I Know He Watches Me

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

~Matthew 6:25-34 (Words of my Lord and Savior Jesus)

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

- Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905- Music Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

Anyway

I love the words to this song. Turn your speakers up and you can hear it on my playlist.

Anyway

You can spend your whole life building

Something from nothin'

One storm can come and blow it all away

Build it anyway

You can chase a dream

That seems so out of reach

And you know it might not ever come your way

Dream it anyway

God is great

But sometimes life ain't good

And when I pray

It doesn't always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway

I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy

It's hard to believe

That tomorrow will be better than today

Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart

For all the right reasons

In a moment they can choose to walk away

Love 'em anyway

God is great

But sometimes life ain't good

And when I pray

It doesn't always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway

Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing

A song you believe in

That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang

Sing it anyway

Yea, sing it anyway

Yeah, yeah!

I sing

I dream

I love anyway

Song writers: Mcbride, Martina; Warren, Brett; Warren, Brad

Ham & Rice Soup

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? It's rainy and cold here in Mississippi once again. I had enjoyed the spring like weather earlier in the week, but BRRRR, it's cold again! I'm not complaining though; got the fire going and the coffee on, so all is well. I'm sharing a recipe with you that my mother in law shared with me a few months ago. This soup is very hearty and filling. Hope you enjoy some on a cold day, or a warm day!

Ham & Rice Soup

1 6 ounce wild rice (I use Uncle Ben's)

1 small onion

2 TB. margarine

1/2 cup flour

3 cans chicken broth

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 cup milk

1 pkg. diced or cubed ham

water chestnuts, (sliced fine)

Cook rice.

In separate pot, melt butter, saute' chopped onion. Add flour, slowly add broth, stirring continuously, bring to boil. Slowly add milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in ham, rice, and chestnuts.

Simmer 30 minutes. Enjoy! This is very good left over.

I Know Whom I Have Believed

In life, sometimes we get comfortable; everything goes well with our job, family, church...daily life is, you know?....good! A strong-brisk storm comes along unexpectedly and it causes us to search ourselves. WHO am I serving? WHY am I serving? WHAT can happen to make me quit serving? I have dared to go deep within my heart, soul, and mind lately, which is very helpful and enlightening to do every now and then. As a matter a fact, it will either bring out the best in you, or the worst in you. It will tell the tale, as my mother would say. We can learn a lot from being in life's sea when the waves are rocking our boats fiercely. My recent soul searching has increased my faith. You know how you really don't know how you will feel or react until you come face to face with circumstances? I can say, I would do this, or I would do that, but the truth is, I really don't know until that circumstance comes knocking at my door. I'm happy to report that I do know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day. I'm happy to report that I serve God because He is worthy, and thus far, I am weathering the storm and am not jumping ship. A song I like says... 'When the storms are raging, I'll not be afraid. God holds me in the palm of His hand. When my ship is drifting and sails are frail, God holds me in the palm of His hand.' I'm thankful for the check up I've had, although painful, my faith and my hope has been increased, and I can pass the good news on to you, there is peace in the midst of the storm all because of Jesus. Another song says...'I will serve Thee because I love Thee, You have given life to me. I was nothing before you found me, You have given life to me. Heartaches, broken pieces, Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary, Your touch was what I longed for, You have given life to me.'

Between You & God

People are often unreasonable and self-centered,

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,

People may accuse you of ulterior motives,

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you,

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous,

Be happy anyway.

The good you do may be forgotten tomorrow,

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

And it may never be enough.

For you see, in the end,

It is between you and God,

It never was between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

Supper With Friends

Thursday, my friend Lisa called and said they would be eating supper at Cracker Barrel that night and wanted to know if we could join them. Well, who can pass up CB? Seriously, I couldn't' t pass up a time of fellowship with our dear friends! We only got to visit for a little over an hour, but I felt like the Lord had worked this visit out for me, because it was just something I needed. God is so good like that! Oh, and another way God is good is He gives us opportunities to share His precious Gospel with others when we least expect. We got to CB before the Monks did. I had told my family on the way that if we got there first, I wanted to hurry in and buy a little ceramic butterfly dish for Lisa. She collects butterflies. I went in and made my purchase and asked the lady to wrap it. The lady that wrapped the dish talked the entire time she was wrapping. I then joined my family on the front porch and rocked until the Monks arrived. We stood out on the porch hugging and talking for a few minutes. Lisa handed me a pretty box and told me belated happy birthday, and I handed her the gift I had bought her and said, "Happy just because". She opened her gift and loved it of course and we went on in to register our names. I stood in line to register while everyone else visited. While I was standing in line, the lady that had wrapped the butterfly saw Lisa holding the box, and the lady told Lisa that the butterfly was pretty. Lisa proceeded to tell the lady that she collects butterflies. The lady then asked Lisa if they brought her good luck and that opened the door for Lisa to witness to her. Lisa collects butterflies because of our salvation. When God saves us, He makes new creatures out of us. (Behold, all things are new) The lady said, "Oh, like the caterpillar becomes a pretty butterfly". Isn't that neat!? Go to Lisa's blog 'Butterfly Place' http://heswhy.blogspot.com/ She just started a blog, and I promise you, she'll bless the socks off ya! She's been a God-send to me.

