After Thanksgiving Recipe

Well, Thanksgiving is over and we will be looking for recipes for the leftovers for several days, if not weeks. My recipe won't help there but it just might help you get through the rush to come between now and Christmas. Hope you enjoy!!!


A GREAT RECIPE...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for ______________.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to agree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season. I'll be "seeing" you ASAP.

God Bless,
Mimmy

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

It has been over a month since I've posted and I'm terribly sorry. There has been much to do and I've had some health set backs. However, I could not let Thanksgiving go by without saying:

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hopefully, it will be more than just a holiday for you, but a time when we can all make an accounting of our blessings and a time when we can share with others. In our family, after we have all stuffed ourselves with the wonderful food God has blessed us with and that my sister prepares, we go around the table starting to Daddy's left and ending with him and tell those we love something for which we are thankful. We usually don't make it very far before most of us are wiping tears and once Daddy has expressed the blessing for which he is most thankful he leads us in prayer thanking our father for ALL that he has given to us.

This is a memory that I treasure greatly and I always spend some time choosing the blessing that I want to share. It must be something special. Something that will let my family know how much I appreciate them and all that they have given to me.

Now, since I will be out of town tomorrow, I want to thank my blogging friends for your patience, love and care and for all the encouragement you have given to me. May God bless you throughout this Holiday season with a true sense of Him and a reminder of all the wondrous things with which He has blessed us.

God Bless,
Mimmy




I’m Thankful For...
Colossians 3:15

I’m thankful for the world God made,
The beauty and creatures therein.
I’m thankful God knew man would fall
And had a plan to redeem from sin.

I’m thankful Jesus came to earth
Lived and died and rose again,
So if I’ll walk within His light
I a home in Heaven will win.

I am thankful for the Bible
That tells us all of Jesus’ love,
And tells us all what we must know
To help others to a home above.

I’m thankful God gave me a family
Who believe in Him and His grace,
Who help me walk the narrow way
Who cheer me while running life’s race.

I’m thankful for three grown children
And the grandchildren they’ve given me.
I pray they’ll all find their way back home
Before we face eternity.

I’m thankful for my dear husband
And the support he’s been to me,
As God in His wondrous knowledge
Sent us grandchildren, one, two, three;

To share our home and the love there,
To do the very best we can,
To prepare them for the days ahead
When we’ll all take our final exam.

I’m thankful that I live in pain
So much that others must push my chair,
‘Cause it’s always there to tell me
That others have many more cares.

I’m thankful for my great church home
Who has never left us in need.
All we must do is say the word
We soon know that they did heed.

I’m thankful that God has given prayer
So that I can thank Him for all,
The wondrous things I’ve mentioned above
And many others both great and small.

For if I had to list them all
In this Daybreak I’m also thankful for,
Our editor would at the very least
Let me write for this work no more.

Joyce K. Smith
November, 2008

Lest We Forget

Dear Friends,

It has been a long times since I have used this, the old fashioned letter format. Because I think this is an art that we are about to lose, I've decided to use it for this post. Computers have made communication so quick, easy and yet, sometimes impersonal. There is something lost in an e-mail that is there in a letter. Trying to explain that is hard for me. The only apparent difference is that words are no longer on paper, they are on a screen. It is very exciting to get a letter in the mail because I know someone has taken the time to sit down, get out their favorite stationary, and take the time to "write" me a letter or even just a note. I love it.

There are many things in our lives that we have lost because of technology that has made our lives so simple. We want everything instantly. Looking back on my youth, I can remember all of us gathering in the kitchen and making several batches of different kinds of cookies at Christmas time. The kitchen would be an absolute mess, we would all have flour all over us, and occasionally, we would burn a batch. Now, making Christmas cookies, for a lot of us, consists of going to the grocery, buying either a roll cookie dough or package of pre-cut cookies. Then, if they are around, we bring the youngins into the kitchen and slice or break apart our cookies, put them in the oven, and eat them all in one sitting because you can only get about 18 decent sized cookies out of one roll.

Now, please don't think that I am belittling anyone who bakes cookies this way. That's my recipe of I don't just go to the store and buy them. However, I do miss the days when there was flour all over the place and tons of cookies waiting to be enjoyed. You could smell them in the house for weeks.

A lot of memories have been flooding my mind recently and the following e-mail has brought to my mind even more completely how many things we can lose in our ever so busy lives. It is so very hard to choose what is important and what is urgent. These choices have also been weighing heavy on my heart and I am finding it harder and harder to find the time to blog as often as I would like.

The relatively few of you who follow my blog have been so faithful and being gone a week has made me feel, inappropriately guilty. Knowing you as I feel I do, I know that you understand and will be there to read this. It may be a week, or even two, before I'm back. Recently I've had to be in some pretty strong antibiotics that have played havoc with my system and are making it even harder for me to accomplish those things that are really important. Please understand that this is not goodbye. It is not my intention to give up blogging all together. It is just to cut WAY back until probably after the first of the year.

This is the e-mail that I spoke of above. Many of you may have seen it but it is worth sharing again. Life is so fleeting and we have to grab every bit of it we can.

Thank you so much for hanging in there with me. As Arnie says, "I'll be back."

With love and prayers,
God Bless,
Mimmy

P.S. For some reason I was not able to put in paragraph indents, etc., so this is not my normal letter format. I guess block will have to do. Oh, well, a letter is a letter.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.'

There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it .. live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Nerve Blocks

Within the last six weeks, I have had two nerve blocks in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain in my lower back and right leg. Thankfully, they have somewhat worked. The pain in my leg is not nearly as bad or persistent as it once was, but pain at the injection site is not much fun. It seems to hang on for a good while after each injection. Of course, when I'm having the block done they give me what I call "joy juice". I don't feel much and remember even less.

