Do you remember that really sick feeling that you get in the pit of your stomach when you show up to class and are not aware that the test date had changed? I recently experience that and it directed my thoughts to a spiritual avenue...
I walked in to class on Tuesday to find out that my test had changed to that very day; One week sooner! I panicked!! I had missed the class before because the kids were on spring break and I did not have a sitter. I texted a girl in class the day I missed and she never mentioned it! At first, I wanted to be mad at everyone else BUT it boiled down to the fact that it was MY class, MY responsiblilty, MY grade, MY career plans that were on the line and I should have been prepared! Fortunately, the professor let me come in the next morning to take it BUT it reminded me of my firm belief that there will be NO second chances when it comes to life after death!
I feel strong in my belief that every breath this side of death is your only second chance! I am so thankful that I received the only preparation that I will ever need when I asked Jesus into my heart. Of course along the way I aquire experience that prepares me to deal with new trials that come my way, as well as, a means to help others on their journey. However, the initial YES sealed my hope to heaven when I leave earth.
I have a blog to post of my testimony in detail when God impresses me to do so.
That sick feeling of not being prepared for the test had a resolution. There are no resolutions after your soul leaves this human body. I cannot imagine the feeling of "IF" I would have believe on Jesus Christ. When Gods spirit comes by to visit you; please respond "YES" and be sure your prepared for the next billion years.
May God Bless You Each :)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Flattering Funny
Last week a man that looked to be in his fifties stopped by our home looking for my husband. I told him that he was not home and the man said no big deal, he would talk to him tomorrow.
-He comes back the next day (I'm not home this time, by the way) and he tells my husband that he better lock his daughter up because she is very pretty! my husband says: "Why thank you sir, but that is my wife and I will be sure to keep a close eye on her!"
LOL! It was "Funny" but also "Flattering" ---> just a little ;)
My poor husband always gets accused of robbing the cradle and he is ONLY one year older than me. Bless his heart, I guess that is what a mustache & beard since fourteen, an inherited hairline, and hard work will do to you :)
I would NOT add or take away one thing from this man; He was made just especially for me!
Thank you God for the gift of my husband!
-He comes back the next day (I'm not home this time, by the way) and he tells my husband that he better lock his daughter up because she is very pretty! my husband says: "Why thank you sir, but that is my wife and I will be sure to keep a close eye on her!"
LOL! It was "Funny" but also "Flattering" ---> just a little ;)
My poor husband always gets accused of robbing the cradle and he is ONLY one year older than me. Bless his heart, I guess that is what a mustache & beard since fourteen, an inherited hairline, and hard work will do to you :)
I would NOT add or take away one thing from this man; He was made just especially for me!
Thank you God for the gift of my husband!
My Dad - In a Beagles Life
My Dad – In a Beagles Life!
My dad has always referred to himself as a mountain man. He loves to spend ALL his spare time in the mountains; hunting, fishing, camping, enjoying life from the view of a great horned owl (if you know my father personally then you will quickly notice the play on words). He has hunted almost every beast in America, that is legal, to hunt. He was a taxidermist in past years and I grew up surrounded by stuffed critters. His only fear was an eight-legged monster, better known as the spider. He would catch snakes with his bare hands. He has sewn up dogs in the mountains and saved their lives after encounters with predators when caught off-guard. He was a man that would leave you with a furrowed impression.
The dogs he trained became very valuable. In fact, one of his most expensive and favorite dogs ran over a cliff in the winter of 1977 just before I was born; he took her home, rolled her up in an old tapestry rug and buried her up the mountain behind his home (at the time). The comical part of this story is that I ended up with her name… yes, you heard correctly, my middle name is Sheena, the same as dads deceased dog..lol! My mother to this day insists that the dogs name was spelled with one “e” (Shena) on her papers, but I have always felt dad knew otherwise!
