There's been a breakthrough!!!

 

This a short post but I just have to make record of this breakthrough of my blog. I have a comment from a reader outside close friends. Someone I don't know has not only read a post but has commented on it and that's the breakthrough I've been working toward since I started blogging several years ago.  A totally encouraging comment was left on the post about turning 80. I'm so encouraged to continue writing the little bits and pieces of my thoughts and experience as Life continues. I love writing and it's rewarding when someone reads what I've written and also comments their thoughts.  I do give thanks.  

Yup, it's me, Judy sitting in my recliner this beautiful November day adding this note of thanks. Blessings to all. Leave a comment if you will, and thanks for stopping by.

 

Visit to Nurse PA and then...stayed!

Went to see the nurse and ended up in the ER then the hospital!

Who knew? Well of course God knew. At some juncture the thought did occur to me that I was going to hospital, but it was a fleeting thought. Sure, enough one thing led to another and there I was at 10am in bed in the ER at the hospital where I worked a long time ago in the gift shop. The hospital that my youngest daughter spent most of her 30-year career as a nurse. She was who I called when the VA Nurse Practitioner advised me very strongly to go to an ER. We left my car in the parking lot and at about 10 checked into the ER without having to wait as I recall. 

The whole protocol has changed since I was in hospital several years back. Now there is an ER doctor and hospitalists who are the hospitals doctors who rotate shifts who call all the shots literally. Specialists consult but it's the hospitalist who writes the orders for everything. He admits and discharges. Any other doctor in your life has not position except to do surgery. Specialists' can be called in but though they can order testing it is the hospitalist who actually puts all things in motion.

 My cardiologist ordered a test but it was the hospitalist who got it on the move and though the specialist told me to make an appointment in two weeks and he'd tell me what the test revealed. But that didn't happen...too many people on the way. I have yet to get an appointment from the powers that be. I expect to hear about that maybe next week, maybe. I had really good care in spite of all the rigmarole. 

Meals were excellent. All good color and tasty and more than enough food. Everything in that area was best ever as far as I'm concerned. The reason for all of the attention was triple digit numbers in my blood pressure and a really low heartbeat. The bp numbers have been going on since March this year and this is now August 3rd. I'm glad to be home and the numbers are all good now. A good many meds changed and some deleted. Since I've been home, I'm just plain tired. My EKG showed some scar tissue so the cardiologist things I've had an attack but I'm guessing I'll find out when at the appointment in his clinic. My daughter has been the best during the whole 5 days...guess 6 days now. She had all the information the doctors asked me for...I had no clue! And when I needed help, she went to bat for me and got what was needed during the 4 days I was there. She took Milo home with her. 

Milo was my dog at the time. He looks like a small black fox for which I'm exceedingly thankful... I couldn't have done so well without my daughter. This is the second day home and I'm ok but really tired. Didn't get to go to my grandsons wedding shower... and won't be going to church tomorrow. Not all that stable walking. I spent every day in bed. The walking I did was from the bed to the bathroom and back. So thankful to back in my own bed with my pooch. I'm on the mend and should be up and at'em the beginning of the week and I'm looking forward to that. In the meantime, I haven't done much of anything. 

About Milo...He has gone to North Carolina to live with his new mom and new brother Otis, a graying Chiwawa. (Can never remember how to spell it so it's phonetic.) I came back to this post to add the picture and decided to do some editing in the spelling and grammar and thought to redo Milo's info. I Miss him but he's got a buddy now to interest him and not be alone when his mom is gone. He was pretty lonesome with me.

 Guess I'll turn out the light on the day. This is Judy from Gramms Cottage with Milo alongside saying goodnight and God Bless all. Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Crafting Again...YAY!

Everything's a big mess in my new craft room. I clean up and then mess it up! an ongoing cycle and I absolutely love crafting in my craft room. There's going to be a craft fair at my new apartment complex in October. I understand they do so every year. Apparently I get 2 6' long tables at no charge and I can sell my crafts and keep all the proceeds. So I have begun my planning as well as crafting. My list of crafts to be ready to sell includes, hand crafted jewelry by me, refreshed old jewelry collected, origami folded paper shirts that hold money or a gift Card, junk journals and small paper books for notes titled "something to write on" designed for purse or wallet, jewelry crafts like wall hangings and yard sale items renewed that haven't sold in the past like ceramic containers with floral arrangement included and various other renewed or newly adapted for new uses items. 

