60th Birthday in Colorado

My adventure started with a call from Justine asking what would I like to do for my 60th birthday.  I said daddy already took me to see Brit Floyd in Columbus.  She said she wanted to do something special with me.  So that wonderful, generous, loving girl bought me a ticket to visit her in Colorado.  Bill drove me to the airport.  I checked in with plenty of time to spare so I took a walk around.  There was Bar Symon, Michael Symon's restaurant right there in front of me!  Well of course I went in.  I ordered the Poutine which was delicious.  Not a bad way to wait for my flight.  

Frontier Airlines is a "barebones airline" like Spirit.  You pay extra for everything.  That's OK, I had downloaded a movie to watch and had a bottle of water to drink.  I was good to go.

Justine picked me up at the airport.  It was so nice to see her smiling face.  We went to her little home, talked for a couple of hours, woke up Meatball and Anthony then went to sleep, anticipating a great day for adventure tomorrow.

Anthony had to work so it was just us girls.  We had breakfast at the Butcher Block Cafe, "just down the street."  It was actually down a few streets, through a couple of lights and around the corner!

After a delicious omelet and hash browns I was ready to be on our way.  We drove for about 1 1/2 hours to get to the parking lot for St. Mary's Glacier.  It was definitely worth the drive.  The views were fantastic.  The hike was a bit arduous.  I had to stop for "breath brakes" since I wasn't used to the altitude.  Once we made it up the rocks, there was St. Mary's Lake.  (We don't know if that was it's true name but it sounded good to us.)  The water was so clear and cold.  We walk farther up the trail to view the glacier.  There wasn't too much of it there but it was still amazing to see snow and ice in September. 

After our hike we were hungry so we stopped in the cute town of Golden, yes that is where the Coors Brewery is. We did a little souvenir shopping then found Bob's Atomic Burgers.  These burgers were as big as a small plate.  I think Guy Fieri on "Diners, Drivins, and Dives" visited there.  We didn't want to eat too much because we knew Anthony was cooking an Italian Feast for us that evening so we split a burger and order of fries.  Oh my my it was delicious!

After a stop at the biggest liquor store I have ever seen in my life, we went home.  We girls cleaned up while Anthony was busy in the kitchen.  First the appetizer of heirloom tomatoes in olive oil with fresh mozzarella and basil with crusty bread.  Then onto the gnocchi, Cesar salad, and Chicken Parmesan.  All washed done with a refreshing whiskey drink.  It was delectable.  

We made plans to meet with Amy and Charlie at The Denver Bazaar.  It is a flea market held at night.  We tried some cider the went to Finn's Manor for a Blueberry Punch,  I didn't taste any blueberries!  I learned all about Ubers while I was there.  Just use the app on your phone and they pick you up and take you where you want to go.   So convenient, especially when you have had too much to drink!

On to the next day...Anthony went "down the street" to get us ham and cheeses croissants for breakfast.  Teen drove the Jeep while Anthony took a long nap as we drove 2 hours up to Steamboat Springs.  We listened to music, looked for yellow aspen trees, and enjoyed the drive. Our first stop was Fish Creek Falls.  We took the upper hike and then decided to take the lower hike as well.  It was worth it to see the beautiful views from the top and bottom of the falls.

After a look around the Farmer's Market in Steamboat Springs and a mostly healthy lunch we drove a little further to Strawberry Park Hot Springs.  I was a little concerned since I had never been to a hot spring and didn't know what to expect.  But once again, Teen delivered on another memorable experience.  Yes, the water was hot!  But they also must have added cool water to the other poos to make them perfect and relaxing.  It was definitely worth the drive to get there.

My last evening with the kids, we wanted to go somewhere special..  Teen suggested Linger.  It was a Tapas restaurant specializing in food from around the world. The food comes in servings of 3 so we could share what we ordered.  I tried pork belly, korean bar b que, lettuce wraps, and wagu beef .  It was one of the best meals I ever ate in my life.  Seriously! 

We stood in line for ice cream at Little Man Ice Cream which we had visited before and loved.  Then took an uber back home.  We had a drink and talked for a while before going to bed.  What a great day!

My last day ended with Church at Flatirons.  I sure wish they had a church in western PA.  The music was amazing and the message left me feeling uplifted and confidant that God is with us through anything and every thing.  Thanks Jim.

Flatirons Community Church - Imagine Dragons, Khalid - Thunder / Young D...

We shared an order of nachos at the airport and said goodbye knowing that we would see each other again in 10 days.

Thank you Justine for a wonderful mini vacation and birthday present.  You know me so well!

