Two Things Cannot Be in One Place

“One of the new things people began to find out in the last century was that thoughts—just mere thoughts—are as powerful as electric batteries—as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison. To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body. If you let it stay there after it has got in you may never get over it as long as you live... surprising things can happen to any one who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable determinedly courageous one. Two things cannot be in one place.""Where you tend a rose, my lad, A thistle cannot grow.”

―  Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

I love the story of "The Secret Garden."

One of my favorite passages is where they talk about replacing the bad thoughts that enter into your mind with good thoughts.

It is so easy to let our minds be over taken with sad and bad thoughts. Every day we wake up to violence and injustice happening in our world. We face the death of loved ones, health problems, or our hearts are broken over something we have no control over. I know it isn't always easy to replace those thoughts with good and happy thoughts. But if we don't, pretty soon we lose our happiness and purpose in life.

Sometimes ordinary little things can replace my sad thoughts. Maybe the music and words of a song, the smiles and laughter of my grand kids, the innocence of a new born baby, the touch of the wind on my face, the beauty of a flower, a hug, the smell of the rain on a warm summer day, a ripe tomato from the garden, the reddest juiciest watermelon in the world, the changing of the seasons, knowing I have an eternal home in heaven, and a God who is always in control.

The Bible verses that help me to find peace are  Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Whenever a thought enters your mind that shouldn't be there, think on honest, just, pure, lovely things and the God of peace shall be with you. Think on the things that give you happiness and peace.

 

Rejoicing in Heaven

Sunday, August 31, we laid to rest Jerry's brother, Robert L. Rice. 

While we are mourning the loss of Jerry's brother, Bob, I think of all the rejoicing that was going on in heaven that day. Bob had passed from death unto life.

At the funeral we had the joy of seeing family and old friends we hadn't seen in a while. It seems like it takes a sad occasions like a funeral to get family together.

Please continue praying for Bob's wife, Julie, and for the rest of the family. Pray for comfort and peace.

3 of my sons - Aaron, Neal, and Scott

 

 

 

On the way home to North Carolina, we saw the most beautiful rainbow. It reminded me that you can't have a rainbow of promise without a little rain.

We Live - Because of Calvary

My phone rang early this morning with the news that Bob Rice had went home to be with the Lord. It seemed like it wasn't real. I had saw him and his wife, Julie, this summer.  Everything was fine. And then I received a call at the end of July that Bob had lung cancer. It moved so fast.

I keep telling myself - "God knew all about it. He is in control. HE IS ALREADY IN OUR TOMORROW.

 

I thought about the reunion going on in heaven. He's seeing his mom and dad, his brother, Gary, and his brother, Jerry. They'll be no strife, no pain, no sickness, just a glad reunion time. I'm so thankful for that blessed hope.

 

Please be praying for Julie and the rest of the family as preparations are made.

 

On a happier note -. My son, Neal, and his wife, Amy, are expecting a little boy in January.  I'm so excited. My favorite thing in the world is being a Grandma.

 

A Baby is God's Way of Saying That the World Should Go On.

 

In this life, rain falls along with the sunshine. But what a wonderful Saviour we have. Always there leading the way. 

God Is Good - All The Time

God is Good - All the Time.  No matter the situation or circumstances or trials that we are going through - God is good. 

 

I write this blog with a heavy heart. Before I came home from my summer adventure, I learned that my brother-in-law, Bob Rice, had lung cancer. He was the brother that was Jerry's donor for the bone marrow transplant. I'm so thankful for his willingness and love for Jerry that he didn't even hesitate to be the donor. Bob gave me a few more months with my husband which I probably wouldn't have had.

 

Bob's lung cancer is very aggressive. Today we learned that it had gone into his pancreas and lymph nodes. We are still hanging on to hope. Hope and faith gets you through the dark days.

