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Good News and Bad News - 6/11/2007 6:46:59 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

"Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord" and do not do what I say?'" Luke 6:46

This has been a long Monday! I set my clock to get up early so I could get ready for church before Hailee got here but I had a hard time waking up and made coffee and read emails instead.

We had some good news and bad news today. The urologist called around 7:30 to say Jim�s CT Scan of his kidneys and bladder showed no tumors or blockages BUT his prostate is enormous. The doctor said HUGE several times. They�ve assured us over and over, for many years, that it was not enlarged and had nothing to do with the problems he was having. Doctor said we�d discuss options after the cystoscopy on Friday. Since his PSA has quadrupled in numbers in just months, I�m going to think removing it would be the best course of action. We have to do as the VA decides, tho, since we have no insurance. Jim doesn�t think I need to go with him on Friday, but since he may have a major decision to make, he may change his mind. I just want him well.

I got a call to come to Atlanta to interview for a local all night job. I can�t get through to our daughter. I don�t want to not go for the interview, lose out on the job and then have her change her mind. I also don�t want to knowingly accept a job I don�t plan to keep or won�t be able to keep.

The only job responses Jim has gotten in the last few days has been �chose someone else for the job� and an interview tomorrow afternoon that claims to have a good salary. It�s through the department of labor and some will put down a salary and then claim �well you COULD make that�. Hope it�s a real job. The man wanted to see him in the morning but he set it up so I could go to church.

I got called for an interview working all night at a gas station. The interview is at corporate headquarters, downtown Atlanta. Full time is 46 hours a week and rotating shifts. I didn�t have to give a yes or no, just show up if you want to be interviewed for the position. I also applied for two more jobs at our local hospital. They listed 11 more jobs today. I�m sure I won�t qualify for any of them, tho.

Our 6th grade class was fun. It was a �fast� 3 hours. I don�t get to move around as much as I did when I was teaching little kids. Of course, last year my legs ached at the end of each day. I refused all snacks, tho, and drank only a tiny bit of Sprite. They were the �half� cans and I didn�t drink half of that.

We had 16 sixth graders and a number of youth working with them. A lot of our youth worked VBS in classes, crafts, music, etc. Nick sure enjoyed it. He wants me to find him transportation home on Friday since I won�t have the car. My neighbor who lives next door would gladly give him a ride back and forth. Her daughter works with the sixth graders anyhow.

I�m really very, very discouraged about the weight loss or lack of weight loss. I�ll lose a pound or two and gain it right back. 20 - 30 lbs would be perfect. I�d be happy with 10 � 15 lbs. My face looks old when I�m 114 lbs. Hubby prefers me to be small, tho. I wonder how much weight I�d lose if I had my appendix, tonsils, a hysterectomy and gallbladder removed, shaved my legs, cut my nails and cleaned my ears? My husband mentioned me getting �water pill�. I reminded him that Terri Schiavo was on a diet and used water pills. Look how she ended up and I�ve already had two ambulance trips to the hospital after getting dehydrated from tummy viruses. No thanks!

Have a lovely evening and God Bless!

Diane Tavegia

James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8

Galatians 5:13-26 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself" If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

Check out my husband�s newly published book by following the link.

The Dreamers, By James Tavegia
Published by Aim Higher Books

Post #: 626

3 Interviews scheduled!! - 6/13/2007 7:28:40 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

"I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words."
Psalms 119:147

Jim got calls for four jobs today! Three interviews are already scheduled. One calls for a �test� tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. That�s about 20 minutes from here. One interview is right after lunch, Thursday, in Marietta and is for a corporate job with a company that does work for Home Depot. Another interview is on Monday and the fourth �job� is going to email more information on their company later tonight. Wow! Our church has been praying and a group of the older ladies are praying as a team for him. I�m so happy that he�s getting these calls! We sure need for him to find something.

Today was my third day at Vacation Bible School working with the 6th graders. We don�t actually �call it� VBS at this age and don�t make crafts, learn songs, etc. It�s quite fun! We ran a bit overtime today. We had around 30 kids and youth helpers, with 3 new kids today. Nick LOVES it! Some of his good friends from Sunday School are there (boys) and lots of the girls from class.

I won�t be able to go tomorrow since Jim will need our car and he�s been keeping Hailee. He�ll have to take Nick to VBS over an hour early, but there�ll be plenty of people at church and our Nick is such a wonderful young man. All the adults know him. He�s bringing a friend home afterwards. Jim�s probably going to be able to pick them up and then rush off to the other appointment. I�ll have Nick take his cell phone in case of a time problem.

I can�t go on Friday because of Jim�s cystoscopy and was just going to not send Nick, but he�s insisting he get to go. The family next door won�t be coming home afterwards. The youth are going to Six Flags Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a Christian weekend festival and they�ll each lunch at church and leave right away. The kids had to already be in the youth group and it�s $66.00 for the three days. I�ll ask the mom on the corner if she can drop him off at home or he might go home with a friend.

Yesterday Nick and I cleaned his room except for going through his dressers and hanging clothes. We rearranged his room and had more than enough room for his Foosball table. We had to decide between that and his Air Hockey and I made the decision based on �color�. His room is blue and so is his Foosball table. His Air Hockey table is white and red. It�s also a long longer tho not as wide as the other. This was just the aesthetic answer. His room looks really nice. It actually looks more like a living room for a guy out on his own than a kid's bedroom. His futon folds into a sofa during the day and his dresser is tall, narrow and antique so it looks more like a regular piece of furniture. His t.v. is on top of that.

Tonight, we�re finishing up his shelves. We washed down his Chevron Car collection. They have lots of little crevices that needed dusting. They�re going up on the shelves that held his stuffed animals from when he was a little kid.

I know I was getting pretty concerned about our situation. I never heard back from CVS and have gotten form emails for each hospital job I�ve applied for except one 36 hour, night job (3 12 hour nights) in the Emergency Room. I might still take that, no matter what happens. It has no insurance, but would give me some current work history. I did get called about a job as an assistant manager at a gas station but you had to rotate hours and shifts, working 55 hours a week. I can�t do that and keep Hailee and Erin�s girls and home school Nick, too. I�m also expecting another 2 year old in August. Mom lives down the street and has just graduated college. She�s going to start her job search in July and she�s great friends with the mom of Hailee. This 2 year old is also Hailee�� and then I�ll have our Kaylee. Whew�. I�m going to be tongue tied!

I only got a little housework done today. Hailee only napped a very short time and has wanted a lot of attention. I�m really sleepy. Whew��. I never leave the beds unmade but I do need to do some wash. I didn�t get any done with us spring cleaning Nick�s room yesterday.

I put in a roast first thing this morning so supper was ready right as Hailee left. I was SO hungry! I�ve been watching calories and have limited sodas. I�ve also gotten a lot of �exercise� just moving around at church and dancing with Hailee. Maybe I�ll lose something�.. UGH!

Have a lovely evening and God Bless!

Diane Tavegia

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. Philippians 3:8

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight�� 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Post #: 627

Upsetting phone call - 6/14/2007 9:29:21 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-- 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17

I am terrified��.

Jim left before 8:00 for his �test� for the first job. My next door neighbor gave Nick a ride to VBS and can bring him home Friday afterwards. Unfortunately, the job was actually for someone who was a certified electrician with experience on 480 volt machines.

While Jim was home, before the second interview, the dermatologist�s office called. Five times. First it was to schedule an appointment and he reminded them he has an appointment for next week. Then they called and said they needed to change the time because the doctor wanted to be there to speak with him. Then they called and asked about getting all his blood tests from the VA. He gave them a number he�d been given. By the fifth call, he used his cell phone to call the VA to get a direct number so the nurse could get the results over the phone while I was on the line with the nurse. I asked her �Doctor had said the biopsy results would probably be back before Jim came back in to have his stitches removed. Did they come back?� So�. the final answer was �Oh�� Oh�.. Uh��. Those are the type results we don�t give over the phone and that�s why doctor wants to speak with him in person next week.� Jim got back on the phone, not knowing what I�d been told, gave her the correct number and she said �Doctor will discuss any possible treatment options there may be or what you might expect when you speak with her next week�. We are both very worried.

Meanwhile, I called the urologist who referred him for a dermatology consult and who will be doing the cystoscopy tomorrow and left a voice mail with what had happened, how concerned we are and the phone number to the dermatologist�s office to see if he might find out enough to relieve some worry. I had already researched �purple macule rash� months ago and know just enough to scare me to death. Nothing I found was okay.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Jim�s afternoon job interview went well. He�ll have a second interview for that job and has an interview on Monday that we�re not really sure of (website is poorly done) plus a phone interview upcoming on another really good job for a company out of Ohio but with a local office.

I�d hoped the urologist would call tonight before I posted this, but he�s always returned our calls early, very early a.m. and Jim has an appointment with him tomorrow at 11:30 for his cystoscopy. Seems like all I do is ask you for prayer.

Well the Bible tells me that worry won�t change anything so guess I�d might as well stop worrying.

Have a lovely evening and God Bless!

Diane Tavegia

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are highabove the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

"Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau." So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone."
Genesis 35:1-3

Post #: 628

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. - 6/15/2007 4:47:17 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Psalm 118:6

Jim was up early and got Nick to the final day of VBS for me. He also had written, and faxed over, letters to four out of his many doctors, asking them to forward any necessary information to the dermatologist. He asked his primary doctor to check and see if there is any other needed blood work so it could be done while he�s at the VA today. It�s almost an hour each way and gas is so expensive.

We�re really hoping one of the doctors can get a sense of what the biopsy showed and will alleviate some of our fears without us having to wait til next Thursday to find out it�s not as awful as it sounded.

Our daughter is trying to work out the logistics of moving her few things down here and driving her girls, too. She has a solid wood dining room table with six heavy chairs that she wants to keep. They�re not very old and mean a lot to her. There are a few other things that would require a truck. She has a work friend that might help her out by driving a truck and then flying back.

