Planting Seeds

I know it's not spring but we have certainly been having spring-like weather here in Tulsa.  It was in the 70's just a coupe of days ago!  Now I don't garden really but when we bought our new house last year it had some gorgeous flower beds!  I will be trying my hand at keeping them up.

I'm talking about gardening because of church.

You might wonder - 'What does one have to do with the other?"

Well, at our church we have cards to carry and hand out to people inviting them to our church. The back side is blank so that we can put information on it - start time - our name - that sort of thing.  Our pastor mentioned that he had passed one out to someone. He saw this person on several occassions after and the guy always said, 'I'm going to come visit your church."  Well just a few weeks ago when he saw the same gentleman the guy said. "I lost that card do you happen to have another one?"

So a seed had been planted in the guys head. He hasn't acted on it but it is germinating there as he has asked for another card since he misplaced the first one.  That reminded me of a poem I wrote some time ago.

PLANT A SEED

Plant a seed as you go

Although you may not see it grow.

Plant a seed wherever you are,

The outcome is seen near and far.

Plant a seed every day,

Fertilize it as you pray.

Plant a seed, do your deed,

Help to choke out every weed.

Plant a seed, spread God’s word,

You never know who might have heard.

Plant a seed, tell it with care,

Let others see as you share.

Plant a seed, there’s needs to fill,

We can’t be caught standing still.

Plant a seed; it is God’s plan,

And spread His word throughout the land.

Written by:  Kathie Marrs

                     July 25, 2010

Just a reminder that you may not see the outcome of your efforts. You may share the message 100 times (or more) with someone. It may take the 101 time from someone else for it to click.  

So tell me, do you plant seeds?  

Age is Relevant

My brother turned 66 a few days ago.

I thought to myself - 'Man he's really getting old - almost 70!"

Then I thought to myself -- "Man - I'm going to be 60 this year. I'm getting old!"

Funny thing is - I don't really feel old. There are times my body tells me that yes you are getting older. But in my head - nope - I'm not that old.

Now I have always said that anyone who lived to be in their sixties was old.  Any one who was past their mid-sixties was REALLY old.  My brother is getting to the REALLY old part.  But I don't think of either of us as old.

Then I think - "Wow - I have aunts and uncles still alive!  They must be ancient!"  No offense meant to them because they don't look as old as they must be considering how REALLY OLD my brother is.

I know I said I don't feel that old but I can say that my kids act like I am REALLY OLD.

     "Do you need help getting down the stairs?"
      'Don't try to lift that - it's to heavy for you."
     "You have no business thinking of riding a Seque!"
     "Want me to order for you? I know how confused you can get?"
     "You have no business driving that far by yourself."

Now I know they mean well and yes, I do sometimes have trouble with stairs. And in regards to the ordering - that was because there was a new restaurant with the menu on the wall and it was humongous. Those things do confuse me.  Heck - a menu that has more than two pages to choose from can confuse me.  I don't need that much to choose from.

Then I think about friends of mine whose parents are still alive!  I'm like WOW!  I can't fathom it!  Te me that's mind-blowing!  (Keep in mind my mother died at the age of 48 and my dad at the age of 51.)

Then I got to thinking about looks. Some people really look old!  And they may not be.  Now I happen to think that my family has some pretty good genes because my girls and I don't look that old.

This picture was taken 3 years ago. So I would have been 56 - making the girls 36-34-32 (yes contrary to what one or more of them may tell you they are in the thirties).  I think those girls look pretty darn good!



So tell me - what do you think of as old or REALLY OLD?

Winter Weather

We live in Oklahoma.  Our weather is bi-polar.

Yep - 70 degrees one day then we will have a 40 degree drop. We may have snow - we may have ice - we may have wind - we may have rain - we may have fog.  Take your pick - they all happen here and you never know when . We may  have all of them in the space of 24-48 hours

Now why am I telling you this?

Because all week long our weather forecasters have been advising of the approaching winter storm.

Yep - we already have this in effect.  I got notification yesterday when it was 70 degrees outside.

Last week we had great weather - then on Friday a front came through we had MAYBE 1/4 inch of snow.  The school closed (yes it was very cold and I understand that this may be why they closed the schools but let's get real here.  The temperature wasn't that cold and I know that there are resources available for students to get coats if the parents want to avail themselves of the resources. I also know of students who have the proper clothing but choose not to wear it).

So school closed last week - it was cold Friday and Saturday then we warmed up.  BUT -- even before the warm up came on Monday our forecasters were telling us to brace ourselves for the next round of cold weather.

I know the storm is bad and there are areas that will receive severe snow and ice from this but I do not understand the hype that we are receiving here. It started Sunday - advising of the upcoming storm - ice - freezing rain.  Now keep in mind - they also advised that it was to early to do an accurate determination of the location this would take - it might go north of us - it might go south - it was to early to tell.

So Monday - I start receiving calls wanting to know how will they be notified when we don't have class on Friday.  Really?  Who told you we wouldn't?

This has continued all week.  The forecasters are still saying it's hard to determine the exact line of the storm and what we will get.  We are in an area that seems to be a dividing line for all storms whether winter, tornado, etc. It goes north or south of us - sometimes right in the middle.

Now I know that in 2007 we were hit hard with an unexpected ice storm and there were people without electricity for 10 days or longer. I know that they want people to be prepared but I'm wondering  - are they over-preparing us?  Now I kinda secretly hope we do have some bad weather and that classes are cancelled - I'd love a snow day.  But at the same time - I am not preparing for it before it happens in my head.

Yes, it's smart to be certain you have food and water and necessary supplies but don't you usually have those on hand anyway?  Do you go to the grocery store before every meal or even every day. Is it necessary to compare a storm that isn't here yet to one from 9 years ago?  We don't know what this one will bring to us.

I also know that it keeps my brothers who live in Michigan and Pennsylvania amused.  We closed for temps at 16 and less than 1/4 inch of snow. In Michigan it was minus 2 and some lake effect snow -everything was normal. Pennsylvania had 2 feet of snow - it had been snowing for 2 straight days but all was normal.

So how about you?  Do you think the forecasters over-prepare us?