Miscellany Monday

It's time for Miscellany Monday again. If you want to join in and add your random thoughts just link your post by clicking on the button below.


1. First thing this morning I checked the devotion for today by Dr. Stanley. I hope you will check it out too, by clicking below. It is about giving The Lord..."Lordship" of our lives. We were eager to accept Him as "Savior"...but why is it we fail to to give Him Lordship? Too often we don't let Him have control. The Creator of all the beauty of this world deserves our devotion and love...and we need to give Him Lordship of our lives.




Click here: Today's Devotion by Charles Stanley



2. Saturday my husband and I drove "Flat Stanley" all around our town taking pictures of interest, with "Flat Stanley" also in the picture. It is for a school boy in another town who is studying about different communities. You feel kind of foolish holding up a little flat boy cutout in front of everything while traffic is going by wondering what in the world those old people are up to! (:>) Have you ever met "Flat Stanley"? A few years ago we took "Flat Adelynn" many different places with us. We went to Tennessee and took her to The Grand Ole Opry, to Memphis to Elvis' house, to the Biltmore Mansion...and many more places. We did such a good job for our granddaughter Adelynn's project that the same teacher asked us to do it for another child this year! (:>)





3. We are looking forward to the Valentine Banquet at church in a couple of weeks. It is formal or semi-formal , and the theme is "Cruise Ship Adventure". There will be Food, Fellowship, Friends, and Fun. They always come up with the best entertainment at those banquets. I will tell you all about it on here after it happens...and maybe even get some pictures.




4. Our granddaughter Abigail was in a Violin Trio yesterday at the Symphony. We didn't get to hear them play, but I am sure it was wonderful. She plays in the Youth Symphony, and we have gone several times to hear them. Here's a picture. She is the one with the dark hair.

The Greater Purpose of Blessings

Six Words Saturday: Be A Blessing To Someone Today!


Thought I'd link my post with SWS today. If you want to do the same, click on the button above.


Click Here: > Charles Stanley

This is something to think about....click on the link above and read the devotion titled: "The Greater Purpose of Blessings"...
It was really good, and I think we all should sing that little song...Make Me A Blessing...to someone today!

Miscellany Monday!

This is a fun little blog hop to join in on. Just list a few random thoughts and click on the button and link up with Carissa.

1. Why is it that whenever we can't find my husband's cell phone it always ends up somewhere weird...like in his shoe in the closet?

2. The other day I was going to get my haircut and I was running late. Hubby decides to set my purse by the door and get my keys out for me. He yells..."Honey your keys aren't in your purse!" I think that he just didn't look good enough...but then I can't find them either. I wonder if I left them in the ignition...so I look in my car. Nope...not there. then I run all over the house and don't find them. Then I glance on his dresser and see two sets and think.."there they are!"...grab them and leave for my appointment. Later we are going to go to the movies...we decide to take my car. Hubby goes to get his keys to my car and... Nope..they aren't on his dresser! So he starts looking everywhere for his keys to my car. (I suddenly realize that I have them...and mine are really the ones missing..but I don't tell him right away!) He doesn't know that I have them and so he searches everywhere...and finds my keys! YAY! The movie: The Kings Speech was good by-the-way. (:>) (Except for the scene with the cussing)

3. I love blogging. It lets me be a part of so many people's lives. It's fun to live vicariously through all of you since my life has slowed down so much since we retired! Ha! My kids started me blogging...maybe they thought it would keep me occupied and give them a break! (:>) Just kidding...my girls are wonderful!

4. Tomorrow night hubby and I get to go to a special preview of the new movie The Grace Card. I am excited to see it...and I hope enough people are interested in it so that it will come to the theaters here in Wichita. It is from Provident films...same as Fireproof and Facing the Giants. I love those kinds of movies...they are so challenging, and they teach Christian values. It comes out on February 25th I think...so be watching for it.

5. Christmas was a month ago and I am just putting away Christmas stuff. Yes...I am veeerrry slllooowww! I love Valentine's Day..cuz I am a hopeless romantic. It is a Happy Day...don't ya think? Bring on the hearts and flowers!!!!

God Bless You All!
Love Linda

Six Word Saturday~~~Poem

My Six Words Today: Life is Full of Changes...Poem
Join in the fun with Cate today...click on the button and add your link!




