Packing for my cruise.

I'm not really packing for my cruise.  I'm not going on a cruise. And if you ever hear anyone say, "Donna's going on a cruise", they are either lying or somebody hit me over the head. I don't do water.  Dang, I barely like to get in the tub. I do like the ocean but from a distance, in my chair, on the sand, with a book. That's it.  Never getting on a cruise ship. Nope, never.

So this morning when my sweet friend called and asked what I was doing I said, "packing for my cruise".  My sister-in-law would respond this way when I'd call her up and ask what she was doing.  "Packing for my cruise", she'd say.  She was really using the vacuum or dusting or doing dishes.  "Packing for my cruise" just sounded better than housework.

My friends response was "huh", (she knows me). I had to explain that yes, I was packing for a trip but not a cruise.  We are road trippin' with some friends tomorrow and where we are headed appears to be having lots and lots of rain.  So, prayers would be greatly appreciated. Anyway there are a few very important things that I always take with me and keep within reach.  Either in a carry-on on a plane, or just beside or behind me in the car. Since we are driving, and I'll be in the backseat with my friend so the guys can talk about driving and cars,  and work, and music and stupid stuff like that, I can easily grab my special things as needed.

One such special thing is Mr. Fuzzit. (Charly and I named it this.)  If you've ever traveled with me,  you know I MUST have this.  I can't go anywhere overnight with out it.  This blanket saved my life traveling to Africa several years ago on those long freezing flights. Janet Anthony and I snuggled under him on a flight from Narobi to Zambia and slept quite peacefully.  So he goes where I go. 

I will also have my favorite Croc flipflops. (These too, have traveled to Africa.) Perfect shoes for everything.  Um, I have them on right now. Then there is my travel bag.  In said bag will be a couple (or more) books, my current crocheting project for Sacred Craft at church, a notebook for writing, my Ipad, my scripture writing guide and last but not least, God's word.

Do you every go anywhere without your bible?  I can't imagine walking out the door on a trip without mine.  It, of course, had two amazing trips to Africa. It trekked with me through the bush country and through impoverished city streets of some very poor African villages.  It sustained me when I was heartbroken from what I saw.  It was my guide for knowing what to do and say. It held me up when I was lonely and sad and afraid.  It was my guide to helping those who were seeking a better path.  It helped me to know how to pray for so many in need. 

For Father's Day, I wrote my dad a letter thanking him for some of the things he had taught me over the years.  The first thing I thanked him for was teaching me about Jesus.  For teaching me about the bible and how to use it and live by it and treasure it's words.  And I also told him that I hadn't always done that but it wasn't because he didn't teach me. He has read the bible through more than 45 times. (We think close to 50 now). I just can't imagine that.  50 times???? Really?? I won't even state my own practice here.  Too embarrassing.

So, yes, my bible is going.  As a matter of fact, I've already done my studying for the day and my scripture writing and it is safely packed for the trip.  And I'll be able to grab it at any given moment. 
This summer when you're "packing for your cruise", take yours.  You'll need it.

Be still my heart.

WOW.  I'm  just curious.  Does time pass this quickly for everyone or just me?  31 years ago today, I had no idea that I would be giving birth to a beautiful baby boy within 24 hours.  I had dreamed for years of having a boy.  I had a beautiful healthy wonderful 2 year old girl and just imagined I would have another girl to be her little sister.

So it happened.  This beautiful, healthy looking adorable bundle of male joy was mine.  All Mine.  Well, Lane's too, but you get the idea.  A boy.  Having grown up with a sister and having only had a daughter, I really didn't know what to do with a boy.

I guess it really didn't matter because just short of six weeks later, laying in the sweet arms of my momma, my precious son would peacefully pass way into the precious arms of The Father. 

So many things happened within those few short weeks.  So many things I remember now as lessons I would only learn many many years later. 

I know all about God and His timing and His plan.  But when people say that during a tragic time, it means nothing. Not.One.Single.Thing. This is one lesson I have tried to keep in mind over the years.  You can say that to someone all day long but don't.  Just don't.  Give it time.  Give them time. Maybe later than can hear that and understand that.  Just make certain they are ready to hear it.  They'll get there so be patient. 

I look around me now and see all the beauty God gave me following this tragic time.  Things in my life they may have never been had I not experienced this tragedy.  Another daughter, more grandchildren. A great son-in-law.  The list goes on.

Thirty-one years later, it is still fresh and sharp and painful.  But I do know that there have been so many lessons that were so important.  I smile at the memory of that sweet, perfect, beautiful boy that had my heart for 39 days and I know, without a doubt, that I have the sweetest most beautiful angel waiting on me in heaven. 

I can't wait to see him again. Be still my heart.