My dad called this evening to check on everyone and we were talking about a bit of everything. He said that he would leave me some birthday money next week at my aunts house and I said: “dad, can you believe your baby girl will be 33 next week.” He said: ”Actually I never really think about age much but the other evening as I was making my way back across the mountain from buying another beagle, it occurred to me that this very well could be my last trip.” You see, my dad has been making that trip every 12-13 years (about the average life of each beagle) since he was a young man. He said: "the next trip I’ll be seventy and chances are that I either won’t be up to making the trip or too tired to train and hunt another dog” of course I said: “daddy, you better go ahead and plan to make that trip!”
He told me a couple of months after my first son was born that his only regret in his life was that he didn’t spend more time with my brother and me when we were little instead of hunting. I don’t remember being neglected my daddy, my memories are of a man who would do anything to provide for his children. I was so very proud to link my arm in his as we walked down the aisle and he gave me away. As the song Butterfly Kisses played, his eyes filled with tears and my face begin to shine as the words rang so true of our relationship on so many levels. He is a hero of mine... I STILL think he knows everything!! He is an even better papaw than I could have ever imagined. God sure did bless me when he chose a good ole' mountain boy to be my dad.
People have many different ways that they reflect on their life and the time periods or decades BUT I just have to smile when I think of my daddy measuring his life, in the life span of beagles.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Our First Date
April 1997
He had seen me, but I had never seen him before! He told my cousin that he wanted to marry me….lol! She told him: “there is no way, she is in nursing school and totally fed up with guys and I doubt she would marry anyone for many years to come.” He insisted on my phone number and she gave in, but she did call to warn me that he would be calling! Of course, she used the “he has a motorcycle” to smooth it over with me too…Thanks cuz J
I was living at my grandmother’s house, going to school, working night shift at a nursing home, and had just went through a break-up.
The phone rang and it was him, we immediately had everything to talk about and talked for hours that first night. His voice was deep and his accent was definitely country. I could hear sincerity in his voice and I wanted to know more.
The very first night he said; “I’m looking for a wife, not a long term girlfriend!”…LOL!
I thought: “this guy is psycho, you don’t say that the very first night!! Oh but this guy did! I certainly DID NOT want to be a WIFE, in fact, I didn’t even want to be a girlfriend but I was intrigued by his confidence.
We scheduled a date for the next day and he came to pick me up. When he walked up to the glass door, I pushed it back closed fast. I thought… My cousin had not told me that she was setting me up with an old man! I eased the door back open and made sure this guy’s name really was the person I was expecting…he verified that it was him and I said: “I’m very sorry but I just didn’t realize you were old.” He laughed and said: “I’m not old!” I continued to accuse him of being old until he retrieved his wallet and showed me his ID…TWENTY! There is no way this man is only twenty!!! I kept refusing to believe him and he said: “You’re right! I had a fake ID made on my way here so I could take you out!” We laughed hysterically and I just knew we had a connection that was different.
We climbed in his mustang and rode around, talked more and more, then stopped to eat at Git-N-Go (a gas station for a first date...hmm - strange). It was my first time eating there but the hot dogs were great!! Some of his church friends were there eating too and it was a nice comfortable date.
He took me home…I KNEW that I was interested :)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Always There (poem)
I wrote this poem when I was a teenager and put it in a book I made for my Journalism class. I enjoyed looking back through these poems 15 years later! holy cow, have I been out of school THAT long?!! let me recalculate...1996 minus 2011, yep I believe so.. well, will be this May.
Anyway, it is amazing how we change as we age. However, this poem has not change too much...with the exception of GOD being my best friend and my husband being my second best friend, oh and of course I have some besties too BUT...anyway just read the poem and you will get the my jest...haha!
Anyway, it is amazing how we change as we age. However, this poem has not change too much...with the exception of GOD being my best friend and my husband being my second best friend, oh and of course I have some besties too BUT...anyway just read the poem and you will get the my jest...haha!
Always There
There's a friend out there that everyone could know.
You can take this friend with you everywhere you go.
It will always listen and even understand.
