Here we GROW!!!

Blog entry 2/24/2012 It’s amazing, at least to me, to see how children grow. I wish I would have paid closer attention when my own four wonderful children were growing up. I always tell new parents to “hold on tight” because it all flies by so quickly! Of course I’m sure that I am not the only person to tell new parents that. I heard it when I was a new parent….all those years ago! We all know that you can’t go back in time to “re-do” what was done or what was said, or what was NOT done or what was NOT said. No matter how much “wishing” we do, it just won’t work. You can even beg and plead, but it’s not going to happen. But, OH how I wish I could. Maybe some parents are satisfied with how things have gone while raising their children, and they wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t think I know any of these parents. Especially moms. Now this is not to discount or discredit fathers. It is just that I usually have conversations with women about parenting; mainly because I am a woman. It’s a little difficult to relate labor stories with a man. Most generally the Mom is the one to do the majority of the care of the children. Having said that, there are some men who really do a fantastic job at parenting! And for now, I will leave it at that before I get “hate mail”! A growing child needs soooooo much to thrive. I believe one of the main ingredients to a thriving child is LOVE. Now “love” encompasses such a wide variety of areas. Parental love. Love of self. Love for others. Love from friends. Love from community….the list could be endless. Recently I have been substituting for two area school districts in a wide variety of areas. I have had three, four and five year olds in Preschool. I have had multiple disabilities students ranging from severely “handicapped” to mildly affected students. I have had HeadStart students and I have had high school students in the “in-school suspension” class. What a wide spectrum! I have loved every minute of each day that I have substituted! This week, in particular, has been quite the week as far as following that spectrum. Mid week I had the preschoolers that called me everything from “Mrs. Horton” (which seemed so formal to me! But it was the rule, so I had to follow it too!) to “Mrs. Horner”, “Mr. Holden”, “Miss Fortone”, and beyond. I just gently corrected the student and moved on. It was all I could do not to hug them all….they were so darn cute! At the end of the week, I substituted for the “in-school” suspension classroom at a high school. I knew about this job for over a week. I prepared myself for the worse and hoped for the best. As I checked in to the office, I already met my match with a student that was going to be in my classroom. He was “butting heads” with the Assistant Principal before I even arrived. He was calm UNTIL other students began arriving in the office for various reasons. The more students present, the louder he became. I didn’t see this student the rest of the day. The “seeking” of attention, and sometimes affection, of these two groups of students was not all that different. The preschoolers found it “funny” to call me by the wrong name to see what my reaction would be. At first we both giggled at the “wrong” names they were using. Then it became a way for them to get my attention so I could correct them. Either way, I was paying attention to them and giving them gentle guidance. The student at the high school was seeking attention as well. It might not have been MY attention he was trying to gain. It was probably directed more towards his peers. He DID get the attention of the Assistant Principal. I’m sure he did not like the response he eventually received. As I said, I didn’t see him the rest of the day so I can’t be positive of the outcome, but I can take an educated guess. I don’t “know” any of these students. I don’t know their home-life, their close relatives, their family dynamics or their friend circles. I can tell you this; each child/student I have worked with has been an eye opener as far as how I have raised my own children. I am FAR from the perfect parent! I was a single parent for many, many years. When I was NOT single, I made some horrible choices in the parenting arena. Looking back, I can admit that I often chose my own needs over the needs of my children. I’m not proud of that. I am actually quite ashamed of that! Again, I can’t go back and change that….wishing doesn’t work. My four children, MY BIGGEST BLESSINGS, have had quite the ride with me as their mother! If you ask the oldest two (from my first marriage), life wasn’t so bad. I find it hard to believe they don’t focus on the bad times…but they remember the fun times! THAT amazes me! I look back and often times, all I can remember are the times where I worried about their health, or what I would find to fix for their next meal, or if I could afford a babysitter for the few hours of work I had coming up, or if their “cold” was really just a cold and not something far worse. They talk about the times we drove around for hours (gasoline was MUCH cheaper then!!) and looked for deer at the edge of fields and the way they used to run down the HUGE hill (which is actually a small rise in the land) at the apartment complex we used to live in. They make me feel so much better about my parenting! But in reality, I know the areas in which I failed, or came close to failing. There were even times when I wasn’t sure I could be a parent at all. I didn’t think I was worthy of these little lives that God put in my care. I couldn’t do them justice. I couldn’t protect them the way I wanted, or the way I thought I should. The only thing I didn’t question was my love for them. THAT I knew I had…I loved them with all that I have (and still do!) Even as each child was born, I KNEW I would have enough love for each one. Some parents worry that they won’t have enough love to give to each additional child. One just learns, rather quickly I think, that the love for each child is different, but still just as strong as the love for the very first one. It is in difficult cases that we see children of the same family being loved unequally that problems arise and challenges become apparent. That’s another blog all together! I love to watch the progression of children…any children, as they grow and learn. Maybe I missed my calling. Maybe I should have gone into education. Easy to say now…I’m just a substitute! I don’t have the lesson planning, the parents of the children who do no wrong, the daily attitudes, the lack of respect, the “what can I get into next” challenges that educators face every day. I have a new respect for what teachers and administrators go through daily. What I do have is LOVE. That is one gift God gave me that I KNOW how to use. It may have to be “tough” love sometimes, but I do know how to love. It doesn’t matter the age. I love all of God’s children. Sometimes it is the most difficult thing in the world to do. Love leaves your heart open for much pain and resentment. Nonetheless, I will love until my dying day. Who have you loved today? Have you loved a child? A friend? A parent? Have you opened yourself up enough to love a stranger? More importantly, have you loved God today? We don’t stop growing as we age…we grow MORE! (No I’m not talking about your waistline!) Our minds are capable of doing so much more as we age. Our hearts grow too. The more we know, the more we know HOW to love. Love doesn’t always come in the form of a hug or other physical activity. Love comes in a smile, a small gesture of kindness, or even letting another driver turn before you at the four-way intersection. God tells us that LOVE is the most important thing. Doesn’t it make sense that the Creator of love should be the best person to tell us HOW to love? Go out and love today…in some small way, shape or form. And see if it makes a difference. It might not make a difference to the person you are “loving”, but it will make a difference in you! As you love…you grow! Never stop growing! Blessing to one and all, Sooz