My mother is still in France and I sure would love to just talk to her. Oh, I could track her down, but I don�t want to worry her and ruin her trip of a lifetime. There�s nothing she could do anyhow.

I�ll be adding to this during the day, so if it seems disjointed or if answers suddenly appear that negate the preceding paragraphs, you�ll understand.

One of Jim�s doctors just called me and is calling the dermatologist to see if she needs more blood tests and if she�ll give him the diagnosis. I told him what the lady had said during the 5 phone calls yesterday and he said �It scares me too!� He said he�d call me back with any information they�ll give out. I can�t tell you how sick and relieved I am at the same time��. Hours and no call back. They cystoscopy should be about half done by now.

Our daughter is coming with her girls. I'm not sure if our oldest son can come. Jon's wedding is only a few weeks away. I hope my mother will be able to come over before she goes back to Alabama.

Hours later��. Jim�s cystoscopy �looked okay� other than a VERY enlarged prostate. The doctor gave him 3 medications to use for 3 months. At the end of that time, they�ll repeat the PSA and if it�s still up, they�ll biopsy. The fact that no �nephrosis of the kidney was found� ** (edited because that should have said HYDROnephrosis) is GREAT news. Doctor did promise they won�t ignore him for another 10 � 20 years but will have him rechecked every 3 months or so for the rest of his life because of his urogenic bladder.

The same doctor said the dermatologist�s office refused to give him the biopsy results! He said he�d never heard such a thing, but he talked to Jim about Lupus and two types of T-Cell Lymphomas, Sezary Syndrome and Mycosis Fungoidies, which both present with a rash like the one he has. Meanwhile, we can only �wait�.

We tried to check on his permanent partial disability for the severed middle finger. The lady who handles workmen�s compensation, in the surgeon�s office, is on vacation until June 21st and the Workmen�s Comp office closes early on Friday. We really, really need that income.

Jim was asked to �tape� some guys from church for a CD this afternoon and tomorrow he�s helping a small local church who has serious problems with their sound system. Someone had messed their system up a few years ago, and he was able to move plugs around and fix it quickly on a Sunday morning. He�s helped a lot of local churches over the years, at no cost. He feels it�s a ministry. Oh, he�s had someone give him a love offering because they�d been �financed� by a church group and wanted to offer him an engineering fee. That was SUCH a blessing! He�s done non church groups for small pay. It usually doesn�t cover gas, time and the CD�s, but he enjoys it and that�s important.

I�ve gotten my laundry done but not folded. I can get that done tonight while I watch t.v. We�d spring cleaned Nick�s room, the t.v. room and a linen closet. Jim had packed up some �baby stuff� I am not using right now and moved the Foosball table to Nick�s room so our rec room downstairs looks soooooo much larger.

There�s been a lot of activity regarding the trial of the man who murdered my brother. A lot of depositions have been taken. Some are EMS and some are shady characters. Hmmm. Also, the defendant had some guy who was going to testify and try to claim my brother died as a result of a car wreck he�d had over a year before his death. That �witness� is terminally ill and they�ve had to find another expert. I hope this doesn�t drag the case out even further. We have no closure! I�ve, several times, asked if the owner of the bar can be charged for �failure to render aid� and you�d think I have three heads. His own wife, half owner, gave a deposition saying her husband found my brother unconscious at 4:00 a.m. and did nothing! Since I�m not a �survivor�, I can�t ask for more than information. Michael was closer to me than any other family member and yet I have no �rights�. I wish his �family� would push for some sort of punishment of the bar owner! Close them down! Sue their pants off! Go after the bartender. Do SOMETHING!

Well the weekend is HERE and I�m so ready! I just will have to try and stay cool and calm through the doctor�s visit this coming Thursday. Tonight is liver and onions. We usually have that on Thursday, but Nick had company for supper and we wanted him to come back. LOLOL!

Have a lovely evening and God Bless!

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

Here's the link to my husband�s newly published book.

The Dreamers, By James Tavegia
Published by Aim Higher Books

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 6/17/2007 6:41:11 AM >

Post #: 629

Father's Day! - 6/18/2007 12:04:11 AM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith."
Acts 15:8-9

Did you have a lovely Father�s Day? We sure did. First, church and then a cook out for lunch. Tonight we went to Jon and Mary�s for another cook out. We measured one of Mary�s girl�s maid of honor dresses for me to shorten and figured out where to install the gazebo for the wedding party. Now we need to figure out a 45 foot long �red carpet� for the bride and also build a �wall� out of lattice and vines to conceal a storage shed to the side of the yard.

Everything is going to be red and white and just lovely. Actually, the color is �apple� and white.

Our daughter and I are going to work on finding chairs to borrow and the �red carpet� tomorrow. We also need to locate some cake pans for the wedding cake. They�ve chosen �red velvet cake�. That�s their favorite! Seems like Hobby Lobby might be our best bet for the pans. It�s only 18 days!

It was a lovely day. Jim did seem very tired but he had some good ideas about the lay-out of the wedding area and lots of jokes for us. He�s been in bed a long time. The day wore him out.

Enjoy the verses I�ve chosen to share tonight and God Bless,

Diane Tavegia

John 3:1-21 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother�s womb and be born?"

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"

Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

Post #: 630

Can you smell the peanut butter? - 6/18/2007 11:46:05 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20

Some people say, �I believe in God.". The BIBLE says, "Even the demons believe (in God) and shudder" James 2:19 There�s a giant difference in believing in something or someone and trusting in, relying on and following Christ Jesus. Believing God exists or some other form of gods just in case is a quick one way trip to eternal damnation and the Lake of Fire. Be sure you are following the map and not just winging it.

Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Did you have a nice day? We had fun and it was loud but funny. Erin had told Kaylee we�d pick up pinecones and make bird feeders. A few minutes later, Kaylee said �Listen! I can hear the peanut butter!�

We went to City Park after supper and played plus walked a mile. We had already walked our street. The exercise felt GREAT! Kaylee skinned her knee and I told her Grandpa always said 'Spit on it' when he got hurt playing baseball. She had me spit on her knee. I 'pretended' and a few minutes later she said, 'Spit on it again, Grandma, cause it didn't work!'

We got a preliminary report from one of the doctor�s about Jim�s biopsy. It�s Lupus like and mimics lupus. It�s autoimmune, incurable and is not very common. The treatments are hit and miss. We�ll know a lot more after seeing the doctor Thursday. Jim has a lot of autoimmune diseases.

We don�t have Hailee Thursday and Friday. There are free movies Tues., Wed., and Thursday in Douglasville. Not sure if we�ll go once or twice this week. Maybe we�ll go to John Tanner State Park on Friday. We�ll see.

Still didn�t do any of the �wedding things�. Better hop to it!

Enjoy the verses I�ve chosen to share tonight and God Bless,

Diane Tavegia

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Post #: 631

Wedding planning - 6/20/2007 10:52:17 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

Tomorrow, Thursday, is Jim's appointment for his biopsy results from his skin rash......

I absolutely lost track of which day is which with all the lost sleep and doctor appointments for Jim and just realized my mother flew in from France yesterday. She should have had an hour or so in customs, a trip to the next town over from me to pick up her friends car and then a two hour drive to her vacation home. I called her this morning. Her trip was just �okay�. She�ll explain later.

Hailee really enjoys having Eden and Kaylee as playmates. It�s sure a lot louder around here now! We have still not worked on getting things put away. The first night we were up almost all night and last night were up way too late, again. I am very sleepy!

Jim got his permanent partial disability score today. There were a lot of numbers for different aspects of the disability but the average was about 30%. Things like �feeling� and �nail deformity� don�t count as much as other things. Again, we�re just thankful he has a finger and that he�s getting better typing. He still makes a lot of errors because the finger won�t bend enough to make contact with many of the keys properly. He can�t play his clarinet and the finger won�t fit between the black and white keys on the piano so that�s a challenge. Whatever�. His voice is his greatest talent and God uses that greatly.

We drew up some plans for the backyard layout for Jon and Mary�s wedding. Jim�s going to build the lattice/ garden area. Erin and I are went to find some crinoline in a color that would blend and tie that up with bows. We hit the clearance bins and look for bargains. We found 25 yards of white for 57 cents a yard! I�ve asked my plant exchange group if they have wildflowers to share around that time to let me know. I may have some gals who�d love to help us decorate. The wedding is at 7:00 p.m. on 07/07/07.

I�ve got to hem one of the bridesmaid dresses. It�s NOT a straight hem but is layered so I�ll have to hem two skirts and then trim the crinoline. It�s VERY stiff crinoline! Measuring and marking will take more time than the actual hemming, I think. The front is several inches too long and I�m really not sure how I want to do this.

I still plan on wearing just a church outfit for the wedding. Jon and Mary wanted to buy me a lovely Mother of the Bride�s dress, but they�re well over $200. I�d much rather they use the money for something they need.

Jim has the several wedding marches on CD for Mary to choose from and other formal sounding music for the beginning of the reception. I�m sure the music will change once Jim and I take the kids and leave. We�ll leave Erin behind with other young folk to party and bring the kids home for bed.

Enjoy the verses I�ve chosen to share tonight and God Bless,

Diane Tavegia

Psalm 5:8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.

Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Post #: 632

Some reports and many more tests - 6/21/2007 10:07:25 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

Well, today was the doctor�s visit with the dermatologist. She said two biopsies are Lichen Planus. Another spot is most probably yeast. Also, she removed three moles. One is most probably melanoma AND she ran a full panel for Lupus Discoid (skin type), all autoimmune diseases that can be dx�d by blood tests and a test for Hepatitis C, only because of the skin problems can be found in people with Hep C. The mole that she feels is melanoma is a new growth on his back, around the kidney area. It�s VERY black, irregular borders and larger than a 6cm. That�s very upsetting, but I had noticed it and pointed it out to her.

