Touring around Charlotte

I never imagined I would have a job as a tour guide in Charlotte. It's quite fun. Not only do you get to meet people from all over the world, but you have the ability to learn something from them, as well.

Sometimes I wish I had a globe where I could mark off the countries that have been represented on my golf cart. Of course, many of the states would be checked off in North America, along with countries in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Oh, and don't forget Australia. 

It's exciting to join in the conversation. My parents were world travelers so that helps me bridge the gap between places I only know about and places I've personally seen.

I suppose people in Australia live the furthest from me. But perhaps I'd have to Google it. I've met people from Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Ghana, India, Turkey, Peru, Argentina, the islands in the Caribbean, and countries in Canada. And more.

I found out that Peru is where the potatoes started and they have 10,000 varieties. Crazy. Unfortunately, I didn't write many facts down. 


So today was busy, yet I only had two tours with people. I took a family across town for $5, and then gave two ladies that work at the visitor center in the Convention Center a short tour, so they could continue to recommend our business to others.

With only three carts, it does get frustrating sometimes because not everyone has the oppty to drive. I'm glad I'm the #2 driver, so I pretty much get the 2nd choices. If I were 4th or 5th, it might be awhile til something pops up. 

There are times when I feel like it's best to share the times I get with other people, but I have to remember, this is my full time job. I need to make a min of $700/wk and that doesn't always happen. So far, I've been able to pay the bills on my own. I have some money set aside for a possible bankruptcy filing - long story - another time, perhaps. But other than that - what I have is what I'm currently making.

It's definitely a happy ending so far. This is the first time in my life that I've had to support anyone, let alone myself. When I had my parents inheritance, I never worried about the money. I knew it would be there. Now - it's gone and so its only me. I am proud of my self and hope to continue to do this. It definitely takes discipline.

Someday, when i can get my credit cards paid off, I'll have $300 more a month to pay off my car. Then I'll be saving another $300+. That's the goal - to be debt free (again) and then be able to help other organizations better - like my church. 

Being an adult is good. Of course, in many ways, I'm still a child. And it doesn't bother me anymore. I do what I can do and I have fun. Life is fun.

Train up a child

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

This verse, along with Ephesians 6:1 (Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right), are probably the most well known verses in the Bible when it comes to raising children. 

But what does Proverbs 22:6 mean? I've heard several messages over the years and I always lean back to this meaning: when your children are young, teach them about God. Show them the way to have peace in their lives. Teach them about forgiveness; both asking and receiving it. Sing songs of praise with them, so they would always have a glimpse of joy in their minds. Read to them and then listen, while they read back to you. Pray with them and allow them to talk to God with their own words (not just reciting the Lord's Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13). Worship with them in 'big' church. Teach them about the importance of communion and baptism. Play with them - show them how to live with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and (especially) self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). Children are sponges - from birth to Kindergarten. These are the years we should be concentrating on - to build their foundation in the Lord.

With such a foundation, the child will be wearing the Armor of God, without even realizing it. Though, there may be a time, when they do and decide (which is ok - God gives us the ability to choose) to take it off. Thankfully, parents have already begun praying for this possible scenario; and now have asked other prayer warriors to join in. Teenagers and young adults may walk away from the church during this season of their lives. They may try worldly things. But I believe, that they will turn back to God, because they have that foundation in Him, that was built strong through the early years - it will sustain them and they will return. It might not be til they are married or until they have children of their own, and they remember the love they found with their family, and with their church family.

So train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Others say, the training doesn't happen until after high school graduation; or when they are married with children. Although I myself didn't accept Christ as my Lord and Savior til I was 19, I would have loved growing up in a Christian home, similar to what my kids had experienced. And although my choices aren't always leaning toward God, I know that He will always love me no matter what; and I will, in return, love Him back.

So what would you say this verse means?

Knowing My Purpose

I'm excited to share my purpose with you. It was only last week that I "discovered" it, that is, actually even thought about it and then wrote it down. I'm in a program called Soar 2 Success with Cassandra Washington and her One Degree Shift group. I'm already starting to take off just by knowing my purpose and what to do with it. So here it goes - my purpose is the share my imagination with others. How do I do that, you ask? Well, obviously a big part of it is in story telling or writing.

