Sunday Thought....

The rhythm of the fallin' rain woke me up this Sunday morning. Felt good to be in bed. One cat curled to my side, while another glued himself to my leg. Circulation  was non existent. Since my bed was comfy cozy and I knew these cooler Texas, rainy mornings would be even more non existent as Summer inched closer--gave serious thought to stay put.

Yep. I figured I need not head to the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, because--heck, I DO have the internet. Hence, I could watch the service via my iPad while I propped up against pillows, and sipped a cup of coffee.  Plus, the rhythm of the fallin' tempted me. Yep. I was gonna stay home.

Wrong.

The cats moved as I reached for the TV remote. I watched the news. A sad story of a high school student, just finished the school year, drowned. The news program showed a picture of a young man, smiling, all his life ahead of him. Now his family mourns and plan their loved one's funeral. No more choices will this young man make.

I still could make choices in my life. For a couple hours on Sunday, I can go to His house, especially since He's been my house ALL week.

Yes--got up, said a prayer for this young man's family, and to church I trekked.  I need to be in the House of the One who gives me strength--I am not guaranteed tomorrow.

Inspiring Sunday....

Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, has two services: 7:30 am & 11:00 am. I usually trek to the 11am, except for today. Made it to 7:30 am service and feel blessed that I did!  Now I gotta admit, I am not so much a morning person....especially on a weekend!

When I pulled into the parking lot, I was surprised the number of cars. I mean, it was 7:30 on Sunday morning! I digress on all of this...

The jest of this story is once I got into church, I felt good. I had the chance to sit in an almost up on the pulpit seat-which I like...and celebrated in Pastor Rush's continued message of demons working their way into our life in such a smooth way we don't realize it until too late. Yes, we can tell the demons to get out of us.

But what if the demons don't go?

That's when Pastor Rush said how the problem is part of the process for the promise. I believe those words more than I ever have.

I am blessed.

Sunday Stuff

Sunday was/is a GREAT day! I journeyed to my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush. The message was on 'suffering' and we go thru it. The best thing about suffering is--it will pass. We got to be patient and put our trust in Him. Again Pastor Rush spoke how some folks may not 'get' you. It's those times, where others may see your light, yet not ready to grasp it. That's OK, because there are those that will and be there to encourage you. There was more--and I tell ya it was ALL good.

After I got my Praise on, and felt rejuvenated for the week, I headed to Michael's Crafts. It was just about 10 minutes from church and becoming my home away from home. I spent 23 bucks in there. It might as well be 23 million. I've been more in Michael's crafts these last five months than I've been there in the two decades I've lived in Dallas. I ain't joking. I'm floored I buy anything in there, that costs more than a dollar. The few times I went in there, before my whole, 'inner crafty' thing kicked in, all I got was a fake flower or two. That's it--then they had to be ON SALE before I did that! So a couple things included in that 23 bucks was Folk Art Crackle Medium and Mod Podge that's suppose to sparkle--yes, sparkle. OK. Both of these products, let me tell you. The crackle medium, I found out a couple weeks ago. Never knew it existed. The Mod Podge in different versions. I thought it just was matte or glossy. Never the less, these are products not in my vocabulary prior to Valentine's Day 2011.

What's next? Taking classes on the Old and New Testament?

A slice of strawberry filled cake awaits.

Stay tuned.

10:30 PM

Sunday about is done. Never to be seen again. Wow, that was deep. My philosophical side.

So much has happened since you and I met up: Change in job tasks to a maybe change in schools. Maybe a chance to really clean my house from to bottom to I think I over fry my hair when I flat iron it--so back to the natural, curly look for a bit.

Then there was Pastor Rickie Rush, of Inspiring Body of Christ Church preached today about the folks in our lives. Like a man, we are so nuts about, yet he ain't nuts about you as he should be. Hey, I've been there and even have the t-shirt. It comes to be able to let them go. The world isn't over. In fact, you could be waving 'good-bye' with your right hand and waving "hello" with your left. I like that. Put some things inperspective.

And my terra cotta potta pots. The journey continues. Just let me say that. I would like to launch one--just ONE pot on June 12th. Why? It's the cat's birthday. The cat's who is the namesake and CEC aka Chief Executive Cat of this enterprise. Stay tuned to all that.

And lastly--as the clock ticks 10:36 PM, the Dallas Mavericks, are now down 2-1 in the NBA playoffs to the Miami Heat. They lost by two points abut an hour ago. I did say the Mavs in 6 games. Mavs lose. Pain don't last always. Next game Tuesday--pain better be over by then!

