Miscellaneous Thoughts

 

😁 It's currently 65* with the humidity at 85%. The walls in the carport are drenched in moisture. It actually appears to be body sweat. This is what happens when it warms up in the Southeast. My hair is super fine and naturally curly and if I don't plaster it down, this is what I look like! 😅 I want a straight, combed, neat coiffure.

My hair:

Also, Steve's back is aching from the temperature change. We were planning on driving around the tri-county area in search of homes For Sale to assist Steve's little sister and her family in their move. Their plans are to quit southern Florida sometime in the "near future" to be near us. I think instead of looking for any specific house or land we'll only check out the areas they have expressed interest in to make sure it would be pleasing to them [like nothing noisy next door, etc.]. Even though I want to put them in a specific spot I've got to remember this is their dream, not ours. It will be up to them to make the ultimate decisions concerning the move. They believe in Jesus too and know to pray, ask God, go with His guidance, not ours. When it's right it'll happen. Nothing will stop it. We may want them in a specific place at a specific time but we need to all trust Jesus to show them and us the way. 

But I am still super excited!! I have to resist every temptation to take control of it all! 😂 I enjoy looking at property and land. I'm also learning a lot about this place we've been living in for over 30 years. It's just fun.

I hope everyone is having a less fuzzy day with loving friends and family all around. 

Bits And Pieces

 

Sunset On New Year's Day

New Year's Day the weather was gorgeous. The sunset was stunning too, even though the photo doesn't really do it justice. I was sitting on the back deck enjoying the moment when suddenly the woods behind the tall Slash Pines became back lit by the sun's rays. It literally looked like the woods were golden. So lovely. 

I learned a new word today: perihelion.

Dictionary

Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

per·i·he·li·on

/ˌperəˈhēlyən/

noun

ASTRONOMY

1. the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun.

   "today Mercury is at perihelion"

Today marks this event with the sun and the earth being closest. I do find astronomy interesting. The stars, the sun and the moon and their movements don't effect us or determine our personalities (that's astrology which is strictly forbidden), but these elements do reflect God's nature since He is the Creator. This past year  at Christmas we watched the film "The Star of Bethlehem". I enjoyed it so much that I bought it on DVD to watch anytime. The film does glorify God as it shows how great and big and wise He truly is. All that's happened and will happen has been planned from the very beginning. He is awesome.

Not much going on at Red Bird Acres this week. Our days are somewhat askew thanks to all the holiday's. They're fun but it's nice when they're all over and things go back to normal. I did put all the Christmas decorations away on Jan. 1st. Now it's the normal routines of grocery shopping, buying supplies and the like. Rain is expected for the weekend. Again. One good thing about rain is it keeps the 4 wheelers off our narrow dirt road. Those machines are a pest here in the country! I pray for all those that whiz by because I'm worried that those underaged drivers will end up in a ditch. It has killed a lot of young folks these past few years. I guess their parents don't care. I don't get that. 

Anyway, off we go to our Adventures In Grocery Shopping. 😁 I'll be glad when it warms up so we can go for a ride again. Cold weather makes my joints ache. That's so uncomfortable. It's been too long since I've felt that delta breeze on my knees.

I pray y'all will have a safe and enjoyable day. Stay warm and Ride safe. Thanks for stopping by. 

 

Word Of The Year And Happy New Year

 

Another day, another dollar, I used to quip while still working. It's nice being retired. Every day, except Sunday, is pretty much the same as the last. I can live with that. 

I hope everyone had an enjoyable evening. I haven't checked the local news yet to see how many fatalities occurred. It was quiet out our way. Well, we live down a narrow, dirt, country road. It seems most of the silliness is confined to towns and cities for which I am very thankful.

Yesterday, since most of our small congregation is out of town or dealing with serious health issues we had all decided to skip Sunday School this one time. Steve is Sunday School teacher, so, it was kinda nice to take a short break anyway. Supposedly Steve's little sister and her family are going to be moving out of south Florida to our area very soon. They're just done with the hurricanes and being so far away. I'm happy that they are already getting rid of furniture and other unwanted items. This makes the move seem more real. Because of the distance, they have asked us to start looking around at any areas that they might find desirable. Steve was looking on Zillow and he found an affordable home on the Brantley/Ware county line that he wanted to look at. We drove down there yesterday morning to check it out before doing a turn and burn to head to Church. I think it might be a desirable area for them. I had no idea there were so many homes down that road! The house that's For Sale needs a little love but I think it's doable for them. It's up to them, of course, this is their dream. Little Sister's health is not good and her husband is in his 70s. I believe they will require a place that's mostly move in ready. That's their goal, anyway. We are all praying for an easy transition for them.

After much prayer I think my word for the year is BOLDNESS.

