God's Amazing Creation

Just got this via email from my wonderful friend and sil, Nancy. I really enjoyed it because I do see God's magnificence in the details of all that surrounds us.

GODʼS ACCURACY

God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. For example, the
eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; those of the canary in 14 days;
those of the barnyard hen in 21 days. The eggs of ducks and geese hatch
in 28 days; those of the mallard in 35 days. The eggs of the parrot and
the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by seven).
The lives of each of you may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way
for His glory, if you will only entrust Him with your life. If you try
to regulate your own life, it will only be a mess and a failure. Only
the One Who made the brain and the heart can successfully guide them
to a profitable end.
God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of this
great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped
is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too
large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so
that it can rise from the ground easily. The horse rises from the ground
on its two front legs first. A cow rises from the ground with its two
hind legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation!
God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as
well as in the number of grains. Each watermelon has an even number of
strips on the rind. Each orange has an even number of segments. Each
ear of corn has an even number of rows. Each stalk of wheat has an even
number of grains. Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even
number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an
even number and the next row an odd number. The waves of the sea roll in
on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather. All grains
are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified
thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold - all even numbers.
God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during
the day, so that Linneus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a
conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature,
he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and
those that were closed!
Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is
entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes
and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence. Only the God-planned
life is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is
safe.

* Auther unknown



I guess that "number" person inside of me was intrigued and touched by this article. Hope you enjoy it too!

School Update

I haven't written much about my school status lately. So here's an update.

This summer session which runs from July 14 through Aug 14. My class is named Managerial Accounting and is an introductory accounting class looking at things from the business owner's perspective with major emphasis on manufacturing companies. Our CPA firm has very few manufacturing clients and our focus is primarily accounting for tax preparation purposes, so much of what we are covering is new to me. However, the concepts are very easy for me to understand. My co-worker says I think like an accountant. The vast majority of the students appear to be in their early 20's and just beginning to consider accounting principals in general. Therefore I feel very much out of place. However, I am learning and feel like it is preparing me for the Advanced Managerial class I plan to take in the fall as I begin the graduate class work. The class is scheduled to meet Mon through Thur from 6:00 PM to 8:50 PM. I need to leave work between 5 and 5:30 to get there on time. Fortunately, he has not made us stay the full time yet. Much of the time we end up getting out by near 8:00 and sometimes earlier.

At any rate the teacher is quite the character. I so wanted to take his picture tonight. He was leaned back in his chair with his feet propped up on the table he uses as a desk. I thought how I wish I could take his picture to show all of you. My camera was in my purse, but I wasn't sure how I would explain taking his picture like that. He is bald, wears blue jeans and a button up shirt with the shirt tail out. Sometimes he wears flip flops and sometimes he has slippers. He has a very dry sense of humor and is ALWAYS making stupid jokes and sarcastic remarks. He affectionately refers to our class as Vacation Accounting School. He gives people every effort to make good grades. Tonight's test had 25 possible bonus points. So I could potentially make 125. I will be disappointed in myself if I make less than 110. I made 102 on the last test because he gave a 2 point curve. I really don't think I have much to worry about on this one. BUT I am still reading the book and trying to gain as much information as possible.

Now, by the time Thursday gets here, I'm running out of steam since I get up early and study and then go to work, then school, and then home. I have to have some blogging time.

Well, good night all.

Pathways of Life

Wandering along through life I stumble upon a paved pathway, all smooth and flat and straight and beautiful.

The way is clear, the direction is easily understood. Not much effort is required. This part of the journey through life is easy and peaceful and welcome. I know where I am and where I am going.

Even the curves and adjustments in our direction are gentle and clearly visible. Inclines and descents require a little more effort or use of different muscles. We are challenged at times to continue on the path. We may need to lean into the Creator or rest upon His bosom or clutch His guiding hand as we encounter life’s minor bumps and mishaps.

We are thankful for the bridges God has provided when deep waters of adversity appear out of no where. He covers the path with His love and we can safely cross over to more peaceful days.

But there are times that the pathway takes us into dark and shadowy places. Here we must stay in tune with our Creator and trust His guidance and His goodness. Sometimes in the shadows, we must proclaim these characteristics that make God who He says He is out of a deep faith knowing them to be the truth, but not being able to SEE their truthfulness. Faith is not really faith until we believe without sight. In these shadowy places, the sunbeams are blocked from our eyes. The path is less clear, less defined, less sure but no less present, no less needed, no less ours to follow. The shadows are the proof that God’s light shines. The shadows can not exist apart from the light shining brightly on the other side of the interference. The intricate patterns on our path are drawn by the combination of God’s goodness and Satan’s attempts to hinder our pursuit of holiness and wholehearted fellowship with the Living God, our loving Savior.

