After every Winter comes a Spring.

Well, I am still in Texas and still not in El Paso.  I saw lots of interesting "road kill",  Seemed like 25-30 deer, a coyote, Eagles, ground hogs,  other birds, a fox, and a lot I couldn't identify.  Very windy and cool.  I pulled into a "Picnic Area"(Rest stop with no restroom) to take a break and the Lord said, "stay the night".  It was about 4 PM and still a lot of daylight left and I was the only one in the Picnic Area, I wasn't sure it was legal to stay overnight, it was desert and nothing around.  Sometimes I object to the guidance of the Lord, forgetting that He has my(and yours) best interest at heart, ALWAYS. But, I was obedient and stayed. 

This is just one of the good things about having Jesus on board, He knows the future!  I looked at the weather report on my phone, and their was a wind warning for my area, 35 mile an hour winds with gusts up to 60 mph on the road ahead, warning for Campers, RVs, and high profile vehicles until 6 PM.  I had been dealing with the wind all day and kept seeing permanent signs saying watch for high cross winds.  But on top of that, their was a wind storm! 

I found myself in an anxious state several times, white knuckling the steering wheel and had to calm myself down with the knowledge that Jesus would never leave me or forsake me and I would be OK as soon as the storm was over.  I was glad to take a break from the wind.  I closed myself up in the RV and went to bed early so I could get an early start.

Nov. 29, 2016

I woke up to a crowd of trucks, some even parked on the grass, who had also spent the night, so Jesus knew.

It is cold, 45 degrees, where is the South?  The way to El Paso is beautiful, I am beginning to see Joshua trees and the Guadalupe Mountains.  Yes, real mountains in Texas!  Wow, this journey really has opened my eyes to a lot of things about me.  I am such a "Know-it-All"!  I thought I remembered Texas and Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana a certain way and I expected a negative experience, based on "what I thought".  It has been so opposite of what "I thought" that I  am considering the possibility that, I may not know what I think I know. (Smiley face) Those of you who know me will be smiling.

I only saw 3 oil wells in all of my travel in Texas! WHAT? When I was here in 1965, I remember miles and miles and miles of oil wells and far as you could see.  Now they are beginning to put up wind mills for energy, THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE, with the wind and all. Things change. Only God doesn't change.

I thought about the wind mills,  The wind is invisible but has so much power, (like God), we just need to be in place, and be willing to receive Gods power, for it to work in our lives. (That will preach!)

On my way to somewhere closer to Las Vegas, no wind issues, overcast, perfect for driving and I got an early start.  AFTER EVERY WINTER COMES A SPRING!...... EVERY TIME!

I am in the Mountain time zone now, so am 2 hours earlier than Eastern.

"Armadillo Crossing"in Texas

Well, you know you are in Texas when you see "Armadillo Crossing" signs!  I left Lake Whitney and instead of taking me on the freeway , GPS decided I needed to see the Texas Hill Country!  Who knew they had hills in Texas?!, It was beautiful and different.  Little towns, lots of ranches like you see in the old Western movies with the entrance gate with the cross bar on the top that says the name, lots of Mesquite (I think) short trees, cattle, goats and sheep, but very few horses.  The roads were great and 70 mph most of the way (except for the traffic lights in the towns) and very little traffic.

I arrived at 6:30 PM at my Cousin's who live in a gated community so couldn't stay at their house.  We had a wonderful visit and saw their pictures of their Hong Kong trip and their Paris and Italy trip (Last Spring), that they both took with their three children. I drove less than a mile to a Sam's Club and stayed the night (great view of San Antonio).

Nov 27, 2016

My Cousins picked me up to go to their Church (Summit Christian Center), which was just down the street, HUGE! With a Carousel inside!

Beautiful and lots of people fairly equally mixed, Hispanic, Afro American and Caucasian.  Good message, one I needed to hear.  He talked about the Dreams that God has placed within us, as the purpose He has for our lives.  We often hinder God's actions in our life, because we think he dreams are too big, we think they are impossible, someone discouraged us , we saw the obstacles and quit or, we think we are inadequate to carry them out. Well, we are inadequate! BUT God placed it in us, HE IS A BIG GOD, He can perform it, in and through us, if we give it to Him!

After Church, I went to Sam's Club and got water and some produce and left for Ft. Stockton.   

Didn't make it, stopped in Sonora, TX. at a very nice stop-over Park where I could hook up.  Only cost $22, and I met Mike, the owner, who was sooo nice, he helped me hook up and put me in a covered site because he thought it might hail with the storm that was supposed to come (so sweet), but didn't. We had a nice talk.

Nov 28, 20016

Beautiful sunshine today but windy 56 degrees, and I'm off to El Paso, Texas (hopefully).

EXCITING NEWS!  I just got a ticket to Eric Worre's Go Pro Conference, 20,000 Network Marketers in Las Vegas. I planned to be in LasVegas anyway and I will be in the same section as the other Shaklee friends, Woopee!!!