We�ll get the results for some of the tests in three weeks but the fungal smear will take three months. Jim was given 3 medications to use on the Lichen Planus and told to stay out of the sun until Lupus is ruled out. Jim already has a number of autoimmune diseases and they run in his family.

We�ve been really busy getting ready for Jon�s wedding and just playing with the kids, taking long walks and reading fun books. I didn�t have Hailee today and Jim got up with the grandchildren and Nick and a friend who�d slept over. I slept until 10:00 a.m.! I knew I was tired. Emotionally worn out.

Tonight, we went to the church and let the kids play on the large (fenced in) playground with three professional type swing sets, climbing sets, play houses, etc and then Erin and I speed walked over a mile. The kids had so much fun. The girls are pretty excited about church this Sunday because they�ll go to �extended session� or �children�s church�, depending on age. Sunday School is a lot of fun. After that, they�ll have a short lesson or Christian video, snack and then play outside. All the rooms are brightly painted and filled with really nice toys. Every, every worker has to undergo a yearly criminal (seven year) background check, also. I�m so glad children�s church goes through second grade. It�s hard for little ones to sit still and remain quiet for an hour.

Tomorrow morning, we�re going over to Jon�s. Jim has to be up at church to record some music at 9:00 a.m. but Erin, Nick, the girls and I will get the �parts� for the lattice. Jim will come when he finishes and build it and get it installed. Also, Erin�s going to do some painting for them. One room was painted a dark color over white and you can still see some bleed through. Mary�s working 12 hours from 7 a.m. til 7 p.m. and Jon�s working 11:00 a.m. til 11:00 p.m. most days. Both Friday and Saturday are going to be quite hot and rainless so we�ll get it done!

Please keep us in prayer. Jim still faces the long wait for his prostate concerns and now has to wait for the Lupus and new biopsy results. Unemployment ends very soon.

Diane Tavegia

"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."
Mark 13:22-23

"You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" 1 Corinthians 12:2-3

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10

1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

Post #: 633

Whew.... wiped out! - 6/22/2007 9:26:50 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

Well, we�re all about worn out! Jim went up to church to burn a CD for a friend. We got up and got over to Jon�s house with some of the things we needed. Erin and Jon (our second and third kids) went to Home Depot for lattice, 2 X 4�s and a few items Jon needed for some minor home repairs.

Jim built a large frame and we attached the lattice to create a lovely 12 ft wide by 8 ft tall screen to hide the back portion of their yard that has the woods and a storage shed. They�ll put their gazebo in the middle of the yard and have the preacher marry them inside that. Won�t that be pretty?

Erin and I are searching for ivy to entwine around the lattice work. The problem is, we expected to go to Dollar Tree and get five feet of ivy for $1.00. Well, they have plenty, but it�s all �fall colors�! The wedding is July 7th, so autumn colors don�t fit with the �apple red� dresses and d�cor. We�ll keep searching and I�ll keep watch on Freecycle for anything we could recycle into something pretty. We did buy a swag for the top of the lattice frame and have their antique bench sitting in front of it. I have a large silk plant, about 6 foot tall, that can go to one side. I do think it�ll be very pretty.

Erin and I are a bit sunburned. We kept Jim in the shade as much as possible and Erin and I did the physical work. Oh, Jon had to work from 1:00 p.m. til 3:00 a.m. tonight so he had to �take off� early. Nick and his sisters played, watched Disney movies and bugged us every once in a while by spraying us with water from a misting sprayer.

So, we ate left-overs for supper and then I got the girls bathed. They had some ice cream and brushed their teeth. They were in bed by 8:00. I think they were worn out! Kaylee had found a small New Testament and she walks around �reading the Bible�. It�s quite cute. She makes up all sorts of things and loves to help us pray. She loves our rec room, downstairs, and keeps thanking God for �downstairs!�

I had to change Jim's bandages today, twice, on his newest biopsied spots. The one on his back that doctor felt positive is melanoma is back and black. She had cut a good sized slice off after raising the area with some fluid. I am very concerned but we've had so many things to face lately. This too shall pass.

Well, I�m tired and think I�ll get to bed early tonight. Thank you for your prayers and love. God Bless,

Diane Tavegia

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:1-3

"Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?" And he will answer, "I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me" Matthew 25:44-45

From a devotional off Crosswalk comes the following:

Sir Percival Lowell was an author, mathematician, and the world's most distinguished astronomer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. But Lowell was best known for his speculation that canals existed on Mars.

In 1877, he heard that an esteemed Italian astronomer had seen straight lines crisscrossing the red planet's surface. As a result, Lowell spent the rest of his years squinting into the eyepiece of a giant telescope, mapping the channels and canals that he saw.

He was convinced that there was life on Mars, even an older and wiser race than humanity. As a result, his observations gained wide acceptance.

Today, we know space probes that have orbited and landed on Mars show there are no canals on the Martian surface. So how could Lowell have been mistaken?

There are two possible reasons: 1) he wanted so badly to see the canals that he convinced himself he did, and 2) we now know that he suffered from a rare eye disease that made him see the blood vessels in his own eyes. The canals he saw on Mars were nothing more than the veins in his eyeballs. Today, this disease is known as "Lowell's syndrome."

When Jesus warned that "in the same way...you will be judged" and cautioned about missing the "plank in your own eye", do you think He could have been referring to a so-called spiritual Lowell's syndrome?

Again and again, we see faults in others because we don't want to believe anything better about them. And many times we think we have a clear view of their shortcomings when in fact our vision has been distorted by the plank in our own eyes.

devotionals@seniorlivingministries.org

Post #: 634

Sunday ramblings....... - 6/24/2007 9:38:24 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

If you make the Most High your dwelling- even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Psalm 91: 9-11

We had a wonderful day at church. Bro. Jeff baptized 8 or 9 kids out of the 63 who went forward during VBS. It was mostly boys!

We also had a terrific Sunday School lesson on the Fruit of the Spirit. Wow, the girls never cease to amaze me! I�m SO proud of our youth. Our Youth Minister puts his whole heart into his job, and it shows.

The granddaughters LOVED Sunday School! Kaylee wants to know if they can go tomorrow. I�m so glad. I thought they would, but it�s a bit different from regular school and new �friends��.. but they did great.

Jim had to sit down during service. His blood pressure isn�t stable. If he skips his blood pressure medicine, it shoots up. If he takes it along with the medicine for the prostate, it drops way too low. He�s tried skipping a day here and there and watching his pressure, but we haven�t figured out the �trick� yet. He has to check on his blood tests and medicine for his skin condition tomorrow. Hope they can get it done and the results back before he goes to the dermatologist for his next biopsy results.

Well a water ban couldn�t stop a water gun fight! I ran over to Dollar General and got some small guns and filled them in the sink. The kids ran around the back yard for about 15 or 20 minutes before they were soaked. They had fun, tho. The girls then made �lemonade� out of dirt, pine straw and goodness knows what else and tried to convince us to drink it. They sure do enjoy running around outside. Kaylee got a teeny cut on her knee again today but was more amused by it than anything.

Jim went to a listening session at an Atlanta Audio groups meeting late afternoon and we went to Jon and Mary�s house. They liked the lattice screen Jim built so much that they�ve decided to have their wedding in front of it instead of inside a gazebo. They bought 20 yards of white satin and a whole bunch of a burgundy material for a swag. I�ve got a lot of sewing to do in the next 12 days!

Wow, I stayed up late last night watching that Tom Selleck t.v. show and didn�t get to sleep until about 1:15. I am pretty tired tonight! I�m going to bed quite soon. Hailee will be here at 7:10 - 7:15. It'll be a busy day!

Please read these wonderful promises from scripture and God Bless ALL my brothers and sisters in the Lord!

Diane Tavegia

Psalm 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. 4 He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, 6 nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. 11 For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 6/24/2007 9:40:45 PM >

Post #: 635

Monday - 6/25/2007 8:41:55 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Monday��

I was up early tho I am so exhausted. I�ve not gotten to bed on time for a few weeks and am just so tired. I�m also mentally drained.

I searched, while everyone else sleeps late, for part time jobs for me or anything for Jim. It looks like we won�t be paying our bills on time this month. I don�t know how the government expects people to live on $320.00 a week or wait over a year for disability. One man in our church had to reapply for disability over and over to have it approved only two months before he died. If I�d been his wife, I would have sent every �judge� and disability folk we dealt with cards that said �He told you he was sick� with his obit included. Poor lady. She�d cared for her very ill mother in law and husband for much of her adult life while working to support them, only to have them both die within one month of each other.

Speaking of mothers�.. My mother is to speak with the teaching hospital in Birmingham today about reconstruction of her facial bones so she can get implanted teeth. If they accept her, she�ll stay with us on and off while she heals and has to go back and forth. That�ll be very hard on her and us because the slightest noise between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. would bother her and she is allergic to dogs and cats. I�m also VERY concerned that she�s undertaking something, at age 75, that might cause health problems, infection to set in and an early death. I just don�t feel right about the procedure but I wouldn�t want her to think I was thinking about the cost instead of her comfort. I know how hard it is to chew when your teeth are out of line from when my Sleeptight Nightguard had messed up my bite. (Thankfully, a dentist was able to realign my natural teeth and bite with another mouthpiece so I can chew and close my teeth again.) Anyhow, she�ll call me after she hears from them and let me know what to expect. If she has to wait for an appointment, she needs Jim to come and take her to buy an air conditioner and put it in the window for her.

Speaking of Jim, he has to find out about his blood tests for the �autoimmune disease panel� and Hepatitis C and see if the medicine was called in to the VA pharmacy. We�re so thankful for the VA. Last I heard, the VA had only ONE of the 3 medications ordered. One other they could give him in two tubes and he�d have to mix it himself. The third couldn�t be found on any database. He can go for his blood tests, tho, and hopefully they�ll be back before he goes back to his dermatologist on July 12th.

Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on
earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Oh, there�s a new 3 D Mammography �study� at Emory for women who are high risk for breast cancer. I fit the criteria and my mother had received the letter for �her daughters�. I called and left a voice mail to see if they still have any slots open. That may be the only way I can get any sort of medical care.

I�m a patriotic American and a firm Republican, but having health insurance only two years out of the last 16 � 18 years has made me believe we need national health care for the working poor, if not all Americans. I haven�t had a full physical my whole adult life� and I�m 56. Maybe I should become an illegal alien.

I did a good bit of work for Jon�s wedding today. None of the sewing, tho, but did other things and have some ideas for candles and butterflies. The wedding is at 8:00 instead of 7:00 because their friends who work different shifts get off at 7:00 on Saturdays. I got the chairs �lined up�. I have to pick them up on Friday and return them by Sunday morning. We can back our vehicle right up to the door where we�ll pick them up.

Jim rode to Cleveland, Georgia to install an air conditioner for my mother today. She was concerned about him doing it, but she�s 75 and sure can�t do it! It�s been very hot in Georgia with no rain. She got a 10,500 BTU unit at Lowe�s for a great price. He stayed and went out to eat with my mother. She doesn�t eat well since she�s �cooking for one� and really does have so much trouble eating. I know they enjoyed the few hours together.

Well, I was up way too late again last night and up before 7:00 this morning so I�ll wish you well and God Bless.

Please read the scripture I�ve chosen for today.

Diane Tavegia

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have you engraved on the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:15-16

"The Lord your God is with you ... He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoiceover you with singing"
Zephaniah 3:17

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 6/25/2007 8:57:13 PM >

Post #: 636

Biopsy News Not so good - 6/26/2007 10:07:41 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:10

I had a lovely day until suppertime. The phone rang as we were finishing our meal and it was the office of the doctor who�d done Jim�s latest biopsies. He has to go in for �deeper� biopsies on one area plus they�ll check and biopsy many other moles. The test didn�t come back okay. He has early melanoma and will have to have more tissue removed, plus a lot of other moles removed and tested.

Please keep us in prayer. His appointment is July 12th. Also, he still doesn�t have a job. We also have over two months to wait for more results and a possible biopsy on his prostate. I just have to keep God�s word in my heart and wait on HIS will.

My mother hasn�t heard a date for her surgery and we don�t have an update on my cousin, Sherrie. There was an opening for our youngest granddaughter at a private school holding a state funded Pre-K. That�s a real blessing. It�s just minutes from our home.

Here�s a thought provoking piece for today�.. It is fiction and I don�t know who wrote it.

There once was a girl who hated herself. You see, she had become blind in her early teens from a rare disease. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else too. She was angry at the world, angry at God, angry at everyone.

There was one person, however, who had known her for years and stood by her side through all this. It was her childhood friend, who loved her ever since grade school. Now in their 20�s, he wanted to marry her.

One day he worked up the nerve to ask her for her hand in marriage. Her reply was that if she could only see the world, she would marry him.

Soon after, someone donated a pair of eyes and she went to surgery to have her malfunctioning ones replaced. It was a miracle. After a few weeks, she took off her bandages and she could see once again. And who was standing by her side, as always? Of course, it was the man who loved her.

"Now that you can see the world, he said, �Will you marry me?" The girl was shocked to discover that he too was blind, and sadly, still refused his hand in marriage. Undeniably, he was devastated.

Sometime later, she received a letter from him, sharing his undying love for her. He signed it, "Please, my love, just take care of my eyes."

Please read the scripture I�ve chosen for today.

Diane Tavegia

Oh, Holy Spirit, renew a right spirit within me so that I will "devote myself to prayer" Colossians 4:2

Richard Liggett has made coffins for the past couple of decades or more. They weren't expensive or ornate, mind you. He and a crew of men who worked with him built coffins from birch plywood, lined them with foam padding covered with fabric, and put brass handles on the side. A cross typically adorned the top. The total cost of each coffin was a modest $215.

Ruth Graham was buried in a coffin made by Liggitt. She died earlier this month at age 87, after a long illness. A matching coffin has already been made, purchased, and stored away for her husband � Evangelist Billy Graham.

In the press coverage around Mrs. Graham's death, her simple coffin became a story. When people asked about the unusually simple and unadorned casket in which her body had been placed, the name of Richard Liggett became public. And I'm sure there would have been a rush to interview him about the project, if he were still alive. He died of cancer in March of this year.

Liggett died an inmate at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. He was 31 years into a life sentence for second-degree murder. Christ found and claimed him there, and he spent his final years not only building caskets but sharing the gospel with fellow-inmates. The Grahams' son, Franklin, saw Liggett's work on a visit to Louisiana's penitentiary at Angola and was struck by its simple beauty.

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 6/26/2007 10:46:18 PM >

Post #: 637

Waiting for the other shoe to drop - 6/27/2007 10:10:48 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

"For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock."
Psalms 27:5

My head is so full of thoughts��.. I can�t think straight. I did sleep last night, but not many hours.

Jim went up to the church to burn CD�s for someone early today. I think it keeps him busy and keeps his mind off being out of work, prostate problems and now the early melanoma. He used to joke about being a car and out of warranty, but last night, he was shaking. I know how terrified I am, so I can�t imagine what he feels. He always thought he�d be here to care for Nick and me and he�ll say things about not even being able to get a factory job. It�s heartbreaking and that�s an understatement.

All of this does NOT cause my faith to waiver. None of this can shake my knowing that God loves us and is still in control. I don�t understand why we�ve had so many money problems or health concerns for Jim, but maybe the lesson isn�t for me, or Jim. Maybe it�s to touch someone else or grow one of us in some way. Maybe it�s an example for our grandchildren or even something our children needed to see. Whatever the reason, I know there IS a reason and God knows how it all works out for the better. That doesn�t mean I like it! I am terrified to think of years with no income and having to have our children help keep us fed. How degrading to Jim! That his child might have to �do� for him.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.

My mother needs Jim to take our only car, with bald tires and well past an oil change, to move some things from her vacation cabin in N.E. Georgia to Daphne, Alabama. He wants to take the stuff this week. I think he needs to keep busy so he can keep his mind off all our concerns. He�s got all the things ready to go and may just leave today. The choir is singing a usual 4th of July song in both services this week. Since we don�t have a key and my aunt and uncle are busy with their very ill adult daughter, it would be hard to pick up their key. I don�t know what he�ll decide to do, but I have to let him do what�s best for his sanity at this point. PLEASE whisper his name in your daily prayers.

I�m pretty worried about our oldest son. I�ve left him numerous messages on his Blackberry. He doesn�t check his emails but every few months. I also tried calling his cell but no answer. I sure hope they�re okay.

The phone has been very quiet today. Erin gets lots of calls. We get almost none. That�s been pleasant!

I�ve got to sew at least something tonight. Jim has choir, so maybe I can lay out some material and get it cut. Jon�s wedding isn�t that far away now! Ah�.. I didn�t sew a thing. We spent some time on the internet checking facts and then the girls went to bed early.

A friend just got out of the hospital and her mother has been ill. They asked if we�d pick their green beans and we could keep and freeze half as payment. We�re taking the girls and Nick and going early tomorrow morning. The girls are VERY excited!

Please read the scripture I�ve chosen for today.

Diane Tavegia

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. 4 In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 "He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." 9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. 10 From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. 19 But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him-- may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him-- those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for he has done it.

Post #: 638

Wow, did it rain! - 6/29/2007 10:00:58 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

With extra people in the house, I don�t get as much time to blog. I�ve had some phone calls asking if I�m down and not posting because of that. Of course, I�m very concerned, but I�m trusting God.

That being said, this has been a VERY fast week. We�d hoped to get Kaylee enrolled in the very exclusive private school that takes �overflow� Pre-K students, but she�s probably lost out. Paperwork, paperwork. They filled most of the slots yesterday. Unless some �miracle� occurs, Kaylee will have to �pay� to attend half day, two days a week at our church. That�ll put her behind when she enters kindergarten.

We got our dresses for Jon�s wedding. Mine was too small but a replacement should be here by the 3rd of July. I measured to choose the right size, but this was a �vintage� style dress and very fitted in some areas where I�m fluffy, like upper arms. It was way too tight for comfort! My dress is two shades of gold with a shirred bodice, flowing skirt and tiny, puffed sleeves. It falls about four inches below my knees.

I�ve not sewn one thing for the wedding. Now, would you believe, the extended forecast is calling for thunderstorms the night before the wedding. I sure hope we have dry weather on their wedding day! All the work would be in vain and wrong size, etc., for moving inside the house. I�ll get it done this weekend. Emotionally, I�m not up for anything.

I�m not sure who all is coming for the wedding. I do know of a few people who�ll stay here, but my mother has to be in Birmingham the following Monday and probably won�t make the trip twice. She�d not stay in the house because of the pets, tho. I�ve still not heard from our oldest son and his family. I�m sure they�re busy with end of year at school and work, but I do worry.

We had a wonderful blessing yesterday! A woman I�d met when we were helping the Katrina victims wrote and asked if I would be interested in fresh beans. She has been very ill and so has her mother. They needed their produce harvested and would split it with me. We all went and picked beans for hours. They also gave us four very large bags of summer squash and one small bag of cukes. I must have a bushel of green beans in my freezer.

Next week, Hailee won�t be here Wednesday or Friday and only a few hours on Thursday. I can sleep in all those days. I bet I wake early anyhow. I�ve been waking earlier and earlier! That�s not good. I need MORE sleep, not less. I�m sure sleepy today, and I was falling asleep next to the dog on the sofa last night and in bed before 10:00 p.m. I miss my naps!

I have all we need for Nick�s schooling except a few workbooks. I don�t have the money to order them right now. I know I need his Spelling workbook and English Grammar workbook. My heads not clear right now, so I can�t just say off the top of my head.

