Stuff, stuff and more stuff

Revival time is quickly approaching. I want to be ready to help someone--anyone that I can. It seems the more I try to pray to be ready, the more "stuff" gets put in front of me. I get these thoughts that my mind then starts feeding into and pretty soon I am in a terrible mood. I realize what is going on and work on that, then before I know it, here it comes again. What is it? Do I not have the strength to fight off the evil one? It has been a couple of revival's ago (or more) since I really was able to be "in it" all the way-- and that didn't last long because of those thoughts and at that time actions by others--> I went on a couple of terrible first responder calls which just tore my heart up. I let it get to me and before I knew it, it was all I could think about. I saw those scenes every time I closed my eyes. I am glad in a way that I don't do that anymore. I did love helping people when they truly needed the help though. I guess it just wasn't meant to be........

I won't forget the last revival before Rick got sick. He was able to get in it and stay in it. He was one happy man. He never told anyone but me but he was so glad for the ability to pray for someone and be there when they were saved. I will never forget the talks we had. 

The following passages seem appropriate for the topic. Have a wonderful day y'all. Remember me in your prayers. Remember those who need your prayers. God knows all! 

1 John 3:20-22 “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Do not allow lack of obedience to keep you from coming before God in praise. Don't avoid Him because of things in your life that shouldn't be there."

I love all y'all!
To be continued...............

Pet Peeves!

Well, today made me think about a few things that are real pet peeves I have! The drive in to work sometimes makes me want to see red. Shew!

Pet Peeve number one:
Pull out in front of a car and stop. This makes me want to run into the person who did it. At least go the speed limit as quickly as you can. My goodness, if there are four lanes and you want to drive 40 mph in at 55 zone, get in the right lane. If you want to make a left turn 5 miles on down the road (or even one mile) you have PLENTY of time to get back in the left lane. You don't need to hold ten cars back just so you can drive 45 in the left lane.

Pet Peeve number two:
Use your turn signals. They were made for a reason. That reason is to signal which way you are gonna go.

Pet Peeve number three:
I can't write this one. I don't want to get in trouble.

Pet Peeve number four:
If you are waiting to board an elevator, please wait for the passengers to exit BEFORE you try to board it :)

Pet Peeve number five:
I know I may make people mad at this one, I don't mean to, many, many people I love most on this earth smoke. I know smokers "rights" have been cut on til there aren't many left. But what you guys need to remember is many people don't smoke and some of us are allergic to the smoke. And just walking through where someone has just smoked makes me cough for a couple of hours. Smoking near entrances of major buildings, like Walmart, Kroger, other shopping areas really choke some of us up. I hate to go places anymore because I can't breathe for a while afterwards.....if I have to choose my breathing over your right to smoke, I am going to choose breathing. Sorry. I really don't want to make anyone mad. Just wanted to get it off my chest. I had to walk an extra half block to my car tonight to stay out of the path of smoke on a "no smoking" campus.

I did not list some of these pet peeves to make anyone mad. I just wanted to get them off my chest so to speak. Remember, if you don't like what I write you have the right not to read it. That is the joy of a blog. I get to write down what I want to about any topic I decide. And the feelings are mine. You are welcome to comment, just be nice.

I still love all y'all. Even those who smoke!
To be continued...............

Lots and lots and lots going on...........

Miss Livvy loves her Bubba!

This is my great Nephew, Thomas. He loves watermelon.

This is Perry. He looks like he really loves watermelon! I love my Bubba!

And Miss Tobi! She really loves watermelon. She is my girl. When I see her, she runs to me and says: "Gamma, I have to see you!" I can't believe how much she has grown! She is precious. They all 3 are.

Miss Livvy does NOT like watermelon. Looks like she wants to cry. She thinks she is as big as the other two. She will be one on May 6. She was born on Nurses Day! Maybe she will be a nurse when she grows up!

If I am not mistaken, it was four years ago today that we said our last goodbye to my father-in-law, Carlos. He had lung cancer, we found out how bad on March 2, 2008 and he passed away March 22, 2008. Little did we know less than 2 years later Rick and his sister Delta would join him and in another 2 years his sister Inez would join them as well. 

Yesterday Greg, Michaelle and Nate came for a visit. We went out to eat supper with Nick and Janna and Beverly and Roger joined us. It was fun. Then we went to the hospital to visit Aunt Bonita who is in the hospital. She is doing well and hopes to be home on Tuesday. I hope she is able to. She is precious. It was a good visit with them. Got to know a little more about them. We will have many more visits. The more we looked and Greg and Nick sitting together, they are quite a bit alike. I guess I actually have 3 more grandchildren.

