My Blessing

This is my Christmas blessing. I am thankful that God saw our pain and hopelessness and saw fit to send his only, perfect son to save us. In return for our disobedience, he gave us forgiveness. I am thankful that Mary was obedient to carry her son and give birth to Him, knowing that she would be giving him up for me. For my sin. And I am thankful that Jesus was willing to come down from his throne, sitting next to God, to do that for me. Merry Christmas.

My big back yard

This is just one of the reasons I love our "back to nature" back yard and the field behind it. There's always surprises out my big glass doors. Thank you, God, for such a beautiful world.

It's good to be home

First day in Silverthorne
Third Day; Hello Snow
Thanksgiving Dinner together

Happy Birthday, Alli (Spencer, Alli, and Brett)

Before Skiing, the first day (man-made snow!)

Ruthie putting up her groceries

We just got back yesterday from a trip to Colorado to see Ruthie's new home, see the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and for Keith, Payton and Mackenzie to do some skiing. We got to go to Ruthie's church, meet some of her friends, and have a general good time. Except when it was time to drive home. Winter escorted us out with snowy and icy roads. It took us two days to make the drive. Home sweet home!

Happy Birthday, Jana Banana

Happy Birthday, Jana Banana. God gave me a special gift when he sent you to me and Kent 28 years ago. Thank you for being a compassionate, sweet, creative, spiritual young lady. You have enriched my life and I am proud of you.

Tallest tree in the forest

This is what I see driving to work each morning. This is the biggest dang tree I've ever seen. It's 150 feet tall. Can you imagine being a hawk perched in this tree? He'd be able to see for miles around. Funny how my cell reception is better near this intersection now...

Fall at the Lea house

This is a fall ritual that my family is familiar with. We have lots of trees on our acre and each year we have a serious yard-cleaning and bonfire. We've made some good memories around that fire pit. We've had parties for the Razorbacks for Christ, with singing and making smores (remember Heidi with the melted marshmallow stuck in her beard?). That was the year of the hayride/truck/trailer that burned to the ground due to overcrowding. I guess a farm truck can only hold so many people. When Rico got initiated into our family, he got to have a bonfire. He actually jumped over that fire. When we have friends over, it's nice to fix coffee and sit in chairs around the fire, with the field behind and the stars above. Thank God for life in the country.

New member of the family

This is not a very good picture, but this is Keith's new ride. It's a 2003 Saab 95 Aero Turbo. It has heated and air conditioned seats, tiptronic transmission (switches from automatic to manual), leather seats, power everything, sunroof, 50,000 miles, and it's nice. And guess what? No exhaust fumes inside. My sweet husband doesn't have to smell like the city bus any more. But... we're keeping the green Saab convertible...for the weekends.

The Patient

This is Polly, the little girl that stayed with us while Susan and Larry were in St. Louis last weekend. See that front leg? BB gunshot wound. That's what happens when you go prowling around in someone else's yard. Don't get me wrong. I'm not against prowling. You'd just better know the neighbors. She's not bitter, though. She's just glad to get some lovin.

Arnie and Repunzel

See what happens when you leave Arnie here with Repunzel?

Ruthie's Big Adventure

Well, as you can see, Ruthie's making the big move to Colorado to work in Keystone Resort this winter. What an exciting adventure. She'll also be working with Summit Resort Ministries. She was welcomed by two inches of snow, new friends and roommates, and a new pair of warm boots (compliments of her Dad). Keep us up to date on what's happening on the mountain, Ruthie. I'm jealous.

Our Little Dogwoods

We planted these little dogwoods soon after we married. They speak different languages all year long. In spring, they burst with pink beauty. In summer they leaf out with moles gathering around their roots, blocking the view of the new shed I'm so proud of. But in fall, which is my favorite time of the year, by the way, they say that they are light deprived and their feet are cold; they will have to go away for a few months to hibernate. But, as they go, they will leave some pretty red leaves for us to admire. We'll see you next year when Ms. Wren comes back to her box to raise another family.

The Ron Paul Revolution

I have never been active politically. I guess I see myself as more of a political spectator. I figure, I don't really believe that what they say they will do is actually what they can do, even if they wanted to make good on their promises. Well, my sweet husband, being the student that he is, has discovered Dr. Ron Paul, an OB/Gyn from Texas who is running for President. He actually believes in things that make me feel positive, such as protecting our social security from being taxed and/or being spent on other things, reducing government spending and getting us (and our children) out of incredible debt, protecting unborn babies, reducing government intervention into what medical care I'm allowed to have, who I talk to on the phone, and many other things I don't even understand. I love our American government but, at times, I feel like we are becoming so dependent, it makes me think of the story in the bible of the Israelites who moved into Egypt when a famine hit and they needed food. If I'm remembering this right, Egypt said, "Come on in; we have plenty of food for you". Later, we read that the Israelites had become slaves of the Egyptians. If we keep depending on our government for everything we can't do for ourselves (arrive immediately when a hurricane or some natural disaster hits?), we will give ourselves over to them, just like the Israelites. Besides, when did the American government become the world's police? (Sigh) I'm so confused.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still a political spectator, but I'm listening a little more closely these days. Especially since I get a daily e-mail from Ron Paul...

