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Hesed

 

Psalm 102:27, "But you remain the same, and your years will never end. My sweet daddy is 102, in heaven years, which truly means forever, and through all generations, he lives. This is a hope that we cherish when we lose loved ones. We can't understand God's design for eternity, but we can trust his love. Hesed is God's love for us- covenantal, everlasting, merciful, kind, gracious, tender, never-ending, unchanging, faithful, steadfast.

 

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 My earthly father, John Phillip Dayton, introduced me to my Heavenly Father by keeping me in Sunday School and church. There, Believers fed me what I needed to make my decision to accept Christ. My dad died on January 29, 1995. I wrote these words in 2010...

 

Her Daddy Always Said by Phyllis Dayton Wall

 

Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.

I guess because, in his eyes, she was his diamond mine.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

Too many years without her brilliant jewel of a dad.

She has struggled and been more than a tad sad.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

Days go by now faster than before.

Still, his memory knocks on her heart's door.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

She is reminded of the quiet example he laid before her,

Yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, and no sir.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

Without him to polish her stones, she often felt alone.

She found peace through the Hotline to Heaven phone.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

Old as she was, she knew the truth about things.

For her daddy gave his all to give her wings.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

Using her wings, the bells of Heaven chime.

Her daddy's words a reminder each time.

Get your Bible, and let's go!

 

Reunion time is sooner than not; again they will meet,

Daddy and daughter together at the Savior's feet.

Get your Bible and let's go!

 


Big Girl Panties

 

Years ago, Hope English and I reminded each other frequently to, "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it." She gifted me my very own "big girl" panties.

 

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I have put mine on more times than I should have or wanted to in my life. In case you are curious (which I'm sure you are not) I rarely get my way. This is most likely a blessing, but sometimes I just want to throw in the towel, but then I remember my panties!

My 2025 desire is that I find myself fully blessed to have the health, physically and mentally, to accomplish the chapter I'm in and to find real joy in the people I get to do it with. 

I've got "big girl" panties and I'm riding on the wings of God. What else does this old lady need!!!

 

 


I Won...

 

Goat milk is high in lactic acid, a natural exfoliant that helps purge pores for clear, beautiful skin. It is rich in fatty acids. The moisturizing qualities of fatty acids and triglycerides found in goat milk keep skin baby soft. With a similar pH to human skin, goat milk helps balance the pH level of our skin and helps keep bacteria at bay.

I WON!

 

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The Mercantile spun the app-pick-a-winner wheel, and it landed on my name. How cool is this! It is a basket of Beekman 1802 and a white chocolate drink mix. I'm fixed up for relaxation. 

Beekman 1802 is a company from New York that creates clean products from goat and mushroom milk.

I'm excited to try the hand & body lotion, hand cream, lip balm and cleansing wipes.

Thank you to our small businesses that love on their customers!

The company also offers Goat Poop chocolates! 

 


Schwartz

 

Mark Schwartz is an artist with whom I connected many years ago. He is a shoe designer and his shoe art caught my eye. These boots are fun!

 

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I have these signed Mark Schwartz shoes...

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I was a shoe salesperson by trade. I love shoes. Something that I have discovered and that the Holy Spirit has led me to share is about the shoe.

Take a shoe, any shoe. It is made of soft, subtle leather (our manmade plastic), and the heel height is not too high or too low. The leather looks like it covers the foot in all the right places for comfort. Two people buy the same shoe. Both wear them and soon discover that one person is happy with the shoes, and the other is not. One person wore them like a glove, and the other's feet hurt all night long.

A shoe has specific pieces that make up the whole. The shank, vamp, counter, and toe box are four often overlooked parts determining foot comfort. If the shank does not fit your foot from the heel front to the ball of the foot properly, your feet and your back will hurt. You need to feel the tilt of the innersole under your arch, not behind or in front. The vamp is the top of a shoe, and if a shoe is too narrow or wide or the leather is weak, it can cause a crease that will cut into the top of your foot. The counter is the area on the back of your shoe that creates those blisters if it has not "worked" before wearing or is insufficient in height or too tall. The toe box needs to fit your toe shape to be comfortable. It should not allow your foot to swim or move around. The toe box should be tall (deep) enough to allow for the height of the big toe so as not to pull down on it.

