Tuesday, January 20, 2009, our 44th president of the United States was sworn in before more than a million people. It was quite an historic event as he is the first African-American to be our president. I do not agree with his agenda on many points but I pledge to pray that the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. I pray He will delight in obeying the Lord. That He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. That he will defend the poor and the exploited. I pray that he will rule against the wicked and that he will be clothed with fairness and truth (Isaiah 11:2-5 NLT).

I love sports. Although I am nearing the three score and ten age (Psalm 90:10) I enjoy most any kind of athletic event. Basketball is my favorite. When I was young many years ago basketball is about the only activity available at my school. So I love going from gym to gym around our area watching our granddaughter play volleyball and basketball. Right now it is basketball. And then my husband and I attend most of the Arkansas State University home basketball homes. My sister often gives us their extra tickets for which I will be eternally grateful. However, last night we needed three more tickets as Mary Kathryn wanted to take a friend with her. Maribeth is always welcome in our household and in our car wherever we go. Jerry went to park the car and the girls and I started to the back of a long line to wait to buy tickets. We have had an unusually cold week and the wind was blowing. We were freezing. I just wanted to be inside in the warmth of the Convocation Center. As soon as we got in the long line a kindly gentleman came up beside us and said I have extra tickets tonight, how many do you need? Wow, how neat for God to provide the tickets free and keep us from waiting in the cold weather. Thank you Jesus for taking care of us in such a delightful way. It reminds me to always be on the alert to minister to others in whatever way you make available to me.

Faith and Mary Kathryn (our granddaughters) are back in school following the Christmas holidays. Their sweet spirits are such an encouragement to this grandma. I miss them both so much, and I will be praying that others continue to see Jesus in their lives as they walk the halls of Ridgefield Christian School and Ouachita Baptist University.

Sunday, January 4th. First Sunday of 2009. Had such a good Sunday school lesson today. Our class is small but our teacher spends much time preparing just for the few of us and I love it. One of the points he made today reminded me of how my prayer life these days seems to be such spiritual warfare. Sometimes I am almost depressed or just worn out from warfaring for my family and others who have requested prayer. Don't want to forget to give God praise and thanks because we have so much to be grateful for among all the 'things' we go through daily. Thank You Lord. I love you Lord.

First Blog

Hi, welcome to my first blog on this first day of January 2009. Thanks to my precious Christian friend, Jill, who lives out in the beautiful northwest part of our United States, I can now write down my thoughts as God gives me the time and inspiration. Though Jill and I have never met, our spirits are very kindred in the Lord. She has been the tech person of my website since she created it several years ago. Now she has been so kind to help start this blog. I pray I will use it for God's glory.

A few years ago, at the beginning of a new year, I was seeking the Lord about what great things I could do for Him that year. He sent me to this verse in Micah 6:8(b), "...to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (LB) God in His quiet gentle way was reminding me that was all that was required of me to please Him. So, again in 2009 it is my desire to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God. From that God can do whatever is pleasing to him as I add another year to my life.

Jill, thank you for getting me started on this journey that I have yearned to do for a while. May our spirits be open to the Holy Spirit as we seek HIM daily.