Father God,

I asked this day that Justine and Anthony will feel Your presence and know that they are never alone.  You are with them every moment of their days.  Protect them as the travel home and then to CA.  Lead Anthony to a new job with good co workers and help Justine to find time to study and get her Master's degree so she will continue to make this world a better place.  I thank You for all the blessings You have given to them and I ask that You guide them to heaven where we will all live with You for all of eternity.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Moving Forward

Cheesecake Anyone Tea Party

I have been starting to feel like the time is right to launch Cheesecake Anyone Tea Party.  This would be a portable business where I would prepare cheesecakes, scones, soups and sandwiches and take them to events.  I would grow by planning Tea Parties and taking them into peoples homes, businesses or event spaces.  

I ordered tea cups, serving dishes, napkins, etc...for the fall season of craft and vendor shows.  In my mind I was planning ahead, going to Ligonier Country Market, Mt. Pleasant Fireman's Vendor Show, and even buying an old Victorian house on Church Street.  

Guess what?  My hands are swollen and painful with eczema right now.  

The first time I tried to start up this business I found out I had eczema.  I had to put my dream on hold because who wants to buy a cheesecake from someone with eczema all over their hands.  I realized the God's plan for me didn't include Cheesecake Anyone? 

Psalm 84:12

LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Next, my brother needed help and I thought I could raise some money for him by baking cheesecakes.  I made some and sold them but again my hands broke out with eczema.  I attended a church service at the New Life Church in Washington.  The speaker was Will Hart.  I asked for my hands to be healed.  God told me that night, "You know how to heal your hands." After that I sold my cheesecake pans and concentrated on eating right and staying gluten free.

Fast forward to today.  Why does this dream of a cheesecake business keep surfacing?  Why does every one around keep asking me if I still make cheesecakes?  Why do I see all these great deals on supplies I would need for my business?  Is it satan trying to tempt me?

1 Peter 1:14
As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.


I don't want to go against God's purpose for me.  I want to do His will.  I want to follow where He leads me.  But really do like to make cheesecakes and would love to own a business. Not only for myself but for my family as well. 
So, I will pray and wait.  I will make cheesecakes for friends who ask, but I will not move forward without God's permission.  To do so would be foolish.
             www.biblehub.com

Proverbs 20:24

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.

How then can anyone understand their own way?

Father in Heaven.

I give this to You.  Thy will be done!

Amen.

Julianne

This beautiful girl is downstairs packing to go back to college tomorrow.  This summer went by so fast I feel like I didn't get any quality time with her.  She took some online classes this summer to try to improve her GPA.  She worked alot at the YMCA not only in Day Camp but also Child Watch.  And she drove up to Warren to see her boyfriends a couple of times.  We did manage to have a quick visit to Colorado to visit Teen and a wonderful time at Grandma's Birthday Tea Party.
Time goes by so fast.  I hope she realizes just how much she is loved and how much I will miss her.  Yesterday she was a little girl promising me she would never grow up.  I know that is wasn't going to happen, but it didn't have to go so fast.

Father God, I pray that Julianne will have a great year at Edinboro this year.  I ask you to lead her to good friends that will help her to grow in compassion,  joy, and organization.  I pray she will have interesting teachers that will guide her as she studies to become one of them.  Help her to make time for what is important and to be patient with herself and her friends.  Give her Your peace in times of trouble.  Keep her mind clear to learn what she needs to learn.  Open doors that need to open and close doors that lead her away from Your plan for her.  I pray for an army of angels to surround her everyday.  Keep her safe as she travels back and forth.  I know that You love her even more than I do because You made her and she is "Fearfully and wonderfully made."

All this I ask in Jesus name,

Amen.

Treasures

Matthew 6:19-20 New International Version (NIV)

Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

I have been going through boxes and bins of old papers, cards, and art work of my daughters.  I enjoy looking at all their stuff but I know I can't keep everything. (Just to clarify, they told me to throw it all away.) I came across an assignment of Jessica's which asked her, what is her "Treasure?"  It also asked what was her Dad's, Mom's, Sister's, and dog's treasure. She wrote that my "Treasure" was my rings because the are precious to me.  

It's true, my wedding and engagement rings are precious to me.  They symbolize the unending love Bill and I have for each other.  They represent the commitment to love and honor each other through better and worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health until death do us part.

Today as I look around my home I see pictures on the walls and in frames of my family.  I see photos of places I have been and things I done through the years since Bill put those rings on my finger. These are now my "Treasures" especially since my memory is not as sharp as it was.  

I look at the images of Bill and I as young parents, my daughters as little girls, my mom and dad, sisters and brother, nieces, and nephews  and think of all that we have done together.  I see pictures of the Rockie Mountains, the Grand Canyon, New York City, and of course the beach.  Memories come flooding into my mind as I recall those vacations and adventures to those far away places.

Yes, these are the things that are important to me.  No one can steal these from me. Nothing can take them away.

