...but Sunday's Comin'

Lately - actually over the past couple of years - Satan has been nipping at my heels, trying to thwart me in every area of my life. Actually, it's been more like sucker-punching me everytime I get back up. The latest is our vehicles.

Bill's car blew-up, well not literally, but it overheated so bad that the hood popped open on its own. It's currently resting in my driveway. Bill's been driving my truck this week. Now, my truck has had it own little issue, he stinks when the heat is on. So yesterday when we spent the afternoon tooling around in the gorgeous weather, the truck decides he's going to overheat! What?!?!? We get some anitfreeze to refill it, let it cool down for awhile while we watched a movie, then try to get blue-boy home.

These trials are good for me and Bill in the early stages of our relationship. How do we handle these interruptions/trials/aggrivations/etc.? Well, if I were alone, I would have cried, Bill would have ranted (he did for about 10 seconds). But we just looked at each other and recognized where all this craziness was coming from - Satan. No coincidence two vehicles down for the same reasons in the same week. I prayed, Bill prayed, we prayed together to just get us home without having to stop and keep our focus on the right enemy. We made it home fine, blue-boy is waiting at the shop for his turn this morning, and I am just so thankful I have a Savior to go to when even this kind of stuff happens.

Bill has such a wonderful outlook in these times - Satan is going to burn in hell for eternity, we're not. And I couldn't resist posting this video today. This is truly a Good Friday!

Picture Update

These may not thrill some of you like they do me -- but I'm posting anyway! I've been so excited to see this little bush bloom! My old trailer and all the trees on the fence row had held this little beauty back from blossoming every year. Can you believe at one point I thought about getting rid of it because it was so scrawny and ugly and in the way -- now look at it! It's amazing what happens when God's creation is given room to grow! (That includes each of us)

This is a close-up of one of the blossoms...


This is the blossom of the little budling from the previous post...

And a cool shot just for fun...Loved how the clouds in the shining blue sky looked in the mirror!

Some favorite pictures

I finally took time to figure out some new settings on the camera!

Helping out is great!

Friday night as I was organizing (surprise, surprise) around the house and in my office, I realized that the Northside clothing drive was in full swing! AND there was an opportunity to be a part of the "packing party" Saturday morning. So I rearranged a few things to make time for this!



The clothes are all going to a mission couple in Columbia serving over 600 displaced families. The site was incredible Saturday morning! I pull in to hand over my three bags of clothes and shoes and see this semi FULL of stuff! And they certainly needed extra hands to ORGANIZE and pack! Right up my alley.



Inside the truck were kids who brought bags & boxes of stuff to us to separate. Then clothes to long tables to be sorted and repacked into these huge plastic bags. Everything else had to be arranged into categories - household, accessories, shoes, toys, etc. - then repacked into boxes that were of consistent size. Three hours of work and we only got half-way thru!



The morning was great - and I got to reconnect with a couple that had attended GCC last year.



Once that was done, I was on my way to help some more friends with putting the cover on a greenhouse. This was an experience! It took 12 of us to get it done. You have to pull TIGHT to get it nailed on. We were so blessed to have a gorgeous, low-wind day. Otherwise, I'd still be floating over Washington County!



Then back to mom's to gather up homemade yeast rolls and chocolate chip bars to take to Big Bill - wondering all the time if they'd make it to the Peake household or not! And Bill (the younger) mowed my yard - it's looking fabulous lately! Unfortunately, his car blew up on the way to my house. He thinks it's the thermostat and hopes he didn't bust the head. So, leaving the car behind, we make our way to church. Northside was celebrating George Ross's 10th Anniversary - the dedication was so touching! The message was given by one of their youth ministers and it was very relevant to us both. He and some others just got back from a mission trip to Haiti.


And Sunday morning McKay class was was good. I was a little nervous about going, but it was better after I got settled in. Then off to lunch with the Peakes. Mmmmm, hot yeast rolls with butter - they made it to the house! Then Bill and I went to my house to do more yard work, then to my mom's where he found out she has lots of big-boy toys and 13 acres with a creek to play in! He and Tom are going to be getting dirty, I just feel it coming on!

All-in-all - great weekend!

My favorite view - another day

See why I love this view! Each sunrise bring different colors. The horses (the dark blobs to the left) are standing on the horizon. The pond is a reflection pool of light. And all this is enhanced with the new green buds on the tree! And when the sun sets from the other side it lights up the tree's new leaves to this brilliant green. It's gorgeous. Every morning I am reminded that all things were made by Him and through Him, I am His child, and His mercies are new every morning. Have a blessed day!

Passed Over

No - this is not a posting about THE Passover - but more like I got passed over once again. Or maybe it'll turn out to be a Passover posting...hmmm....



Long & short of it - I interviewed for a promotion here at work - for a position that I had already been backing up for four years. I did not get the promotion - seems the person who got it would be "better for the NCAC." So - does that mean I'm not good enough. Of course it does - if I let Satan keep telling me that.



