I Will Remember This Day Forever

Today is a very special day for my husband and I. 37 years in the Senior Pastorate. We both have decided to just be us and enjoy every word, every waking moment and give a lot of love to the people that will be there.

There will be a "Commemorative" Bulletin and lots of healthy foods. I'm more concerned about my husband because it puts the beginning of a new life for him (& me). Maybe I can blog about it and maybe I cannot. Right now I can only say my heart is happy for a new beginning of many many blessings from 37 years of Pastoring and the end of a public life going to private life! As they say on Facebook...wooohoo!!!!

I pray you get to attend.

Love & Prayers,
Carol

Celebration! 37 Years!!!!!

Tomorrow........at church! Yea!!!!

To pay attention to everything.

To take absolutely nothing for granted.

Celebrate!

My heart is open to the future!

Bring it on!

See you there..........10 a.m. No excuse will do!

I want to see you at Lighthouse Church!

What Comes Next?

I'm not nearly as stressed as people might imagine. Over the years, I've learned to focus my energy on the present, to be fully aware of what's happening in each moment and not to start thinking about what SHOULD have happened, what's going wrong, or what might come next. I take in so much information and absorb so many people's stories every day; if I didn't find a way to decompress, I'd be totally ineffective!

Taking care of yourself so you can better care for others is an idea many ladies I talk to still can't embrace. You have to nurture yourself so you'll have more nurturing to give to those who most need you. It's the oxygen-mask theory; If you don't put on your mask first, you won't be able to save anyone else. Stop. Go mindless. Breathe. Let go And remind yourself that this very moment is the only moment of what comes next. Get your mind off of self so much; send a card to someone that means a lot to you.....this world is too short and one of these days you will live in pure regret. Now is he time to love and let love. I've been reading the story of Jerry Falwell's life.....What comes next? Who would ever believe his life; this mighty man who knew everyone's name....that his life would end of soon. Enjoy your Friday. I'm looking forward to what comes next in this day!!!!

"Enjoy your Day"

Have you ever been told to "enjoy your day" and you really did enjoy it!

Give or take a couple of appointments, I will enjoy my day. It is my sincere prayer that your day will be enjoyable (I really mean that) and as far as blogging goes, as much as I truly love it, I will cut it short today.

The sun is out; the day looks like a magnificent day; enjoy your day!

He's The Cooler Than Cool Legend Rocker!

From the early beginning of U2, I have always been interested in reading the life of Bono who is quite a legend and also a great family man. Husband of 23 years, father of four who always sings his heart out. And I love what he says about his wife. In this one article I've been reading from Oprah's book: "My wife is cool. Oh, yeah. She's quite a character. And she has a very strong sense of herself. She's capable of extraordinary things. Right now she's working on a new way of doing business in apparel. It involves fair trade practices in which people in Third World countries get paid properly and get health insurance - and you still make a fortune. It may be one of the biggest brands in the next years, so watch out. It's called Edun. My wife is not ambitious in any way you may be familiar with. For her, ambition is a slow kind of burning. If each partner wants the other to realize his or her potential, the relationship will probably be okay. If one has to sacrifice for the other, which is so often the case, I don't think it's as good as two people trying to outdo each other (with support)."

He says his life consists of living "under the celebrity radar." He says he has very little memory about his childhood. Anyway, I enjoy reading articles about him, his life, his passion for mankind and his family. And I love to listen to his "slow" songs. He sounds like a really great husband along with all the other incredible talent and I'm sure the favorite number one singer among the world!!! It has sure made my day reading about him and sharing it on my blog.

Empowerment

There is an interesting correlation between women's business success and their marital status. If you look at male executives, someone has said 95 percent of them are married. If you look at female executives, 80 to 90 percent of them are unmarried. What does that tell us? It tells us that for a man, having a wife means having a support system, someone to provide domestic nurturance while he is the bread winner. Can we have it all? Well, maybe...just not all at once. Because women want to sacrifice by having a family and be a Mom and take care of the home. Power can be taken but not given. The process of the taking is empowerment in itself. I believe women run around fearful because they are jealous of someone else or angry because they don't always have what they want. I've actually seen them throw fits like a kid and that's sad. I say get your power back and priorities in order. Nine times out of ten they'll admit they haven't picked their Bible up in months!!! Hey ladies.....that's our power source!!!!! Stay in the word!

