Comfort and Strength

When you need some comfort and peace of mind,
When strength for the day seems so hard to find,
Close your eyes and open your heart and soul
To receive the strength that will make you whole.

A mighty Fortress, so strong and sure,
God’s strength enables you to endure.
As angels surround you to guard and protect you,
God in His wisdom will guide and direct you.

You are God’s chosen, to Him you are dear.
In God’s strength and love you have nothing to fear.
Find comfort today in God’s power and might
As love surrounds you and fills you with light.

© Connie Arnold, 2010 from Abundant Comfort and Grace

Pledge for July 4th

Dirty Shoes...

What a nice problem to have.   I said this recently.

"Oh dear, I cannot put my feet in my lap I have dirty shoes".  This is a new problem for me since I have been walking again.

I am not boasting just thankful that I have dirty shoes again.

When you do not walk your shoes never get dirty...I did not realize that when I walked??

My Blog Name....

My Aunt Rene always smiling with her family surrounding her.

I had a few requests to write about the name of this blog.

I grew up seeing my Aunt Rene always happy.  She did have a bunch of reasons to complain and be grouchy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis attacked her at an early age when she had a full life ahead of her.  It was tough for the whole family.

They knew little about the disease then, told her to rest.  A new med she took was IV's of steroids.  It was before they knew the long term damage.

She was bedridden over 30 years.  She had 5 children and raised them somehow from her bed. 

Rene would lay in bed reminiscing to me about the good ole days of cleaning house.   The kids had to hide their dirt. 

She loved God with all her heart,  Jesus was her life.  Everyone that visited her left feeling better.

She had prayer meetings in her house, the power was there.  We all wondered why this saintly woman was sick.  I later  realized we do not understand everything.

Rene would have been happy to rush around in a power chair like I do.

She taught me with her life to make the best of your life.  Whatever your circumstances.

Dad's Baptism....

My Dad, Pratt (left) and his friend Travis,  photographed after they were baptized.

This was in the late 1940's, makes this a rarity photo.  I am happy we found this, of such a special time  of his life.

Dad is 71 now, he is still being a great father.  I am continuing Father's Day.


Remember photos, can end up being very special one day.

Don't Let Rock Walls Stop You

My son Jacob, playing earlier this year
Ocoee Park


 I need to remember this, as times get rough, and hard as rocks.


Well, as husband is looking for work, my handicap van seems to be dead.  It is going back to the hospital.....


I try to remember, "this too shall pass"!


I need to look at the title of this blog, it could be worse!

Happy Father's Day!

I am so happy to be a copper miner's daughter!  Dad has always been there for us.  He worked hard for us 5 girls.

I am proud of my husband Rex, for being a great father to our two children.   Both are still wonderful fathers.  They deserve a day of honor!

Multiple Sclerosis MS Awareness

Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  I know it is late for Raising Awareness Thursday.

I want to say Hooray! to these two blogs.  They did wonderful blog posts to raise awareness of MS.

Hearts Makes Families
Headaches hormones and hot flashes

I need to do more to raise awareness of MS.  It does take a young healthy person to a person, with health challenges.

With me, I do not remember life without MS.  I have tried to build a life of normal, despite the MS.  It is not easy!  Who does have a life of easy?

Home

My Snowball flowers








HOME by Linda



Fireflies dash under pecan trees,
Cicadas chirp on pine-scented air,
Frogs bark from the creek below,
Red-clay june bugs on the window screen,
Crickets sing from the tangled wisteria, and
Skeeters dart among fragrant magnolia blossoms.
All captured on the dense, humid air of a Georgia night.
Home. Georgia.

She wrote this little poem, it reminds me of Home, as the title says.  She has a wonderful blog.  Check it out.

Just a poem to remind me of Georgia!

Our Daughter Returns Home!

Leah with Mediterranean village behind her

Leah in front of Swiss Alps














It is so nice to have Leah back home.  She had a wonderful trip to Europe.  It was a study abroad program.

Memories for her,  for a lifetime. She went to France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.

When she returned home, we asked, what was the American food that she missed the most?

It was Mexican food, so we took her to a Mexican Restaurant.  We loved listening to her, tell us about all her adventures.

It was over in a blink, she could not believe that part also.

Decoration Day-A Year of 5

So Sad but new life, Nathaniel standing on Mom's grave.  Sad that Mom has been gone for 5 years.

We 5 girls have not missed this "Decoration Day" for 5 years.  Mom would have been surprised by that fact alone.

New Life of her last grandson was  a good feeling.  New life is always going to happen.  God does provide.

I Have Hope of Walking Again

I finally went to Shepherds Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in Atlanta. They were very professional.

I passed a walking test (with a walker) of 25 feet so I can try a new medicine, Amprya.   They believe it helps with nerve conduction.  Time will tell.....

They suggested physical therapy, of course.   I left there very encouraged.

I know that everyone is different with MS but now we have many new meds to try.   Whether it be with Doctors or medicines, I will live by faith.

The Yellow Butterfly

 original post date 6/10/10

My Aunt Sue, who lost her 43 year old son last year.....was outside swinging.   She felt,  "I just cannot take this anymore".

She said out loud, "You have got to send me that yellow butterfly again.  I just need to see it again".  They are special to her.

She went on reading and forgot about it.

She looks up,  there is a yellow butterfly flying around the yard....it  did not land on any flowers.... just flew on.

She felt comfort....whether it be God.....or whatever you believe.

When we feel like giving up....we need to hang on!

Husband Now!

 This is a picture of life, as it is, with husband home now.

It is nice to have him home, but all women know, it can be a bit too much wonderful!


I told him, I was taking the picture, but doubt he listened.  Notice the beautiful TV, dog, and ugly chair.

I will not complain, but try to see the good in the change.  We will get closer, during this stage of our marriage, right?

Brain Exercise!

Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."
- Albert Einstein

This is a challenge for us all to keep learning, at all ages.  I got this ideal from Velvet Over Steel.    She has a great blog.

I have been playing games over at Lumosity.   Of course, they want you to subscribe, but I do the free games.

I do feel exercise for the brain, must be a good thing, since exercise is good for the  body....

No lesson, except keep trying to learn, even if you feel too old!

The Heat!

MS and heat do not go together, duh....Like Arthritis and cold, most know that.

Just thought I would mention this fact, for all the MS'ers out there.  Since I do not walk, "I do not turn to jelly" as much, as when I walked more.

Now when I drink my milkshake every day, I go outside and sweep the deck or porch.  That warms me up real fast in 90 degree weather!

I guess the lesson is, to stay out of the heat!  Do remember these days!

Intricately Made......

 What can I add to the beauty of a butterfly?

This was on my door, so had to get picture.

I know there are many scriptures, of being intricately made, this is one picture of it!

Thankful to Military again

Continuing our Military guys, being honored.  Joshua, who has served 5 years in the Navy. 

Joshua is having a good time at the lake.  I did get an action photo of him jumping in the water!

To me this takes a lot of trust, letting go of the swing!  We do have to trust, many times, in life.

Memorial Day to Remember.....

Fun at the Lake Wedowee,  AL.














With a large extended family.


Ervin Cline is in this photo as they were cleaning up.  We do not forget this was Memorial Day.

Ervin will be 77 soon, He retired from the Navy.

We all need to appreciate our Military guys!  We will never know all he gave up, for our freedoms!

We had a great day with family but I feel I should honor Ervin for his service, a little late.