"It's A Wonderful Life"

Every Christmas, I watch "It's A Wonderful Life." To some people it's a depressing black and white movie.

To me it's a movie that shows hope. I have a tendency to see things differently than most people. But to me, it shows that no matter how desperate things may seem sometimes, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!

It also shows me that the most treasured things in this world aren't material, but family and friends.

 

I probably have almost every line in the movie memorized. Some of my favorite lines are from Clarence Odbody, the angel trying to earn his wings.

 

 

 

He gave George Baily a chance to see what life would have been like if George had never been born.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of Clarence's quotes:

 

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

 

[In book inscription he left for George Baily] Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.

 

You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life.

 

I think of all the friends I have made in my life. In the ministry we moved around several times. The hardest part was leaving family and friends. But then we would make new friends (long life friends) that I'm thankful everyday that our paths have crossed. Friends and family who are always there with encouragement and love when you need it the most.

You see, I really have had a Wonderful Life!!!

A Need To Shake Up My Life

This morning I realized I am becoming a creature of habit. I think that's a sign that I'm getting older. I remember my husband's mom. She was in her 80's and she had to do everything the same way.

She counted out how much fruit we gave her. She had to have 4 grapes and 3 strawberries. She ate 1/2 of a sandwich. Her proportions on her plate had to be just the right amount. You didn't dare buy her a different brand than she used. Her things had to be turned the exact way she wanted them. If you dusted for her, you had to put everything exactly in the place that it was. And every morning she watched The Price Is Right. When it was on, you did not call or bother her. Any change just really threw her off.

 

I realized that every morning I wake up, drink 3 cups of Folger's 100% Columbian coffee - black with a little half & half (NO LOW FAT). I watch Good Morning America. When I'm finished drinking my 3 cups of coffee, I eat one piece of toast with butter and Simply Fruit seedless blackberry jelly.

Now that's a creature of habit. I need to shake things up. How do I do that?

 

I know - instead of blackberry jelly, I'll try some red raspberry. At least until the jar runs out and then I'll go back to my good old blackberry.

 

We can't help it. I think we all are creatures of habit in one way or another. We have to have certain things certain ways and if they are not the way we are use to, it bothers us.

 

One thing we can depend upon never to change or cause us a shake up in life and that is Jesus.

 

 

Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever

 

December Memories

Here it is. The last month of 2014.

To me, December is always the month of memories. Past memories, present memories, and future memories.

 

Our hearts in December always reminisce about the past. Our minds wander back to when we were young and innocent of heart. So excited thinking of Santa Claus' visit with his pack full of presents. We remember presents we have received, traditions we shared with family, and the wonderful celebrations of Christmas pasts.

 

And now in this present December we are making new memories, sometimes with new friends and new family members. Sometimes we are sad thinking of friends and family that are no longer here to celebrate Christmas with us. We all pray that it will be a good Christmas full of blessings, peace, and hope.

 

And we can't help but think of future Decembers. What God will bring into our lives in Christmases to come. I know next Christmas I'll have a  new grandson who will celebrate his first Christmas.

 

We don't know what God has planned for our lives, but I know He is in control.

 

The best memory we share is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

 

Luke 2:8-14

 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

 

 

Jesus Loves the Little Children

 

Sunday night at church was a very special night. My son, Neal, baptized his little girl, Hayden.

 

 

 

So thankful, Hayden accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized.

 

R.A. Torrey said, "It is almost the easiest thing in the world to lead a child from 5 to 10 years of age to a definite acceptance of Christ."

 

I think a child has such an innocent and pure heart, it is easy for them to accept and believe in Jesus as their Savior.

 

Every day my husband and I prayed four things, that are children and grand children would be saved at an early age, they would graduate right, marry right, and love their God all the days of their lives.

I still pray that every day. I always think - "What if I'm the only person praying for my family today."

Life is not always easy and you don't know what the day is going to bring. Praying for your family is the most important thing you can do. 

Grandmother In Charge

It has  been one of those exciting crazy weeks in the Rice Family.