It's my birthday and I'll____ if I want to!

Yep....it's true. Today is my birthday. Because we are friends, I will tell you...I'm 46 today. Whooo Hooo! (said in the most sarcastic way possible!). I don't MIND birthdays per sa. I just get a bit uneasy about birthdays. I think I am "growing old gracefully", as the saying goes. I don't really "feel" old. I mean, WHAT is "old". When I was in my teens, "old" was my grandparents. They were probably in their sixties. When I was in my 20's, "old" was people in a nursing home. Probably late 70's and beyond. When I was in my 30's, I wasn't sure there was such a thing as "old" because I worked with the senior population and some of them seemed younger than me! Now in my 40's, I KNOW that I am aging but I don't feel OLD. I have some health issues so some days, I DO feel physically old and I have a whole new appreciation for the aches and pains of the older population. I have to admit, I kind of like being in my mid 40's. Like many others, I DO wish I knew back then what I know now, but that would have eliminated so many wonderful people in my life that I could never be as "wise" as I am now. My goal is to continue to gain wisdom as the years tick by! (If you ask my children, my daughter would say I'm wise and my boys would just grimace and shake their heads...they will "get it" someday!) You know, at this stage in the game, I don't really WANT anything for my birthday. I don't have a "wish list" and truthfully, we've never been big on birthdays except to show each other how much we love one another...and it doesn't usually include material gifts....a cake and a favorite meal...but not much else. Finances haven't always been in our favor, but even when it wasn't a problem, it just seemed more "special". As the kids got older, the "tradition" or lack thereof, just continued. For this birthday, because it is on a weekend, I have "lucked out" and really "scored" for my birthday. Last night my wonderful sister took me out to a new local restaurant. We waited for over an hour to be seated, but it was so worth it, and it gave us time to catch up and laugh...a lot! Tonight I am going out to dinner with my Dad and step-mother. I don't know exactly WHERE we are going but dinner out is a treat for me so all the better! This morning, I got up and drank coffee...my favorite morning thing to do....and it was quiet...another favorite! And then I checked my Facebook and what a surprise...I had so many birthday wishes....and they keep coming! How blessed I feel. What more could anyone ask for?!?!?! Sometimes I think that birthdays are celebrated all wrong. Shouldn't we be celebrating the fact that God has given us another year? OK, for some of us, we DO celebrate that way, but I mean REALLY being thankful instead of expecting others to shower us with gifts. Maybe WE should be giving gifts to others instead of getting them. Like giving our parents gifts for giving us life....or giving our siblings gifts for putting up with us throughout all of the challenging childhood years. Perhaps a better way of celebrating our years on this earth is to praise the ONE who brought us here...and to remember that HE brought us here for a PURPOSE!!! I know, I know....I still struggle with my purpose on an almost daily basis, but it is a start. So for my birthday today, I am chosing to do something different....I am going to spend some extra time in prayer and thanks for all God has given me...all He has pulled me through...all of the gifts He has given me....there is just so much to be thankful for, today and everyday! It's my birthday and I'll pray if I want to. I'll also laugh if I want to...cry if I want to ...smile if I want to...and with all of these things, I will give thanks! Today may not be your birthday, but why not give thanks for all the wonderful things in your life. You know, God's word says that we are to give thanks in ALL things...that's a tough one! But today, just TRY to thank God for even the tough times in your life...the situations that aren't all roses and smiles...thank God for EVERYTHING!!!! Come on!!!! It's MY birthday and I want you to do this...for me...even if it is just for today! You are an amazing gift...to me...to others! So I want to say, today...THANK YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY GIFT...THE GIFT OF YOU!!! Bless you all today and always! Sooz