The Easter season is quickly coming. Please keep in mind the true meaning and reason for this season. This season marks the death and resurrection of the One who died for us! Have fun, have the egg hunts, but remember the reason we celebrate!

Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (KJV)

I love all y'all!
To be continued...............

Life is precious!

Life is precious. It can slip away so very quickly. Please remember to tell those you love that you love them. Don't wait until it's too late. Raven Durbin lost her battle with Leukemia on Sunday. Raven was diagnosed around the same time Rick's brain tumor was found. Please remember her family in your prayers. I went to the funeral home today. It was sad to see her lying there in that casket. Her family is heartbroken by her loss. One consolation for them is they did not want her to suffer any more. She fought a long, difficult battle which ultimately she could not win. She did try though. She wanted to do what she could to help "the other kids" at St. Jude. She spent many weeks there over the past 2 or so years. They did all they could for her. So remember, life is short in the scheme of things. Keep your family close and make sure they know how you feel.

We are about to start revival services at Miller Hill. Y'all are welcome to attend. Gotta do a lot to get ready for the battle myself. I want to be a help to someone.

Psalms 25:4 – 5 “Shew me thy ways, O LORD, teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation, on thee do I wait all the day.” (KJV)

I love all y'all
To be continued............

difficult time

It has been a rough evening. I can't even tell you why because I am not sure myself. One thing I do know is I just want to scream at the top of my lungs. I know that wouldn't do any good to do that, but it is what I want to do. If I do it, I might scare Megan and Chris so I won't because it is almost midnight. Maybe it is because I didn't watch the CATS play tonight. I know, I should be ashamed I guess, but I just wasn't in the mood to watch. I did find a PBS special on featuring Celtic Woman in concert. I love their voices. Wonderful, angelic music. I hope they come to SKyPac sometime!  Maybe it is because of all the caffeine I have had today. Maybe it is because I don't exactly feel well, have had a few of those weak spells again. I had thought it was because of low blood sugar but today it happened while I was in Kroger and I had just had breakfast. Those spells really drain me. And I had not had all the coffee at that time.

It could also be because today I got a new coffee maker. I don't know if I needed it or not, but everyday I make a half to a whole pot of coffee and I am the only one who drinks it. So I got this pot that makes a cup at a time. It came with a little filter that I can use my own coffee and not the "K-Cups" that cost a zillion dollars. I can use regular old coffee. I will have to figure out the exact right amount though! The recommended amount makes it quite a bit stronger than I like. I did try it out today, I used 2 of the cups that came with it and one of my own, which I liked a lot better. I also made my own version of  sweet creamer. Didn't have to use any artificial sweetener with it. It was one 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, 7 oz half and half and 7oz 2% milk. It was wonderful. I got the idea off Pinterest, which also calls for vanilla, but I don't care for flavored coffee.




The CATS won tonight so they are sweet 16 bound. I think their next game is in Atlanta. They will play Indiana. Indiana was the first (and one of only two teams) to beat the CATS this year. It will be an interesting rematch on neutral ground no less. We will have to wait and see. My manager is from Indiana so she has been for any team UK plays. The next game will tell. I do believe U of L won tonight as well. That makes at least 2 KY teams left in competition.





I am cooking my ribs tonight, I hope they are almost done. I will put them in the oven in the morning to finish their cooking with BBQ sauce. I hope they are good, I usually make pretty decent ribs. I have a loaf of bread ready to be finished by 4am, then I will put on the second loaf. Plan to make a pie, but unsure if  I will do that. Potatoes are cooked and cooling for the potato salad. I enjoy our dinners after Sunday service. I guess this is all for tonight. Writing helps.

Psalm 51:10-13 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."

I love all y'all.
To be continued..............

Just more stuff.....

 Now I might have figured out how to type beside my pictures again. This is a picture of Rick and Carlos taken at Nick's sixteenth birthday party which would have been 2006-- in less than 2 years we would loose Carlos to lung cancer. In less than 4 years, we would loose Rick to brain cancer. Look at how much they favor. If you are reading this, Greg, look at what you may have to look forward to.......Nick too......

I worked the past 2 days, off Thursday and work again on Friday. Looking forward to seeing Greg and Michaelle again soon too. They are visiting over the weekend of the 23rd. It has been so warm. I can say with certainty that if Rick was here and if the ground was dry enough, we would have half the garden planted now. 

Our puppy, Bruno, is growing by leaps and bounds and he thinks he has to go everywhere Nick goes. He thinks if the vehicle door is open that it is his job to go too. I got home from work tonight and he jumped right in the car before I could get out! Had to coax him out, he wanted to go bye-bye!