In thinking about this, I've begun to wonder what would happen if I had a "spiritual nerve block". Those thoughts led to this:

"Spiritual Nerve Block"

This day was like many others
Full of work, family and friends.
Same things that were done the day before,
The day before that, to no end.

Some folks say that I'm in a terrible rut,
I must say that I truly agree.
Today is the same as yesterday
Tomorrow will most likely be.

Maybe I'll try something new to me.
Something that maybe is wrong.
It won't hurt to try it once in a while.
Who will know if they don't go along.

There's this pang that I have, it's called conscience
"Can I hide it", I ask quite aloud.
Another voice hollers around me.
"Sure I'll help you, it will make me feel proud."

He continued that I'll need a nerve block.
To halt this old conscience inside.
"It only will take just a minute.
There's no pain. No, I never have lied."

So I trusted this voice I was hearing
He gave me a shot of "joy juice".
Told me I'd feel like a million,
The old conscience would be of no use.

After I had the procedure
I found that this voice was quite right.
All of the things I had wanted
Came quite easy, most generally at night.

There was however a problem
Even though my conscience seemed dead,
So did all of the rest of me,
No kind thoughts in my now vacant head.

There were voids in me and I now wondered
If I ever would fill them again.
This life I had chose seemed empty.
It was not what I'd thought, this thing sin.

So I sent for this voice to confront him
And to ask him to be on the level.
He said to me, "Quite impossible.
"You see", he said, "I am the Devil".

"When I gave you the nerve block you wanted,
All the things that filled up your soul,
Went right out the door with your conscience.
You'll just have to choose quite different goals."

In the back of my heart I remembered
Something I'd been told back in my youth.
God never leaves us on this journey.
I knew it, it must be the truth.

So I fell to my knees and I asked him
To forgive me and let me come home.
At once I was so very happy
And knew I'd try never to roam.

My words to you are very simple
If you you might want a nerve block,
Tell the Devil to just go and leave you.
Get on your knees and have a great talk.

Mimmy, aka Joyce Smith
October 21, 2009

"Just because I said so."

(Matthew 23:1-6) Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, (NKJV)




Do not do what they do…

Do as I say and not as I do
We often have heard people say.
But are these words the very words
We need to lead us on the right way?

It seems to me as I look at these words
That it probably really depends,
To whom we are listening utter these words
And the heart out of which they do wend.

These verses we read are the words of our Lord
As he spoke to the multitude there,
Of how they should listen to those who did sit
On the seat from which God’s word was shared.

But they only should listen to what they heard read
Ignoring what they daily saw done,
The Pharisees did their works to gain praise,
Making laws that were quite burdensome.

They loved all the power and all of the show
They loved all the glory from men,
The outward acts they did in the streets
Covered up a dark heart full of sin.

So if you must do as someone else does
Be sure that your model is true,
And follow the deeds of the Glorified One,
Who ever did as He says we should do.

God Bless,
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
October 16, 2009

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

A Little Light Story

Once was a man traveling all alone
On a road he'd not traveled before,
He had no place to stay for the night
And no place to help keep him warm.

He came on a cabin deep in the woods.
He entered a room dark and black.
He took from his pocket a box of matches,
Lit a candle that was deep in his pack.

The room was brighter than had been before.
But he needed a strong candle stand,
So the wax that would run from the candle top
Would not put sore burns on his hands.

Then he found in the bottom of an old curio
A lantern with three mirrored sides.
When he put the candle inside of the door
The light almost blinded his eyes.

He set about with some sticks from outside
To build a fire in the stove used for cooking,
Soon the cabin was warm but then he saw
His candle was losing light for looking.

He hurriedly searched the cabin once more,
Found a lamp that used oil to burn.
It appeared to have a new wick and fuel
To give the light he'd need until morn.

Let us look now at this story of light,
The many light sources it had.
First the box of matches in a pocket found
Lit the candle that made the room glad.

Then came the lantern to hold the candle,
The mirrors made the room shine.
Next sticks in the stove to warm up the room
So the man wouldn't shiver and whine.

As the candle burned low to soon be no light
The oil lamp with new wick inside,
Took over the job of providing the light
Showing him everything that's inside.

This is a story of our various tasks
And tools needed to help the light shine,
So as we begin this year 2009
Please decide which tool you’ll say, "It‘s mine.".

Will you be the matches in book or in box
Or the candle that lit up the room?
Will you be the lantern or a mirror inside
Or sticks that helped warm things so soon?

Will you be a lamp with a wick and some oil
To provide light the whole night through?
Or will you just sit in the dark of the room
Thinking there's nothing for you to do?

Remember if you're just a tiny match stick
Or an oil lamp burning just fine,
You have to find your part of the light
If your light shines to lead home the blind.

God Bless,
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
October 14, 2009

Sidetracked

This will be very short and maybe not too sweet since I'm writing off the cuff. Hope you all are having a wonderful seek so far. You will be in my prayers as we go forward in our walk.



Good Intentions

I had such good intentions
When I got on here tonight.
T'was going to do a daily post
It was going to be quite nice.

But then I got on google
Searching for a pic I need
For a Christmas present
That will be quite nice indeed.

It appears that I can only
Do one nice thing in a day,
I'm sure you know I don't mean that
Just needed something to say.

So I'm going turn turn the lights off
Tuck myself into my bed.
My plan's to write tomorrow
Of all that's in my head.

But if my good intentions
Should someway get side-tracked,
Please don't you forget me
'Cause someday I'll be right back.

God Bless,
Mimmy

First Things First

It's hard for me to admit when I'm wrong. It 's probably hard for everybody. But, there are times when we all have to so here I go.


Since I've started blogging I've spent much more time at it than I should. Although I spend most of every day in my recliner there are things that I do need to do. Right now in particular there are some things I could be doing around the house. Not many, I'll admit, but I can fold clothes and I might be able to do some picking up and some dusting so I've got to try to be more of a help to Pat.