But even as I recall my loved ones and the journeys I have taken, I must remember the One who blessed me with this life. The creator of the family I have.  The Potter who formed me from clay, who knit me together in my mother's womb. The Maker of the Earth and all that is in it.  

Psalm 8

1 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[c]

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
    and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Lord God,

Thank you for everything, I mean EVERYTHING!  You made it all, and then You gave it all to us.  Wow!  I'm amazed by Your goodness, Your kindness, Your love and wisdom.  Help me to live each day You give me for You.  Show me how to love others as You love me.  Help me to see others as You see them.  Keep me always thankful for every blessing I have, knowing that it comes from YOU.

In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.

Colorado 2018

We are home from our visit to Justine and Anthony in Colorado.  Justine planned alot of things for us  to do and see.

After landing and getting our luggage we went straight to 3348 Williams St. and gave Justine a big hug, Meatball got a pat on the head.  Anthony wasn't home yet. We then checked into our hotel to find that it not only had a kitchen, living room and dining room, but 2, yes 2 bedrooms and bathrooms!  We went to Top Golf that evening and our pizza place in Denver, Old Chicago Pizza.

Thursday dawned bright and sunny, as usual.  We loaded into the rental car and drove up into the mountains.  Our goal was Mt.Evans!  The 45 minute drive took us to 14,130 feet with fantastic views on each side.  We stopped at Summit Lake which was frozen with snow covered edges.

We continued to climb and were greeted at the top by a herd of friendly Big Horn Sheep.  Traffic had to stop so everyone could take their pictures.  Mr. Bill got a little irritated but he soon got over it when we reached the top and looked out over the top of the world!

The return trip was anticlimactic but lunch in Idaho Spring got us back into high spirits.  What a beautiful little town with lots of shops and restaurants.  We went to Anthony's favorite brewery Westbound and Down to honor him since he had to work today.  The 4 of us shared 3 appetizers and were stuffed when we left.  

Now the main reason we choose June 6th through the 10th to visit Teen was because Brit Floyd was performing at Red Rocks Amphitheater on June 7th.  Bill and I are Brit Floyd groupies.  We saw this band 3 times in a calendar year, Pittsburgh, Johnstown, and now Denver.  I think we have turned the kids into fans as well.

Today did not go as planned.  We woke up to a sick kid.  Julianne couldn't talk and felt feverish.  We took her to an Urgi-Med Clinic and they prescribed Amoxicillin.  We went to Teen and Anthony's for a quiet day of rest and good food.  Anthony put ribs in the smoker, made pasta salad, baked beans and Teen made corn muffins.  While we waited for the ribs we went to Anthony's favorite neighborhood brewery, Black Shirt Brewery.  He is well known there so he took us for a tour.  We came back to their house and enjoyed the sunshine until the ribs finished cooking on the grill.  It was nice to have a day to just talk, laugh, and enjoy each others company.

I think my favorite day of the trip was Saturday, June 9th.  We started our day with Yoga on the Rocks.  Wow, 2,000 people of all shapes and sizes practicing yoga.  After that we went with Teen's BFF, Amy to Sassafras for breakfast.  It was filling and delicious. The boys went golfing and were ready for an adventure when we got back.  We rented bikes in Frisco and drove them up to the top of Vail Pass.  It was so excited, and a little scary riding down the mountain.  There was a stream on one side of us and the mountains on the other side.  That evening we had an Italian Dinner at Anthony's favorite neighborhood restaurant, DioMio.  Another delicious meal!  

We picked up Teen and Anthony and drove to church to meet Amy and Charlie.  They are so lucky to have Flatirons Church.  The music was great and Jim's message was awesome.  He always helps me to see something different when we go there.  We tried a new place called The acreage for brunch.  It has a large selection of ciders and delicious food.  With full bellies we went back to Teen's.  We watched TV and took naps.  Our flight home was fast and our walk back to the car was long.  

Thank You Lord for the opportunities You give us to visit our kids and enjoy the beauty of this country.  Amen.

Today started out as a wonderful day!
Bill and I rode our new bikes for the first time up to the lookout on the Yough RiverTrail.  (10 miles up and 10 miles back.) We were pretty tired when we got home so we set up our chairs on the deck and enjoyed the sunshine (with sunblock of course.)  We heard a strange sound coming from the sky.  We usually always hear planes going to and from Latrobe Airport, but this was different.  We waited and watched until it came into view.  It was an A 10 Warthog!  Now I had no idea what kind of a plane it was but Bill assured me it was an A 10 Warthog. I believed and trusted him to know this kind of thing.
This made me think  about how I believe and trust in God to know things that I don't.  He already knows what will happen in my future and He will be there to guide and direct me.  He will move things out of my way that will distract me from Him.  He will close doors to opportunities that are not from Him.  He will make a way where there is none. 
So just as Bill knows what an A 10 Warthog looks like and sounds like.  If I take the time to listen, I will hear what God is telling me.  He knows what is good for me and and I trust Him to take care of me.
1 Peter 5:7
Let God have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.