On to San Antonio

Nov. 25,2016

 Well, my plans changed again, I should stop telling you what I plan to do and just tell you what I did.  I woke up this morning with rain on my roof and I decided to stay another day here because I didn't feel like unhooking in the rain, getting propane in the rain or driving in the rain.  Sooo I didn't.  I spent the day talking to some wonderful people and I was sooo blessed to get a call from an adopted Grandson who I thought I had lost track of, and he had only good news and a way to reach him.  Hurray!

I measured myself today (7 days into the Cleanse) and I had shed 7 3/4 inches.  I don't have a scale but my Blood Pressure is running in the 130's over the 80's, woopee and that is with NO MEDICATION!!!  I walked for about 30 minutes today. Woopee! 

Nov 26, 2016

Woke up this morning motivated to move on.  Plan to dump the tanks, get propane and leave the park, on my way to San Antonio. 

 I will tell you of an experience I had yesterday.  It was in the 50's and I was running the electric small heater I have, and it suddenly shut off.  I turned every knob, plugged and unplugged etc... did everything I could to get it to go again.  I unplugged it and set it aside and started to layer-up with warmer clothes..  My propane was low so I couldn't run the heater and I was faced with a cold night ahead.  Well, "my God will supply all my needs".  I picked up the heater that had stopped and laid hands on it and said, "In the name of Jesus, be healed!"  I plugged it in and it worked!  Praise the Lord!  I was toasty warm all night.  God is an awesome God!

On to San Antonio, Texas.

THANKSGIVING CONTINUED

Thurs, Nov 24, 2016,  Thanksgiving continued:

My Thanksgiving dinner was the Word of God, wonderful fellowship with my extended Church family, a perfect salad and no regrets!   Woopee! 

Rev. Sis. Hymes taught on "Thank you Jesus, for making me Right"   

Col. 1:9-14,21-22

She asked, do we, who have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, see ourselves as made right or Holy?  We need to clean up our actions, our mouths, our attitudes and our "stinking thinking" to match our "made Right" status.

She wanted us to make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that we had accepted Jesus and that we knew absolutely we would for certain go to heaven when we die, (even today).

I wanted to catch you up on the couple I met at the Escapees Club.  First let me explain that the Escapees club is a Nation wide group of "full-timers" RVing.  There is a newsletter, mail forwarding services, special information and connections with "full-timers".

 When I went to Livingston, TX on Tuesday, (where the mail forwarding service is) to pick up a Shaklee package, I met a great couple, who were there to pick up their mail too. 

They were Afro American and had been "full-time" RVers for 4 years.  Their name was Conner, he was a Preacher, retired from the Military. They were running with Jesus, going only where He led them,  had listened to FTHCM broadcast when we were on TV and Full Gospel AME Church and now were live streaming the services when they could.  They were leaving this week for Nigeria to Minister there.  They had never been to the West Coast and may hook up with me in California when they return from Nigeria.  We exchanged information and will keep in touch.  Isn't God amazing?

Some of you may not get that, it is OK.

Back to Thanksgiving.  After service, a lot of the young people came out to see the RV.  we took pictures and I may have adopted one or two.  I left the FTHCM Church in Dallas to go South (the weather is beautiful warm days, 72 degrees and cool nights, but not cold) and I stopped in Whitney, TX at a huge (750 acre) Thousand Trails RV Park. (You could bring your horse to ride the trails...I left all my horses in the car back in Maryland, smile.). 

Since my stay is free, I needed to wash clothes, fill my propane tank and charge my computer so I could blog you.

I got to the Laundromat with my clothes in a rolling grocery cart, it was a little walk, good exercise. They had brand new wash machines and dryers and FREE because they hadn't hooked up the credit card system to run them.  God keeps blessing and blessing!  I Watched the last quarter of the Redskin/Cowboy game in the lounge with a few other RVers, I was the only Redskin fan, in Cowboy country. They were kind, maybe because the Redskins lost.  I got a ride home with a neighbor RVer. it was good because it was dark.  I had a head light (a battery operated light that you wear on your head that shines where you turn your head), but it was better getting a ride.  I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful too. 

My plan is to get propane gas tomorrow and go on to San Antonio,TX and visit my 1st cousin (twice removed) and his family.  They just got back yesterday from Hong Kong.  God's timing is amazing!  I didn't even know they were gone and hadn't even planned to go that way.  It is great to have someone who knows the future with me!

Happy Thanksgiving from Dallas FTHCM

Wed Nov 23, 2016

Arrived in Dallas at the FTHCM Church and it is Huge and wonderful. I am parked in the Church parking lot with survailance cameras on me that are hooked up to Pastor's phone so he can see my RV from his house!  Wow technology!

