Treasured Tokens Thursday

...and the very first token I should have shared is The Bible. This past year, especially, has been a blessing because I am reading through the Bible for the first time - every word. I haven't been consistent, much to my sadness, but I'm doing it. My next step is to begin again, but this time I'm going to take a book from the Bible and actually study it, so going through again will take much longer. I might even take a subject and study that. But just reading and really studying are totally different things and I'm excited to go deeper. I do my Bible studies and things like that, but to really delve in myself will be a challenge. I'm easily distracted and I'm not sure how I'm going to do this. Any suggestions?

I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 1 Thess. 2:13

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 1 John 2:5

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4

For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Timing is Everything

For several decades, George Burns and Gracie Allen entertained audiences with their unique humor. With George, as the straight man and Gracie as the dizzy but lovable wife, they moved from vaudeville to radio to television - and into the hearts of millions.

For this husband and wife comedy team, everything depended on depending on each other. His questions set up her rapid-fire explanations. Her concluding one-liners needed his deadpan responses. The ability to reply at the right time - and in the appropriate manner - made their comedy sparkle.

There's a mystique about timing. When it's right, it's fabulous. When it's wrong, it's a disaster. It takes listening to the inner self to make it work. Not just in comedy, but in all of life.

We speak of the right timing to get married, to start a business, to have children, to change jobs, to risk a new venture, even to take a vacation. Some of us sense this timing intuitively; others plan it. Either way, we know that timing makes a difference. It affects our outlook and success, so sometimes we stop and say, "It's not the right time yet." And even if they don't understand, people make room for a delayed decision.

Oddly, we forge to give the same room to God.

Maybe it's because we know He's capable of doing anything, but we get impatient waiting for God. We forget that He waits for the right timing, too. In fact, He knows the perfect timing, even though it looks illogical to us. His ways are not our ways, and neither are His timetables our timetables.

But when we wait for his timing, nothing can compare with its abiding impact on us.

Judith Couchman                                
Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14             Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Insta Friday

I love this day of blogging. Thanks to Jeannett, I'm using my camera phone more often, even if some of the pictures aren't that great. Someday I'll get a better phone. But this week was a fun week. I took a lot of pics, but realized they are mostly of Liz and graduation. :)

When we visit San Luis Obispo, we try to pick up our favorite chips - Taco Works!!!! We can't buy them in SoCal, so we bring them home, mail a couple to Danielle and give a couple to Liz and Gregg (although they visit SLO, so they can buy their own). I should see if they'll deliver.

The lei and balloons I bought for Liz for her graduation. I had to take the day off work (darn! hehe) to spend the day with her and family and friends who joined us.

Before the ceremony.

The procession...you can barely see it, but the banner is for her school - Communicative Disorders.

The Stage. This is the one with her at the right of the stage coming next.

These are some of her friends, I believe, who were in her major with her. They all made it and now, who knows what their next step will be. Liz and Gregg are moving closer to us and then she'll start interviewing for a Speech Pathology position, I think.

We could see the "Thank You" from a distance, but weren't sure who she was thanking. I was thinking his parents or us, but Dan hit it on the head. Who else, but the one who had to live with her and face all her stressful moments, tears, anxiety. Thanks, Gregg, for supporting her and loving her, especially when she was at her lowest. You helped her get through these past years and we are grateful to have a son-in-law who cares for our daughter as much as you do. You earned her diploma. :)

The Cheesecake Factory is becoming a regular party place for us it seems. This is the cake they brought for Liz with a personal congratulations for her graduation. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE SHE IS A GRADUATE WITH A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE. Dan toasted her and said "She is now the most educated person in our family." That is so true!

To round out the day, Liz and Gregg picked us up and we went to the Comedy and Magic Club. Such a fun place to go. Liz and I have gone several times. This is the second time for Tom Wilson (Back to the Future). And there are usually a few acts before the headliners. I would like to see Brad Garrett, but his ad does say it's R-rated, adult-themed (not appropriate for sensitive individuals), so I really don't think I'll be seeing him anytime soon. Although sometimes there is at least one person before a headliner who will use language or explicit material for his act.  Anyway, we've seen Gary Shandling, and Liz and I decided we HAVE to go see Jay Leno. He's there every Sunday. It's his home away from NBC...a place to continue doing his stand-up. It doesn't hold a lot of people, so it's always packed out. And the food is very good and the service is great. So fun that it's just "around the corner" from us in Hermosa.

Part of Tom's act that we saw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnqUmmJ-zE

Treasured Tokens Thursday

A token is an object of value.

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6

I am treasured, not only on Thursdays, but every day. How awesome is that???!!!

InstaFriday again

Looks like I like flowers. These are our hydrangea by our front door. I thought I had another pic. You'll see these periodically since I take pictures as they bloom. Little buds, to this and so on. So beautiful when in full bloom.

I had the flu this weekend and hardly got out of the bedroom, much less the bed. When I finally got up and went out to the living room, these were on my video cabinet. Dan got them to cheer me up. Aren't they beautiful ... and isn't he a gem?

On our trip to SLO. Malibu...my favorite way to travel to SLO. You can have the 101, but I love traveling alongside the ocean. I wish I could have gotten out and taken better pics, but since this is from our phones, I figured, I'll do what I can when I can.

And we usually stop at the Malibu Starbucks for a snack or because I just want my mocha or cinnamon dolce latte. Even though I have to get it nonfat, decaf, they still taste great to me and make me smile. I also enjoy the small lemon scones (there's my sugar) or lemon pound cake. Of course, those take care of calories I really don't need, but sometimes it's worth it. And Dan, who's not a coffee drinker, can get a smoothie.

Then we arrived at my mother-in-law's house. Her flowers are blooming, too. I love her wall of flowers when they bloom each year. Always something different and beautiful.

And last, but not least...the reason we are in SLO. We are going to a dear friend's daughter's wedding and I said I would make cookies for her reception. Well, after all the "not finding what I need for this cookie" and "what else can I do with brownie mix", I found a recipe on the back of a brownie mix box for "Easy Brownies & Creamy Sandwich Cookies." So each cookie sheet I made came out different until the end when I FINALLY got it right. The perfect size, the perfect consistency, and it came off the sheet easily. Goodness! It's just brownie mix made into cookies and you put vanilla frosting on one cookie, top it with another cookie and you have a sandwich. Maybe that will be my lunch. haha Anyway, at least I can feel I did my part for Lindsey's reception and it actually turned out okay. Can't wait till tomorrow.