On that note. I need to put my clean sheets on my bed, just the cats can 're-fur' it and get some shut eye.

Monday will come soon enough.

I am blessed.

Sunday Twist of Terra Cotta Pots

Ya know, I was glad today was Sunday. Why? Because I got to go go back to the House of the Lord. I needed a Word from Pastor Rickie Rush of the Inspiring Body of Christ Church. Yes, I needed to know how good wants me to have my desires of the heart. I want people to look at me and see His light. Yes, all of that. However, as Pastor Rush says, we may not have that pain tolerance level to handle what He's got for us. Any other time I would think, "Well, yes I do!" *****
Alas, I think of the painted and decoupage terra cotta pot I showed my friend yesterday. I wanted Her opinion. I do believe she was being kind.****Blessing ain't hit my painted and decoupage terra cotta pot scene yet.****Nope. My pot was UGLY. I'm not saying that to get attention. Nope. It was UGLY. I'd just spot you the "GLY" and my goodness. My vision for the pots, hasn't quite made it to "what is" yet. The focus of the pot, was overshadowed by the accessories (aka tissue paper) I plastered on the pot. Oh my goodness. I'm amazed how Mod Podge transforms anything. I do admit I'm having fun messing with it. However, I'm not feelin' that good to share my pot's unattractive to you. Don't want you to turn to stone. ****I want my terra cotta pot to be terrific and pretty and I want to like it before I share it with others. My friend yesterday says, "Be patient. Art is difficult." ****Once again, I remember the C's and D's I mustered to get in junior high art class. I tell you what, once I get these pots ready for human consumption, I'm going to send one to my junior high art teacher. Yep. She found me on Facebook. It will be a surprise to her. Maybe I can redeem myself and maybe get up a "B".
****Pain tolerance level indeed.

Sunday Stop

The kitty looks out at Sunday. This my girl cat who meows and carries one of my shoes to me. I believe it's her "Mommy cat" meow. She never had to carry her kittens any where three and a half year ago. They were safe and secure in my apartment. Maybe she misses that she never had to carry anything. One of those moments I wish cats could talk.

With that wish, I realize I need to talk more to God. How's that for segue? :) IBOC's Pastor Rickie Rush had such a good message today. One part hit me all the way home, especially because of my Over Do it yesterday.

God has a plan for us, Pastor Rickie Rush said. That's the first time God speaks to us--about His plan. The next time is when God tells us our purpose. In the middle of all this journey, are all the 'sighs' of the purpose/blessing.

That goes back to me yesterday, I over did the card thing. I had me with my own version of a Hallmark store and one of Oprah's Favorite Things. Ever since my pesky little open heart surgery in 2006, I've 'seen' things. Clear as could be. When I sat and recuperated when it was exhausted me to walk just 10 minutes--if lucky. How would these things every really happen? Some of those things have already come to pass. There are more things God has let me see. I need to listen and TALK more to Him to see what all this is.

Or I actually do know, and I let my flesh take over with fear. Then I remember, God does not give me fear.

Then I also remember to be still and know he is God.

Things have changed so much in my life. Good and bad--yet my character continues to be built.

I am blessed.

Time Flies

WOW! It's November already!!! When in the world did THAT happen? Wasn't it just a few days ago the sweltering Texas heat gave a subject to chat about and high hopes for the Dallas Cowboys and wonder if the Texas Rangers were gonna do something?

Now I have these two kitties sit still on the window sill either waiting still for a World Series parade to come down our street for the Texas Rangers or a victory might come this way for the Dallas Cowboys. The Rangers tried to win the World Series and the Dallas Cowboys are trying to win period....Either way, it's November!

And today was Sunday and I headed to church and it's what I needed to hear. Pastor Rickie Rush of Inspiring Body of Christ Church reminded us of our valleys. How they build our Godly character and mature us. We could be ticked at the process, yet it benefits us in the end. I thought of my little pesky open-heart surgery. That valley either made me put my honestly put my trust in God or not. When I did, more so, when I realize I did--I wanted the surgery to get over and done. I had to learn to really listen to Him. This might explain why the nurse said I was person who ever tried to wake up the fastest from surgery. That's right. I had things to do. The sermons have been hitting me right on time--and that's a good thing.

We set our clocks back last night. Why do we still do this? Not my most favorite thing to do. It's 5:46 PM as I type this and night has just about fallen. Naw. Nope. Uh-huh. .