Last spring I was in a writing program and learned about stream of consciousness writing. And if you're ever read some of my blogs, you know that I can write until the cows come home, and then some. I was born to write, so I could share my dreams, adventures, experiences, struggles and successes with others. My current dream (that is, what I am going to accomplish this year - 2016) is to write a book called Around Robin Hood's Barn: a collection of my childhood stories. I'm including a few interesting ones like what I had to do to be initiated into a fort (club in the woods); and when a friend and I found a six pack of beer in the lake. My goal is not to put you to sleep at any time while reading. Well, unless you're reading while putting your own children to bed, then they're allowed to sleep. But if I hear that you were even yawning while reading, I'm going to come over to your house and take back my book. haha. Just kidding, of course. Though that might be another adventure to go on - visit all of my reader's homes and discover what their dreams are.

Last summer, as I was finishing a chapter for the book Emerge: Real Stories of Courage and Truth; I was somewhat depressed because it was at the same time as the anniversary of my late husband's death. Special dates are always hard to get through. Anyway - I was praying and asking God what it was that I was supposed to get out of all of it? I mean, besides writing, which really has been the best thing for me to restart. I thought - if I could just help one person with their own grief, then going through this experience was worth it. So with my imagination, which comes from my heart, I created comfort bags. Bags with items that would hopefully provide some comfort to widows - for this journey is like none other and only those who are on it can empathize with you. Items may vary as supplies are available, but currently the bag includes a journal (for writing letters to your loved one), a book (prayers), a nice handkerchief (because tissues run out), a stuffed animal (something to cuddle) and a CD (with soothing hymns). I have been giving them away to people I know, but I also have some available for purchase on my website suecorbran.com It's something you give the widow in lieu of flowers, because we know that flowers will soon fade and die, but the grief will go on.

This past weekend, I was hoping to see a woman who I had met a few weeks ago. She wore a shirt that stated that her best friend/husband was in heaven, so I struck up a conversation with her after the service. Sure enough, her husband had passed away not too long ago, but she was still coming to church to worship, for some peace and comfort. I told her about my bags and how I wanted to give her one. Well, the next week, I was distracted and forgot to grab it out of my car, and then last night, she wasn't there. So I still have one for her. In the meantime, I noticed another woman who recently buried her daughter. It was a sudden death and she didn't have time to say I love you, and really didn't know if she had Jesus in her heart. I was holding a comfort bag in my hand, so I walked up to her and told her how sorry I was for her loss and gave her a big hug. And then I presented the comfort bag to her. Explained that I usually just give them to widows, but I thought she would also benefit from it. She cried and we talked and she hugged me again.  I was glad to be able to help her. Well, I went to church again this morning and saw her after the service. She reached out for another hug and started talking about all of the items and what they meant to her and how thankful she was that I thought about her, and it just touched my heart. It was truly a God thing. He orchestrated all of this - and put it upon my heart where my imagination lives - and the bags were created. There have been over a dozen women who have already received a bag, and I still know three others whom I want to give one to. This is a ministry for sure. This is a way I can be of service to the God I love more than anything. Not just because he has my Barry up in heaven with Him, but because He has given me so much strength, comfort and peace through my own grief journey. I have truly been blessed.

Getting Your House in Order

This title could have several different meanings. First of all, I am getting my house in order because it's for sale now and I am dwindling down on the contents of it, so I don't have to take it all with me when I move. This is something I would suggest everyone to do every year - or at least every five years. Are you amazed at how much stuff you have in your house? I am. I shouldn't even be surprised because I shop at Walmart and Kmart and usually bring home more things than are on my list. I guess I need to learn to be more frugal.

What about the Blizzard of 2016? My son in law, who lives in Charlotte was standing in a line that wrapped around the inside of a grocery store - just waiting to check out. Yes - people go crazy when they hear there's a storm approaching. It could be a hurricane - long lines have been seen at Home Depot buying up cases of water and boards for their windows.

So perhaps we're all a bit unprepared for the things life throws at us.

This blog is about death - that is "getting your house in order" aka getting all your affairs straightened out before it's time for you to go, die. Or before your spouse dies.

Now death is inevitable, yet no one knows the time or day of their departure, even if they're only given 6 months to live. It could only be 6 days. So what are some things you can do to be prepared, even if neither you nor your spouse (or significant other) is sick.

There are professionals who can help you prepare your wills, and will prefer you have a living will - that is, what is expected if your heart stops beating - should they resuscitate you? Do you have to have feeding tubes? Do you want to be kept alive by machines only? These are questions that need to be answered when you become an adult. And you can change your mind throughout your life, as long as you keep it documented - and keep the originals in a safe (and tell someone where the key is, or the combination). A will will protect your children from being put into social services - so make sure you have allocated someone else to care for them in your absence.

