Still Here

Blogosphere is not my world much lately -- with new internet plan we are limited by how much we "use" and somehow I justify not staying in touch with y'all by supposedly saving time not blogging. That pitiful excuse put out now -

very little change in our lives - still not done moving out of other place (I'm currently in totally overwhelmed cannot get it done phase). Gift of gorgeous weather reminds me - God is in charge not me - for which everyone should be enormously (eternally?) grateful. Warm mornings resulted in low lying fog and sunshine illuminating oaks on my way to work the other day - Buhlaland can be anywhere we are right? So this was just off Sarra Lane here in North Texas. It is good on Buhlaland - when I stop and pay attention to all the good.

Sorry I'm not blogging -not positive when it'll change. I do try to catch up with y'all while I'm at work (unlimited internet there).

Pray for one another - pray for our country - pray with passion - it makes a difference.

When a believing person prays, great things happen. (James 5:16)

I'm still here

For those of you viewing this on Internet Explorer - I know things look odd - I work on Google Chrome and Blogger looks right then so I'm just sayin' - looks odd and sometimes is - but internet browsers do strange things.
Steven Sondheim isn't my first choice for lyricist (since I tend toward hymns and praise songs as musical interests) but from the depths of my life's music listening time - this came to me:

C'est la vie.
I got through all of last year
And I'm here.
Lord knows, at least I was there,
And I'm here!
Look who's here!
I'm still here!

Not much I want to say today - we still haven't finished renovations sufficiently to move to new home. Have prayed and talked ---DH and I are both at the point of "God's will" in regards to transplant (will let you know how well I do with that after the transplant evaluation begins at the end of this month). We "did church" together this morning - this video came up on a search on Youtube for Gaithers and I like Alan Asbury's version but Ricky Skaggs does a good job.

We know many somebodies are praying us through - and it makes all the difference. For those of you who know her - please include Sandra Bennett in your prayers now. We' re still here- on Buhlaland and being kept from things we can't even see.

What's it all about?

Looking closely at our country (Butterscotch is not camera shy)

- lest we forget why we celebrated July 4, 1776

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,"

All the powers of government are from the consent of the governed - or as the great philosopher Pogo said

We appear as a country to be our own worst enemy in recent years. Americans elect people based with skewed values and when the elected officials turn out as useless (also known as without backbone, good sense or virtue) as the previous bunch - we just pick more like'em. We are not advocating Rick Perry for President - he isn't even a favorite Texas governor - but he is definitely onto something with this proclamation.Rick Perry's Proclamation

Life on Buhlaland doesn't depend on the government for our values. We don't need government telling us it is acceptable to destroy life if it isn't convenient, to defend evil and call it good, or to recreate the definition of being married. For those who are confused this election season- if you need a reference book or two - we strongly suggest the Basic Information Before Leaving Earth and on politics you might try these time tested writings. We're just suggesting - it is good on Buhlaland and with some determination, willingness to take charge again and the most uncommon of qualities - common sense - it can be good in America again. Bless y'all and if you aren't praying for rain in the southwest - well please start - we are dry as a powder keg - both precipitation wise and politics wise.

Ma and Pa and Someone Else's Pup

Christmas up at dear friends' home - one son had given his wife a puppy for Christmas and we got to play with little Kimber for a while which resulted in real puppylove! Didn't want anyone to think I'd disappeared from blogworld - so here is a quick update - alive, reasonably well, ready for winter to end and knowing it is Good on Buhlaland -






Don't know about others but I find it helpful to be reminded to pray about everything - in all things to seek His will - even in my insignificant personal junk can be part of an ongoing conversation with Abba


Your Problems Matter to God
By Max Lucado
Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Psalm 136:1 The Message

If I know that one of the privileges of fatherhood is to comfort, then why am I so reluctant to let my heavenly Father comfort me?
Why do I think he wouldn’t care about my problems? (“They are puny compared to starving people in India.”)
Why do I think he is too busy for me?

Blessed are those who are caregivers

Prayer at caregiver's convention just received this link in an email from my dear SIL and brother - they were caregivers for so many of our family it is hard to keep track. Needless to say - they respected and loved the older generation and eased their transition in the final journey home.
It is a long clip - well worth the time but if you are in a hurry - here is the prayer recited at the end of wonderful introduction.
Blessed In Aging
~Esther Mary Walker
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand
Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to hear the things they say.
Blessed are those who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow
Blessed are those who look away
When I spilled tea that weary day.
Blessed are they who, with cheery smile
Stopped to chat for a little while
Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday.
Blessed are those who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today”
Blessed are they who make it known
That I am loved, respected and not alone.
And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.
This poem, as read by Mary Maxwell in the video
“A Reminder That Laughter is the Best Medicine.”
I agree with Mary Maxwell - this is the first time I've been old and haven't had a chance to practice, but if I can handle it with the grace and humor she presents - shouldn't be too bad to venture into uncharted territory.

