Everything's Coming Up Springtime

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There is no mistake that spring is making an appearance around here. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom and stretching their limbs out toward the sun after a long winters sleep. We seem to be doing the same after a long winter of being pretty much confined to the house on the mountain. We have been as busy as the birds building their nests, going to Britt's band concerts, Britt's high school musical, Taryn's 5th grade musical program honoring our heroes and Riley's musical program with songs about a tropical retreat to Hawaii. There was even a little guy in Riley's Program that was sporting a Mohawk like Buddy's. Oop's softball games will be starting soon and Riley will be playing tee-ball this year so the entertainment spills over into the summer months. Oop told me the other night that this year she is raising a cow and a lamb for 4-H. So we will have the judging to look forward to in July. Taryn has been taking piano lessons and she will have a recital coming up soon as well. I love watching these children perform. All of them put their whole heart into what they are doing. Of course Seth isn't into any organised activities yet, but when he is old enough to be involved G'ma and G'pa will be there to cheer him on too.

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Britt and Michael have birthdays in January and that just is not a good month for trying to gather everyone together for a birthday celebration. It seems as though the weather never wants to work with us on that. So we did a group birthday dinner for Britt, Michael and Melody in March. Melody got her fried chicken, Britt got her chicken noodles and Michael got his mac and cheese. Melody's grandmother turned 91 this year and Melody's mother packed a bag for her, put her in the car and brought her to Ohio from Kentucky to share her birthday with her grandchildren. She told us she didn't know where Jo (Yes, Melody's mom is a Jo too! You can never have too many) was taking her, but it took a long time to get there. Melody has been a part of our life since 1996 and this was the first opportunity I have had to meet her grandma. When you think of the perfect grandma that is wonderful and sweet and everything good that a grandma should be, then you are thinking of Melody's grandma.



I posted not long ago that April brought my big "60" birthday....... My dinner was held at Chris and Melody's. Melody served up lasagna and a big chef's salad complete with cake. I got a big laugh out of Seth. He was so excited about my birthday. He took me straight to the dining room to see all of the pretty plates and the gifts. Everything was just perfect. Seth is all about those birthday cakes. I was talking to Melody on the phone just the other night and could hear Seth in the background singing, "Happy Birthday Mommaw, Happy Birthday Mommaw". My thanks to my children, grandchildren and husband for all they do for me. I am a very fortunate woman and thank God every day for the blessing of my family.

Meaningful Monday

LETTING GO

By T.D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you...let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are bad people, it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...... LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth..... LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you..... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge..... LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction...... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents.... LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him.... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. .... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves..... LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed.... LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!

Meaningful Monday

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople's way of life. As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

We all have something to learn from this young girl.

How Do I Forgive?

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods.

As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

'Lord, You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as Your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord. I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive .'

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

'Have you ever told a lie?' He asked?

The man answered - 'Yes, Lord.'

'Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?'

The man answered - 'Yes. Lord.' And the man sobbed more and more.

'Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?' Jesus asked?

And the man answered, 'Yes, Lord.'

'Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?'

The man, crying now, answered - 'Yes, Lord.'

As Jesus asked many more times, 'Have you ever'? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer, 'Yes, Lord'.

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus.

When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, 'I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.'

I have found that to offer forgiveness is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. Before the healing process can begin though the forgiveness needs to be given.

"Wishing you all an Easter filled with many blessings and much forgiveness."

Through The Years

Sixty years ago today I made my grand entrance into this life. I was the fourth and last child born to Bertha Mae (Crace) Riley and Joseph L. Riley. As long as my mother was alive, she recalled for me on April 9th of every year that it snowed on my first birthday. She would also tell me that Easter fell on my first birthday as well. FYI..... It has not fallen on my birthday again in sixty years. The last thing these sixty years have been was hum-drum or boring. This journey has carried me down many roads. Some quite twisted and full of curves, some dark and scary, while others were bright, beautiful and overflowing with laughter and happiness.




Regardless of the hardships and unhappiness that I have faced in my lifetime, I can honestly say that I wouldn't wish them away if I could. Those same hardships and unhappiness is the cast that molded me into the person that I am. My whole life has been mobile until six years ago when J.D. retired and we put our roots down here on J.D.'s mountain in Southern Ohio to finish out what time we have left here on this earth. I can't think of any place I would rather be.



I give thanks every day for the many special friends and loved ones that have been a part of my journey. Each of them has touched my life in some way and made me the better person for having walked with me for a while. I love and appreciate each and everyone of you.



My little family will be honoring me with a Birthday celebration this evening. I love our family get togethers..... there is always such a feeling of warmth and happiness when we can all be together. I love you little party animals! I offer thanks to my parents for giving me life. I am especially thankful to God for denying me my wishes to end my life, during those times when life seemed especially dark. There was indeed so much more ahead to live for.

Wishing all a blessed day!