There are many moments in my life that I am proud of. I am humbled by and thankful that I have been given the opportunity to volunteer as I enjoy living in Plainview. The Centennial Circle of Honor is one of these proud moments. In 2007-2008, the City of Plainview recognized its rich history of our community and a few of those who made a difference. 

Centennial Circle of Honor

Honoring Plainview's Leaders of the Past 100 Years
Inspiring Leaders of the Next 100 Years

The City of Plainview was incorporated in 1907 and celebrated its centennial in 2007.  It is the vision of the people throughout the years that inspired the Centennial Circle of Honor project.  The purpose of this centennial year project has been to leave a legacy of hard work and dedication for future generations that honors our friends, loved ones and business associates who have made a positive impact on the City of Plainview.  The Centennial Circle honorees are but a representation of the many individuals who have given of themselves to this progressive community known as Plainview, Texas.

My in-laws, Peggy & TC Wall were recognized. This is one of the most precious pictures. They were humbled. 

My grandparents, Lucy & Hugh Etter, were recognized, as well.

You can read the Bios of those honored here: Centennial Circle of Honor

There are too many people through time who have given so much to make our community what it is today. We honor them all and thank them!

Fresh Find: Look at these adorable knitted pumpkins. It is going to be Fall Y'all!!!

A fun football playin' picture of Clinton. It's football season!!!

Fresh Find: Here is an easy to carry stadium seat.

Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I'm going to go a bit further and say that respect is simply the Golden Rule shining through our actions.

The "Golden Rule" is, Do unto others as you desire to have others do to you in the same or a similar situation. Okay, it isn't quite that long. The Golden Rule is actually found in Luke 6:31, Do to others as you would have them do to you, and in Matthew 7:12, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Life isn't fair. I get that. Oh, how I get that. I've always heard that hurting people hurt. I've heard that jealousy is simply a fear that one has no value. But no matter how we feel about others or their beliefs, every person is worthy of respect.

I see master manipulators with a smile on their faces like, who me? They deserve my respect. There are those who gather to gossip about me. They deserve my respect. There are those who ignore me, hurt me, laugh at me, embarrass me, humiliate me, or any number of other negative vibed emotions. They deserve my respect. Why? Because God loves them. If I am his, then my only task is to show respect to them because they are worthy in that he created them. Love changes things. God is love.

There are many who do respect me and like you; we are thankful for these special ones that encourage us to be better warriors in the battle between Good and Evil.

I'm just gonna tell you right now that I've got confidence that God is going to see me through every hour of every day until I wake up in His Light!

So, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, or not, it is well with my soul. #aintgonnaworryabouthaters #myGodreigns #calledtodoitHisway

P.S. I am not perfect. I make mistakes. I fall. I get back up. The one constant is my faith. Can't touch this!

Fresh Find: Love this fur backpack. Would make a great travel pillow, too!!!

Do you remember the song, This Little Light of Mine? Many sang it when we were kids.

This Little Light Of Mine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Hide it under a bushel - NO! 
I'm gonna let it shine. 
Hide it under a bushel - NO! 
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Let it shine over the whole wide world, 
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine over the whole wide world, 
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

There is a lot to be said about how difficult it is to sometimes let our grace gift, the Light of Jesus, shine. Every day we are faced with the darkness of the war between good and evil. I have to admit; I often want to high tail it out of there when this is going on.

So, the Holy Spirit has given me this thought, and I'm not sure how to share it exactly, but here it is.

There are two forces. One Light, God, [Heaven] and one Dark, Satan, [Hell]. We have the choice to determine for ourselves where we will spend eternity.

Insert doubt or the gray matter of life. Where do we look for answers when we're in this gray sludge? We can only see in the light. We cannot see in the dark.

The sludge of life varies in size throughout our days, but there are two things that remain; Light and Dark that expand or narrow the gray sludge depending on our choices. He says, Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."  Isaiah 30:21

If we don't choose to see the Light and accept the gift of Salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our world will end in darkness.

When we do accept Jesus and stay in the Light of his Word we see clearly. We will begin anew in the presence of the Light because Light wins the battle.

Life is hard. I struggle. I have gray sludge. Yet, God provides me with great joy. He assures me. He leads me. He comforts me.  He directs me to let my little light shine for him in all circumstances. When I feel like I am in quicksand, he reminds me of my concrete foundation.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19

I love this Little Light video... 

Fresh Find: I am excited to see how the light shines from this "star" bulb!

You may be a spiritual genius if you live these simple faith equations. You will for sure know joy!

Hear + Respond = Obey

Emotion + Decision = Devotion

Listen + Obey = Blessing

Wisdom + Justice = Caring for the Poor

Fresh Find: Fun tree bookcase or shelving.

WOE IS ME
I'M FOUND OUT
HERE I AM
GOD'S TOUCH
CREATED CURIOSITY

SEND ME
TRANSFORMATION
VISION
HOLY HOLY HOLY

VOICE CALLS
DIALED IN
GOD SPEAKS
WHO?

ME

Fresh Find: Fun Hummingbird nests.

That moment when you look down and realize!

I often wonder how people put on two different shoes and leave home and not notice until hours later. They are often the same color but different shoes. You would think they would feel the difference. Sometimes they are the same shoe but different colors. This one is a little easier to understand if you don't turn the light on to take that final look. I would feel mixed up all day if I did this.

Does it matter if our shoes don't match?

It doesn't matter because wearing two different shoes with confidence makes one a trendsetter. There’s a delicate balance to being just the right amount of disheveled in fashion. Once you find it, you know it!

So, for all my friends who have experienced the mismatch horror...you are okay if you wear it with confidence! LOL

Fresh Find: Cute "mismatched" sandals.

I believe when we grasp the attitude of this house is not for everyone who loves Jesus but a house for everyone Jesus loves, we will understand his church. In him, it's all good. He came to redeem ~ lost days and sleepless nights, bad choices, hurt and brokenness. From this darkness, he creates light in our lives, victories! Our past won't steal our joy when we understand that Jesus Christ is able to redeem anything we bring. He forgives and asks us to look through eyes of love because every person is precious enough that he died for them. We must see his face in every face.

Fresh Find: A fun Botonist cuff bracelet.

If my mother waited on you, your mother, or your grandmother at the Dixie Shop, I want to hear your stories. Maybe you don't remember if my mother waited on your mother or grandmother, still share your Dixie Shop story.

Maybe she purchased a hat?

Or maybe a beautiful dress and a scarf?

I have very fond memories of the Dixie Shop. Although, I was not allowed to mix with the clientele and could not disturb my mother as she pinned to custom fit every garment she sold. She would spend hours with each of her customers. My mother loved retail. She loved her customers. She always wanted the absolute best for them as they stepped out into society. I never heard her utter an ugly word about one of her customers. I'm sure some were more difficult to work with, but she loved the challenge. 

Fresh Find: A super fun backpack bag!

Sometimes things are not what they seem even though they are the same thing. Like people. We are all people, but we are different. Like me, I look like a "normal" person (be nice), but I'm wired very differently. It's not just about the extremely different. It is about seeing into each person God places in our path. What we see when we look at someone else should not stop there. We must look beyond the surface to the soul. God created us all. We are the same...only different.

These pictures are the same. One is not what it seems to be if this is a true statement. It's all in how we choose to view things!

Fresh Find: A useful vinyl set for the cook.