We start our days with the best of intentions. A good morning to God as we whisk our way out of bed and start our routine. Making lunches, making breakfast, making sure the kids are dressed and ready for school, make sure they have everything they need to take to school (or you'll get a call sometime during the day to make that trip again). Then the tornado we call getting ready in the morning has to be tended to. Picking up clothes off of the floor, cleaning the kitchen, dishes, floor stovetop. If your kitchen is like ours, everything ends up here...kids toys, books, mail, drawing creations, etc. It is hard to figure out what must go. New things do not always have a desingated place, so much to the chagrin of my husband, these things stay in the kitchen.

We drag ourselves to the bathroom, look in the mirror and somewhat remember the face staring back at us. Is that really me. Mom? Are you visiting? Who took my face, I want it back. I realize I had too much salt the night before and my face is a little doughy today. The bags under my eyes will slowly disappear (I've heard that hemorroid cream is good for this). A shower, some make up to replace the color that age seems to have taken away...doesn't just happen to leaves my friends. Squeeze into my jeans, I can swear they fit me yesterday..remembering the chips, hmmmmm.

The dogs have no food. There is no more syrup for pancakes. This is drastic in my home. Off to the store. By the time I reach the checkout somehow 20 more things that I must've needed have shown up in my cart. Budget, yes, we have a budget, but a staple in my home is tortillas, another is shredded cheese, oh and Kraft macaroni (pandomonium sets in when there is no Kraft or Top Ramen) soda, even though we have been saying for years now that we are going to quit.. "Thank you Mrs. Brisbin!."  "You've saved XX dollars today"...with a smile.. and I know she is thinking in her head, "And you have secured my job for yet another day, keep coming back, it works!

This is just a part of my day. Why am I regurgitating my morning? To show you that in that time I had just a little bit of human contact. From the sleep eyes and groans from my children, to the "almost made it" kiss from my husband as he darts to his car. From the slam of the door from my 20 year old... I have been on my own. Now roaming the isles of the local grocery store, it's Stepford Village. Either there is no eye contact whatsoever, or it is a grin from a beautifully dressed and gorgeous woman who really should have sent her maid to do her shopping (I would hate to break those nails...must've cost at least the groceries I am about to purchase).

Human contact! We need it. We thrive in it. We shrivel without it. We resort (not I, of course) but many resort to chat rooms.. a voice on the other end of the keyboard! "They" understand! For me, it has been facebook. Connecting with old school friends and workers has helped me feel connected to the world again. But what happened to human contact.

We come home from our days, exhausted, spent. Maybe there was a school meeting that needed to be attended. A church meeting, a sporting event, we just keep moving...moving...no time to sit and talk. Like people before our time used to do. They didn't have it easy either (no washing machines!!!) But somehow they managed to get everything done (or save some for the next day) and sit on a porch and watch their children play. Maybe sit with a few neighbors over coffee or lemonade and chat. Those days are gone. Do you know there are interenet groups now called Mom's Cafe? It is supposed to resemble mom's sitting around connecting. This is what life has come to.

So, why am I rambling on. I am putting out a call to all ladies, single, married, young and old. We all need each other. The young (even though they don't see it yet) really need the wisdom of the older women.  The single need the wisdom of the married women, sometimes the married woman needs the wisdome of the single woman...just to put some life back into our lives.

Friends and family are so important. Women, find friends!! They are out there. I know, I have heard. Thinking of starting a Bingo or Bunko night here, just to get the ladies together.Praying that God will send me a revelation of where to start and what to do to bond and grow the relationships between the women of our church and beyond. Sisters....we need sisters.... and that doesn't mean just biological. Men need men, women need women. Some of are losing that. We need it back.

Since I am just sitting in the office right now, I do not have my Bible next to me. I have someone elses, but I have my scriptures marked. I will share them with you later to complete this thougth.

Please pray about this. Bonding and growing our Women's ministry, relationships, friendships to last a lifetime. I believe this is what God wants for us. I pray that we have time to make this happen.

Have a wonderful day! Love you all!
Marian

We Will Not Forget You Vanessa!

Expectations

I know that a book can be written about "expectations" and how they can move us forward, and how they can destroy us... But I won't go there right now.

We need to put our expectations in the Lord and not in things and people. I know that this is easier said than done. I have done this myself.  So, let's start here:
"Lord, I look to You for everything I need in my life.  Help me to put all of my expectations in You."

And whenever you are disappointed because your needs are not being met, talk to yourself and say, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." (Psalm 62:5).  Then tell God about your needs and everthing that is in your heart. Don't worry, He won't be surprised or shocked. He already knows. He is just waiting to hear it from you.

Seven Signs of a Desirable Friend - By Stormie Omartian

1.  A desirable friend tells you the truth in love. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.  (Proverbs 27:6)

2. A desirable friend gives you sound advice.  "Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight in hearty counsel" (Proverbs 27:9)

3. A desirable friend refines you.  "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs: 27:17)

4. A desirable friend helps you grow in wisdom.  "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20)

5. A desirable friend stays close to you.  "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

6. A desirable friend loves and stands by you.  "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17)

7. A desirable friend is a help in time of trouble.  "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)