TIME TO CLEAN THE COFFE POT!

Posted on by Sandy

Good Morning Folks! I enjoy a “good” cup of coffee, but lately our coffee had been tasting strong and bitter even though we make it the same. That’s when I decided the coffee pot needed a good cleaning. We have very hard water and lime scale builds up and blocks part of the water flow. Time for a vinegar cleaning and cleaning pot and decanter and basket and spray nozzle. Any part involved in my coffee making. Even cleaned my water pitcher I use to measure water for the coffee… maker. It takes lots of pots of water and patience to flush all the vinegar residue out and have a pot of ” clean water”. Now it’s time to make that first pot of coffee and anticipating that smooth mellow cup. Ah!!!!!! Success! That took time and patience to achieve.
Spiritual perspective:
My mind, body and soul is like that strong bitter cup of coffee. The lime scale ( sluggish, negative, immobile, self-centered) junk had interrupted the water flow (Jesus the Living Water). I have to use the vinegar (the strong bad smell) to clean and remove the junk and allow the water to flow freely. The vinegar of my spirit is to purify my thoughts, body, and soul through my DAILY DOSE OF GODS HOLY WORD, continuous PRAYER time, more aware of the amount of food delicacies I enjoy, being more POSITIVE in my speech and actions. It will take time and patience to achieve and enjoy the CONSTANT FLOW OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and allow my cup to runneth over with the LIVING WATERS! How’s your flow?
Blessings for an Awesome day in The Lord.

WINTER …HOW TO SURVIVE!

Posted on by Sandy

First of all I am so sorry I haven’t been on here in a long time. I hadn’t realized how long! I hope all of you enjoyed your Holidays and made wonderful memories with loved ones, but most of all that you celebrated the Birthday of Jesus. Now we have moved on to a new Year.

After the Holidays pass and all the busyness is done, we finally realize the CALENDAR!!! It is WINTER!!! JANUARY!!! We still have several more months of WINTER!!!! NO!!!!  I’m so sorry for all you SNOW LOVERS, COLD LOVERS, SKI and PLAY in the SNOW LOVERS!  That is NOT ME!!! I use to take winter as it came. I didn’t like it very much but tolerated it. I would enjoy an occasional snowball fight or watch some sledding on a very big snow arrival, but I really just kept waiting for April 1st! In the past few years it has hit me harder and I can barely survive them! We just had our first snow of the season here in the St. Louis Metro (IL) Area and I am not very happy. (it was only 1-2″)  ALL of my relatives that live in  the much warmer climate of the country are on my MIND constantly! Oh how I miss them!! I mean like really, really miss them! I mean like I should really, really go visit them. RIGHT NOW!! OK, I KNOW that’s exaggerating, but really that’s how hard enduring winter is for me.  It JUST STARTED!! How will I survive????

SURVIVAL MODE:

Hibernate in bed until winter is done……maybe.

Make comfort food and enjoy a winters feast.  (no money for a new wardrobe)

Watch marathons of TV shows and Movies.  (can’t sit still that long)

Read tons of books and let them take me away to other places and times…maybe.

Increase my time with Jesus in Bible Reading and Prayer. I’m sure will help me tremendously and  probably would be my best chance of survival!

In retrospect, I can’t change the calendar. I can’t change my location at least not at this present time. I have no control over the weather.  The only solution I have is to CHOOSE to face my ordeal with dignity!  I CHOOSE to be grateful to the good Lord that I have Shelter, Heat, Warm food and beverages, Warm clothes, Vehicles that run and have heat in them, and that my family has  the same. Thank you Jesus for all my BLESSINGS during these Winter days! I am BLESSED so therefore I cannot be doom and gloom. I just have to be REMINDED of how Blessed I am!  That’s how I will survive!!! Grateful Heart! (Oh and I will probably incorporate some of my list above! Anyone for some Corn Chowder and a Movie!)

 

 

SOUP/COMFORT FOOD!!!!

Posted on by Sandy

Ever wanted some hot homemade soup but think you don’t have the ingredients or the time? Well you can make a delicious pot of soup with simple ingredients. I always stock up on the large 30 oz cans of Brooks Chili Beans ( hot or mild). I use these for the base of my soups, then just start adding cans of veg, green beans, corn, peas, pot, tomatoes, whatever veg you have or like. You get to put in what you like, leave out what you don’t. Usually these enough liquid in the cans, but if you use frozen or need extra liquid, use beef or veg broth. I also will add macaroni or rigatoni to it for extra protein and volume and let’s face it, noodles are comfort food. Now you can season or add whatever you want. It’s filling, warm, plenty to feed a family.
I know you knew this but thought I would share. It doesn’t always have to have meat ( although I love meat too), vegetable soup is just as good!
ENJOY! Your Welcome!

