Oh, Have I Mentioned Recently...

 

...that Himself had shoulder surgery and has been home for four weeks?

...that I love being alone at least part of the day?

...that I get cranky when I don't get alone time?

...that I know God has a plan in all of this?

...that I know that plan is for my good?

...that Himself is planning on retiring?

...that my prayer life needs to be amped up?

blessings, g

Not Again!

Once again, I am behind at this point of the A to Z Challenge. It is not for lack of trying. Life keeps getting in the way.

Even with several months notice, I do not write my entries in advance; not my style!

Life is still crazy around here. Too much going on. Help! I'm drowning!

Music to My Ears

 

 Back in 2006 I felt challenged to make a list of what I consider to be the best rock songs of all time. This is what I came up with:

…..my top 10 plus greatest rock songs of all time!!!  (I couldn’t keep it to ten and I reserve the right to add to the list!)  Here goes:  In no particular order…..

 

Barracuda – Heart – These sisters are amazing!

 

Heartbreaker – Pat Benatar – One of the best voices rock was ever blessed with

 

Round-about – Yes – So, I am a child of the 70’s.  Sue me.

 

Aqualung – Jethro Tull – No, J.T. is not a person but the name of a band!

 

Immigrant Song/Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin – Stairway is everyone’s favorite but for rocking out I had to include Immigrant Song

 

Mississippi Queen – Mountain

 

Layla – Derek & the Dominoes – Eric Clapton – nuff said

 

Crossroads – Cream – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.  Need I say more?

 

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

 

Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seeger – This might not quite qualify as "rock" but, once again, sue me.

 

Dream On – Aerosmith

 

Behind Blue Eyes/Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who – Once again, couldn’t decide which

 

Takin’ Care of Business – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

 

The Stroke – Billy Squier – Consummate rocker

 

Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top

 

Glad – Traffic

 

Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf – Classic.

 

Honorable mentions:

 

Rebel, Rebel – David Bowie – Not sure if this is rock or freak rock but I gotta love him!

On the Dark Side – John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band from the Eddie and the Cruisers Soundtrack – Love this but not sure it is rock as I have defined it.

 

Future Rock Classic:

 

The Kill – Thirty Seconds to Mars – One of the best videos I have ever seen.  Based on the movie "The Shining."

Law and Justice: An Update

 

 Last year I wrote: 

As I type this, I am sitting in the county court house waiting to be called as a witness in a child visitation case. The father wants unsupervised visitation with his child. The problem? The mother has a restraining order against him for harassment, stalking and physical abuse. Getting a restraining order in this county is a difficult thing.
Does this man deserve visitation? My opinion is not yet as the child is in need of counseling due to the trauma of the parents’relationship. Eventually, maybe.
Will justice be served? If not today, eventually. God is the final arbitor of justice. I pray that this father finds healing through the eternal judge. God’s will be done.

I am happy to tell you that, although it took nearly another year, the justice system finally worked. Through all the prayers that went up, a good judge was finally assigned the case and the child in question does not have to see her father.

God is good.

Blessings, g

Just a Quick One

 

 

 Just a quick note as I catch up. Due to circumstances beyond my control (funeral, taking care of granddaughter during her spring break, taking care of hubby after his should surgery), I am behind on the challenge.

Stay tuned for K, L, M.....

Blessings, g

I Am "N"

"In June 2014, the world watched in horror as Islamic extremists who had declared themselves the Islamic State (ISIS) overran the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the former ancient kingdom of Nineveh we read about in the Book of Jonah. Christians had lived in Mosul and the Nineveh plains for centuries. Many Christians in Mosul were killed, and many others fled their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Members of ISIS went door to door identifying Christian families. They then spray-painted a red Arabic letter ن on the homes of our brothers and sisters. The letter ن stood for Nasara, a term used by Muslims to mean “followers of Jesus of Nazareth.”

A few days later, the Islamists gave the Christian families an ultimatum: convert to Islam, pay an exorbitant tax to the Islamists, or leave. If they refused, they would be killed.
More than 100,000 Christians refused to deny Christ and left everything behind.
Even as these persecuted believers were fleeing their homes, Christians around the world began adopting the Arabic letter ن to demonstrate that they, too, were followers of Jesus of Nazareth. The symbol meant to mark Iraqi Christians for exile or even death has become a symbol of hope and courage, as we commit to stand with our brothers and sisters facing Islamic extremists.

For more information visit Voice of the Martyrs.

Blessings, g

Happy Birthday!

 

 

 I just realized something: when we were at her cousin's birthday party yesterday, Isabella had no problem with a large crowd of people singing Happy Birthday and clapping and making noise.

Not a big deal, you say? Oh, yes, it is! Isabella is autistic. Many autistics have a problem with loud noises.

When Bells was about four years old, we were at another cousin's birthday party. I was in the ladies' room when I heard the birthday song start. I hurried to get out of there and my worst fear had come to life. One of my nieces was holding a bawling, scared Isabella. Guilt came over me for wanting to be alone to take care of business while, at the same time, I was so happy to have such wonderful family who loves and takes care of my precious granddaughter when I cannot.

So, you see, the fact that I was able to take for granted that Isabella was fine yesterday is big; very, very big. I am so thankful for her growth and for the people, family, friends, therapists, teachers, who have brought her to this point. 