Number one on this list has to be my Bible study. I've really neglected it and have to get back to doing more. It is hard for me to read because of the medication that I take. It's not because of being unable to focus, but my memory is affected so I have to reread several times before it sticks. What might take one person 15 minutes to grasp takes me about an hour so I get frustrated and just put it down. That has to stop. Right now I really need to spend some time in God's word to bolster my faith so that I can deal with the other things in my life that frustrate me.


Also, since our financial situation is what it is, I have to get busy making Christmas presents if we're going to have anything to give to our family and friends. I'm beginning to panic because Christmas is just around the corner.


So that I can get my priorities in order, I'm putting blogging on the back burner. I'm not going to quit. It does fill a very important void in my life but I am going to slow down. My plan is to blog once or twice a week and read and comment two or three days a week. That way I won't lost touch with so man lives that have become important to me.


Hopefully, those of you who have been such a part of my life won't stop reaching out to me either. It will still be important to me to read what you have to share.



FIRST THINGS FIRST

It’s time for a little confession.
There are things I’ve pushed to the back.
Things I don’t want to admit
But things that I really do lack.

It’s hard when we must face the fact
That we have some limitations,
That we can’t make all the things in our hearts
Come to actual fruition.

There are many things I want to do
As I sit here in my chair.
Blogging is just one of them
That I wish to give lots of care.

Bible study is the top of my list,
Yet it seems I’ve pushed it aside,
Not all the time, not all the way,
But enough that it hurts inside.

So I’ve come to a decision
One that I have to make.
Blogging must take a back seat
To all else that’s on my plate.

First, must come God my Father,
Setting things right with Him.
Reading from His precious word
Every day, not just on a whim.

Talking with him about my trials,
All the things that weight on my heart.
Letting him take full control of me
Not just a piece or a part.

Then there are things I can do to help
With the care of my family and home.
There are not too very many
Since round the house in my chair I roam.

My crafting must have my attention,
I must make gifts for family and friends,
For the Christmas holiday
Since very little money we’ll spend.

At the end of this list must come blogging
At least for a little while.
It’s hard for me to put aside
Since it really fits with my style.

All through my life I’ve loved people
Around me to talk and chat.
After I had to leave my work
I have really missed all of that.

So I’ll not stop it entirely,
Will post just every few days.
Reading your blogs when I have the time
Catching up with all you will say.

This is not goodbye by any stretch,
It’s just that I’ll be seeing you less,
As I have much I must handle,
Many lives that I must caress.

Please know how much you have blessed me,
That I’ll miss seeing you most every day.
It’s just that I must slow down
If I’m going to walk in God’s way.

Love to all,
Mimmy

Climbing Hills

Not surprisingly, in reading the blogs that I follow today, I found that many of those in the blogging world are facing terrible hills that they have to climb. Some of them have ready answers. Some of them have answers that must be searched for. Some of them don't have answers at all but must simply be climbed until they reach the top and can descend the other side to the peaceful and serene valley below.

While climbing these hills it would be most helpful if we had a map or if someone had been there before us and could give us directions. In West Virginia there are some hills that to me would qualify as mountains. We have driven through these hills many times and when I look from the valley up to the top I'm very thankful that someone has seen fit to lay a road that takes me up the side of the hill gradually and that I don't have to climb from the base directly to the top with no guidance. Thankfully, God has left us the directions that will get us through this life to our eternal home.

No, we can't just pick up the Bible and find answers to all of this life's problems. If my car breaks down I won't find instructions on how to fix it in God's Word, but I can find the principals that teach me I need to work to provide for my every day needs. With this principal I can either pay someone else to fix it or buy the parts to fix it myself. No, if I am ill I can't find the medical treatment I need to heal myself, but God has given us doctors who can help us and I can read of how Paul had an affliction and that he was told by God that God's grace was sufficient to help him handle it (II Corinthians 12:9). No, if someone invades my home and steals from me, I can't search God's Word and find a law enforcement agency to search, find and punish them, but I can read that God tells me to love my enemies (Matthew 5:44). No, if I lose a loved one I can't find a manual on how to handle grief, but I can read where Jesus lost a loved one and He wept. (John 11:35) Also, I can know that if my loved one was faithful to Christ that he is now resting in Heaven and, even if he was not faithful, I can know that his soul's destiny rests in God's hands, not mine.

Throughout my life I have yet to face a hill that God has not helped me to climb and that I have not been stronger when I reached the top and descended to the valley on the other side. With that knowledge, facing tomorrow and whatever hills may come my way is much easier. If we can look at the hills in life from this perspective, we will not only face them but be joyful in them (I Corinthians 7:4).

As you climb whatever hills life may put in your way, look to the road map left by God. They will be much easier to climb.

God's Road Map

Today I set out on a journey.
It seemed quite easy at first.
The road was pleasantly peaceful
With inns where I might quench my thirst.

As the day progressed in my travels
The way became much more steep.
The road was no longer level
The climb so high I did weep.

My path became full or pot holes,
And nails that flattened my tires.
The bridge was out just up ahead,
In the mud I'd surely be mired.

How would I finish this journey?
Would I ever reach my new home?
It appeared to me that I would not,
That I forever would roam.

Then like an oaf I remembered
A map that I carried with me.
Opening it I soon found the way
To my home that I wanted to see.

My day was totally wasted
Since I'd failed this guidance to read,
Before I started my journey
Attempting others to lead.

Now that I've read the directions
Learning the path I should trod,
I will be home rather shortly
Walking on my very own sod.

This advice I give to travelers
Who set out on a trip through this life.
Read the map map before leaving
It will certainly save you much strife.

Wishing you a wonderfully blessed journey,
God Bless,
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith, October 5, 2009

Happy Birthday Jeni

Today is our daughter Jeni's birthday. She's going to be made enough at me when and if she sees these pictures so I don't think I'll tell you how old she is.

