I woke up this past week and remembered I probably only have ten good years left on this earth. I am very thankful to wake up each day. What a joy bestowed on me by my Heavenly Father.

Today is the 29th anniversary of my father's death. He was 71. I always joke that I gotta make it past 71, and then I hope to make it to at least 83, my mom's age when she passed. Of course, my brother passed away when he was 66. So, when you average those out, it is 73 years. Both my dad and my brother were smokers, so I have not smoking in my longevity corner.

I want to live to be 100. This is my goal. I am closing in on 69 years, and I feel 40, but I realize my days are numbered and beautifully fitted for God's purpose.

But, ya know, some days reality kicks in!

I cherish this photo of me with my parents on our wedding day.

Your earthly birthday says it is your 94th birthday. Happy Birthday! We would most likely go out to eat. You enjoyed Furr's. You took forever to eat, and it was always so frustrating. It is why I eat so fast. I've learned to enjoy a good meal. To savor the flavor. I know this will make you smile.

I still hear you telling me not to put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Thank you for instilling this treasure into my leadership style. You used to say that anyone doing something will be criticized by those doing nothing. This still holds true today. And another favorite is if you say you will do something, follow through and do it well.

I want to thank you for all of the belt whippings. I know they made me who I am today.

Thank you for teaching me the correct way to iron. I don't do it often these days, but I know how! And to sew, vacuum, dust...I totally understand now why you walked around blowing over the tops of the pieces of furniture.

I remember you making out the tithe check every week. I learned that valuable lesson of important priorities!

I remember you standing up as the voice for those who felt they had none. I was proud of you, and it instilled into my heart the same desire.

You were always so beautiful, and your skin was radiant and wrinkle-free thanks to the Texas hair that provided sun protection over your face. I made a mistake by not following your lead and battling skin cancer. Remember my fear of skin cancer when our neighbor, Mr. Howell, got it and lost his nose and ears? I am thankful for modern medicine.

I sure wish modern medicine would have let you live longer so that you could enjoy dancing and watching the Rangers with Robert. He joined you in heaven recently, and I know you, Daddy, John, and Robert are praising God. This makes me smile and gives me hope, covered with joy.

Doris's granddaughter, Julia's son Jason, entered heaven this week. Will you look for him? I know you two will have a ball together!!!

I have worn your mink coats recently on our sub-freezing temp days. Yes, your name and address cards are still in the pockets and your Sear's rain bonnets.

I could share sweet memories forever about you on your birthday.

I simply want to say thank you for growing me to be the best version of me. I love you. Phyllis May (and I got called that a lot, didn't I?) 

Happy Birthday, Mother.

Mostly, thank you for allowing God to guide me ...

"God keeps me sane in an insane world!"

Every day that a neurodivergent person makes it through the day is a good day! My Asperger's wiring has its ups and downs, but it is such a blessed gift.

I may sometimes feel upside down in this immense, old, insane, and dark world, but God! I strive to reflect his nature. I know I make bad choices, am imperfect, and scarred, but oh, the joy that floods my soul through my redemptive grace!

I want to wake up every morning seeing others in a very different way. Have you ever looked at something from a whole other vantage point? It's pretty cool.

Isaiah 41:10, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I have entered into a book study. I am very hesitant to read Bible devotional books because so many are not scripture-based. I'm not being critical of any particular devotional study; I simply prefer God's word as my starting place, so if an author relates their words from scripture, I find I am more apt to read it.

I stumbled upon a book that is speaking to me in knowledge and truth.

Day 1 ... Come to Jesus

There is a reflection, question & practice each day. Here is a snippet...

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Matthew 5:1

A relationship begins with a choice. Do you desire a connection? Do you long to be in the presence of Christ? If so, you must choose to approach. 

Some would be disciples, some were well-intentioned spiritual seekers, some were merely curious onlookers, and others would prove to be opponents. Whatever the intention ...you must begin with the desire to approach. Trust your impulse. Draw closer. Read more carefully. Be intentional.