Remember - if you are young and blessed - some day you TOO will be old. We're smiling here on Buhlaland and that is always good.

Happy New Year

Thought I was through blogging for 2009 but tonight reading another blogger's New Year's musings - I remembered something special I like to share with you - we all hear the first part frequently - but the complete prayer means so much more. I have posted this before, too many people only associate it with Alcoholics Anonymous. The Serenity Prayer is appropriate for us ending 2009 and looking to the future - walking one day at a time in our challenges but knowing - there will be storms but the same God who controls the storms is our refuge from them. Bless y'all - it is good on Buhlaland and we trust you receive serenity this year also.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Thank you Lord, Thank you prayer friends

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New Living Translation)
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken

Thank you all for being part of my triple braided cord!
Got the results letter from Solis Women's Health (doesn't that sound exotic?) "No evidence of breast cancer or other significant abnormality". WOO HOOOO! Means the lump is likely a fatty cyst lump - yeah and hooray. I thank all of you praying for me, the comfort of your prayers made a difference in my sense of calm over this issue.




On to other things

-Conan the Destroyer has had a rough time since the death of Corey -we joked she was his seeing life dog. Anything happening in our household - Conan would look to Corey first for how to react. Now he perks up for short periods (walk to the mailbox - yes yes yes, ride in truck - lemme up there) but seems at a loss about what he is supposed to be doing all day. Our BFFs arranged a playdate for their 4 month old Bassett named Buddy and our Conan. Conan was happy to have another dog around. Being somewhat small, Coney felt it important to establish his place in the pack. Yep - our little cowardly Conan is biting Buddy's big flappy lip. Buddy yelped a little but the two sniffed, growled and postured for a good long playdate. Come back any time Buddy!

The come back any time invitation was not echoed by Moe the Barn Cat - he was appalled and chose to stay in the oak tree until Buddy, his human and their vehicle were out the gates and on the highway. Then our lovely cat came down from the tree, stalking off with his tail still quite fluffed out, we think he was muttering something about indignity of it all.

I need to get dressed in outdoor, messy clothes - going to be in the 80's today and DH got holes drilled in my containers so need to cover the holes with some shade cloth (just to keep the soil from leaking out) and put rocks in the bottom of each. Definitely time to get seeds in containers - my seedlings in the house are only doing So So -

The PakChoy are getting their first real leaves (not just the little tiny first leaves coming from a seed) and the tomato starts are also almost ready for real leaves. I may have to share some plant starts, I have a suspicion I over estimated what can go in my intensive garden system . BUT - seeds are cheaper than plants so will keep on starting stuff - I have enough seed left from last garden to start the squash and mesclun salad. I do love gardening - remind me of that statement when it is 105 degrees this summer and I have to water twice a day!

I have an ad from the local free newspaper, chicks are in at the feed store - now I need to find out whether we are serious about doing this chicken coop thing. DH might not be so inclined today - he is working hard putting our business sign up by the front gates. But que sera sera- I'm headed outside!

Update - I have never done the "give up something for Lent" thing , I was raised in a Southern fundamentalist household and generally haven't had emphasis on the Lenten season as a big part of my faith walk. While reading scripture and blogs - I think it is more than reasonable to make a sacrifice (admittedly very small but more significant to an obsessed eater like me than you realize). So I'm giving up candy - not refilling our "sugar fix" drawer in the kitchen. I think it is a good choice for two reasons - I believe it is something I will carry through to completion (not a huge thing like give up coffee and in a week be so miserably nasty I fail and hate myself for failure but this sentence is WAY TMI). Second reason - DH and I both need to regain control of our diets and health - taking care of the body given to us is honoring our Creator. OK I just wanted to make this official by putting it in writing - that whole accountability thing.

Update

Thank you so much - each of you praying for me. I won't get results of this morning's mammogram for 5-10 business days. I have already gotten the results of prayer. Apparently there is a fund for women in our county to get free screening mammograms - how cool is that? I'd tried several avenues to reduce the out of pocket expenses but they required going into Fort Worth and complicated paperwork resulting in still costing more than $100 and one ranging to nearly$500. I'd gotten frustrated and decided to go to clinic here in town and pay the price. So woo hoo - free is the perfect price!