Rocky places in the pathway make us lean not on our own understanding but on the truth of God’s word. Treasures and trinkets are often found among the stony ground. We must pay attention to our steps and the intensity of our focus helps us see the details of God’s ways. We see the engravings in His hands as evidence of His undeserved love. We see more clearly the details of the Savior’s sacrifice. We recognize our total dependence on an all knowing Father.

Sometimes the pathways in our life seem to go in circles, round and round with the same old issues, the same struggles, the same routine, the same job, the same successes, the same patterns of failure to achieve in our areas of weakness. Expending energy and resources but no real progress is made. We’re not going any where—just moving in circles. Perhaps these circles serve a purpose. Perhaps they are a part of a mass of concentric circles that pulls us closer and closer to the Christ who resides on a throne inside our inmost being. Each time around the circle, the cycles of ups and downs are blending into each other making us stronger and more resistant to the pull of Satan’s temptations.

Lord, it’s your companionship along the pathways that make the journey meaningful.

“Where you go, I will go.” Ruth 16:1

NUMBERS!! Pictures

I've had lots of fun with this since I am very much a numbers person. I have seen numbers all over the place. There are house numbers, telephone numbers, ID numbers of all kinds, street signs, school grade numbers, the list goes on and on and on. It seems like EVERYTHING ends up having some relationship to numbers. So I'm thankful that God made NUMBERS as a part of our lives.

I think I momentarily lost sanity when I took a picture of my Social Security Card, Driver's license, and credit cards as being important numbers. I tried covering up part of each number. But in the end decided that was not a wise move and could get me in lots of trouble. So that picture didn't make it to my top three.

So here goes:

Picture #1 represents our medical numbers.


Picture # 2 are fun numbers. I found many games and activities that use numbers in some fashion. But I liked this shot the best.
Picture #3 is God's Numbers. Although this book is not often listed as a favorite book of the Bible, I find it interesting that God included it as a part of Holy Scripture. It was important to Him to tell us of the specifics of how many people were in each family group. He includes the numbers in many places throughout scripture giving details of ages and many other numerical information.

Brenda's Photo Challenge--NUMBERS!

Good Morning Everyone!!!

The day has finally arrived to post our pictures that fall under the theme of NUMBERS!! We have a lot of new participants this time, so be sure you welcome them all with open arms. I'm sure you will.

Sharon has graciously offered to be our next hostess. So please drop by her place at Funky Fairy Frolics in the next few days to find out the next theme and date.

Here are the rules for the next lucky hostess

Rules:

1. If you're asked to host the next challenge, and you accept the mission..LOL..pick a date (usually two weeks gives everyone time to gather their subjects and snap their photos).


2. Pick a Theme (can be Anything that floats your boat).


3. Post the rules and the next host, on your post. The Next host then does the same!

TGIF

It's Friday!!!

It has been a good week and I look forward to a fun weekend full of activity.

I just realized that I have to get myself in high gear. I have an appointment in 1 hour at work which is half hour drive and I haven't started to get ready.

See you all for Brenda's photo challenge tomorrow.

Awards

Now that my homework is all done.....

I can take time to really appreciate the sweet awards given to me by Karen and Donna. This is my first time to receive awards and it feels really neat!! Thank you both.

Karen is the one responsible for getting me into this wonderful land of blog! She has been a friend for several years. A few months back she shared her blogsite with me. I just happened to be in a mood for exploration and experimentation and just sort of started writing and checking it all out. Since tax season ended and getting back to blogging a bit, I stumbled on the Brenda's photo challenge. After that first photo challenge I was hooked. I love checking in on my new blog friends and enjoy meeting new people. I met Donna through the photo challenge. She has a great blog and always includes uplifting thoughts in her blog and wonderful comments on my posts. Thanks again both of you!!

Now, I think I'm supposed to award 7 blog friends! Everyone has such great blogs it is difficult to choose.

My first nominee is Brenda at What's Up Down South. Brenda is the one who started the photo challenge fun. She is also a faithful blogger who shares her everyday life of family and adventures with all of us. I enjoy her southern style and just feel at home when visiting her blog.