The one on the far left was taken about 16 or 17 years ago as was the one on the right. The one in the middle was about 10 years ago. Jeni, this is what happens when you run from the camera. We don't have any up-to-date pictures of you.

We wish you a very, very happy birthday and many many more to come and if you don't want this to happen again, get some recent pictures taken and send me some. Otherwise, you give me no choice.

We love you kiddo and look forward to seeing you soon. Maybe you'll let me get some new and improved shots of you.

God Bless,

Mama

Happy Birthday Jeni

In your lifetime, Jeni,
You’ve carried many names.
Jenifer you were born with
The others later came.

Not long after you entered
This world with all its glee
You were tagged with Jeni,
Will last ‘til eternity.

Your Grammy gave unto you
A name for just her use.
It was Jenesapoodinkle
I miss it as I’m sure do you.

When Pat came into our lives
You soon were Jedi to him.
Then came Trey and Mama
Was the name he sang like a hymn.

As Trey grew and flourished
He changed Mama to Mom.
One of these days you’ll pick one
That’s pretty close to Grandmama.

Just keep in mind with all these names
The one that is the best
Is the name of Christian,
It’s better than all the rest.

For after we have all passed
From this life into the next
It will stay forever
In the book God calls His text.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart,
Mama

Freedom

Recently, I have had several discussions with my grandson who will be 18 years old on the 27th of this month. Of course, he is absolutely thrilled. He can't wait for the freedoms that being 18 will bring him. He is under the impression that "nobody will be able to tell him what to do". Oh, how I wish I could get him to understand that all through his life there will be people telling him what to do and he will have to comply if he wants to keep a job, have a roof over his head, food to eat and clothes to wear.

As important as that piece of information is to his life, most importantly he needs to learn that in order to be truly free he must totally submit himself to his Lord and give up all of the freedoms and rights he has to Him. This concept is one that is very hard to accept for anyone but particularly for those who are young. Almost everything that surrounds our young people today encourages them to put themselves first. They are told in beer commercials to "Grab all the gusto", McDonalds says that "You deserve a break today" and even the Army tells all our young people to enlist and to "Be all you can be".

Before I get criticized for putting down self-esteem, please know that I am a great proponent of feeling good about ourselves. God tells us to love each other as we love ourselves so He must have intended for us to have a good opinion of ourselves. My concern is that our young people are being told to always put themselves above others, to not take into consideration how their actions might affect those around them and that they should strive to be number one and if they aren't, they are worthless. Instead, our kids should learn that if they want to be number one they must first put themselves last.

Remember in the tenth chapter of Mark, when James and John asked Jesus to, "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand and one on thy left hand, in thy glory."(v.37) Jesus' response to all of His apostles was, "...but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (v. 43-45)

If Jesus, the son of God, came to this earth to serve and to die for my sins, what right have I to demand that I have my "rights" and that I be "numero uno" all the time. If for no other reason than I am humbled by this fact, I need to be a servant every day of my life.

In our world today, it is sometimes hard to be a servant. To help us in this endeavor and to assist us in finding true freedom, Kat, at Heart2Heart, has started a new blog. It is based on the principal of performing ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS. Her new blog is A.R.K. for God and will be well worth your time.

Have a super Lord's day and be sure to look into God's word to find out His plan for you.

God Bless,
Mimmy


Freedom in Christ
Read: Revelation 22:17

We live in a land that is wondrously free
From tyrannical rule and control.
We call it the land of the free and the brave,
Its virtues we greatly extol.

We think of ourselves as free as the doves
To do what we will with our lives.
We choose where we live, we chose where we work,
We all choose our husbands or wives.

We choose what we watch on our color TVs,
We choose who our friends are to be.
We choose what we wear, we choose what we eat,
We choose the next movie we’ll see.

However we’re ruled by one of two kings.
Either Satan or God has command.
The choices we make as we live on this earth
Determine where we take our stand.

If we choose to serve Satan and follow his lead
We’ll be bound for all eternity,
To a place where freedom is forever gone,
Where anguish and crying we’ll see.

If we choose God and the path he has drawn
We’ll be free for all eternity.
We’ll have freedom to drink of the water of life,
Freedom to sit at Christ’s knee.

As we make all of our choices each day
Let’s make the ones that truly save.
Then someday we’ll live with our Father above
In His land of the free and the brave.

Joyce K. Smith
June, 2001

Love

This evening, as I was reading blogs, I came across one in which the young lady was discussing the casual use of the phrase "I love you". She indicated that people she hardly knew told her that they loved her and she was not comfortable in returning the phrase outside of family situations.

In our society and particularly in the English language, we use the same word to refer to everything from loving oranges, a good book or a movie to loving our children and spouse. It would be much better if English had about five different words for love. We need one word to refer to love of inanimate objects. Another to refer to loving people we don't know well or at all. One that includes those whom we consider friends. One that covers a romantic love before it matures and the one that we use for our families. Maybe "ob"love, "unknow"love, "frien"love, "heart"love and "fam"love. At this point you all probably think I've lost my marbles but it would make things a whole lot easier. Maybe not these words but something different for each emotional feeling.

God saw the wisdom in this. The languages in which He chose to have His Word written include more than one word encompassing "love". Familiarity deems that we look at Greek. "Phileo" is the love that we have for friends. "Eros" is a romantic love that includes a sexual attraction. "Agape" is the love used the most often in Bible references. It refers to that love that we choose to give. It is beyond the love that we have for acquaintances and is what we would call unconditional. There is a fourth Greek word for love "storge" that is not used in Ancient Greek works and refers to the love we may have for family members. It is my opinion that agape is a better choice for family love because there are times that we must choose to love our families. Particularly when they are not behaving in the fashion in which we think they ought.