So in that case, I'll close the window. The cats will be mad. Got my school work done, so I'm headed to the TV to think about this day and the future.

I am blessed.

Sunday in Bloom

This is so when I really love being in Dallas--not too hot, not too cool. GORGEOUS is the only word to describe! This flower, is out in my back yard. I snapped it this morning before I got ready for church. It's close to my wisteria, so it could be from there. I dunno. All I do know, it's purple!

OK. Well, I don't want to keep you too long. I do have some junk to pick up around the house and popcorn to pop--so...the main thing is at church. I attend Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC), with Pastor Rickie Rush. I have the t-shirt and bumper sticker to prove it--literally. One of these times, I'm just going to have to talk about my Spiritual Walk and how I wound up at IBOC--a place I NEVER thought I would be. However, in the meantime, I want to speak about today's sermon--which dealt with anger.

Yea, something that I'm NOT proud about. Pastor talked about trying to find where that anger came from and how you just carry it around with you. Then something or somebody lights you're already short fuse and your anger fireworks begin. Pastor spoke if someone is critical, it is actually we who are critical and also controlling.

All this about forgiveness, scripture from books Ephesians and James and I'm like...why did I come today? The guy I sat by was having a hard time too, and we both laughed. And when Pastor said if it's hard to trust, it because we have not forgiven, we both wanted to get up an leave. I told him to make sure he wrote that down, while I hoped I'd run out of ink.

We both wrote it down and did not get up and leave. They guy I sat by, who I don't even know his name said, "This was right on time."

I agree.

Then I glanced over my shoulder, specifically to the section across. My eyes locked with Bear's.
We'd both heard the same sermon. Alot of what Pastor preached was stuff from our past.
I'd like to believe we've both come far since those days. Anyway, when our eyes locked, we both smiled.

Like I said, this is when I love living in Dallas--not too hot, not too cool.

Relationships III

Things come in 3's, the word is. So it's 3 posts on relationships--for now.

I've slept on and thought of my emotions from yesterday. Pretty dag gum deep for me. I didn't share with anyone, even my BFF, what I felt yesterday--until today. Then I didn't go into a lot of detail, just more the hi-lights of it.

Why? Because she's lady, we'll call her Dunne, who has uplifted me about my small business ideas, from selling' pies to cat lovers things. We hadn't chatted lately until now. I told about the 'Dream Big" my pastor Rickie Rush preached and how I thought of her of her Big Dream. You see, Dunne has a picture of her dream house (more like a mansion)on her cubical wall. She told me God has it all worked out and coulda been waiting for her to take a step. We both said you have to speak what you want to will it. If you just have a thought--it's just that--a thought. Words make it so.

I told Dunne how you never know where angels are going to be. Dunne said how MLG was an angel to show me anything is possible--it's not too late to do your passions. OK, I'm giving you just hi-lights, however the chat with Dunne was free and easy, even tho we met in April, and hadn't spoken since June. We laughed like we would over coffee at Starbucks, except we stood by the sinks in the women's restroom, at our jobs.

I remember when my My Sweet Big Daddy Don passed away in 2001, I felt so lonely. Both of my parents were now gone and I was an adult orphan. Loneliness consumed. Sure, I knew people, but the weekends were the darkest days of my week even the sun's beams blinded. I'd sit on my couch and realize the 'friends' I had were no even close to being there for me as I was for them. I cried alot.

I wasn't much into in my Spiritual Walk in 2001 (the beginning was still two years away) yet I asked God would there ever be a day I'd have good friends. Friends that I could count on. Friends who "get me" and we would laugh at the same thing with just once glance at each other.

The chat with Dunne showed me relationships are not 'one size fits' all. .

The day I cried for is here.

Thank God.

I am blessed.

So Sunday All That

Got my Praise ON today at my church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC) for short. The message, by Pastor Rickie Rush, dealt with the oppression Satan put on you so long ago. It's part of your life and you've just excepted it. There could be something other folk see wind up prejudging you.

I thought of lack of a left ear. Microtia, it's called--born without an ear. Got a teeny tiny lobe on my left. A full right ear tho. Back in the prehistoric age, when I grew up, I'm sure questions of my able to hear and learn, were asked daily. Nobody really knew--except me.

Then I thought how I was one of maybe three black kids in my entire class. In fact, by the time I graduated high school, I was the ONLY black student in my class, and one half of the black student body in the entire grades 9-12 to boot.

