For those of us who are single, getting married is a big deal. But some of us may be unsure of what we should be looking for. I beg you to take a look at the video below. It gives wonderful advice on things to look for and talk about in a future spouse. And it may also encourage you to grow even more.
I found this video very good. She is very straight forward and funny. Thanks for watching. :)
This is Cliff Sanford. He is years 54 old and he is my grandpa.
He has been a truck driver, probably since his late teen years, and has been very good at it.
On February 20th; one year ago, he was getting ready to head out. The next day he would be heading to orientation for the new job he was about to start.
But that night, his life would change. That night he would suffer a stroke.
He was admitted to St.Johns Mercy Medical Center where he spent 35 days. He spent 8 days in the ICU and was almost completely unresponsive for most of it. We were told that a blood vessel in his brain became weak and burst under pressure. The blood saturated a portion of his brain and paralyzed his entire right side. He even lost his eye sight at one point. We were so happy when he gained his eyesight again. He would spend the rest of his time in the hospital working on gaining his strength back. Hours were spent on physical and occupational therapy. The therapists would help him do simple things like standing up or sitting down.
Sometimes even that was too much for him. But he was fortunate to have a wonderful wife who loved him. My grandma stayed with him the entire time. My grandpa didn't know where he was half of the time and it was a comfort to know that she was there. And he would need more encouragement and comfort as time went on. It was so hard for him to go from being completely self-reliant to not even knowing how to walk. There were nights when I would hear him cry. It broke my heart. But God is still good. I knew that. And all my family could do for him at that time was love him, pray for him, and encourage him to trust that God was still in control. Especially when he was told that he probably wouldn't walk for a long time. But thankfully, he didn't let it stop him. He was determined to walk again. He wanted to see the day when he would be able to walk without a cane or any other form of support. The doctors and nurses told him that it would be a year or better before that would happen. But he didn't care. :)
Now, a year later, he has proved them wrong. By September 2013 he was walking easily WITHOUT his cane. He now works on lawnmowers and welding machines.
He uses his scooter to give out free rides to all the grandkids
(Here he is pulling my cousin Schylar while he rides his skate board.)
And what better way to use a cane you don't need for walking? :)
FORE!!!!!
The point is, God is good. Even through this hard time in all of our lives, God got us through. He helped us find joy. He helped us rejoice in the tiny victories we saw each day. And we can rest in knowing that no matter what happens to us, He will be there.
Psalm 136:1 - O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
Tomorrow is Valentines Day. It's a wonderful day to show that special someone how much you care for them. Unfortunately, there are those of us who don't have that special someone. However, don't fret. You don't have to have a boyfriend, fiance, or a husband to show love. We have an opportunity to show love to all of the people around us every day. Love is so much more then just an affectionate feeling for another person. Love is a commitment that reaches into another persons life and encourages them.
1 Corinthians 13 : 4-8 and 13
4 - Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up, 5 - Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 - Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 - Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 - Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Why not make the choice to love someone. Starting the moment you wake up tomorrow. Even if you can't see it, it will change their life.
Snow. :) It's one of the most beautiful things that the eye can behold. When winter has come and stripped all of the trees of the wonderful gold, red, and orange leaves snow is a welcome sight. That is.........everywhere else.
In Arkansas, snow is a burden. It's beautiful alright, but the effects of it are usually harmful. You see, when it snows in Arkansas, it brings a lot of ice with it. The process is as follows ; freezing rain accumulates on the ground and is usually about an inch thick, then little puffs of sticky snow pile up about two to three more inches, and finally another inch of ice finds it's way to the top. When cars travel on the roads the snow and ice started to melt because of the heat, but then refreezes from the cold air. This results in ice that is even more slick. I don't exaggerate when I say that the town I live in shuts down when it snows. The schools, banks, and stores close. This is a picture that I took today. It snowed all day yesterday and there were multiple car accidents. And it makes me wonder........How can something so beautiful be so harmful?? Well, there are a lot of things in life that are nice to look at. There are a lot of things that seem good, but are very dangerous indeed.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30
What are some things in our lives that are beautiful and yet harm us? We need to be on the look out.
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
This is one of the most beautiful hymns on earth. I am so happy to be able to share it with you.
I am so glad that you have come to visit. :) My name is Brianna. I am 21 years old. I live in Arkansas. Whooo Pig Soooie!!! Oh. Sorry. I am the oldest of six kids. I crochet, knit, sew and do just about any craft that comes to mind. And every day I learn that I need God so much more then I think. I was saved when I was 14. I had grown up knowing the Gospel, but it never sunk in. Then, one day the Lord opened my eyes to how much I need Him. There is no telling where I would be if I didn't have Jesus Christ in my heart. I am so thankful that I have a different life and I am excited to see what happens in the future. Until then, I will achieve the impossible with His Daily Love.
My grandpa didn't know where he was half of the time and it was a comfort to know that she was there. And he would need more encouragement and comfort as time went on. It was so hard for him to go from being completely self-reliant to not even knowing how to walk.