Jim has been searching for jobs where no jobs are advertised. Hopefully he�ll come up with something soon. He�s scheduled his shots and �blood test� for college for July 10th. That�s our oldest son�s 36th birthday. We�re moving forward as if he�s perfectly �well�. He doesn�t give up. This guy is no quitter! When able bodied men would sit on their fat rumps and not even look for a job, Jim would go out while ill with pneumonia or worse, and still not miss work. We don�t talk about �what if��. He�s got five doctor�s appointments scheduled right now, even without all the �test results� in, and he�s out knocking on business doors searching for a job! He�s a REAL husband, father, man! I gauge other men by his standards.

We got rain for a long time today and it's to continue on and off for the next few days. It's soooo nice and cool!

Jim�s taking my mother�s furniture, some floral pots and the stereo stuff he repaired for her to her home in Daphne tomorrow. He�ll leave really early and then come back home. He can�t stand doing �nothing�.

Maybe I�ll get something done��.

Please read the scripture I�ve chosen for today.

Diane Tavegia

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Post #: 639

Got so much done today! - 6/30/2007 11:29:47 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

Whew, what a busy day!

Jim left very early for Mobile and took all my mother�s things. He stopped on the causeway on the way home and brought us shrimp, oysters and scallops. We�ll have a lovely lunch after church! YUM!

Speaking of church, the choir is singing in both services tomorrow. Jim will go to both, but the rest of us won�t go until 9:30. Erin�s going to join our church tomorrow on statement of faith.

Well, we made SO many colored sand candles for Jon and Mary�s wedding. It took forever but sure was fun! We finished late tonight. We made two extras for a cook out here another day this coming weekend. Erin had found some neat party type things in reds and greens. They were probably leftovers from Cinco de Mayo and were marked down to pennies! We made salt candles in Mason jars for that.

We also got the ivy we needed for decorating the lattice. We had to hit 3 stores to get it all tho. We didn�t want to spend huge amounts of money and got it at Dollar Tree for $1.00 for 5 feet. It looks SO real! Oh, and we had cut out butterflies from some thick paper bags I�d bought 10 for a dollar years ago and got double sticky back tape so we can put them in the tree that hangs over the area where they�ll have the wedding party.

I hemmed the first part of the dress today. I did the part that shows. I had an epiphany and it was a breeze! I also cut the crinoline to the correct length. Tomorrow I�ll hem the two underskirts while Jim and or Erin are here to help me. There�s SO much material that I need someone to hold onto the dress and help rotate it.

While doing the dress, I�ll go ahead and hen the ends of the big swag. It�s the same color so same thread. Then I�ll need to measure out and cut the �walkway� and then form a space for them to stand out of the leftovers in white satin.

I still don�t know who all is coming for the wedding. We know of one for sure, but my mother has to be in Birmingham the week following the wedding and she�s not excited about driving this far twice in 9 days.

I have a tickle in my upper chest for a week. It started after we spent a full day outside last week in a wooded area. Also, I was around cigarette smoke that day and I�m not used to that. I just thought about that right now. Maybe that�s what triggered this. Anyhow, I do have a good bit of sinus stuff going on. I�ve been reacting to grass pollen for a few years. I used to get a chest cold each March, but it�s been years. I don�t feel ill in any way, other than the sinus drainage.

Oh, a funny for you. We were checking out at Dollar General and they had one of their weekly fliers hanging off the side of the counter, but at an angle. Four year old Kaylee tilted her head and was �reading� it. I asked her what she was doing and she said �I�m reading this paper, Grandma�. It had ketchup, mustard and some other foods pictured. I asked �What does it say?� Quick as a wink she said �It says �Grandma makes you eat this stuff!!�� They�re adjusting to �no fast foods� and all home cooked meals. The first few days were a bit hard for Eden. Kaylee will try anything with no questions asked. Eden began by saying �I don�t like this�. Of course, once she tasted it, she realized it was good food! They�re used to desserts and asked for Yogurt for dessert tonight. They are so precious! We�re just thrilled to be a part of their lives, finally!

Well, Jim got home about 10:15 and went on to bed. Kaylee fell asleep the minute she lay down. Nick is excited because he�s going home with a friend after church. Eden is watching �Spirit� (horse movie) and Erin is out. Jon and Mary had off tonight and they sit around outside and talk. They kept texting her to come and sit�.. She finally gave in but told them she can�t stay long. It�s about a 15 minute ride to their house from here and we have church tomorrow.

Please read the scripture I�ve chosen for today and I hope you�ll be in church tomorrow.

Diane Tavegia

You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn't very far along in the Christian life and doesn't know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. Hebrew 5:12 - 6:3

Post #: 640

More stuff completed today - 7/1/2007 8:44:24 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

Whew�� well, the dress is altered. It had three layers of �material� and two of crinoline. It was a real chore! It took two of us. Erin had to hold the dress and spin it for me. We actually moved the sewing machine to the dining room table so we had more room. I also hemmed the sash for the lattice, but I�ve not cut and sewn the white satin. There�s a chance of storms every night and once I cut it to fit the back yard, it would be pretty difficult to �undo� and make it look nice for an inside wedding. I�ll watch the weather and do it closer to the night of the wedding.

We sure had another good service at church today. Brother Jeff is a very good preacher. His sermon today went along perfectly with our Sunday School lesson for the youth. The girls really enjoyed their class. Eden had a lesson on �lying and confessing the truth�. It sounded really sweet when she retold it. The ladies in children�s church said Eden is �so precious! Just a joy to have in class�. That�s the class for K � 2nd grade during church time. Kaylee couldn�t remember her story but got another praise from the teachers.

Our daughter joined the church today. She�s in a Sunday School class for young women but it�s filled with women of all ages. She might try a few classes before choosing one for good. I think she�ll join the choir once it starts back up in August.

We had oysters, scallops, shrimp, fresh green beans and summer squash for lunch. Kaylee ate an oyster and the veggies. Eden tried the oyster but didn't care for it. She did like the veggies tho. Both girls liked the fact that they ate what they'd picked. We've got so many left overs and lots more veggies in the freezer. Jim had brought home the seafood from when he went to my mother's house yesterday. There's a seafood shack he always 'hits' when he's in the area. Remember, I grew up in Mobile and seafood was cheap eating for us.

Well this will be a VERY busy week. We�re still not sure who all�s coming for the wedding. My mother wants me to check on a hotel nearby and I�ve not heard from the other son and his family.

We�re going to have a cook out for the 4th but only for the family. Jon got a chance to work for double time and a half and Mary has to pick up her wedding gown that day. They couldn�t finish the alterations until then.

Nick broke a plastic bottle of the bug repellent for kids, made from carnations, and boy does it stink! It smells like Grandma�s old cheap bath soap. He got it to the bathroom sink almost immediately, but this stuff would scare away any bug. Stink o rama!

"Jesus went about doing good" Acts 10:38

So, did you watch the new series �Werewolf� about the young man who goes around doing good deeds and protecting people, tho he�s a werewolf? I think tonight was the first of the series. It�s pretty scary! Nick couldn�t watch it.

Well I still have that �tickle cough� but noticed in youth and church today that most everyone was really coughing like they have summer colds. My cough is just a nuisance.

I�m sharing the above verse again because it�s just so wonderful. If we are to be Christ-like, we should strive to emulate HIM in all things.

Have a wonderful evening with your family and God Bless!

Diane Tavegia

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Post #: 641

The days seem to drag.... - 7/2/2007 8:58:03 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

I got another call to come and pick produce this morning, and the lady gave us everything we picked! She offered to let us have everything that was even near ripe. We only took the cucumbers that were ready. I don�t make pickles and didn�t want to be wasteful. As soon as it rains, we can go back for more. My freezer is going to be packed with green beans and squash. Maybe they�ll need us to harvest the corn and other veggies later in the year! I�ll gladly work for food.

I�m very concerned about my hubby. I think all this waiting is getting to him. He seems quite worried. I am too, but I have four kids to keep my mind busy most of the time. Jim is trying to find busy work. I wish he could find a job. It would really lift his spirits and give him some reassurance. I just keep praying all the other results come back �good� and that the doctor finds she�s already gotten all the melanoma. I guess we will have to watch each mole (maybe hundreds of them) for any changes for the rest of his life. I know he must be terrified! Each day seems to creep past and the 'what ifs' seem so heavy.

Erin took the bridesmaid�s dress over this afternoon. I was glad to see it gone! Boy. That was a lot of work! I�ve got all the candles and other things for decorating for the wedding in my living room and Jim and I both HATE piles! It�s five days til the wedding or I�d load them into my SUV. I may still do it�. Just to get them out of the house! Come to think of it, I AM going to take them down, as soon as the car is �home�.

Jim took Nick to the movie today to see Pirates of the Caribbean: End of the World. I�d wanted to see it too, but I�ll have to wait until it�s out on DVD or PPV. I really have enjoyed the series. Johnny Depp does such a great job as Jack Sparrow. Boy, it sure is a long movie!

I can�t tell you how tired I am. Oh I hope I can sleep in Wednesday � Friday! I actually could fall asleep sitting up today if I didn�t have children to watch. Eden wakes the minute I get up. I�m very quiet. Even Scooter doesn�t wake up! I guess she�s just a very light sleeper. She goes to bed really late and keeps herself awake a long time. I don�t know how she does it.

Tomorrow is the docket sounding to decide if the trial for my brother�s murder will begin next Monday. I sure hope it does. Our family has had no closure and it�s been almost 15 months.

We�re working on potty training the little one I keep. She�s not interested yet. She�ll tell me when she wets her diaper, tho. She�s danger baby much of the time, now. I can�t turn my head for long.

Tonight was chicken and leftover veggies. I�d cooked a lot of green beans and squash after church yesterday. Nick had gone home with a boy from church and Erin made macaroni for her girls. They did eat a tiny bit of the veggies but none of the seafood. Oh, Kaylee ate one oyster and Eden tasted half of one but spit it out. Anyhow, Erin�s been out much of the afternoon and Jim and Nick gone most of the day. It�s just been me and the three girls. Watching the Wonder Pets, Max and Ruby, Blue�s Clues�. I can feel my IQ slipping as I type.