What's new????

It's a common phrase/question...."What's new?" or something to that effect. People say it all the time. Just like, "how are you" or "how have you been?". Do you ever answer? Do you ever hear the question? More importantly, do you listen when people answer? So what IS new? Many times there ISN'T anything new...BUT what ISN'T new....is OLD. Old news that is. The person is STILL going through a rough time physically, or the person is still hurting from something has happened recently, or not so recently. The "catch" is that the person may not say it with words...you have to see it in their eyes...in their expressions, or maybe in their voice. And then...the most important thing of all...you have to listen and CARE about what they say! If you don't care to listen or hear the answer...don't ask the question. Seriously! Nothing makes someone feel "less than" then when someone asks "what's new", "how's it going?", "how have you been?", etc. and no one listens! Here is another thought: Have YOU asked yourself "what's new?"??? What is new in YOUR OWN life? And better still, have you listened to yourself? Are you listening to what your heart is saying? Is your heart telling you something? Sometimes when I am lying in bed at night, I cannot get my "brain" to shut off! Many of you who follow me on Facebook know of my woes with lack of sleep. I know, I seem to post it often! (Sorry about that!). When my brain keeps going and going and I can't seem to make it stop, I really try to "listen" to what it is that seems to be rambling around in there. Most times it seems to be little things...LOTS of little things. 1. What do I have on my calendar for tomorrow. 2. What did I get accomplished today? 3. What do I need to get ready for meals tomorrow? And on and on and on..... Then it can drift into the people I want to pray for...which can drift into wondering how those people are...which can drift into SO MANY other things! But rarely do I ask myself, "what's new". Why? Because that would be more than I can handle when my mind is "adrift"! After some sleep, and getting some things accomplished, I often look back at what truly IS going on in my life. Many times I can honestly say, I like looking back. I like seeing how far I've come and how much I have changed. But there are those days that I look back and think that this journey that is my life has been a bit more difficult than what I ever envisioned! This past Tuesday was one of those days. Someone asked me, "what's new". I didn't really think about that being an "odd" question. I answered with the typical, "not much". Then I thought about it some more...later after most of the usual day was done. Valentine's Day was Tuesday. In "Another Lifetime" of mine, Valentine's Day was my anniversary. I had forgotten about that mostly. But for a split second, I had to think about it. Another liftetime...... Today, I truly thought about WHAT IS NEW in my life. And it is GOOD! My life isn't typical of what most would say is a "good life". In fact, my life may actually depress some people! I'm not at my dream job. I live in an apartment/I don't own my own home. I drive a used car. I am not married, nor am I in a relationship...BUT LIFE IS GOOD! WHY???? I have a God who loves me...yes, ME! The one who has made decisions that have hurt myself and others. A God who thinks I am worth something! I also have terrific children and the best son-in-law in the world, a wonderful relationship with both of my siblings, a church family that I absolutely love and, as minor as it may seem to some, I have two beautiful dogs that I love dearly! I've gotten in touch with some friends that I haven't talked to in years and the list of my blessings just goes on and on!!! So that is WHAT'S NEW with me! What's new with you? Have you made the choice to move onward and upward? I pray for each one of you that you have the peace that I have right now. Is that peace ALWAYS there? I have to admit that it is not. I have my moments...but I also have my God. I hope that you do too! If not, drop me a note or email and we can talk! I can just tell you that my life is so much better with God! Soooo the next time someone asks you "what's new?", take a minute to think about that. And if you ask someone, take the time to not only listen, but look to see what their emotions are saying. Not only will that person appreciate it, but you may learn something...about yourself. Praying God blesses you with happiness today! Blessings, Sooz

Are you talkin' to ME?