Day 2 ... Teachable

Then he began to speak and taught them ... Now, when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes. Matthew 5:2 & 7:28-29

Teacher. He did so with authority. 

As Christians, we must ask whether we want to be a student. Will I take instruction? Will I open up to be challenged & changed? Of course, we will say yes, but do our actions, assumptions, and biases reflect a different intention entirely? Most humans prefer to instruct over taking directions.

Jesus has all he needs to begin work with us, whether we initially understand it or not.

Practicing What Jesus Preached by Stephen Chapin Gardner is the book. It is a month-long, daily study. Some wonderful thinking points! Check it out.

Isaiah 44:22

"I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud
And your sins like a heavy mist.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."

I was reminded this morning, as God's mist reached down and surrounded me, of His great Love. What a special time with my God-savior on my drive to Lubbock.

A sweet friend sent me this comic ...

In the last year, there have been several times that I have been made to feel that age and the wisdom that comes with it are no longer relevant. Don't get me wrong; it is imperative that we (as old people) welcome young people to come into the fold to be worn out and used up like the rest of us! LOL Seriously, there is room for both in every situation. I enjoy the young 'uns! I am nearly seventy, but I feel thirty. It is like experiencing ADHD on oatmeal! 

I am gonna coin this saying, "Old, in the way, and here to stay!!!"

Thanks, Grace, for the laugh!!!

Battles are real. Every day, we face things we would rather not. We have a choice of whether to let it steal or grow our joy. God is the provider-creator of Salvation, Peace, and Eternity. It is from this that we fight life's battles with the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in our hearts, down in our hearts to stay.

It is when we feel his breath on our faces that we can understand true peace.

John 16:33, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Isaiah 26: 3, You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

A jet stream is a ribbon of high-speed wind (located nearly 6 miles above the surface) related to the strength and location of the pole-to-equator temperature contrast.

It is cold in Plainview, 14 now, with a low of 5 by morning; quite a contrast for the pole-to-equator strengths.

As I was out today grabbing a few exciting photos, God said look, not above, but to the southern horizon, and he shared this "jet stream twister" touching the ground!

I'm not certain who nominated me for the Plainview Herald Readers Choice Award for the 2023 Volunteer, but I want to say thank you to those who encourage me day in and day out.

Plainview's trademark is the positive people who give so freely of their time, energy, and money to be sure our community continues to be progressive. I want to thank you for the joy you bring into my life as a citizen of this community! I am honored and blessed to work alongside you.

I have learned that if a person with Aspergers/autism is allowed to be themselves in a safe environment, they are a magical garden of knowledge and insight.

I have also learned that many on the Asperger/autism block of the spectrum are bullied and are not easily tolerated.

I have learned that when they allow someone to hug them, it is a sign of trust.

The other side of the coin is that they read people with a sixth sense and understand the unseen truth.

Many are very empathetic because of their life experiences.

A considerable portion enjoys the illusion of friendship, knowing that, in reality, they won't be long-term.

The Aspergers/autistic person will find deep and meaningful relationships in non-traditional ways.

I have learned that the Asperger/Autistic individual often loves at a whole other level than the neurodivergent person, often avoiding relationships because of mental-physical pain.

I have learned that most people attack the Asperger/autistic person's integrity by not believing/understanding what they deal with to survive each day.

I lived the unknown until 2014, 59 years of not understanding the whys. In March of 2014, after years of searching and months of interviews and testing, my diagnosis verification was delivered.

She [therapist; MA, LMHC, NCC] called my generation the true pioneers. The generation who brought to light the wiring differences of so many created opportunities for learning for future generations.

Ten years, this year, I have understood a bit more about who I am. The thing that I know absolutely is that God made me for a purpose. God has been with me throughout my journey, calling me to him when I was six. There is a reason that I lived without understanding the worldly me, which is that I might entirely rely on his guiding me. I have so much more to learn about Asperger/autism and about my God. Every day, every-single-day, he shows up for me. I trust his hugs and his plan. I rest in the assurance of his care.

If you have met one with Aspergers, you have met one. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14