 Have already started making, selecting things, cleaning things, refreshing things and making display containers and adding to them. Don't know how much I will come up with from now until mid October but I'm gonna give it my best shot. Not interested in making Christmas decor mostly thinking about gifts and gift tags and cards with Christmas in mind the rest will be for gifting. I learned so much while I was into jewelry making about display and making my own display holders that while making the items I'm also making things to display the crafts I make on. All very creative. I don't really have any pictures to add here. 

Well, I think I'll postpone posting this until tomorrow when I can take some pictures of what I'm making for show and tell....yup, think I'll do that. Right now it's 3:40am so I need to turn out the light and go to sleep instead of keep writing. SO...nite nite and I take this up tomorrow and get it posted then.... Still didn't take any pics but before I say goodnight this Sat. night I want to mention what I'm amazed about and that is those of you who read my posts are from all over the World.

I mentioned Hong Kong where there are the most readers then there's Singapore, France and so many more. I just want to say thank you all for popping in and reading what I write. I'd love to hear from you individually and I can if you will leave a comment or you can just say Hi. Maybe I'll remember about the pics tomorrow...Goodnight all....

having trouble arranging the pictures but these are just a couple of crafts in the making. The reindeer are made of salt dough and they are bow ornaments to put on a Christmas gift.

Did I tell you I'm a great grandmother?

 Isn't it wonderful?                                                                                            So thankful for Mazie!

Mazie  7.11#'s

And she's beautiful. I've gotten lots of pictures thanks to my daughter who is with her daughter and her new baby daughter. Well, that's my big news. They live far far away but it's okay. When I was having my babies I lived far far away from my parents and grandparents. Technology may be frustrating sometimes but I'm sure thankful that I get to see her in real time on my laptop and hear the conversations  going on while I get to watch baby Mazie sleep. LOL, I think that's funny. It is actually fun and a treat to get to see her sleeping while life goes on around her she is all snuggled up sleeping.   

In the mean time back at the cottage, I've unpacked the last box and busy now organizing the closets and each room, one at a time. Some rooms, like the craft room, are a continual organizing and reorganizing but that's to be expected. 

I knew my life was going to change because of this move. Texas is big and it takes a while to get where you want to go no matter where you live. I moved across town and its like moving to a different town. The same stores I shopped at before have branches where I moved and I'm noticing they are each laid out just a little bit differently so things aren't in the same place in each store. The traffic is terrific here more than where I was and I was in a busy area. I'm using more gas going across town to church and friends and it takes more time to get across town from where I am now. Looks like my gas budget is going to increase considerably and I'm thinking I have to run errands and stay out longer by trying to take care of them in one trip. Kinda like living out in the country only not if you get what I mean. Other things are looking like change is gonna happen too like seeing friends less often and maybe even changing churches. Because there seems to be more traffic it's a bit more of effort to get somewhere because of the amount of cars and the speed limit is higher so everyone is moving faster. Not a problem really just different.

I'm glad I made the move it's really good and I must admit I do like change. Brings lots of new things and new people and different experiences. It's really a good thing, kind of like an adventure.  My apartment is much more square footage and so I walk more just inside my home from room to room and up and down the hallway and that can't be bad. The neighborhood is much safer to walk my pooch. The streets are narrow and curvy and there is a no trespassing sign at the entry of the community. So most of the cars are residents or visitors so nearly no traffic. Milo and I walk safely and he is beginning to be familiar with the streets we walk in and the other dogs of the neighborhood. He's not real friendly with them though, just their owners. He likes them alot. I've done a little crafting  while sorting all the box contents since the first of May. I do have big plans in that aspect of my new residence.  Slowly but surely the craft room is looking better and less congested.

Life is good these days for me and I hope the same is for you where ever you are. I know, there's lots to complain about but I choose not to do that. I really am thankful for all this move has given me, even the gas and time  that has changed. That's it for this post. It's a little after 11pm so time to turn in on this 6th of June. God bless you and yours...keep looking up, it's just easier on the eyes and thoughts. 