In one way, I must agree that we do tend to throw around the word "love" much more often than we should. If I was asked to make a list of things I love, ice cream and my husband could make the same list. That doesn't seem quite fair to me. Although I "love" ice cream I "love" my husband much more and in a much deeper fashion. Maybe we should go back to the original Greek words for love and just transliterate them into the English language.

Love vs. Like

Got up this morning had bacon to eat
Boy that was good. Love it, so sweet.
Sent cards and letters to family and friends.
Signed, "I love you", when I got to the end.

Called up my hubby at work to say hi.
Told him I loved him before I said bye.
Watched an old movie on my television.
Love my new glasses with their three way vision.

Daughter called me 'bout a quarter 'til nine.
Told her, "love you". I asked, "are you fine".
Out in the yard to work in the garden.
Shouted, "Neighbor, love ya gal". "Get your car in?"

Daddy called to see when I was comin'.
Told him I loved him, said bye, went on hummin'.
Baked a cake and made the icing.
Sure love vanilla with orange spicing.

Kids in from school with work to do.
Hi Mom, "I love you". "I love you, too."
Supper to fix, laundry to fold.
Sure love this new and improved Bold.

Fall into bed, must say my prayers.
Forgive me Lord for having airs,
Thank you for all you've given to me,
Remember Lord that I do love thee.

Love is a word I do throw around,
From lips to ear, with smile, with frown.
Guess I should think before I say
Those little words along the way.

Maybe "like" is what I mean
When I speak of ice cream, tv screens,
Dresses and hairdos, books and such,
Save "I love you" for what I "love" much.

Wish we had more words to express
What we feel for what we love less,
So that we won't get so confused
When the wee word love we so often use.

God Bless,
Mimmy
October 1, 2009

No Fear

We often tell our children, "Don't talk to strangers", "Look both ways before you cross the street", "Don't go out of the yard after dark", "Fasten your seatbelts", etc. We tell them these things, not to instill in them a feeling of fear but to keep them safe.


God, as a good parent, treats us the same way. In His Word we are given certain things we are to do and certain things we are to do. God does not give us these precepts in order to make us fearful but to keep us save from Satan. If we will read his Word and follow those precepts to the best of our ability, God's grace will take care of the rest. None of us can be perfect but we must do the best we can.


Don't fear God. Fear Satan and what he can do in your life. Look at the examples given in this poem and check to see how you are doing in the fear category.


On occasion, when I am asked to write for our church publication, Daybreak, the editor asks that I take the entire list of topics for the month, bringing them into some cohesive form and submit them in rhyme. Many times that is very hard to do and it is almost impossible to do it within the 200 word limit we are given. Most of the time leniency is given and he'll work in whatever I give him, even it he must give me a whole page. Thank you, Brother.


God Bless,
Mimmy




FEAR NOT

Again I’ve been given the wonderful task
Of taking the list we’ve been given,
Melting it down to"200" words
That will hopefully help us toward Heaven..

The title I’m given just doesn’t quite fit.
There are time that we are to fear.
Yet there are times when we should be calm
Just because our dear Father is near.

Let’s look for a moment as Abraham walked
Up the mount, his son by his side,
Knowing what God had commanded be done,
Yet knowing that God never lied.

With fear in his mind and love in his heart
He offered up Isaac with faith.
God stopped his hand and gave him a ram
To take his beloved son’s place.

Then there was Moses who knew near his death
That he’d never in Canaan get sight.
He spoke unto Joshua faithful and true
Telling him that God led the fight.

God spoke unto Jacob with words quite direct
Saying, Jacob you’ve nothing to fear,
For there’s no other God anywhere,
Not far from his home nor quite near.

There have been others whom God told to fear
For their hearts weren’t faithful and true,
Others who lived and walked on this earth
Never fearing God their whole lives through.

Moses told Pharaoh that he would not fear,
Transgressors are never afraid.
Then one thief on the cross said to the other,
Do you not fear the God of this day?

God has said to not fear in the present
Those who harm us in our lives below,
But to fear the God of all of this world
Who can destroy us both body and soul.

There are many more times when we are told
Of those who fear God and who don’t.
We’re told of those who live faithfully
And we’re told of others who won’t.

The one truth that flows in all of this
Is that fear isn’t meant to be ours.
At least not the fear that depresses our souls
Sending us quaking for hours.

God tells us if we will follow his Word
He will bless us beyond all our dreams.
He also says if we leave His commands,
We’ll be lost for all of eternity.

So am I to live my whole life in fear
Of what can happen to me?
Only so far as what might be done
While my body still chooses to breathe.

For since I am human I fear pain and loss.
I fear many treacherous things.
I cannot fear what comes after life
When my heart and my spirit will sing.

For God has promised that if I will walk
In the light of his precious Son,
He ever will cleanse me, make me like snow,
I will be a sanctified one.

If you are fearful of what is the now
Remember God always is here.
There’ll be a time in Heaven above
When there will be nothing to fear.

Mimmy/Joyce Smith
September 30, 2009

Five Words

One day last week Terra at Terra's Garden participated in a blog game in which she would give you five words to describe yourself. The intent of this was for us to get to know each other better. Since I'm a little late in getting this done I'm not going to ask that you link to me if you want to participate. Just ask me for your five words and we'll see where it goes. As I get more familiar with blogging I hope to start a blog hop of my own someday.

My five words are:

WHY: Why do I blog? In April of this year I was introduced to blogging when my sister told me about a baby who was in need of our prayers. This baby was Jonah. His mother blogs about his struggles with EB here. After this introduction I started following a few more and decided that this might just be something I would enjoy. Most of my days are spent sitting in my big blue recliner in our bedroom, in our house, in Concord, NC. Since the latter part of 2006, I have been disabled with degenerative disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogrens Syndrome, which is attacking my nervous system, along with a few other things that make it extremely hard and very painful for me to walk. Blogging lets me visit places all over the country and even the world. As of now I have been in many of the 50 states, England, Australia, and Romania. It sure beats just sitting in my room all day.