Life is Full of Changes

Life is full of changes…right from the very start
A baby grows so quickly…and each stage captures your heart

At first they are so helpless…depending entirely on you
To feed them and to change them…and to watch all that they do

They love all the attention…and we try hard not to spoil
But guidance and correction…shows them that our hearts are loyal

Loyal… because we vow to raise them up, and keep them well
Pray for them, and teach them… about heaven… also hell

Leading them to Jesus…is the best thing we can do
Helping them to see that He can make their life brand new

Then along comes some more changes… as they find their way in life
Then one day they meet the woman… who will soon become their wife

Or that handsome fella… that will take her hand in his
And pledge always to love her…and she becomes his Mrs.

Then there are more changes… as they find that baby in their arms
And they are suddenly smitten by her beauty… or his charms

And so the circle widens… as this family grows and grows
And we watch for all the changes…as we sing to life’s sweet prose

Yes… life is full of changes…and most of them are bittersweet
As the grandparents are aging, just as toddlers find their feet

Then the roles are in reversal as the parents need the care
And the tender, loving gestures are now their kids to share

There’s a beauty in those gestures…as they reach out to them in love
A reflection from the mirror of the Savior’s love above

So don’t dread those constant changes… that this life brings us each day
But embrace them and accept them…and ask God to lead the way

Written by Linda Hogeland
January 2011

Five Question Friday

Welcome to Five Question Friday! The easiest, most fun blog hop around!
Mama M is the sponsor for this blog hop...and she is kooky and fun...so I am sure you will like her!

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky to appear Friday morning!

Questions for Friday, January 21st: )

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?

2. What is your favorite room in your house?

3. Can you wiggle your ears?

4. What is your evening ritual?

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
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1. Where did you meet your spouse, and did you instantly know it was love?

Well I met my hubby on a blind date. There was a pool party/barbeque at my sister and brother-in-law's condo, and her neighbor invited them, and she asked my sister if she would also invite me to be a date for her cousin John. I went...we hit it off...we dated every weekend after that...and eventually we got married, a little over a year later.
No it wasn't love at first...I think I would call it "hope" that it might be love one day...because he was such a nice guy.

2. What is your favorite room in your house?

That is a hard question because I love our house, and I like most every room. But if I have to pick I will say the living room...which is wide open to the dining room and the kitchen! I love the faux stone fireplace, and built in shelves, and the arches, and the windows...I just LOVE it!

3. Can you wiggle your ears?

Ha! No way!

4. What is your evening ritual?

I go to bed earlier than my hubby, so after I am done watching tv and being on the computer in my front office/guest room, I get ready for bed, heat up my "wheat~ heat~ bed~ buddy" in the microwave to warm up my bed,(in the cold months), get in bed read a little, then turn off the light, and turn on the tv and fall asleep....usually while praying. If I have the noise of the tv I don't wake up when my husband finally comes to bed...otherwise he comes in and starts snoring and if I wake up I can't go back to sleep.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

I like 7 or 8 hours of sleep, and function ok if I get that...but not so good if I get less.

Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Yesterday afternoon John and I went to see The third Chronicles of Narnia movie: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I don't always claim to entirely understand what's going on in these exciting movies because I never read the books, but I always enjoy the tremendous productions. They have great music, and costumes, and animation. There is something to excite every age group...and both male and female audiences.

We saw it in 3-D, but I think it would have been just as good in 2-D. It is good clean family entertainment, and in our case it provided a fun date for my hubby and I. Since the Christian author C.S. Lewis wrote the books there is symbolic meanings in the characters and plots. We did pick up on much of it in this third installment, and liked how it taught lessons and warnings about desiring beauty, wealth and power...and how what we fear often comes upon us, so we mustn't give in to the desires of the flesh or the draw of evil.

I came away with a feeling that good had overcome evil. (:>) A very satisfying film! So while it is still in the theaters you should go and see it if you haven't done so already. It is good family entertainment!

Five Question Friday/ Join in the fun!

Welcome to Mama M's Five Question Friday! An easy, peasy way to start off your weekend...and a fun way to get to know random facts about your fellow bloggers!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky and link your post! Oh, and HAVE FUN!!

Questions for Friday, January 14th:

1. What movie could you watch over and over again and not get tired of?

2. What's your biggest pet peeve right now?

3. If you had to describe your best friend in five words or less, what would you say?

4. If you did not have to worry about money or go to school what would you do for a living?

5. What is your one "splurge" item, that you will always buy, no matter the cost?

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1. What movie could you watch over and over again and not get tired of?

Can't pick just one...I love romantic comedies and I don't ever get tired of watching happy endings! I wish I could have a special DVD just filled with happy endings from all of my favorite movies...that would be great! And comedies make me laugh and that is good for your soul! (:>)

2. What is your biggest pet peeve right now?

Oh life is full of little pet peeves...like when you sit down on the toilet and there is no tissue on the roll. Or when you get in line at the store and suddenly the cashier needs a price check and it takes forever! But I don't like it when water is standing in the dishes when I am unloading the dishwasher from the top rack...it's silly I know...but I always say that is my pet peeve. Cuz I have to dry them before I put them away. Sheesh!