Most of all, I am thankful for a courageous little girl, now ten years old, who has worked so hard to be able to live in a world that can be very unfriendly. I am so blessed.

gail

The Garden

 

Playing a little catch up here because I was at the College of Prayer for the last few days,

The campus I attend the College of Prayer in is also known as The Garden. I don't know what their intention was in naming it thus but I can use my imagination.

A garden is where seeds are planted. They are watered and weeded and, hopefully, they will grow fruit (or vegetables).

As Christians, we are to plant the seed of the gospel. After this seed is planted, we, or another believer or believers are to tend to the person, watering/growing them in the truth of the gospel of Christ so they will grow whilst weeding out the lies that the world and satan feeds them. Finally, the fruit of the gospel, once again, hopefully, will grow in the new believer.

Oh, there is so much more I can write about this! Maybe later on in the challenge. I hope and pray that you will be fruitful for the Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom!

Blessings, gail

Family Feud?

 

 

 Before I met Himself, I thought I came from a loud family. Compared to his, though, mine seems timid!

A discussion between them can sound like a brawl is about to break out. When I mention this to Himself, he blows off my concern and says that is just the way they are.

Where we live, I call "the town of last names that end in vowels." In other words, there are a lot of people with Italian last names. In my part of this great Atlantic Northeast, cultural ancestry is a point of pride. Personally, I just say I am an American.  I digress...People of Italian heritage tend to be, shall we say, er, passionate in the way they speak.

Both Himself and I were born with names that end in vowels. His heritage is half Italian and half Slovak; mine is half Italian, a quarter Puerto Rican, and a few other countries from one grandmother. Maybe there IS something to our "loudness" when we get together. 

Do we feud? My side, not so much any more. His side? A little bit.....However, we always, always, always are there for each other. Always.

Blessings, gail

Elf on the Shelf

 

What are your thoughts on the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon? Here is an article from the Huffington Post to describe it for you are in the dark.

Personally, I think it is Creepy (yes, with a capital "C"). I have had an elf doll since I was a little girl and I don't even put it out at Christmas any more!

Whatcha think of that?

Blessings, gail

Driving Mr. Himself

  

Himself, my husband, had shoulder surgery a couple of weeks ago. Part of his recuperation involves not driving. At all. Zilch.

Having one's husband home when one is used to being alone during the day can try the best of marriages. Being asked to go out a lot when one is a homebody, well, let's just say that "grace" is the order of the day; grace and prayers, lots of prayers!

Oh, please don't pray for patience for me! Once, years ago, when I told I friend I was praying patience for her she threatened she would start praying I would have many, many children. When people pray for patience, it seems God gives them things to be patient about! I have plenty on my plate.

Although I am a good driver, I much prefer Himself to drive most of the time. I enjoy looking around an observing the world around me. Oh, healing come soon!

Blessings, gail

College of Prayer

I am feeling the need for a break. Happily, the College of Prayer is conducting a module this week in a church not so far away.

What is the College of Prayer? I can't explain it. Oh, how I wish I could but it is more of an experience than a pen to paper, lecture time.Their home page states: "We’re here to train those who want to get back to the basics of where a vibrant Christian life filled with the presence of Christ starts. We’re here to mentor those who are working too hard, and praying too little. We’re here to equip those who desire tools to further their intimacy with the living God. All of this starts with a simple, but honest plea ... “Lord, teach us to pray!” (Luke 11:1)

When I am feeling drained, it means I need to spend more time in prayer; in God's holy presence. The College of Prayer states that it is for leaders but all are welcome. We will all, if we want to grow in Christ and in His Spirit, lead someone in some way.

Take a look and see if they have a campus by you. I promise you won't regret it.

Blessings, gail 

Books! I've Got Books!

In this age of E-Readers, there is nothing, and I mean nothing like holding a paper and binding book.

Truth be told, I am still a bit electronically challenged. I have had a tablet for a couple of years and haven't begun to understand all it might have to offer. Loading books is easy but just doesn't cut it for a cozy sit down. Oh, and it has to be charged! Not my paper and glue copies.

The love of reading is a legacy in my family. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom with her nose in a book. She gifted me with a membership in Reader's Digest Books for Young Readers. Jane Eyre was a favorite by the time I was around nine. Had I tried to read the unabridged version at that age I probably wouldn't have gotten through it.

Hardcover, paperback, e-book, magazine, cereal box, thrillers, mysteries, textbooks, anime....what is your favorite reading material?

Blessings, g

A = April and Autism

Of course! Autism is part of our regular life as our ten year old granddaughter is autistic. We spend time with her nearly every day.

You will hear a lot of talk of "lighting it up blue for autism awareness." May I ask that you don't? Light it up blue, that is.

You see, this campaign was started by a group called Autism Speaks. The problem with this group is that it does not speak for our girl nor does it speak for autistics in general. The blue is representative of the fact that the majority of the people with autism are male. My girls prefers pink.

Notice I did not say "children" with autism. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. Autism Speaks doesn't speak to that.

Also, Autism Speaks wants to "cure" autism.  Have they ever asked adult autistics if they want to be cured?  Where does their voice come in?

Jess over at A Diary of a Mom explains this so much better than I can. This blog post speaks specifically to the reasons why Autism Speaks no longer speaks for us.

Why don't we light it up purple? Doesn't blue plus pink = purple?

Blessings, gail