You can also talk to a funeral director and pre-pay for services. You can have a general idea of a style of casket and vault (though I tend to think they may change over the years) - or you could just put down a certain amount of money to help cover the cost. So your loved ones don't have to worry about this.

In Jan 2012, my husband received the news that he had an incurable cancer. The time frame given was only that in 6 months, 50% were still living. He wanted to be part of that %. So he said, we need to take care of the final things first, so that he didn't have to worry about me after he died. So we set up a time to talk with the funeral director - though we did not prepay anything there; we did purchase a plot at the cemetery we our bodies would have their final resting place. We spoke to our church and the pastors and talked about the type of funeral service my husband would want to have - and we called it a celebration service. We talked about how the service would go - we would have the burial service first thing in the morning with family and close friends, and then we would go to the church for coffee and cookies and then wait an hour and have the celebration service at 11am, followed by a luncheon. Over a hundred people stayed for the lunch. Sometimes I think when you have the burial between the service and the luncheon, then you don't always get your friends to come back for the luncheon (and then you have a ton of food leftover).

So be prepared - and then enjoy your life. Some of the other things he did ahead of time included canceling credit card accounts - things that were in his name only. And he moved all of his money into the joint account. One of the things that worked in our favor was that we were planning a yard sale and he was able to help price the items to sell - all of his contractor tools, etc. Unfortunately, he died the week before the sale - but with family and friends around, we had a successful sale for sure. It kept me busy - too busy to really grasp the grief - which did finally hit me after everyone went home.

And a few things I wish we had taken care of together was - what were all these keys for? At first I had to search through his things to find the keys to our fairly new home to give to the realtor, and then suddenly, I had tons of keys. I knew some of them belonged to our rental property and our flip house, but we definitely had plenty of extras. I'm just now - looking at them again and deciding what to do with them? I'm thinking there must be a craft person out there somewhere who would love a bag for of keys. If that's you, let me know.

Also, if you're online - and your spouse has accounts such as email, FB, etc. Make sure you have the logins and password info for them - so you can close them out properly. This goes with any bank or other financial institution. The more you write down ahead of time (and keep locked in your safe), the smoother the transition will be when the time comes for you to deal with all of this. It's definitely an adventure. But if you start when you're 18, keep good records in a safe box (fire proof and water proof), then as your life changes, such as you get married - make the necessary changes and put them back in the safe. Always stay on top of your game.

I hope this was some useful information to you - feel free to share with others. Or add comments with your own suggestions. Thanks - God bless you!

Trust in God -my life in a nutshell

This has got to be my year. I'm due, as they say. Of course, I've got to help make it happen. I've been through so many changes throughout my life and the most recent ones will happen sometime this spring - when I move into a smaller place. The crazy part of it is - that I'm not even sure where that's going to be yet. Do I stay in my hometown or move somewhere else? It depends on what kind of job I decide to take. Yes - another change - working! It's not that I've never worked - it's just that I haven't always received payment for the work I've done. I know, it's called being a volunteer. But it's still work.

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

I've been trusting God for a long time. On the way to a ski resort, I was in a car accident when I was 17 years old. A delivery truck hit my car on the driver side and pushed it into a bank. My boyfriend and I had to climb out of the passenger side window. The car was totaled. The insurance man told my dad that if that truck was fully loaded and had hit me head on, I would have died. Even though I was raised in the church, that was my first thought that I was here for a reason and it wasn't my time yet to go to heaven.

With my trust in God came trust in other people, other believers. When I was almost 19, I was a victim of a date rape; yet my sorority sisters didn't agree and tried to set me up with another boy to have sex, but I refused. A few months later, I was working at a church camp and thought I might have gotten pregnant from that rape. A young man I met at camp told me that if I was, he would marry me, so that the child wouldn't grow up without a dad. (He had been adopted as a baby). Thankfully, I wasn't pregnant, but I did end up marrying that young man - he was the one to share Christ with me - and taught me about forgiveness. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior that summer and then two years later, a month before our wedding, we were both baptized.

And how's that song go - first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby... five days before I graduated from college I delivered our first daughter. I was certainly blessed that day. I didn't realize I'd be gone most of the afternoon and hadn't left a bottle for my mom to feed her. Thankfully, she slept most of the time and otherwise, didn't cry or fuss much. After her first birthday, we packed up the house and moved from OH to GA, because of my husband's work. It took at least a year to adjust to the new surroundings and of course, the southern accent. You put groceries in a buggy, not a cart. You lunch is in a sack not a bag. And they had no idea what sneakers were. Strange. haha.