Next I pick Cindra from Knits and Pics and Favorite Things. Cindra takes some really beautiful pictures and is a very creative lady. She is quite "crafty" and I enjoy seeing her creations. I guess I have to admit that I envy her a bit because I just don't have the time to do as much as she does.

My third nominee is Tabitha at Twinkle, Twinkle. She delights in her children and it is so much fun seeing their pictures and reading about their adventures. I'm also proud of her for sticking with her weigh lose program. Way to go Tabitha!!

Sally of Whispering Hope also receives an award. She is great at posting about memories and encourages me to remember the good things and people in my past. Her posts usually focus on family and relationships and it is very evident that she treasures her family.

Nonnie or Kimberly of Walk the Beach is my next recipient. She inspires and encourages those who visit her blog with a wide assortment of topics.

Jeanette from Net on the Net receives award number 6. She is a great photographer. I appreciate how she shares her daily adventures.


Jodie gets an award too for being a wife to a soldier and a mommy to a princess. Thank you for the sacrifices you make for my freedom. (And thank your husband, too)

The Rules: Put the logo on your blog. Put a link to me (who awarded it to you)(if you want) on your blog also. You need to nominate 7 other bloggers for the award and put links to them also on your blog. Finally, leave a comment for those you've nominated - so they know they've received a special award!

Photo Challenge--NUMBERS! in 3 days!!

It's almost time......only 3 more days.

We have a LOT of people signed up for this challenge. It will really be interesting to see what everyone comes up with for Numbers pictures.

There is still time to leave me a comment that you want to join in the fun. Then post 2 or 3 pictures with the theme of numbers on July 26. There are links to all of the participants on my side bar. With the theme of numbers I thought it'd be fun to "count" the participants. Since I'm not on my own list--we are up to 24 total.

The next host is all lined up, too. I'll post that info when I post my pictures on Saturday morning.

PS Brenda had a really good idea when she came up with this idea. Be sure you stop by her blog and let her know.

My first Blog Award

Thank you to Donna and Karen for my first Blog Awards today. I have to figure out how to do all I need to do and think of who I want to pass the award to.

BUT---my teacher assigned homework tonight AND I have an early appointment at work in the morning so I can't put it off.

So, I'll do the proper thanks and links and put the picture up and award and all that later.

Please know I am very pleased and honored by the awards. Thank you both for your kindness.

Fun Memory

Kim from Homesteader's Heart posted about her birthday celebration. In it she mentioned the game of Pit. I have a feeling that most if not everyone out in blog land has played Pit before. It is a very old game and is a lot of fun in a group of 5 to 7 people.

Year's ago, before we had kids, my hubby's sister, Nancy and her family came for a visit. She had a couple of girls in upper elementary or maybe even Jr. High. She also brought her mother (my mother-in-law) with them. While they were there, we purchased our Pit game. (Still have it!)

There were 7 of us playing and the game grew louder and louder and everyone was having so much fun.

One particular round has been remembered all these years.

The whole group became so intense and everyone was yelling, "One, One, One!" Every time we traded, we still just needed ONE more of whatever commodity we were holding. In the midst of the tension and yelling, we suddenly realized that Mema (mother-in-law) wasn't trading with anyone and was snickering. She had collected one card of each commodity! That started the laughter. We laughed and laughed.

And we've told this story over and over.

It was so much fun getting together and playing games. Thanks Kim for reminding me of that time again.

More pics from Saturday

Peaceful Photos

I went into town (yes, I live out in the country) and went to a Weight Watcher's meeting, and to get a hair cut. Then I went to some neat places to take some pictures. It was very nice and I really had fun. I'm sharing some of them.

Photo Challenge Ahead

Don't forget the next Brenda's Photo Challenge. Next Saturday, July 26 the theme is NUMBERS! and I'm the host. We have lots of people already signed up to participate. If you want to join in the "numbers" fun, just leave me a comment and I'd add your name and link to my list on the sidebar. I have more ideas than the 2 or 3 pictures needed so I'm thinking which pictures I want to take and post. Hope you are having fun seeing the numbers in your world. I can't wait to see what you all come up with.

Lessons from Trees

There was an acorn planted in the fertile soil. It grew into a might oak tree and endured many decades.

There were times of perfect growing conditions with just the right balance of rain, sun & nutrients from the soil. Other times were filled with extreme winds and storms. There were seasons of drought. Insects and disease tried to stop its growth.