Favorite Girls

Mackenzie at the Washington County Fair Pageant

Jana and Ruthie back in their High School days
I'm really proud of our girls right now, as always. God has blessed us with beautiful, sweet, tenderhearted, smiling ladies. Thank you, Ladies, for making me proud.

Louisiana Trip

I had the opportunity last weekend to travel to north Louisiana to see my sweet Mama. Before getting to her house, we passed over the old Sterlington draw bridge (pictured). I was always afraid of it as a child; it's creepy. It will soon be replaced by a nice new cement bridge. Won't be the same. My mom, Ms. Opal, lives on Finch Lake, next to where her mom, my Mamaw Lita, once lived. Pictured is my Mamaw's house. Ruthie went with me so we all had some of that good Girl Time. We also had some meatloaf, cabbage, taters and gravy, baby limas, and cornbread. That was just the first night. The next night was chickin and dumplins with cornbread. I love my Mama's cooking almost as much as I love her. Passing through Bastrop was the funeral home with the "Krispy Kremate" truck. Makes me wonder...

Power Through Prayer

Definition of the word Righteous - See Justification

Jus·ti·fi·ca·tion [juhs-tuh-fi-key-shuhn]

It is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons ALL the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as RIGHTEOUS.



"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16



"The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29



I LOVE these words. If I depend on Christ for my salvation, I am justified and he promises to answer my prayers. Not because of what I do, but because of what HE does. That's humbling!

Who knew?

8:00 Wednesday

After having two nice days off work in Kansas City, I drove home with no car problems. Who knew that I would get into my car this morning and turned the key and, (what?) nothing happened. Maybe it's a battery or an alternator. "Keith, help. My car won't even turn over". "I'll be home in a minute. Looks like we need to jump it." "I'll take it to the Superior dealership where we BOUGHT it and where it's STILL UNDER WARRANTY. They'll take care of me. After driving gingerly to the dealership, I go in where they give me the nice treatment and tell me, "We'll see if it's the battery or whatever and give you a call before we do anything." "How much will that be?" "The battery is $80 plus $42.50 for the labor (ouch)." "Okay, but call me before you do anything." I'm thinking Vaughn Battery will give me a deal on a battery and not charge labor. Besides, it might be the alternator.

3:15

"Have you had a chance to look at my car yet? I skipped lunch and I'd really like to leave at 4:00 today." (Man's voice) "No, we haven't. It'll take about an hour to figure out the problem. We'll call you."

3:22

(Nice woman's voice) "Ms. Lea, it really won't take that long. Actually, he's getting to it now...wait... yes, it's the battery. By the way, batteries aren't covered under warranty." (My voice) "Well, I'd like to take it to Vaughn because they don't charge to put the battery in. Just pull it outside the shop." "Yes, Ma'am, but it will be $42.50 for our diagnosis." Pause, with much confusion.. "Go ahead and put it in (rrr)" "Good, we want our customers to be happy. I'll be there to pick you up in 15 minutes. It will be ready by then."

3:45 at the dealership:

(My agitated voice, after Keith gets upset because we don't have a lot of choices here) "Okay, let me get this straight. No one told me you'd charge me to look at it." "Yeah, we should have worded that a little different." "Why, in the first place would a 2 year old car have a dead battery?" "Well, Nissan puts those cheap 36 month batteries that usually don't last that long (24 months?)." "So, what do I have now?" "You have an 84 month battery." "So, if this battery dies before 84 months go by, you'll replace it with no charge?" "No, it's protated, we'll give you a discount on the new battery, depending on how long it's been....up to 36 months." (Are you seeing a pattern here?) "Does this receipt say it's an 84 month battery?" "No, but we'll know."

5:15

Feeling totally violated, I drive my Nissan to Sonic. I can't go to Summerhill and work out with teary eyes, they'll think I'm a wuss. I think this deserves something good from Sonic. Besides, I have a $2 gift card that was given t me as an award at work (in lieu of candy, because I was on a diet). I'll get a malt. After my malt is delivered, I give her my gift card and...there's nothing on it. They gave me a gift card with no money on it! Who knew?!

A Short Vacation

I took a short vacation this weekend to spend time with my Firstborn, Jana, and Robert and Reko (my son-in-law and my granddog). Sometimes I just need some Mommy/Daughter time. Time to hang out doing nothing but making sure she's doing good. It's fun to take a road trip by myself and turn the music up really loud (rocking with Smokie Norful) and making bathroom stops as much as I want. The drive was interesting. It seems that the Highway 71 Brown Kamikaze Butterflies are migrating now. I lost count after 8 of them hit the windshield, bouncing off and hitting the pavement behind me. That's sad. Anyway, this is Jana and me in front of the fountain on the plaza in Kansas City. Good times. By the way, you can listen to a little Smokie on his link:

http://www.smokienorful.com/main.aspx

Anyway, I'm glad to be home with Keith. I missed him. See ya.

My virgin post...

There comes a time in a life when, for unknown reasons, a person feels like some of this life should be shared. This is the first entry for me, an inexperienced blogger. I am inviting you to come into the second half of my life. Don't expect anything profound. Actually, it would be best if you come to my blog with no expectations at all. That way, you'll get whatever you can find there. I'm very blessed. I hope you can find a blessing in my words.