner on The Facts of Life, filled in for Mary.
Patsy and I arrived around 6PM for Friday night's program that began at 7 PM. We were the first to arrive in our assigned section. It wasn't long, though, until Nancy, the woman who had ordered all our tickets arrived. She had a gift of hand cream and hand sanitizer for each of us. Soon, others from my church arrived; Kathy, Melinda, Rita, Margaret, Trudy, Joan and Donna, then a little later, Sheila, Mickey, and Debbie. The Women of Faith Worship team opened the program with several inspirational songs. Lisa then introduced each speaker with most of them giving just a small foretaste of what they were going to present to the audience at a later time. They included Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh, Allison Allen, Sandi Patty, Nicole C. Mullen, Louise Duart, Natalie Grant, and Anita Renfroe. Longer presentations were given by both Sheila Walsh and Natalie Grant...with her sing several songs and Sheila expounding on her topic....praying. She voiced how pray does not have to be a bunch of pretty words, or formality...but one just needs to talk to God...that's all He wants for us to do...just talk to Him. Around 10 the program wound down. Our group gathered in a closing prayer offered by Donna.
Saturday morning, Patsy and I headed out, stopping by McDonald's for a bit of breakfast.
Patsy Clairmont was her usually ball of energy and was a delight. Marilyn Meberg gave a moving talk on abandonment. Braving traffic and parking, we finally arrived back at our seats. Patsy Clairmont was the first to speak. She was her usually ball of bursting energy. I just knew I would remember what each one spoke about...but for the life of me, I can't remember her topic.
Marilyn Meberg gave a wonderful, humor filled talk on the sad subject of abandonment. We each have felt this despairing emotion whether the abandonment was a voluntary abandonment or an involuntary one. She ended with the reminder of the One who would never leave or forsake us...no matter what.
Allison Allen preformed several sketches that were written by Nicole Johnson.
Sandi Patty's talk about our wrapping ourselves in layers though our lifetime...layers of guilt, pain and shame...and allowing God to remove those layers to allow us to become the women God planned for us to become. Plus she belted out sever wonderful songs.
Nicole C. Mullen...what can I say!! She, alone, was worth what we paid to get in! She sang Redeemer; Black, White, Tan; Witness; Come Unto Me and Brainwash...may have been more, but that's all I can recall right now. Talk about an energize powerhouse! She sang with her entire being... a theatrical singer/dancer. Team NCM joined her for several numbers. Great job!
Anita Renfroe actually only spoke on Friday night. She sang her The Mom Song ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM )a wonderfully funny whatmomssayallday to the tune of William Tell Overture. She also did a funny one called Before I eat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygWO30gdpK4
Louise Duart, a talented impressionist told her story of how God used a broken dream and a broken marriage despite the fact that at times it seemed He had perhaps forgotten her. She laced her entire program with great impressions of George Burns, Joan Rivers, Carol Burnette, Edith Bunker, Hilary Clinton and Cher...among others.
The evening was closed with song by Natalie Grant.
All-in-all a great weekend. Looking forward to next year's WOF conference.
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