Accidental travelors find adventure at every turn

Struggled for days with a wireles connection which was less than desirable, and was definitely being prevented from checking e-mail and doingcthe normal internet travel. Realized that this trip was not about the ordinary or things as usual. In order to fully embrace this time, I needed to disconnect from daily routine to connect to a time of refreshing. Calgon was not going to take me away, but a cute little Ford Focus could. With my friend at my side, and "Glory Galivant," my trusted GPS plugged in, the girl's weekend began. Country Music Hall of Fame was on the list of "must sees," and the quest began. Parking closeby acomplished, the next thing in the hierarcy of needs was food. Lunch at the Hilton would not disappoint. Prior to this lunch was a stroll thru a beautiful rose garden. BBQ, Turkey Reuben and tanks were full and engines reving.
Hall of Fame admission secured, at a discounted price, off we went. The added perk of BOGO ticket for a live music club in hand for later gave us a sense that we definitely had an edge.
Starting at the top floor, we began to experience all the best of the bests in this Genre. Music was always the biggest thing we shared in common from our growing up days so this attraction we both were fully poised to enjoy. My personal favorite was the mirror that gave my body the appearance of being a fashion model. Pretty sure I was not the only one delighted with the image. Reflection-It is easy to live our lives inside out. Focus on image and externals can cause us to miss the greater things with eternal value. Man looks on the outside, but God looks on the heart. Lord, help me to see the heart and not be swayed by what I see and draw wrong conclusions.
A check was made on the newly fashionedmental "bucket list" for this city for Hall of Fame, then another stroll thru the rose garden on the way to the next attraction was in order. Stopping to sit on the bench for a meeting of minds until a consensis was reached, we agreed live music and cashing in the coupon for BOGO could delight us both. A reference to Robert Frost's, "The Road Less Traveled," came up, for both of us were passionate travelors with a zest for living that few embrace. Childlike delight might desribe our modus operendi. Incidentily, when we did stop earlier, we did not smell the roses, but did take them in and fully enjoy their beauty. The Barbara Mandrell Rose was one I remember.
The clubs on Broadway were packed and live music wafting onto the street from each, almost in competition. After entering into a sardine packed place where a great sound was heard, we made our way to the upstairs. The coupon did disappoint and we had been duped. Probably most ever other tourist in there had. The BOGO was only for two of the same beerages although there was no dislaimer.Seemed only right to get a pen out, and add our own dislaimer. Now that wrong was righted! Time to leave....Recognizing we'd been had, we arose to make our way back to the car.
The funny thing about visiting a unfamiliar city is that you may want to see many attractions, yetnot knowing where you are going, you fall prey to poor diretions, many wrong turns, red lights that do not change,not to mention, detours. All that in mind, one's direction can be changed in an instant. This is where the good stuff comes in.
Waiting in line on a Friday night for anywhere can be exasperating or not. A place was spotted, then a decision was made to try it. The place was not only great, the Chicken Balsamic salad was so loaded wtih chicken I never managed to make a dent in it. I would not be exaggerating too much to say it had 2 or more cups of fresh sliced strips of succulant chicken on it. What verified this was the right place to eat, their Creme Brulee was one of a kind.
Each day has tremendous possibilities for joy and adventure. As I start it with surrendering my will to God, and then following that still small voice, He leadeth me. Following after peace and staying sensitive to His timing irons out the wrinkles on the path, keeps me safe and interjects many of the deires of my heart. As I keep my eyes open and focused on Him and a greater plan, He sends me where there are those who are needing inspiration, enouragement or just a reminder to live life fully, and appreciate the simple things all around. My friend and I did not sprinkle fairy dust on others but did find that our presence changed the atmosphere of most of the places we entered. Because we choose to invest in people, loving them and speaking life to them, there is a lifting.
Even extra blessings come to us. Our hotel room, which was already a great rate was altered by the manager due to asking and the favor of God. Like the Iranian bread market I stumbled into named Baraka, we expereince blessing. We are blesed, barak, to be a blessing, baraka. Incidentily, the Baklava there was one of the best I ever tasted. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
May your day be deorated with delight today as you put your trust in Him. He is our Waymaker and He goes before us, and if we ask, He will make the crooked places straight. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path...Prov 3:5,6