RUN: Running is something that I sure wish I could still do. Many of my fond memories of playing with my children involve playing outdoors. We spent many hours at the pool, time playing tag and hide-and-go-seek, and hunting for fireflies in our own yard. Many of my grandchildren can remember when I played with them too but the little ones will only remember me in a wheel chair. We still build memories reading books, watching movies, etc. It would be wonderful if I could see them more often.

TULIP: Tulips are among my favorite flowers. Along with daffodils they are the first signs of spring and I love spring because it means the end of cold weather. There are a lot of people who don't like the heat of summer but even though it can be hard to handle some days it is much better than the increase in pain that comes with the cold. Even with my health problems, I am so blessed above and beyond a lot of people.

POEM: Terra, you made me laugh with this one. Poetry is among my very favorite things. As any of you who have read my blog know I love to both write and read poetry. For me it is so much easier to put my feelings down when I can do it in rhyme. From the time I was a little girl I have been fascinated with words. I can remember while traveling finding an object in the distance and then trying to match it with as many rhyming words as I could.

LAUGH: Although there are many, many things I cannot do I can still laugh. Laughter is one of God's greatest blessings. In John 15:11 Christ says that, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that you joy might be full." What a wondrous thing that our Savior not only wants us to be joyful but that He wants us to have His joy and wants our joy to be full. We have so very much for which to be thankful. No matter what our physical, emotional or financial state we are assured that if we follow in the steps of Christ we will have a home in Heaven where there will be no more pain, suffering or tears. Thank you Father.

Remember if you want five words of your own to incorporate in a post just leave me a comment. This is a wonderful way for us to share with each other and for me to learn a little more about what makes you tick.

Have a wonderful week.

God Bless,
Mimmy

Heart2Heart

It has been my pleasure to make many wonderful friends since I began blogging. One of them is Kat from Heart2Heart. She has been a great encouragement to me and humbled me by asking that I write a poem about her blog and specifically what I enjoyed most while reading it. Well
Kat, here it is. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. My friends, I ask that you take a minute and visit her. It will be well worth your time. God Bless your continued work through your blogs.

Heart2Heart

There's a blog I have been reading
Comes from California way.
It has the title Heart2Heart
The girl that writes it, Kat's her name.

When you open up her blog
There's a logo she has picked
All in pink and purple
With a background black as pitch.

She's posting a journal of 2009
With logs of fun and laughter.
There're one hundred thirteen readers
Who her blog do follow after.

Kat shares some awesome pictures
Then she writes about every one,
Sometimes with a bit of twist
To keep us reading 'til she's done.

Just like many other bloggers
She has some special days.
But that's to be expected
We all learn our blogging ways.

Her "holidays" are Thankful Thursdays
Where we can share all God has done.
Then there are Friday Funnies
That keep you laughing on the run.

Then on Saturday she has a gift
Her Blog Award of the week.
When she finds a blog she likes
She asks us to take a peek.

On top of this she reads a book
Then gives us a review
So we can have good reading
Knowing that we'll read it through.

The list of blogs she follows
Is longer than any I've seen.
I'm proud to be among them
She leaves comments that are never mean.

Special days aren't all she posts,
There are often household tips.
She too shares vital scriptures
With her thoughts from heart and lips.

If you haven't guessed by now
This blog is one I truly like.
Kat is truly special
With one of the best blogs "down the pike".

My recommendation unto you
Is to take the time to see
All that she has to offer,
Your pleasure will be guaranteed.

God Bless,
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
September 26, 2009

Hooray

MY NEW COMPUTER IS HERE!!!!

I AM ECSTATIC!!!

My new laptop computer is here, just in case you hadn't figured that out. I'll be able to work from my recliner. That means that even on days when I can't get up I'll at least be able to read the blogs I follow even if I'm not thinking well enough to write.

HOORAY!!!

We heard the doorbell ringing
Then Pat went out to see.
He came in from the front porch
With a box, he said for me.

He opened it quite quickly.
He could tell I wanted him to.
There's so much I want to say.
There's so much I want to do.

It means so very much to me
To have this wondrous tool.
However, I have much to learn
It's like being back in school.

If my plans come to fruition
I'll be able to work much more
Sharing with you what's in my heart
Trust me, there's much in store.

Thank you God for answering
My prayer about this matter.
Thank you Pat for helping to
Make your wife even gladder.

My friends you'll never, ever know
How much this means to me.
All I can say to those who care
Is to come and read and see.

God Bless,
Mimmy

My Daddy Ralph

This is a picture of me and my Daddy Ralph when I was four years old. The curls are all natural and even though this picture is black and white you can see that some of my physical characteristics came from Mama's side of the family. My hair was jet black and my eyes just as black. Unfortunately, for some reason, my hair lightened and my eyes changed to hazel. The curls have also relaxed. When I was a teen I used to iron them out. Now I wish I had them back.

My Daddy Ralph

Many of my memories
Of the man who wore this name
Were shared with me by others
When ‘round the table we all came.

Daddy Ralph was Mama’s Daddy
He stood tall and was quite lean.
To me he was quite handsome
With hair and eyes of ebony.

When he would come to visit
He would spoil me from the start.
A baby doll as big as me
Was the first gift from his heart.

In fact it was so near my size
That with it he played a trick.
Wrapped up in my baby quilt
Tossed to my Daddy, he turned quite sick.

He didn’t come real often.
When he did the time was grand.
He would take me on a car drive
Or a walk when I’d hold his hand.

My very favorite place to be
When he’d come just us to see
Was sitting up on lofty high
Taking rides upon his knee.

If I was not sitting on his lap
It was sure I’d be quite near.
He never got out of my sight
Unless he left when I couldn’t hear.