 Pastor Hymes took me on a tour, before Bible Study, it is much like Atlanta Church in size and shape and both are definitely  FTH! (Burgundy & Gold and Excellence of Ministry!  Pastor Hymes taught Bible Study on "Where is my Witness, Is my live witnessing Jesus Christ?"  What i received from it was,  if I am not functioning in my functional gift and not where God is, I am not in Right Standing with God and cannot be an effective Witness for Him.  It is His plan for me, He made me to function in it and I am the only one that can stop His Grace operating  in by rebelling, fighting God and not being obedient to Him.  It is A WASTE OF TIME AND LIFE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE PLAN HE HAS FOR US.  IT IS HIS SHOW AND HE WINS, I WANT TO STICK WITH THE WINNER!

I met some wonderful people and am looking forward to the Thanksgiving service taught by Rev. Sis. Hymes.

Thurs. Nov. 24, 2016

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.  I PRAY EVERYONE READING THIS IS WELL AND WITH LOVED ONES.  ENJOY THE FELLOWSHIP, THAT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT!  I AM THANKFUL FOR EACH OF YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE AN IMPACT IN MY LIFE.  GOD PLANNED YOU IN IT, AND IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME.  THANK YOU!!!

LOVE YOU!

I'm Sticking with the Lord! Get ready for change

Nov 22-23

I settled in for three days at the RV park but I need to be ready at all times because "my plans" change.  I felt an urgency to get ready and leave the park on Tuesday.  I had already made reservations for the Escapees RV park in Livingston, TX to wait until Saturday to travel to Dallas for the FTHCM Church.

I needed to go to the Escapees park to get my mail they were holding for me.  They closed at 4 PM and I was pushing it to get there and I did at 3:45.  I found out, it was not about the mail, it was about a couple I met while getting the mail.  I don't have time to tell you now, I feel another urgency, so will tell you later.  I stayed at a Walmart in Huntington, TX. and am on my way to the Dalles FTHCM Church for Bible Study tonight and Thanksgiving Service tomorrow!  Wow is God good!  I am sticking tight with Him, He knows best.

Chillin' in Texas! (literally)

Nov 19-21

It is cold, 43, 33, 38 degrees for the last three mornings.  I need to go South-er and instead I am going North, Oh, well.  I'm not going anywhere for a couple of days.

I left Jennings, Louisiana and drove to Vinton, Louisiana near the Texas border at a Love's Truck stop.  It was around 2:30 PM and by the time I called Thousand trails at Lake Conroe to make my reservations, they were full for Saturday but I was able to book Sunday until Wednesday.  The Ranger at the RV park said I could "Boon dock" there for Saturday and then move to an RV site around noon after others left.  I finished my break, it was too late to start out because it would be dark soon.  I had a nice place to park.  So I called her back and said I would stay the night at Love's, she jokingly advised me to watch out for the "Lot Lizards".  I ask her what they were.  She said "Ladies of the Night" that hang around Truck Stops! I didn't think I had to worry, didn't see any either.

I was a little concerned because I was out of fresh water in the tanks, needed to dump the other two tanks, and low on propane. But knowing that God has supplied all my needs, I stayed the night "Boon docking", (It's what it is called when you are not in an RV park hooked up to electric, water and sewage).

          I could have dumped the tanks ($5) at Love's but decided wait to go to a Thousand Trails RV park for Sunday night(free). I had a case of bottled water and 5 gallons for other uses.  (I have learned to brush my teeth with 1/4 cup of water and bathe in a cup of cold water).  I was able to heat it on the gas stove.  Love's was there, if I needed their bathroom and I had plenty of food in the refrigerator.   I could have used the generator but it is loud and the exhaust disturbs the neighbors parking near me.  It got cold (I was warm in bed, getting out was different) during the night and at about 3:30 AM I did turn on the generator for my electric heater, then my gas detector went off, after about an hour, from the exhaust fumes ( a window was cracked open) .  I had to turn off the generator and open the vents till it went off.  I turned the gas heat on and was fine.  I had more propane than I thought.  I was comfortable the rest of the night and in the AM, I opened the shades and the sun did a good job of keeping it warm.

          I had planned to go to the Houston FTHCM church on Sunday last week but I was slowed down.  I had talked to Pastor White earlier and knew that he would be teaching at the Parent Church in Maryland in the absence of Bishop this Sunday, so thought I would live stream it.  (Couldn't get reception).

          I had a beautiful dive up to Willis, TX (halfway to Dallas) to the TT RV park.  It warmed up to 65 degrees. Got a drive thru site (didn't have to back in) and hooked up, dumped the tanks and am good here till Wednesday then they are kicking me out because they are fully booked for the Thanksgiving Weekend.

          I started a new adventure, much needed.  Before I left, I got a call from Sister Grant.  She was excited because she had received her "Nutrition Cleanse" Shaklee products and started immediately on the Cleanse.  (We used to call it Detox).  It is a program of cleansing your body in preparation for the 180 Weight Loss Program, so you aren't hindered by the residues of  junk , medication build up, etc in the body.