 

It was Wednesday night around 9:30 and I got a call from my son, Neal. "Mom could you come over. I need to take Amy to the hospital." Amy and Neal are having a little boy at the end of January. This has not been an easy pregnancy for Amy. I told her it's because it's a little Rice boy.

Like any good grandma I hurried over, assured them the three girls would be fine and do not worry.

I forgot what a major job it is getting kids ready for school in the mornings. Face it - no one wants to get woke up out of a warm cozy bed and told to get ready for school. No one goes easily into that day of teachers and school lessons.

The first morning we were late. At school when they asked the reason, I told them to write down "Grandmother In Charge."

They kept Amy Thursday night in the hospital also. So Thursday night I called in reinforcements - their other Grandma. It took two grandmothers to give 3 little girls their baths, help with homework and get them ready for bed that night.

First day down.

Friday morning. I was determined they would not be late for school. They woke up without any problem. Well Friday is chapel day at the school and they have to wear skirts or jumpers.

 

I always said boys were easier to take care of than girls. Boys wear jeans and t-shirts. They have two pairs of shoes - tennis shoes and one pair of dress shoes, and of course every little boy needs a pair of cowboy boots. Most of the time you don't have to do anything to their hair except make sure it's clean. And feeding them breakfast was easy - a package of chocolate donuts and they are happy.  Guess what the Kyla, Hayden, and Brylee had for breakfast Friday morning - CHOCOLATE DONUTS.

 

Well with girls everything has to coordinate. These girls have shoes and hairbows that match each outfit. And hair - I raised boys. I don't know how to fix little girl's hair. But we made it and they were not late!

 

I have to admit, they were not American Girl Doll Picture Perfect and when Neal saw them after school, he said, "Was this Wacky Tacky Day?"

 

But we survived. Amy is home now and everything is fine with the baby. But please pray for Neal and Amy. They think Amy might have had an appendicitis attack, but because of the baby they can't do a lot of the tests. But it eased up and she's doing better. They are also in the process of moving which doesn't make things easy.

 

I tell them they are making memories. This will be a time in their life that they will never forget. One day they will look back and be able to laugh about it and remember the time they left "Grandmother In Charge."

Lest We Forget!!

I am so thankful for my freedom and that I'm a citizen of the greatest nation on earth - "The United States of America."  I know my freedom is not free. It was paid for by the sacrifice of brave men and women.

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

Oh No! I'm Turning Into My Aunt Pearl

For some reason, when I woke up this morning, I was in a baking mood. This does not happen too often. Especially since I'm trying to lose a few pounds before the holidays. I can easily put on 5 - 10 pounds over Thanksgiving and Christmas just by smelling the food.

I needed a few things from Food Lion, so I got dressed real quick and drove to the store. I sure was hoping I didn't see anybody I knew. It would always happen. When you look your worst, that's when you are going to see everybody you know.

So I got out of the car and as I was getting out of the car, I noticed I had on two different blue striped socks with orange jeans. I thought please don't let anybody I know see me. Thankfully I didn't see anybody.

The reason I said I was turning into my Great Aunt Pearl (as they say in the south - "Bless Her Heart"), she had problems with coordinating her wardrobe. When she got older she never wore socks that matched and her clothes for sure never matched. She was even known for wearing two different pairs of shoes.

 

She looks good in the picture below. Someone must have helped her dress. She passed away in 1956 at the age of 67.



My Great Uncle Lee, Great Aunt Pearl, and my Grandpa (Poppy)
in July 1952

 





It's funny how you worry about inheriting some of your ancestor's traits. My Grandpa (Poppy) and his brothers were musicians. They could play any kind of music instrument. I can't play a tune on anything. They were riverboat gamblers and made money playing music on the riverboats that went up and down the Ohio. They did teach me how to play poker and do card tricks when I was young. I'm not sure how great of a legacy that is.

Great memories of a great past. And wonderful memories of the people in your family who help to mold and shape your life.