Happy New Year to you and yours from Ushka & Grandpa and their beautiful grand-sisters!

A few years back, our daughter gave me this sign.

When her family would leave our house to head home after a visit, I would always do a walk-through after they left and find things they had overlooked that they needed. It is also a true statement because I tend to organize wherever I go. So, after I would leave their home, she would call and say, where is such and such. I always know right where I put things. 

Until today. For two days, I have looked for a small box with my daddy's cuff links inside. I think I moved them before thanksgiving, but I can't remember. Maybe they got inside a bag that I took to a local charity. I hope not. I'm simply distressed. I know that I will end up in a peaceful place, but tonight I finally cried. The cuff links are not valuable at all. They are simply a connection to precious memories and carry great sentimental value.

I can't take them with me to heaven, nor do I want to, but I enjoy wearing them in my French Cuff shirts to feel a closeness to the man, the legend, the Sear's Roebuck appliance salesman aka Porter Waggoner. :)

I have looked everywhere, taken everything out of areas where I might have placed the box, used a flashlight to look behind things, and no box. I have prayer warriors lifting me in prayer, and I've prayed.

I would sing Tomorrow,

The sun'll come out Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that Tomorrow
There'll be sun
Just thinkin' about Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
'Til there's none

but, it is supposed to rain, which I've been praying for, and we desperately need sooo... as the song says, … 

Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me

I'm sad but free, living in peace, and God will mend my broken heart.

Happy New Year to you and yours. Give Grace.

God, we need a refreshing rain.

Our Son-in-law took this photo in San Diego, California, about the time my mother took her last breath here in Plainview, Texas, in 2013. What a beautiful reminder of God's promise to us.

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Matthew 8:23

There are so many who face extreme uncertainty today. My prayer is for you to know Peace in this revelation time. Experience the Greatness of God as he transforms your ministry song. Let God calm your seas. Ride out the storm. Share the Good News. 

The Rainbow Song

God Placed a rainbow way up in the sky,
A beautiful symbol, so true.
It's lovely colors of heavenly hew,
send showers of blessings anew.

Rainbow, we stand in awe of the Artist's gift. The canvas sky illuminates the sun's rays in prismatic hues for me and you. The promise held in the hearts of men, amazed once again as the showers sift, cleansing hope does lift.

God, bless us with your gentle rain!

Just dropping some of Plainview's legendary twirling coach, Jeanie Pennell's photos. She owned The Barnyard Academy, first located downtown and then on Yonkers Street.

Chrissa, Leah, Erica & Pepper.

Jeanie as a Tech twirler.

Chrissa and most of her winnings.

B: Pepper, Erica, Heather, Chrissa, and Katie. F: Cerissa, Kailey Joanna.

B: Leah, Erica, Heather, Karen, Chrissa. F: Joanna, Stacie?, Cerissa.

Erica, Chrissa, Leah, Pepper.

B: Kimmee, Emily, Kelly, Jenny. F: ?

Tandi and Chrissa at National/World Competition.

Chrissa, Erica, Tandi, Aaron at Notre Dame.

So many years filled with great memories!

Who remembers playing Heads Up-7-Up in elementary school?

You know where all the students put their heads down on their desks and extend one thumb. The teacher then secretly chooses one person as “It.” This person goes around touching the thumbs of six other people. If a person is touched, he or she goes to the front of the room. When this has been accomplished, “It” yells, “Seven up!” Everyone raises their heads and tries to guess which of the seven people is “It.”

Share the games you remember playing in class...

I was thinking forward to 2022, and this morning's worship had the Holy Spirit giving me great advice through the words delivered by Dr. Fred Meeks, pulpit guest and former pastor of FB.PLV.

My blessing...

"What is the value of the past except for educating us on how to live today?" [up]

"A valued past not unloaded is a future with a heavy burden." [up]

"We must lose to win and win to lose to prepare us to understand great joy." [up]

How successful is a basketball player that never looks at the goal? [FM]

Fire!!! 1. PUT 2. IT 3. OUT by filling up with the Living Water. 

Let it go. Look ahead. Live as Jesus leads.

New Year Goal 2022 - Eyes on Jesus . Run the Race . Give Grace

Ephesians 4:1-7  I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is lover all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 

This is my favorite childhood picture of me. It is Christmas 1956, and my dad (my mother said so) gave me this beautiful bride doll, and my parents gave me the rocking horse! I rode that horse way more than I played with the doll. We still have the bride doll. She was hardly played with but is now full of sentimental value. The horse went to greener pastures. Oh, and yes, I think I parked it right in front of the TV! LOL

A sweet Christmas picture of my mother, Lorena, and her younger sister, Virginia, Christmas 1935. Looks like Santa brought them dolls!

It is Christmas 1962; I am 7, and my brother is 14. These are the stockings my mother made for us. Notice the incredible detail and design of my brother's. I hope his family cherishes this stocking as much as I do in my memories. You notice my stocking is simple with minimal detailing to it. The difference is my mother's time when my brother was little and the time she had once I was born, and she was working full-time at the Dixie Shop. The truth is that my brother was the favorite, and I'm okay with this!!! The stockings were hung with no chimney in sight, and Santa never left us anything in our stockings! Maybe because we did not have a chimney, or perhaps I might have been "bad," but he never was. We did get gifts for Christmas, though!

A sweet picture of the Lorena & John Dayton kiddos!

I read a book that touched my heart, Seven Words of Christmas: The Joyful Prophecies That Changed The World. From it came seven words that the Season of Christmas flames within my spirit. Oh, Praise be to our extraordinary Savior! Poorly I come into the presence of Jesus, unworthy, scathed, sinful, but with Hope.

I always ask the Holy Spirit, "What are you trying to say to me through this book." What is the Holy Spirit sharing with us through this Season? Are we taking time to be still and know? Merry Christmas.

Blessed - Luke 1:41-42

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

Favor - Luke 1:30

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

Guidance - Matthew 2:13

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Joy - Luke 2:10

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Peace - Luke 2:29-30

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in Peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation...

Redemption - Luke 2:10

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Salvation - Luke 1:67-69

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

Merry Christmas! May you fully understand Peace.