While we were waiting on our friends to arrive...

We all did a little rockin'


and smilin'.

Friends arrived!

Liesa & Lisa

Bro. Tony & Cale

Noelle & Natalie

Bethany & Lisa

Yummy smelling pineapple-mango candle and pretty box

Thank you Lisa!

Snow Day In Mississippi

Beautiful views from my front door

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Daily Bible Reading

How is it I fail in something that should be so easy? I had been so disciplined reading the scheduled daily Bible readings until a few weeks ago. It's no one's fault but my own, but the week my son was so sick, I missed a day or two, and then, it was hard to get back on track. I still read my Bible, but just haven't kept up with the schedule. I had been posting the weekly schedule on my blog, but since I'm behind, I thought I wouldn't post it. But, if anyone was keeping up with the schedule that I was posting, if you'll leave me a note, I'll send you a schedule. I'm not quitting, I'm just not up to date on this and I felt like a hypocrite posting the schedule when I'm so far behind. As my husband would say, "You're not the pope". But, there is my confession! Ha. Pray for me that I do better. By the way, if you're reading Life By George today, thanks for dropping by. I appreciate all my friends in Blog-Land!

Talk Of Him

Click here for today's post:
http://kjvblogs.blogspot.com/2009/03/wednesday-in-wordtalk-of-him.html

Birthday Eve

Here, Take this! ha.

This is my friend Chrissy. She's one of those friends that brings out the goofy in me! Chrissy, her husband Robert, their daughter Kanah, and Kanah's friend Anna came by with goodies! (2 pretty tops) This family was members at the first church Scot pastored over 10 years ago.

Kanah picked out an orange-vanilla candle just for her Gi-Gi

I got up Sat. morning and saw this box on the bar! My sweet husband had left me a note that said, "Your birthday gift is in this box. Don't open until we all get home. Have a nice day!"

Yea right!!!! I knew they didn't trust me enough to leave my gift on the bar with me home alone! I had the scissors in my hand about to make the first cut and I thought, I bet they are pulling one on me. I bet when I open it, there's a note that says, "Gotcha!" or something, so I was a good girl and I resisted temptation. If you know me at all, you know that me and an unknown gift in the same room is a dangerous situation. Not knowing what is in a package really really gets the best of me! I was so proud of myself. Then, that afternoon when I did open the box (after everyone was home), Scot told me I had passed the test. I really was proud then! But, come to find out, the gift was not in the box that morning, they had put the gift in the box that afternoon while I was getting dressed! See, I told you they didn't trust me in that situation! ha. I can't say I blame them! I really have the bestest family!

Oh no you didn't!

Cale, Kanah, Scot, Robert, Anna, Noelle, & Chrissy

Scot, Noelle, and Cale gave me this! Isn't it beautiful? They wanted to get me a PINK one, but couldn't find one. I love the red though. They also gave me a case, battery charger, and memory card for it! Then, Scot, Noelle, and Cale took me to Los Com padres for supper!

My supper!

Scot & Noelle

Me & Cale

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Sunday was my 44th birthday. No, I don't mind telling my age! Ha. The picture above is what I woke up to that morning. We hardly ever get snow in Mississippi, especially snow that actually sticks to the ground, so this was a treat. I had snow-cream for breakfast! I loved it because it was very pretty all morning, but by lunch, most of it had melted, so the roads were good, and my power was still on! That's always a plus! My parents had planned to come to our house around noon and we were all going to eat lunch at Oh Bryans Steakhouse in Hamilton, AL. I didn't know they were in cahoots with my friends Kathy, David, and Josh, but they had been planning things behind my back the week before. Kathy, David, and Josh came and went with us to eat. We all had a wonderful day together. My parents gave me a pretty card and money. The Minnis family gave me a beautiful tea cup and saucer! (They had read an earlier blog about me drinking hot tea from a John Deere mug!) We talked alot; took loads of pictures; and shared many laughs! After my parents and the Minnis's left, Harold, Carolyn, and Claire came over. They gave me a really neat coaster set that I can put some favorite photo's inside each coaster. (oh and 2 dozen eggs! They have chickens) Carolyn's mother sent me a lovely handkerchief and pretty card. We celebrate birthdays for days around our house! My mother and father in law were going out of town, so she cooked supper for me last weekend. They gave me a pretty blue set of sheets. I had a very special day. I honestly was quite overwhelmed by all the cards, calls, and e-mails I received Sat. and Sun. I felt very undeserving, but greatly blessed!

Me and my parents.
Words can never express the love in my heart for those two people!