Over this past weekend, the drama group I belong to at my church presented a Mystery Dinner Theater. It was set in the 1930's era...a time of mobsters and thugs. The main characters were supposed to be Italian. So you can see how hilarity was on tap for sure! The people in Kaleidescope (our Drama Team) are nothing short of amazing. With not one of us having any Italian blood whatsoever, we surely pulled it off! These people make me laugh more than a person has a right to! The presentation over the weekend was no exception. One character, Tony Moretti, was Mobster personified! One of my favorite lines was Tony saying, "Are you talkin' to ME? Is he talkin to me, cause if he is talkin to me..." George, the man who played Tony did the part perfectly! I'm still thinking about the entire production and laughing! Today, as I was taking the two hour drive to see my daughter and son-in-law, I was thinking about the play and the line, "are you talkin' to ME?" just popped into my mind. Hmmmmm....I began to wonder. How often is someone 'talkin' to me' and I am only "half" listening? Or just not interested in what they are saying to me. Do I really listen? Am I making myself available to people who NEED me to listen? Then my thoughts went a little further ( you'll learn to follow my train of thought just like my family does...he he he!)...my other thought: Am I listening to the RIGHT people? More so, am I listening to the one that REALLY matters? Am I listening to God??? Am I hearing Him when He is trying to reach me? What if God said to us, "Are you talkin' to ME?" What if He got that same attitude when we were talking to Him? And HOW do we talk to HIM??? Are we demanding? Are we thankful? Are we rattling off our "prayers" like a grocery list or a list to Santa Claus? If that is the case, why WOULDN'T He ask if we were "talkin' to Him"? When people are talking to us and we only "half" listen, we are not only being disrespectful, we are taking a big risk. What if they are talking to us about something important? More importantly, what if WE are the only person they feel they CAN talk to? Many times, our selfish nature steps forward and we don't take the time to see what others need. You may just be the only "ear" a person can bend. Maybe it's just a "pet peeve" of mine, but what is so horrible about taking the time to listen? God does it ALL THE TIME!!! He listens to our every cry! But we can't take the time to listen to an elderly man who wants to talk about the weather because he has no one else to talk to? We can't take the time to tell a waitress that everything was good...including the service? We can't thank the guy at the gas station when we pay? Our society is always in a rush....aren't you thankful that God isn't like that!!! Maybe my blog today is more of a ramble...but I still hope it makes us ALL think twice! Who is talkin' to us? Who are we talkin' to? We are ALL talkin'.....now let's listen! May you all have a blessed day! Sooz

Its a brand new day!!!

I almost hesitated using that title for today's post...every day is a brand new day, and what if, on some OTHER day, it was a more appropriate title? I guess there is no law that says I can't use it twice....but I'm just kind of "funny" about that I guess. There goes that "Type A" personality again! But it TRULY is a brand new day, and am I ever thankful!!!! It hasn't been the best few days...but as you may remember, I am trying to live on the THANKFUL side of life, so today I choose to be thankful for what God has given me. So far today I am thankful for the following: 1. The dishwasher did NOT overflow into the entire apartment. 2. My youngest son (18) has ears to PRETEND to listen to me as I get angry about the messes he leaves around the house. 3. The dogs ate most of the empty toilet paper roll so there wasn't too much to clean up. 4. It is cold out but the sun is shining. 5. I DID break the mop while mopping up the mess in the kitchen from the dishwasher, but I think I can fix it! See? Things are looking up! That's why I'm glad it's a brand new day. Each day may offer many challenges...and most days, those challenges are NOT of the positive variety! We have to face these challenges, that's obvious! But we don't have to face the challenges alone! That's where family steps in! NOT the family you may be thinking though...I'm talking about your FATHER....your HEAVENLY FATHER! That is one thing I am sure of in life! I can ALWAYS lean on my Heavenly Father! Does God care about overflowing dishwashers? Of course He does! Why? Because it affects those He loves! And He loves ME! It may not be a major issue in the entire scheme of things, but it has affected my day and God wants my days to be good, in all ways. If I'm having a good day, my focus is more likely to be on the one that supplies that good day...God! See? It's a "win-win" situation! God is carrying me through a "tough" time (the dishwasher, the son, the dogs...even the mop!) and I am grateful! There's also a BONUS to this way of life: I see these daily dilemas as just a bump in the road....not the demise of my entire life! I'm sure we all know someone (and it might even be ourselves!)that sees even the slightest bit of "mess" as the end of the world. Is that attitude really worth it? Of course not! Thankfulness is the new bitterness. Thankfulness is the new sulking. Thankfulness is the new anger. Try it! I'm not saying that I am always outwardly thankful. God knows I'm not. I am human. I have MANY moments of...let's call it UNTHANKFULNESS. There are many times, throughout the day even, that I WANT to run away. (See posting from another day!) But I am trying to see the good in all things. In the book I keep talking about One Thousand Gifts by AnnVolskamp this attitude of thankfulness is called EUCHARISTEO. You just HAVE to read this book!!! So here's to the things that will remind us that today really is A BRAND NEW DAY. And so is tomorrow! We get a new chance every 24 hours to get things right! Sure we are on a HUGE learning curve, but that's what daily experience is all about. Someone once told me that "You only FAIL if you FAIL TO LEARN from your mistakes" (sorry I don't know who the author of that quote is/was). Whether it is below zero where you are, or your dogs ate the toilet paper roll too....be thankful! Tomorrow is another BRAND NEW DAY! Blessings to you all! Sooz