America The Great

Make America Great....Again????

It was so nice to get that extra hour of sleep this morning.  I woke up so totally rested on those wonderful clean sheets in my extremely comfortable bed.  I didn't wake up hungry or thirsty or sick.  I had had an amazing meal at Carrabba's last night with great friends so my tummy was full, possibly too full.

I was able to go to the church of my choice this morning and worship MY God without fear of persecution.  Then I had a huge lunch (again, too much) and am now curled up in my favorite chair with my lap top and my dog watching a movie hoping to doze off in a bit.  Later, I plan to head to Ingle's to do some grocery shopping ( I don't really need anything much but will probably over do it) then I'm heading to Belk's.  I decided today I want a cute vest to wear with a pair of jeans to an event later in the week.  

After this, I'm going to hit the pavement and get in a few miles before dark, I hope.

Tomorrow I will get up and head to work.  A job I love and enjoy going to.  Then I'll come home, hit the gateway and cook some supper or go out and grab a bite with the hubby.  The rest of the week looks similar except for jury duty on Wednesday which is a civic duty not to be taken lightly.  Then there is Tuesday...election day.  I take this election very seriously.  I've already voted but am anxious for the results.

Dang, life is grand!!!

For the most part, I've kept my opinions and views about the future president to myself.  I know how I feel, I know why I voted the way I did and no one is going to change my mind. And I know I'm not going to change anyone's mind.  And that's OK....We can agree to disagree....or can we????

The one thing that gets me over and over again, is the slogan, "Make America Great Again".  Again??? Are you serious?  Have you looked around just today?? Not great?? What about the food you had today, the clothes you have on right now?  The job you will go to tomorrow?  America not great?

Go to a third world country for two weeks and then come back and say America isn't already great!!  Go ahead..I dare you.  I dare you to say America isn't great when children in a third world country can't go to school because the cost of the required uniform for the year cost $30.00 which is the equivalent of a year's salary for their parents.  I dare you to say America isn't great when you see a mother grinding dirt to mix with water to dry and make wafers for her children's next meal.  I dare you to say America isn't great when you see a small man take a make shift cup and dip it in the trickle of water equal to about 2 cups, in a filthy stream to get a drink and an animal come up and drink the same filthy water..Go ahead, I dare you to say America isn't great.  When children are covered in sores and flies and disease and couldn't go to the doctor if there even was one available.  God ahead and say America in't great when you put your head on your comfy pillow tonight and people in a third world country put their heads on the dirt.  Go ahead, I dare you to watch as people cry and hold on to you begging to come back to America with you because they, too, know how great it is.  They're not laughing and calling America a joke..they are begging to come here.  To sleep in clean beds and eat clean food and get an education and to live as we do.  America is NOT a joke and the world knows it.

I just about promise that after this election and the votes have been tallied (not rigged), nothing much will truly change.  We won't be a third world country.  Hillary won't kill babies and she won't come take my guns (things I've heard recently).

So, next time you say or hear someone say we need to "Make America Great Again", remind them how great they have it AND will continue to have it.

America IS great...God bless America and our new president...whoever she is.....

The End

Well, the end of another year is upon us.  Really upon us in like an hour and 45 minutes from right now as I type this.  I have been thinking over the past couple days how exactly to sum up this last year.  I really have no words that truly summarize my year.  I find it totally and completely impossible to put words to the remarkable year I had.  Yes, the good, the bad and the ugly are all included in my year.  But I think that without the good, the bad and the ugly, my year would have meant so much less to me.  You see, with out the bad stuff, the good stuff might not look so great....

To be totally honest, I am really having a hard time remembering just how bad some things might have been.  To other people in my life, those bad things might have been harder or meaner. We had some challenges.  Some events that were hard and sad and.  at times, heart wrenching.  We did survive. Nobody died and we are all able to smile and laugh and love.  You see, God held our hands the entire year.  He never left us and he never forgot us.  Yep, he held our hands and our heads up and hearts together.  Thank you God for this amazing year of challenges.  Thank you for holding it all together and for keeping smiles on faces and love in our hearts.

There were some amazing things this year.  Elizabeth and her kids moved back to KM.  Just up the hill.  I can look out my sun room and see her house.  How wonderful that has been.  Oh, it may not be forever but for now, it is great.  Now, I don't see them everyday but knowing they are close is comforting.

There have been some other great things in my life this year. But one of the greatest and most wonderful things to ever happen in my life was my mission trip to Africa.  If you had told me last New Year's Eve that in 2015 I would be going to Africa to serve as a missionary, I would have laughed in your face and called you crazy.  God had this amazing plan for me and it all quickly and perfectly fell into place in 2015.  WOW.....