Now you have your shoe lesson: The same shoe isn't a perfect fit for everyone. One size does not fit all or even most. Some shoes are pretty, but they hurt. Some shoes are ugly and feel good. Some hurt for a while, and some hurt forever. When they hurt, we typically give them away—to possibly hurt someone else. 

We've all heard the phrase, "Walk a mile in my shoes." We can't see what someone is going through. They hurt.

When the world humbles us, God is able to realign us. He is the perfect fit for each one of us regardless of our shoes/life full of hurt and suffering.

Life is like this. It is full of hurt. We have good times and struggle through others. Even when we attempt to get a good fit, sometimes the "shoe" just doesn't. The wonderful thing is that in all our misery, even when trying to get the right fit, we are assured that we ARE because of God's great love. No more, no less. We are offered/called to salvation because of his great love and promise to us. He first loved us. He is there for us. We simply need to love him back. We must submit to the love that comes freely with our Salvation in Jesus Christ. Once we do, the Holy Spirit takes flight and lights our way. Yes, as believers, we are hurt; we have pain and sorrow, but we have hope! We try to fix the fit when, in reality, all we need to do is believe that he washed feet, and we should do the same.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

 

 

 


Priority

 

Everyone has different priorities and how they use their extra cents.

We choose not to travel. Our house needs updating. We don't spend too much on clothing. Our priority is church, family, and community. We have done a few trips as a duo. I traveled a lot with my grandparents, too. I have been to every state in the western USA and quite a few in the eastern half. This is a map of where I've visited in the US.

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We have not been to Hawaii or Alaska and I hear they are beautiful. I have traveled to Russia, Finland, and Ukraine on a mission trip with our church, First Baptist, Plainview, Texas, and both sides of Canada at different times.


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I say all of this to say that it is easy to judge people for how they spend their money. We need to embrace the fact that each person/family has their priorities. It isn't important that I have less than them; I have more than them; they have this that I don't; yours is paid for, and theirs is not. What truly matters is that we respect hard-working people who enjoy the fruits of their labor. Life is not "fair" through the world's "eye." Who is fair is God. He sent riches through Christ so that when our focus is there, we find joy beyond measure with what we need and blessings for what we do have. When we pray for direction to see the light of our calling...things change.

I enjoy seeing how people enjoy life through their photos or hearing their stories. I am not jealous or harbor envy because I love that they are blessed in whatever way they spend their cents. This is the Holy Spirit alive, letting me see things in others that I would not see otherwise and witnessing their joy and thankfulness for their blessings  

We all have priorities. I understand that there are those without money. Let's pray that their joy will be found in us as givers. But for those who have money coming in, we have a choice about where the money goes. Be happy that we get to determine how it is spent—that is the freedom that comes with living in America. 

I enjoy the days I have & the people God places in my life. I'm blessed through you as encouragers as you bless others. 

 


Aloneness

 

I have been called to aloneness, yet I'm never alone through Jesus Christ. The solitude within my mind and heart is beating. Satan wants me to dwell on my aloneness as if it is a bad thing, and God tells me it is good.

"Living my calling of aloneness" allows me to experience pursuing my life's purpose or mission even when I feel isolated or lack close personal connections outside the immediate family God has gifted me.  I require a deep reliance on my inner strength and a strong spiritual connection that navigates the solitude in which I live: Aspergers.

 

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It is difficult for others to see because I am a master masker. However, from time to time, I crack, and my innermost being, which is not understood by others, will weep out.

I have discovered that solitude is not just being alone; it can be fertile ground for spiritual growth. In solitude's quiet moments, I can dive deep into my faith, immerse myself in God's Word, and seek His guidance. Psalm 46:10 beautifully says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

I do believe I am designed for community but not for friendships. This isn't to say that I don't have wonderful, beautiful friends; I do, but I don't understand the dynamic of a group of friends.