Leave a comment, that's something I haven't had yet but I sure would like to know what's on your mind. I'm Judy, in my room at my new cottage...good night.

Something Happened and I must tell...

 Over the past few months I've been leading a Bible Study group of generally 4 ladies, 5 including myself. I say leading rather than teaching because that's what happens. We are using a book written by Dr. Jeremiah "The God You May Not Know". Our group meets every week at the home of one of the ladies and is always relaxed and always a cold canned Pepsi is offered. We are all Seniors and range from the 60's to the 80's.

My groups are usually talkers because I encourage questions and comments even small debates at times. The point is to learn from the material and each other. I truly believe Holy Spirit resides within each believer and He is our ultimate teacher and I like to hear what he has to say through each of the participants. Of course there must be constraints of sorts but that's to fit within our time limit and to stay on task. The Bible is on hand of course.

This study has changed me and I am surprised and totally in! I've been a Christian, born again, since 1975. Been in lay leadership in the church, home group leadership with my late husband, Officially a leader in the church as Co-Pastor after graduating from CFNI, Dallas, Tx in 1987. Official ministry ended in 2001. That means I was no longer officially licensed within the denomination that Licensed me. This happens when a licensed minister no longer holds a paying position in a church. Because God's calling is without repentance, I continue on without a church covering, in ministry. 

I do not consider myself to know the answers to life, about God, the church, or any asked of me. I do follow the lead of my God in daily life as much as I know how. I love my Creator more and more everyday and spend time with Him daily. And yet, I'm blown away at how much the study that is finishing up this next week about the Creator of all that is created and all that is, is created by the Creator, make no mistake about that. It is fact and has nothing to do with whether or not mankind believes He Is.

Certainly I cannot rewrite the book I'm finishing up, in the telling here. What I do want to say is I am thoroughly amazed by the explanation of who God is. I still don't know it all and no one can because we are limited. He is not. Only by His own Holiness and it's His choice.  There are certain words that I have decided are never ending. They are as follows:

Eternity, Omniscience, Love, Heaven, Hell, God's Creation...the universe, galaxies, space, never, always, more. 

To actually realize that all of God is everywhere all at the same time and involved in every human life in such detail that he even knows how many hairs on every head at every moment while knowing what we are all thinking, doing, saying, living and dying all at the same time world wide! And this is hour after hour after hour, day after day, and so on. He never sleeps or turns away from anyone...never. NEVER! He has no limitations, none, zip! He doesn't have a big toe! He isn't human! and yet he's emanuel, God with us.

We have limitations and we die! God does not! We cannot, don't have the ability to limit Him. He is and will always be who he says he is and mankind cannot change him in anyway. Lack of belief in Him does not make him small or powerless or disappear in anyway. He is and was and will always be. The theories about how the world began without God Himself are nothing, mean nothing and accomplish nothing except rob mankind of the truth. And, further more like it or not, God is in control, in charge and man cannot change that. God is! Above it all! Is Power! and there is no other. He is the only one. Satan lied to Adam and Eve in the Garden and he is still lying.

I have known that God is bigger than I can even think and this study enlarged that I know that today without doubt but more, I know how more about the how much more which tells me there's so much more that I don't know. He's amazingly more.

God is known by many names and each one describes a part of his character. If you don't have the faintest Idea what I'm talking about, One of His names is Jehovah, and Yahweh, or Abba. Pick up a Bible...a New King James or a Living Bible and start with the Book of John in the New Testament. Let the author of that book in the Bible introduce you.

It's Friday evening before Memorial Day. Have a great weekend. Milo is somewhere asleep. I think I'll wake him and we will go sit on the back porch and enjoy the late afternoon. Blessings, I'm Judy and I'm glad.

I bet you'd never guess ...

You know there is a lot that goes into 80 years of living. April 15 I will celebrate my 80th birthday. As you might guess I've been considering how I got to 80. It just so happens that my life has been absolutely lived, absolutely!

For some of us particular birthdays are like a time to evaluate and think about the age we are becoming before that particular number. Remember adding "a half" when you were a kid? Indicator that we were in a hurry to grow up, to reach a particular age. Maybe the age of an older sibling and a lot a times it meant we would be allowed to do something or have something when we get to be that age.