Never telling anyone, always holding to your hand.
This friend will not forget the things most important to you.
Always there to remind you of the things that you should do.
A friend like this never asks for favors in return.
It will show you things about yourself, there is so much you can learn.
This friend is a simple item that anyone can possess.
In all times that I needed a friend, PAPER has been the Best!
{written by: s.stansberry @ age 17}
Of course, since writing this I met Jesus and HE has truly been the best friend that I could ever ask for!! HE has all the above qualities and much much more! But, I must say that writing has been a wonderful outlet for me.
Until next time, God Bless!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Snow Go in East Tennessee
The four lettered word S-N-O-W in East Tennesse is nothing short of pure magic!
This evening after church I made my first ever trek to the grocery store pre-winter storm! I am typically a very prepared personality and I do not do last minute.. So, I didnt really "NEED" anything but my son wanted redi-whip for his hot cocoa in case we got snowed in and I decided to see for myself if tales I had heard about the grocery store rush were true. As first, I was unimpressed because I got a front row parking spot BUT for any who knows me, Im kinda lucky like that..haha! I go into the store and almost every register was open with several people in each line; that didnt feel too intense either! I get my buggy and decide to go up and down several ailes to make SURE there wasnt something I forgot but to my surprise the shelves were almost empty, I literally had never seen a grocery store with so few loaves of bread (I didnt need bread but if I had there were not many choices). I made my selections and then made my way to check out and low and behold if a lady didnt say I can take you on lane 5. Some folks say I'm lucky but I like to call it blessed :)
On my way home I started my random thinking as usual and tried to put all the different ways to predict snow, things to do in snow, whats the best snow, etc etc...so I decided to jot down a list of notable S-N-O-W thoughts that occur in East Tennessee. I have only thirty two years to acquire this list so please feel free to add to it if I leave something out!
It is late and I have not seen the first flake; I love to see the snowfall but more often than not, I fall asleep first and wake to everything white. Snow makes everything beautiful; it covers up all the blemishes of the landscape.
Gods Word says:
{{Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as [white as snow]; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.}}
God covers our sins!! God Bless and keep warm :)
This evening after church I made my first ever trek to the grocery store pre-winter storm! I am typically a very prepared personality and I do not do last minute.. So, I didnt really "NEED" anything but my son wanted redi-whip for his hot cocoa in case we got snowed in and I decided to see for myself if tales I had heard about the grocery store rush were true. As first, I was unimpressed because I got a front row parking spot BUT for any who knows me, Im kinda lucky like that..haha! I go into the store and almost every register was open with several people in each line; that didnt feel too intense either! I get my buggy and decide to go up and down several ailes to make SURE there wasnt something I forgot but to my surprise the shelves were almost empty, I literally had never seen a grocery store with so few loaves of bread (I didnt need bread but if I had there were not many choices). I made my selections and then made my way to check out and low and behold if a lady didnt say I can take you on lane 5. Some folks say I'm lucky but I like to call it blessed :)
On my way home I started my random thinking as usual and tried to put all the different ways to predict snow, things to do in snow, whats the best snow, etc etc...so I decided to jot down a list of notable S-N-O-W thoughts that occur in East Tennessee. I have only thirty two years to acquire this list so please feel free to add to it if I leave something out!
- never make snow cream out of the first snow
- if the storm drops snow in Tx or comes from the gulf, then we will probably get a good one
- wet snow is best for snowmen and snowball fights
- dont eat the yellow snow...heehee
- go to the grocery store and buy milk, eggs, and bread
- put on a pot of chili or pinto beans
- use a car hood for a sled
- teacher and students alike praying it sticks to the roads ;)
- snow angels are a must!
- getting out and driving around to see if someone is in the ditch
- have you got a generator?
- dress in layers
- catch flakes with your tongue
- dont get frostbit
- wet floor & tons of laundry
- beautiful photos
- fireplaces
- play cards with friends
It is late and I have not seen the first flake; I love to see the snowfall but more often than not, I fall asleep first and wake to everything white. Snow makes everything beautiful; it covers up all the blemishes of the landscape.