I just want to run away!

Have you ever just wanted to pack up your things and fun away? Of course, by running away, you wouldn't tell anyone WHERE you are going, so no one would know where to find you! Solitude!!! Freedom!!! Peace!!! Quiet!!! No schedule to keep! No one to answer to! No one to take care of! Sound heavenly??? I probably "threaten" to run away at least 3-7 times per year. These are random times. They connect only with the stress or discouraging times in my life. Of course, I DO have more than 3-7 times of stress and discouraging times in my life per year! I just don't verbally let most people know about them. In high school, I had a guidance counselor who called me "Susie Sunshine" because I always tried to push through my days with a smile on my face. I was a "peace-keeper", something I learned at a very young age! I dislike confrontation in the worst way!!! I will avoid confrontation at all costs if at all possible. The guidance counselor noticed this and knew it wad a "mask". She once told me that I didn't need to hide behind a smile. I still haven't learned that lesson fully. That is a work in progress...as am I! Yesterday, "Susie Sunshine" wanted to run away. I wanted quiet, peace, no responsibility. I didn't want to see anyone and I didn't want anyone to see me. As always, it was not MY day to make the plans. God had a different plan...the RIGHT plan. I just needed to LISTEN! To LOOK at the things God was showing me!!! But I still wanted to run away! I wanted God to point me in the direction of the peaceful quiet I was looking for. He wasn't letting me run away!!! I had committments. People who count on me. There wasn't time for running away. I had drama practice at church. ( I am in a group at church that performs dramas/comedies on a regular basis to enhance the message. We call ourselves kaleidascope. We often joke about calling it "drama practice" because, really, WHO needs to practice more drama in their life???) Our group is giving a dinner mystery theater this weekend, and we have been squeezing in as much practice as possible. Now, I LOVE this group of women and men!!! They make me laugh until I cry!!! And it is ALWAYS when I need it. Of course there was no running away....no peaceful quietness....no solitude. Not that night! God, as always, knew what I needed!!! Always true to form, my group had me laughing to the point of tears. I was glad I hadn't run away. I was glad I confronted the lies that Satan had placed on my thoughts. I was glad I had made the commitment to my group! Will I want to run away again??? Oh, I'm sure you can count on that. And I do believe there are times when God is telling us that we need a break, and we should seek peaceful refuge WITH HIM! I'm still learning....I still have that "Susie Sunshine" mask. I'm not proud of it and I'm working on throwing that mask into the fire! The next time I feel like running away, I hope to remember to seek my peace in God. My prayer is that you will do the same. Many blessings to you all! ~Sooz