And this has not been the only thing I've been passed over for lately. Lots of church stuff, other job opportunities, social activities with "friends," etc. And the whole time I had to welcome in my competition - since I sit out front - I was obedient to God and prayed & fasted during the day. I prayed mostly for God's will to be done in my life concerning all things. And it's truly amazing the stuff He tells you when you are listening to Him.



It's not that I was "passed-over" but that I was PASSOVER'ed. The blood of Jesus covers me now - and those situations are not what God wants for me, so the death that could have occured had I not been covered in the blood would be so much worse than just feeling "passed over." He revealed to me that He doesn't want me to be a part of certain social circles ("cliques")...it's too narrow-minded and there's no outreach for Jesus. He doesn't want me to have that promotion because He knows He would lose my focus. I would be putting all my energy into doing that job and not spending precious time with Him. Even though I struggle with my current situations, I know He's right here with me. I know He has a plan for me - and I know I am in His will.



So if you ever feel like you've been "passed-over," consider a different perspective - that you've been Passover'ed because the blood of Jesus makes you a child of the Most High - and HE has everything under control.

Bathroom Talk

So I just got back from the bathroom. Already more information than you wanted to know! LOL! But in the hallway - where there's nothing but windows overlooking the expressway - a mom who owns a copy shop on the first floor was up on the 10th with her daughter (probably almost 4) looking at all the cars. They were adorable just in the hallway.

As I'm finishing up in the bathroom stall, I hear them enter - little girl chatting like a grown-up and I had to giggle when I heard her say, "well, actually..." Then it got better. They went into their stalls and the little girl asks mommy, "Are you wiping?" Mommy replies (after giggling), "no, honey, I'm tinkling." "Well, I'm wiping," was the girl's response. I laughed after I left the room!

Serious bathroom girl-talk, indeed!

I just could not resist taking a picture of my favorite view this morning! And I hate that pictures just can not express all the colors, lighting, feel of what I actually see.


This spot is located around a bend in the road. So every morning I anticipate what that view is going to be that morning. During the winter when there's a layer of snow, and the white horse is standing behind the pond, with ice on the trees - it's simply magical to behold!


I hope God saves this spot for me in Heaven.

Easter Passion

This post marks my 200th blog posting. Seems like a lot, but really it's not. There's so much to write about, so many messages to send, so many observations & experiences to pass along. But if I never got a chance to write another post - there's one thing I would have to post about...Jesus.

Last night we went to Southeast Christian Church's "Easter Passion." This production was more than your small-church Easter pageant...and for those that have seen it in previous years - you know what I'm talking about. This is all-out broadway excellence. This year they added video. And not done in a style you would think. The whole thing was completely UN-BE-LIEVE-ABLE!!! Unlike anything I've ever seen before. And there was not a dry eye in the place when we left. Anytime you are seeing Jesus, experiencing Jesus...it's better than a sermon any day.

This Passion starts as John the Baptist is preaching and baptizes Jesus, goes through Jesus' ministry, then his crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. That's cool stuff! Beyond cool - it touches you. This picture is from the temptation in the wilderness scene. That's Satan above Jesus' head. Throughout the production you see Satan trying to influence - Jesus in the wilderness, the Pharisees when hearing the blind man's testimony, provoking the mob to choose Barabas over Jesus... It's amazing to SEE Satan's influence - he of course is the ruler of this realm. He's also the father of lies. But anytime Satan came against Jesus - Jesus' focus was on His Father! No focus or attention was even given to Satan. But for the others that were influenced by Satan - no attention was given to God or even acknowledging Satan - they just did what they were influenced to do. It was amazing to witness it as an outside observer and then apply it to my own life.

I have a promotion interview today. I've been anxious about it all week. But, I've given that all over to God to work with. Whatever happens will be in His will. But I've looked at myself and seen where Satan has been pumping me since the opportunity came open. Shoot, Satan's been pumping me about a lot of things for years now. Holding me down, keep me captive instead of captivating. I've lost a lot at the hands of Satan. Every day is a battle to fight, but not alone. Jesus conquered death so we could have victory. So I encourage you readers, learn more about Jesus - stay close to Him. He died to pay the ransom for you (and me). He was the only one who could do it. Satan has you held captive. Whether it be from your own actions & consequences, or those that were influenced by Satan, or even thoughts of defeat and worthless Satan has planted in your head caused by someone else's actions; whether you know it or not, Satan has held you captive.

But the beautiful thing is - Jesus already paid the ransom years ago, all you have to do is accept that - and accept Him as your Lord that has saved you from hell. Repent & be baptized for your sins, accept Jesus as Lord & Savior (brother & friend), take up your cross daily (stay alert & involved with Jesus), love God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love others as yourself. God Bless You!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!' = Happy St. Patrick's Day!

From Saint Patrick's Breastplate
Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man
who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me
Salvation is of the Lord.


An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!





And now some clips from one of my favorites..."The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. This movie has great scenery from Ireland - and I've been in some of these spots and actually rode in the trap they ride in while their "courting." I've walked that same lane they ride their bike in too. It's just breathtaking views and I can't wait to go back someday.