Gods Word says:
{{Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as [white as snow]; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.}}
God covers our sins!! God Bless and keep warm :)
New Years Sunday School Lesson
You may or may not know that I have taught women for ten years now. I am confident that teaching women is the job that God chose me to do! I appreciate God for allowing me to study HIS word and give me the thoughts and words to share to others. Even when I'm not exactly where HE would like for me to be; HE still comes through and gives me the words to teach those who come to Sunday School. I may try to blog some of the lessons that HE gives me. I will probably use words such as "we & us" as I blog about any lessons because "I" just dont feel right...please know that "I" could do nothing without the help of "HIM." we and us represents Gods spirit within me :)
This is last week & this weeks lessons partially combined
The New Years Lesson last week started out as: "Are you gave out?"
It seems that by the end of the year we have exhausted all our money, time, and energy preparing for Christmas! Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE CHRISTMAS but as we know, so much energies are put into making this such a special day for our families. Always looking for the perfect gift, trying to schedule the best time, the best meal, display the best holiday spirit and so on, BUT by the New Years and all the talk of resolutions and renewed spirited and stepping out on the right foot or turning over a new leaf...is there really anything left in you to give?
The thought was.... even if you feel like you dont have much left to give, just give it anyway and God will bless!
A lady in our class said jokingly that she bought her dad a Willow Angel father/daughter figure because she knew one day she'd get it back :) at first glance this may appear somewhat selfish to do such a thing but as I ponder on her gesture just a little longer...God said: "Give me your best and you will get the best in return!
In Matt 14:13-21 Jesus feeds the five thousand with 5 loaves and 2 fishes...the morale of the people was down because John the Baptist had just been beheaded (its a very interesting story as to why, go read it if you havent!) the bible says that Jesus had compassion on the people (I'm so glad that we have a saviour who has compassion and feels what we are feeling!) The disciples along with a multitude are following Jesus (when folks are heart broken, where can they go? just follow Jesus) ...The disciples became concerned about how the multitude would be fed ---let me take a moment to show you what God showed me here...sometimes physical needs must be met before you can help someone mentally, emotionally, & spiritually. someone who is hungry may not be able to get the message that you are trying to spread until their physical hunger is met. God knows that we have physical needs as well as spiritual needs..I am a witness that HE can provide both!! salvation is not by works BUT by our faith, we will have works as a result!
The disciples asked Jesus if they could allow them to go find food; they questioned how much it would cost to feed so many..etc. but Jesus said: "do not depart" when the going gets tough stick with Jesus...do not depart, in fact he tells them to sit in the grass, maybe we just need to sit down for a minute and let our saviour take care of the problem at hand! If we cant give anything else this new year, let us give God our time, love, and attention, learn from HIM and HE will give us more in return!
"An impossibility to man is an opportunity to God"
Mark 6:37 says...they were worried about the cost as well, Gods created all! and the cost should be the least of our worries...everything is HIS anyway! in fact, Deut. 8:3 in the old testament, HE provided food by manna falling from the sky, HE could have done the same thing the day the multitude was following BUT instead HE was able to use the gift of 5 loaves & 2 fishes (Do you know who gave?) John 6:9 says that it was a lad that gave! this young boys unselfish act fed 5,000 people. He could have thought to himself that it was not enough to give or he could have kept it thinking of his own hunger BUT he gave and God not only blessed him but the multitude as well..your gift is not too small! Do not limit what God can do by your own estimation!! Do not be intimidated by the size of the need because God is greater than any need!
Andrew was the disciple who found the lad...we dont hear a lot about Andrew, he doesnt possess the fame as some of the other disciples but he obeyed Jesus and brought the small amount of food to him anyway! God can feed thousands by the obedience of man, he can feed them physically & spiritually!
lastly let us not forget about the time in mark 12:41-44 when Jesus was teaching the disciples about giving and he showed them the woman who tossed in 2 mites, it was all that she had but he declared to them that her gift was the greatest of all. Why would 2 mites be better than the large amounts that others could give? its because HE knows that she had the faith that HE would take care of her; she would really depend on God if she gave HIm her all.
