Dreams, do they mean anything at All?

I have been dreaming, what seems to be the same dream, just slightly different, over and over again. I am not one to make anything out of my dreams, nor have I even thought about it before.

For about a month now, I have had this dream, it seems to be slightly different each night, but it comes often. This dream started out with a man watching me, he is off in the distance, I never see his face. He is tall with dark hair, that is all I can pick out. I feel as if I am always looking over my shoulder, and when I do, I see him their. On Saturday evening, he got closer, I was running, trying very hard to get away from him. I woke up shacking and very afraid! After a few minutes, I finally calmed myself down and went back to sleep.

Saturday evenings, I only get a few hours of sleep before I am off to work. It had only been two hours into my sleep, when I started dreaming this dream. My alarm went off a hour later, I found my boy asleep in my bed. I told him his dad would be home from work soon that he need to get up and get in his own bed. My room is very dark at night, when I got up to turn the light on. (I was still a little shaken from my dream) I went to reach for the light and ran right into a man. I screamed with all my might!! It was my husband! Goodness, did that scare me. He got a big chuckle out of my scream, he was still laughing about it last night. He heard me tell my son to get in his own bed, and realized I couldn't see him. (Very Funny) He decided to freeze to see what I would do. I told him after church why it scared me so bad when I felt his body.

Monday morning I had gotten up very early, I exercised, cleaned my house and got my twin boy's off to school. It was around 7:50 a.m. I had already made breakfast for Bo, Josh and Ethan, (I kept my grandson's over night) so they were off playing. I didn't have to take them to school for a while so I thought I'd just lay down for a minute! I feel asleep and this time the man in my dreams was at my door. He had a bike helmet on and was reaching out for me. I screamed and must have woke myself up again, I had only fallen asleep for 10 minutes. I am sure this dream means nothing at all but it sure has me praying it will just go away. Last night was calm, no dreams that I remember came of my sleep.

Anywhoooo, what's and where's, now you all know more about the silly things that have happening in my life Silly dreams, geaaasaeooopeats.

In case any of you were wondering if this was a real word?
It's not really but here is words made out of it. Oh man, I think I'm crazier then I thought.

geaaasaeooopeats.


Geasa is an Irish Celtic metal band. Geasa's style is a combination of traditional Irish Music with the Black Metal. In Celtic mythology, a Geas (pl. Geasa) is a vow or obligation (see Geas), but can also be a spell, curse, or even a taboo.

peat (pēt) Pronunciation Key
Partially decayed vegetable matter, especially peat moss, found in bogs. The low levels of oxygen and the acidic environment in bogs prevent the degradation of peat. Peat is burned as fuel and also used as fertilizer.

Laying Aside Pleasing People

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? I would not be a servant of Christ. Galations 1:10

Trusting in God involves the loss of our agendas, our flaming torch, so that we die to our inclination to live a lie, It requires forfeiting our rigid, self-protective, God-dishonoring ways of relating in order to embrace life as it is meant to be lived:in humble dependence on God and passionate involvement with others.

At times, I feel as if I am bent to live for people's approval. How am I suppose to run my race to the glory of God when I am always looking around to see if others are pleased with the way I talk or look or perform my daily duties. Sometimes, I feel as if I am always trying to seek acceptance from others, instead of being a God pleaser, I am a people pleaser. I am really trying to grow in this area!

Nancy Groom writes: Approval junkies live as hostages to outher people's opinions and judgemnts regarding their thoughts, motives, feelings, or behaviors. Approval seekers look good:they have to...But people-pleasing isn't godly, nor is it healthy. Appeasers usually end up feelings used, unappreciated, and driven to become all thigs to all people in order to maintain their inmage and receive continued approval. They appear giving but in fact they are enslaved to their instiable need to be admired.

At times I think I give into peer preasure because I have a fear of man, instead of a fear for God. I hate to admit it but it would be a lie if I said I NEVER fall into peer preasure. My need to want to be liked has lead to gossip and course joking in the past. I have really been working on this area of my life.

In 1 Thessalonians 2 2-12 Paul gives me a perfect example of how I should live my life. Vs 2 Paul shard the gospel even though he had strong opposition.

Vs 4 Paul says we are not trying to please men, we are trying to please God who test our hearts.

Paul also wrote, "I am a free man and own no master;but I have made myself every man's servant, to win over as many as possible" ! Cor. 9:19

Paul didn't want them to look upon him as being great but he wanted them to know how great God is. If I could replace my approval-seeking tendencies, I could more openly share my faith with others.

I want to not be a people pleaser but have a love for people. John 13:34-35 Tells me to love one another so people will know Christ is in me. Love is an action : to love is to serve. 1 Thes. 5:14-15 Tells me I am to encouage and help the weeker brother, I need to warm them with love and patients. Hebrews 10:23-25 Tells me to spur one another towards love. Encourage each other, meet together.

In order to do this, I need to fix my eyes on Jesus. The Lord deeply loved and ministered to people, but He never com-promised the truth or His mission because of what people might think.

Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus disciples were upset with the crowd Jesus was with. Jesus told them He has come not to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance.