I have a lot of things to prove to myself.
One is that I can live with empowerment and not let anyone take it away from me. If it happens I get it back quickly! Have a happy Tuesday!

Keep This Day Eventful

I know that God looks for His children and meets us where we are.....I was talking to a lady Saturday who said "The Lord found me in a reject bin." She was such a lovely lady, I could not imagine that!!!!

I had forgotten that scars and flaws and nail prints can be marks of love.

I had become used to living in winter until God called for this beautiful day.

I never could have imagined that this place of the beginning of a new life would happen. I'm sure the lady I met with was a purpose God had to just praise my comings and goings.

However, I am trusting family and the Lord and people who are the shining lights to me. Psalm 27:1 says "Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" I will keep this day eventful to pass happy thoughts through my mind, soul, and spirit. I'm sure that as I enter into this new country called "retirement" I will find people who are expressing their joy to me for what I am going to experience. Pause a moment and remember those who have already reached the portals of glory and say "You added tons and tons of joy to me, that's for sure!"

Keep This Day Eventful!!! (& peaceful) : )

Time is to no Essence

Where have I heard that phrase? Hmmm - Getting up at 4 is becoming a habit. It started when our neighbors had an all night part (they have various ages in the fam.) and my inner alarm clock tells me 4 sounds like "get up." It sure is awfully quiet.

Keeps my devotions up to date.

My prayer list keeps up to date.

I have plenty of reading time.

Creating cards is fun!

"Neighborhood watch" is active!

ENCOURAGING THOUGHT:

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different...

bACK TO TIME.....

How about you? What time do you arise?

Today at church will be awesome......so meanwhile I will concentrate on the service. It's a "Yea God" thing! Pray for us. Time is drawing close to our retirement in the Pastorate. God gives me plenty of time to be thankful being up this early! C ya in Church!

Trust -

It used to be.......

I'm being very honest and transparent about this. What a disappointment to know what you thought you could trust the person you shared, but now they can't wait to tell the person what you said! How do you know? But when it boils right down to it, you could be chasing rabbits as I call it because what if you to told the husband and he happened to mention it to his wife and she is the one spreading it to the person? I see that happen a lot, due to jealousy because you talk to the husband and not her.

Too negative and I'm not going to let it spoil my great time with that person! Because it's "third hand information." Little by little, I feel the Lord peel away the layers of forgiveness I need to have for the person who betrays my trust. Does it hurt? You bet it does. I thank the Lord for helping me to back off so I can look at all these hurts and have a better perspective. Thank the Lord for showing me how to love them with a love that comes from Him, even when all is not right. I realize now I don't have to agree with them in order to forgive. I will trust again, but the lesson in trust is if you don't want it told, don't say it! People can't wait to tell someone what you said, so they can be the hero of information!

C ya in church tomorrow - 10 a.m. :=)

Celebrate Our Loved Ones

Although I always celebrate Memorial Day thinking about my loved ones that have passed on; a lot of people celebrate the Veteran's who have served in the Armed Forces and gave their lives. Either one, it's a sacred day for me remembering the great days with loved ones and I'm sure my husband knows Vets who have sacrificed for us. At any rate, however you celebrate, enjoy a relaxing day on Monday and I will say I am grateful that the day is a Holiday for all of us.

It seems like yesterday (it was 1970) that we placed a beautiful wreath on the grave of my precious Momma. My heart is full of fond memories of her. She sacrificed a lot by giving birth to so many children. She will always stand out in my life, that's for sure! May your Friday be blessed beyond anything you could ever ask or think!

A Love That Won't Walk Away

Have you ever read Isaiah 54:10? "The mountains may disappear and the hills may come to an end. But my love will never disappear. My promise of peace will not come to an end."

He shows mercy to all of us regarding PEACE. And love....it stays

You wake up in the morning and your whole world changes. Nothing will ever be as you have known it to be. Always and forever I know the Lord is such a gentle Shepherd, and caring nd dependable guide. He will not leave us broken or lost. One great thing I have learned never changes -

IS THE LOVE OF GOD. Yesterday

Today

Forever

A love that will not walk away- remains the same!

