2 Corinthians 5:1-5 (MSG)

For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.

My profile & cover photo on Facebook have been up in memory of our beloved Aunt Trishie.  Two years ago today her cancer-ravaged body was replaced by her resurrection body in heaven.  I know that I will see her again and very much look forward to that reunion.

Seems like yesterday we were keeping vigil at the hospital during that last week.  Waiting on our miracle.  Waiting on any improvement.  The miracle was that we had that last week - she was dying and we had that entire week to tell her how much she was loved for simply being Aunt Trishie.  

Several things come to mind that made Aunt Trishie special: 1. She was one of my greatest encouragers - she went unmarried for many years and always encouraged me in my decision to wait to be married.   2. She had high expectations for us but never took us to task for not living up to those expectations.  3.  She loved us like she was our mother.  Upon arriving at the hospital the day after she was admitted, my cousin Michael said, "your children are here, now," referring to her sisters' children.  4.  She always had time for us when we called or stopped by to see her.  5.  I was her pet.  I can't help it, I was the only girl out of all the sisters' children and she petted and spoiled me all my life.  Most small children want to sleep in the bed with their parents, not me.  I slept in the bed with Aunt Trishie.  Until she got married, that is...but that's a whole other blog entry.  

Losing her broke my heart.  And it hurts every single day.  Seems like yesterday...  

Ah, Monday Morning...-

SOAPBOX warning.  Woke up this morning and of course the first thing I did after smacking the alarm was to check email, Facebook, and twitter on my blackberry...found this interesting tidbit on Facebook --> Feds considering adding poisonous rattlesnake to endangered species list - HUMAN EVENTS.  What's so interesting, you ask?  This:  I have lived in the Florida panhandle most of my life and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are par for the course around here.  This area is part of their natural habitat and yes, we as human beings have encroached on that natural habitat.  But, what this article doesn't tell us is that they aren't scarce around here - not by a long shot.  I have to question whether these people have ever actually come into this area to see for themselves...  It's nothing to see one crossing the highway in any part of the county or to hear that awful buzzing from their rattles somewhere out in the brush.  SO, when these enviro-nazis, as I like to affectionately call them, blather on and on about these snakes being persecuted, yes, persecuted! (their words), I have to wonder what's next on their hit parade...  Enough is enough.  Time to let these people know that they can't have any more of our liberties, and if it's between me and the snake, tough luck for the snake.  Time to get back to worshiping the CREATOR and not the created.

New Every Morning...

...because of the Lord's great love for us, His mercy nor His compassion ever fail...they are new every morning.  --Lamentations 3:22-23 

I am convinced that, somehow, in the scope of all things "God," He had Jeremiah script those words just for Mary Margaret.  In hopes that each time I read them, I would remember that, YES, He loves me; YES, He knows the desires of my heart; YES, He will answer all of those prayers I keep praying; YES, He wants great things for my life.  He will never fail me, He will never forsake me, He will never forget me.  And He will do all of these and more every single morning that I wake up and take the next breath.  His mercies...they are new every morning.    

Outside the Gift Box

When I was about 12 years old I started wrapping presents at Christmas for my mother, then for my beloved aunt, and soon thereafter for my grandmother... all on Christmas Eve.  Needless to say that began a tradition that, if not for the deaths of both grandmother and aunt, would be continued to this day, a mere 26 years later.  I love to wrap presents.  I love to use different wraps, embellishments, ribbons & bows; whatever makes the gift presentation unique.  Although, I have to say that one year my twin brother hijacked one of the gifts wrapped up for an uncle and drew a dorky duck on the outside of the gift...in pink magic marker.  Yes, he did.  So, now I've been doing a side job of wrapping presents for friends & family who want something nicer than a boring & generic gift bag - "Outside the Gift Box" is what I named this side business and, while it's been slow at times, I still enjoy looking at that finished package and thinking that a custom gift wrap job at a froo-froo boutique couldn't have done a better job.  So, for now, I'll keep on with my gift wrapping and doing it with a loving spirit. 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." ~Colossians 3:23