Happy were the times we shared
But too soon he was all gone.
I’d just turned eleven
When he suddenly went home.

We didn’t get to say goodbye.
We didn’t know his heart was failing.
Where I picture him today
Is with me behind him trailing.

I love you Daddy Ralph.
September 21, 2009
Mimmy aka Joyce Smith

Evening Workers

Evening Workers

Waiting with bated breath,
We stand, barely speaking.
Hoping to see a sight
Eyes wide, not through slits peeking.

They stand so straight and tall,
Hands held as if they’re reaching.
Slept from sunrise ‘til sunset,
Woke when moonbeams came teasing.

Yesterday’s labors faded
Thrown in a heap on the ground.
Those watching and waiting
Make now, not even a sound.

Summer breezes glowing,
Kiss their little hands still closed.
Softly now they open,
Spread fingers as if a rose.

Skin the palest yellow,
A heart that’s holding its seed.
First one works its beauty,
Others then share the lead.

Do I speak of children
Waking from their slumber,
Garden gnomes and fairies
In the yard doing tumbles?

Am I watching young ladies
Donning their hats and gloves?
Can I speak of tall gents
Bringing gifts to their loves?

Now, I really must tell you
I’ve not written of those.
I’m sharing with you folks
The magical night blooming primrose.

Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
September 18, 2009

Congratulations Josh & Glenna

Today, our son Josh and his beautiful fiance', Glenna, were married at their home in Ohio. Josh and Glenna presented us with a very handsome grandson, Memphis, in January of this year. I would have given anything I have, except Pat, my grandchildren, my other children, my church family...you get the picture...to have been able to be there.

Aren't they an absolutely gorgeous couple, and...

Isn't he one of the most beautiful babies you have ever seen.

Congratulation, Josh and Glenna, and we wish for you a life full of love, happiness, joy, peace and all of the other wonderful blessings you will be given.

God Bless,
I Love you,
Mom, aka Mimmy



FOR JOSH & GLENNA
(Memphis too)

Marriage joins a man and his bride
Through love and a blessing from God.
Attraction may be the first they felt
But it grows as life’s path they trod.
Resting in all the love they share,
The faith, joy and thankfulness too,
Rounded out in the trials of life,
What they learn as they conquer these blues.
Inside of their hearts the love of God
That keeps them safe and secure,
Along with a love of their families
Who led them to this place in life’s tour.
Growing each day in this security
Leads them to a goal ever blessed.
Every day there’s a home full of love
More splendid than they ever had guessed.
Joyce Smith, September 12, 2009

Love to you both,
Mom & Pat

My Friend Ellie

When Pat was fighting cancer, one of the things we had to deal with on a daily basis is that I can't drive. At this time, Pat was also not to drive because he had become so weak from the chemo and radiation. We relied on our church family to help us out. However, it seemed to us that it was always the same few we had to call on. One Sunday morning at worship, a new couple who had not been attending long came up to me and asked if they could help. Well, that was the start of a wonderful friendship that continues to this day, at least with Charlie.

Charlie and Ellie introduced themselves to me, wanting to be of assistance. The next day, Ellie took Pat and me to his radiation appointment. After that trip, they became our regular taxi service. You get to know people real quick when you ride with them in the cab of a pick-up truck and sit with them in a doctor's waiting rooms. Much of the time, Ellie was the driver. When she had other things on her calendar, Charlie picked up the slack. These trips included not only Pat's doctor's offices but the drug store, grocery store, grandkids' schools, grandkids' doctors, grandkid's orthodontist, my doctors, and anywhere else we needed to go.

I'll never forget one trip we made to the grocery store. Charlie drove that day and Hali went with us. We went to one of those "self service" grocery stores where you put in a quarter to get your cart and have to "bag" your own groceries. Hali was packing up the groceries before checkout was completely done and Charlie couldn't get over how well and quickly she got all of our groceries boxed up. He wanted to know if he could hire her to go to the store with him. She said no, but she'd do it for free. She is such a sweetheart as are all of our grandchildren. We do however, have a special place for the three that lived with us for quite a while.

Getting back to Charlie and Ellie, it was not long after Pat won his battle with cancer that we found out Ellie had cancer and that she was not going to win her battle, at least not here on earth. One of the most wonderful things about Ellie was her sense of humor. Their truck was one of those great big trucks that you need a step ladder to get into. My arthritis made it quite difficult for me to climb into the thing. After two or three trips of watching me struggle, Ellie got behind me, put one hand on each "cheek" and gave me a push. It worked so well that the practice was continued, but only when Ellie drove. The first time it was necessary for her to take Pat to the doctor without me, the first thing she said when they got back was that she had not touched Pat's "booty" but had only lifted him by his belt loops. As thin as he was at that time, that would have been all it took.

Much of the time Ellie was in the hospital, she was not allowed visitors outside of family. Because of that, I didn't get to say goodbye to her personally. I had to tell her goodbye in some fashion, so here is my goodbye to Ellie.

God Bless,
Mimmy



Of My Friend Ellie

It shames me that I have to say
That my friend Eleanor,
Was just a face midst those who sat
In the pews when open the doors.

One Sunday she came up to me,
Should have been the other way round.
She said for me to let her know
If I needed help in any sort found.

It seemed that those I chose to call
Had always been the same.
The next time that we had to go
To the doctor I chose her name.

At that time life consisted
Of daily trips for Pat’s radiation,
On the days that Ellie drove
Our hearts were full of elation.

Getting me into the "monster" truck
Was no little undertaking.
Once I had just one foot in
Ellie made sure the rest did make it.

She’d put one hand on each hiney cheek,
Then give me a gentle, firm shove,
I was soon not on the ground
But in our taxi filled with love.

On the days that I was unable
To with Pat make the trip,
She promised me that belt loops
Were as close as she came to hips.