Sandra Badger Collins's photo.

WHERE HAS THE SUMMER GONE!!!

Posted on by Sandy

I am so sorry followers. I have let you down. I got sidetracked this summer and didn’t keep up with my posting and blogging. I have been blessed this summer: I went on vacation for a few days with my 2 Wonderful sister-inlaws in Pigeon Forge, TN and finish up the week with my Aunt and Uncle who live down there. I also during that time got to spend a few hours coming and going through Nashville at the bed side of the most PRECIOUS COUSIN EVER!! Last Saurday my sweet cousin was laid to rest. With her AWESOME STRONG DAUGHTER AND SONS, and us the extended family and NUMEROUS FRIENDS surrounding and sharing at her Celebration Service, God was glorified by all the testimonies of how Janice (age 47) touched and led and was a shining example of Jesus’ Love through her life!
I will try with God’s help to be on here more regularly and hopefully SOON to bring you devotional videos.
For now I leave you with this: Have the BEST TUESDAY EVER!!! I pray your day be filled with Love, Kindness, Generosity, Positive Influences, Favor, Health and Healings, Provisions of all kinds provided, more important: Jesus be the Center of it ALL!!
Love and Blessings to ALL!

ACTION DRIVEN!!

Posted on by Sandy

Good Morning Folks! Can I help anyone if I stay in my 4 walls? Will my words help if I keep them to myself? Will I make a difference in my world with good intentions? Can I make you smile or laugh if I stay hidden from you? What is the one thing in common here? ACTION!!! I can’t just think it, I MUST ACT ON THE THOUGHT! I MUST PUT FEET TO MY THOUGHTS AND DEEDS!
Blessings for an ACTION DRIVEN DAY!
What are your action driven plans?

QUIET MOMENTS!

Posted on by Sandy

Good Morning Folks! The sun is shining bright this morning and the air is crisp! Beauty of nature all around and when you observe it, all seems right with the world in this moment. Quiet moment in the morning and you would love for time to just stand still, in that peaceful awe-inspiring, thankful, quiet GOD MOMENT. Then, the SOUNDS OF LIFE come flooding back in your awareness and your thoughts are turned once again to the struggles, pain, turmoil, that surround you. God is so GRACIOUS AND FAITHFUL, to give us that MOMENT IN TIME for us to hold on to and remember when our day gets tough. To remember: I am with you ALWAYS! BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD. MY PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU. Such a Loving God. I WILL RISE YOU ABOVE AND LET YOU SOAR ON EAGLE WINGS!
For all of you who are in a fight for your life, struggling to make it through the day or even the next minute, who are in the balance between earth and Heaven at this very moment: Let The Lord SHELTER YOU IN HIS ARMS AND BRING YOU REST, PEACE, COMFORT AND HIS PERFECT LOVE!
Blessings for a GOD OF WONDER DAY!

WHAT IS BEAUTY?

Posted on by Sandy

Good Morning! The birds are singing, the gentle rain is giving earth a drink from the Heavens, beauty is all around IF one takes a moment to LOOK for it. Even on a what seems to be a gray gloomy morning, is BEAUTY. Flowers, green grass, nature, new growth in the garden, a NEW START, laughter and smiles. Celebrations for a completed education, new beginnings with Weddings, families reconnecting after years apart, ALL CAPTURE BEAUTY! What is BEAUTY? I think it is when we look, really look and see the WONDER OF GOD!
Blessings for a BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Posted on by Sandy

I am one very BLESSED Mom! I am Mother to a wonderful son Dave who has Blessed me with a wonderful Grandson Tyler and brought to me and the family a very special 5 yr old little girl Alexis. I am also Blessed with 3 Daughters, Anita, Amanda and Chrissy. I am so PROUD of them all. They brighten my life more than they will ever know. Thank you Lord for these SPECIAL BLESSINGS YOU GAVE ME! 

Mothers Day is not just for us Birth Moms, but also a day to recognize and HONOR the “other” Moms in our lives. You know: the Adopted Moms, Moms who are called Mom by other kids ( your kids’ best friends, neighborhood kids, work/school kids). Then there are the SPIRITUAL MOMS! I think they are to be Honored and Cherished more! If you were Blessed to have had a birth Mom who was also your SPIRITUAL MOM, then you are double BLESSED! These WOMEN have Taught, Encouraged, Hugged and Loved, and have PRAYED for and with you through every trial, struggle and pain in your life. They not only are getting you through life itself, but are Mentoring and preparing you for your Heavenly Home! GOD POUR YOUR RICHEST BLESSING ON ALL OF THE MOMS OUT THERE AND ESPECIALLY THE SPIRITUAL MOMS! I thank you for all of mine! Enjoy your day and THANK YOU MOMS! 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME LORD!

