Carol of the Bells - Lindsey Stirling

Merry Christmas to you all. Thank you for sharing 2018 with me. I'd like to share this video with you.

Vince Gill at the Ryman, O Holy Night

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” ~ Proverbs 12:25

Does this sound familiar? It's how I ended my last post. We're coming up on Christmas, and while this should be the happiest time of the year, we often feel anxious.

One way to lessen our anxiety is to focus on what Christmas is truly about. Jesus came to save us from our sins so we could spend eternity with him.

Isaiah 9:6 ~(KJV) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Keeping our eyes on Jesus will help lessen the big and small frustrations we face everyday.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6:34

I hope you have a minute you to spare and can enjoy this song. I think you'll be blessed.

Fighting Confusion and Discouragement

Many writers feel discouraged and confused by rejections and being ignored. Our writing time is also solitary which adds to the confusion. I've been blessed with good writer friends. None of them live close, but we encourage each other in many ways.

There are many other sources of confusion we all face. Climate change, politics, traffic, and everyday life can add to confusion. Finding the right college, job or place to live are other sources of confusion and discouragement. We face it everyday and fight it everyday.

I'm attending a Bible study this fall and want to share four ways we can face (fight) confusion.

1. God is in control.

2. This world is not all there is.

3. God is just, and He'll make things right.

4. God wants to use us to make a difference in the world.

I'd love to hear how you fight confusion and discouragement.

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” ~ Proverbs 12:25

Thanksgiving

I hope you all have a delightful Thanksgiving. I recently spent nine days with Bill's family and got to meet my grandson. It was a great visit, and I have much to be thankful for.

All blessings come from God, and I'm thankful for all He bestows on me. I'm not worthy, but He gives anyway. I don't want to take God for granted. Instead, I want to continually thank him. Today, I decided to share a few scriptures on thankfulness.



Psalm 107:1 (NIV) -“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) – “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2 (NIV) – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Guest post by Brooke Sturdevant

Today please welcome guest blogger Brooke Sturdevant. She wrote this when she was in second grade about our move to South Carolina.

The goodbye happened on a dark and hot night. We heard a soft knock at the door. It was my grandparents. We sat down and they talked. You know Sparky has had some problems and I said yes quietly. Then they said we have to move. I cried a lot and a lot. A few minutes later, after I stopped crying, they gave me a beach bag for when we go on vacation with them, and a toy parrot so I don't forget them, a golf ball, a piece of sea glass. They were all cool. After they gave me the stuff, Gigi whispered "I know this is going to be hard." Then she gave me a big hug. It was very hard. We've got to help them move the stuff in the truck. It was fun. A couple of months later, we came to visit them. I miss my grandparents. They are far away, but they're in my heart.

Veteran's Day 2018

Veterans Day 2018 in United States of America is Sunday, November 11 but observed on Monday, November 12.

Veteran's Day began as Armistice Day in 1919 by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson. The day was to honor our servicemen who served in World War I. In 1938, Congress made it a national holiday. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill so we'd celebrate servicemen for every American War. At last on June 1, 1954 it became Veteran's Day.

Thanks to all of the men and women who served, and continue to serve, to protect the United States of America.

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. Douglas MacArthur

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. George S. Patton


I thank God for our servicemen and women. If you are one of these amazing people, thank you for your service!

Georgetown Wooden Boat Show

Boating is a big part of life along the coast of South Carolina. This past weekend we went to Georgetown, South Carolina to attend the Wooden Boat Show. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.

There were vendors selling crafts, paintings and food. There were also boats for sale. Most of the boats were just for seeing and enjoying.




I discovered the wooden boats are more than sturdy craft. They are beautiful. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!



Whether you like yachts or wooden kayaks, there was something at the show to interest you.

Georgetown holds the Wooden Boat Show every year, and next year it will be October 19 and October 20. I'd love to encourage you to come down to South Carolina for an enjoyable day.

Autumn in South Carolina

2017 was my first fall living in South Carolina. I waited and waited for the leaves to change colors. At last I asked a friend and was told the colors don't change here.

This year I was focused on Hurricanes Florence and Michael during September. A few days ago, I began to look for signs of autumn in South Carolina.
Here are a few of my findings.



The third chapter of Ecclesiastes says:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

I'd like to encourage us all to remember there is a season for everything. As we see the changes this fall, let's focus on love.

If somebody is unkind, let's love them anyway. If we see somebody in pain or mourning let's show them love.

Whatever happens in the days ahead, let's love anyway.

Have You Ever...

Have you ever been in the ocean and felt a fish or small piece of driftwood touch your arm or leg? What about seaweed?

Have you ever walked along the beach and pick up shells or beach glass that has washed onto the sand from the ocean?

Walking along the beach today we were amazed at what we saw washed up on the beach.



Some of these logs were well over eight feet long, and some had sharp pointy tips. I began to think how terrible it would've been to be in the water when one of these washed up. If you'd been in a small boat, kayak, or swimming it could've been deadly to encounter one of these pieces of wood.