          Sis. Grant and I had decided to be "buddy's" on it, but she got a day ahead (first day she lost 2 lbs of junk).  It was perfect timing for me (right after eating  Alligator).

          Basically it is eating the Shaklee Herb Lax, Alfalfa, Liver DTX, and Optiflora (Probiotic) and only raw fruits and vegetables with 10-12 glasses of water a day for 7-14 days.  Then beginning the 180 Program.

          Weight loss is one of my greatest strongholds and this is great.  God set me up,  I already had Thanksgiving dinner and so this is a perfect week to go for it.  I have done two days and I don't have a scale, (pants are getting loose). but I did measure when I started and I will be reporting my results.  What a great accountability!   I shed 4 3/4 inches in the first 2 days! Woopee!  On my way.

I Ate Alligator!

Saturday, Nov 19, 2016

Yesterday my Nephew picked me up (his wife was not able to come) to go to an  PreJeans (pronounced French) Restaurant.  I  ATE ALLIGATOR! It was good and tasted like Chicken .  It was a nice place and  we also shared a shrimp, crab, craw fish fondue and a Shrimp Caesar Salad.  There was enough to take home to his wife. Wonderful food and fellowship!

            I left Lafayette and drove about 37 miles to Jennings, LA. where my Great Great Grandfather migrated to, from the Midwest, on the first North/South railroad.  I passed a lot of rice fields on the way and this area has the largest rice growers in the US. It is a small town and the Parish (County) seat.  It was 3:30 PM when I arrived and everything closed at 4:30 and it was Friday, so didn't really find anything relating to my G.G.Grandfather.  He had property that he willed to my Great Grandmother and he died here so I will keep checking online.  I met some really nice people and they told me where the Wal-Mart was and that is where I stayed the night.  After I parked, I saw a place I could get a manicure and pedicure which was badly needed.

            That was a fun experience, and Michael and Lu adopted me and called me,"Grandma".  I got to here their stories of how they escaped the Communist in Vietnam and went by boat to China and then on to the USA.  The massage chair for the pedicure was great too!

            Then I also went to the Dollar Store next door, came out and it was storming,  raining and windy.  The day had been a beautiful 82 degrees.

 Had a wonderful night's sleep, with the rain on the roof and the wind rocking me to sleep. Woke up this AM, cold, 43 degrees, it is still windy, had to turn on the generator to get warm and also charge my stuff.  This is supposed to be the South!  I am still seeing signs that say "bridges freeze before roadways." I need to keep going!

            Today I think I will be in Texas.  I have done half of the US map in 22 days.  I won't be in Oregon for Thanksgiving but I do hope to be there for my Brother-in-Law's 80th Birthday.  I talked to them a couple of days ago and they are doing great!

            I am enjoying the sights on this trip, but the most enjoyable are the people, most of my life was focused on stuff and things, now I am discovering how important people are in my life.   I am so happy that I "woke up" to be able to see just a glimpse of what God sees in each of us, that would cause His love to send His Son Jesus to save us, if only we receive the gift!  It is a wonderful gift and I am so blessed to have Jesus with me on this trip! What would I do without Him?  I wouldn't have considered this Journey without Him and God's Holy Spirit in me, helping!  I have so much Peace, Comfort and Joy! He knows me, loves me, has my best interest at heart, provides for me, is my protector and He knows the future!  WHAT A DEAL!  Let's go to the next adventure!

Chicken Enchiladamwith Chocolate & Cheese sauce

Friday, Nov 17-18,2016

Yesterday I left Bro. & Sis. Grant's in Mississippi and drove to their (Pine Lake) Church for a Senior Pre-Thanksgiving luncheon. (maybe the only one I get as I won't get to my Sister's in Oregon by then, the Lord has slowed me down a lot, which is good.

Bro. Grant rode with me, we got to church early and transferred my stuff from their trunk to the RV.  The luncheon was wonderful, everybody brought so much food, there was plenty to take home.  They are all good cooks and everything was homemade. I saw some of the people I met on Sunday and it was as if we were old friends.  I left there at 1 PM to head South again towards Louisiana.  The drive was nice and I got to Lafayette at sunset.  It was unusual as the only clouds in the sky was a long perfectly straight line of clouds above the horizon, then a long space below, that looked like the ocean and it looked like I was driving towards the water.  It was the sky, but you can't always trust what you see or perceive to be real.

 My daughter LaVonne talked to me until I got into Lafayette, LA., she is doing great.  She has a business called "Concrete Inspired", she does polished concrete floors, and her business is truly being blessed by God.  Her son Dion works with her and they are doing great together.