My husband wanted me to help with the income and so I decided to deliver newspapers from my car and just toss them out of the window. It sounded like fun until I found out you had to arrive at 3:30am just to put the papers into the plastic bags first. Hmm - no, that's not the job for me. I'm not a morning person. Eventually, I decided to work in a daycare. I had a BA in Elementary Ed, so I might have been over qualified, but I could take my daughter with me so that was good. I hadn't been there a week, and I walked past her room and she was just wandering around the cribs and no one was paying any attention to her. I felt sad and decided she needed to be with me during the day. And as it turned out, I was pregnant again, and with morning sickness, so I couldn't work anyway.

A few months after our son was born, a couple from our church (who owned our rental house) had an insurance business just up the street from us and asked if I would consider helping out, especially when they were out of town, and even said I could bring the kids with me - they provided the playpen. So for two days a week and sometimes longer when they were gone, the kids and I spent our mornings there. I felt bad at first, because for the first 20 minutes, I ended up feeding a bottle to my son - and then sometimes he would cry when they were on the phone. It was a little crazy at times. After several months, they finally called me into their office and said, I could stay, but I needed to find someone else to watch the kids. I understood. But God provided those opportunities for me to learn and grow. And had this couple not been Christians, I might have been fired also.

From that job, I became a demonstrator for Christmas Around the World. I did parties in the evenings and on weekends when their dad was home to watch them. And somewhere along the way, I also worked for a flower shop. I loved this job because it was delivering flowers and balloon bouquets all around Atlanta - and I could be gone for hours. It definitely helped me find alternate routes - when there was an accident on the interstate. I'm sure I shared on another blog how they sent me to an adult night club with a dozen roses for a John there. I was so embarrassed, and they just laughed about it back at the shop.

My husband was getting excited about our son turning five and starting Kindergarten. His dream for me was to go to work full-time. I had always enjoyed the flexibility of working part-time and being at home when my daughter was sick. I wasn't looking forward to that transition. And I'd like to say that God provided me for a reason to stay home for another five years or so - I was pregnant with our third child. (Back then, we didn't know the sex of the baby until its' birth). So I was blessed to be able to stay at home even longer. My husband took on a second job delivering pizzas to help make some extra money. After our daughter was born, I continued with part time work - substitute teaching and working in a restaurant.

My husband and I were married for 14 years. And God was with us through it all. We each had our own ideas and dreams - and actually, I think we just never communicated them to each other. And although we attended and were active in church every week, we didn't spend time in prayer or Bible study together at home. Our marriage ended when our youngest daughter was six years old. We were both to blame for the divorce (I couldn't say that then - but I accept my part in it now). And I finally got a full-time job that next fall. I worked as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at a daycare. And the following summer, I moved the kids and I to PA, leaving their dad and his new wife in GA.

Changes - transitions, whatever you want to call them. We all have them. We all go through them. My kids weren't crazy about starting a new school, especially one that was still open when it was snowing. But they adjusted and made new friends. We got involved in another church - for youth groups, etc. I always wanted to have them stay in church, and never walk away from God. And we had the emotional, as well as financial support of my parents (plus a sister and brother) who lived in Meadville (my home town). The end of the second summer, I ended up with three different jobs. I was the Director of Children's Ministry, I was a teacher at a Christian school (PT teaching English, Math, Reading, Health and Home EC), and I was a consultant with a home-based business called Creative Memories. Having three jobs was tough.  Two would been hard enough, but I guess I wanted to see if I could do it. After the first grading period - six weeks, I think it was, I quit. The seniors in the English class through me a party and said I was their favorite teacher ever. Wow - I was honored but realized how hard teaching really was - espec for an elem ed teacher teaching high school classes - with teacher manuals. It was more work than a pt job should have been. But it was an experience. God gave me several opptys to lead the elementary kids during a chapel time, so that was fun. But all in all, my first priority should have been my own kids. And so I made sure after that, that I was home for them.

More transitions through the years with kids going to college, kids getting married, and then finally, God brought another man into my life - and we were married. More transitions as a step-mom and not wanting to be known as a wicked one. haha. All in all - a learning experience for all of us - sort of the good, the bad and the ugly at times. But worth it - because this man was great for me - and we blended well together as a family.

And you know, or have most likely read about the next changes - when our house burned down (this is another example of when I completely trusted God - for I had lost everything but an overnight bag). And then several years later, the death of my husband. And if you've had a chance to read the chapter "Finding My Way" in the book Emerge, then you've read the account of our marriage and where I am now - still on that journey - and about to take another turn in the road.