Turning 80 is different. It's kinda funny to imagine now instead of saying I'm 79 and a half, it's probably more like digging my heals in the ground in an attempt to slow down and not get there so fast. Not that I don't want to be 80. Actually it's kind of a prize. What's really interesting is the looking back.

At this age I'm the only one remaining in my family. The Mom and Dad are gone and my only sibling also. I grew up living with my grandmother on my Mom's side living with the four of us for about 12 years of my life and of course she is gone. My husband is also gone 17 plus years ago. I have 2 daughters and for the youngest daughters family I'm the only grandparent for her children.

I don't spend a lot of time on a daily basis thinking about how life use to be, but it can be interesting as I continue having birthdays. Most people I know, even those I've known for a long time don't know a lot about my life growing up and that's because it was different. I didn't live in the same town between birth and 18. I didn't grow up with the same friends through those years. Where a lot of the people my age that I'm friends with remember their elementary school teachers' names. Even their class mates all through school. 

I have never been to a school reunion which use to be the thing to do for some of my friends. Even now I have a friend that goes to her high school reunion every year. I don't remember any of the names of the other students I went to school with at the school I graduated from.

Just a peek at the states I've lived in with a designated break between high school and the rest of the years. Here goes: Texas, California, Florida, Nebraska. Total number of cities in that time:, 8. (the different houses and school changes not reflected) After high school graduation the states are:South Carolina, North Carolina, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina Texas, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Hawaii, North Carolina, Texas, Texas. Rwanda Africa.The number of cities: 21. I went to 14 different schools in 12 years. I moved on an average of every 2 and a half years. The first house I remember was in Fresno, California on Wilson Avenue and we moved from there when I was in the 4th grade. Our new home was in the country and I attended the Lone Star Elementary School just outside the Fresno City Limits. I have to say that was the best of all my youth moves because a dog came with the grape orchard, house, barn, several out buildings and an irrigation tank turned into a swimming pool. AND I got to ride a school bus. 

Certainly not a boring life. It's good that I have the personality that I have. I thank God for that. I've been able to look forward to the next new home, next city, next state, even next country with great zeal for what was ahead in life for me. Always an adventure. And today? Today is 1 week to my birthday and I'm moving to a Senior apartment complex across town and it's a gift from God, who gives good gifts. Hopefully, and I believe here, that it's my last move until I move to Heaven. I say it's a gift of God, from God because of the way it has come about and that it has every element that I've done without since 2006 at the passing of my beloved husband and my life completely changed. Every area including my living conditions meaning the places I've lived since have been less than what I thought I wanted.

I've learned to live without and now those elements of home are being restored in such a remarkable way and I give Him the glory for this gift He is giving to me. I move in to my new apartment May 1st.  Totally unexpected and it shouldn't have been possible...but it's happening anyway. That is for another post. My post title "I bet you'd never guess..." probably should read, "I would have never guessed!".

In these present days I'm packing and making all the necessary decisions and doing the work to prepare for the actual day I move. I have about 3 weeks left to wind it all up and these days are not without bumps and puzzles regarding decisions. The "but what about.." questions pop up daily but daily I'm assured when God gives a gift He gives it completely leaving nothing out, so there's nothing to worry about along the way. I'm learning so very much about trust and hope and taking one step and one day at a time. Talk about an exciting trip I'm taking on the way to occupying his gift of home to me.

I started writing this post a couple of weeks ago and today is the actual day to post it. Not sure when the next post will be. Quite possible after moving day May 1st...guess I'll just wait and see. Hope you enjoy reading this one. Please leave a comment, even just a hello would be great. Until the next one, Look up, move forward and enjoy the day. Surrounded by boxes I am...Judy

A surprise!

 First time bloomer this color was unexpected in my front flowerbed...

maybe a goodbye ...sure is pretty.

Are you forsaking the fellowship of the saints?

 

The Challenge: is it fellowship or is it church?

Just this past week as the teacher/leader of a Bible Study of about 6 Senior women, I made a comment.  During a rather long comment I said "I haven't been a member of a church for a long time". What I meant was, I had not officially joined a church. There are several reasons for that beginning with having been a Pastor in a denominational church of course I was a member officially.