I parked at the Lowes and waited for my Nephew to pick me up.  It was great to see him! He took me to dinner at the restaurant where his wife works.  She is from Mexico and it was the first time I had met her.  She is awesome!  Very loving and personable.  We had a wonderful meal.  Guacamole, made at the table, real authentic, I videoed her making it, what fun!  We had something like a chicken Enchilada with chocolate sauce ( surprisingly good) and a chicken frijoles with roasted vegetables,(real good) and fried ice cream (real good).  It was way too much, so took some home.  Wonderful visit!

Stayed a Lowes, very quiet and good sleep.

Today we are going to lunch at a real authentic Cajun Restaurant.

My (adopted) Brother and Sister Grant that I am staying with, are the most remarkable  couple I have ever met!  They are humble, loving, giving, nurturing, hospitable, innovative, stable, thoughtful, tolerant, steadfast in the Lord, sweet spirited, good stewards, hard working, and loving, always willing to learn and grow.  They have such a remarkable story! 

          Sister Grant was born in Mississippi, the deep South, where, as an African American child, she was brought up in a culture of such deeply ingrained prejudice that  both Whites and Blacks learned to adopt hatred and deep seated fears and disdain for each other.  The things that happened against the "Colored" were quickly passed through the neighborhoods, in hushed tones, far and wide within the Black community, without the Newspaper or TV.  Young African American children soon learned, "Their place", and did not dare cross the "line" of that place.  Early instructions were understood, although never questioned, except in the minds of the individuals.

          Growing up in such a place could (and did) harden the hearts of many and create ingrained thought patterns, that when placed against the Word of God, and God's plan for our lives, one could come up short.  But Sister Grant, even as a little girl, was bright and confident in her relationship with the Lord. Her Mother instilled in her a knowledge that, if somebody else could do it,  it could be done, and if she wanted to do it, God had given her the ability to study or practice long and hard enough to do it. 

          She has had her own Assisted Living Facility, worked two jobs to put her child in Private school, and through College.  Invested at an early age, had her CDL license and drove bus for the  Full Gospel (FTHCM) Church.  Taught Ceramic classes, was the General Contractor and Designer of this Beautiful, energy efficient house, in a Beautiful setting, which was her childhood home.  What am example for all of us. (That is just the little that I know and I am INSPIRED!)

         Bro. Grant was born and raised around the Hilton Head area of South Carolina.  I haven't spent as much time with him as I have with his wife (out and about with her) to get his story.  What I know of him is that he has such a willing heart to serve the Lord.  Soon after they joined their (predominantly white Church in Mississippi) he was asked to usher, they saw his character, and at the proper time, he was ordained as a Deacon.  He believes in doing what he does well, with excellence.  I can attest to the fact that their place (22 acres and a huge house) is kept immaculate all of the time.  What they have done is so remarkable, but I know God is not finished with them yet.  Both of them are 78 years old and act like Energizing Bunnies, and DEBT FREE!  I am energized just being around them, they have so much to teach me.

           I heard from my Nephew who lives in Louisiana.  He is usually out to sea on a barge (Deep sea diving) for months at a time and we weren't sure if he would be home when I came by.  Praise the Lord, I plan to see him tomorrow and meet his wife for the first time.  I am sooo looking forward to seeing him and his wife.  God is so good!  It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive and I will leave after the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon at Bro & Sis Grant's Church tomorrow.

Wonderful Mississippi!

Moon over Mississippi

Today( Monday) we talked for hours about Shaklee and my friends were able to become Distributors free because he was a Veteran, so they ordered products and the Lady of the house and I agreed to go on the "Shaklee Natural Cleanse" together and  we will start as soon as her products come in.  We both have weight to lose and it is nice to have a buddy.

We took the golf cart out to the pond to feed the fish.  Their cat rode along part of the way.  The fish in the pond that I saw were about 12-14 inches long.  I got to drive the golf cart by myself, it was fun.

Did you see the moon?  It was so bright, I took a picture.  Isn't it amazing that we can all see the same moon at the same time and it has light for everybody all over the world, unless it is obstructed by something coming between us and the Moon.  It's just like God, He has enough light and love for all of us, all over the world, we can all access Him at the same time...unless we allow something or someone to  come between our relationship with Him.  Then we are in the dark and have no access to the light and love of God, but He is always there, shining and loving us, no matter what.  Are we allowing the light and love of God to shine in our heart today?  He is always there.

God is moving in hearts in the South

Saturday, I got a tour of the land where they live, 2 ponds, and the house where she lived as a child.  Each of the ponds have different kinds of fish (not stocked by them, just naturally arrived by birds or whatever)  They have had 2 alligators to show up at the pond on two different occasions, and It is a beautiful gated, well cared for (by them) place.  They are both older than I am and truly flourishing to the finish!

We went on a car tour of the area including to the State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi which is the largest State Capitol in the US (looks like the US Capitol) .  We came back to have crab cakes for dinner (She makes the BEST). Great fellowship!

