First off, wasn't the rain great!  We got nearly an inch!  On rain...you know I just really don't like the "raincoat" the dentists use to keep all the stuff out of our mouths.  I know it really is a great invention but it sure makes me feel closed in.  i had to get some work done and I just don't like having to be still.  It's like I told Dr. Gary...it's not the being still but knowing I can't get up!  I always hated the drill sound, too. Kind of annoying!  Dr. Gary is so good at making it all go smoothly.  I'm glad he is like that.  I know dentists of today have come along way from times past with all the equipment and new "toys".  We are lucky to have these things to help us make the most of a not to fun situation.  After my fix-up I got to take a 15 minute massage in the Dr's. new chair.  Now this is a great chair!  I might need to go back each week for a refresher something just to sit in it!  Have you ever noticed...dentists are incapable of asking questions that require a simple yes or no answer?  Anyway...it wasn't as bad as I thought and I'm glad that Dr. Gary is my dentist and mostly I'm thankful that he is a very dear friend!

I visited today with Daniel Rascon, our new school board president.  He and Ida are such nice folks!  I really hope he has a good year.  I thoroughly enjoyed my service to the community as a school board member.  I have received so many kind words and notes thanking me and telling me what a difference I made.  We do have wonderful people in Plainview and there are good things going on in our schools!  It was certainly a very tough decision for me to decide not to run for another term.  I don't believe in making the office a life long job but I do think that you should serve one four year term.  It is currently a three year term.  School business is like no other.  It takes you a good part of the first year to get all your ducks in a row in understanding school business and then you are nearly done!  Time flies!  My reason for not running is simple.  God opens doors and closes doors.  He made it clear to me that I was to not run and to step out in faith and follow his lead.  I can only function if I am in God's will.  It was a tough decision for me because I love school business and all it offers our community.  I do plan to support our school district through community involvement and serving at the individual campuses.  I am totally at peace with my decision and God has allowed me great things.

Go Plainview!!!

In Proverbs, chapter ten, verse seven, it says: The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will not.  As I reflect on this Memorial Day holiday I think about those righteous individuals God has placed in my life.  When we live the life God has planned for us we will make a difference in the lives of others.  This is how God uses us.  Those who serve in our military believe they are where God wants them to be, to serve and protect.  They are on the front line for my freedom...I am so thankful to them for their determination and example.  They will be remembered.  We live in a wonderful community and there are many people that God has shared with me who I consider righteous.  Pretty much if I allow you into my space I consider you to be one who makes a difference for God's cause.  I tend to not give much time or energy to those who are set on being the negative voice or those who are self serving.  We need to be an encourager.  When the Holy Spirit gives us a thought that would encourage someone...we must share it. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit working in our lives every moment of every day, He is alive!

Here is some military humor in honor of those who serve us in peace & wartime...may God bless you all!!!

Combat for Dummies

Advice and instructions taken from actual military sources. Some of these guys must have had a sense of humor

"Aim towards the enemy."
--Instruction printed on U.S. Rocket Launcher

"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend."
--U.S. Marine Corps

"Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs are guaranteed to always hit the ground."
--USAF Ammo Troop

"If the enemy is in range, so are you."
--Infantry Journal

"A slipping gear could let your m203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit."
--Army's magazine of prevention maintenance

"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed."
--U.S. Air Force manual

"Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo."
--Infantry Journal

"Tracers work both ways."
--U.S. Army Ordnance

"Five-second fuses only last three seconds."
--Infantry Journal

"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."
--David Hackworth

"If your attack is going too well, you're walking into an ambush."
--Infantry Journal

"No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection."
--Joe Gay

"Any ship can be a minesweeper....once."
--Anon

"Never tell the platoon sergeant you have nothing to do."
--Unknown Marine Recruit

"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you."
--Infantry Journal

"If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him."
--USAF Ammo Troop

I am heading out to do the yard.  It is a great time to be thankful for the beauty God has placed around us through nature! 

Then, we will grill out dinner this evening and just enjoy the rest of the holiday, resting!

Today started out with me having a hard time getting up.  My arthritis was taking hold ;o)  I always want to get up and go to Sunday School & worship.  I love my church.  We have great children in the 2ND grade.  I don't understand how anyone could ever harm a child.  When I look in their little faces and see God alive in their making it just reminds me how awesome our God is!  To hurt a child must break their Heavenly Father's heart.  I can only think of one thing that would be worse & that is not accepting Christ into our lives.  Travis shared today how Satan works to keep our focus off God and building our relationship with him.  It was good as always.  God uses Travis to speak to me all the time.  Not in a bad way like being disciplined, but in a way that helps me to understand and grow in my faith. Tonight we had a Memorial picnic at the pavilion.  There was tons of food and a good crowd. 

On another note...I am always doing some search for red head information...since we are so rare!  Redheads make up less than 5% of our population.  This could be good or it could be bad.  A tidbit of info recently discovered...it takes 20% more anesthesia for redheads in comparison to other hair colors.  The study states that more is needed because of the pain tolerance of redheads.  They know that the hair color itself is not the reason but the "ingredients" within the body that create the red hair.  Just interesting....

Philippians is one of my favorite books in God's word.  In 4:6 it says to not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Trust and obey...for there is no other way!

Well, catching the end of Extreme Home Make-over which is the most uplifting show on TV!!!  If we would all just do nice things for others the world would be so much the better!

Happy Sunday!!!

Today has been another great day.  I had Zoey overnight.  Well, it started to storm and she is very fearful of storms.  She starts shaking, panting.  I felt so sorry for her.  We slept on the floor in the living room and she stayed under the blanket very close until it all passed.  Then first thing this morning the carbon monoxide alarm went off...low battery, but it reminded Zoey of when Chrissa's apartment burned.  She was nervous!  So, she may never want to visit her babushka (grandmother in Russian) again!  Anyway...after that we just played and I took her for a ride in my bicycle basket & she loved it!  It was hot & humid though.  It felt good to be in the cool indoors!  I am so thankful for the AC.  Chrissa, Brandon & Chase stopped by and Chrissa helped Clinton with a computer problem.  I then did what she suggested and got him back up and running.  I worked on the little marshmallow sheep for Sunday School tomorrow.  The memory verse is found in Matthew 28:20b...it says, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age".  I have found this so true.  There has never been a valley that I have traveled that God has not been there holding me in the palm of His hands (this is where I get "in His hands" in my closings) and there has never been one moment of joy that He has not been there cheering with me!  He is my best friend!  I know He IS!!!  I worked on some VBS things today, too.  It is based on several Bible heroes.  It looks like a great curriculum.  I know the kids will learn from it!!!  Well, better let you go...have a great evening!

Today is a wonderful day! I watched the Plainview High School graduation on TV tonight.  Looks like folks were hot.  I enjoyed so much seeing "my" HC-JR-LC members graduate!  They are such wonderful kids!!!  We do have some great kids in Plainview!  Speaking of great kids...Brant Wall graduated tonight, too!  Woo-hoo Brant!  I love that kid!!! 

Zoey Belle is here visiting today & tonight.  I love my little grand-dog!  Chrissa & B are here for Brandon's great-grandmother's funeral.

Today has been a day of just kicking back.  I mowed & edged the yard but other than that just did what I wanted to do!

My new business, Arissa Designs, is doing good.  I got in my first order for personalized notes.  They are so cute!  Anyone need a nice little gift?  Give me a call.  Also, I do creative social & business stationery, invitations, etc.

Well, this is a crazy world with some crazy people in it.  Maybe if we took the focus off ourselves and place our labor into helping others then it would grow into a more compassionate world!  At the very least it will make us feel a sense of accomplishment!