In just three days....

A lot can happen in three days. This middle day, the day between the death and resurrection, make me think so much of those who loved knew Him. Just put yourself in their place. Yesterday had to be horrific. It is bad enough to lose a loved one in any circumstance. It is even worse to watch them as they suffer in the pains of death. But to lose your best friend, your mentor, your guide, your teacher. It had to be horrible what they went through on that second day. To watch what was done to Him and then to wake up that next day with questions. Why? Why Him? Did they wonder if they could have done anything differently to prevent this? Did they second guess and relive every little thing that had happened in the past week. Did they close their eyes and see Him hanging their in pain in agony? 

Did they really even then understand that it was all part of God's perfect plan?

I cannot in any of my wildest imaginings begin to understand the pain and suffering they were going through. I would think that your own thoughts would be like those of someone on the brink of insanity just trying to take it all in, to try to reason it out in your mind. 

This day all those thousands of years ago had to be one of deep torment and deep grief for those who loved Him and knew Him best. 

BUT on that third day, oh wow! To have been there when they found out He was alive. To know that He arose and conquered death. He paid the final price and gave the ultimate sacrifice. And only after His death could they completely understand the purpose of His life. 

Tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day of rejoicing in the fact that the grave could not hold Him. Death could not keep Him. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and He did it for each and everyone of us. 

Happy Easter!

Finally....

I have lived in my current home for three years. And for three years there is a tree at the corner of the house that buds every year, then never blooms. This year though, it did bloom. I had long suspected it of being a dogwood tree but was not sure. Imagine my delight when the first blooms started opening up and this is what I saw...

The blossoms are absolutely perfect.

It is full and loaded with blossoms and more open every day.

I couldn't be happier. 

Tea Cup Exchange

Our church is going to have a tea cup exchange soon and I'm looking for a tea cup and saucer to take for my exchange. I went to the online Marketplace because they can be new or used in good shape. I am finding some real pretty ones. I am going to have a problem with purchasing one. Because every time I find one I fall in love with it and want it for myself. 

Well, I have a couple of weeks to get one so I'll keep looking.

This makes me smile.....

I had a cat for 17 years and loved her dearly. When she died, I didn't get a new one right away. By the time I thought I wanted a new one my husband had passed away and I lived somewhere that does not allow pets. I have missed having a cat to come home to but I haven't missed the litter box, the feeding, the care. 

One day about a little over a year ago, a friend of mine donated some stuffed animals to my children's church class for a project we were doing. We had some left over so the kids all got to take one home. Since Shelby was born shortly after K.C. died, she never got to know her but had heard many stories. So she decided since I couldn't have any pets, I needed a stuffed cat. She picked this one for my "new pet". The cat lays on my bed all the time. She is soft and fluffy and Shelby named her midnight. I will admit it is kind of sweet to come home every night late and have my "cat" laying on the bed. 

My bucket list...

I am having the time of my life with my bucket list this year. There haven't been a lot of major things on it, but there have been fun things. For example, I got my first tatoo. I got a personalized license plate to commemorate this year. I have tried new food. I've started and continued writing my book. I'm doing a recipe book for my fave recipes. I'm learning to dance. I have spent more time going out with my friends and not so much alone time. 

But here is the biggie......

I have booked a flight on a plane! That's right. I am 62 and never been on a plane and harbored a slight fear of one. But thanks to a friend who provided me with input and confidence to do it, I started researching round trip non-stop flights and found one that was super affordable. I posted the ad that triggered it on Facebook and another friend saw it and has decided to go on a trip with me. Within a couple hours of my original post we had a flight booked.

Where am I going? Now that is the reallly exciting part. My one place in the U.S. that has always been a dream destination that I never told anyone because I knew I would never go is Miami, FL. Ever since the 1980's and my love affair with Miami Vice and Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) I have wanted to experience Miami. So that is where we are going. I am so excited that I can hardly stand it. 

We are going in mid summer because I want to experience the height of the season with sunny skies and warm sunshine. 

One thing I hope to do is visit somewhere that I can see live flamingos. Since my friend has a beach room and is flamingo crazy like me, I am sure we will find some while we are there. 

It's hard to tell what we will see or do, but one things for sure. We will have fun.

Playing catch up....again....

I do not know how I have blogged every day for over 9 years without fail, but in the past two months I can't find to blog but once or twice a week. Think I will change my blogging time and maybe I can get back to my daily. But to catch you up on my world...

During the school spring break, Shelby spent the day with me one day and we ran around all day playing tourist. We ended that night picking up my daughter (Shelby's mom) and going out to dinner and to the Smoky Mountain Opry. Shelby wanted to dress up a little and do some make up, so we let her. She always wears her hair back behind her ears so this is a rare photo of it completely down long. 

One of my favorite parts of the Opry show is when they do thriller and the floor little opens up and all the folks rise out of the graves. It is so cool. That whole show is amazing.

I've gotten a couple of little packages lately from my niece Amy. This was the first care package. The Junior Mint eggs were amazing.

But the favorite thing in that package was my flamazing flamingo sign.

Then a week later, I got this cute key chain of a flamingo. The funny part was that just that day I realized I needed a new house key and wanted a beachy looking one. So this makes me smile.

I went to the local 10 mile yard sale Saturday. I didn't find much but did pick up a few things. My favorite was this set of sandwich glass bowls for just .50 cents. 

I have wanted this book ever since it came out but didn't want to pay the $27.95 for a hardback and then forgot about it when it came out in paperback. So I grabbed it up when I found it for $1.00. Now I need to finish what I'm reading so I can read it.

Well, that's it for today. I hope you all have an enjoyable Monday.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday. As I imagine the jubilation that the people felt when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, my mind begins to wonder. What was He feeling? He knew what lay ahead at the end of the week. He knew how much suffering there was in store for him. Yet, He gladly carried on with the task the Father had set before him. You have to wonder what was going on in His mind. Not once did He drag His feet and say "I'm not going to do it. I don't want to go." It would have been easy to stay where He was. To continue to live a life where people adored Him, where they brought their troubles to Him. Yet, He humbly carried out the orders of His Father.

Yes, Easter is a time to celebrate. He is Risen. He is Lord. He is the King of Kings. But on that one day, riding on a donkey, being treated with love and respect, you have to wonder what He was thinking. Did He want to scream out in angst and agony and warn them. Did He want to say "This is not going to turn out the way you think." Did He want to warn them how much suffering He was getting ready to endure before He arose in sweet victory?

No, He rejoiced. He knew what was getting ready to happen and He was ready. The big moment was just days away. He had been preparing His whole life for the one moment He hung on that cross on that hill. The one single moment when time stood still and He took OUR place.

I am so thankful to have a Saviour who did all this so I can have eternal life.