In 2011, Give HIM your ALL! even if it doesnt feel like much because that when HE can work! may God Bless!!
This is last week & this weeks lessons partially combined
The New Years Lesson last week started out as: "Are you gave out?"
It seems that by the end of the year we have exhausted all our money, time, and energy preparing for Christmas! Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE CHRISTMAS but as we know, so much energies are put into making this such a special day for our families. Always looking for the perfect gift, trying to schedule the best time, the best meal, display the best holiday spirit and so on, BUT by the New Years and all the talk of resolutions and renewed spirited and stepping out on the right foot or turning over a new leaf...is there really anything left in you to give?
The thought was.... even if you feel like you dont have much left to give, just give it anyway and God will bless!
A lady in our class said jokingly that she bought her dad a Willow Angel father/daughter figure because she knew one day she'd get it back :) at first glance this may appear somewhat selfish to do such a thing but as I ponder on her gesture just a little longer...God said: "Give me your best and you will get the best in return!
In Matt 14:13-21 Jesus feeds the five thousand with 5 loaves and 2 fishes...the morale of the people was down because John the Baptist had just been beheaded (its a very interesting story as to why, go read it if you havent!) the bible says that Jesus had compassion on the people (I'm so glad that we have a saviour who has compassion and feels what we are feeling!) The disciples along with a multitude are following Jesus (when folks are heart broken, where can they go? just follow Jesus) ...The disciples became concerned about how the multitude would be fed ---let me take a moment to show you what God showed me here...sometimes physical needs must be met before you can help someone mentally, emotionally, & spiritually. someone who is hungry may not be able to get the message that you are trying to spread until their physical hunger is met. God knows that we have physical needs as well as spiritual needs..I am a witness that HE can provide both!! salvation is not by works BUT by our faith, we will have works as a result!
The disciples asked Jesus if they could allow them to go find food; they questioned how much it would cost to feed so many..etc. but Jesus said: "do not depart" when the going gets tough stick with Jesus...do not depart, in fact he tells them to sit in the grass, maybe we just need to sit down for a minute and let our saviour take care of the problem at hand! If we cant give anything else this new year, let us give God our time, love, and attention, learn from HIM and HE will give us more in return!
"An impossibility to man is an opportunity to God"
Mark 6:37 says...they were worried about the cost as well, Gods created all! and the cost should be the least of our worries...everything is HIS anyway! in fact, Deut. 8:3 in the old testament, HE provided food by manna falling from the sky, HE could have done the same thing the day the multitude was following BUT instead HE was able to use the gift of 5 loaves & 2 fishes (Do you know who gave?) John 6:9 says that it was a lad that gave! this young boys unselfish act fed 5,000 people. He could have thought to himself that it was not enough to give or he could have kept it thinking of his own hunger BUT he gave and God not only blessed him but the multitude as well..your gift is not too small! Do not limit what God can do by your own estimation!! Do not be intimidated by the size of the need because God is greater than any need!
Andrew was the disciple who found the lad...we dont hear a lot about Andrew, he doesnt possess the fame as some of the other disciples but he obeyed Jesus and brought the small amount of food to him anyway! God can feed thousands by the obedience of man, he can feed them physically & spiritually!
lastly let us not forget about the time in mark 12:41-44 when Jesus was teaching the disciples about giving and he showed them the woman who tossed in 2 mites, it was all that she had but he declared to them that her gift was the greatest of all. Why would 2 mites be better than the large amounts that others could give? its because HE knows that she had the faith that HE would take care of her; she would really depend on God if she gave HIm her all.
In 2011, Give HIM your ALL! even if it doesnt feel like much because that when HE can work! may God Bless!!
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