Sunday, 7 AM we went to their Church for 8 AM Service (there are 3 services) at Pine Lake Church ( www.PineLake.org ). Check is out. The message was perfect for me and you can listen to it on line (Jonah).  For a church in Mississippi, in the deep South, the website tells it all.  I was amazed at the love of God that was very apparent!  The Pine Lake Church has a focus on (legal) adoption and foster care of Children.  

 I am seeing the plan of God working in each Church, each one has a special work to do and (prayerfully) they are obedient to it.  It is sooo important to be connected and a working part of a Bible believing, Bible teaching Church, so you can be fulfilled in the plan of God (It is much, much bigger than we are but each of us is IMPORTANT to the plan.) The Body of Christ, although sick in some areas, is coming to realize that WE ARE ONE, when we believe, and are on one accord.

We came back home and had more fellowship and crab cakes.  The weather is beautiful, a bit chilly in the evenings and gorgeous during the day.  They have been having a drought so rain would be a blessing.   

We had more fellowship over popcorn around the gas fireplace in the living room. We have decided that we are family, Sister & Brother so my "adopted" family is still growing! Yeaaaaa!

Away from home (RV) in Mississippi

I moved from my RV home for a few days to stay in my friends WONDERFUL HOME.What a great sleep! (on a Select Comfort bed) This place is awesome!  The Lady of the house was born and raised here and I now understand why they moved back to Mississippi.  The original house she was raised in is still here but they designed and built a perfect house on the same piece of property.  I met some of the neighbors (black and white) who were over (every Friday night) for a game of "Hand and Foot".  I had never heard of it.  It is a card game and after they explained it, it sounded like fun.  They were a great group.
I got a tour of the house last night and there is nothing left out.  Lot's of nooks and crannies for storage (they used to have an RV so they knew how to utilize space) and efficiency in everything!
Beautiful 22 acres of fruit trees (all planted by them) and open lawn (cleared by them), a large work shop (Built by them) with full RV hook-ups.
I would like to share with you, my perceptions on the South.  It is quite different than the first time I drove through it in 1965, during the Civil Rights movement.  At that time I was a Civil Rights sympathizer, driving a red VW bug, with California tags, with a  (17 yr. old Jewish Hippy) Hitch- hicker.  That is another story.  I remember crying through Mississippi and Alabama and didn't stop driving (except for gas) or crying until I reached Georgia.  It was very oppressive and it could be felt in the atmosphere.  Then I was afraid. 
Now, I feel differently and am enjoying my time here.  I will let you more as I go along.  People are friendly and I am enjoying myself so much.
What a journey!

Traveled from Alabama to Mississippi

What a great drive and amazing day.  I didn't know where I was going this AM, and I started out South and stayed at a Cracker Barrel last night. I went to bed early and woke up at 3;30 with 8 hours of sleep. so I meditated until 5:30 and got up and got ready to go South again.  I wasn't sure whether to go further South to Montgomery to do a Shaklee meeting or West to the Grants in Lena, Mississippi. Just after I had turned West and stopped for gas, I got a text asking if I could do a 3 Way leadership Shaklee call with Tara in Montgomery, AL.. I stopped and had a very successful call and then drove on to Lena, MS to the Grants, a friend from FTHCM that have been living here about 12 years.  They have a complete Motor Home hook up but they insisted that I stay in their HUGE BEAUTIFUL home. We had a wonderful visit and will do some exploring tomorrow. will stay a few days here.  Good night, long day.

I finally can get pictures to you.

Flying like a Bird

This is a picture of me hang gliding on my 74th birthday in September this year in North Carolina.
What a wonderful flight! I know how to do pictures now so when I can, I will attach them to the appropriate past blogs and if you want to you can go back and see them.  I will alert you when that happens so you won't waste your time.

Thank God for Cracker Barrel

I drove about 3 hours yesterday, straight South towards Birmingham, Alabama and stopped a little after dark in Cullman, Alabama at a Cracker Barrel.  Great nights sleep I slept 8 hours and it was 3:30 AM.  I am a little mixed up because it gets dark earlier. 
I made a great healthy breakfast with peanut butter, Chocolate Shaklee Life Plan Shake powder mixed together with a little hot water to make a thin paste and spread it on a gluten free wrap, sprinkled some granola to give crunch, put an organic banana in the middle, wrapped it up and yummy!  Made some warm Shaklee Vitalized Immunity (tastes like Orange fizz) as good for you as 16 Oranges! 
On to the deep South.

Calculating my Journey

Nov 10, 2016

Columbia TN.
Good 9 hrs of sleep and I decided  to catch up on my financial records. So far (13 days into travel). I am getting 6.20 miles per gal of gas(8 hours of generator use, which draws from the gas tank). The generator is used for heat ,(when not using the Propane), battery charging, smoothy making, microwave and lights, water heater, water pump to save the house batteries. Anyway I have spent $294.08 in travel costs (gas and lodging) that works out to $22.62 per day so far. I filled up the gas tank 6 times, I have traveled in 7 States and have spent nothing for overnight stays so far and I am HOME! God is good! I have made 8 new lasting friendships, and visited 3 Churches. Had 4 Shaklee meetings and 6 individual encounters, broke a Director and did 7,000 PV(purchase volume) so far. So much for my first 13 days on this Journey.  I have a magnetic Shaklee sign on the RV for advertising purposes, making the name visible and a conversation starter(and tax deduction).