Not a lot to say tonight, I think this is all. I know it is short, but I'm tired. I hope everyone has a great night. And remember, the Easter season is getting closer and I would like to remind everyone (myself included) to remember the reason for this season. And remember your friends and family in your prayers. 

I love all y'all.

To be continued.....................

John 10:27-29

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
 ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
 ²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

 

It's a win!

I am happy for WKU. What I would have loved to have seen would have been for the NCAA to place UK in one region, UL in another, WKU is still another and Murray State in yet another. That way, there COULD have been a slight chance for all 4 KY schools to be in the final four. But, alas they don't see it like I do. Now, UK plays WKU on Thursday sometime or other. I graduated from WKU in 1981, but I bleed blue, not red when UK is playing! If WKU was playing anyone else, I would be cheering for the Toppers. I have been asked if I bled blue so much, why didn't I go to UK. Well, that answer is WKU is here, UK is Lexington and this is home. I get homesick when I get too far away. Even overnight at my mom's. One thing, the excitement on facebook over WKU's win is amazing. Almost as many posts as when UK wins! Rick and his dad were big UK fans............

I think this is all for tonight, I am extra tired, don't know how soon I will be trying to sleep, but I think I have a few "Words" games to send words for and I know I have a few drawings to guess and send out, that will take about 20 minutes.....

Psalms 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the LORD, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (KJV)

I love the Psalms.
To be continued.....
I love all y'all!

Good and not so good.........and back to good....no tears!

I wish I could fix how the typing goes when I post with pictures. I used to be able to type beside the picture, now I can't and I haven't figured it out yet how to get back to being able to do that, so it will just have to be this way for now. I have the picture of the Easter Bunny on here because it is getting closer to Easter. As it does, I want to remember why we have Easter-- it isn't for the bunny or the candy either. Easter is a dual time in many ways. It is a time when the Greatest Man who ever lived was violently killed. But that death was part of a plan. That plan makes it also a joyous time because of His death, He rose again and provides salvation for us if we want it.

And this picture is just to remind us that spring is only 10 days or so away........it feels like it is already here. Just remember, a few years ago we had days like this and then ice storms and the power was out for days.......

And this little lady is Miss Livvy. She was here today showing off. She "talks" all the time. Dada is about all you can understand for the most part. She is 10 months old now. Can't believe it! She is pulling up and has turned loose a couple of times. I think she might be the earliest walker of all the grandbabies. We will see. And compare the pictures below. Who do you think that is? I will tell you at the end of the blog. Looks a lot like Livvy to me.....but it isn't. And no, it isn't me either.

Now, the picture below is my niece. She lives in Ohio. Today my cell rang. It was Britty. She and a friend of hers had made a trip here from Ohio. It was unexpected and very good to see her. She has grown up. She is engaged to be married. Right now the plan is to wait until she is finished with school. We will see. She is planning to be a nurse. I wonder why. (Her mom is a nurse too).

Brittany Leigh James

Now for the not-so-good. I don't know who the thief is around here, but if we catch that person whoever it is, it will not be good. I don't know if the thief knows it or not, but their latest escapade can be considered grand theft since the combination of what was taken was over $1000.00. Now missing is both Rick's tillers which I hope whoever has those their hands burn off, my pressure washer, some car equipment.......One day when you enter my garage mr. thief, you will meet someone you didn't want to meet. You had better stop taking what I have worked for and get yourself a job. Either you are too lazy to work or too much into drugs to work but whatever the reason, you had better stop bothering me. Just because my husband died doesn't give you the reason to take what you didn't work for. I worked for that along with Rick and Nick. God knows who you are. You will have to answer for your crimes (and stealing is certainly a crime) just as we all will one of these days. You may get away with it here, but there is coming a day when you won't get away with it any longer. Stay off my property. Stay out of my garage and my home. I would almost bet I know you.......or who you are anyway. You never know when I may invest in a deer camera to catch you. And you won't even know you are caught until the police come knocking at your door. And the camera(s) will be well hidden. You won't even know it is there. How do you think they catch where deer are? Deer never know their photo has been taken. Beware! Know that if you needed and asked, I would give you what I have if I could. But steal from my family and me and I will do whatever I can to find you, I love you but I think you need to be punished for what you have done.

Mark 16

¹And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

²And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

³And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

⁴And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

⁵And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

⁶And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

⁷But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

⁸And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

⁹Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

¹⁰And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

¹¹And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

¹²After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

¹³And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

¹⁴Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I love all y'all (even the thief)
To be continued......................
the black and white photo is my dad.....