Birds and other animals made homes in its branches sometimes altering its appearance with holes or nests. Some branches fell or were cut from the tree through the course of time. What would have become of those branches had they remained? Would they have caused harm to the other branches or even killed the tree? Would they have grown into strong branches filled with foliage reaching toward the light like those remaining? Time has strengthened the tree causing its roots to grow deep into the earth. Storms have brought twisting and scars to the tree’s character making it all the more beautiful to behold. The trunk has grown into a massive steadfast anchor, solid and strong. Yet each branch ends with tiny stems of new growth holding the leaves which miraculously change sunlight into life giving nutrients. These tiny branches are fragile and tender and new and yet a part of the majestic, ancient tree. The twists and turns and forks in the branches make us wonder what trial or condition caused this branch to grow straight and another to bend and form a U shape in its path.Why did the branch split into different directions and grow toward the sky a little to the right & a little to the left? What happened when the tree was young and just a sapling to cause it to lean to the side and then redirect is course to have its truck directly above its roots?

Throughout the years this tree has produced millions of acorns each with the chance of growing into another mighty oak. How long will the tree continue to endure & serve its useful purpose? How many different purposes has it fulfilled over the decades? In the beginning perhaps is served as hope to a young child watching it grow.

Perhaps it provided home to countless animals over its lifetime. Shade and rest for weary passersby is most certainly on its list of purposes. Many have enjoyed the beauty of the tree while dressed in green for spring and summer, or hues of red, yellow, orange or brown in fall, or even its bare branches in the winter months.

Perhaps some branches were cut from the tree to provide a fire for warmth or food preparation.

Today as I absorb the character of the noble tree & its life, it provides inspiration for me to live my life according to God’s purposes.

Another Song

Ok, I mostly did this song to see if I could figure out how to embed a youtube video. I did!! Enjoy the song. It's another good old song.

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Leigh at the Perfect Walk has a post about how deep God's love is and it reminded me of this song. Please listen to it.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

Summer Beauty

In our part of the world crepe myrtles are very beautiful in the summertime. They seem to love the bright sunshine and extreme heat we have here. I just love looking at them. I took these pictures in the parking lot of the school where I'm going now.

New beginnings

Today is a bit of a new beginning around our house. My hubby and I both started our 2nd summer session of school today. Hubby is taking 2 classes this go around--public speaking and American history. He has class from 8:00 AM to 12:10 PM Monday through Thursday. I am taking Managerial Accounting and go to class from 6:00 PM to 8:50 PM Mon through Thurs. That means I need to get to work no later than 9:00 and to leave by 5:15 to get to class on time.

So the next few weeks will prove to be VERY busy.

Next Photo Challenge

What a great photo challenge we had yesterday! Everyone delivered beautiful pictures and wrote inspiring posts. Karen's challenge ended up being a very thought provoking challenge that enriched our lives. Thank you, Karen, for an excellent photo challenge.

I admit these photo challenges have really been a lot of fun for me and quite addictive. I find myself getting anxious to check on my blogging friends' recent posts and curious as to what is going on in your lives. Thank you for being so gracious and kind to me. The positive encouragement that blog friends exchange is just wonderful!!

Karen has asked me to host the next Brenda's photo challenge.

I'm a "numbers" person, so I pick

NUMBERS!
for the next challenge on

Saturday, July 26.

Here are the rules as for as I know them.....

If you want to participate, please send me a comment and I will post a link to your blog in my sidebar. So... please post 2-3 photos depicting your interpretation of NUMBERS! on your blog by Saturday, July 26th and above all, HAVE FUN!

Here are the rules for the next lucky hostess

Rules:

1. If you're asked to host the next challenge, and you accept the mission..LOL..pick a date (usually two weeks gives everyone time to gather their subjects and snap their photos).


2. Pick a Theme (can be Anything that floats your boat).


3. Post the rules and the next host, on your post. The Next host then does the same!

Photo Challenge--Patriotism

I've been looking forward to this photo challenge. Thank you to Karen for hosting. Be sure to visit her at Faith Of A Single Mom to link to the other participants' blogs. And I'm the next host so check back with me on Sunday for the next theme. So here goes!!

I took this picture a few years back in Croudcroft, New Mexico. My husband and I took a trip to just "get away." It rained a lot of the time we were there, but we spent a lot of time taking pictures. I really enjoyed the time and loved this shot of the hummingbird feeder next to a flag on a sidewalk in the shopping center.