How I have two first names and a hyphen separates them. Oh, and yes, I do have a middle name. My classmates didn't know all that until we graduated. I felt I was singled out with the ear because it seemed I took a million hearing tests a week, being black, and then two first names? Of course, I need to add my mom died when I was 13.

As I sat in the church house today, I pondered

So did Satan oppress me?

I do believe he did.

And on this day, I do know Who possesses me.

Satan ain't likin' that

Good. mic

-the picture posted is part of IBOC's aquarium-

Sunday Short and Hot

Just jump right up on it: got my Praise ON today at MY church: Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush. Even saw Bear for moment and received a belated hug before service-a surprised indeed. IBOC is a church I just knew I was never, ever gonna be a member of! Pastor Rush of blessings, being anointed, people drawn to you and how we must live by faith. There was so, SO much today. To realize God's Grace took care of me, when I couldn't even really take care of myself...and trust me, this so does explain alot!

All ready treated myself to a Cafe Vanilla Frappucino. Watermelon chills in the fridge. Cats snooze now 'cause bellies are full.

Just the right time to get a bit of house stuff done, plus with all the questions of "Are you still writing?" which happened again about an hour ago, I may just need to do some.

Stay tuned.

Sunday Short

Sun shines here in Dallas as I ready myself for church, Feels good to get up and go.

Last week, back in Iowa and caught a few minutes of my church, the Inspiring Body of Christ service, with Pastor Rickie Rush online. I pointed out to my chum Deb, the seat I call 'mine'.

Deb asks, "Do you have assign seats?"

Time zipped by so last week. I do miss Iowa to a degree--I honestly do.

As I sit here, already thinking of the Starbucks Cafe Vanilla Grande Frappucino I'll treat myself to later and the several malls, Wal-marts, and Targets in my radius, the 3 grocery stores within 5 minuts of me, with 2 across the street from each other and one of those with a Starbucks IN it! I wonder if I could really adjust to small town living again...

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, gots to go get my Praise on!

He didn't bring me this far to leave me...

Sunday...Already?

Man on man, where did the time go? It's Sunday and of course I have some paper to write for school. Let's see, it is: "Hypothectical Working Agreement"...sure.

Let's talk about something FUN! Got my praise on at MY church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush today. The tricks Satan uses on us to rob our faith. Powerful stuff. All these messages have hit me right where I live. The blessings are there. Satan knows that. He's tried ways upon ways to steal my thunder. At times I've let him. ...Yet all is good. Just keep my eye on the prize. And I look unto the hills where my help comes from.

Now get this, yesterday I chatted with a minister I'd befriended a few years ago. The Minister attended the writers' conference I volunteered with yesterday. Also, back when I was in ICU with my little open heart adventure, she came to visit me. Yesterday, was the first time we'd seen each other in all these months since I'd left my/her original home church. The thing was she called me "Shade Tree Preacher." Huh? Long story short, Minister said she's always seen a light in me and said people come to me because of what I say and do. I just looked at her. Me? She went on to say Shade Tree is a person who does the work, but doesn't have the sign out front sayin' so. I still just looked at her. Minister said alot of stuff I still must ponder. Oh how my life has so changed. Maybe I'll share more one of these posts...

Can't believe it's SUNDAY. Did I tell y'all I did see "Toy Story" last week? LOVED it and got quite weepy at the end.

Oh, the writers' conference yesterday was GREAT! Met some nice folks. Badgered by one of them with WHERE was my next book? OK, she was an author who spoke and happens to be a chum of mine. Learned lots and enjoyed being around other writer people. Once I got home tho, I enjoyed being on my bed, under the ceiling the fan, with a cat to pet and remote in hand...

On that note--I'm outta here. Still some Sunday left to enjoy with a little Blue Bell Banana Pudding Ice Cream on the side....!

Father's Day 2010

As I write this, Father's Day 2010 ticks to done for another year.
I miss my Dad.
Our last Father's Day together was 2001.
Dad would laugh today when I'd tell him we all wore cowboy gear to church--now Cowboy Football gear. Nope, COWBOY as out on the prairie cowboy gear. Guys on horse back, as well as stagecoaches, were in the parking lot. The pulpit was decorated with hay and a little tiny pony, a donkey, a cute llama would peek his head out ever now and then, plus bunnies and baby piggies and alot of root-tootin' fun. And yes, my pastor Rickie Rush, of Inspiring Body of Christ Church brought the Word too. Me, myself I work a black cowboy hat which was solid investment of 99 cents at the GoodWill. Got compliments on it, even tho I think I look liked I robbed a stagecoach.
Yep, Dad would laugh and chew on that infamous King Edward cigar.
So as this Father Day ends
I'll curl in bed
And realize our days do still begin-
Then I smile.

