snow at the beach.....you think?

Tomorrow night, so I've heard, there will be snow at Tybee beach.
Of course I am so excited, but skeptical.

I want to see the sand covered with the white stuff.
How about snow falling into the foam of the waves...............
the sea birds swooping and soaring amonst the flakes.

God keeps the snow in His storehouse somewhere hidden away.
I would like to see that place one day.

I kept Lucy all day today.
We are packing the "dregs" as we like to call them.
There was a big pile of white linens and pillows and blankets on the floor.
We both fell down in all of that soft whiteness.....giggling and saying aaaaaaaaaaah.
That's what I think it would be like to fall into a heap of snow.

We'll see......maybe it really will snow this time.

I love all of life's possibilities, don't you?

consolidation

This is the challenge we are facing by living here at the condo:

There is very little storage space. When I say we are downsizing, there is no way you could realize how much.

I have spent time in the last two days scouring the aisles of Target looking at every possible device that could extend the space I do have. I will say this.....there will be a lot of plastic boxes under the bed.

The kitchen is a work in progress. I keep forgetting to bring the ladder, so it keeps getting put off. It will be a masterpiece of creative genius when I am done.

I am such an organizer and I can't stand clutter so I am highly motivated to succeed at this endeavor. Bubba, on the other hand, loves clutter and depends on me to do the organizing......so that's were we stand.

We got an extension on the house that we are moving out of.........instead of Saturday, our drop dead date is now Tuesday.

Two things:

I have my desk and computer.
Today, my favorite chair and ottomon arrived.
That's all I really need to be happy.

"don't worry, be happy"

love, cathy

a lesson to be learned

I can't get my mind completely around "suffering with Christ." I wrote on this a couple of days ago.

It is one of those concepts that is there in my brain, but without my full understanding. It kind of comes, spins around for a while, and then takes flight.

I think God is teaching me something amazing through the ordeal with my family.

As Christians, followers of Christ, believers, we all suffer the trials that come with living our lives......pain, death, separation to name a few. None of us escape from that kind of suffering, and God has promised not to give us more than we can bear.

I am beginning to think that the above is not the meaning of "suffering with Christ."

When we "suffer with Christ," we quietly suffer the injustices and the persecution that come with obeying God's word. We do what God tells us no matter what the cost to our "self." We trust ourselves and our situation to God Almighty without hesitation.

Think about this for a while.

We suffer the way He suffered when we do what is right and are reviled for doing so. I don't know for sure if I am right, but I am eager for His lesson to me to continue.

I love Jesus for taking us through the hard things and then blessing us with understanding. I praise God for His Holy Spirit that works in our hearts to enable us to learn His hard truths.

We are still moving..... packing and loading and unloading. We have to be done at the house on Saturday, the last day of the month. We are worn out and everything we've got hurts, but it is good to work and feel the benefits of hard labor.

Sleep is good and a sweet reward for a hard day's work.

Cathy

my little corner of the condo

Last night I stayed here at the condo and Bubba stayed at the house as he had the big things to move early this morning.

Yesterday was the day we moved a lot of our things here to the beach. My big white desk was brought in and set up and, as tired as he was, Bubba set up my computer. Everything worked on the first try.

We parted ways and the process of making this our home began. As the afternoon progressed, I started thinking about dinner. What about a take out from The Crab Shack......a favorite of mine? I brought home a half pound of crab legs and a half pound of shrimp with drawn butter and ate looking at the ocean. Delightful...........

Excitement was building as I thought ahead to my first post from our new home.

I have to look at the keyboard when I type. I never learned to do it the right way.

I was typing away, enjoying myself immensely. When I paused to check the screen, nothing was there................Oh no! How sad! I tried other sites and none of them would let me write.

Okay, God doesn't want me to write anymore.

Late this afternoon, when Bubba returned, he found the problem. He had never plugged in the keyboard. That sucker was dead as a doornail. I could have typed forever and no words would have ever appeared.

I'm glad it is fixed.......I really like to write. Somehow this writing helps me unwind.

happy and tired.....that's me*

here we go again

I downloaded a couple of Dolly Parton songs to my ipod over the weekend:

"Hard Candy Christmas," and "Here You Come Again."

I am not a huge fan of Dolly, but I do like these two songs.

Notice in my post title I changed two words, "here WE GO again."

Tonight we will be at the beach, leaving behind a good year in this house.

I will try to post if my computer gets hooked up.

Please pray for Amanda and Eli. They are both very sick. She and the boys are coming to Savannah next Monday. I hope they will be well by then.

So......here we go again. Next post from Tybee Island......

until then, cathy

a day to rest...

He relented......I got a day to rest, he and David are resting too. Thank you!

Tonight will be the last night we spend at this house. I am so ready to be done. Moving is hard work.

Please pardon my lack of blogging......I know how frustrating it is to keep checking to no avail.