"Dancing With The Stars"

I'm one of these people who stays awake to watch something I want to watch on TV. I fell asleep for the last 20 minutes of "Dancing With The Stars" last night but when I read it on MSN who won, I was shocked! After staying awake all those Mon. & Tues. nights, I need a gold medal, but on the last one, falling asleep. Ugh!!! Oh well, yesterday was a very busy day so I deserved the rest! I just knew Melissa would get it!

Oh well, life goes on! It was fun watching it. What more could their bodies do? I know it looks like hard work.

Speaking of hard work. Training a dog not to jump on the back glass door....I promise I won't give up! A) I'm tired of cleaning it and B)It ruins the door...oh well, it will happen. I got my training from a guy at PetsMart. I hope you enjoy your day filled with whatever it takes to make your day! Encourage someone today....it's fun!

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Why do people or one person want to start a ruckus?

The Bible says "Blessed.........(concentrate on that word a second!) are the peacemakers." I want to bless someone and be blessed myself. Don't you?

Why stir up trouble when you don't have to!!!!

Think about that - be a part of a support, love, and the happiness you can receive by being a peacemaker!!!!

All Is Well

I hope you have a blissful Monday.

All is well with me and I will begin now to get my "TO DO" list up & at 'em!

A Rose

My husband got me a gorgeous arrangement of red roses (dozen) for being "The Mother of His Kids and a marvelous wife." They are still gorgeous! Have you ever stood still, looked into the head of a rose and marveled at its beauty? Days before such a beautiful rose was a small, tight bud. Who could imagine that within a few days this would become a beauty so large it seemed impossible that it ever fit into that bud? What's more, the rose can overwhelm with the pleasure of its exquisite fragrance.

Becoming a Christian is like this. Without Christ, we "are limited and small" but once we have been united with Christ, (Phil. 2:1) our loving Savior, we unfold and expland like that rose. In Christ we can become full of rich and compassion, spreading the fragrance of love.

See ya in Church, 10 a.m. tomorrow.

I'm A White Cake Person

Midway through a lunch I was having with a friend, my eyes focused on a menu left that had desserts in it. The focus by me was on a white cake! Dessert? Hmmmm - I've even gone so far as to get hostess twinkies and eaten one of the celephane wrapped piece - but only one. Eating two would be getting the bulging feeling....but that satisfied my hunger for a piece of white cake. This will keep me in check and healthy.....not two pieces of white cake, but only ONE. I think that is where we women get ourselves in trouble but nipping at another piece of cake and another....It's not as difficult for me because I'm not a sweet eater, but whoa for the discipline...one will do and only one. My very favorite white cake is coconut!!! How about you? Put yourself first; have your cake and eat it to!!! This is your a-ha moment having the cake YOU want! Have fun! I call it instant restoratives...have it your way. Actually hot tea is better to drink with dessert rather than coffee. And that's my take on my very favorite piece of cake!

C ya in Church.....2 more days and Service begins at 10 a.m.

Another Word On Patience........

GET GREAT AT THE WAIT.
Be patient - the ability to persevere is what separates whiners from winners!

Sun Up To Sun Down....random thoughts

Wow! Yesterday I worked from sun up to sun down; hence up early. Awe - the still of the morning.....having a cup of delicious coffee my hubby made, and the last thing I remember last night was both of us going to sleep and he said "You are an amazing woman." I slept like a log on that compliment.

Yesterday I was at Church and met some awesome people. God is great, folks! That's all I can say. I hope you don't miss out on His blessings by not acknowledging that He is all knowing, all opnipotent and just a fabulous God! I just know He has blessed me beyond comprehension!

I also had the privilege to make some "Carol's Creative Cards" - some of them would blow your socks off.........I love getting my brain into action and thinking of how to arrange my embellishments and words to uplift the person that receives them!

Get real! Don't spend the rest of your life being SELFISH......put others first and it will come back to you 100 percent!!!!! Have a very happy Wednesday!

Caught Up On Reading

I'm finally caught up on reading.....I've wanted to finish the book "Players At The Game of People" - a novel written by John Brunner who just moved somewhere and being a very unknown person in a foreign country and wrote descriptions of the games people play to get acquainted with you. I couldn't put the book down; however, I don't agree with so many avenues he took to get people to notice him, it was still a book that interested me and I finished it!