Sunday Stuff

Three weeks until First of Summer and my a/c is on for the umpteenth day. The temp is over 95 degrees F. Yep, summer is so in our midst. No matter, I, as most of America, has tomorrow off due to Memorial Day. However, even with the heat, scenery doesn't appear to bake. Like that lots.
As for today, made to MY church, Inspiring of Body Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush. The message came from Isiah 38:1, the story of King Hezekiah. I've realized I enjoy the Old Testament alot--not sure, why, but I do. Alot of the message dealt with our Season of Infliction. To have us go through trials to make our dependence on God even more. Plus, there's a thing called "Spiritual Pride." The definition is how we make decisions without consulting God.

Yea, I admit my life has been about 95% Spiritual Pride. I got impatient. Never thought to ask God to reveal. Heck no. Just decided I had to come on with it and do myself.

How did that work for me?

It didn't. Big time. Explains the hullaba-boo-boo's along the way....

Mad cause I even did em, alas

I lived thru em and glad

I learned from em...

I am blessed.

Still Shines

Pastor Rickie Rush, of MY church Inspiring Body of Christ preached from the Book of Psalms, which is my favorite. Whoever woulda thunk I'd ever like ANY book of the bible? Heck, I woulda even bet against that notion! I digress, the point Pastor Rush made, which burns inside of me is how God puts something in you--not necessarily a child, yet a blessing none the less. Sometimes you grow tire of carrying the blessing around and just want it to get here. And instead of patience, you live in the Flesh, instead live in the Spirit. Been there. Done that. I even have the t-shirt. So if you do all that, you ain't ready for what He has in store for you.
And ever woulda thunk I'd ever talk about church sermons...?
Have a couple school things that will take just minutes. No paper due until next Saturday over something that hasn't nothing to do with cats not a sensational screenplay James Cameron, Tyler Perry, Nora Epheron or Steven Spielberg will haggle over. Oh well, that's be for another day. `

In the meantime, it's still Sunday. Sun still does shine. Got stuff to do and throw out. Cats, being as they are, will not assist. They obviously have other things to do...

I am blessed.

So It Goes...

Headed to my New Member Orientation at Inspiring Body of Christ Church (IBOC) today. About 500 of us were there from about 10-3ish. We were split up into five group and rotated to five different stations to learn more about the church. It was suppose to be over at 2pm--however it's all OK. I feel closer to the church--still amazed I joined. A couple ladies I'd chatted with on different Sundays were there. One remembered my name, unfortunately I couldn't remember hers. Had a nice chat tho. Stay tuned.

Went to see "Just Wright" starring Queen Latifah. Not quite Oscar caliber, yet sweet.

I liked the Queen in that role. I could relate to the girl being one of the 'friends' of the guys and never 'that' girl. I always seemed to see the potential in men before they saw it in themselves. Plus the fact The Queen ain't a Size Zero accentuates the positive that there was no stereotype loud mouth black woman anywhere. I like watching old episodes of Livin' Single staring Queen Latifah--her talent and beauty were quite evident then. I would love to see her do something more hard hitting, another drama which would be much better than "The Secret Life of Bees" --I know she could handle it--she's a Queen.

Twas a good Saturday, and it's not ever yet. So it goes, I need get on and enjoy the rest of it!

Thoughts at 1:20 AM

It's Sunday Morning and I should be in bed. More time than intended was spent on a school paper. Part of our task was to turn it thru the Plagiarism dealy bop on the school's site. Gee, it spotted the quote (and my citation) of it as plagiarism...anyway. I finished all that a few minutes ago. I had to have it posted by 1:59AM.

I planned to be in bed by 1:59AM I still will be. Oh, and since this is an online class, our participation partly grade on our answer to discussion questions. Well, I notice a girl's response seemed familiar. I realized she'd copied and pasted her response from our online textbook. I was gonna through her under the bus and back over her, then I thought I'd e-mail her--then I thought know--I'll tell the teacher. Granted, the teach might already know--yet if I write those responses and mine are mine--then so should everybody!