Anyhow, the kids are in the tub and Nick�s playing his games. Jim�s downstairs listening to music and I�m already thinking about bed.

If you would, whisper a prayer for Jim. He seems so down and defeated.

Have a wonderful evening with your family and God Bless!

Diane Tavegia

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6b

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; 20 and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."

21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. 23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

Check out my husband�s newly published book at the following link

The Dreamers, By James Tavegia
Published by Aim Higher Books

"We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Post #: 642

Happy 4th of July - 7/4/2007 10:06:12 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

Well, I�m worn out! I put up green beans and squash again on Tuesday and it took all day. I got ribs started for today. I�ve had to cook them in two batches because there�s so many. Jim will finish them on the grill just before we eat them. We�re having corn on the cob, green beans, yellow squash, baked potatoes, salad and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Mary had to pick up her wedding dress on the other side of Atlanta today at 2:30 and Jon had to work. He gets double time and a half for working so it�s well worth it! That�s over $60.00 an hour!

Anyhow, Erin went with Mary and left the girls here with us. I�m not sure when Erin will get back. Jim, Nick and I will get the cooking done and Jim did the vacuuming earlier so hopefully it�ll be a nice day for all of us.

We missed out on the fireworks in our town. They were held last night. The little local paper didn�t have the info on the internet page so I assumed it was tonight as usual. One of our neighbors always goes to Alabama and buys illegal fireworks, shooting them off one street over. I�m not sure if he�ll do it again this year.

We�re going to give Mary the shower present at the cookout and then take it over in my car (too big for their car) and put it together so Jon can be surprised when he gets home from work.

I�ve tried calling my mother several times, but no answer. Some of our relatives have a cabin near hers so maybe she�s at a cookout. I�d tried each day, the last few days tho. I always worry when I don�t get through to her.

The trial for my brother is still scheduled to start Monday, but there is still a list of people to interview on the 5th and 6th. Oh I hope we can get this over and done with and the man is punished. Certainly he needs time to think on his anger and mature before he kills someone else.

There�s a chance of rain the night of the wedding. I do hope that�s the one night we DON�T get rain! I have to honestly say I wondered if Jon would ever marry. He�s quite shy and was turned off by girls who�d chase him or were too forward. He and Mary seem so happy.

Okay, fast forward�.. Our cookout was a GREAT success and we sent a platter of food to Jon at work. Jim took over the present in our car. Erin went to spend some time with Mary while they waited for Jon to come home. Mary and her girls went to watch the fireworks by their house first.

I did get to speak with my mother, but only for a few minutes. She called back while we were eating so I�ll call her in the morning. She�s fine but was a bit lonely. She goes for days seeing no one up on the mountain. I wish she�d sell her vacation home and buy a house in some town instead. She had no water for a long time this month. The electric company broke the water lines coming up her to her cabin and when it was finally repaired, the plumber�s truck drove over some water lines closer to the surface and broke them again!

So, the girls are watching a movie and Nick�s cleaning some things up in his room. Scooter is on the sofa. He was outside since early a.m. so he�s being really, really good.

Our neighbor outdid himself with fireworks. His display was probably close to as good as the city puts on. Several families on the next street did them at the same time. We watched them, bug free, from our t.v. room.

Well, enjoy the rest of your evening and hope you had a safe Fourth of July. God Bless,

Diane Tavegia

"Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn." Heb 3:13

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Matthew 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24

Col 3:1-3 "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Post #: 643

What a lovely wedding! - 7/8/2007 10:51:48 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

However, I am learning from experience that when I say, "I cannot God says, I can."
Admitting my helplessness opens the door for His divine enablement.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:13

It was a beautiful wedding! The last few days have been very hectic but well worth it. We spent hours and hours decorating and making decorations. It was so much fun. The girls and Nick helped so much, too.

Eden was a beautiful flower girl and Nick did a great job as ring bearer. Jon and Mary made a gorgeous couple. Mary�s dress was white with a wine colored band around the top and down the train. Jon wore a white tux with a matching wine colored vest. Just lovely. My digital camera wasn�t working for most of the wedding. I had a disposable camera and they had a photographer, plus many friends taking pictures.

We had Kaylee as official greeter. She could have a rose off the wedding cake when she�d told everyone �Hey Y�all�. She told them over and over. It was so very funny.

There were SO many people at the party! We had set up 30 chairs, but had people standing under the carport. I didn�t even attempt to count. Mary�s girls had lots of friends come and stand to the side and I�m not including them in that group.

It was a very, very lovely wedding and Mary and Jon are so perfect for each other.

Looks like this will be a busy week. Jim goes Tuesday for his blood tests and shots for college and he has the dermatologist on the 12th. They�ll take more skin from the one spot and then biopsy a lot more spots. He�ll begin to go every two weeks.

I got very concerned late last week because of the �moodiness� and called the doctor. He called and spoke with Jim. This doctor disagreed with the doctor who did the cystoscopy and said Jim was being given one medicine that is usually reserved for after the prostate is removed and during chemotherapy. Both medicines deplete the body of hormones. Taking both at once is like making a woman go through menopause overnight. He had Jim stop one of the medicines and Jim was MUCH better within 24 hours, and back to his jovial self now. He really has enjoyed our granddaughters and the wedding. I know Nick has sure loved meeting his sisters for the first time in their lives.

It�s late and a lot is going on tonight so I won�t go on and on. Today is my mother�s 75th birthday and tomorrow is suppose to begin the murder trial for the man who killed my brother.

My cousin, Sherrie, is back in the hospital. She�s the young widow, mother of two, who had gastric by-pass not long before her husband died suddenly of a heart attack. She�s had six surgeries since then and is down to 80 plus pounds. It�s very sad.

God bless and have a lovely week.

Diane Tavegia

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" Luke 6:28

God instructs me to speak well of others ... even if they curse me.And, I am to pray for them. Lord, this is a hard commandment. In the flesh, I know I cannot obey. I admit my helplessness. I relate to the apostle Paul. "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good
is not" Romans 7:18

Oh Lord, bless those who have hurt me. Yes, bless them indeed. "Enable me never to repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this I was called so that I may inherit a blessing" 1 Peter 3:9

"We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

Check out my husband�s newly published book at the following link

The Dreamers, By James Tavegia
Published by Aim Higher Books

Post #: 644

Tired today.... - 7/9/2007 7:26:28 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

"Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. ... those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."
Psalm 34:3-10

I didn�t sleep well last night. There was a concern with several of our kids and I woke several times. I think Jon and Mary were able to get off on their honeymoon as planned and Erin is on the road to a job interview and to pick up her furniture and kids toys, etc. I worry about the long trip with the girls in the car for so many hours. They�ll be back within the week, tho. I�ll sure miss them! What precious children.

Hailee was a bit later than usual today, but I�d gotten up about 45 minutes earlier than usual in case Erin got up early to pack and leave. I napped this afternoon, while Hailee napped. I slept very hard. I know I�m still tired from the wedding plans and worrying about Jim.

So, Jim goes Thursday at 2:30 to have a larger area cut out from the spot that was early melanoma. They�ll also begin removing other moles to check for other �bad spots�. A good friend in church, a younger woman, told us on Sunday that she�s now had 15 � 20 spots removed that were all pre cancer and one was a later stage melanoma but still confined to the skin and tissue. Unless it spreads or has spread past the skin and tissue, it can be removed as each one appears. My friend goes every two weeks to have them removed and biopsied. She�s a mother of three ages 6 � 17 so I know she must be very concerned. Please pray for her healing and protection. (I had so many spelling errors in this sentence! Sorry!)

Meanwhile, Jim going off the one prostate medicine has given me back my jovial and �interested in everything� husband. It�s amazing what a change that made. What that DOES show us, is that if he has to have chemo and be put on that medicine at a later date, he may need an antidepressant at the same time, if they can do such a thing. It was very upsetting to me to see him lose interest in everything and seem so far away, detached.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children

Psalm 103:15-17

Jon and Mary got their wedding proofs late Sunday afternoon. They said the man had accidentally blown up one photo he�d not planned on enlarging and he gave it to them. It was a shot of Jon leaning his forehead against mine just before the wedding began. I can�t wait to see it.

Speaking of wedding photos, you could see in the one I posted that I didn�t lose the weight I wanted so terribly to lose. In fact, I gained a few pounds before the wedding. We eat so healthy and we�re getting exercise each day. I�m sure it�s stress, tho.

We�re going to finally have a bit of rain. Our temperatures have dropped to normal for this time of year and we�ll get a little rain each afternoon or evening. We�re in a serious drought, so that�s good news.

Jon and Mary were in Florida by mid afternoon. They�re going to Disney Land for their honeymoon. Mary had never been and they�re real fun loving types. One of her daughters is away at soft ball camp and the youngest is with her father. There was a problem with that earlier and it looked like they might have to put off the honeymoon. We offered to bring her here but her father showed up. They�ll be back sometime this weekend.

I also checked in with Erin and she was making good time. A guy she�d been manager over when she worked for Best Buy was in Atlanta with a group of people and he rode with her instead of flying back. It saved HIM money and gave her some gas money and someone to drive part of the way so she doesn�t have to stop to rest or get a hotel. He sure can yak, yak, yak, tho. Whew!

Jim and I will get the closet downstairs cleaned out in the next day or so and Nana gave us a portable clothes rack. We�re going to find a dresser for the girls folding clothes. The little one Nick doesn�t use would be fine for their undies. It�s a white chest with colored knobs and we had it in his closet because it�s too baby like for a teenager. Anyhow, we�re also going to insist Erin use the bed in the t.v. room. She�s not wanted to take over that room but she�s the last one up and then up early in the morning. Sleeping with the girls is hard on her. They wiggle and move all around half the night. The queen sized bed / sleeper, isn�t big enough for them and mom.

