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The LORD is my rock and
my fortress and my deliverer.
Psalm 18:2

So, in order to avoid pain and stiffness and the necessity of buying new sunglasses, be sure to pick up your feet!

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You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God commanded you,
that you may live and that it may be well with you,
and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Deuteronomy 5:33

Last night was an eye-opener thanks to that lady in class.

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I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  John 11:25

There's even an RV sales and service business with the Texas-style name of Double B RV.  There are places you can buy horses or pecans and nuts.  In keeping with Texas being called the Lone Star State, several houses have big metal stars on the front, and a barn has a big Texas flag painted on the side.  There's an entrance to a housing subdivision shaped like the frame of a swing set.  The words on the top very appropriately say Leisure Acres. 

I'm sure that I'll see more signs that I'm in Texas.  I'll keep you posted.

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Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I will go through them,
And I will praise the LORD. 
This is the gate of the LORD,
Through which the righteous shall enter.
Psalm 118:19-20

The roads and road signs have changed for the better.  There weren't as many signs showing the directions to places.  It seems as though we got lost took the scenic route more.  That's not to say we don't take the scenic route nowadays.  There are more signs showing what is up ahead, like restaurants, gas stations, parks, historical signs, and even the distance to another highway.

There were fewer restrooms.  There were times my dad had to stop by the side of the road for us three girls.  Now there are more state-operated rest stations for people to use or to just get out and stretch their legs.  Oh, and for the drivers of those big trucks to take a break.  Also, there were fewer places to eat.  My mother used to pack food for us.  I used to do that myself, but I got tired of eating the same thing.  Now I just take along snacks, and we eat meals in restaurants.  With more restaurants along the roads, there are more restrooms.  That is very good!

Entrances and exits to major highways were different.  Now, on the whole, they are more uniform.  They take up a lot of land, but it helps make the travel from one road to another a whole lot easier.

Roads were more narrow and had fewer lanes.  They have gotten wider and many have more lanes.  Oh, I know it is because there is more traffic, especially big trucks, now, but it is a good thing.  For a while there were "suicide" lanes.  Highways had three lanes, with the middle one used to pass cars.  The problem came when two cars coming in opposite directions decided to pass at the same time, and they met head on!  That didn't last very long, thank goodness.  (For a history lesson, see the end of this entry.)

So I appreciate the improvements to our roads and places that are along the sides of them.

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Are You not the One who dried up the sea,
The waters of the great deep; That made the depths of the sea
a road for the redeemed to cross over? Isaiah 51:10

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The story reminded me that when my husband was in the Army, we would go to the movies on post.  The National Anthem was always played before the movie, and we always stood and placed our right hands over our hearts.  I haven't been to a movie on a military installation in years, but I do go to the movies in town once in a while.  The National Anthem is never played.  I think that would be a good thing to do.

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And the priets attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the Lord, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, "For His mercy endures forever," whenever David offered praise by their ministry.  The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood.  2 Chronicles 7:6

In the past when my husband and I visited our children and granddaughters, we stayed with our daughter and her family.  During those visits, we spent most of the time with them, being there when our granddaughters did things like playing board games and pretending they were dogs or cats and when they got ready for bed and woke up in the morning.  Many mornings, they would jump in bed with us.  We would snuggle, giggle, or act crazy.  We also spent time talking to and watching TV with our daughter after our granddaughters were in bed. 

As you know if you read my blog on a regular basis, we are in the process of moving near them.  We recently closed on a new house and had a new bed and couches delivered.  So we are staying in our own house when we are there.  We are waiting for my husband to retire at the end of next month before moving there permanently.  I realized that by staying at our own house, I’ve missed those mornings and evenings. 

Not long ago I had dinner at a restaurant with our daughter and family.  Afterwards, our youngest granddaughter said something about me coming to their house.  Our daughter told her that I was going to my own house, and because we were moving near them, they would see us more often but not for extended periods like before. 

It made me feel sad.  Oh, I know we’ll be spending more time with our family on a regular basis, and that is a wonderful thing.  But I’ll still miss those times.  I guess we’ll just have to try to create them!

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My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth,
and shall assure our hearts before Him.  1 John 3:18

If a man is walking along in the forest and he's talking, but a woman is not there to hear him, is he still wrong?

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I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Psalm 139:14 – 15

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Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.  Hebrews 13:2

If you are worried, I'm not going away.  Over the next few months, I probably won't be talking much about the past, like it states in my header.  With our new house being built near our children and granddaugthers, my husband retiring in September, and us selling the house we own now and moving, it is hard to think about the past when the present and future is so exciting (along with logically challenging).  In the future, I have to tell you about the rest of my life and anything else that comes along.

Happy blogiversary to me!

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Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  Matthew 6:34

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As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
Psalm 17:15

No two people agree completely on two things--how to raise children and how to spend money.

Being nice and respectful and smiling helps life go smoother when interacting with other people, no matter who they are.

There is always someone prettier than you and someone uglier; someone smarter and someone not as smart; someone richer and someone poorer; and so on in everything in life.  Accept yourself as you are.  (Note:  This is a continuous learning thing.)

Friends are important.  Among other things, they encourage you and make you feel good.  You can never have too many of them.

Being beautiful on the outside is nice; being beautiful on the inside is better.

Don't borrow from friends or family unless it is absolutely necessary.  That includes money or a cup of sugar.  Make your own way and be independent.

Do the best you can in whatever you do, be it a little task around the house or a big project at work.

Enjoy today; save for tomorrow. 

That saying, "don't let the sun go down on your anger," is true.  It eats at you, and you have a hard time sleeping. 

If you can't say anything good, don't say anything all.  (Note:  This is very hard to do.) 

If you are afraid to do something and think you can't do it, just pretend that you can and usually you really can.  If not, at least you tried.

Don't save that special dress or shirt for an important occasion that may happen.  Wear it now.  That goes for everything, like using your nice dishes and wearing your expensive perfume.

There are always things you did or didn't do that you regret.  Try to do better and go on with your life.  You can't change the past, but you can do your best in the future.

There comes a time in your life that you shouldn't blame your parents for the way they raised you.  Get over it, and be responsible for yourself.

Being friends with your grown children is a good thing.  Concentrate on treating them as adults and with respect.  It's worth the effort.

Laugh as much as you can.  You'll feel better, and you'll forget your problems for a short time.

One can ever give or get too many hugs.

The following phrases and words are not said enough--please, thank you, you're welcome, I love you, and I believe in Jesus Christ.

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Those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

58. My Dad gave me a good sense of humor.
59. My Mom gave me a sense of strength.

Also, I would love it if my daughter did number 23 - I am double jointed in all my fingers and can balance coins in my knuckles. (I will take a picture of this someday.)

If you want to know more about my daughter, read this.