Enough on that. On Saturday I attended a Remembering Mom luncheon. It was for those that have experienced mother loss. Today is hard for us--the hoopla surrounding Mom, and your mom isn't physically there for you to hoopla about. A hundred, mostly women and some men were there. At the end, we released balloons with little notes we attached, written to our moms. I got weepy then. I watched 'our' balloon soar high and out of site--pretty windy Dallas day. I prayed my mom was on the closet cloud and able to get my balloon.

I realized how much I missed Mom at that moment. How much I've missed out ON. I never really had a strong female role model after she passed. I knew that then, even though I couldn't define it.

My mom died 39 years ago at age 43. I've lived longer than Mom ever had a chance too. It's sad really. I've chartered territory we should have gone together. What adventures Mom and I would have had. That cats we would have fought over and the laughs we would have shared. How different my life would've been.

I know--things happen for a reason. God said it was time for Mom to go Home, those 39 years ago. But why when I was just a kid? The bible says God has a plan for me. My eyes and heart must be open to receive it. .

I wonder if they finally are.

Click here to read my Mother's Day post 2009.

I miss you, Mommy.

******UPDATE********
I made it to church this morning. Dragged alot. Not enough sleep. My Pastor Rickie Rush, of Inspiring of Christ Church spoke of Mothers, their purpose and their love for us. For me, I'd always wondered why my mother died when she and I were both so young. I carried alot of guilt about that.

Pastor Rush brought it on home to me. How Satan knows the child is a miracle. In my case, I was the try for a baby, after my parents suffered through four stillborns. How great things are in store for the child--so how to get at the child? I was born with one ear and nobody knew how far I would venture, then my mom dies when I'm 13. My main female influence was gone-so maybe my dreams, passions would die along with her.

Well, things may have been dormant for a spell, however you ain't seen nothing yet!

Stay tuned.

Sum Up Sunday

Another view of part of my back yard. The wind does waltz with the leaves. And I like it.

It's Sunday. I went to IBOC--my HOME church as of last week. I still can't get over it I joined. Especially since the church I called Home for 5 1/2 years, before I ventured to IBOC, I never officially joined, even tho I was involved in things--like the co-head of the Singles Ministry and even taught my first adult Sunday School class--didn't know what I was talking about--but I did it. However, I never officially joined.

And now I have: Inspiring Body of Christ Church. I sat by an empty seat that had someone's purse and such there. In a few moments the woman came back--it was the SAME woman, who nudged me last week about joining. Things don't just happen. They happen for a reason. We had a good chat.

The main thing, Pastor Rickie Rush said when folks ask what we we did this weekend we oughta tell em we praised Jesus. Not what is usually heard. I chuckle cause folks who have known me since MTV were just letters in the alphabet, really don't get my Praise. I've learned to expect that. And it's OK--these folks continue to be blessings in my life.

In the meantime, the sun has gone down on this Sunday. Finished a college paper--I doNOT like writing non-fiction. Got a cat to pet, ice cream to eat and pages of Screenwriting for Dummies to fumble through.

I am blessed.

Still Sunday

As the sun still shines I tried to trim the bushes outside my front door. I guess I didn't realize they would grow--or how full and tall--like to my chest-they would get. Just thought they would stay pretty like they did when we had 12 inches of snow in February.

Wrong. Let's just say I used some clippers from the Dollar General and clipped away. I don't think I killed it. I mean I trimmed my wisteria a few weeks back--not really knowing what I was doing--and it still has leaves. Anyhoo, my bushes still need work--but they are not as bushy...

It being Sunday, you know I headed to Inspiring of Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, this morning. At one point, the sanctuary's nights were shut off to help explain the message: about your vision of the plan God has for us. Trust me--it worked. The main thing, on this day was, I joined the church--when the lights were off, and they did come back on! :)

I'm still dazed and a bit confused I joined, along with 251 others. We have New Member Orientation on May 15. I didn't plan to join- Heck no. I was content to be a "BootLeg Member"--basically you keep on comin' to church, but don't join. That's me. I'm OK with that--I guess until today.

Part of the message hit me hard: when you are anointed, expect to go walk on by yourself. Folks you care most about, are the ones who most don't get your vision. I've run into that of late. You don't care for them less, you just know they can't come with you--at least for now. Be prepared to be alone--and I am.

Outside of all this, a GRAND day, even if my bushes don't think so! This cat rests on my desk's edge:

Plus I have an "A" in my current college class, Blue Bell Ice Cream in the freezer, a NY Best Selling author asks me questions about MY writing, and I have my Vision...

I am blessed.