3. If you had to describe your best friend in five words or less, what would you say?

Five words to describe my best friend...Sweet, Caring, Giving, Christian, Faithful! (My very best friend on earth is my husband...but these words also apply to my BFF girlfriend.

4. If you did not have to worry about money, or go to school, what would you do for a living?

Home decorator...I love decorating! I love Hobby Lobby, Kirklands, Furniture stores, and antique shops. I am always watching HGTV for ideas...decorating shows are my favorite! It would be fun to get paid for doing something ya love!

5. What is your one splurge item that you will always buy no matter the cost?

Media...I enjoy my DVD's and my CD's...and when I buy them I do always feel like I'm splurging. I could add books to that, but I get most of those from my wonderful Library. I love to slip my CD's in and go for a ride listening to music. And yes, I sing along when I am all alone. (:>) (I also splurge on jewelry to go with every outfit...I'm a jewelry junkie!)

Six Word Saturday

Walking Makes Me Feel Better...Yay!


Read this post.

Walk at Home

Walk at Home

with Leslie Sansone

A few years ago I lost 60 pounds by walking with Leslie Sansone DVD's. It was easy and I loved it. I kept the weight off for awhile and it felt so good. Unfortunately I had an episode with a slipped disk and a pinched nerve that made me stop...plus I hurt my foot, so I became sedentary again and put my weight back on.
Because I have other health issues, I have not felt well for quite awhile. And since I put my weight back on that is adding to my problems.

This morning I got up at 6AM and decided I would try to start the one mile walk routine again. I wasn't sure if my foot would hurt, or if my neck would tense up...but I am desperate to feel better, so I thought it was worth a try. And...I DID IT!!!! I am hoping I can work up to the 2 and 3 mile eventually...but for now I am just hoping and praying that I can continue to do the 1 mile and get myself going again. Please pray for me.

Here's a little information about Leslie:

Leslie Sansone is a nationally recognized fitness expert, and creator of the Walk at Home program. Her philosophy is simple. She believes that our bodies were made to move and we can walk our way to health and wellness.
FITNESS WALKING has proven to be the most beneficial of all healthy lifestyle choices in reducing disease and improving the quality of life!
For 25 years, she’s taught people of all ages how to get fit, stay fit and feel better about life. She has 70 million walk fans, and counting. What started as a few classes in her fitness center has grown into the no. 1 walking program in the world.
Leslie’s energy is contagious. Her enthusiasm for walking, and life, is unmatched. She’s a walk guru on a mission: to promote healthy lifestyles, to ward off illness associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and to improve public health one stride at a time.
Leslie’s life’s work also includes being a mother of three. So when she’s not leading walk events, producing DVDs, making TV appearances, or supporting national health programs, she’s busy keeping up with family life!
Leslie is a contributing editor to many magazines and Web sites including Woman’s Day, Real Age, iVillage, AARP, Family Circle.

I Am Loved

For Wednesday's Walk today I decided to just post my poem I wrote yesterday! (:>)
If you would like to link up just click on the button and add your post.


I Am Loved

I am loved with a love everlasting…
That’s what the Bible tells me
Oh what a constant assurance…
This promise is my guarantee!

I am loved and forgiven each moment…
For the things that I too often do
Those things that bring Him dishonor…
Lack of faith, distrust, and pride too

He knew that I was a sinner
Yet He still chose to die for my sin
I am loved although I’m unworthy
Now and forever secure in Him

I could not earn His forgiveness
There was nothing that I could have done
God saw that I needed a Savior
And He gave me His much beloved Son

This sacrifice is so very humbling
How could He love me that much?
I deserved death and destruction
But He gave me His own gentle touch

I am loved more than I can yet fathom
Much more than I can understand
But by faith I accept His sweet pardon
Through the babe who grew to die as a man

Now I’m loved… and I’ve entered His family
Adopted, forgiven, and cleansed
Embraced, nurtured and cared for
With blessings that still have no end

Fruit is there for the taking
As He is the unending vine
And now as one of His branches
I am pruned by His Spirit divine

With pruning the fruit is much sweeter
Than if I tried to produce on my own
And the Spirit is there to guide me
So I don’t have to do things alone

I am loved and I am so thankful
My heart rejoices and sings
I am loved by the Master Creator
Such contentment and peace this love brings!

I am loved!

By Linda Hogeland...January...2011