The Lord cared deeply about the Lost. He didn't care that everyone was looking for Him. He cared about lost souls.

It is not easy to lay aside my people pleasing. It is a slow process, but I'm beginning to experience the incredible freedom of letting go of that weight in my life. I am trying to fix my heart on pleasing only God, when doing this I find that I can give myself to others in ways that I never could before, when I was intent on their approval. I want to be sensitive and open to others' opinion of me, but I no longer become paralyzed because I haven't pleased everyone I am around each day.

Lord, help me to grow even more in this area of my life

A blessed weekend to all of You!

It is not often that I don't have anything to write about or say, but I really don't. I did get a letter from Aaron but I think I'll wait and post it another day.

I am going to my house cleaning job and then my motor route today, I'll be heading off to my son and daughter-in-laws this evening for pizza and a movie. Family time!

Here's wishing you all a blessed and safe weekend!

Yippee My Turn

Okay I already read this to Lori, she said post it Mom.
I had the privilege of hearing from AJ.

Hey Grandma,Grampa and all

Hows everyone. I am doing fine. Its pretty fun here when where not working out.LOL Its kind of like High School with evil teachers that make you work out. (this boy is so funny).
We had to get a shot in the butt, and it hurt for like 4 days. I could hardly get in and out of my bunk.
Love you and tell everyone else HI.

As soon as we got he letter we all stood around it while I read it. You would have thought it was from the President or something.

Well he is a very important person our AJ and we all love him a lot.

Hope all of you are doing fine!

L's MaMa

Video of my Worship Team & Chris Tomlin - How Can I Keep From Singing

I am sitting here preparing for next Sunday's Worship. This is a new song we are going to introduce to our congregaton.

This has given me such great joy this morning. Just knowing how much my Savior loves me and is with me at all times.

I am loved by the King!

I can't believe I can upload video's from my home computer now. This was only a test but this is my worship band from a year ago. A few of the singer's have changed but this is GREAT! I'm going to try to upload our Singspiraton. What a wonderful day this is turning out to be and it is only early still. I am the dark haired lady that is singing alto in this song.

The singer's from left to right are: Jack, Joe, Maria, Lori (Me) and Jeff. I'm not the one in the choir J. but the lady with the red shirt and black skirt on.

The last of my vacation Pictures!

Our first day and our last evening in South Carolina was spent on the beach. We only spent one day on the beach because we all got a bad sunburn the first day. Way to much fun in the sun, but t was a beautiful day! It was around 80 and hardly a cloud in the sky. Thursday evening was great also! My husband and the kids went swimming but I just at on the beach and relaxed. It was a little windy out, which made the Ocean come alive. B.C., Jess and the grandchildren fished off the long pier. Someone had caught a baby Shark a few days before we got to S.C. so B.C. and Josh were trying to catch one too. After we were all done, we ate at a restaurant at the other end of the pier. We sat outside on the deck, it was around 9:00 p.m. It was just so wonderful. That evening will be sketched in my memory for a long time. We did a few other things on our trip but I wrote about the most exciting things we did.
This was our first day on the beach. What a beautiful day the Lord provided for us.
My children in the Ocean, Thursday evening.
I threw this in with the ocean pictures because it is a bridge they made not to long ago.
This didn't come out so clear but this was the beautiful evening on the beach.
Peaceful moment!
This is the pier that we ate on.

I can't wait to go back to South Carolina again. I think next year we are going to rent a house on the beach. That way we can to out on the beach a little at a time instead of spending way to much time the first day and paying for it the rest of your vacation.

We were taken on a tour of the city on evening. I have never been in a convertible before so this was a real treat for me.
The evening were so beautiful.
The bridge at night.

Just another lovely evening.

My day and a letter from my Boy!

I had three very special young people over today. One was my grandson Ethan and the other two were a dear friend of mines son's. Dominic (4) and Christian (2) I picked them all up after I dropped Bo off at the bus stop today. We did many special things today! We made cookies, watched Jungle book, played outside, and ate lunch together. I had all of them for three fun hours! I only worked one job today so I could get home in time to pick Bo up from soccer. I did pick Ethan back up after my route so he could spend the night tonight.

As I write all of this, my husband comes to my mind! How blessed I am to have a man that works hard so I can be at home in the mornings and get my grandchildren and adopted grandchildren. I can take time off of work and not have to worry if our bills will be paid. I have a husband that is willing to work two jobs and never complain so I can do the things I love to do so much. God has blessed me with a loving, sweet, kind husband. He has blessed me with a man that is always building me up not tearing me down. What more could I ask for in a man? I am very happy with the one the Lord has blessed me with. I am a very happy and blessed woman.

I have been watching the mail every day for another letter from Aaron. I finally received one today. Made me about cry again!

This is what he wrote:

Hey Everyone,

How's everyone doing? Doing fine here. It gets hard at times because people never shut up. We have IT'd 4 times a day and were not even on 1-1 day of training yet. Food is really good. Marching is kind of fun at times. I am one of the only ones who can make their bunks in the time limit, 12 mins, and not get in trouble. Well, I'm out of time so I love you all and I'll see you in 2 months.