So, what does 2016 look like?  What amazing plans does God have for me?  I can't begin to imagine and will not try to plan.  God will let me know when the time comes.  This is something I have totally learned this past year. 

To all my family and friends, my wish is that you will have the love and laughter that makes life so wonderful.  That you will have the patience to listen and follow the plans of the Father.  That you will be healthy and happy and wise in your daily life.  That you will look to what is important and focus on that.  That you will expect the unexpected to come into your life and guide you to something you never ever thought possible.  That your relationship with God will grow and strengthen you in the year ahead.  Happy New Year. 

Out of Africa

I think I am finally getting my head wrapped around the fact that I am back on US time.  WOW.  I guess that's what you call jet lag.  don't like.....  sleep has not been easy these last few days.  Bed by 9:00 or 8:00 or 7:00, up at 3:00 or 4:00. Napping at weird hours in the afternoon and early evening.  Stomach issues that are a little understandable considering the eating habits of the last couple weeks. Still having trouble with just about everything I put in my mouth. May never eat chicken again.

But what an amazing trip.  I could just stop typing this now because no matter how many words I put down, how many pictures I show or how many stories I tell, nothing will ever be enough.  There are simply no words or pictures that can explain my time in Zambia.  No words or pictures can explain how those people made me feel, how they looked at us when we came into their village, how they welcomed us into their world, how they loved us with true, undeserving love, how they showed me how a true Christian should live.  There are things I experienced that will forever be etched in my mind.  People and views and words and songs that I will never forget.

Since coming home, I have had a wide assortment of thoughts and feelings (lack of sleep or strange sleep patterns do this to a person). I have learned so much about myself and the world around me. .  Things I hope I never forget.
Here are 20 of the things on my long list:   (in no specific order)

1).  Hug your toilet on a daily basis.  I mean seriously....go hug it.
2).  Eat your veggies....these are precious resources
3).  Conserve energy.  It may not always be available
4).  Take your kids to get a Happy Meal.  (I know it's not healthy but once won't kill them.)
5).  Take your job (whatever it is) seriously and be dedicated to it.  Not everybody has one.
6).  Hug your toilet.
7).  Enjoy a long, hot shower.  I mean really enjoy it.
8).  Touch a tree
9).  Listen to the music....really listen
10). Kiss a snotty nosed kid on the head....you won't die.
11). Hug your toilet.
12). Pray for any missionaries you know(or don't know) their sacrifice is huge
13). Look people in the eye...really look
14). Smile at somebody...It might be the only one they get for a while
15). Be thankful for every single solitary thing you have and remember where it came from
16). Take absolutely nothing for granted
17). Play in the rain and mud
18). Eat strange berries from a tree (under the guidance of a professional)
19). turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.  Water is precious
20). Hug your toilet


But I think the most important thing I learned was that people are the same no matter where they are.  We are all doing the same thing.  Surviving from day to day. Now, it may be in a completely different way and in a completely different country, but isn't that really what we are trying to do?  Just survive?  Somebody in Sunday school today said that life is life and living is living.  We may do it differently but it's still living.  And no matter how different they live or how different the country is, we have one God that loves us; one God that we can live for.  The same God that loves me here in little Kings Mountain loves those beautiful people I met in the remote villages of Zambia, Africa.
I think that's pretty cool.

8000 Miles

8000 miles.  That is roughly how far it is to Zambia.  8000 miles on an airplane.  Me, who hates to fly.  Me, who can't sit still for 15 minutes and is expected to sit 15 hours on a plane. Me, who hates to be away from home for more than one or two nights.  Me, who checks in with my parents on a daily basis (sometimes 7 or 8 times).  Me,  who has precious grandbabies that I see or at least talk to everyday. Me, whose precious husband is totally helpless when I am away.  OK maybe not totally but somewhat. Ok, maybe he can manage but I do like to think he is totally helpless without me.  But the point is that I will be 8000 miles away from the comforts of my home and family and all that I am blessed with.

If you had told me a year ago that little ole me, a lowly imperfect human with flaws that outnumber the stars, would be traveling to Africa to share God and His love, I would have laughed in your face.  (Sometimes I still laugh.)  Ain't God funny?????  So many factors have played into my upcoming trip. Even strangers have played a part in my going.  I really kept thinking someone would tell me not to go.  Someone would say something negative to keep me from going.  Someone would explain all the reasons I shouldn't go..................this never happened. As a matter of fact, God put so many people and things in my path to make sure I got the message.  "GO".  Well, I got it.  Loud and clear, I got it.

