People Believe What They Want to Believe

So says our Uncle Jack!
I think he is right! People do believe what they want to.

That's why there are so many different religions in the world today. What do you think? Will mankind ever unitedly serve God to His glory? If mankind adopts our Heavenly Father's way of thinking, would worldwide unity be possible? How though can we know our Creator's intimate thoughts? One way is by observing the creation around us, even our own bodies, contemplating on how wonderfully made we are! Everything that man has invented has already existed some where in nature. We can learn about God's qualities by observing the book of creation. (Romans 1:20)

What about the laws that govern man? Does God give us guidelines on how to live the life he gave us? Yes, while we are endowed with free will, we are not left to ourselves to figure things out. As a loving Father who cares for his children God gave us written information. We learn about God's thoughts and feelings, yes, His viewpoint and what he requires of us. We can then, as loving children imitate the One who made the heavens and the earth! (Isaiah 48:17; Ps 25:8, 9)

He used some 40 human secretaries over a period of 16 centuries to record it, but God himself actively directed the writing by his holy spirit. The Bible truly is inspired by God. (2 Tim 3:16, 17)

"Everyone has his own interpretation of the Bible." Have you heard that statement before? It is obvious not all interpretations are right. We can show respect for God's word by not twisting the Scriptures to fit our own ideas. That course could result in lasting harm. (2 Peter 3:15, 16)

How then can we know we have the correct interpretation? Two things can help us to understand the Bible correctly. First, consider the context (surrounding verses) of any statement. Next, compare texts with other statements in the Bible that deal with the same subject. When we do that we are allowing God's word to guide our thinking, and the interpretation is not ours but His. This is what I endeavor to do when posting Bible thoughts. (Also, we ask in prayer to understand God's thoughts)

We can decide for ourselves what is good and what is bad. Or, we can submit to God's right to decide what is good for us and what is bad for us. After all no one knows what we need better than our Creator.

May we exercise our free will properly by applying God's word in our lives, making necessary adjustments when needed. Doing so with the desire to please our Heavenly Father, Jehovah.

SAN DIEGO! It's Always Fun!

I love picnics with different views. This is Seaport Village!
So nice to see my family and have a girl's day out!

Here we are in Little Italy right after eating our gelato.
Grandma's first time to ever taste it!

Brandy and her girls were such a joy to be with! See them in the back ground?
Always on the run!

Then

Bonnie, Karen, Becky, Nancy
Davey, Aunt Doreen

Now

I question not if Thrushes sing,

If roses load the air;

Beyond my heart I need not reach

When all is summer there.

-John Vance Cheney

I love summertime because it sometimes means seeing faraway loved ones.
to be continued...

Summertime!

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood " -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As a child, I remember summer as the best time! Why? I didn't have to be separated from those I loved. Mom, with baby Sandy in her front basket, Vallerie, and I would ride our bikes up the road. One day we were at a small park and we were very thirsty! Yay! the park had a well with a hand pump and we pulled that handle up and down until we were rewarded with a stream of water coming out! Just one day I will never forget.

(Those were slower times.) More on the subject of summer -to be continued...

We Had a Great Week-end!

We had a nice relaxing week end with Mom! But Sadly I forgot my camera and I am not the best writer in the world.

We arrived at 1:00am and Mom was still up! We visited probably till 2:00am and then hit the pillows.

Saturday was full with errands in the morning and Visitors in the afternoon! Jennifer and Dan provided the best fajitas! We had plenty of soda, bean dip, watermelon and good old-fashioned association with: Adam, Alisha, Sam, Jake, Noah, Sophie, Jen, Dan, Jack, Morgan, Taylor, that little Maddie, Robin,(sadly for us Cole was visiting his other grandma). EV, Val and Victoria! Thanks all of you for making time to visit with us.

Sunday, I rested up for the trip home and just enjoyed hanging out with Grandma!! Always one of my favorite things to do. Mom looks good! We had the best weekend!

Working hard At The Office!

These pictures show how I felt yesterday at work!

On Wednesday, I was busy, busy, busy, but I expected that being the 15th of the month.
But yesterday I worked worked worked!

I was super Ant! Lifting mountains of papers. Our accountant is going on vacation and wanted his reports early. The statements of course were not balancing! Had to call the bank! Time for payroll checks, time to pay quarterly taxes!!! Yikes!

This is like me, yesterday!
Besides work, my cabinets came in, I'm preparing a talk for theocratic ministry school, paying my bills and packing my bags.

When I finally came up for air...

I was so disappointed that it was still Thursday, It sure felt like Friday!

Looking forward to hitting the road tonight!

We have many Hummingbirds!

They fly about our heads, humming in our ears. Yesterday I counted about six to seven! Too Bad! I can't catch them with my camera! Either it is slow, or I am. We definitely are enjoying these gems, created by our loving Heavenly Father.

A tiny little hummingbird

Once took me by surprize

Whirring wings with color bright

He flew before my eyes.

Iridescent greens and reds

He took my breath away

He dipped right in the flowers

What a treat for me to-day!

He hovered over lilacs

And the roses he did seek

He sucked up the sweet nectar

With his slender long black beak

I watch in awe as off he flew

His wings were beating fast

A tiny lovely hummingbird

I've seen up close at last.

-Charlotte Anselmo

(For more hummers see previous post)

Hummingbirds make me HAPPY!!!!

And some Friends!!!

Girls like hummingbirds because they sparkle while flying into beautiful flowers.
Boys like hummingbirds because they humm and dart and whiz by your ears!
Both like the fact that hummingbirds can fly backwards.

Did you know that a hummingbird MUST eat almost constantly? This tiny bird can starve to death with out food in just two to three hours.