I know this is Monday, but it doesn�t �feel� like it. Last week messed me all up. It�s nice to have all the wedding details over and done, tho it was well worth it.

Tomorrow is our son�s birthday. I don�t think he has time to read my blog but Happy Birthday Scott Tavegia! He�s 36 on July 10th. He�s our oldest and lives outside D.C.

God bless and have a lovely week.

Diane Tavegia

I will not die, but live, and I will proclaim what the Lord has done. Psalms 118:17

And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well. Mark 6:54-56

Let the word of Christ 1 dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace 2 in your hearts to God. Col 3:16

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:13-18

"We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 7/10/2007 10:35:51 AM >

Post #: 645

What is an infidel? - 7/10/2007 8:04:41 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own (wife and children), and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (unbeliever).

We are fighting a battle with Satan himself and covet all prayers for protection and God�s favor on extended family members.

Matt. 18: 2 Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck. 7 "How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting.

Jim got his shots for college today and the blood test for his MMR titre. His childhood doctor had died many years before so we couldn�t prove that he has had the measles. We�ll get some more results on Thursday hopefully, if the VA forwarded the blood test results for Lupus and Hepatitis C. Actually, it was a full panel auto immune disease set of tests.

Someone got our bank account information and joined some $10.00 a month discount reservation membership. I happened to check our balance this afternoon and saw it pending. Jim rushed right down and waited 45 minutes to be told to wait and see if it goes away.

Jon and Mary are in Florida on vacation but are quite upset about our family concern. They offered to leave and go help out, but this is a battle we cannot fight. I was happy to see their weather had cleared up and they can enjoy themselves. They are so in love.

I got to talk with our oldest son and wish him happy birthday. They always vacation the weeks surrounding his birthday and were on the highway. He turned 36 today.

I got a call about doing daycare today but they want me to begin in late January. I can�t hold open a space until then. I need children NOW. I have no idea what we�ll do the next months, but the Lord knows all our concerns and HE will win this battle, you can be sure!

Well, Jim has some phone calls to make to some old friends with connections, so I need to get off the computer so he can do some searches.

Please keep our family and extended family in prayer, especially the little ones.

God bless and have a lovely week.

Diane Tavegia

Matthew 21:21-22 "And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, ]if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

Mountain be moved!

Post #: 646

Jim chose his major today - 7/11/2007 9:16:25 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you, My people�.. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!"
2 Chronicles 20:17

Jim has only a few weeks left on unemployment. He�s applied for every sort of job, including substitute teaching per diem. I can�t earn the $2,250.00 a month to cover our total bills. I have applied for 8 jobs at our local hospital, Home Depot, McDonald�s, the Movie theatre, Eckerd�s, CVS, etc. We have only one car.

Luke 12:16 Jesus gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. 18 So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. 19 And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?' 21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

My heart is so heavy.

We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name
Psalm 33:20-21

Jim will see the dermatologist on Thursday at 2:30 for removal of more tissue and skin in the melanoma area plus removal of some of his other suspicious moles. They�ll remove them every 2 weeks until they�ve removed them all. Please pray it has not spread to his lymph nodes or bones/ organs. With no insurance, we have no way to pay for fighting and prolonging life. Such a precious and loving man��. I can�t help but ask God �Why?�

Jim�s orientation for college is July 23rd. His major will be History and he�ll be pursuing a certificate in secondary education. He only lacks 40 hours and student teaching, but if there�s a shortage locally, he can do his student teaching as a real teacher with the real teacher pay.

A group at our church held a prayer time for our daughter and her family tonight. During that time, our daughter and son in law were talking and have worked out their differences and have agreed on some particulars concerning their divorce. It was a peaceable meeting. She�ll remain in Connecticut. Please pray the Lord provide jobs for both of them and help the children adjust during this time.

I realized I forgot to update on the murder trial for the man who killed my brother. It was continued, again, because the defense attorney had to have his eye removed. There�s no new date set at this writing. Again, waiting, waiting��..

I have a youth worker�s meeting tonight at 6:30 concerning some upcoming changes at church. It�s to be a short meeting. I can�t share what the news was until it�s voted on this Sunday night.

Please keep our family in prayer, especially Jim�s health and job situation. I am very, very sad about a loss I feel I�ve experienced that may never be repaired.

God bless and have a lovely week.
Diane Tavegia

Post #: 647

Not so good reports - 7/12/2007 6:01:17 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

The doctor�s appointment took a lot longer than we expected. The original call about Jim�s biopsy only gave us the report on the less dangerous spot. He actually had two out of three bad reports.

The one on his abdomen is �mild� (stage 1) melanoma, the doctor took a spot about 2 skin layers deep but about the size of a quarter or 50 cent piece. It was stitched closed pretty quickly. The blue nevi on his back grows deep and has a 40% chance of being full blown melanoma so they took a smaller but very, very deep biopsy. He has layers of stitches there. Some will dissolve and others be cut out. Jim has at least 20 they will need to remove and biopsy and they�ll do them two every two weeks. He has over 100 moles, but the 20 she saw are in plain view on his back and chest.

Doctor Paula Nelson is just so careful and seems to be very conscientious. She has a bedside manner that reassures you that she�ll do her best to keep this from ever being life threatening. I like that in a doctor. She�s in Douglasville, Ga. and many of our church members use her.

Jim�s not allowed to lift or do strenuous work for 2 weeks. I�ll have to either cut all the grass or see if Jon can do the sloping side. That�s more than I can handle. There�s no way I could afford to pay to have it done. It�s going to be hard to keep him from overdoing it. He�s such a manly man.

The autoimmune blood work for lupus type diseases and Hepatitis C were not yet back so the doctor�s office is going to call the VA and check on that and the medicine she�d ordered for another condition (candida yeast) that the VA doesn�t have in stock.

Meanwhile, Jim has a doctor�s appointment to remove the stitches on July 26th, his pulmonary doctor on Aug. 20th (day before he turns 60) and the urologist to check his prostate again on Sept. 24th.

I�ll let the readers pass this on to those who won�t get a call about the results.

"I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name." Exodus 15:1-3

Orientation for college is July 23rd. He�s already met with the department heads for secondary education and history (today). Now if he can only find a job and I can get some kids to keep.

A wonderful woman from church has given my fliers to several ladies who do daycare but don�t take infants. I got a call today about one and a call yesterday. Both have babies due quite a while from now and we need the income immediately so we can pay all our August bills.

I�ve been doing dirty laundry for 24 hours and almost have it all done and packed up. Our daughter won�t be coming back here to live and she left behind all their clothes, toys, plants, candles, pictures, shoes, etc. We�re boxing it up to send it to her. It�ll have to be collect. I can�t pay to ship all this heavy stuff and know the girls need their clothes! Uh Oh! I just remembered a closet filled with business clothing. Oh well. Go find another bag! Seems like I have an old suitcase we can use.

Jim had cleaned out the big closet under the stairs and we�d gotten a smaller dresser for the girls. I wanted that closet cleaned, but not under these circumstances. Be careful what you wish for! I�ll make the �dump run� so Jim won�t have to use his arms and lift things.

Hailee has given me a lot of joy the last few days. I really miss our family. Maybe this is why God gave me kids to keep, since I don�t get to see my own grandchildren.

I always wanted a big farm house with a wrap around porch and a giant kitchen for sitting and laughing around a table. I guess if I�d gotten the farm house, it would only serve as a daily reminder of how empty a house can be when you don�t have family nearby. I really envy those of you who get to see your grandchildren. Mine will never even get to know me. Thank the Good Lord for Nick!

We got a call about picking more produce this Friday. I�ll split it 50/50 with the farmers. That�s great news. I�m hoping Jim and Nick can go with me since I lost my little helpers, forever.

Somebody tell Eden she lucked out! She�ll never have to eat a fresh picked green bean again.

My email is messed up. I am getting some �freecycle� ads that are returned but say they came from me offering things I don�t even own! Hmmmmmmm�. Odd!

God bless and have a lovely week.
Diane Tavegia

Post #: 648

The ballet barre dream - 7/13/2007 7:51:33 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Take comfort and find joy in the knowledge that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, loves you.
Nehemiah 8:10

We were out picking beans early this morning. There weren�t a lot of green beans, but a good amount of squash. The family has all the squash they�ll want for this season so the rest of the year, I can take all I pick and can use. We�ll certainly not starve to death. I hope we get some corn later in the season! We LOVE corn, tomatoes and most all veggies. Anyhow, we left as soon as Jim and Nick ate breakfast and got home in time for lunch. It�s overcast and the bugs are bad but we didn�t get overheated.

Since I was dirty from picking vegetables, I bathed the dog when we got home. He�s sleeping on the sofa, so happy to be inside all day again. The tub already needed a good cleaning. It had gotten clogged and wouldn�t drain at all. Jim dug out handfuls of long hair and then used some drain cleaner. All better now!

My mother is coming for a visit. I�d hoped she�d get a chance to meet Mary, Jon�s new wife. He�s supposed to take them up to The Biltmore House for the weekend and mother will be here Sunday, leaving early Monday morning. Maybe we can sneak in a visit before she leaves. She�s stopping by here on her way to Birmingham to the dental college to see if they�ll do the work on her face and mouth. (Edited: She's coming Sunday because a black bear got under her house and tore out the new insulation to trap and kill a racoon! She's got a plumber and repairman coming Saturday)

If the rain holds off, Nick and I will have to try and cut the grass tonight. Jim�s in a good bit of pain in the area where they took the skin and tissue on his stomach. The deeper spot, on his back, isn�t as painful. He�s like me, and won�t take pain killers.

Boy is it quiet in our house! Jim has some classical music on in the living room.

We�ve had a formal living room since our grown kids were in their late teens. They could come in if they weren�t covered with mud, but we tried to keep it nice. We didn�t get nice furniture until just before Nick was born to Erin and Clint 12 � years ago. That means the first 25 years of our marriage our furniture was all hand me downs, yard sale furniture or even picked up and repaired from the side of the road. Our �good� furniture is now almost 13 years old and far from perfect, but I do have some nice collectibles that we keep from little hands and the dog.

