There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to say "Keep your fork."

Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

A friend of mine from Georgia sent me this she says it really works.

My mail carrier told me that the US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow-jackets away. I Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. I use it when I am working outside.
It really works. The yellow jackets just veer around you.

1. All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer! 
It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
 
2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or
 cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle. 
 
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that
 don't get opened too often.
 
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a
 belt loop when outdoors during mosqui to season. 
 
5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or
 computer) screen.
 
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling,
 wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to 
keep dust from resettling.
 
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
 
8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual
 sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet. 
 
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
 
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle
 through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of
 Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
 
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
 
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan. 
 
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
 
15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of
 Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs. 
 
16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe
 the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used 
sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
 
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual
 sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.
 
20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet! In their back pocket to keep the bees away.
 
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before
 folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

Till next time,

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Author Unknown

Lord, Please help me, 
To strengthen their voices, 
bodies and minds, 
To express their feelings and 
control them sometimes, 
To explore what's near 
and venture afar, 
But most important to love 
who they are. 

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

My teacher calls me sweetie cakes.

My classmates think it's funny

to hear her call me angel face

or pookie bear or honey.

She calls me precious baby doll.

She calls me pumpkin pie

or doodle bug or honey bunch

or darling butterfly.

My class is so embarassing

I need to find another;

just any class at all

in which the teacher's not my mother.

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Have a great blog idea run through your head and get real excited? Then something happens and you can't get to the computer right away. Then when you do finally sit down to write it you find yourself totally blank. Well that happened to me today. I was going to be really sappy about this being the last day of my 37 years and tomorrow being the beginning of my 38th year of being on this earth. But alas I couldn't get my computer to connect to the internet and when it finally did all I could remember of the blog was how I was celebrating the last day of being 37 and looking toward tomorrow when I will be 38. See told you it was going to be sappy.

However during my computers down time I got to enjoy watching my ds play in the creek and discover crawdads,fish and tadpoles. So all in all I can say that this has been a day to remember. And I am hoping and praying that the start of my 38th year of life will be as enjoyable as today has been.

Till Next Time,

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

I know I said I wasn't going to posting here anymore but I just can't stay away. I will try to post as often as I can but connection where I live is a bit iffy at the moment. I have really missed blogging and I have really missed the wonderful friends I have made on here.

Not much is going on around here at the moment we started school the 1st of August and things are going ok. I will post more soon.

Till next time,

Comments (3) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

I want to thank you all for your kind words and your prayers. Things are a little better we have actually got to spend more time as a family over the weekend. We have also got to talk more and we are working on our problems. He has agreed to start going to church with me. And what the devil had me thinking was going on wasn't. Dh is a very hard working man and he had just let his job come before anything else. He now realizes we need him at home sometimes too. But still keep us in your prayers because even though things seem better we still have some things to work out.

Till Next Time,

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Please pray for me. The devil is attacking me in my personal life. I am scared for my marriage and for my family. We need your prayers. If God doesnt put His hand in I dont know what will happen. I have no one to talk to about this but Him.

Till Next Time,

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

This will probably be my last enty here. It is so hard for me right now to keep up with 2 blogs. You can always vist me at my homeschool blog HERE.  I have really enjoyed my time here and the wonderful people I have met. I will still visit your blogs I just feel I need to cut back to just one blog right now

Keep us in your prayers.

With Love

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

A friend of my mom's shared this with her (she found it on the internet) and my mom shared it with me. And I would like to share it with you all.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said,

"God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us all ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers I heard a woman remark, "That’s what’s wrong with the country. Kids don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a really great prayer."

"Really?" my son asked.

"Cross my heart," the man replied. Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing) "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember for the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

Sometimes we all need some ice cream!

Till Next Time,

Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

As I was sitting here last night a huge burden came over me. I had been trying for months to be a good mom and wife and a good homeschool teacher. But I never felt complete. Not until last night. I started praying and rededicated my life to the Lord. Praise His name. A peace came over me that hadnt been there in along time. I had been going through all the motions for awhile but had never asked Him for forgiveness of my sins.

I now have to apologize to all of you. I wasnt trying to decieve you I thought things were ok in my life. But now I know they were not. If I have hurt anyone I am sorry. If you feel that I have decieved you and can not forgive that is your choice. But praise be to Him because he has forgiven me and I now feel complete.

I now carry a burden for my dh because he does not have salvation in his heart. And this bothers me terribly.

Please keep us both in your prayers.

Till Next Time

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

We went exploring this afternoon after dh got off work. I wanted to travel down some roads we hadn't been down and some we had but had been in to much of hurry to look around. Well in our exploring I found a wonderful bookstore. Full of used books. We spent an hour there just browsing. And they also have a children section. I found a couple of books for 50 cents. I was talking to the lady that was checking us out and she told me she gives homeschoolers 20% off their purchase (which made me want to buy more lol). So I found 2 Social Studies books for $3.The people there were so nice to me, my dh and my son. So I told them I would pass the word along to my mom's group and to the other homeschool moms and dads I know. They gave me a handful of bookmark business cards to pass along.

( I tried to upload a picture of the bookmark but I couldnt) So heres their information:

Book Heaven

"Where All Good Books Go"

2640 Upper Middle Creek Rd.

Sevierville, Tn 37876

865-429-9886

Bookheaven1@juno.com

On the way back through I noticed a little cafe called Nifties Fifties Cafe. So we stopped to check out their prices and see what they had to offer. And WOW! We felt welcomed the minute we walked in. And the food is great and very reasonably priced. The only down side was our son didnt like the music.(they play all the popular hits from the 50's) But he got over it and we had a wonderful time and a wonderful meal.