We soon began to sit and chat
About the wonderful West Virginia
Where we both had ties to loved ones
You just can’t forget it once it’s in ya.

They would pick the kids up from their schools
When to the doctor they needed to go,
Would take us to the grocery
When the pantry was getting low.

I could never ever begin to count
All the wonderful times we shared,
When she and Charlie took us
Not from duty, but out of care.

The trips were full of laughter,
Brotherly love and fun.
That truck was never quiet
When in the "cab" we made a run.

When we heard that she was very ill
In the hospital for a stay
She was added to my prayer list
For each and every day.

Soon I heard she’d not recover
My friend would soon be gone,
I thought of all the times she helped
Wondering then if it was at a cost.

We surely were not the only ones
That she and Charlie had aided.
I knew from watching my Mama pass
She’d had pain long before she stated.

She never complained or murmured
At least not that I ever heard,
When she spoke to me of others
It was always with a kind gentle word.

So Ellie my friend, though I’ll miss you,
I would never have you return
To the life of pain and anguish
That was ahead of you here on earth.

I only regret I was not there
At the end of your journey of love,
To give you a great big "bootie push"
To your home with our Father above.

Your heart felt friend,
Joyce
January, 2008


P.S. My blogging friend, Country Mom, received two awards and she is passing them along to all of those who are followers of her blog. Go and check it out. There are a few questions that need to be answered with only one word. Here they are. It's harder than you think it will be. Just answer the questions, link back to her blog, and if you are one of her followers, it is my understanding that she passes along the "Over The Top" and "Blogger Buddy" awards. Thanks Country Mom and hope you are having a super week.

God Bless,
Mimmy

1. Where is your cell phone? Bedroom
2. Your hair? Brown
3. Your mother? Heavenly
4. Your father? Loving
5. Your favorite food? Sherbet
6. Your dream last night? None
7. Your favorite drink? Water
8. Your dream/goal? Heaven
9. What room are you in? Office
10. Your hobby? Poetry

Communication

Recently, it seems that all I get to post is an apology for not posting. Based on your kind comments, I'm beginning to realize that I don't need to apologize. My kind blogging friends understand. The pain in my back and leg is getting worse and the doc says that there is not much more they can do right now. Maybe we can put a rush on my laptop. Things will be much easier then. Even with my new electric wheelchair it is hard for me to sit with my legs hanging down for even just a little while. This post will be short, and to those of you that usually get comments from me, please rest assured that I'll get back to reading as soon as possible. You are all a great blessing to me.

Prayer is very important to me. It would be super if I could tell you I spend hours in prayer, but many of my prayers are one liners said at the time of need. If I get a call or see something in the church bulletin that requires prayer I address it right them. Otherwise, I'll forget. That sounds terrible, but I'm on a great amount of medication that affects my memory. There are times when I'm trying to pray that I will completely lose my train of thought. The same things happens when I am writing. Often, I'll compose my blog while in my big comfy chair so that it will be written when I come out to "type".

Right now I'm working on a very, very short autobiography. It will consist of either two or three posts. It all depends on how specific I get with details. Hopefully, I'll be able to start sharing it with you in a few days.

Thank you for your kind comments and for caring.

God Bless,
Mimmy


Quiet! Be Still.

I woke up this morning
With the sun shining bright,
No cares in my heart
To share or recite.

To my own special chair
I started to go,
To speak with my Master
Whom I love ever so.

Then the telephone rang
‘Twas a good friend of mine
With a problem that needed
Much more of my time.

On the way back home
The announcers blared,
Of the war and of those
For whom we love and care;

Of robbery & murder.
Of rape and much more
That covered the sun
With gray clouds galore.

In my heart the winds
Were blustering cold,
The storm grew deeper
More scary and bold.

The thought came to me,
"Where is the bright sun
That was there so blazing
As this day had begun?"

At home I did cuddle
In my own special chair
Where I’d started this day
In calm, breezy air.

There I call to my Lord,
He said, "Peace be still",
In the quiet of darkness
My heart softly filled.

With the twinkle of starlight,
The glow of the moon,
The knowledge that only
God has the right tune.

Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
September 24, 2007

Missing You

Hello to all!! It's been a few days since I posted last. I really think it's time for me to share with you why I often miss a few days. Today, I'm not able to read all of your wonderful blogs and all of the wonderful and creative things you share. That hurts me because I know how important it is to a person who spends the time to share a part of themselves to get comments on their work. I'm terribly sorry but right now I'm limited as to what I can do. There is a post rattling around in my head and heart that I plan to share as soon as possible. It will share with you why there are often days I don't get to post.

Right now, I'm going to share with you a poem that I wrote in January 2006. In looking through many poems I have written over the last few years this one struck me as one I wanted to share. Hopefully it too will strike a cord in your heart.

Hoping to "see" you very soon.

God Bless,
Mimmy


CHARACTER

They say that reputation
Is what people think of us;
That character’s what’s really there
Beneath the frills and fuss.

So it makes a lot of sense to me
That if this is the case,
Making them both look the same
I could always wear one face.

Since character’s what’s deep inside,
That’s where I need to start,
Then what folks see from day to day
Comes from within my heart.

I’ll start out with my faith in God
Add virtue to the pot.
Then heap on lots of knowledge,
Give restraint a special spot.

To this I’ll add some patience,
Some godliness for sure,
Top it off with kindness;
I think I’ve found the cure.

I’ll stir it up and work it
Then tie it with a bow,
A bow of love, which is the best
This you must surely know.

When all of these are right in place
My character’s in line,
Something tells me deep in side
My reputation will be fine.

I mustn’t quit at this point
Or I’ll surely pay the cost,
For all of these I’ve added
Can be very simply lost;

If they are not worked on daily
And allowed to do their part
To keep me in my Father’s hand
Making me pure of heart.


Based on II Peter 1: 3-11

Mimmy aka Joyce Smith
January 2006