i got the JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY

Have you ever known someone that seemed to have absolutely NO joy in their life? They don't find joy in anything...not in their family, not in their friends, their job, their home....nothing gives them true, real JOY! Of course there are also people who can be real "joy suckers". These are the people that suck the joy right out of the room as soon as they enter. Bet you've met a few of those in your lifetime! Today, I have a choice to make. We all do really. What do we want to be? Do you want to be without joy? Do you want to be a joy sucker? Or, do you want to be someone who purposely attempts to add a little joy to everyone you encounter? Today I chose to be a "joy giver". I don't know if I've been successful. I may never know. But I have tried to say "thank you" to those around me. I chose to hold my tongue when I felt like making a comment that could have been taken the wrong way. I chose to smile and say hello to someone who looked lonely. In general, I'm trying to BE A JOY. I'm not bragging or being proud. I'm sharing....and OH!!! what a joy it can be to share joy!!! I don't want to go through this life without joy. And I don't want to rob anyone of their joy either. Just by walking into a room with a smile in the midst of tension....that can at least start a spark of joy. So what is your choice today? Joy giver? Joy stealer? Maybe today you just need to be the one that RECEIVES the joy. Any way you look at it, joy is out there!!! I believe my source of joy to be God. Only He knows my heart from the inside out. Only He knows what my "joy meter" reads....whether I need more joy....or do I need to give some of my joy to others. I am learning to listen to what He tells me. Not always an easy task, but something I aim to practice. I'm almost finished reading a book that I'm POSITIVE will remain on my "favorites"list for the rest of my life!!! I recommend it to anyone...EVERYONE! It's not just a "woman" book. The message and story throughout the book focuses on THANKFULNESS. "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Volskamp. A MUST read!!! It is through the things I am learning through this book, that I realized I needed to put a little more emphasis on JOY. I need to focus on "eucharisteo" as well, but I'm going to be practicing the lessons of this book for the rest of my life. Today, I share my lesson with you...and that is JOY! Live today, and every day, with your hands open to what is being given to you. You may just be surprised! Joy may be falling right into your hands!!! I pray today's blessings are only topped by tomorrow's blessings!!! Go experience JOY today...and everyday! Maybe you need to share your joy with someone else. Or maybe you need to be the joy-seeker! Either way, remember where the source of true joy is....And HE is closer than you thinly! Blessings to you all!!! Share my blog with others! ~Susie

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!

I have been LOVING the unusually spring-like weather we have been blessed with recently! Although I try to remain optimistic, I have a feeling that winter is not over, but just hiding for a short while. Funny I should name today's post "GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE"! As I write this, the sun isn't even peaking out of the darkness yet! It isn't often, but I'm up really early today. On Fridays, my son works am early half-day, so I get him up and ready. Interesting doesn't begin to describe the morning.....he is NOT a morning person. Perhaps another reason I am anticipating the welcome sign of the sun!!! Some people have the ability to get out of bed and start motivating the SECOND their feet hit the floor. I've often wished I had that kind of momentum! I need a few minutes...or more. A good cup of coffee always helps....some morning news...a few minutes to collect myself, look around, hug my dogs, calculate how my day will go....you know....dilly-dally!!! The exact thing I have been telling my children NOT to do for YEARS!!! The sunshine DOES help me get going though. I have found that I can get going so much easier when the weather is nice. Ohhhh to wake on the mornings that the windows are open throughout the night! The smell of morning.....yes, I said SMELL. Can I explain that???? Ummmm.....Nope! Can't think of one word to begin to describe the SMELL of morning. "Fresh" doesn't seem to be enough. I don't know if you could "smell" sunshine either....but that is exactly what I love about nice, beautiful, peaceful, open-window mornings! Mornings also make me wonder how someone could NOT believe in God. I'm strong in my faith....but I know a few people who either "question" God's existence, or just don't believe in God at all. As SAD as I find this, I can't imagine waking up to the wonders of this world and thinking that "its just great that all of the planets are in alignment, and the rotation of said planets has brought about today's sunshine". Just can't get myself there, nor do I want to...but when one looks out into this world, no random act of cosmic "burping" can explain this!!! Divine providence is the only explanation! If you doubt it, let's talk! Sooooo, the as the sun begins to peak in my window this morning, I say to you: GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!!!! I hope you enjoy the sunshine wherever you are! I also pray that you enjoy (and feel the blessings!) of the true source of light!!! That is REAL SON SHINE!!!! God's biggest gift....bigger than the sun! HIS SON! So this morning....as you look onward through your day....take a moment to give thanks, ad you say "GOOD MORNING SON-SHINE"!!! Blessings! ~Susie P.S. I have to apologize for typing errors, etc. as I start this blogging. adventure. I am going this entirely on my cell phone. The same phone that has auto correct that drives my Facebook family crazy! As soon as I get my laptop cord situation fixed, I promise things will be better!