That's the thought that keeps weighing on my heart. Please pray with me that I will go and say and do what HE wants me to do. I want to be more bold in sharing His Good News of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Time to move on from 2023 by taking down all the Christmas decorations. Hopefully it shouldn't take too long as I didn't put so many up this time.  

Have a blessed day folks. Ride Safe. 

Sunday Stealing: 2023

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves. Original post here. 

1. What did you do this year that you had not done before?  Nothing really springs to mind. When motorcycling was still in vogue here in America Steve and I used to travel around to different towns to test drive new models. It's hard to find any motorcycle related businesses anymore. Sad, that.  

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for the year and will you make/set more for next year?  What are they? What are your new ones?  I don't make New Year's Resolutions or set goals. 

3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or get pregnant? I'm old. Most all my friends are old. There are no Sarai's (Abraham's Sarah) amoungst us. So, that's a "No". 

4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness?  It seems we've lost a lot of friends this year. There was one that succumbed to the devasting illness of pancreatic cancer last January. His passing still hurts. I think of his kindness often. I'll miss his phone calls about photography, birding, traveling and of the world events in general. He was a great guy. A true friend.

5. What places did you visit?  Mostly grocery shopping, doctors, Church events, and other miscellaneous errands these days. There's no extra funds for anything else of consequence at the moment. Some of the homebody contentment is age related, I'm sure. There's a sereneness about not being on the "go" all the time. We generally hang around the house performing necessary chores, reading and enjoying each other's company.

6. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year (doesn't have to be a physical thing)?  A real President and a real Vice President would be nice. I'm praying the next one will defund all these illegal alphabet agencies as well. We are being governed by unelected citizens. Thugs running the Government is no laughing matter folks.

7. What date from this year will remain etched in your memory and why?  November 25th stands out. I was walking the perimenter of the property, praying in the Spirit about many troubling matters, especially what many innocent children are having to endure, when this happened ... 

Looks ordinary in a photo, doesn't it? It wasn't at the moment! That mid-morning I had been looking down, watching my step, deep in prayer like I said, then suddenly I felt compelled to look up because I felt Someone near. First I was struck by the beauty of the moment. I quit moving. Well, I couldn't move. It was like my knees were buggling. Then I heard inside me the Lord speaking gently through His Spirit, "Be of good cheer, I'm coming back soon." Then, the moment passed but I could still feel His presence. I snapped this photo to remember the moment of encouragment. It's my memorial stone. [kinda like in Joshua 4] I do feel encouraged! So, apparently my marching orders are to keep sharing His Gospel (the Good News) in the effort to reach as many as possible that will heed His Word. I don't want to fail in this task. For us Saints it's clear we are to not give up hope, keep sharing, witnessing, helping others and praying because when the time is right He will be removing us from the Big Trouble that's coming soon. For the lost this bespokes to get saved now because you do NOT want to be left behind! The window is rapidly closing on this Age of Grace [read a letter from Rev. Billy Graham]. Like our Pastor once said in a sermon, there won't be any nice people left behind after the Rapture. It's going to be really, really, REALLY awful here. I won't put into words what's going to happen.  Besides, eternity is but a breath away. Don't leave Earth without Him.  

8. What was your biggest achievement this year? Really, nothing earth shattering comes to mind. Oh, wait, check that, I did learn of a stretching exercise I could do at home to ease the neck/shoulder pain I've had for years that was caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. There's a link to it here on YouTube. The exercises really worked for me. The pain, the constant crackling, the discomfort seems to be all gone. [knock on wood] I sleep better and can now work painfree. To God be the glory! 🙏💖🙏 

9. Did you get sick or injured? Anyone you know? No, I seldom get sick anymore since giving up sugar/carb's. I no longer suffer from the non-ending bi-annual infections (UTI's, Vaginitis, sore throats, etc.). I also don't seem to be suspectible to head colds, coronaviruses, etc. because I've been exposed often from friends and from shopping and, so far, no illness. Must be related? Steve is enjoying the same benefits since going Keto. Even the Plantar fasciitis is healed. I'm glad of that. I do love to walk. 

10. What was the best thing you bought?  Can't think of anything specifically. 

11. Where did most of your disposable income go (money leftover after you pay for food, transporation and shelter)?  Disposable? What's that, right?! Bidenomics (really Nazism because our Government is actually Big Business running everything behind the scenes) is killin' the Poor and Middle Class so they can control us, which, of course, is their goal. I never knew the film The Matrix was actually a warning about Big Government.

12.  What song will always remind you of this year?  I don't know about "always" but this one seems fitting for our current situation: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. 

Like everyone else that is trusting in the blood of Jesus for salvation, I'm also hanging onto the hem of His garment! I think we'd all go crackers if it wasn't for Him. Jesus is our only Hope. 💞

13.  What do you wish you could have done more of?  Travel on my motorbike, of course. 🏍 I miss being able to travel long distances. Steve and I have had a lot of interesting journey's on two wheels. 