And do people still play games? They sure did in the year 1980 that he wrote the book.....I would only recommend the book to anyone that is a "people person" because it brings back to reality how we should be real and transparent (that's my honest opinion) rather than play games........I see right through people who are phoney or who do not want the best of me. I stay away from people who don't bring out the best in me....it drags me downward whirl....and life is too short to be around drainy people. It's a tough world out there, but remember God brings us up to a level of loving, happy living. I'm looking for friends who will "check in" with me to at least see how I am doing and returning the love toward them is the name of my game!!!!!! Have a happy Tuesday filled with reading, goal setting, and great stuff to make this world a better place!!!!

Become More Patient

The quality of patience goes a long way toward your goal of creating a more peaceful and loving self. The more patient you are, the more accepting you will be of what is, rather than insisting that life be exactly as you would like it to be. Without patience, life is extremely frustrating. You are easily annoyed, bothered, and irritated. Patience adds a dimension of ease and acceptance to your life. It's essential for inner peace.

You can start by saying "Okay, for the next five minutes I won't allow myself to be bothereed by anything. I'll be patient." Patience is one of those special qualities where success feeds on itself. Once you reach little milestones - five minutes of successful patience - you'll begin to see that you have a better capacity to be patient, even for longer times!

Improving patience level is a great way to start this week.

Do I?? Don't I????

Okay, due to persuasive e-mails I received this morning (my morning begins incredibly early as you know) I questioned Do I or Don't I blog on MY SPECIAL DAY, MOTHER'S DAY??? Then I remembered a Book my kids got me when their were in their teen years that I keep close by on the shelf called "Mother, Thank You For All Your Love." Obviously it's a book of poetry writings on thankfulness that I'm their Mom. Here's one:
"Mother, I Will Love You All My Days"

Thanks, Mom,
for always watching over me,
but also for instilling in me your
own confident independence and self-reliance,
your natural wisdom and compassion.
I will live all my days in the love you've
given me, which I return with all my heart.


I'm one blessed Mom as they make me feel extraordinary, splendid, delightful, terrific and the list goes on and on. Today I shall lather in the joy of Motherhood! I've already heard from both of them and it makes me so happy to be their Mom; I am so humbled because I don't feel it's all about me, it's about them, but then it's called "Mother's Day" so I'll have to just do nothing but ENJOY it and be ever so thankful!

See ya in Church - that's where I'll be this a.m. wearing a beautiful white flower in memory of my own Mom who has been a fabulous memory since her passing in 1970 and my husband wearing a white flower for the first time since his Mom passed at the end of 2008.

I'm so glad I made the "Do I??" choice. yea!!!!!

Awesome!!!!!

Last night after our wonderful date night, we came home to find a FED EX box on the front porch! It was my Happy Mother's Day present from our daughter!!! It was from Martha Stewart's Awesome Company.....so I dived right in to open it. It was the coolest, most awesome Afternoon Tea Hamper with actually what I've been looking for.......Estate Teas, Shortbreads (like the once I'm addicted to at Starbuck's) and Scone Mixes (like the ones I eat constantly at Barnes & Noble)....plus that's not all; Plum Butter (I'm an avid toast eater and was out of "jellies.") Honey, with authentic, classy honey servers...that's awesome.....then, it also had puff pastries (identical to the delicious ones at Starbuck's.) Only Martha Stewart's are more fresh, tasty and addictive!

Usually she sends a totally awesome vase with Martha Stewart roses, but believe me, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN DRINKING AND EATING! I told her she was a mind reader because I frequent Starbuck's and Barnes & Noble eating just what she sent. The basket (eloquent) will work perfectly for when I stay with the grandkiddos and I can put my eyeglasses, cell phone, and very personal things in so the cats won't get them. Also can be used as picnic basket for my hubby and I when we go to the park for our picnics!!!! I'm blessed being the Mom of two most AWESOME (there's that word again) kids in the whole wide world!!!

Tomorrow at church my hubby and I both will be wearing a white flower since his Mom passed on to glory last Christmas 2008. It's a special day for us to honor our own Moms as we praise God for their upbringing! And of course we will be giving out flowers to each Mother present at our own Church Service. See you there; 10 a.m.
Happy pre-Mother's Day....come and enjoy your day. I am the most grateful Mom in the world!

God is Great!

