The Girl Who Says Yes

She says yes. And risks losing everything. Her reputation. Comfort. Security. The man of her dreams. The family that she hopes to have with him one day. She's willing to give all of it up. Even her life. Who is this girl? What was she thinking? Why does she say yes? Would I? Would you? Well, let me tell you what went down. The girl who says yes receives a message from this strange dude. Not sure about his name, but it could be Gabe or something like that. Anyway, the dude says something like this: "Girl, you gonna have a baby." She says, "Say what!" "Yeah, for real. You gonna have the baby that everybody's been talking about. The promised baby. The one from God. You know, His Son." "You are so totally freaking me out! How can this happen? I mean, I've got a boyfriend. We're engaged. But like, we're not together like that." So, the dude--guy--angel--whatever says, "Not a problem for God. His Spirit is gonna make this Baby. Nothing is too hard for Him. So, what do you want me to tell God? Are you in? And the girl says, "Yes. Uhh...well, I was scared at first. Way overwhelmed. But you can tell God that I'm like cool with it now. Cause I love Him. And trust Him. With everything." And that's kinda, but not exactly how things happened for Mary when the angel told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah. You may want to check out Luke 1: 26-38 to get a few more facts. I especially like verse 38: "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. I wonder if we were in Mary's place, how we would answer God. Maybe you're thinking, Well, that's Mary. Not me. And that was a long time ago. The truth is that God still has plans for His children. He has a plan for me. And for you. Will we be the girl who says yes? Sweet dreams, Deb

A Silver Shield?

A four-lane highway. A busy intersection. A green light. Mine. I see the other car. But too late. Suddenly, the driver of that car makes a left-hand turn. I scream,"What's he doing?" I grip the steering wheel with both hands. And brace myself for what's about to happen. No time to change direction. No way to avoid the collision that's coming. No time to pray. That sound. Metal against metal. Like an explosion. Then squealing. Screeching. Unwillingly, I surrender control of my Chevy. Skid fifty yards from the point of impact. On three tires. I learn later. The airbag deploys. Its powder sears my hands and arms. Left shoulder and neck hurt. Nasty seatbelt burn. Scared. Shaken. Sore. But alive. And so thankful. At first, I can't recall the answers to some of the questions that emergency personnel quiz me about. Like birthday. Telephone number. Address. But I'm ok, and that kind of information comes back to me. Still, some details about the crash are somewhat illusive. Like what I thought I saw inside my car. Right before the crash occurred. I saw something silver. Like a shield. The top corners of a silver shield. In front of me. Between the on-coming car and me. Ok. I know you're thinking that this little scenario sounds pretty strange. Well, so do I. And I can't prove that I saw anything at all. But I do know one thing for sure: The presence of our loving God was with me and protected me from harm. The following verse from Psalm 28:7a has new meaning for me: The LORD is my strength and my shield. I saw His strength displayed. I felt His shielding presence. Because of His strength and His shield, the other car hit the strongest part of my car--the front tire and axle. Not my door. So, did I really see a silver shield? I don't know. And it's probably not important. I'm just thankful that He takes care of me when I can't take care of myself. Sweet dreams, Deb

Over the Top

Tea, a new blogger, is writing a novel and is participating in NaNoWriMo. So far, she has written 23,709 words. Way to go, Tea! She received this Over the Top award for her blog and has passed it along to me. Thank you so much, Tea. The rules for accepting this award are to copy and change the answers below to suit you and pass it on. Answers can only be one word! Pass the award to your favorite bloggers and alert them they have been awarded. Here are my answers to these questions: 1. Where is your cell phone? desk 2. Your hair? brown 3. Your mother? wonderful 4. Your father? sad 5. Your favorite food? Mexican 6. Your dream last night? weird 7. Your favorite drink? water 8. Your dream/goal? writing 9. What room are you in? office 10. Your hobby? decorating 11. Your fear? everything 12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home 13. Where were you last night? home 14. Something you aren’t? singer 15. Muffins? sure 16. Wish list item? 17. Where did you grow up? Alabama 18. Last thing you did? ate 19. What are you wearing? shorts 20. Your TV? den 21. Your pets? none 22. Your friends? good 23. Your life? great! 24. Your mood? content 25. Missing someone? hub 26. Vehicle? white 27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes 28. Your favorite store? Target 29. Your favorite color? blue 30. When was the last time you laughed? today 31. Last time you cried? yesterday 32. Your best friend? husband 33. One place that I go over and over? Walmart 34. One person who emails me regularly? sisters 35. Favorite place to eat? Casa Napoli

I think that the following blogs are over the top, and I want to pass this award to them:

Melinda at http://parentingconfessions.blogspot.com/

Mary Leigh at http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/

Prairie Chick at http://prairieprologue.blogspot.com/ Teresa at http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/ Becky at http://farmgirlpaints.blogspot.com/