to higher ground then fasten seatbelt

Re-unions are terrific times. When expectaions and anticipations collide and reality takes over with more than either could have fully grasped or hoed for. When plans evolve and manifest, they come in for a landing and the transition is not even noticible. All time of separation is earased and re-knowing is in full throttle. These are the times of heart to heart honesty, freedom and understanding. Amazing how much we are really all alike. We struggle with looking good, being perceived as capable, caring and of good character. Anxiety can easily be generated when we focus on how we are doing, instead of just being ourselves. Who else can we be? The joy and peace comes when we accept who that self really is and just ve who He made us to be. That is the discovery. Knowing Him and who we are in His light. Taking every lie and hard thing we have heard and experience and letting a recalibration come through embracing truth and grace which we have an unlimited supply of. When relying on ourselves there will always be lack, but when depending on The Shepherd we shall not want.
Discerning what the assignment is at any point is so valuable as we can stay focused and move into something so much greater and significant. Isn't this all any of us wants is to feel significant? Searching and finding-seeking with all our being and knowing why we were made. We are "made for more," as the author of Made to Crave says. But what do we crave? Seeking the things that are lasting and profitable is my pursuit. Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Time to take off for the day....more with the next landing...enjoy the journey travelor!

Up, up and away!

The time in the airport flewif you pardon the pun. Seems like days ago now. The lady I have been acquainted with in security is shrinking more beautiful each time I fly. She motioned me to a line and then found I was given priority and put in disability line, body scanned and assisted with all my belongings by a gentle man named Eustice, from St.Kitts. I mentioned to him that ladies from there would be in Houston in Sept/Oct for the international aglow conference. He is officially invited to guest night on Friday night. He was a christian and a real servant. My seat mate, I in #A and Rich in 3C fellow shipped and it was a close encounter of the God kind. The deplaning without event. The Tootsies Orchid lounge was serving tasty food and had some wonderful guitar music live with the Nashville flavor so deciding to lunch there while my bags were gathered and stored was a great decision. The food server, Deebra was such a delight and as I told her my observations about her cheerful demeanor and graceful service she said I made her day. Appreciating people costs us nothing and pays such a huge dividend. I say what I see and it is a real joy maker!
The rental car is a Ford focus (there is a word) don't we all need that. It is plenty big and so I am riding in style. Got easily to the Homestead suites and the lady at the front desk called her supervisor-room change, and Kate was on my team. She gave me a better price and we had some fun exchanging info about New Jersey, as we are both Yankees. The thing is, the Lord is loving these people thru His grace being poured out thru my mouth. Bringing life is a wonderful work.
Need to go procure some things for the room-water first and foremost. TTYL

Be prepared for anything

Packing nearly finalized, then, boom-lights totally went out. Amazing how much light one candle gives off. For the next 1 1/2 hours my husband and I were outside on the back porch in the cool evening. He had gone to be, yet there would be no turning in until 1100pm. The lights came back on after busy crews worked to find the problem. The time was quite significant to me, as it was the same time, 12 hours before my flight leaves today-10:35! As I sat and did nothing, waiting for the lights, heard the familiar scriture, When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Comfort. I knew we would have lights retored, just did not know when. Continued to thank Him for His goodness and all the blessings in our lives.
This day lab reports showed a significant reduction in elevated levels for my husband. With prayer and taking a pure herb for leukemia, the Lord had definitely been working, and in only a couple months of his taking this strange bark derived liquid. He gave us all the plants....the leaves are for the healing of the nations.....So it is His flight plan, departure and arrival all within His control. I need to do my part, submit to Him, resist the devil and he flees every time. Trusting and obeying...This is the way to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets me. Guarding my heart with all diligence for out of it comes ALL the issues of life. Guarding against apathy, resentment, bitterness, jealously, pride, arrogance and so many other invaders that are tools of the one who came to steal, kill and destroy. He has given us authority to trample over sanakes and scorpions and over ALL the power of the enemy and nothing by any means will harm us...So we go forth in His name, declaring that Jesus reigns! Another adventure to embark on with the Son as this new day unfolds. He goes before us and will provide everything, and make the crooked places straight. I am going to keep myself aware of My Traveling Companion, and know I am not on this journey alone. He is my Shepherd and I shall not want! Shalom! Need to close this note as He is calling me to the "next thing." Thank you Holy Spirit for your gentle leading... I am on God's time. Peace sublime-our hearts entwined, the water's fine-Come on in!