Still don't know where I am going next.  Will let you know when I know.

God has not given me a spirit of fear,

Well, I am 30 miles away and I have a new sim card and I have been able to get phone calls! Praise the Lord!  But best of all I was able to show the Internet guy the plan of salvation (he wasn't saved) and gave him the www.fthcm.org streaming live site, of our church for Sundays at 9:30 & 12:30 AM Eastern time and Bible study 7:39 PM Eastern time on Tuesdays. Praise the Lord! Pray that hr follows through.
Guess where I am parked for the night?  On a hill in a level spot between the Internet store (free internet) and my favorite grocery store.WHAT A DEAL!  I got the managers permission and this should be fine. 
 My Angel, who is now a friend, Herbert, helped dump and unhook the RV, he was a long distant truck driver and has been full time RVing for 8 years.  He will be a big help, with situations along the way.  The Lady at the Ranger Station printed out a map quest map of where I was going.  That was great because the internet wasn't working on the phone to get GPS. Don't trust Technology, just trust God!
Don't know where I will head tomorrow, will let you know.


 

Are you prepared for periless times?

Nov. 9, 2016 

Ps 86:12 "I will praise thee, Oh Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify thy name for evermore."

After reading II Cor:11, this morning, (having not seen the election results, still haven't), seeing what Paul went through, am I willing to go through periless times for my Lord's sake?  The world is waxing worse and worse (Bible said it would), what shall we do?

II Cor: 9-10

This is a voice crying from the Wilderness (Preserve in Tennessee). No matter what the outcome of the elections, I need to prepare me, for what is to come.  My check list:

          1.  Am I saved? That is, have I accepted Jesus as God's only begotten                                            Son to be my Savior and Lord? ____________.

          2.  Do I trust God in everything?________  Or am I looking to the                          world for solutions?

          3.   Have I been baptized in the Holy Spirit (with evidence of speaking in other  

                          tongues)?_____. (Not necessary for Salvation but He is the helper         for getting through this life on earth.

          4.   Do I honor God with all my substance? (ie. tithe, offerings)._____

          5.   Am I a faithful citizen of the Kingdom of God, first? __________

          6.   Am I doing His will? (or my own or someone else s)___________

          7.   Can God trust me?_________ with everything?___________

          8.    Am I willing to suffer persecutions for His sake, as Jesus did for                        mine?____________.

          9.    Am I working the work that He wants me to do, while it is still                            available to do?____________

        10.     Do I love my neighbor as myself ?_________ Truly ?______

        11.     Have I cleaned up my life, to be an example to draw others to                           Christ? ____________

        12.     Is my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God?_____

My Pastor has been encouraging us to Maximize what we have, and know that what we have is enough to do His will.  Don't go into debt for this Holiday Season (or any) and just because you have it to spend, doesn't mean you have to spend it. (speaking from experience, I am finally debt free.) I encourage you to look around you, what do you have?  What can be re-purposed, created, thoughtful, etc... Think, really think about the other person you would like to give to, (or feel obligated to).  Wouldn't they really rather have your time, thoughtfulness, energy, love. or just YOU?  It is amazing what you can come up with when you set the rules for yourself, "before I spend money, what do I have to give?"  Those who accept the challenge, I would like to hear how it worked for you. 

Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I pray it works well. Oh, and if you put the money you would usually spent in savings? I'm just saying....

Today, I don't know what I will do accept yesterday I spent 4 precious hours on the phone (hanging out the window to get better reception) with my internet carrier to get my internet functioning properly and now they said I had to drive 30 miles to a store to get a sim card, to see if that works.  But I am grateful to be able to communicate with you like this.

 I think I will enjoy this beautiful day that I have been given.  How about you?

Are you OK with change?

I think this is election day, anyway I voted early so I don't have to think about it, but please vote.

The reason why I don't know for sure is because I don't choose to watch TV news.  I have two TV's in my RV but only have digital TV that only picks up whatever channel is within 20 miles.  The last time I put up my antenna (don't laugh)  was in Colonial Beach, VA and I got 4 channels (2 were in Spanish) and one of the other two was black & white Westerns which suited me just fine, whenever I got around to watching it.(which wasn't often).

I am enjoying the RV Park, watching children on bicycles, people walking their dogs etc.. It is supposed to be 70 degrees and cloudy today, Sunny for the next two days.

