MudFlaps

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 5:58 am Post subject:

~ Despite the Hollywood “hillbilly” stereotype, Appalachians carry a sense of pride for their culture, language, and heritage.

Appalachian folks are no stranger to death. For the Dark Horseman visited so frequently, houses were made with two front doors. One door was used for happy visits and the other door, known as the funeral door, would open into the deathwatch room for sitting up with the dead. Prior to the commercialization of the funeral industry, funeral homes and public cemeteries were virtually nonexistent in the early days of the Appalachian settlers.

http://www.candidslice.com/sitting-up-with-the-dead-lost-appalachian-burial-customs/?fbclid=IwAR29deZf-OuRk7P29gE0WQ_kYCBtsdEPUE4TUEHZS5cwyireRwCcXMvU-Y4

One thing for sure, no matter how hard you fought it, death always won. For Whom the Bell Tolls…
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 6:07 am Post subject:

~ This is one of those taboo subjects that no one likes to talk about but sooner or later everyone will have to deal with it.
Deaths, Funerals, and Burials.
Whether you are planning for the future or have lost a loved one, you should read this article.
I will share how to save on funeral cost with a Homestead Funeral.

https://myhomesteadlife.com/2017/10/04/homestead-funerals-how-to-save-on-funeral-cost/?fbclid=IwAR1lz-FW-5GvKlCp-w_0TOAF6QxW1fuetfpByNEo-alSUB8BNaGIJ_xUhh8
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:43 pm Post subject: ~ Spring Equinox *Supermoon* ~

~ A PICTURE OF THE PRETRIBULATION RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: Today is the first official day of Spring, and signs of new life are popping up all over the place today it would seem. The Bible has a lot to say about times and seasons, and in the Old Testament is hidden an amazing nugget related to the soon-coming Pretribulation Rapture of the Church. Song of Solomon chapter 2, verses 8-14, is an amazing picture, in type, of Jesus Christ coming to snatch His Bride up and away from off the Earth in the Rapture. For starters, you will note that the bride’s beloved is pictured as being above her, as if He was coming down to get her. - https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/song-solomon-contains-amazing-reference-pretribulation-rapture-springtime/?fbclid=IwAR1er1_mia1eue9b5QBc0BSDkRnB3nMibWha40ILIduGkZKCQANXD9BXQBw
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 8:40 am Post subject:

~ YOU ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE NATION ~

Mother, you are the backbone of the nation! You are the greatest threat to those who want to turn this nation away from God’s ways. As you pour out your life to nurture, train, and educate your children, you determine the course of this nation and even the world.

As the backbone of this nation . . .

B You are a BUILDER, building a godly marriage and family and consequently helping to build a strong nation.

A You are ANOINTED by God to mother and nurture your children. This is more powerful than any career you can have outside the home.

C You are CALLED by God to this great career. If you turn away from it, you miss your highest calling.

K You are the KEEPER of your home. You are keeping your marriage and family strong. Homekeepers are definitely the backbone of the nation. As mothers build strong homes the nation becomes stronger. When mothers vacate their homes, the nation becomes weaker.

B You are the BRIGHTNESS and glory of your home. A home is only truly a home when mother is there, making it a beautiful place with her presence.

O You are an OVERCOMER. Building a godly home, family, and heritage is no easy task. It takes strength and courage. It takes fortitude and endurance. But God is with you moment by moment, giving you the power to overcome in His name.

N You are a NATION CHANGER. When mothers get back to the home, embrace the children God wants them to have, and train them to be godly sons and daughter, they change the course of the nation.

E You are an EDUCATOR. There is no one more powerful than you, mother, to influence your children for God, to reveal to them the awesome wonder of your God and His universe. As you seek after truth, you teach your children the truth and you become an educator not only to your children, but to the rest of society.

Together, mothers, we are the BACKBONE of the nation. Let’s not give up influencing this nation and generations to come.

Blessings to you today, Nancy Campbell.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 4:48 pm Post subject:

~ Afternoon meditation ...

~ "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9.

ૐ God’s hand never slips.
ૐ He never makes a mistake.
ૐ His every move is for our own good.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 1:12 pm Post subject:

~ Never thought about this before:

I have always thought that Noah was safe inside the Ark because he built it according to God's specifications. I thought that perhaps it was the strength of the gopher wood and the soundness of the architecture that ensured that the waters of the flood would not come into the Ark.

But today I encountered a verse that shifted this whole paradigm.
Let's read what Gen 7:16 says .." The animals going in were male and female of every living thing as God had commanded Noah..
THEN GOD SHUT HIM IN....