Actually it was just so good to get out of the motel room for awhile I didnt care where we went. But we had a good time as a family.

Till Next Time

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

This song is sung at my moms church in Georgia it comes from a bible verse. And has been going through my head for days.

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God, In everything give thanks for this is the will of God, In everything give thanks for this is the will of God, In Christ Jesus concerning you.

So I wanted to list some things I am thankful for.

1. My Lord Jesus;  that he died on the cross for our sins and that he is very forgiving.

2. My wonderful best friend and love of my life, my dh

3. My wonderful children.

4. My family and friends

5. Im thankful that they are all healthy and serving the Lord.

There is many thing I could list but it would take all day to do this. I know lately I haven't sounded thankful for anything but I am. I praise Him everyday.

Till Next Time,

Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

I have added some ribbons to the side of my page under I Support. If you click on them they take you to different websites that are important to me.

Till Next Time,

Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

First off I am excited to say I am officially a Soccer Mom. Yeah Me!

Secondly I have become a teacher to another student. My dh came home today with book and practice test he has to study and take to become a manager at his job. Guess who gets to review and help him with the test? You got it ME!

We are actually very excited at this we have been waiting 2 months for them to finally make the final step in making him a manager.

Lastly can I say I hate my job. At the beginning it was great. I loved that we were living here and it was was convienent and also it was extra money. But it burdens me that my boss wants me to lie to and cheat the customers. But if I say something or if I don't follow orders I will have to find another place to live. We cannot afford to move right now. I try to treat the customers good and if a problem comes up I try to resolve it my way and not lie to them. But they watch me all the time when I am in the office. We need the extra money but it hurts me to have to do what he tells me to.

I know if I pray God will provide a way for me. But until then I have to help provide for my son. And keep a roof over his head. So please pray for this situation and for us. Because there is so much dishonesty going on here.

Till next Time,

Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Could you imagine home schooling 12 to 16 children? I thought I had it rough home schooling just my one. But I was flipping through the channels on Tv last night on one of my sleepless nights and I came across these 2 shows. One was called "kids by the dozen" and the other was called "16 children and moving in." The amazing part in 16 children and moving in was they built this awesome home for themselves and used it as a teaching tool for their children. They basically built this home of theirs by themselves. When they got to a spot the needed help the would call a professional but basically they did it themselves. If you would like to check these shows out you can go to www.tlc.com and look on their schedule for the times and dates they will come on next.

After seeing these shows I will never complain about having it hard with my sons reading or math or whatever again. These ladies are amazing as well as the dads and the kids. And their closeness is awesome. The older kids mentor to the younger kids. You will just have to watch it to see these amazing families. I am going to inquire about whether these shows are on DVD and if they are Im getting them And who ever would like to watch them just let me know.

On another front, please pray for my family. Especailly my mom and my dad. My brother was arrested Sunday afternoon. And it looks like he will be going away for awhile. So please keep us in your prayers.

Till next time

Blessings

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Merry Christmas to all. I hope that you and your families have the best holiday season. May God Bless You all

Beverly

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Have you ever passed something along the way for weeks seeing but not actually seeing it? Me and my family were out and about tonight doing some last minute things and such. We were on our way back home when I noticed I mean actually noticed that the Christmas lights along the parkway were actually telling a story(or song rather). The decorations were in the median and we have seen them for a few weeks now but I never actually really paid attention to them. It was the birds sitting on the telephones that caught my eye ( 4 calling birds) and then I started looking more closely and noticed it was the 12 Days of Christmas. I know this may not mean alot to others but to me it taught me a lesson. Pay attention to your surroundings. For weeks its like I have been on auto pilot and not really paying attention to anything around me. But tonight it was like the Lord was saying WAKE UP! Pay ATTENTION  or you are going to miss something really important. I know they were just Christmas lights but ask yourself do you really look at your surroundings or just passing them by. I have lived in this town or surrounding areas for a little over a year. but just in the past month or so I have just been existing. But for some reason tonight things just opened up. I really don't know if this makes since to anyone else but I just had to get this off my chest.

When my grandfather passed away before Thanksgiving I gave up. I have a great family we have had our ups and downs but for the most part they are great. But my grandfather was my best friend. I knew that no matter what I might do wheither wrong or right he was always there for me. If I needed a ride at 3 am or I just needed to talk at 3am he was there to listen and never judge. I knew that one of these days he would go to heaven to be with God and my grandmother. But I never really thought of it. I did know that if I lost him that I would lose myself. And I did there for awhile. But tonight when I noticed those lights alot of things came flooding back to me. I still have family here on earth and though sometimes we have our little spats and thing they are still family and we still love and care for each other.

I know this probably sounds like the ramblings of a crazy person but I had to put it down in words now that things are actually making since to me.

Thank You for bearing with me through my ramblings. And if you don't take anything away from this try taking this, Look at were you are, take notice of the things around you, don't just glance at things really take a look at them you may be glad you did.

Love and Blessings till next time,

Comments (4) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

This is an awesome recipe I wanted to share with you. I hope you enjoy these. My mom makes them every Christmas for us. They are yummy!

Winter Strawberries

1 1/2 cups grated nuts

1 1/2 cups grated coconut

3 pkgs.(3oz) Strawberry Jello

1 can sweet condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup red colored sugar

almond slivers coloered green (optional)

Combine first 5 ingredients. Stir until smooth and keep stirring till it forms a ball. Chill for 1 hour.

Take out of fridge and shape mixture into small strawberry shapes (about a teaspoon full at a time). Chill for 1 hour.

Roll strawberries in red colored sugar. Place almond slivers at the top of strawberries for the stem. Keep refridgerated.

Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link