Beautiful day here on Buhlaland -temperatures supposed to reach in the 70's and truly feels like spring. I'm headed to town to buy containers and soil - time to get garden going! My bok choy seedlings are up and tomato plants are spouting from seed - I'm not great at growing from seed indoors so we'll see what gets strong enough to transplant! The picture is our huge rosemary plant in the yard - blooming! My fingers smell wonderful - I was pulling off some branches and now my hands smell like rosemary (and lavender too - was trimming up the french lavender plant). Life is good - whatever the illnesses and problems are down the road, I have assurance of my eternal destination with pleasant stops along the road. "Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart—Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;Thou my best thought, by day or by night—Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. —Irish hymn"

I'd appreciate

Dear Bloggity Buddies, acquaintances, and passers by - I would appreciate prayer. Having a mammogram tomorrow for what is probably nothing but right now is a small lump under my left arm. No panic no fear - but I do know I appreciate prayer.

Matthew 6:33-34 (New Living Translation)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Standing

A dear bloggy friend gave a passionate explanation regarding our recent presidential election. Unfortunately due to difficult circumstances I've removed the link to the blog since for now it is gone. The large number of social, religious and financial conservatives who voted for another candidate or simply against the Democratic slate are being told in the media and often in person "get over it we won you lost deal with it". We in the blog community are dealing in our different ways. Like a tea kettle - we sometimes have to let off steam and blogs are a useful tool for steam letting.
I am philosophical about the election results (comes with age - I've seen ten presidents come and go) however I admire passion in a situation where I'm already getting the impulse to do a "whatever" . The issue of standing firmly for right is important. Abraham Lincoln said “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”
My posting isn't meant to stir up antipathy toward Mr. Obama. He is about to enter the most difficult elected position in the world. I do not believe he is a secret Muslim or most of the strange rumors running through the internet. I do know he promised many things to many people. If he were to keep even a fraction of his campaign promises it will be quite a ride for our country. As a citizen in a civilized society I respect the office and Mr. Obama as a human. 53% of this country's voters chose Mr. Obama - not a landslide but a clear victory. Old saying "be careful what you ask for, you just might get it" means to me now people can watch the results of a one party executive and legislative federal government.


The Bible says 365 times "fear not". I'm not afraid, not as angry as some and not so pious as others. As I said the day after the election, the sky is blue and I have coffee in my cup - I also want to say I'm praying for America,for peace in Jerusalem and leaders in this world to be moved by the Leader of the eternal world.


WHEW - I got far above my paygrade (sorry that was a petty shot but I'm keeping it in) in this tirade. I'll quit vowing to myself not to talk about politics because apparently we are all not finished with our discussion in the blogosphere.


It is good here on Buhlaland- sunshine, goats well fed, DH and I both healthier. I pray it is the same for you. (maybe not the goat thing - I realize that's a tad too specific!)

A passing

Don't know how many of my occasional readers were familiar with Steven Curtis Chapman's family and adoption advocacy. Their youngest daughter was killed in a tragic accident yesterday. I've included the link to a tribute to her - if you watch the short video you'll be blessed by her charm and the obvious love in their family. Maria Chapman
When something so startling and apparently wrong occurs all I can do is to trust in God's faithfulness shown in Isaiah 55:8-12
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
The beautiful child has been welcomed into the presence of God Almighty - her family here on earth will mourn and we should pray for their comfort. Nothing to add.

the Lord has done this

Psalm 118:23 This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. 24 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

If you've visited here before, you'll know I am still working through some challenges. Challenges haven't changed but as I pray and read and wait upon the Lord - I'm changing. A couple of days ago I took this picture. Sunrise - didn't have to be made with iridescent light, dozens of shades of blue and peach, light and dark but God does this every day - somebody sees the majesty of His creation. I felt better - my emotions were soothed, I felt - what's that ??- oh yes - Joy.

Later the same day - our tiny side pond had the first lily bloom of the season. It's good on Buhlaland in the spring and I'm learning - prayer doesn't have to change the situation to be answered.