 

Bob is like my brother.  We all grew up together. My brother and Bob always hung out together and were in the same class. We were just a bunch of kids growing up in Newburgh, Indiana living on a little road called Clover Drive, out in the middle of nowhere.

 

We all had futures we were looking forward to, all of us wanting a better life than what our parents had. The best thing I can tell you is there was a time that Bob and his wife, Julie, accepted Jesus as their saviour.

 

Please pray for Bob and his wife, Julie. Pray for comfort and strength. My heart is breaking for them. Like Jerry and I, Bob and Julie had planned on retiring and growing old together.

Christmas of 2012
Back - left to right - Norman, Steve, Bob
Front - left to right - Janine, Gary, Pat, Julie, and Jennifer in front.


GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME

More Summer Memories

San Antonio with Mark, Alexis, and Gavin

Sunrise at San Padre Island

Sunrise at San Padre Island, Texas

A doe and her two fawn in Ohio

Two Fawn in Ohio

My grandson, Greg. Taking a ride on the 4 wheeler

Cincinnati Zoo

Evan, Elena, and Emma at the Cincinnati Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My son, Aaron and his wife Jackie with Emma, Ethan, Elena and Evan along with the furry friends of the family - Lucy, Jubal, Peanut, and Hondo.

Rosemary Clooney's Home in Augusta KY

The Costumes Rosemary Clooney wore in the Movie - White Christmas

 

 

 

George Clooney's Costumes from movies that he had made.



Sunset in Cincinnati

Lion King in Animal Kingdom

Neal and Scott

Mt. Everest Ride in Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom 

 

After The Storm

Birds sing after a storm;

why shouldn't people feel as free to delight

in whatever sunlight remains to them?

Rose Kennedy 

 

 

I'm in Cincinnati at this time. During the night I awoke with the sound of thunder and the lightening brightening the sky.  I loved the sound of the rain.

 

This morning when I finally woke up, I heard birds singing outside. Their songs were so beautiful. The storm had stopped. I heard their morning songs as they flew around. The earth was fresh and green.  I heard a dove in the distance cooing and a woodpecker hitting its beak against a tree beating out its morning melody. They had survived the storm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think of all the storms a person goes through in their lives. But isn't it wonderful after the storm has passed. The birds sing and praise God and thank Him for the morning. We need to sing and praise God for the morning. We need to praise Him for all the storms of life He brings us through. Praise Him for His love.

 

 



 

Making Summer Memories

It feels like summer is going fast. I've been making a lot of good memories this summer.
I was able to spend some time with my Dad. I always feel good after I see him and make sure he is doing okay. He's settled into the Nursing Home. Please keep praying for him.
I also saw other family and friends while in Indiana.



My Dad, John Knight

Alexis, Gavin, (2 of my grandkids) and I flew out to Texas to see my youngest son, Mark. While we were there, he received a good report from his doctor. His body scan and blood tests showed no sign of the cancer. He doesn't have to return to the doctor for three months. I am thanking the Lord for answered prayer. I am a very happy Momma.

 

Waiting at the Airport

 

 

San Antonio Zoo

Mark and Gavin

 



Mark and his wife, Maria with Gavin, Alexis, and Leslie

After getting back to Evansville, Indiana and spending a couple of days, I packed up and headed to Ohio to see my two sons there - Scott and Aaron and their families.

Scott and Lisa

 

Aaron, Evan, Emma, Jackie, and Elena
at the Cincinnati Zoo



My trip will soon come to an end and I'll be making my way back to North Carolina.
My favorite vacations are the ones I spend with my family.

I awoke this morning remembering that two years ago my husband, Jerry, went to be with the Lord. Sometimes it's still hard thinking about it.  I know my sons still have a hard time with it also. I know that one day I will get to see him again in Heaven. 

I'm still not for sure what the Lord has planned for my life. So for right now I get up every morning and do all the things I know I have to do and know the Lord is in control.

The hardest part is I really miss having someone to grow old with. 

So thankful for friends and a great family who love me.