Nick�s been out playing with friends since we got back from picking beans and squash. His friends have been away on vacation and he�s really missed having kids to play with. The boys leave again Sunday night through next Thursday with a vacation with the other side of the family. He really enjoyed meeting his sisters, ages almost 7 and 4, and playing with them. How sad it is that they�ll probably not see each other again for many years.

"And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes into the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21

"Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you." Isaiah 35:4

Emotionally, I�m worn out. Drained. I slept from 8:00 last night until the clock went off at 7:10 a.m. and I only got up then because I had to.

Edited to add: The new trial date for my brother's murder is within the time period of September 10-21, 2007.

We�ve had email problems on and off for two days. We also couldn�t get on the internet for a long time. Since AT&T took over Bellsouth, we�ve gone from FastAccess to NO access. Wish I had a choice! I hate AT&T!

Jim applied for more teaching jobs and at a factory. I applied, again, at Home Depot. I don�t know what we�ll do.

Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message? To whom will the LORD reveal his saving power? 2 My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. 3 He was despised and rejected a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows and diseases that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! 5 But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! 6 All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins that he was suffering their punishment? 9 He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

10 But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.

I have had to answer a few Christians lately as to why I use the more simple versions in my verses. I have over 90,000 hits! For those who wonder but haven�t written to ask, I have a good number of unsaved people who read my blog and I want them to be able to understand the Bible verses.

God bless and have a lovely week.

Diane Tavegia

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
2 Peter 1:6-8

This picture reminds me of Eden and how she wanted a ballet barre and mirrors on her wall in her 'new bedroom' in her own house. She'd even made up a club name for a secret club in her walk in closet.

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 7/14/2007 10:24:42 AM >

Post #: 649

Lost time and my kitchen window - 7/14/2007 7:23:14 PM

dianetavegia

Posts: 1610
Joined: 8/23/2005
From: Southern Baptist, Non Calvinist, Pro Life Ga. girl
Status: offline

�For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

What a lovely weekend! So far it�s overcast and low 70��s. I�m hoping the rain will hold off today so Nick and I can cut the grass. About time it dries, it rains each afternoon. It�s getting really long and really green. Whoops�. Big storms instead.

Wow, only 3 weeks until school begins again. I ordered Nick�s language arts and spelling workbooks today. That�s all we needed. Jim has to take Spanish 101 at college so he and Nick are going to use the one book. LOL! I got his workbooks with free shipping. Jim�s books are going to be another story. I�m going to ask on Freecycle before we buy them.

I need to get Nick�s last year books ready to list on Ebay. I�ve found if you wait until late August or early September, people pay more. I always buy in April and May when no one else is buying and get mine for dollars. I may get some computer games that are too young for Nick listed as well as some antique toys that generally bring a lot. Ever notice how people spend more on Ebay during the darker months? Boredom??

I edited yesterday�s blog to say my mother will be coming in on Sunday instead of today and staying through Monday morning. She�d seen a black bear three evenings. DNR was supposed to send someone from Game Management. So far, no show! The problem is that her vacation home is on Pink Mountain and backs up to the Cherokee National Forest on Mount Yonah. The bear might have been searching for water and food, following a raccoon to her cabin, which is on stilts. Anyhow, there�s a couple of guys there doing repairs now. If we were closer by, I�d have Jim put up some cattle fencing so even a raccoon couldn�t get under it. Birds, snakes and scorpions (non-deadly kind we have here in Georgia) but no bigger animals.

We had cleaned out a big closet so hauled a few things to the dump today and asked for moving boxes on Freecycle to box up some other things that we need to ship. After that, we went to the local consignment shop. I had some �credit� for things I�d sold and two bags of things Nick�s outgrown to turn in to sell. I got him two nice pair of jeans. One is regular blue and looks new and one pair is dark brown and a brand name. Erin had bought him a big bunch of shirts when she was here a few months ago so he�s all set for shirts. He�s wearing size 16 pants. They�re a little loose in the waist, but he won�t wear slims. He doesn�t like tight legs on pants. The 16�s are a perfect length. His birth father (last time we saw him 12 years ago) was 6�3� and had very thin legs. Jim really wants me to add that we had to pass the exotic pet store while going to the consignment shop and we, even tho we�re Baptists, resisted the urge to buy snakes. Rolling my eyes here!

We had cleaned out Nick�s closet last Sunday and Jim installed a second �rack� below the top one so he can hang shirts and pants. Someone had given us a bunch of coat hangers and then Jim had gone out and bought a bunch the same day. Now we have too many! I got offered a dresser and chest of drawers today. You had to take both. I would have gladly taken a short dresser for Nick�s room. It would have to fit on a wall between his closet and the opened door so can�t be a LONG one. The antique chest of drawers he has is pretty, but needs some work. The drawers stick and the knobs don�t stay tightened. Oh, I know it�s all just �elbow grease�, but the dresser doesn�t really match his room that well. It�ll do for now. It only holds underwear and socks anyhow.

Nick got a mosquito bite on his elbow while picking beans yesterday. It�s got a lump, but it�s been 24 hours and it�s still way smaller than previous years so that�s GREAT. He used to swell up with huge lumps right at 24 hours. He also got one near his wrist but it�s pretty small. He�ll probably come home with a lot more this afternoon. With it being overcast and the mosquitoes just getting active, they�re pretty aggressive!

Scooter has a runny nose. It�s �clear� so I think it�s allergies. They�re bothering all of us after this rain! Grass pollen most probably. It�s going to rain every day this week, too. Seems like spring got here a full season late! Scooter also had a choking incident anytime he�d bark. I had caught him chewing on a �Lite Bright� piece and hope he didn�t get something caught in his throat. He�s eating fine, tho. Maybe he scratched his throat chewing on a stick. That dog will eat anything!

I was asleep by 10:15 last night. I made myself stay awake for MONK. I love that show. I woke about 5:30, thinking it was time for Hailee. I have to get up 6 days early and just can�t train myself to sleep in on Saturday.

Jim and I have taken over as contact people for the youth Sunday School classes in case a teacher has to be out, and also will be in charge of the pancakes and breakfast, reordering food and drinks. We�re always the first teachers there each week anyhow. I have to get a key to the �triple wide� and get an idea of how many pancakes Jon usually cooks so we aren�t wasteful. We�ll get the lights and air turned on, music going and that type stuff. It�s not much more than we already do, I don�t think, so glad we can help.

Wednesday night youth programs begin again on August 15th. I�m trying to set up Wade Lowman in concert. www.wadelowman.com He�s really, really good. That�s also the night choir and AWANA begin for the little kids. Nick�s up in youth group now so I don�t have to be there until 6:00. I�m not sure if I�ll have the same age group for cell group. It depends on how many leaders sign up and how many kids come.

Not much on television on Saturday nights. Maybe we�ll put in a movie. It�s still storming here and we�re expecting pea sized hail and 45 MPH winds. I love a good storm! So peaceful��.

So, my mother will be here tomorrow sometime after church and we�ll spend the day together. Right now, she�s planning on staying in a hotel. She�s allergic to animals and I have a cat and dog. She�s already sick because of working under her vacation home and knocking something loose that was covered with molds and pollens. It went right into her face.

Have a lovely evening and please make plans to be in church tomorrow. If not for yourself, but for your families. Little eyes upon you�.

Diane Tavegia

The View From My Kitchen Window By Pamela Perry Blaine

All houses should have a kitchen window. At least, for me, there is a lot to see in the view from my kitchen window.

It happened many years ago, but it was a view that I can still see in my mind's eye. It was one of those significant moments that has always stayed in my memory.

It was a spring day, a Saturday, and I was washing the dishes when I happened to look out the kitchen window into the back yard. My husband, Mike, was out cultivating the garden with a tiller. Right behind him was our son, Jeremy, who was four years old at the time.

Mike was moving the tiller very slowly in order to do a good job of breaking up the soil for planting. My son was just inches behind my husband and each time that Mike took a step, Jeremy took a step. He would carefully put his own small foot in the huge imprint made from my husband's boot. Jeremy had to really stretch in order to imitate the larger stride of his father. Very slowly he extended each of his legs, one at a time, almost as far as his legs would go. The process was slow. He took a step with his right foot and then his left and then he would wait patiently for when it would be time to take the next step.

Sometimes Jeremy would lose his balance because he would become engrossed in a glittering rock or a wriggling insect along the way. The dog that kept barking for him to come away and join him in a frolic also distracted him.

Yet, even when Jeremy stumbled or fell, when he got up and fixed his eyes on his father, he was able to follow in his footsteps. Once again he followed ever so slowly and carefully, placing his right foot where his father's right foot had been and then placing his left foot where his father's left foot had been. As long as he concentrated on following his father, he stayed right on the same path and never fell. Although Jeremy didn't know it, his father had been watching over him all the time, even when he stumbled and fell.

That view from my kitchen window has remained in my mind until this day. In one way it is a literal picture of the need of a child for a father's good example.

It is also an illustration for all of us. We also need to follow our heavenly Father a step at a time and then wait for the next step like Jeremy did with his earthly father

How many times have I bounded ahead of my Father, only to find dry, hard ground that I couldn't manage because it hadn't been tilled yet. I ran into trouble because I didn't wait for the Father to go before me and prepare the way.

At other times, I became tired of waiting for the next step and began looking around at all the glittering rocks of the world that led me astray. There were times that I listened to the barking dogs around me too. They beckoned me away, making empty promises until one day I had almost lost sight of my Father. Yet, like Jeremy, all I needed was to turn around and fix my eyes on my Father who had also been watching over me all the time.

There can be a lot to see in the view from my kitchen window.

Pamela Perry Blaine, � December 2005

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."
Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

< Message edited by dianetavegia -- 7/14/2007 9:15:28 PM >

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