After resigning from the official position I attended another church. I changed churches several times over 17+ years being faithful and very active in each church I attended. Recently I've been attending a small denominational church and the comment I made at first was I'm thinking I may actually join the church I've been attending." Then followed the above statement about not having been a member...!

A few moments later one of the group asked me how did I reconcile the scripture about not forsaking the fellow shipping of the saints. Hebrews 10:25   My comment was "I don't have a problem with it". I didn't really understand what she was asking. A short back and forth followed while I was trying to figure out exactly what she was asking me. I'm still not completely sure if she misunderstood my statement and was thinking I wasn't going to church or if adding a signature to a membership card or list meant not forsaking the fellow shipping of the saints.

Why talk about this? Because I think it brings up an important subject for understanding of exactly why we Christians go to church. What's the purpose of it? And what's fellow shipping and what's church attendance? Are they the same? Does it matter? I think it does.

So, here's my two cents.

Church is not a building! Church are the people who occupy the building. Do the people have to meet together in a building? No, we can meet anywhere and any day at any time. What is the definition of a church meeting or maybe what is the purpose of a church gathering as we currant day Christians understand?

Church: Generally an organized, planned meeting of believers with a well studied God, prayed up, called Pastor who will bring the Word of God to those in attendance. That being said, the particular Pastor may do so in a 3 point outline, with stories and examples to make the point. Other's may bring the Word of God as a lecture of sorts. There will also be as scheduled, the serving of communion to celebrate the Last Supper as Jesus directed the disciples. And Praise and Worship in song whether hymnals are used or choruses. In some churches, dance and flag waving all to offer praise and worship to our God. Prayer is offered by the Pastor as well as altar workers who pray for individual needs. The gifts of Holy Spirit participate in the gathering as in the New Testament, for healing, counsel, deliverance, encouragement of the believers, plus water baptisms, and testimonies, a call for salvation to those who are unsaved.

Depending on the denomination there may be other elements like announcements, baby dedications, Words of Prophecy in Tongues and interpretation, songs and spiritual songs.

Fellowship: Generally, Christians gather together to spend time in getting to know each other and to speak of things of faith, hope, love. Praying together for the concerns of those present, sharing of scriptures and allowing Holy Spirit to take part through His gifts in the people for one another. Depending on the host/hostess there may be a shared meal. May or may not be children present.  May be held in informal surroundings in home, park, fellowship hall, etc. Sometimes there is a short teaching with participation from the group. More of a family atmosphere is present.

My thought is this: the forsaking of the fellow shipping of the saints means not spending time with the brethren of the faith whether it be 2 or more. Not assembling or gathering together with others of the faith.

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forsake somebody/something (for somebody/something) to leave someone or something, especially when you have a responsibility to stay:  to renounce or entirely turn away from.  Forsake means to renounce or entirely turn away from something. Oxford Dictionary

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“Do Not Forsake Assembling” Meaning

In this passage, the Greek word used for assembling is “episynagoge,” which suggests an official meeting. This could include worship, praying, reading, teaching, hearing, and studying the Word. 

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The spiritual reality and need of “do not forsake assembling” is more than an official meeting. It’s a call to be empowered by God and do life together. As the Body of Christ, we are to be living proof of a loving God to those around us. Hebrews 10:24 says, “… consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” and verse 25 mentions “exhorting one another” (emphasis added)

Abundant Life Church

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In Summary. Hebrews 10:25, “do not forsake assembling,” which means we are to assemble, but furthermore, it is a wise word written to protect us from the wiles of our enemy. When we assemble as the Body of Christ, we are to stir each other up in love and encourage one other in our faith. Bible.org (Baptist organization)

 

What I believe:  Fellowship is relationships between people and in the Church it is between fellow Christians. The elements involved are variable and in the Love of Christ as exhibited among the saints attending. Where 2 or more are gathered in the name of Jesus Christ there is fellowship. If one names himself a Christian and does not fellowship that Christian is forsaking the fellow shipping of the saints. 

I'm Judy and happy to be writing this post this Saturday morning the day before Resurrection Sunday. Go celebrate and fellowship life forever more because of an empty tomb for He is risen. Amen