What I've found to be the most difficult for me, is to make a final decision about something. I can decide one way or the other and then completely change my mind back to the other. But to make it a final decision, that's tough. You get to where you count on your significant other for so many things; and then one day, they're gone and it's all you and God. Thankfully He is still there. I know it - I can feel Him holding me most days. I cannot do this on my own. I am very thankful to have friends whom I can trust to give me their best advice or opinions - to help me weigh all of the options, to help make those decisions. If it were left up to me - well - I'd hate to even say it - so I won't. I'm still here for a reason. God is not done with me yet. And it's His decision when my time is up, not mine.

So I'm going to continue to trust Him with my life - and pray that His will is also mine (or vice versa); and the journeys I get to take will honor Him always. I don't know how people can live without knowing God, and especially trusting Him to take care of them. I'm glad I do. And with that - my story continues until next time. Perhaps - we'll have an answer to where I am living and what kind of job I am doing. But one thing for sure - you know I will be writing! Take care and God bless.

A look back at 2015, and some goals for 2016

Looking back over 2015, I am very thankful, that despite some health concerns, nothing major took place. I will be on blood thinners for the rest of my life due to a genetic clotting disorder. But I can't really complain, because I still have the OK to travel, as long as I stop every 2 hours to walk around. Actually, it's sitting at home typing on the computer that probably does more damage - once I start writing, it can be hours before I'm willing to get up and take a break. In 2016, I need to eat better and exercise often (maybe lose a few pounds), and continue to help others.

My biggest accomplishment for 2015 was becoming a co-author in the book Emerge. A program called Transform thru Writing started in March and ended in September. I saw it as a means to an end. I had always wanted to write a book and I saw a FB post from Cassandra Washington (a coach I had met at a convention) looking for co-authors. I thought, why not check it out. The timing was good, because I wasn't that busy with gathering lessons at church or working a business my husband had left for me. And so I joined - and my passion for writing showed up right away and has not left my side. And through the lessons and the coaching calls - I discovered it wasn't going to be my writing that transformed, it was going to be me. And I'm continuing with the program in 2016 because I know there is still more of me to be transformed. I know God's not done with me yet, and there are so many more ways for me to grow (not outwardly, though!) If you haven't bought a copy of the book Emerge: Real Stories of Courage and Truth, I would recommend going to my shop tab of my website and click on the book Emerge - and it will take you directly to Amazon. My chapter, appropriately titled "Finding My Way" after the death of my husband, has been a journey all it's own. And I'm still traveling on that road, but discovering new roads toward greater things. 

So each year I like to have a summary of places I've been to during the year - so feel free to continue to read about my adventures. At the end of April - I took a short road trip to the King of Prussia (that's a city near Philadelphia) for a women's business conference. On the way home I was finally able to buy one of those EZ-Passes for the car. 

Then in May, I bought a new Camry and the very next day drove it to Chicago with a couple of friends to attend a Children's Ministry conference, The Gathering. We had fun traveling, and I was soon teased along the way because I almost ran into one of those toll bars. In PA, the toll booths with EZ-Pass, you just slowly drive through it, but in OH, apparently there's a bar! They even teased me at a RR crossing, "Sue, watch out for the bar!" Gotta love traveling with friends. Two days later, we drove home and then the next day I drove to Buffalo for a business training. Whew! Lots of miles on a new car - and that EZ-Pass? I don't know how I lived without it for so many years.  

In June - I drove down to Knoxville to watch my granddaughters in their dance recital -and left my car with my daughter Amy while my other daughter Sarah and I drove all 6 grand kids up to my house in PA. Amy and her husband drove up later. So for the first time in two years, I had all of my kids together with their significant other and kids and we had a family picture (there were 25 of us) done at a local park - on a bridge by a creek. Before Amy and her family left - we took a side trip up to Niagara Falls with the kids.

In July - I found myself wanting to drive out to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but not able to accomplish it on my own, so I changed directions and drove back down to Knoxville and got a hotel with a mini-water park attached - and had two kids at at time. It was a lot of fun, though I didn't get to see my daughter much. It was August by the time I got home from that trip. So I told the grand kids, they got to spend the summer with me!

In August - I took another trip up to Niagara Falls, but this time on the Canadian side with a friend, who didn't trust my ability to get from point A to point B - at all during the trip. Even when we were walking, "Are you sure you know where we're going?" I can laugh about it now.