Week off

I took this week off because I really didn't know how I would handle the day/week. It has been OK. Tuesday was difficult, and yesterday there were tears, but all in all, I think I have done fairly well.
One day at a time is about all any of can do anyway. We have no promise of tomorrow so we should make today be the best it can be.

I got a few things accomplished, wondering how this week has gone by so fast. It is almost over, I go back to work on Sunday. Rick would have wanted me to be at work. He told me not to grieve. We used to tease each other about how we would party all the time if the other died. Then the tumor. We didn't tease after that. It was all in fun before but when you are faced with that reality, it changes things. There were times when we'd be mad at each other and say stupid things. Then when you are faced with the loss, you think about something you said that the other person might or might not have heard. Just make sure the last things your loved ones hear from you is that you love them. No regrets. Ever. Even if you are fighting and mad don't forget to say "I love you".

Sorry, I just thought about that.

I think this is all for today. Please remember each other in prayer.

I love all y'all
To be continued............

Psalm 51

¹Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

²Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

³For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

⁴Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

⁵Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

⁶Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

⁷Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

⁹Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

¹²Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

I love the Psalms: the songs of King David.......................if I am not mistaken, this was the prayer he prayed after having his mistresses husband killed in battle and/or when the child they had together died ?at birth.

So, when I saw the Gimlet today I found on page 10 the poem below. My mom had taken it to the news office and had them run it in memory of Rick. Sweet poem. It will be the remainder of the blog post, I love all y'all

To be continued......

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things too I will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me, I’m with God now, I’ve been set free.

It says it all.............Rick would be smiling at the words.

Just a couple of hours now

In just a couple of hours it will be 2 years since Rick left us. He left in a room full of love for him. He left with a hallway full of love. Friends, family, co-workers......everyone who ever met him loved him. I am grateful for all the love and support we have received since the tumor was found through now. I posted today about things and the love and support is still coming. Thank you all for your prayers as well. I could not hold up without them. I wanted to post Rick's song from you tube to this post but there is not a connection anymore, so I posted it on Facebook. If you read this and don't have me on your Facebook and want to hear the song, you tube Bird Youmans Winner Either Way and you will hear the song that became Rick's testimony.

This is a short post tonight. I spent time at his grave today. The flowers are holding up well. The last 2 headstone pieces I have placed there did not stay. I hope these do.

Psalms 72:19 “And blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory, Amen, and Amen."

I love the Psalms! Rick loved the Psalms. He had just finished the Psalms when the tumor was diagnosed.

I love all y'all

To be continued................

Tomorrow

I miss this man more than you can imagine. Today Nick and I got out and went to the Ag office for some training so we can use spray on our garden if we need to. We learned a lot! It was a good class. I also learned just to use the common bug-be-gone etc from Lowes and other places you are supposed to have that license. We have ours. Rick loved to garden and we may get back into the farmers market a little with corn, tomatoes, potatoes and maybe a few other things. We will see how it goes.

I also went to his grave today and placed a beautiful yellow headstone piece on his stone. We will see if it stays. My phone died so I have no picture today, but tomorrow I will go back and check on him. Tomorrow is the second anniversary of his death. The picture above was taken after the surgery to debulk the tumor but before radiation started. He was happy and he was able to talk and get around pretty well. I thought we had a chance. God had other plans. He will reveal those plans to us when He is ready. For now, I have to be content in the knowledge that he is at rest and one day we will be together again. Two years ago yesterday he had the best day he had since the tumor was found. We had hopes of getting off the vent. He wanted to go home. The he had the set back and little did we know that he would only have one more day. I think about everything that happened in that short time. I wonder if there was anything to do differently. I know that there was not. But I still wonder. I am reminded of the following scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11

King James Version (KJV)

¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

I love all y'all

To be continued....................

Just stuff

Gamma's big girl modeling her new coat. She is precious.

A friend posted this on facebook a few days ago. It came right on time. I needed to read it. It has been a difficult few days. This evening has been worse. Seems I can't stop the tears even though we had a wonderful service tonight at church. We had the church come together and one soul made it in. We had two join tonight. I expect 2 or 3 more to join soon I think. I have been expecting it for quite some time. May just be me, but I do expect it.

This is my new bag doll I purchased from Cripple Creek Primitives. They do great work!

I have taken this week off for good reason. I am still feeling quite anxious. I know it has to do with the time of year that it is and I am OK, I just don't know when this will get easier. I thought it was getting a little easier but it's not. It will when it is time I guess. Life does go on and I need to get on with mine. He told me that before the surgery. I promised him I would but that promise is so hard to keep. I don't know how to explain it.