Promises

"Our troubles are slight and short-lived, and their outcome an eternal glory which outweighs them far. Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen" (2 Cor 4:17, 18 NEB).
A rosebud is the promise of a beautiful blossom. God's word is the promise of unending love. I'm going through a time of standing on those promises. Not much blogging going on, I continue to be astonished at how my prayers are answered. Instead of getting what I "want" I'm learning to want what I'm getting. I think this might be getting my heart's desire - once my heart wants what God has for me.
If you are an older rock fan you might recognize the lyric, it is bizarre to quote a Rolling Stones lyric when I'm learning fom God. Part of my recent comprehension is God uses absolutely everything, the ugly, broken, disappointing stuff I didn't want in my life, it is here because it has been part of my life. He makes use of it and I don't necessarily get to know WHY?
Looks like the Stones are right.:
You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You just might find

You get what you need

100th Blog post will be soon!

Apparently that is a big deal - 100 blog posts. Seems like I've gone on about most everything but I'm sure that I'll find something to post - tonight I put up numbers 95 and 96. What kind of blogo madness could ensue with #99 to 100? In Buhlaland ya just never know - could be fun though!

A scripture verse in honor of a friend ministering in Pakistan who like Paul is ". . .hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 nd letter to the Corinthians chapter 4: 8-9. Asif(just read this again - the person's name is Asif - I'm not saying As If) we are praying for you, Paul went on to say "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." amen and amen

Unable to upload blog

Hey there - well I am not going off on a rant becoming popular in the blogosphere- Blogger has a recurring/worsening problem uploading pictures to our blogs. Literally hundreds of people areparticipating in a cyber version of instigating a lynching. I keep thinking - but this is FREE we are not paying a penny to use this ingenious, fun tool. I'll try again tomorrow to uploada couple of pictures . We are having one of the most beautiful fall seasons ever. Not a lot of trees turning vivid colors, but the light this year is awe inspiring. Sometimes it appears our fields and animals were painted by one of the early American realist/romantic painters who captured that mote filled golden tinge of autumn (of course I cannot recall a single artist's name despite a few years ago having had a dear friend walk with me through the National Gallery of Art pointing out the special qualities of dozens)

Wanted to post because I am once again ramping up prayer levels for some people - one is a beautiful lady named Sharan who is struggling during her first week of treatment for leukemia, another is a blogger who goes by the name WhyMommy and is in the throes of chemo before she can have a mastectomy, our beloved little Toby Pannone is in a rougher time right now and Kyle Ogle has scheduled surgery to remove tumors in the lungs before he can qualify for another experimental chemotherapy. NOW - with all that said - I have a sense of joy about praying for these people - God knows and loves each of them, their situation is known to Him and the outcome was decided long before time began. BUT there is the fabulous mystery of prayer - He tells us to ask, ask repeatedly. So I'll ask and keep remembering a quote I read today from Elizabeth Elliot "about the wee small hours of the night making mountains of molehills". During the wee small hours of actual night or the midnight hours of our lives - it is too easy to abandon hope and forget all the blessings to focus on the what ifs and the maybes. Here in Buhlaland -~ it is well with my soul~ (look it up if that hymn is NOT a favorite already I'll post about it another time) - and y'all come back when we have pictures to share!

Prayer Update Too!

SO sorry - when asking people to pray it is rude not to let them know how the Lord has used that prayer work. Grace - the young woman who had spinal surgery, was at church Sunday and is doing an extensive physical therapy to regain her full mobility - but came through the surgery and recovery well. Toby Pannone is at home last I checked their blog - he has had several complications and a hard time keeping his weight stable. He started the next round of chemo today and of course each round is rough on his small body. Please continue to pray for Toby and his family - they sound like such wonderful parents and he is obviously a bright beautiful child. Thank you -

Update on the kids

Quick update - Toby Pannone came through surgery and will be in intensive care for a while. Surgeon's report sounded like he tolerated the surgery well and they got all the cancer that they found. Grace's surgery went very well and she is also in recovery. Please continue to pray for these young ones. Thank you

Praying for sick children

www.tobypannone.blogspot.com If anyone is checking my blog - please pray for this child and his family tomorrow (Wednesday the 27Th) as he undergoes massive surgery. Seems to be a day the Lord will have his angels busy in hospitals with children - a beautiful young girl (Grace) is undergoing extensive surgery to correct her scoliosis,also tomorrow. Father God - we ask the mercy and grace of Your Son to be poured out on these, the children you so love. Your love is beyond measurement in the heavens - these little ones need you now. Please give the surgeons and those touching these children discernment of exactly what needs to be done,how to complete the surgeries effectively and efficiently. Please also provide caregivers with great compassion and alertness to react to any changes in the child's situation. Your will be done - on earth as it is in heaven . Isaiah 55:9 - we don't understand, but we know that You are God.