Of course you can always find me on facebook. I am fascinated by the number of friends and family that are coming on. It is so good to catch up with long lost people......people I would not otherwise have ever communicated with. It is definitely a distraction from work.

I am continuing to work through the family issues that are ever before me. This is without a doubt the hardest spiritual battle I have ever been engaged in.

By spiritual battle I mean that every grain of my flesh (human nature) does not want to do the things that God tells me to do in His word.

I have never understood what "suffering with Christ" means. Even with the trials that have been ongoing for the last several years, I have never really thought that I was "suffering." People who give their lives on the mission field suffer.....people who have an incurable disease suffer.... people who lose a child suffer, but not me.

"The spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, in order that we may be glorified with Him." Romans 8: 16 & 17

David shared this quote with me. It is by David Kellar in THE REASON FOR GOD.

"Forgiveness is painful because when we say that we forgive we are saying that we will bear the pain of not getting the justice we deserve."

It is putting all of my human needs and desires in this family situation in God's hands to let Him deal with it His way and on His time table. It is not continuing to seek justice or even a kind word. It is finally acknowledging that there is nothing I can do about any of the degradations that have been uttered against us.

I tell you....... forgiveness is hard. I am suffering............but it is for the good of my soul. What I've learned through this is worth more than diamonds and fine gold. God is good and His way is without error.

It is through suffering that we learn the best lessons in life. I will always be a student....always.

cathy

movin out....movin in

This weekend, more than likely, we will be moving back to the beach....Hooray!

Today the Chem-Dry guy and I spent the morning together. Yes......He brought in all of his machines and cleaned everything in the condo that has a soft surface......mattresses, sofa, chairs, and all of the carpets and the rug.

All of the things that the renters left behind have been banished. Everything is sanitized and even those mean old dust mites that I am allergic to are gone.

It smelled really clean when I left this afternoon. Now it is time to start moving things in.

It is a different story here at 9 Enclave Circle. Why oh why did we move in so thoroughly? Why did I unpack every dish and knick-knack? What was I thinking? Tomorrow I have to really get busy, because Bubba has set the dreaded deadline. All I can say is "OH NO."

This afternoon I got the normal 2 inches cut off of my hair. I hadn't gotten my hair cut since November. I love my friend and hair stylist Jacinda so much and she is leaving in March to have her precious little girl.

But anyway, we were talking about how much I move and how many different places we have gotten to live. I know I like it better this way and I always have the anticipation of the next place we will call home.

Maybe Vail, CO or Santa Fe, NM or Italy....who knows.

We are nomads, "not knowing where," like Father Abraham I would say.

Tomorrow I have to work....here....all day. I cannot have fun.....I must work from sun-up to sun-down. I will be ready for that dreaded deadline.

How about two posts in one day? This computer distracts me from my work. I wonder if I will post tomorrow?

probably will.....nite-nite....cathy

for today

Substitute Jesus for Word in this passage: John 1: 1-5; 12-14

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. He was in the beginning with God.

3. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

4. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

13. Who were born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

14. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Meditate upon this passage
Ask God for the ability to understand
It will change your life

from cathy early in the morning...............

of families and jets falling out of the sky

I don't like jet planes....they strike fear in my heart.

A recurring dream of mine is of a huge plane doing a nose dive to the earth before my eyes. I am never killed only struck dumb with fear.

The horror of what happened in Buffalo, New York, last Thursday night shows what can really happen and it also reveals the suddenness of instant death.

You don't see it coming even for a second.

"Come now, you who say, today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
James 4: 13 - 14

Yesterday morning the Lord placed upon my heart a desire to go to my father's house and try one more time to resolve things with my family.

Spurred on by this verse; "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17

Because, "The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful," James 5:11, some progress was made. For that I am thankful and I look forward to God's grace and mercy extending far into the future for us.

It was one of the hardest three hours in my life, 4:00 until after seven............but I'm glad I went and I think that maybe some good will come from all of this.

Some things will never be made right.......... like the terrible injustice that my husband has suffered. But then I think of Jesus, of how He was persucuted for no reason, of how he went to the death for us anyway. Jesus loved us in spite of the revilings against Him.

I am "spent." Used up like a dirty rag tossed into the corner.

But there is hope and that is enough.

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3: 17 -18

My God is an awesome God..........from Cathy

on turning sixty-one

I have always loved birthdays......I've thrown lots of birthday parties in my life. A birthday is a celebration of life and a great opportunity to show love.

My special day on Thursday was filled with people showing love to me.

I got 24 Happy Birthday messages on facebook

Lots of e-mails from so many friends

Phone calls

Beautiful cards with and without money

A new book, "The Johnstown Flood," by David McCullough

An Antropology gift card

A candle scented with smells from the beach

My biggest surprise came at dinner. Bubba and David ordered Lou Malnates pizza from Chicago. It was delivered packed in dry ice. I was so excited by this gesture and the pizza was as good as if we were sitting in the restaurant in Chicago.