In September - I flew down a day early to Dallas for a business annual convention. I was hoping to meet up with a friend I knew in GA, but as it was, she wasn't available. After the first night of activities, I was able to meet up with Cassandra Washington and several other co-authors from the books Emerge and Strengthen Your Wings (first book in series). There were some that were there for the business convention also, while others just lived nearby. It was surely a highlight of mine to spend time with them. We became instant friends.

At the end of September - I flew out to Chicago with another friend for another children's ministry conference: Group's Kid Min Conference. This was another great oppty to reconnect with friends from years' past. This was the 5th conference, and my 4th. Children's ministry is another passion of mine. I'm not as involved as I had been in years past, because I currently am not in a children' pastor position. But I have several friends that still keep up with me - and had been praying for my late husband and for me. 

In October - I decided to drive back down to Knoxville and help my daughter pack up her house. Her husband had accepted another position at a school in Charlotte - so they were going to be sorting out, getting rid of, donating, etc and needed some help. And my motto has always been - when in doubt, throw it out! So I went down. A week before going though, I felt like I might have gotten another blood clot in my leg and had gone to the ER to have an ultrasound done. It was negative, so three days later, I drove the 10 hours to Knoxville - stopping every 2 or so to walk around. The pain in my leg only intensified each time I got out of the car. But I ignored it - I was drinking lots of apple juice for the potassium (thinking i needed more to make the pain diminish). I arrived on a friday night - and on Saturday - we ran errands and I got to watch a couple of dance rehearsals. By Sunday - I was noticing a shortness of breath - espec walking up the stairs (the bedrooms were in the basement). I had talked about it with my daughter and decided to wait and call the Dr on Monday - to see if I could just get a script for my anxiety meds, which I had left at home. Well, Monday morning came - and I was chatting online with a nurse (from home) and she said - go to the hospital now - you have a PE (pulmonary embolism - aka blood clot) - and so when Amy got home - she took me to the ER. I was just going to have her drop me off there -but she stayed the entire day (as I was in the ER for 9 hours - mostly due to the lack of a free bed for staying overnight). So there I was - hearing the news once again that indeed there was a blood clot in my leg and multiple clots in my lungs. I knew something wasn't right - because although I did travel alot - I did take precautions - wearing the compression socks and taking breaks. I spent three days in the hospital in Knoxville and can say I wasn't much help afterall - with Amy packing - but we did get in a few conversations here and there, so that was good. No one wanted me to drive home myself (actually, I was a bit concerned as well) - so my sister and her husband drove down on the Sunday and spent the night, and then she drove me home in my car and Doug was in his, We stopped every two hours to walk around. I would walk until the pain was unbearable - could have been more clots - but never found out. It was good to be home finally - and I've been home ever since. Probably  my longest stay at home!

But I have a love for traveling - so I'm sure there will be some done in 2016. With two daughters getting new houses - surely, they need me to come visit them, if only to watch them carry boxes into the houses. 

I'm working on my goals for 2016 - some for personal, travel, health/fitness, business, financial, other. It's good to have a starting block - and then you pick the pace - everyone has 365 days and 24 hours - the same amount of time. Just want to make a difference for others - and be whom God wants me to be. 

And so my story continues...

And the greatest of these is love

Every time I open up my webpage, I see the old red barn sitting there with the lovely yellow forsythia bushes in bloom. That old barn fell down a few years ago, so it's always a pleasant memory to see it on my page.

Things come and go all the time. That's the way life is - the sun rises and the sun sets and as it says in Ecclesiastes, "everything is meaningless under the sun." Everything - school, dinner time, Sunday football games, the World Series, a lightning bug. Everything is meaningless under the sun.

Then why do we care so much about things. Are you putting our efforts into things that don't matter? Probably yes, but maybe not so much. It's all about your opinion in what you believe.

I believe that God created us to honor Him - to give Him the glory for everything we do - so if that's at school or sitting around the dinner table, or even watching the sports on TV - whatever we are doing during those times, it should be for His honor and glory.

God also created us to love Him with all our hearts, mind and soul - and to love our neighbor as ourselves. That's not such an easy task, but it's doable. These are His two most important commandments in the Bible. If we are doing only these two things, think of how much better our world would be.

Just love others. Show love to others. Share love with others. Be in love with others. This is the best four letter word I know - LOVE!

Reading from I Corinthians 13:1-13 (Jesus Centered Bible) Heading: Love is the Greatest

'If I could speak all the languages of earth and and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand it's own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about in justice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through ever circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. but when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love.'