When hummingbirds sleep, they are like in suspended animation. Their heart rate goes down and they conserve all their energy. As soon as they wake up, they MUST eat immediately.

This is a sphinx moth, some call it a clear wing moth, or hummingbird moth. This insect darts around flowers and is sometimes looks like a tiny hummingbird.

Sphinx Moth sipping a dandelion!
I believe this photographer took this picture in Utah.

These nectar suckers are found in Tucson! So if your feeder seems to empty faster than it should, maybe bats are sucking your sweet syrup during the night.

Just Hanging Out---

And Playing Games!

MMMmmm! Aunt Pam' s peach cobbler is Gooooood!

Genesis chapter 15- Learning Patience

Have you ever been impatient for God's purposes to come to completeness. To help we may want to search out God's thinking on the matters.

When Abram was getting old and had not yet had a son, he spoke with his God about the matter. Jehovah, in turn, reassured him. The result? Abram "put faith in Jehovah." If we open our hearts to Jehovah in prayer, accept his reassurances from the Bible, and obey him, like Abram our faith will be strengthened. (Gen 15:5,6)

Jehovah enlightened Abram with knowledge that his offspring would be afflicted. Yes, blessings for Abrams offspring would come, but in time, not right away. In fact, the Bible states there would be a 400-year affliction of Abram's offspring. (Gen 15:13) After that, during the fourth generation they would return to the land promised to them and they would inherit the "land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates." -Genesis 15:18. Why would this take so long?

Jehovah withheld the execution of his judgment upon the Amorites, (or, Canaanites) for four generations. Why? Because he is a patient God. He waited until all hope of improvement was gone. (Gen 15:16) Like Jehovah, we need to be patient with our imperfect neighbors and even strangers, providing them with a good example and sharing with them God's viewpoint from his own word.

These are three main points that I enjoyed in this chapter 15 of Genesis.

1. Jehovah reassures his faithful servants when they need it.

2. Jehovah does not leave his loyal ones in the dark, but always let's them know what to expect.

3. Jehovah is patient, not quick to judge, but always looking for the positive efforts of those that apply what they learn about His purposes. Yet, Jehovah will act to safeguard his servants from those who defiantly refuse to apply God's standards in their own lives.

New Living Quarters...

Will the children still come to visit in our little space?
Yes!


While we are still moving things around and getting comfortable, this move has proved to be
A SUCCESS!
We had our first Bar B Q and surprisingly it proved to be comfortable for all!
We are still putting up pictures and other little details.
I expect our little kitchenette will be finished sometime in August.
In the meantime, we are cozy and happy.

Best Comfort Ever!

-John 11:11-44
Today, I miss our Daddy very much, sometimes I feel the pain of loss to be very strong, grief feels unbearable at times. How do we know that the resurrection will really happen? It is at times like this, it is important to pray, then read comforting words from the scriptures, reflecting on Bible examples, in this way I can feel the comfort from Our Heavenly Father.
(2 Corinthians 1:3, 4)


The Bible account of Jesus resurrecting his friend Lazarus was "...written for our instruction, that ... through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who supplies... comfort grant you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had." -Romans 15:4, 5.

This inspired account teaches us many things regarding the resurrection hope. It truly gives comfort when we consider Jesus' attitude. The Bible says, "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." (John 11:5) How did Jesus feel about losing his friend? This account tells us plainly that Jesus joined Lazarus' relatives and friends as they grieved over this loss. In fact, Jesus was deeply moved. Jesus actually "groaned in spirit and became troubled." Then the account continues, "Jesus gave way to tears." (John 11:33, 35) Did Jesus' grief mean he had no hope? No, in fact Jesus knew something wonderful was about to happen. Still, he felt the pain and sorrow that death brings. Realizing it is only natural that we weep, that this does not mean we are weak in faith gives me much comfort. Jesus always perfectly reflected the feelings of his Heavenly Father, Jehovah who is able to fight and overcome death! (Romans 12:15) How? Look what Jesus now does!

After being in the grave four days, Jesus had the stone moved away and cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come on out. The man who had been dead came out." -John 11:43, 44.

Imagine the joy of those who were there to see their friend standing with them again! They must have hugged and kissed him! How they must have rejoiced! Jesus did not claim to perform this miracle on his own. In his prayer, right before he called out to Lazarus, he made it clear that his Heavenly Father, Jehovah was the Source of the resurrection.

Yes, we know that the resurrection is a reality, not a myth. Jesus raised Lazarus in front of a crowd of eyewitnesses. Even the religious leaders, who hated Jesus, did not deny this miracle! (John 11:47)

Jesus taught that someday, "all those in the memorial tombs " will be resurrected. (John 5:28)
The resurrection of Lazarus is just one of nine miracles of this kind recorded in the scriptures.
In fact, some of these accounts gave Martha evidence on which to base her faith.

I Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37; 13:20, 21.

Luke 7:11-17; 8:40-56; John 11:11-44

Matthew 28:5-7; Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12

I especially appreciated and was encouraged by the fact that, all those resurrected are welcomed back by their loved ones. It is my hope based on God's promises that I too will be able to welcome back to paradise, not only our Daddy, but also, our Uncle David, Uncle Bruce, Aunt Dorthy, our Grandparents, Carrie and Joe, Ruby and Homer, and many, many others who we miss. Jesus said, "all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."
-John 5:28, 29.
The apostle Paul wrote: "There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."- Acts 24:15.

May these words be faith strengthening to My dear mother who has always set the best example she can and the rest of us mourning our loss, may we follow the example of Jesus in exercising fellow feeling for one another.

I Love You, Momma!