And I hope we never forget it! Okay ladies.....it's Mother's Day Sunday and our church will, as always, give a flower to each Mom! I hope we see you there; this Sunday 10 a.m. What a joy to be celebrated as Mother. A great title I hold dear and seriously overjoyed about! I am so happy for our kids and grandkids as they blossom in their lives in all the challenges they are confronted by. That's what Motherhood is all about.......being a cheerleader for your kids and happy that they have great things happen to them. I see so many selfish Mom's who try to make their kids' lives miserable.......my heart goes out to you that you will see how much more fun it is to have a joyful attitude and happiness for them that makes them happy. Oh don't even get me started on that soapbox. May God give you the real joy of being a Mom, not to your husband......but to your precious kids......Love to all the ladies I have had the privilege of having ministry with and happy Mother's Day 2009 for sure!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDDAUGHTER!!!!!

Have an awesome day!

All our love and thoughts,
Granadma & Grandpa!!!! woohoo........You rock our world!!!!!

The Truth

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free has always been one of my favorite Bible verses - one I memorized long before I understood what it meant. I've since learned that you can't know the truth until you're willing to know yourself and vice versa. Knowing yourself is a lifelong process, with the biggest lessons often emerging from your biggest mistakes.

My biggest mistakes in life have all stemmed from giving my power to someone else - believing that the love others had to offer was more important than the love I had to give to myself. What is the truth of your life? It's your duty to know.

The truth is that which feel right and good and loving. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good. It's that which allows you to live every day with integrity. Everything you do and say shows the world who you really are. Let it be the truth!

Pre-Birthday Week

....for whom this time????? Our very own granddaughter who has already reached the "double digits" so add another year to that and you have 11 great super years! She is an amazing granddaugher; determined, creative, loyal, strong, fun, and has some very strong character traits. (Also very talented...oh my gosh it would take all day to write about her talents even at the age of 11!) Actually, this grandma and grandpa think she is a "spitten image of her Daddy" which of course is our son. I just hope and pray she has a great pre-birthday week and I can hardly wait to wish her the greatest birthday ever and a saying she has acquired "shop 'til she drops!!!" She is definitely loving! Her parents are raising a good one and the one thing I love so much is that her brother (who is 8 now) admires his sister and that's a super quality in and of itself. She is named after me and her other grandma....Taylor Carol.....what a fabulous joy that gives me.....so happy birthday, Taylor Carol and many many wishes come true for you! I love you! Grandma

What Is Your Passion?

Everyone has the power for greatness - for for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service. As far back, as I can recall, my prayer has been the same: "Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater thn myself."

All of us need a vision for our lives, and even as we work to achieve the vision, we must surrender it to the power that is greater than we know. It's one of the defining moments and principles of my life that I love to share. God can dream a bigger dream for you than you could ever dream for yourself.

Ignoring your passion is like dying a slow death. Your life is speaking to you every day, all the time and your job is to listen up and find the clues. Passion whispers to you through your feelings, beckoning you toward your highest good. Pay attention to what makes you feel energized, connected, stimulated - what gives you your juice. Do what you love, give it back in the form of service, and you will succeed and triumph! C ya in church tomorrow @ 10 a.m. Q&A afterwards.

The Day

"Birth" Day - think back for a moment on your history - not just where you were born but the circumstances that contributed to your being here. Consider what you believed about yourself based on what others told you directly and indirectly since 93 % of communication is through nuance and action, not words. How were you treated? That is what defined how you experienced the world - both the oments when you felt valued and wanted and the oments when you felt wounded and sure you'd never be fulfilled. Thought you've probably had times when you didn't want to press on, yet you have survived your path. You are still here, still standing and what an amazing journey your life has been!

If you're holding anyone elese accountable for your happiness, you're wasting time. Pay attention. Every choice gives you a chance to pave your own road. Keep moving - it's full speed ahead. Get rid of chaos and extra junk you have carried around. Let it go....give it to Salvation Army if you have too many things.....but ladies take some pride in your self and please your husband. Today I'm giving up my freedom as I usually have a "Carol" Day - where I browse for bargains but I'm giving it up so I can do my husband's laundry. He's been a very busy man this week and deserves CLEAN CLOTHES when he starts next week. I press on.......amazing life's journey - I have a husband to please.....I hope these thoughts have been ENCOURAGING. Love & Prayers, Carol 2 more days until Chuch..C ya there!!!