HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY JANE

Mary Jane and Mike

David and Lindsay Dianne, My namesake.


My precious nephew, Phillip, and I.



Lindsay looking at my painting.

Barry Thomas' incredible work.



This piece evicts strong emotion--sorry I don't know the artist's name. I will try to get that to give proper credit.



This is a photography entry--one of my favorites.

Today is my baby sister's birthday. Yesterday she and her husband, her daughter, Lindsay and boyfriend, David, her son, Phillip, Jeff, Kim, Kendall and Erin, Larry and I went out to celebrate.

Happy birthday, baby sis--Hope it is a good one. My, my, 57. You are getting old!

After lunch, we all went to the Fellowship Art Show. I am including a few pictures from it.

FELLOWSHIP ART SHOW

My canvas--The Prodigal Son--it sold!! My first "sell" ever. See the little tag that says purchased? My inspiration statement is unreadable in this picture but it says: "The original design for this canvas included phrases from the whole story representing the elation of the Father upon the return of his son. However, as the canvas progressed, the focus seemed to be the place in the story where the son is in utter despair wishing he could even be fed the food that was given to the pigs. The canvas story stops at this point--will the son choose reconciliation and feast of the soul or will he choose a distant land and famine? All of us at different points in our lives are left with choices and decisions, the greatest of which is: Have I been reconciled to the Father?

This picture was done by a high school student at Little Rock Christian.

Amy Hill-Imler, one of my favorite people. She owns the art studio where I paint from time to time. A really sweet gal!

A canvas by Sandra Newberg--she paints at the art studio where I go some Thursdays.

The picture Kailey took in Africa--click on it and get a better look--it is quite poignant.

Cynthia Schanik


Tonight Larry, Kim and I attended the awards ceremony and presentation of the art slides set to music at Fellowship Bible Church.
My canvas was chosen to be the "title slide" for the segment of Luke 15 dealing with the prodigal son. And there was a "purchased" tag on it so that was another blessing. That was the first thing I have ever sold so I don't know if that makes me a professional artist now or not. I will have to ask someone who is "in the know" more than I.
From my earlier posts, you have probably detected that I love the Word of God----SO to be able to declare His Word on canvas and share it with the general public where hundreds of people will view it, is my wildest dream come true. God says He will give us the desires of our hearts, I really didn't even know that was a desire of mine until it had come true. God not only gives us the desires of our hearts, he deciphers what those dreams are. What a magnificent God! My heart is full to overflowing with gratitude to Him for caring about my deepest and most heartfelt dreams. He fulfilled a dream and a desire far more meaningful than anything a bride doll could ever have meant to me. (refer to previous post) And He knew in the 1950's that He was going to do it. My, oh, my. I stand in awe once again.

BEHOLD YOUR BRIDEGROOM COMETH!

PREPARING TO MEET HER BRIDEGROOM

A couple of years ago, Larry and I took some of our granddaughters to Build-A-Bear. While they were custom dressing their dolls, memories from the past started flooding my mind. Memories of scant Christmases as far as presents, especially baby dolls, were concerned. For a few Christmases, bride dolls were the rage during the '50's. Since the only real dreams I ever had consisted of growing up, getting married and having children, I wanted a bride doll more than I have words to express.

Needless to say under our financial conditions, a bride doll was never "in my stars." All of my friends and relatives eventually got one and yes, I had a major pity party for some years over that. As I was sitting there at 60 years old in Build-A-Bear thinking all these thoughts and how blessed my grandchildren are and don't even realize it, my husband came over and asked me what was wrong. I think a few tears began to flow as I related as quickly and briefly as possible what I was thinking. He insisted that I build-a-bear. So the precious little bear above is my bride doll--some 50 years late.

What didn't come late for me though was my precious bridegroom, Jesus. As a little girl, I was introduced to Him and He has fulfilled every dream that I ever had and more.

When asked to teach a Bible study lesson some years ago, I decided to write a lesson on BEHOLD YOUR BRIDEGROOM COMETH! Remember when you fell in love for the first time. You couldn't spend enough time with that person, you couldn't talk to them enough--and when you weren't with them or talking to them, you were writing love letters.

Thinking of this and how much importance God put on the written word in the Bible, I asked the ladies to write a love letter to Jesus. If I remember correctly, we took some time to write these and then we all shared what we had written.

Exodus 34:27
27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."NIV
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. NIV
Proverbs 7:2-32 Keep my commands and you will live;guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers;write them on the tablet of your heart. NIV

I was also reminded of this scripture in Revelation:

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. NIV

Speaking of bridegrooms and love letters, isn't it interesting that we are promised a white stone and a new name--things you get when you become a bride.

Are there any desires or dreams that have gone unfulfilled in your life? I just want to encourage you today to let Jesus fulfill all of them--not only is He "in our stars," He is the great DAYSTAR.

