Change and Some Coffee

The woman on the bench. How do you respond to the people on the bench, the ones sleeping in the park, sitting on the sidewalk, some holding signs, some with carts, some holding cups, most with stories they wouldn't write for themselves...??


"I feel so bad for ignoring her" My daughter slammed down her lunch and jumped in the car, a little disturbed by the woman on the bench. The lady's face was dry and cracked by the sun and she looked older than her real age, I'm sure of it. She had 3-4 layers of sweaters and jackets on during this warm spring day. "Is that all she owns? Is she hot in all of those clothes?" more questions from my girl. 


She was asking for change and needed some coffee. I stopped to talk to her and asked if I could get her a sandwich, she wasn't interested, just wanted change and some coffee...change and coffee, change and coffee.....and warmth, love, a family, friends, shelter, joy, peace....so much more than change and coffee. We grabbed her a coffee and gave her some change. "Will she sit there and ask everyone all day? Wonder what she does with her days.." questions I can't answer but quick life lessons and small, ever so small acts of kindness...The woman on the bench.

Have a Good Day!

How to have a good day~

1. Drink coffee

2. Wear something comfortable

3. Buy some red lipstick, just because

4. Tell somebody you love them

5. Smell good, buy your favorite lotion

6. Smile alot!

7. Read a book

8. Wish others a lovely day

9. Make cookies

10. Watch a movie

11. Ask the cashier how they are doing..and look them in the eye!

12. Have a grateful heart

13. Drink coffee

14. Pray!

15. Last but not least...HANG OUT WITH YOUR KIDS...  : )

(yes, I know I listed coffee twice)

Here Comes the Sun

Our friends invited us to their Bible study tonight! A little apprehensive, we decided it was what our souls needed most! When we arrived, the warmness from them was sweet. It was like they had been waiting for us. They were interested in us, wanted to know our story, they wanted to pray over us, but before they prayed, a gentleman spoke up and said although he doesn't know what we have been through, we are coming out of the car wash that has been tossing us around and the sun is now shining on our face. Funny little vision he got, but yep, I would say we have been tossed and scrubbed and a little bruised in the car wash..I'm ready for the sun!  These sweet couples, older than us, years wiser than us,  gathered around and began storming the gates of heaven on our behalf! They loved on us, encouraged us and were our "stretcher bearers" for the evening. Strangers...brothers and sisters!

"IF YOUR LAW HAD NOT BEEN MY DELIGHT, I SURELY WOULD HAVE PERISHED!" Psalm 119:16

Here comes the sun!~

Frazzled, Frenzied and Need Another Brownie!

*Me*

a little hairied, frazzled and on the fritz!

My Week....

* 16 hours of Suicide Intervention Training

* Started a major "cleansing" diet, forever hungry

* Husband resigned his ministry job after 11 years

* Started my monthly you know what. (TMI, i know)

* Volunteered weeks ago to be an Iron Chef Brownie judge today

after a 5 day cleanse of no sugar, which is a VERY long time for me,

and I loved every minute of every chocolate goodness today!

Happy that it's the weekend!

Thankful that He gives strength to the weary!

 and about to put my pj's on for the evening and it's not even 4:00pm!

Lessons Learned and Turning 40!

I turned the big 4-0 in November and never did blog about it. I wasn't on my big blogging frenzy then. I came across something that I wrote right around my birthday.  "Things I've Learned"  How do you really sum up 40 years of learning. My 30's contained 20 years of learning alone, I feel like. Did a lot of growing up that decade! Don't ya really start feeling like a grown up around 38ish?? Maybe I was a late bloomer..ha! I still don't feel 40 until I look in the mirror and when I try to put on the same size jeans I wore 5 years ago. So here are some of my thoughts.......

 Laugh, laugh, laugh…. things are funny!

Love without abandon because of 1 John 3:1

 Self confidence produces fine results

Being wrong is ok…room for improvement

 I am perfectly capable

Be honest all good lies come to an end

 Someday I will definitely die

Regrets keep me from moving on,

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

HE is merciful and gracious! Psalm 111:3-4

 Wishing is not doing

 I have often had to eat my words…a large humble pie please!

 Love is a gift, I am loaded!

 Don’t be afraid to ask for help

 Simplicity…keep me far from complexity

 Live life to the fullest takes effort and purpose on my part

 To be interesting, be interested

 Doing things just for fun is fun

 Don’t judge Matthew 7:1-5

Think before the mouth starts running

 Don’t take things for granted

It doesn’t matter what one says, it what one does

 There is more than one right answer

Keep your friends close..no matter the miles

 Nobody can LIVE without somebody

 Ecc. 7:10 For I was made for such a time as this!

 Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.

Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Phil. 4:4-8

God’s Word does not return “empty handed” Is. 55:11

 Always be eager to practice generousity Rom 12:9

 Extravagant dimensions of christ’s love Eph. 3:19

 The light at the end of the tunnel is not always a train.

 I’ve seen HIS light blaze in the darkness! John 1:5

The more I learn the less I know

Children keep you young

Think BIG (abundantly more)

Power (endless)

Life is a mountain (but Someone can move them)

There is always HOPE

Words are powerful

Lifelong friends are PRICELESS
Children are the world's greatest gift!

Lead by example

Be passionate about something

My birthday was the best! My husband did good..very impressive! He threw me an 80's party (with help from many wonderful friends) During the party, my best friend since 4th grade, surprised me! We had 4 sweet, lazy days together catching up! A sweet memory and definite highlight of 2009!

The kids got so INTO dressing up and

 were as excited as I was for my bday!

Friends for 30 years!!

I like being 40

It's the new 30!!