The real story behind the book The Shack by William Paul Young

After watching the TV documentary I now realize that there was and actually is a real story behind the book and movie, The Shack by William Paul Young. 

How it came to exist pulled at my heart in several ways. There is a powerful message about hiding and carrying with you your  own "shack" built by your experiences and relationships, forgiveness, OUR sins against those that we love, the facades that we build and hide behind, who we really are, expectations and lies that we hide behind, secrets and how they destroy us and interfere with God's plan for our life, and how we might lose everything by the world's standard to "reach" the bottom and that God carries, walks and leads us if and when allowed. 

Life is a journey and God's invitation is ever present. It was two hours well spent and thankfully with supportive Scripture. I included prayer before and then again after watching this exceptional documentary.  Bottom line is that God can use any one person and in or from any situation(s).

Be Thankful

BE THANKFUL that you don't already have everything you desire.....if you did, what would there be to look forward to?

BE THANKFUL when you don't know something....for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

BE THANKFUL for the difficult times....during those times you grow.

BE THANKFUL for your limitations...they give you opportunities for improvement.

BE THANKFUL for each new challenge...which will build your strength and character.

BE THANKFUL for your mistakes...they will teach you valuable lessons.

BE THANKFUL when you're tired and weary...because it means you've given your all

BE THANKFUL!!!!!! AUTHOR- unknown

2021 March 8th International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day. God made us unique in every way but Gods plan is one of unity not divisiveness, love and not hate, inclusion and not verbal castration of either gender.

Celebrate who you are and accept that we are a result of our experiences but not defined or held hostage by them. You are you!

I am thankful, so thankful, for the privileges afforded me and the freedoms as a woman tied to the women in history who took a stand at their own peril for our united freedoms as women.

I am a woman but do not want to forget or neglect the importance and value of being a lady as well. Special thanks to the many women who helped me and inspired me throughout my life who are indeed too many to list here.

National Milk Day

Today is National Milk Day. We started our day with homemade  buttermilk biscuits (thank you Aunt Dude and Grandma Buck), milk gravy (thank you Mom), scrambled eggs (with milk and vanilla per Paula Deen), sausage, and bacon.  Biscuits and gravy are a favorite of our grandson so extra smiles for us. Lol

Two years ago today we had started our day as a family and shared a meal together before Jason, Shaina, and Eric headed back home to the Metropolis of Springtown, Texas.. We had also just returned from our great family vacation time on a Disney Cruise on the ship Disney Wonder out of Galveston, Texas. HOWEVER, I continue reliving  our time through my pictures which have been thankfully saved on my Facebook albums.

Memories made and cherished. 

Boundaries

I was reading an article about establishing boundaries at an early age with our children and so many memories came to my mind.  This made me smile plus there is a lot of truth in it. I well remember my mom and both of my grandmothers telling people not to move their things from a coffee table, etc. and to teach their children to behave. They were somewhat firm in their thoughts, words, and deeds but 99% of the time I absolutely agreed with them. 

I have a sweet, amusing memory of my youngest son Eric Sample watching me while moving his little hand closer and closer to a little alabaster bird on my coffee table. I told him that I was counting to three to give him time to change his mind. I only made it to three one time but his challenging sweet little smile is clearly in my mind for every other time that he tried. Even at two and three he was testing boundaries. 

Memories are precious and priceless.  

Adult version of Jesus loves me

I saw this post on Facebook and just had to share it. Copied and Posted from a post that had been shared so many times that the original author's name was lost.:

Not many people will read this but that’s ok, just a few of us WILL! While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. 

After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. 

Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...

The only thing that would comfort was this verse....

"Jesus loves me this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

We are weak but He is strong.....

Yes, Jesus loves me....

The Bible tells me so."

The old pastor stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Here for you now is a Senior version of Jesus Loves Me":

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..

YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I'll go

On through life, let come what may,

He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song..

Telling me in words so clear,

"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,

Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

National Winter Skin Relief Day on 2021 January 8

Yesterday was National Winter Skin Relief Day.  In that case I must extend my thanks to Bath & Body Works for providing such wonderful and fragrant body lotions and creams.  My favorite is Rose.  

Floral scents are preferred even with perfumes hence my affection for Chanel No.5 which has Rose notes. Glad that I stocked up on perfume before retirement. For real!

One thought always triggers another thought from me which surprises no one who truly and really know me. I am smiling. 

Kenneth James McAdams from March 26, 1933 to January 2, 2020

 I read a few words recently that describes my brother in-love Kenneth McAdams perfectly: "Some people come into your lives and leave footprints in our heart and we're never ever the same."

He left this earth and his sickness one year ago. We may be one less in our earthly family but his legacy of love surrounds us and fills us. His commitment to his family is an example to all. His love of God filled his heart and spilled out through his laugh and interactions with everyone. He was also ready to talk and share his love for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The videos and pictures of him with Calen will bring an instant smile to you. His love, commitment, and care for his wife were something that you generally only read about but we were blessed to see his faithfulness and love for her.

He was also a great cook. He brought something homemade every New Year's Day and my favorite is still the Italian Meatloaf.

He welcomed my two sons and I as family long before the 'M" word was even a thought. As they matured and moved out on their own he always asked about them and did so by name and then laughed and said "Any grandkids yet?"

Kenneth was all this and more. I am assured that I will see him again but for now the early loss is still painful.

I love you  dear brother in-love and am praying to be the spouse and grandparent that you were.

2020 October 15 Jason Lee Sample is 46

Wow! What a memorable day it is for me since my son Jason Lee Sample is officially closer to 50 than 40. He is 46 today and I have so many memories flooding my mind right now. I am so thankful that God gifted him to me to be his mother. 

He called me on his way home and we talked about how similar and different it is for him in his appearance, his life in general, and from whom he learned things that help him now.  He is an adult and has been for some time now but it is so nice and heartwarming to talk to him about so many things.  I thought about how my 9 lb.11oz, blonde haired, blue eyed baby now towers over me in height and now with beautiful green eyes that appear to look right into my heart with each glance.  He is no longer my baby Love Bug but he is certainly not afraid to hug his mom for which I am eternally grateful.

He may be quiet but he loves deeply even if he does not have a demonstrative personality along those lines. Love is love and I know that he loves me.  Thanks again to God for allowing me to have Jason so actively in my life as my son, a husband to Shaina, and father to his son Eric each of which brings me joy, great joy.

Happy birthday dear son and I will love you forever plus a day.   

On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts

This is the cutest book. I do tend to switch books in a given month depending on my mood. Special thanks to Mary Berwick for suggesting On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts.

One could substitute any holiday or repeat get together to appreciate the effort it takes to cook, clean, shop, etc. to make the event perfect and consistent each year. This book created many laughs for me and reminded me of what is done each year to make things special.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FUN AND A BREAK FROM WHATEVER REQUIRED READING IS PART OF YOUR LIFE.