Bookstore-Book Giveaway

I have a Christian Bookstore (pictured above) in my spare bedroom.  Let me explain why.

The owner passed away, she was a friend of the family.   I offered to help my sister sell it.   It almost sold as a whole store, but with this economy it fell through.

Now I have 30 cases of books left.  I started listing one case on Amazon after a year of frustration.  We will donate some of it....

I will giveaway a book of your choice (less than $10) to the person who comments the most frequently during February.

1. Different posts
2. Comments about the post
3. New or old posts

Ok I love my blogging friends who take the time to comment!

Burning Bush Bookstore

Bored and Lonely....

Now that I Finally have the house to myself, I am bored and lonely!

I sound like a spoiled child whining!  I laugh at my childlike behavior.

I am sooo thankful, relieved, compassionate, humbled as I gripe.

I am reminded of the children of Israel so I will keep this session short.

Trying to remedy my boredom, I ventured out to the chiro.  It felt good to drive again (with hand controls)

I drove the van that was pronounced DEAD by several mechanics.  It is running good for now.

Remember I am learning this "One day at a time" even with the old van.

What am I complaining about?  I need to clean house, ebay, amazon, pay bills, talk on the phone, watch TV, go to the store, Blogging also :)

ps.  After posting this, I have been very busy today doing the list above.   Be careful what you wish for!

Hubs Got a Job!

He is at work now!  I had forgotten how nice it is to say that phrase.

God takes care of us again!

A few lessons for me, during 8 months of unemployment:

1.  If you have a job, be Thankful.
2.  When applying for Food Stamps, do not judge.
3.  Some stuff is not necessary (less TV, phone etc)
4.  Use more blankets to stay warm
5.  Less stress when Hubs would do odd jobs.
6.  Discovered kind people willing to help.
7.  It is Wonderful to keep House payments current.
8.  Time to reconnect with Hubs when marriage was drifting some?
9.  Having the house Alone, just Me when hubs was busy.
10. Compassion has increased again!

I again learn the lesson, to Wait on God....Really it is One day at a time!

Handicap Helpers for Me!

I am sharing a few items that make my life easier as I travel this MS  road with obstacles.

These small things do help me to live a 'normal' life.

The shower chair is so nice when my balance and fatigue make showering difficult.

I give Hubs credit for finding these aides to help me be independent.

Sons Marine Helicopter Repel

I received a letter from my Marine Boot Camp son.  This photo helps to remind me that he is not stuck here.

He describes the Helicopter Repel Wall (5 stories high?), when he had a fear of heights.   "I am on the edge of this tower with the harness I made, not knowing if it actually works?"

"I'm literally hanging off this ledge, step off the ledge backwards to a small bar.  Lean back parallel to the ground, Kick off really hard so you don't hit your face on the helicopter bar.  I went all the way down the rope, I did it."

I know he is safe, during training.  My son reminds us, we can accomplish tasks which seem impossible.

I am so proud of him, and our Marines!

Hubs Ice Skating in the Ditch

The day started with Hubs trying to free a few of us from the clutches of ice.

He tries to help free my cuz Kelly (watch her showing her husband, how he can go to work in this ice ) Funny....

While driving there on his tractor,  he is stranded and out of gas.   He began walking home on our ice covered road with ruts.  When it became solid ice  he lost his footing.

He then slides into the ditch.  The ditch was a small bowl of ice therefore he is trapped however he keeps struggling.

His brother drives by just in time and stopped exclaiming "What are you doing in the ditch?"  However because of the ice he cannot reach him so he throws him a rope.

Hubs pulls himself out of the ditch with that rope!  He skips walks home exhausted after his brother rescued him!

Fortunately the Good Samaritan brother did not walk on the other side of the road :)

We had a chuckle, but hubs has been aching??  Of course, it could have been worse.

Dinosaurs Found in Tennessee

My sisters family gets creative with snow!

 

 

 

 

Wrestling With God - Guest Post

I saw this post at Confessions of a Snowflake.  It reminded me that we all wait, wondering why. 

So I am NOT the first to wait? 

I asked Alicia to do a guest post: 

Ok, I’ll just confess…

I do not like physical exercise.  

I don’t mind a good hike or walk.  But that’s about as much as I want to do.  

I’m completely overwhelmed by the thought of kickboxing or complicated dance steps. If you mention them to me, I’m likely to run in the opposite direction.

But this week I’m doing a different type of exercise.

I’m wrestling.

Nope, it’s not the rolling on the floor type.

Instead it’s the down on the knees type.

Last week I wrote about not being able to write because I was waiting.  This week I am still waiting.  But I am also wrestling.