Posted on by Sandy

Good Morning Folks! Well I certainly haven’t been faithful on here. There really isn’t any excuse other than I haven’t taken the time to sit down and put thoughts together. I have many ideas and projects I want to do, but then comes that nasty bad habit of PROCRASTINATION!! Not that any of you would understand! OK, so this is what’s going on. I think I may have mentioned a while back about my LOVE JOURNEY and the struggle to get ALL my LOVE back. Well let me tell you, GOD really has put me to the test this time! I am still trying to learn love in my struggling but better than it was MARRIAGE of over 40 years, still trying to learn to love unconditionally difficult people, and show more LOVE to strangers and be more CHRISTLIKE in my attitude and actions! Well having said all of that, and all of that, has still been a struggle, but a work in progress. Here’s the TEST: A month a go, my Sister-in-law, my husbands Sister, was in the hospital for over a week with Congestive Heart Failure and enlarged heart. She is on Dialysis 3 times a week. My husband takes turns with her son taking her to Dialysis each week. One week its Wednesdays, the other week its Monday and Fridays. My Sister-in-law recently lost her husband to Alzheimers and so now lives alone. When she was in the Hospital, the Drs wouldn’t release her until she had a place to go, a nursing home, rehab facility or someone taking care of her, she could no longer be left alone due to her condition. I KNEW the LORD was dealing with me about this! He was saying to me, if you can’t show love here, you cannot do ministry work for me. I argued with him for several days. There was a dual reason for this: seeing to her spiritual needs and me learning a lesson on unconditional love and being a SERVANT to EVERYONE! I finally relented to the Lord and told my husband that if he wanted to help her, she could come stay with us. Well here we are. You see, LOVE LESSONS cannot be easy. As Scripture says, it is easy to love the lovable, but Jesus gave us the Great Commandment: LOVE ONE ANOTHER! LOVE EVERYONE! We do not have to like their ways, opinions, sins or actions, their dispositions, political views or any different views for that matter. He SIMPLY SAID TO LOVE!! No question, no discussion, no conditions, just simply stated: LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST LOVES YOU/ME AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU/ME! This lesson is ongoing DAILY! I would never have imagined the lesson being taught this way, so yes when I was arguing with the Lord, I said: “Are you kidding me Lord? You want me to do what?” Is there a Love Lesson you need to learn? Has GOD asked you to Love someone you may not want to? This lesson wasn’t so much that I couldn’t love her, I do, but it was more coming out of our comfort zone to show DAILY LOVE and SEVANTHOOD. The DAILY LESSONS are the Challenging ones! It may be easy one time, but can you/me do it DAILY? To someone who may require more attention than most, or requires more patience and maybe understanding. I pray daily and ask for my attitude to improve and I do pray, “LORD, thy will be done!” It is ultimately HIS will in my life that I need. I will try and be more faithful here. I am excited about a project I hope to get going soon.

Though the struggles are real with being a full time caregiver I am learning more everyday to give of myself and to let go and let God lead me. I like most of you wish that I could make her better so she could go back to her own home and take care of herself. But Gods will right now is for her to be taken care of by me and my husband.

Our plan for our lives and Gods plan for our life’s sometimes are different. But as I walk a closet walk with him I know I am doing his will.

Stay tuned. Blessings to you all!

PRAYER REQUEST!

Posted on by Sandy

I have a cousin Janice Sims who has been battling cancer of the Breast, Liver and Lungs since August. She is a very strong Christian Woman, single Mother of 3 kids, one still living at home. There has been an AVALANCHE of Prayer Covering since she started this nightmare. God had moved on her behalf and she was getting very positive reports from the Dr. and he was amazed at her progress. This week they found out the cancer had spread to her brain. She started radiation today. She is in her early 40’s. I bring this to you all to get MORE PEOPLE PRAYING! GOD will hear the cries of ALL THE PEOPLE as we Bombard Heaven on her and her children’s behalf. She is a Christian and ready to meet the Lord, but we and she are hoping for a Miracle Healing and more time here with her children, family and working more diligently for the Lord! Will you help us BELIEVE, PRAY AND CELEBRATE HER VICTORY! Thank you all so much!!