Update

Some people blog to gain followers,

Some people blog to be read,

Some people blog for a platform,

I blog for the friendships, instead. -JW

OK OK - I blog to be popular!!!!

A short update.

I received my new computer. I'm having to do all the updates and all that goes with it - all over again. What was wrong with my new-old laptop? A diagnostic told that its memory was bad - that it was failing. Is this symbolic of me OR what?

Just so you know, I plan to start posting again Sunday, May 9.  In the meantime, I want to finish with the new laptop, wipe my old computer, and rework my JW blog.  

I will return. Don't forget me.

Offline

I will be offline for awhile. My new laptop is trying... a serious crash on me. It told me it was collecting data for crash dump. (I believe with all my heart that is a threat against my very soul.) It is running too hot, then freezes (not the cold kind), gives ups and whimpers (seriously you should hear the sound -Kr.e.e.p.y).  The fan started a couple of days ago- overdoing it. Ya know, I knew! I heard it. I ignored it.

Now, I still have my desktop computer, but I need to get the LT taken care of –so I'll be on the phone and probably shipping it back.  I will be checking in with you on your blogs, but will not be posting for at least a week. I am going to reload my desktop too. It keeps threatening me with a breakdown, except I thought it was my turn to break down.

I want to thank Mary at Play Off The Page for the Proliffic Blogger Award.  After you get done here (because I'm selfish that way) go visit her blog. She just wrote about going on a trip with her sons and 90 other 4th graders. Brave woman. She writes, writes about writing, plays the piano (JEALOUS -me), teaches (I think) the piano, and tells about her life.

Oh-oh, I am two posts away from my 200th post. So get readddddy. I will be giving away some trinkets, in the near future. This is what I know for sure that I will give away: A bird pillow that is made with my own two hands (something like the one in the photo), another journal, a little plaque with a quote about coffee (so cute) and a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card (sorry it can't be for 100 - but remember- I'm selfish).  More detail later. So stay tuned.

Soon, I will be back online. I hope. I pray. Being away from blogging is well...torment.

Really Hearing God-Really

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19: 11-13 (NIV)
 
JW thoughts: I am easily distracted. My attention is never in one place for long. It's a problem. Because of my short attention span, I need to be mindful of my attentiveness to God. Am I seeking an authentic relationship with him? Am I hearing him? The relationship between God and his children is one where we often need to be silent and hear his whispers. It is difficult to hear God in a noisy world. We may need to slow down and be silent...to hear him.

Inspired by Wednesday: Baggage

Have you ever looked back while walking forward? I have. I have run into people, doors and cars. Once, while shopping, I walked into a mannequin. I was looking where I had been instead of where I was going. I actually said “sorry” unaware it was not human.

We do that in life, too. We try to go forward while looking back at our past. We return to anger. We entertain- what ifs and guilt. We rehearse our mistakes. We can’t seem to leave the past in the past. Sometimes, we throw it in a bag and carry it with us.

But, looking back while moving forward will:

• Confuse your progress
• Weigh down your heart
• Cause you to stumble
• Encourage bitterness
• Tear down the building
• Launch the tears -again

 The best way to leave the past behind is to stop looking for it. If remembering your past does not benefit you in some way, it is time to let it go.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43: 18-19 (NIV)

So what if we’ve made bad decisions and mistakes. We learn. We are certainly not the sum of our mistakes. We are the sum of collective living -the good and bad.

"But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

Moving forward while looking back is not a natural thing and it can be hazardous. I don't know about you but I'm ready to stop carrying baggage that I don't need.

Monday Ramblings from JW

First Things First...

Dear Betty,

Thank you so much for my Super Scribbler Award. I will reserve my right to pass it on -on my Awards Night coming up. I know I keep saying that I will have an awards night, but I really mean it.

I want you to know that I enjoy your blog, Cut and Dry  very much and encourage others to venture over to read it and say hello.  I can't really remember what my life was before blogging, but if I hadn't started well... I wouldn't have met all the wonderful bloggers in my life-you included. Thanks again for the award. Talk to you soon-Teresa


Since the last time I rambled on a Monday...

1. My eldest grandson stayed the night and we had a great time. I'm not sure why or how children and grands can make a person turn to mush but -I am mush.

2. Gravel that had been sprinkled on the roads for the snow and ice met my windshield. I now have several chips and a cracked (about 8 inches) windshield. 

3. My brake light went out. Someone who followed me to work (not a stalker just another employee) told me that my brake light was out. Did I know this? How could I know this? Every time I stepped on the brake and then ran to the back of the car, both brake lights were out. Whaaat?

4. Spent the weekend with the Dr. Daughter. We went shopping in Branson, Saturday and church on Sunday. As we were nearing Branson around 2 pm, I got a dreaded feeling in my stomach (also hungry feeling since I had forgotten to eat lunch before I left home) that shopping in Branson on Easter weekend might be like Black Friday shopping... but it wasn't.

(I love lists.)

5. I spent 13 bucks on a very cute jacket pattern like I'm going to sew again?  Thirteen bucks I could have put toward my windshield or brake light expense or a better cause for humanity. I don't know why this bothers me -except I've sewn many garments through the years and have never spent that on a pattern. Big ole SIGH.

(I know this looks like Tuesday's Ten, but it's not. It's just true rambling...that happens to look like a list.)

6. I have played  more with my Windows 7 and think I really like it...except it's smarter than me and does things behind the scenes thinking that it knows best and maybe it does. I'm struggling to let go and let it drive, but I'm such a control freak. I've learned that OS's don't care about people's feelings or obsessive/compulsive behaviors.

7. I cleaned out two very messy closets and found 5 boxes of keepsakes. Whaaat? I thought I just had a keepsake drawer, but oh no, no- no. I have one box for my daughter, one for my son, and three for me. I broke the news to my daughter. Not yet to my son. I plan on delivering it to his door in the dark of night.

8. Finally, after realizing that the door I hung all by myself with great weeping and gnashing of teeth (between the family room and utility) is still hanging like a door...well... I painted it. So help me if it falls off the hinges now.... It needs one more coat of paint and I will be satisfied.

9. I am writing a post a week for The Ruralhood blog...that's been so much fun.  I am hoping it will still be there for future generations. I am going to make a blog book-just in case.

10. I've been visiting you all...as time permits and loving your posts.

11. Picked up my guitar again. I don't know why I lay it down. Playing music gives me peace and happiness. Just looking at the guitar makes my hair straighten in a hippie sort of way.

12. Last but not least - doing lots of writing- which makes me so hap hap happy.

Those are MY rambles.  Pick one if you dare and tell me your thoughts. 

It's in THE Holy Plan

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! Revelation 1:18 (NIV)

JW: There is a song with the lyric, When he was on the cross, I was on his mind. If that doesn’t blow your mind, then nothing will. God –to earth- in Jesus- to live then to die for you-because of love...because of love. Happy Easter to all.


Check out The Ruralhood for a perspective on Easter Sunday.