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?  Sitting. Because of arthritis in my hands and wrist (can't seem to shake that affirmity) I've had to give up a lot of treasured crafts. My heart yearns to go back to painting, sewing, weaving, making plastic canvas items and so forth. It hurts too much which lead to me surfing the 'net also which caused a medical condition called "Tailor''s Bottom". (Yeah, I giggled too.) It's a type of hip burstis. Well, my new Doc ordered a hyrdocordisone shot. It worked! That pain is now eased. Thank you Lord. If it returns, he recommended another one. Surgery is too dangerous in that area.

15. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie? Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to? Not much has changed except we've been buying a lot of DVD's of old films. We stream everything else. I'm really into movies that center around India during the Victorian Age. India does have a fascinating history. It's really ancient. It's a shame they're so trapped in the worship of demons. They're also killin' Christians when they should be heeding their warnings and follow Jesus. Their lives would be so much better.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day! Ride safe. 

Friday Photo

Baby, it's cold outside! 🥶

Breaking Free

 

Today was grocery shopping day. First stop was at the neighboring Dollar General to buy a preferred soap product that's too pricey from the grocery store. Then on to the Big City to shop at Kroger. Usually, we only go there only for specialty items that are not available in our little 'hood here in the country. This time we thought we'd buy the bulk of the groceries there instead of running hither and yon to get everything needed. That was a mistake, though, as the prices for ordinary products were excessive (eggs were $3.59 a dozen and they're only $1++ something here at The Pig!). Plus, Kroger didn't carry most of the everyday items we like to get or need every week. Well, we shant be shopping there again except for the odd ball items! Lesson learned. 😉

I enjoy talking to everybody. It's fun to meet new people. While in line at the Kroger to checkout I got into conversation with a nicely dressed elderly lady in front of us. She commensed to share how she once raised her own chickens, turkey's, and pigs "because of what's comin' in the future". She shared her thoughts on how the stockmarket is going to crash, that our money will be worthless, we're all going to starve and so forth. It sure will after the Rapture. The Holy Scriptures warn us about what's coming, I agree. What with the open worship of Baal, the celebrating of sin and immorality, the steady destruction of our European Christian culture, the murder of untold innocents, and many other heinous things I don't like to say in mixed company, it's obvious the whole world is circling the drain. It made Jesus very sad when He shared this prophecy with His disciples. [Matthew 24] I proceeded to share how wonderful it is that those of us who trust in Jesus don't need to be so concerned. Prepare, yes, but don't be afraid. He is our strength and guidance and that He will remove all Believers from the total destruction when it's time. He promises in His Holy Word that is so. [Thessalonians] She said, "Oh, no, we're all of us are going to have to go through this." "Um, no, He promises He will remove those who follow Him in faith before the Man of Perdition (Anti-Christ) is revealed." I don't think she believed me but at least I tried to comfort her. For now, the praying Church are in the way of their "fun" (sin). The Holy Spirit has His hand on us. Evil keeps losing in the Courts and everywhere else. I didn't ask what news she's watching (or not watching) nor what denomination this dear lady belonged to but she shared it anyway. Someone's not giving her the whole story! 😓 This poor woman is living in terror of the future and that's not necessary for those of us who put our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. ☝💓✟ Living in fear is not from God. 

After putting the groceries away I started reading a new book by Beth Moore titled "Breaking Free". I'm only in Chapter 1 but am very impressed with the lesson thus far! She starts out expounding on Gideon. [Judges 6:11] On how God called him a mighty warrior as he cowered in the winepress. 🤯 That must have been startling for Gideon, right?! God still used Gideon just as he was and to His glory. Then Ms. Moore goes on to how Isaiah 61 also applies to our lives. I had to keep stopping and praying that God would show me how to live this kind of life for Him too. Yes, I'm finding this book profound. I'm getting so much instruction on how all these Scriptures apply to my life. It's good to understand and read God's word "rightly divided" [2 Timothy] but since I wasn't raised in a Christian home or environment I have to look to other ladies to share their years of well earned wisdom, especially concerning the Old Testament. Studying the Old Testament has been a real learning curve but I love it! I'm so grateful God put it in my heart to give the entire Church one of Breaking Free books for Christmas. Thanks to His Holy Spirit I have learned to love all my fellow Believers and pray they get as much from it as I do. I want to Break Free from fear and indecision too. 

Now I'm hungry. My tummy's just a growlin'. Time to start making noises in the kitchen and getting supper warmed up. Yeah, it's still leftovers from yesterday. That's OK. It's still a blessing from God. By the way, ever wonder what our dogs or cats think when we come home with so much delicious smelling food every week?! They must think we're the world's greatest hunters. 😂 

On that note I pray everyone has a glorious rest of the evening. Thanks for stopping by and for your always welcome comments. Let's keep looking up!  💓