I thank God for good friends. I have some of the best. You know who you are. Don't know what I would do without you.

This is the scripture I read this morning. It seems very appropriate for the day.

Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (KJV)

Remember, pray, pray, pray. Pray until you pray.

I love all y'all
To be continued...............

3 Days

It is only 3 days from the second anniversary of his leaving. I miss him terribly still. I guess I always will. This morning in the wee hours I woke up for no reason. I thought I smelled his aftershave. It was so clear. Sometimes I still hear his shuffle through the dining room from the living room into the kitchen. No one walked like Rick. The picture above was taken October 14, 2009, not 2008. It was on Tobi's first birthday. See the bucket of ice cream? We also had cupcakes. That is what Valarie wanted to make for Tobi's first birthday. I guess I had not set the date correctly on the camera. I miss that camera. It was broken just after this. In one week and a day Perry Dale, Jr would be born. The camera was broken then. Had to use a disposable for his new pictures. Also, you would not believe to look at him in this picture that in 5 and 1/2 weeks the tumor would be diagnosed and in 20 1/2 weeks from this picture he would be gone.

Yesterday was a difficult day at work. It was busy, but also it was stressful because of the impending weather and also I felt a great deal of anxiety. I felt on the verge of tears most of the day. Time of year I guess. It was my last day to work until March 11. That will be good. I have worked everyday but one this week, and that day was spent out all day 2 steps ahead of the storm. Nick and I felt blessed we weren't in the middle of that on Wednesday. Everywhere we had to go a storm was either 5 minutes behind us or had just passed through. My flag was a casualty of Wednesdays storm though. The pole was snapped by the wind at the base. Boo. That is 2 flagpoles snapped by the wind for me. Will it be 3? I don't know if I will buy a third or not.

The above picture was taken by my brother, Bruce's, cell phone. It appears to be a funnel cloud that was passing through the Brownsville area. Shew, I am so glad it did not touch down! Mom said there were actually 2 funnel clouds just minutes apart. I really would have been scared to death! I was inside at work and could only really see whatever the TV was showing. Glad I couldn't. I would have been pacing and watching. I did have a casualty of the storm yesterday as well. I have a star on my front porch. The star is fine, but my siding where I had it hanging is not. It was twisted by the wind and I am not yet sure what I will do about it. May just have to have it fixed. Gotta look closer to see if it is broken or what. Boo.

Now I do have a couple more things I want to write about. The first is Ms. Coy, the woman who took the life of Jamie Stice in order to steal her unborn son. She was given life in prison for her crime. I just really think that is too lenient From all the reports, it seems to me like she planned this whole thing. I think that deserves the same punishment that she dealt out to Jamie. I think, and maybe I am silly for thinking it, but I still think that when we start dealing out the punishment to the criminal that they impose on their victim, we would have less crime. You take a life, you forfeit yours. Period. And there was no doubt she was guilty so no one can claim wrongly convicted. Some may say she is forfeiting her life. Let's look at that for a minute. Yes, she is behind bars for the remainder of her life, (no mention that I remember of the possibility of parole) but she has a roof over her head, a warm place to sleep, 3 meals a day, access to a shower, access to medical care (on us) clothes that are clean.......what does Jamie have? A casket and a hole in the ground with a piece of concrete standing over it with her name engraved in it. What does her son have? He does have his dad but not his mom. And he will NEVER know her. That was taken from him.

I did not know Jamie, don't know for sure if I ever met her, I did see her when her uncle Kevin (who had been my brother-in-law) died. Kevin was Jamie's dads brother. I knew her grandpa Holland Stice very well. Holland's dad and Ma Bird (my mam maw James' mom) were first cousins. Mam maw and Holland kept in touch. Holland always came to the family reunions. Now, that doesn't make Jamie and I much kin, but we are the same place in the family line so to speak. She was blood of my blood and that is close enough for me to have a family loyalty to the person for sure. Some families don't count cousins that far down the line. We do. If you are family even a little bit, then you are family. Period.

I guess that is all. I would ask you to remember in your prayers everyone who comes to your heart, remember those who are sick and their families, remember your family, friends, neighbors.......remember me. Remember folks who you don't even know who are suffering. God knows who they are -- please ask Him. Remember those really affected by the storms this week. If we ask, He will provide. It may not be what we want but it will be what HE wants! I would ask you to remember Rick's friend Sam's family. Sam was the Amish man who owned a greenhouse and fruit/vegetable store who Rick got to know and became great friends with. Sam passed away recently with cancer. He left a wife and three young daughters.

2 Chronicles 15:4 "But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them." (KJV)

I love all y'all!
To be continued..........