Its that thing I've talked about before.............thinking about the person you love and choosing a gift that she will love. It means so much. That is why this birthday was so special.

The best way to describe myself right now from the effects of the situation with my family is "raw" inside. This birthday was so sweet as all of the people who love me reached out in kindness to let me know they care.

I thank all of you for your thoughts, your prayers, your gifts, and most of all for your kindness.

In being cut off from my family......I rejoice that there are so many people in my life who care. My birthday couldn't have come at a better time this year.

Cathy

my birthday at the tearoom with lucy

Lucy and I had an absolute ball at the tearoom.......I guess you can see from the pictures.

It is my birthday and I love that day so much . So far it has been perfect....I will write more later.....I just had to share these with you.

the birthday girl

a long way to go from here

First of all I want to thank you all........
For every e-mail, comment, and phone call I have received over the past few days.
I am a praying woman and I felt all of your prayers today.
Prayer is miraculous and it works miraculously and I am humbled that you took the time to pray for me.

Nothing was resovled..........
but that does not mean God is not working in this situation.
I will continue to wait and pray for God's will to be done. I will let you know if any progress is made.

I praise God for the man who mediated for us. He is very wise and discerning.
I praise God for the scripture that comforted me early this morning.
I praise God for each of you who prayed.
I praise God for my husband who has been by my side and literally held me up when I couldn't stand.
I praise God for the mighty working of the Holy Spirit in my life.

In just a little while I will lay down in my bed and go to sleep with His grace and mercy to me today on my mind. What a blessing...............

my love to you all, cathy

old quilts

I sure am sorry I have neglected my blog. I love it so much, but I have truly had a difficult year so far. Please bear with as I try to get it going again.

I am getting better physically, but I am still having those strange food cravings. It is beginning to worry me because I want banana peppers on everything and I have a raw tongue. I get really full, really fast and can't eat much, but then get hungry quickly.

My sleeping is not normal. I am have strange dreams and wake up frequently. I think all of the bad illnesses so close together messed up my body chemistry. I have been sitting in the sun at lunchtime and it is very restorative to me. It just feels so good after all of these cold days.

I want to take my bicycle to get the tires fixed so that I can start riding again.....I need to build up my stamina. I am also being careful to take my vitamins.....so there you go.

The quilt above is very dear to me. It is made from scraps of pajamas that Bubba slept in when he was a little boy. We use it every winter. The quilt pieces are starting to break apart and the stuffing is coming out. It needs to be repaired but I don't have the expertise. If anyone knows someone who repairs these lovelies, please let me know.

Thank you all so much for reading.......I really am going to write a book......I already know what it is going to be about, but it is a secret for now.

Cathy

please pray for me

I'll be back to writing my blog real soon, I promise.
I am feeling better.....craving strange food that I never eat normally.

In the last two days I have concocted three diffferent kinds of nachos.....
one using capers and cheese melted in the oven on chips........one using dill relish and cheese melted on chips and dipped into hot pepper raspberry chipolte sauce.
and one using mild bananna peppers and cheese melted on chips and dipped into the same sauce.
Normally I would never eat anything like this.....since my virus I am craving them.

Even as I write this I am hungry for these.

Please pray for me on Wednesday. I will be meeting with my family members to try to bring resolution to our situation. That is what I have been working on all weekend. I really need prayers for strength and confidence in the Lord and not in my flesh on Wednesday at 10.00.

Thank you, Cathy

green jello

It's been a bad run, but it's a gorgeous, cold winter day.

I think when one illness strikes it leaves us open to a string of successive ailments.

After calling yet another doctor this morning for a UTI that came on blazingly during the night, I was given another round of antibiotics to put into my poor, confused body.

The good news is that as I write I am eating a bowl of bananas with a little ice-cream on top.......you know, trying to build up my strength and I have lost almost ten pounds.

Who could ask for more than that?

Sometime during last Monday night in my phengren (anti-nausea med) induced sleep, I started to think about green jello. I was craving it so much when I woke up that I called Erika at the crack of dawn and asked if she would make me some.

I couldn't ask Bubba because about two hours after I got the stomach flu, he came down with the same. I lost my helper....the one who was handing me the cool, soothing wash cloth to wipe my brow. It became every man for himself which is a sad state to be in with this particular ailment.

But, back to the green jello, David arrived with my desire soon thereafter, and I scarfed the first bowl down like there was no tomorrow. I ate every bit of it on through that day.

I just want to say thank you to David and Erika, for the green jello, you'll never know what it meant to me.

I want to also thank my husband for telling me just now that I didn't look as bad as I did this morning. Poor dear, I know he thought that was a compliment.......

Healing for me will come from the good Lord Himself when He gets ready.

In the meantime I will wait patiently and eat green jello.

love ya, c

woe is me

I have been laid low with the stomach virus.....unable to write.....when I blog again I will be better. Hopefully later today.

don't give up on me..........cathy