Revelation 22:16
16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am

the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star ." NIV

THE VEIL HAS BEEN REMOVED--SHE SEES HIM CLEARLY!

THE CRAVING PLACE!

In David Wilkerson's book GOD'S PLAN (to protect His people) IN THE COMING DEPRESSION (c. 1998) he spoke of "his craving place."

The book had nothing about prohibiting reproduction so I am including a page from it.

Don't forget to click on this page to make it bigger and easier to read.

Some years ago, a craving such as David describes started growing in my heart. I set the alarm a little earlier so that I could have this time of communion with the Lord every day. My craving time for many years when I lived in Oklahoma was the right end of my living room sofa. Where I live now, it is the left end of my living room sofa.

My time consists of this:

I read (meditatively and prayerfully) 5 chapters from Psalms most days.

On the first day of the month I read Psalm 1, Psalm 31, 61, 91, and 121. On the 2nd day of the month I read Ps. 2, 32, 62, 92, and 122. I add 30 to the number each time. By the end of the month I have read all the way through the book of Psalms.

I also read 1 chapter from Proverbs--the day of the month coordinates with the chapter I read.

Many times I read something from Isaiah because of its many promises to me.

I like to read something in red--Jesus' words--and I like to read something from the epistles.

I pray for my children, grandchildren and extended family and for prayer requests from friends and things God lays on my heart. Sometimes I sit and just enjoy the presence of the Lord. I always pray for protection for my family but my main prayer for all of us is that we would be drawn closer to Jesus each day. However, the Lord chooses to answer this, I trust Him. And there have been some hard knocks along the way. Some we have brought on ourselves, some, I am sure, the Lord allowed to help us look to Him for sustenance, growth, and strength.

This has become my lifeline. Whenever I lose my craving to do this, I know for me that something is wrong and I start asking God to put the craving back in me.

If I don't crave for God as the "deer pants for water" then I am concerned that my priorities are out of whack. This is for me, my own personal experience--I am not judging anyone who doesn't do this. I just want to take the opportunity to encourage you in this quest, if this is something your heart desires.

UPDATE: Just a few days ago, I started reading the Bible through. I have never read the Bible through before. I am on Genesis 10 and am doing a 3-year plan. Also, I read where it is a good idea to read each epistle through about 20 times before proceeding to the next so I am on my second reading of Philippians.

I know that it is our hearts that God wants and if I spend all of this time in God's Word and He doesn't have my heart, then it is all in vain. So my prayer is that I would let God speak to me daily through His Word and the fruit of His Spirit would be evident in my life.

Happy Birthday Michael!

I arrive at the hospital and am assigned to a room before they put me under to start inducing labor. Wonder if I could have ratted that hair any higher!

Marianne, Gay, and Frank, Marianne's husband.

Marianne, Larry and Johnny are getting anxious and start peeking through the door.

Marianne, Gay, Johnny, my precious mom, Joy, Larry and my dad.

Larry and Michael Dale.

Mom and Michael.

Jeff kisses Michael for the first time.



He was such a precious little guy.

Oh, those magnificent 70's!

Jeff and Michael

Michael with new baby brother, Christopher.

Michael and Chris playing football in our backyard in Tulsa, 5609 S. Irvington Avenue.

The brothers at our home in North Little Rock--5413 North Locust.

This is one of Michael's official Arkansas Razorback basketball pictures. He was recruited by Nolan Richardson in 1988. He transferred to Southwest Baptist University in Missouri in 1990.





Michael and Traci's wedding, Nov. 22, 1992.




Traci and Michael




Michael and Mom

Traci and Michael leaving the hotel in a horse-drawn carriage. This night was incredibly cold for November--there was some light sleet that night. Traci had to cover up with a huge blanket. Kailey was 2 years old and had been standing outside petting the horse. She cried when they left because she thought she was going to get to go with them. Talk about bittersweet!

Michael as a new daddy with daughter, Katelyn.

Michael and family--2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENNEDY!

A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES!

Kennedy working hard to get the little bubble machine to work.

She finally gets it to work!





Kids are so natural and uninhibited--oh the joy of watching them react to something that thrills them.




She decides to try the old-fashioned breath vs. battery option.


Wonder why bubbles hold such fasciation?





I love this shot--my "budding photographer granddaughter, Kailey, took this shot, as well as a few others.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of Kennedy!

Kennedy on the far right, Caroline in the middle and Katelyn.

Kennedy on Aunt Mem's dock.

Kennedy at Aunt Mem's house--2006

2006

Kennedy-2006

Kennedy showing her sister something she found in the water--this was taken at Lake Balboa.

Kennedy, you have always been such a joy. I love your enthusiam for life. Boompa and I love you so very, very much and hope this day is half as special as you are.