This is where I was born. It was a clinic 44 years ago.
It's a BBQ restaurant now!

The Minnis Family

Pretty package

My cup was surely overflowing that day!
The gang!

Cale, Noelle, & Josh on the way to eat.

Kathy telling me I'd better not take her picture!

Oh Bryans

Me and Noelle

The gang again!

My birthday lunch consisted of a rib-eye, baked potato and salad! Yum.

Carolyn, Claire, & Harold

Gift from Wilsons.

Birthday Card

Happy Birthday Mrs. Liesa!!!

Hannah left me a note to pick this card up at her blog. Is that not sweet!? She made my day! Thanks again Hannah! http://hannaheb.blogspot.com/

I Learned Something New!

This is such an unusual post for me. Who would have thought I would blog about tin foil and saran wrap? I haven't even put any thought in to this, but this morning as I was having my coffee, I made my usual round in the bloggin' neighborhood and Walking on Sunshine shared with us something she just learned, so therefore I don't feel so bad that I didn't know this after 24 years of buying tin foil and saran wrap. Here's the scoop: on each end of the tin foil/saran wrap box, there is a tab to push in to keep the roll from falling out when you try to pull some foil or wrap out! Has that happened to you before? I can't count the times the entire roll fell out and then, I'd try to re roll it, and it was just a mess! Very irritating. This may be an odd post, but I know I sure was grateful that Lois shared this tip with me! If you already knew this; don't tell me, just let me bask in this moment! ha. Go over to Walking on Sunshine and visit with Lois. She has a terrific blog! http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Good Hair Day....

The same beautician has cut and colored my hair for seven or eight years now. Carrie Ann Taylor Vincent at Safari's is 'The Wonder Woman of Hair" to me. Not once have I come home crying or upset. Cry over my hair? Yes, been there, done that! Vain? Probably! If I like my hair, I feel much better about life in general. I know, it's probably a down-fall, but I have always loved and enjoyed 'good hair days'. Does that mean my hair Always looks good? Of course not! But, if I just know there's hope when I attempt to fix it, then I'm good! Carrie Ann is my magician; she always does such a good job. I even love just hanging out at Safari's. Last week when I was there, I got a color and cut. Noelle came there after she got off work to get her high lights touched up, so while she was putting the color on Noelle, I sat under the dryer and ate my supper. Carrie Ann's mother was delivering Carrie Ann and Julie's supper, and they were nice enough to ask if I wanted something too, so I got a baked potato and unsweet tea. To top it all off, while I was in there, one of my school friends came in, so I enjoyed catching up on her life, and then, before I left, the lady that helped me develop my writing skills, my high school English teacher, Mrs. Joan Wright came in. So, not only did I get a 'do', I had a wonderful visit with friends from my home town!

Gotta love it!

Ta-Dah!!! Here she is...Carrie Ann!

Noelle, looking like some sort of antenna tower! ha.

After! Quite lovely my dear!

Before: kind of flat! (and gray)

After: brown & fluffy!

Julie also works at Safari's. (I worked at school when she was in kindergarten) Whew, sakes alive! Can I be that old?! Pictured with Julie is my high school English-Literature teacher, Mrs. Joan Wright. She was a wonderful teacher. I loved how she inspired us to write and also to read. I also appreciate the kindness and time she always showed toward her students.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: Monday, March 2, 2009


Outside my window... Mr. Sun is shining brightly. Hard to believe this time yesterday, everything was covered in a blanket of beautiful white snow! It is still cold outside!

I am thinking...I wish my precious family and friends could look in my heart to see just how thankful and overwhelmed I am by their love and kindness.

I am thankful for...waking up to another birthday and for feeling the love of my Heavenly Father, my parents, my husband, my children, and my special friends!

From the learning rooms...I will finish the weekly lesson plans this morning. Cale is reading right now. We will have school as usual this week except for Thursday. I will be out of town for half a day, so we'll have to rearrange our schedule for that one day.

From the kitchen...ham and cheese omelets for breakfast, not sure about lunch, and taco salads for supper. Oh, and of course, there is coffee!!

I am wearing...my blue gown, pink robe, and pink house shoes. (One of these Mondays, my attire will be different I promise!)

I am creating...thank you cards to friends and family for birthday gifts, birthday cards for the month of March... and still working on a healthier me. ( I only maintained last week, weight-wise)

I am going...no place that I know of today.

I am reading...my Bible and blogs.

I am hoping...to work on some more organizing in the house this week and to exercise each day.

I am hearing...peace and quiet.

Around the house...laundry, cooking, school, blogging, cleaning,...

One of my favorite things...Birthdays (mine and everyone else's)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Other than the usual schooling, cooking, cleaning, etc.,
Wed. night Bible Study and an early morning appointment in Tupelo Thur.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Snow in Mississippi, March 1, 2009

Thanks for reading my daybook. For more, go to Peggy's http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/