Don't miss this.... even after Noah had built the Ark, it was God Himself who shut him in, in order to shut out the waters of the flood... In other translations this verse says "The Lord sealed them inside."

May the Almighty God seal us inside His Ark of protection through this last quarter of 2019.

It is not the fact that you have locked your house that keeps you safe at night, it is not your good driving skills that keeps you safe on the road, neither it's your healthy eating habits that keeps you healthy - only God can shut you in and shut out the devil that is seeking to devour you.

Father we pray that in this last quarter of the year, as we walk into the streets and as we drive on the roads, Oh God shut us in. Father we pray for our children that in the midst of dangers and molesters... You will shut them in, keep out the flood waters of abuse, rape, murder, accidents, diseases and untimely death... Oh God shut us in, shut us in your Ark of protection , into your Ark of compassion..

May GOD SHUT US IN AS WE OBEY HIM AND TRUST IN HIS WORD. Amen!! - copied.

~ https://linktr.ee/Noah.Movie?fbclid=IwAR2w2yK4w2UBHgL968Nki2U9gsifJ1toRAOrPHqyE2hUEu1XeC-Z0rM1GmQ
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth

~ Just so I never forget..... April 4, 2020

-Gas prices in Siloam Springs, Arkansas are $1.25. Westville, OK was $0.97!
- Buffalo River is closed for recreational use until further notice.
-Dental office’s are only seeing patients for an emergency.
-School cancelled - online/homeschool
-Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.
-Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.
-Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.
-Parks, trails, entire cities locked up.
-Entire sports seasons cancelled.
-Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.
-Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.
- Family members including grandparents are not allowed to visit newborns until they are at least one month old.
-No funerals
-No masses, churches are closed.
-No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now 10 or more.
-Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.
-Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.
-Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
-Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.
-Shelves are bare.
-Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.
-Government closes the border to all non-essential travel.
-Fines are established for breaking the rules.
-Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.
-Press conferences daily from the President and the governors. Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.
-Government incentives to stay home.
-Barely anyone on the roads.
-People wearing masks and gloves outside.
-Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
-Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families.

This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.

Why, you ask, do I share this status?

One day it will show up in my memory feed, and it will be a yearly reminder that life is precious and not to take the things we dearly love for granted.

We have so much!
Be thankful. Be grateful.
Be kind to each other - love one another - support everyone.

We are all one! ❤️

Copy and share. {fb}
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:14 pm Post subject: ~ guvmint stimulus check hit ~

~ WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be..

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,’ Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW
WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT ..

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 6:27 am Post subject:

~

God formed us.
Sin deformed us.
The Bible informs us.
But Jesus transforms us!!!
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 7:15 am Post subject:

~ In an age like ours, which is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part it used to play in people’s lives. - Anatole Broyard.

~ Friday Morning Jazz - Positive Morning Bossa Nova & Jazz Music for Wake up, Work, Study, Good Mood ~ https://youtu.be/EN-fgQL-fVI

~ This is pancake making music - Alexander Nevermind.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:11 am Post subject:

~ https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Jesus-Coming-Back/?fbclid=IwAR32n9YfYSV_nOaT1CE7mRd9WnA_iN7dfDEBrMjazxC54cu22gINfnLo3Kc

~ *Bible Verses About Jesus Coming Back* ~

Matthew 24:36 ~ "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ~ "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Revelation 1:7 ~ "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

Revelation 22:12-13 ~ " And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

John 14:3 ~ "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Matthew 24:31-33 ~ "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."

Revelation 1:8 ~ "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

1 Corinthians 15:52 ~ "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Isaiah 2:20-22 ~ "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?"

1 Thessalonians 4:17 ~ "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

ALL you can do is warn them "Wake - Up!!!" if they don't Listen, move on so you can warn others
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:21 am Post subject:

~ I love how John Roedel puts such beautiful, heartfelt words onto paper for all of us to read and let soak in.
This is so many of us right now ... our minds are so busy and clogged up.
But God. - Bev, Simply Faith Filled Reminders