Let's talk about change.  How do we deal with it?  Plans change when things change and things change all of the time.  Someone said the only constant in this world in change. God is the only constant and He changes not.(Malachi 3:6) So why is it so hard to deal with sometimes?  Maybe because we want things to go our way?  Maybe because it is out of our control and we want to control?  Maybe we are resisting growth?  Growth is constant change and we don't like it sometimes.  O.K.  lets look at why things change, I don't know.  (There you have it!) and it's OK!

All I know is I am His child that when I am in the will of God, , He has plans for me that I know not of, and I better be WILLING to adjust or I will miss out on the wonders of His love for me,(and the fun and fulfillment) !

I said all that to let you know that things have changed. I planned to visit the Cannons in Alabama from here, and they are away for two weeks sooo Maybe on the way back?  Well we will wait to see what He has planned.

Meanwhile, I found a spot near the lake and as I was fixin' to back into the RV site, this angel ( that looked like Santa Claus) appeared and helped me back into the site (which is hard to do by myself without taking out the water & electric posts!).  Then he hooked up my water, and  dumped my sewage tanks for me, (not a pretty picture). God supplies all my needs! 

This site is great except I get very little, if any internet signal, so it is hard to even get phone service here.  I plan to leave tomorrow, don't know where I am going yet. Will let you know when I know.

My life does not depend on the elections, although I voted as my duty and privilege as a US citizen,(with good conscious).  It depends wholly on my trust in the one who made me, loves me, saved me and has my best interest at heart...my Lord Jesus!  This world is not my home, I only live here, I need to be a good steward over the things I have been entrusted with while here. I intend to Flourish to the Finish!

Flourish: To grow luxuriantly; Thrive; Succeed; To reach a height of development or influence (for the next generations).

Oh what a beautiful morning!

I was called by my friend Sarah this AM and she left me a message.  "This is the day that the Lord has made..." WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?  Wow, as she said, that will preach!

Today I took a shower (big deal) and washed my hair(bigger deal) and will wash clothes (much needed). I expect to catch up on some maintenance items like dumping the tanks.  They have a lot of sites with just water and electric that is near where I am, but no sewage.  The benefit here, is the Laundry is close and the shower house and there is a dump station so I could dump and stay in this spot or move to another area where there are full hook ups. Oh well I will decide after I wash clothes.
There are still a few people here but the temperature was 47 degrees this morning.  It is supposed to be 75 today.
I also expect to figure out how to send pictures so I can catch you up with that.  I have internet here and that is great.

In the mountains of TN

Wonderful Day!  Started out with Gail picking me up at 8 AM from Cracker Barrel for Church where she plays piano. It was wonderful, called "Church of the Way". Praise and worship was awesome and the message was right in line with what God seems to be doing in many Churches, getting us Christians ready for the next move of God and He wants us to be debt free and free of the worlds system.  I met and hugged so many wonderful people and God's love was definitely there.  I plan to visit on my way back through???? 
After Church, Gail treated me to  a great dinner from Cracker Barrel, we did take out and we visited in the Motor Home after we kicked our shoes off.  What a life!  I made reservations at a Thousand Trails in Hohelwald, Tennessee, I just arrived and it was too dark to hook up so will do it in the AM.  The weather has been perfect and seems like it will be for the next few days.  My stay in Murfreesboro was outstanding.  All my needs were met.  God is awesome!!!

I forgot to tell you that Ashley took a Video of me answering some question she and others had about the Shaklee business and she will post them somewhere for other Distributors to see.  Hope it helps.

This place is HUGE!  843 acres of lakes, streams mountains etc..That is just what I saw in the dark, will tell you more tomorrow when I get hooked up.  Love you all.

A great Shaklee day!

What fun to be doing Shaklee training again. I was picked up and escorted to Ashley's house, by  Grandma Gail (that is so hard to believe).  I was able to see Aidan, Ashley & Ashton's, 2 year old and the new baby, Cloie.  Both are so sweet and definitely Shaklee babies!  So calm and peaceful but active as children should be.  Grandma Gail babysat Aidan while we talked.
Jay came over to discuss he and his wife, Mary's Shaklee future and it's possibilities for this young family.  He was so ready to help lots of people to benefit from Shaklee.  It was good to be back in the Shaklee saddle again.
Ashley is such an incredible Mom and a great Shaklee business Woman and can do amazing things in just an hour a day!  I got a lot of good tips from her.
Tomorrow is Church with Gail.

Another beautiful day at Cracker Barrel

Still in Murfreesboro, TN, going to do some Shaklee things today, one on ones and video?
Last evening my best friend's daughter came to pick me up and took me to "Sprouts" grocery store (organically inclined) got some great food for the travels, salad makings etc... Then she took me to her house and fed me a great "crock pot" meal, delicious, then she gave me some to bring back. Woopee!

Congratulations to Gail & Harold Murray on becoming Director in Shaklee, their leadership and business is growing!!! Way to GO!!!

It is great to be able to work Shaklee on the road or anywhere! What a blessing! I am NOT retired! Just so you know.(smile) I am working to be a better steward over the great business I have and Maximize what I have.