I believe Grad is near October 30.

See Ya later,

Aaron

P.S. Say Hi to Jake and ALL. (Neighbor kids and all his friend's)

It wasn't much and I didn't understand half of it, but it sure helps me as a mom to get through this time, just knowing he is alright. Two months seems like such a long time.

Kriispy Cream Donut factory & The Naval Museum

(Thanks all for the heads up about the pictures not showing up, I reposted them. )

My husband and I got the kid's up at 6:00 a.m. one morning on our vacation, to go watch the Krispy Cream donuts being made. We thought they only made the donuts first thing in the morning. My daughter-in-law informed me the next evening that their family went at 7:00 p.m. and they were still making donuts and still handing out fresh donuts to try. LOL! I didn't tell my children we woke them up that early for no reason. Well, I don't know why my family puts up with my silly requests but they all put on those Krispy Cream hats and let me take their picture.
(I don't think Aaron was to happy with me) (Life is way to short not to bring as much joy to it as possible)


We also visited the Naval Museum in South Carolina. It was a very hot and steamy out the day we went. We had the most amazing tour guide! It was my son B.C. and his beautiful wife Jess, they both served in the Navy. I felt like I had first hand information as I toured the ship.


You can read about my son's Navy day's here.
Living for the simple things in life: My Son's days in the Navy




This is my oldest son B.C. and his lovely wife Jess.
The Ship we went aboard.
Two of my son's and two of my grandson's.
Bo and Josh inside the Navy ship.
Last but not least me and my precious granddaughter Jenna.

Angel Oak Tree and some picture from our Vacation

While we were on Vacation in South Carolina, we visited the Angel Oak tree, said to be the oldest living thing in America. We visited many other places while in Charleston S.C. I'll post all the pics and write about our vacation this week. It was a lot of fun having all my kids (6) and Grandchildren (3) plus my lovely daughter-in-law, together on our vacation.

Angel Oak/Scarlet's Tree Reportedly the oldest thing -- living or man-made -- east of the Rockies, Angel Oak is a live oak tree aged approximately 1,500 years. Some locals simply call it The Tree. It stands in a wooded area along Bohicket Road of John's Island outside Charleston, South Carolina. Angel Oak is a live oak. It is native to the low country and is not very tall but has a wide spread canopy. Lumber from the live oak forests in the sea islands was highly valued for shipbuilding in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Angel Oak stands on part of Abraham Waight's 1717 land grant. Mr. Waight owned several plantations. The City of Charleston now owns Angel Oak. There is no charge to view the tree and is a must see when visiting Charleston, South Carolina. The City of Charleston now owns Angel Oak.
This is the back view of the tree.
Some of the branches.

Front view of the Angel Oak.
This is me and my boy Bo.
My boy's minus one!
Me and my handsome Hubby.
My daughter Bec!

A Letter from Aaron & Grandma's Hands ( Deep)

I've been very busy and a little down these last few weeks since my boy left for the Navy. It is very hard, going from mothering someone for the last almost 18 years, to letting go and allowing him to grow up and become a man. You would think after my 3rd child left home, I would be used to this. Well, it doesn't get easier! I still have 3 to go!! Yikes, I'll be falling apart by the time little Bo leaves home. Things are just now getting back to normal around here, since Aaron left. I know he has to grow up and become the man the Lord wants him to be. I'm good with that, I'll just miss him. Instead of crying all the time now, I'm down to just being weepy eyed a few times a day. I went from having Aaron and his friends around all the time to nothing.

We had a great summer together as a family! We vacationed in South Carolina and did many other things as a family. We created many memories for our children. I took a long time off from blogging (Thanks mom for blogging in my place and thank you all for your prayers) but I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Aaron
and my other children before Aaron left home and my children went back to school. Yesterday was their first day back in school.

We received a letter from Aaron yesterday, it wasn't much but it was enough to let us know he was doing alright.

This is what he wrote,

Hey everybody,
I'm doing fine. Still in P-Days, had to wait for some more recruits to
come. I was picked for a 900 division. My division is called State
Flags. Love you all and miss you. See you after ATC.

I'll be honest, I can't wait to see my boy again!

As I was going through my emails, I came across this on Grandma's Hands. My mom sent it to me a few weeks ago.

Grandma's Hands

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK.

She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands?" she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and t hen palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related the following story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years.

"These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.

"They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.!

"They were uneasy and clumsy when n I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

"They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.

"They have been sticky a nd wet , bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." I will never look at my hands the same again. God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my ha nds are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of Grandma. I know she has been held by the hands of God. And I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Thank You

Thank You to everyone for making me feel welcome on Lori's blog.
Plus a Special Thank You for Praying for Lori and AJ, plus our Beckie who is now gone again. They are each loved a whole lot and they both know Jesus and He will guide them in their lives.
I had the privilege to talk to Lori on Saturday. She seemed much better. yet I know she really needs us to continue to Pray for her and that she will hear AJ's voice on the telephone very soon.
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I hope I can talk to Lori tomorrow. (Smile)

L's MaMa