Sweet dreams,

Deb

Big Girl Boots

Black suede. One-inch heels. About two sizes too big for her. Handed down from an older cousin. Doesn't matter to her. She thinks she's something. Cause she's got big girl boots now. For a four-year-old, she puts together a way cool outfit. Black skirt. Pink leggings. A super sparkly, rock star shirt. And of course, her boots. Ready for action. Adventure. Amusement. She goes outside. She knows the rules: Stay in the yard. Don't go near the street. But you know how it is when you're wearing big girl boots. You have the illusion of being in charge. Confident. Competent. Well, the same thing happens to her. She does pretty good for awhile. Sits on the golf cart. Tries to turn the steering wheel. Pretends to drive. Then, she pokes leaves through the fence into the neighbor's yard. Next, she walks down the driveway toward the street. Stops. Sits down. Picks up a handful of pine straw and throws it into the air. Hmm. Probably a good time to call her back to the house. But first, I finish dusting the bookcase. All I need is thirty seconds. Done. I turn. Oh, that girl! She walks up the steps. With the mail in her hand! Which means that she got the mail out of the mailbox. Which means that she walked to the street. By herself! Which means that she broke the rules. Because of those big girl boots. She was so sure that she could do it. So sure that she would be ok. So sure that she wouldn't get caught. But her sense of confidence. Of certainty. Of competence. Were mere illusions. I know what it's like to break a few rules. And to trust in an illusion. To think I'm in control. To be certain that I can push back parameters that God put in place for my protection. And not get hurt. My granddaughter couldn't do it. Neither can we. He has a reason for establishing rules and boundaries. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance (Psalm 16:6). God's boundaries exist to protect us. As we learn to accept His guidelines, we'll find peace and joy that won't disappoint. Unlike illusions and big girl boots. That betray. And leave us with blisters. Bruised. Broken. Maybe one day soon, we'll replace those boots with a new pair of shoes. Sweet dreams, Deb

A Blogger's Heart

The wonderful world of blogging! What I've learned so far. I am not the queen of tech. I wish that I were. And good writers allow you to enter their world. But good bloggers invite you to come into their heart. Like Mary Leigh. A few months ago, she gave me my first blogging award. And now she's given me the Heartfelt Award. And when you read her blog, you'll discover the most important things in her heart. Like love. For her family. Her friends. Her God. And us. I like that kind of heart. Don't you? Thank you, friend, for sharing both your heart and this award. Here are the rules for receiving the Heartfelt Award: “This award is bestowed upon blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose six more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award. I'm passing this award along to the following bloggers who touch hearts: Chanda at http://www.ecocheapmom.com/ Beth at http://athisfeetinprayer.blogspot.com/ http://okgranny.blogspot.com/ Cindy at http://lettersfrommidlife.blogspot.com/ Joy at http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/ Prarie Chick at http://prairieprologue.blogspot.com/ Sarah at http://cultofdeception.blogspot.com/ Sweet dreams, Deb

Thanks

I love November! What a great time to give thanks. And to say thanks. Some special blogger firends have blessed me with awards. So now, I have the privilege of thanking them. And, I get to pass these awards along as well. Thanks, Prairie Chick for giving me this: Here are the rules for accepting this award: 1. Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award. 2. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself. 3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have enouraged me. 4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving this award. Here goes! Ten honest things about me: 1. I'd rather eat chocolate than sleep. 2. Hate onions. 3. Am afraid of big crowds and small spaces. 4. Like pedicures. 5. Not a good conversationalist. 6. Get my hair colored. 7. Training for a half marathon. 8. My favorite sleepwear is a tee shirt. 9. I don't like dogs. I'm giving Scrap to these honest writers: Mary Leigh at http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress/ Lidj at http://mla-crownofglory.blogspot/ Jennifer at http://gettingdownwithjesus.blogspot.com/ Julie at http://juliegillies.com/ Elaine at http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/ Teresa at http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/ Andrea at http://aparsonswife.blogspot.com/ And Teresa passed along the Superior Scribbler's award to me. Thanks, Teresa. Here are the rules for this award: 1. Each Superior Scribbler that I name today must pass the award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy friends. 2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom she has received the award. 3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on her blog, and link to this post, which explains the award. 4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor! 5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on her blog.

I want to share this award with these superior bloggers:

Heather at http://hkudlaontheroad.blogspot.com/

Tea at http://myhomemakers.blogspot.com/

Margie at http://momentscapturedintime.blogspot.com/

Lisa at http://mypassionatepursuit-lisa.blogspot.com/

Jennifer at http://www.dustbunnyhostage.com/

Teresa also awarded me with this:

I'd like to share this Sunshine award with all of the above-mentioned bloggers. All of you make my day brighter and blessed.

Sweet dreams,

Deb

Tech Problems

If you're stopping by to pick up an award, I'm so sorry. I posted. And viewed. Went back to edit. Had an HTML problem. Wouldn't let me re-post after making a change. Have never had this happen before. I don't know how to correct this. But will work on it. I so need tech help. Sweet dreams, Deb