Life isn't about self but about putting on the armor of God for others, whatever that looks like. The distraction that comes from worldly entitlement is annoying, and when I am in its presence, I know to retreat into my natural and beautiful purpose of aloneness. Through the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, God has carried me well in my life. All my trust and hope are in Jesus.

 

 

(I do not own the rights to the music or lyrics but aren't they hope-filled?)

 

 

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18. God sent Clinton whom I am not worthy of but cherish. We have two of the best children (HE knew) and five of the most precious humans as grands. My eyes are able to see such beauty in their hearts, and this is my joy. I'm thankful for every blessing that God allows me. I'm eternally thankful for the ability to step away from my mind and see the truth. God gifted me.

I'm not empty; I'm broken, cracks filled with the gold of Heaven's God. He molded me and made me. He brought me into this world and I do have a purpose. It is easy for those with mental exceptionality to spiral. He always flies into and lights my heart to show me his way for my journey here.


Sweet Sisters

 

Theta Delphin is a sweet sisters group where love abounds. I'm so thankful God brought me into the group in 1986, as a charter member (CM). Thirty-nine years of wonderful friendships. Women have come and gone and stayed, too. The words that best describe them are loving, kind, and giving.

 

Theta 01-2025

 

In no particular order...2025 Theta, Janice Abercrombie (CM), Amy Reid, Claudia Lara, Lori Wells, Diana Sisemore, Karen Rogers, Gerald Dean Holt, Anna Rigler, Debra Melcher, Carol Terrell, Cindy Olson, Trina Lewis, Debra Reed (CM), Sunny Parker, Lisa Horne, Phyllis Wall (CM) and our Freada Warren who is with Jesus. Sweet sisters!

Amber Bass was our program guest.

 


Special Moments

 

1961 Thanksgiving

I was six when I asked Jesus into my heart in 1961. I was Baptized at First Baptist Church, Plainview, Texas when I was eight. I was born into this congregation, and God has never led me away. I worship well with this body of Christ. 

This photo is most special to me. My grandfather, Bo (Hugh), taught me that disabilities create alternate paths to execute our tasks. Me, praying over our Thanksgiving lunch, my grandmother, Cranny (Lucy May), taught me that regardless of what you're faced with, you must find joy. Next is my mother, Lorena, who taught me everything I needed to know to live successfully within my limitations and encouraged me to live big because I was born blessed. I want to think my brother, John, is smiling because he is so proud of his sister, but most likely laughing at me, because isn't this what siblings often do? I am blessed by his being my brother. My dad took the photo—the one with my mom, who made sure I was in worship each week. I know without a doubt that he was proud of me and my decision.

This photo delivers Holy encouragement to me as I remember those God allowed me to grow up most closely with.

 


Be the Bright!

 

My parents heavily influenced my soul with Matthew chapter 7, especially the Golden Rule in verse 12.

 

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Judging

"Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. You'll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. Why do you see the splinter that's in your brother's or sister's eye, but don't notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, 'Let me take the splinter out of your eye,' when there's a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you'll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother's or sister's eye. Don't give holy things to dogs, and don't throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you.

Asking, seeking, knocking

"Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? 10 Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? 11 If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 12 Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.

Narrow gate

13 "Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. 14 But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it.

Tree and fruit

15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit. And a rotten tree can't produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore, you will know them by their fruit.

Entrance requirements

21 "Not everybody who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 On the Judgment Day, many people will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and do lots of miracles in your name?' 23 Then I'll tell them, 'I've never known you. Get away from me, you people who do wrong.'

Two foundations

24 "Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn't fall because it was firmly set on bedrock. 26 But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn't put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed."

Crowd's response

28 When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching 29 because he was teaching them like someone with authority and not like their legal experts.

 

Like anyone, I struggle. Truth is, I kinda like living a joy-filled life surrounded by a soft shell of peace covered with the armor of God. It is sweet to the soul. So, this is where I ask God to keep me...in his service. Be the bright!

The world is a hard place.

Jesus is love...which we know and understand wins the Super-Spiritworld Bowl!!! I'm gonna be His cheerleader. How about you?