Me: Hey God.
God: Hey John.
Me: My mind is such a mess right now.
God: It would probably be wise if you didn't focus so much on your thoughts today.
Me: I know. I'm sure what you will say next is that you want me to focus on the beating of my heart.
God: That does sound like something I would say, doesn't it?
Me: Yeah - but my heart isn't much better.
God: I can see that. Actually, I was about to tell you that should focus on your lungs.
Me: My lungs?
God: Yes, your breathing. Focus on your breathing.
Me: I can't. I think I'm having a panic attack. It's hard to breathe.
God: Close your eyes. Inhale. Focus on the air in your lungs and the gift of life you have been given. Hold onto your breath for a moment and you will feel my arms wrap around you. I am with you there. This day is not yours alone to face. I am here. I am here. With every breath you take I am here with you. You will not have to endure your anxiety alone. Exhale and allow yourself to feel the peace of my presence.
Me: I don't think I am going to make it through this whole day.
God: Don't worry about your entire day. Just worry about the next breath you are going to take. Take another breath. Hold on to it. Remember that I have loved you since the first star was ever born. Then exhale and rest in Me. Keep doing that over and over until it happens...
Me: Until what happens?
God: The exact moment where stop taking breathing for granted and you begin treating it like the prayer it is.
Me: Wait - breathing is a prayer?
God: It can be if you allow it to be. If you treat breathing as sacred it will become one of the most beautiful prayers you will ever offer and you will hear My sweet song that I am constantly singing back to you.
Me: What's Your song called?
God: Be still and know that I am God.
* * * * * * * * * * *
when my angry brain
is racing my poor heart
to see which one
will break down first
my lungs become
the eye of the storm
and I begin to inhale
grace
and peace
and a love that I cannot imagine
and suddenly I am not
alone in my dark room
anymore
God is here
and my jagged breathing
has turned into an instrument
of mercy playing the loveliest
ballad I have ever heard
God sings
"Be still.
Be still.
Be still.
I am here.
Be still.
All is well.
Be still.
I am God.
Be still.
Fall into My love.
Be still.
I am here."
During my darkest
nights I allow God
to use my lungs as
a piano
and I know that
I will never be alone.
breathing in grace
breathing out redemption
breathing in grace
breathing out redemption
breathing is my new favorite prayer
~ john roedel (johnroedel.com)
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 6:37 am Post subject:

I love his writing! He is so gifted. He speaks to my soul. I had to track him down and connect with him just to thank him. I hope you find his writings to bring some comfort to your spirit..
Angie Cartwright, "Grief The Unspoken"

Me: Hey God.
God: Hello, my love.
Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
God: Because you aren't a puzzle.
Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking down!
God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.
Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?
God: Only the very best pieces of you.
Me: I'm scared of changing.
God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!
Me: Becoming who?
God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! Become! Become! Become! Become who I made you yo be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it.
Me: There goes another piece.
God: Yep. Let it be.
Me: So...I'm not broken?
God: No - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day. Become!! Become!!
~ john roedel ~ https://www.amazon.com/Hey-God-John-Happens-Writes/dp/1720783071/ref=nodl_?fbclid=IwAR0sJqeSsjQRsoqUwcbWDBQrmBYK5Rt-dPhPVplsoytxP1Z8gh1YLggyH5c
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2021 11:50 am Post subject:

~ i Looked N d mirror,+ what did i c,but a little old lady peering back at me,w/ bags & sags & wrinkles,& wispy white hair,+ i asked my reflection,how did u get there,u once was straight + vigorous,+ now ur stooped + weak,when i tried so hard 2 keep u,from becoming an antique.My refection's eyes twinkled,as she solemnly replied,ur looking at d gift wrap,+ not d jewel Nside,a living gem + precious,of unimagined worth,Unique + true, d real u,d only u on Earth,d years that spoiled ur gift wrap,w/other things more cruel,should purify + strengthen, + polish up that jewel,So focus ur attention on d Nside,not d out, On being kinder, wiser, more content,+ more devout, then, when ur gift wrap's stripped away,ur jewel will B set free,2 radiate God's glory,thru all eternity ~ Aunty Anne's Corner of Life
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2021 8:03 am Post subject:

~ The Easy Cajun

by Harvey Patterson

It was Christmas Eve 1942. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas.

We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Daddy wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Daddy to get down the old Bible.

I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Daddy didn't get the Bible instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon he came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now he was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew he was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my coat. Mommy gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what..

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Daddy was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Daddy pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed.

"I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

Then Daddy went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. Mrs.Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," he said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, he called a halt to our loading then we went to the smoke house and he took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked. Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Mrs.Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Daddy was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was he buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Mrs.Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Mrs.Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Daddy said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then he handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at my Daddy like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," he said. Then turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Daddy handed them each a piece of candy and Mrs.Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that He would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of my Daddy in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Daddy had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Mommy and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Daddy insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. My Daddy took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Daddy and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door he turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Mrs.Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Daddy turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your Mother and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough.

Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your Mom and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Daddy had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. He had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Mrs. Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, Whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside of my Daddy that night. He had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:58 am Post subject:

~

Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own.
- TOD = Transfer On Death deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with your county saves your heirs THOUSANDS. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your death certificate to the county building and the deed is signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate.
- Living Will: Allows one to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions
- Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if one is no longer competent to do so.
- Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for their person.
- Last Will and Testament: Designates to whom personal belongings will go too.
- Funeral Planning Declaration: allows one to say exactly one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the services.
- If the above documents are done, at least in MI and Indiana, you can AVOID probate. If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have an attorney to open the estate account. The attorney also has to publicize your passing in the paper etc., to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. - It’s a complete PAIN.
- Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid. Make sure heirs knows where life insurance policies are located.
- Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and passwords!!!! (Mom had a little binder with all of this! )
- Make sure you have titles for all vehicles, campers, etc!
- MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! - Talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes KNOWN. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate. - Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings.
We were fortunate that dad had almost everything in order. A huge blessing g to us was that he had pre planned and prepaid his funeral just a couple of days after mom died. Sadly, he had planned on doing a TOD deed for the house the Monday after he died. Had he been able to complete that, it would have saved thousands in attorney fees and we could have avoided having to probate the estate.
Hope this helps! Hope this lights a spark to encourage all my friends and family to take care of these things to make it easier for those we’ll leave behind!
*** I am NOT an attorney. The above is all simply lessons that I’ve learned on my own. Of course only you can make decisions for yourself! My hope is that the above list at least helps you start an important conversation with your loved ones and an attorney that can help you complete all the necessary steps. *** - Jermaine Lane.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2022 5:19 am Post subject:

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Cranky Old Man.....
What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . . . we will all, one day, be there too!
PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM !!!
The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart. ~ The Easy Cajun ~ July 30, 2020.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:05 am Post subject:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do: and the God of peace shall be with you." - Philippians 4:8-9.
A friend was having a terrible time sleeping. "Brooding thoughts keep coming into my head," he groaned. "Seems like night after night, the memory of every bad thing that ever happened in my life crowds in with the darkness. It's stealing my peace."
"That's rough." I paused and thought for a moment. "This might be helpful: My husband was an avid sports fan and frequently drew on the wisdom of some of the great coaches, especially Woody Hayes of the Ohio State Buckeyes. When the guy carrying the football was having trouble through the opposition, Woody used to tell him, 'Run where they ain't!' Try it. When you get into bed at night and dismal thoughts beset you, speed away from them and put your mind on all the good things you can praise God for."
I met him a few weeks later. "What do you know," he said with a grin. "It seems to be working. Before getting to sleep I think about hiking around a lake, fishing and all the fun things that make me happy. When stress-related stuff comes into my mind, I say the Lord's Prayer, sometimes several times over, to help me 'run where they ain't.' I've been sleeping a whole lot better."
Ouiet my heart, Lord, through the darkness of the night. May I rest in peace and rise with the morning light, rested and refreshed to praise Your name through another day. - FAY ANGUS. {GP} ~ November 3, 2012 Saturday 10:51 a.m.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 12:04 pm Post subject:

Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s time to sit back and take stock of our lives and what we have.
It’s easy to take things for granted in America. We become accustomed to having things all around us that most of the world can only dream about. Just having food every day is a blessing.
I once watched a friend teach a young man how to appreciate what he had. The young man was disappointed that he didn’t have much in his life.
My friend told him to start every day by thanking God for every thing he had. He said, “When you wake up in the morning the first thing you do is you thank God that He’s giving you another day. Then, touch the bed and thank God for giving you a bed to sleep on. Now, touch the pillow. Thank God for giving you something soft to lay your head on. Do the same thing for the blanket and thank God for giving you something to keep you warm throughout the night.”
He went on about looking at the ceiling and the roof over your head, having a carpet to walk on, shoes to wear, running water in the house to clean yourself. You get the point. We have so much yet we are thankful for so little.
Ralph Waldo Emerson used to tell people to imagine what would happen if the stars only came out for one night every year. People would plan their calendars around that day just to stay up all night to gaze at miraculous display of the stars.
Those stars are there every night, aren’t they? How can we not look up once in a while and thank God for them? He has given us so much. Spend some time today thanking Him for some of its.
1 Chronicles 16:34
“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” ~ A Preacher And His Barns

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We don't have much, what we have, we share.