In an instant, everything has changed!

The phone rang and everything has changed! When we lay things at His feet, even disappointment, surprisingly, occasionally the thing can live, for it was His will all the time, just received opposition thru others so it all had to be given up. The condemnation, judgement and missed motives all goes and the Lord works on the heart of the one who was being used to pilfer-the thief of course behind all of it.
Here is the new travel plan. It is the old one, resurrected. I now am driving myself to the airport and parking for free as planned. Seems obvious that a grace or favor designed and released will not then be yanked back. Often people give with strings attached. God never does. He gives and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Help me Lord be0ne of those.....I rejoice in His deliverance.

Not my will but yours be done

So all systems were go for the trip. Had made the call to see if the parking at the airport was free as I had been told. This trip promised to be smooth as I would take myself, park my car and pay no parking. sounded great. Last night it all got shifted...yet and all, the reason is that if my husband car fails, he will have a back-up. this is where he is right now, expecting the worse, and I on the other hand, am expecting the best. The immediate feeling was disappointment. Then the brain kicked in with how am I going to manage as luggage cannot be checked in more than 4 hours before. So, I go in and sit and read for a bit....big deal. Waiting and watching is not new to me, and time at the airport God always uses. Much like yesterday's haircut, and then divine appt next door with Jo who WAS WAITING on God for an answer, and apparently He was going to use me to provide it. Funny how what I had just spoken two hours before to Rhonda, that people are waiting everyday for the words we will speak and we must be prepared. That morning I had awoken praying in the spirit and it was strong and long. Preparation! Bottom, this hungry women was not going to let God go until He blessed her and the vessel was me-no holds barred. She received fully, the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I was trying to arrange for her to come to Aglow meeting, and then realized, I can minister this to her and she received and then He poured out to her just what would disciple her. I did not schedule a haircut but plan to call Martha again when I need one, thus being more available to the Lord, when He must needs me to go to Samaria (Pearland). 2 nights now I have tried to resist the temptation to numb and it is well. Am thinking more clearly and seeing the enemy's devices. So often he uses our loved ones to buffet us. What he means for evil God uses for our good! Glory to God. I am expectant! Will once again be dropped off and picked up at the airport-could be a blessing and am believing such....It's a new day and a new season. Behold, all things are made new....for I am in Christ...old things are passed away.

Stop, breathe..its going to be alright. He is with me. I shall not want.

So here is the thing. My husband is going to retire, for the second time, on May 31st. All sorts of thought come to mind. My freedom seems to be threatened. And yet, the truth be known, Him whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. The power over us is not given to nay man. Yet, if married, we are subject to our husbands. Even if they are not believing in or following the Lord.
Amazing things happen when we submit ourselves to Him who judges justly. The Lord can turn the heart of the king. Last night my Mom called and needed some money due to a mistake in using funds and not paying estimated taxes, She is 86, and she is doing the best she can do. Due to a previous happenstance when my husband gave a gift to my brother for his children, and it was not appropriated properly, and the offense that remains, a very strong "No" erupted from him during my conversation with my Mom. I felt terrible, yet was not going to go against what he had said. He wanted me to give her the money I got from the garage sale for Israel. I knew this was not right as a strong word about the Israel fund was only for Israel, I could not release it, although my soul was being pulled in that direction.
After much reasoning out loud, and justifying and questions...he decided to give her $200.00 after making stipulations. Funny how we are, after being burned, we are not willing to give people anything. We are skeptical, self-protecting and also close our hearts. Here was a need, a widow and the ability to help, yet past occurrences within the same family made it difficult to believe and trust and therefore, this "Jericho" was shut up! I was praying and letting it go as it was not within my realm to grant this request. I believe his healing may even be contingent on this action. He needs to choose life, as we all do. Lord help us live in the light and hear you calling so we will respond with the Father's heart.
Enough already! Need to go walk.....May He give you the right stuff today as you follow Him.