We have been working for the past couple months on raising the funds for this trip.  There are 3 of us going and the cost is roughly 4000.00...................EACH. In a little over 2 months, we have manage to reach and exceed our goal of $12,000.00. (And funds keep coming in.) God is so good.  We have had several fundraisers and all have been successful.  One guy in my Sunday school class said recently, "You know, we could have a fundraiser for this trip everyday, and if God were not in the center, we wouldn't raise a penny."   Amen.

I have been reading a lot and asking a lot of questions about the area I will be in.  Though I know that nothing I read and none of the answers will ever prepare me for this trip, I sometimes get so overwhelmed that I can hardly contain my excitement.  I was asked recently what I see myself doing there.  We were told that we would probably be involved in a children's ministry that would possibly include up to 500 children.  Sorry, but I just cant see 500 children.  WOW.  I was also informed that I will need to prepare a women's bible study for the women in the village and surrounding areas.  I should be prepared to do this study more than once. WOW.  And I was informed that I should prepare a testimony-like presentation.  I asked how long this should be, "what, like 5 to 10 minutes???"  HAHA, she said, more like an hour OR SO.  WHAT????? We were told that 5 to 10 minutes would be an insult.  They want to hear us.  They want to hear us a lot and we would offend them if we only shared for 5 or 10 minutes.  Time is of absolutely no importance to these people.  We were told just to leave our watches at home.  (This will be challenging for us westerners.)  It's a good thing I like to talk...:)....

We leave on our trip in exactly 4 weeks from today.  Tomorrow begins our 40 days of prayer which covers from now until we return on the 11th of August.  Please pray for our team daily.  This is such an exciting time but there are issues that need attention.  Our health and safety, our precious families that will be here and even though they all know we are doing God's will, they worry.  Those who will be placed in our path, the missionaries who serve there on a daily basis and many other things. So please just keep our team and our trip in your prayers.

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"  Mark 16:15

If He says go, you go.

My Friend

They say (whoever "they" is) that if you're lucky in life, you get one, maybe two, true friends in life.  Seven and a half years ago, that "true friend" fell into my life and my heart with a bang just when I needed her most in my life. Our friendship was not one that had to grow....It was just there from the moment we met.  And now she is gone.

I have done pretty good since Wednesday.  I've held it together pretty good.  Until this morning.  My friend, my true friend, is gone and my heart is breaking.  She loved me.  I loved her.  I mean truly loved her.  I just hope she knew it.  I got to the ICU just in time to tell her one more time how much I loved her and how much her friendship had meant to me.  I hope she heard me.  I'm going with she did.  My heart hurts

I look around my home and see all these precious "things" she gave me over the years.  I sat at the dining room table last night she and her husband gave us as a gift when we moved in our house last year.  I wore one of the scarves she gave me just this week, I turned on a Christmas Santa Sleigh she gave me once because she knew I would love it.  I see her everywhere.  I have a coffee cup here with her name on it so she could have a special one when she came to visit.  My heart hurts.

My heart hurts because she's never going to be able to jump in the car with me and run to the mall for
a quick nighttime adventure or go with me to get our nails done.  I wish I could count how many pampered chef, Mary Kay, jewelry, or thirty-one parties we went to and all the church activities we attended together.  My heart hurts because she will not be at family birthdays and holiday gatherings.  My whole family, momma and daddy, my sister and her crowd, always expected Frank and Linda to be at our gatherings.  She has a big picture of Charly on her mantel and Adalai thought she hung the moon.  They WERE family.  Frank still is, of course, and he is as dear to us as Linda.

 What a husband to her he was.  A lot of men could take lessons from him and his 47 years of devotion to her.  Like he said this week, "She was a spoiled rotten brat."  Well, she wasn't really a brat but he did have her spoiled and he loved it and so did she.  After 47 years, her face would light up when he walked in the room.

Over the past year and a half or so, our adventures dwindled because of her declining health.  She did come to Charly's first birthday party the end of September even though we all knew she really didn't feel that great.  That was the last family outing she was able to attend.  She had a couple stays at the nursing home for rehab and many hospital trips and that big trip to Duke.  My outings were not the same.  I missed her in the front seat of my car trying to buckle her seat belt and know she missed going with me.  My heart hurts.

Our church became her family.  She walked in that church for the first time and everyone loved her and she loved everyone.  She and Frank were baptized just this summer.  This was something she wanted so desperately.  I am so thankful it happened.  It had to be rescheduled many times because of health issues but she and Frank were properly "dunked" as we teased.

On Monday, we will say our final goodbyes.  We will all go home and remember the beautiful person that Linda was.  We will all be forever thankful for having known her for these few short years.  I had this true friend who loved me and my family.  I am a better person because I had Linda as the best friend anyone could ever have asked for.

Rest in peace my precious friend.  I love you.  Thanks for loving me.