Not only did we see these washed up tree trunks and root beds, we spotted a rainbow. It got brighter and brighter, and then there were two rainbows.

Genesis 9:16 (NIV) “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

After Florence

A lot of people I talk to in the Carolinas feel like they lost the month of September. When Florence became a reality for us, we prepared. Hurricane Florence hit. Some lost everything, and some only lost electricity.

I was so happy to get home. Tim went straight to work to help residents get settled into their homes. I brought Heinz home. I pushed the button to open the garage door. No problem. I walked to the front door. Now there was a problem. I was boarded out of my house because the front door has glass panels.

Even if I'd had the right tools get the boards off, I'm not strong enough or tall enough to do it by myself. I was disappointed to say the least.

North Carolina was hit harder than South Carolina during the hurricane. Then came the floods. The flooding wasn't fast, but it was furious. Many of the flood victims were still recovering from the flooding of Hurricane Matthew a couple of years ago.

During the devastation, people stepped up to help strangers. Companies donated truck loads of sand for people to make sandbags for people they didn't know. Some who weren't physically able to fill sandbags fixed food at sandbag donation sites. Food for the victims and food for volunteers. Many people offered shelter for victims. As of yesterday, many people were still not allowed into their homes. When they go back they'll be faced with ripping out wet drywall, flooring and I can't imagine what all they'll have to deal with.

I'd like to ask you to keep the victims in you prayers. Thanks so much!

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Hurricane Florence

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7


I first heard about Hurricane Florence a few days ago. This is my second hurricane season living in South Carolina. My first trip to the store was to buy batteries, peanut butter, soft drinks, water, tuna, and crackers. In my mind, Florence would change directions or fizzle out.

Then the news reported we were in line for a direct hit. This is the point I started freaking out. As I listened to stories of Hurricane Hugo, I decided I better take a deep breath.

More than a million people have been ordered to evacuate. The community where Tim works was one of the first groups ordered to go. I knew it was time to pack up and prepare our house.

I decided not to pack the most valuable items in my home. I chose instead to pack the artwork my boys created when they were growing up. I packed my wedding album and family pictures.

Besides the hurricane, we'll need to watch for flooding, tornadoes and storm surge. South Carolina has declared a State of Emergency and 800 National Guardsmen have been activated.

We're leaving today and not sure what we'll find when we return. We're in the zone though. Tim is focused on taking care of the residents of his retirement community, and we're blessed to have found men who will board up our windows.



Through the fear, God is our provision.

Luke 12:7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Just a Saturday in Waco, Part Two

After starting our Saturday at the Downtown Waco Farmers Market, we headed to Baylor to watch volleyball. The women had won their season opener against LSU on Friday night. In the morning light, with fewer fans, we arrived to cheer them on against Texas State.

There is a loyal following of students and parents, and it was a fun game with a 3-0 win. I was also impressed the games open with a prayer and the National Anthem. The players work hard when they hit the floor and celebrate every point. They beat Texas State 3-0.



The lady bear was so cute cheering the team and greeting fans. I've never seen a female mascot before. I'm not sure if this is unique or because I have sons, but I thought she was adorable.

Tim and I hung out with Scott during the afternoon and even took time out for coffee, but at night it was back to volleyball. This was Baylor's third game of the weekend tournament against Marquette. The evening match began with lights and excitement, and then the girls got to work. It was a tough match, but they ended up winning 3-1.



Once again, I've been impressed with the friendliness of the people in Waco. Despite the incredible heat, the people are kind and outgoing. We enjoyed our Saturday in Waco, and it was even better spending time with Scott and Kelli.

Just a Saturday in Waco, Part One

I've always loved going to a farmers market. We started our Saturday by going to Waco's Farmers Market in downtown Waco. There were interesting vendors with a variety of options, but I loved that there were farmers selling fresh produce and flowers. The vendors are required to sell produce grown within 150 miles of Waco.



The clouds in the pictures might lead you to believe it was a cooler day in Texas. It wasn't cool. It was HOT. Even the breeze is hot. We didn't let the heat deter us from exploring and finding honey, soap, canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables and food vendors. If you couldn't find something to try, you weren't looking.

Tim and I decided to try something new. It was a blueberry waffle with bacon, cheese and scrambled eggs on top. It was delicious.



If you're in Waco, be sure to stop by the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

Marina Life

The other day we decided to enjoy lunch at Deck 383 which is part of Wacca Wache Marina. It was a beautiful afternoon, and we sat outside in the shade of an oak tree. There was a cool breeze off the Wachesaw River.




Wacca Wache means happy, happy in the language of the Waccamaw Indians.


It made us happy, happy to watch boats come and go. Some arrived for lunch and others came for gas or to pick up friends. Many boaters traveled with friends and pets.

We saw small boats and large boats. We enjoy people-watching, but watching boat-people was even more fun.



Even if you don't own a boat, I want to encourage to enjoy time at a marina. I think you'll leave happy, happy.