Wrestling with thoughts

Wrestling with decisions

Wrestling with God’s will

I have strong emotions, opinions and feelings.  I’m disappointed about decisions that were made and the results.  And I am angry.

I thought I had dealt with all of this.  Apparently my Heavenly Father doesn't agree.  Over the last few days, He has confronted me with the true heart of the matter.  In return, I've wrestled.  I'm confused and hurt.  I don't understand.

I’ve confessed ugly thoughts in my prayer journal.  I’ve asked hard questions.  I am not proud of what I've said.  But it felt important.  It felt important to get it all out…to confess it...to deal with it.

I’m convinced that God can handle these emotions.  He created the world in six days.  He can handle my anger, my questions, my whys.

The Bible is filled with people asking God hard questions.

David asks in Psalm 13:1-2…

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
   How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
   and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
   How long will my enemy triumph over me?

The book of Habakkuk starts much the same way…

How long, LORD, must I call for help,

   but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
   but you do not save?
Habakkuk 1:2

Then there’s the book of Lamentations.  The whole book details the devastation God has brought to the people of Israel.  Yet, in the midst of it are some of the most beautiful words in the Bible…

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for him.”

As a matter of fact, praising God is common among those who are questioning Him. At the end of chapter 13 David says, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”

And Habakkuk proclaims…

Though the fig tree does not bud
   and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
   and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
   and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
   I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:17-18

So it is with me…

I will continue to wrestle with God.  I will continue to seek answers for hard questions.  I will continue to confess difficult emotions. 

I will also examine my heart.  I know it’s not in the right place.  But the pain, the hurt and the disappointment are deeply imbedded.  I'm not quite sure how to let go of them. 

I also know there is sin and unforgiveness that needs to be handled.  God and I are working on that too.  But that’s another post for another day.

In the meantime I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will sing His praises and I will trust in His unfailing love.  Because even though there are things I don’t understand, I do know that God loves me.  He has proven that to me time and time again.

And I will continue to wait. 

I will wait on God to continue cleansing my heart.  I will wait on Him to reveal His plan.  I will wait on His answers.

Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.  Psalm 27:14

What about you my friend?  Have you wrestled with God?

Thank you, Kim for letting me be a guest poster on your blog today.  I pray that my words of wrestling would be an encouragement to you and your readers.

 

Frozen in Atlanta

This photo says a bit of how we have been in Atlanta.

It has not melted any, since it began.

We have frozen roads, so  we had to hunker down!

Thankfully the Sun is coming out today :):):)

Milkshakes watching Snow

Today

Yes I am crazy!  I do love drinking a milkshake (with protein powder) daily.

After Christmas, my sisters will keep me warm. They gave me an electric throw. 

Now I drink milkshakes while wrapped up warm :)

Well I do have slow digestion (gastroparesis), spelled it right since I play a doctor. 

I need to gain weight!   Before you wish you had that problem, it is no fun to eat when you are not hungry?? 

Too much info lately, about health challenges.  Just keeping it real, again....will try not to be boring?? (see I am full of ??'s)

We are frozen in Georgia today.   This is unique weather for us....in my short life anyway.

Brain Fog

Maggie Valley, NC

I have been in a brain fog this week.   It seems to be common with MS?  It is frustrating when processing your thoughts is not easy.  Dad feels this way also with a stroke....

Feeling just a bit foggy like these photos.  These are a flashback to when Mom and Dad would take us to see the Great Smoky Mountains.  When I saw these photos at Joyful Reflections  I asked Betsy if I could borrow them.

Feeling Foggy

Many know all the changes I have been going through, if you read this blog.   Maybe all this causes brain fog! 

I can use the MS as an excuse but believe it is just life?  I am not the only one facing tough life situations...Fortunately the fog does lift.

This too shall pass!

I'm Wore Out, Kim....

I'm wore out.  Dad said this to me earlier this week, as he lay in the hospital bed.  I felt tearful.

The Docs finally discovered he had a small stroke.

It is so sad to see him make the effort to process his thoughts, get words out clearly.   Fortunately he is his normal self, half the time .     

I do ponder when the body gets so exhausted, how to keep the will?

When we struggle with life and feel wore out, I personally believe:

 ^{Isaiah 40:
31}But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Which One is the Patient?

original post 1/2/11
When I was sitting by Dad's bed in the hospital.... the Doc asked us ....which one is the patient? 

I pointed to Dad!

Dad has been in the hospital with COPD.   It has been a tough week for him.

Fortunately I have had my laptop!  

He will be released soon since he has improved.

As he struggles to breath, it reminds me....to be thankful of being able to breath effortlessly.