I know I'm cheating, but this collage picture is something I put together with pictures from our Independence Day celebration with friends at our house last Friday. I even took a picture of my fabric to use as the background. See my patriotic dessert!! We had so much fun!

Now for my last Photo-------I cheated again!

My youngest son, Jonathan, will be 20 on Sunday. These are various pictures from when he received his infantry braid at the conclusion of infantry training, his basic training graduation, leaving to serve in Iraq, and a pictures from Iraq. I also guess I'm cheating in that I didn't take quite all of these pictures. Moms can't go to Iraq to take their son's picture for a photo challenge.

Class #1 is Finished!!!

I took my last test in Economics tonight. It was the easiest test yet. Don't know what I made on the test, BUT I got my paper back and made a 98 on it!

Teacher had told us he would post the grades online as soon as everyone was through with the test. So by the time I drove home and checked online he had posted the course grades.

I got an A!!!!!

Yippee!!!!!

Thank you all for your encouragement and help. A special thanks to Joni for her proofreading on the paper.

Wednesday Update

Going to work onsite at a client's office today. This is a long time client that I now call a friend as well as a client. I usually go to their office about once or twice a year to do some onsite work in their QuickBooks file. We always go to lunch together and get caught up on our families and so forth. She has a grandson and so I get to see pictures, etc.

This is one of my favorite parts to my job. I like the personal connections with many of my clients.

Got my paper turned in last night and I'm studying for the last test for this class. It will be tomorrow night at 6:00. I'm taking tomorrow off work to study and take my hubby to the doctor for a medical procedure that requires anesthesia. Guess I'll study in the waiting area.

Have a great day!

Paper to Proofreaders

I gave my paper to 3 people to proofread. These are all currently enrolled college students which have much more recent experience in formal paper writing and editing than I have. I'm so fortunate to have them help me. One of them has already given me some suggested changes, which I have made. Another one is supposed to bring it to me in the morning at work. The third person is dear sweet Joni of Morning Coffee. This is her "thing" and I'm honored that she offered to help me.

Wonderful 4th!!

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration. I awoke early because I knew I had lots to do. First, I worked on the yard, getting it ready for fireworks by getting grass short and burning our pile of tree limbs from our spring tree trimming. It was very dry and I knew it could be a potential fire hazard with fireworks going off. We had been intending to get it burned for a while anyway and just never seemed to think about it when weather conditions were right. I opted for a controlled burn instead of taking a chance on an accidental burn with kids around.

Then I got started on some food preparation after a short time of studying.

Next came laundry and house cleaning, followed by ME cleaning. I was so dirty by the time I got the house and yard cleaned that I needed a good scrubbing.

Friends came to our house, some old and some new. There were enough kids to enjoy watching their excitement over the fireworks, but not so many that we were concerned for safety. One of the kids proclaimed last night the best July 4th she had ever had. I was grateful that my 22 year old son joined our group in time to set off a few nice fireworks and give the younger kids some help with their sparklers and Roman candles and fountains. He's such a good kid or well man I should say. I'm very proud of his giving and caring attitudes. He's responsible and reliable, too.

So today, I'm alternating between writing this wonderful paper and cleaning up the messes from the party.

Guess I better keep on trucking with my research paper.

Hope y'all had a happy holiday as well.

School

I got my 3rd test score tonight. I started out with a 97, then an 88, and now an 82. I REALLY want an A in this class. I've always made good grades and it makes me angry that I just can't seem to understand and remember this stuff!!!! We have a 6 to 10 page paper to write by Tuesday and I MUST do a really exceptional job on this and get a high grade on it. Then I have the last test on Thursday over the last 4 chapters. Some how I have to learn this stuff. I'm really stressed over this stupid class!!!!

BUT I'm going to clean my house and yard tomorrow and enjoy food and fireworks with friends at my house tomorrow night. Sure hope I have time to work on my paper some tomorrow and then I'll have ALL day Saturday to finish it up.

Everyone have a Happy 4th!!

Next Photo Challenge

I'm watching for good shots and thinking about photos for the next photo challenge which will be on July 11 and is hosted by Karen this time around. She's picked Patriotism for our theme. What fun this will be with July 4 celebrations to use for photo shoots. If you are interested in participating go by her place at Faith of a Single Mom to sign up. Thanks to Brenda who started this whole thing! What a great idea!!!!

New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:22-24 (New International Version)

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."