Generational Curses

Exodus 20:5-6

...for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Heavenly Father, 

I plead for Your Holy Spirit to bind and break the strongholds of these generational curses. Purge and destroy these weaknesses that have been passed through the blood from generation to generation.

The devil came to steal, kill and destroy me but thankfully I know that You gave life. I need Your help Lord, in breaking the chains that have held my husband captive and in bondage.

These curses will stop here! Today! They will not travel to my children or my children’s children.

I pray for direction as I put on the armor of God which will protect me as I stand against, and dispel, all the evil and negative forces around me.

John 10 : 10 – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Numbers 14:18 – ‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’

I surrender my life to You. When the enemy comes in like a flood, I will not be defeated because I have been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Through the blood of Jesus, I have already been set free and now declare that I have been completely delivered. Please deliver my husband!

I declare that I will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and, with HIS guidance, I will walk in obedience to You and Your Word.

Thank You for bringing me into the freedom I have through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray…SO BE IT…AMEN!

Pentacost...What does it mean to you?

Acts 2:1-12

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^a as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^b 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Jesus promised his friends that even though He was going away, He would not leave them.  He told them to wait and pray until He sent them the Holy Spirit. In the reading above the Holy Spirit comes to them in the forms of wind and fire.   Jesus wanted everyone to see and hear what He had to say that day.

Acts 2:36-41

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

I remember when I had my confirmation, I hoped that the wind would blow, or a tongue of fire would come to rest above me that day at St. Joseph's Church.  Well neither of those things happened. 
Let's fast forward to 2013, WellSpring Church, Wednesday evening bible study.  We were discussing the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and giving our concerns to God.  That night as I gave my worries and fears to God, I spoke in a language I had never heard before.  My prayer language was beginning to form.  I won't say I spoke in tongues because nobody interpenetrated it. But I honestly know that the Holy Spirit was doing something new in my life.
Today in church questions came up about the Holy Spirit and the people in Sunday School class didn't know too much  about it.  We talked about fear, and crazy people rolling in the aisles.  I felt sad that these friends didn't understand what a gift God has given us. But I will have hope that as we meet and discuss more issues, we will learn more about God our Father, Jesus, our Savior and the Holy Spirit, who lives in each of us when we proclaim that Jesus is our Lord.
Occasionally I will us my prayer language when I'm alone.  I feel especially close to God when I do this.  I feel a peace that "passes all understanding" knowing that God hears and understands my needs even when I'm not sure what I am saying.  There is usually a deep deep longing to be close to Jesus at these times.

Father God, I thank You for hearing my prayers.  I thank You for the opportunity to teach and to learn.  Help all my friends at Christ United Methodist Church to hunger for You and to take time to get to know You through Your Word.  We are never done learning.  Your Word is alive and has something new for us each time we open it.  Open our hearts to what You have to say through Your word and each other.  Help me to help them.  Thy will be done, In Jesus name.  Amen.

Psalm 29:11
The Lord gives strength to His people;  the Lord blesses His people with peace.

Today I need this verse.  I need the Lord's peace.
Bringing Julianne home from her first year of college has been a blessing and a curse.  I'm especially happy that she is excited to come home.  But the amount of stuff she accumulated in 9 months was staggering.
Needless to say Mr.Bill was not happy!  He rented a truck because we knew we couldn't fit everything into our cars.  By the time we were ready to leave the back of the truck was full along with the full back seat.  Thank goodness we could all sit in the front seat on the ride home.
It wasn't a peaceful ride home.  It was very quiet interspersed with rants of anger.

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Yes, we need to get rid of stuff!
So here's the plan:
                     -Every week at least 1 bag or box to Goodwill
                      -Clothes will go to the bin at Fox's Pizza
                       -I will get rid of my recipe box downstairs, keeping only recipes I actually have used
                        -I will check with Jess and Teen about Barbies, stuffed animals, etc...
We will not get rid of the entertainment center in Teen's room downstairs!  That is where I will keep my stuff.  I will keep pictures and anything that is personal to me.

I will get rid of:
bread machine
ice cream maker
salad bar
s'mores maker
crafts
books
and much more than that.

Matthew 6:19-20
19Do not store up for yourselvestreasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.


Update, July 25th
We had a Yard Sale.  The Barbies, Polly Pockets, and many stuffed animals are gone,  So are the bread machine, ice cream maker, salad bar, etc.  We only made $62.00 by selling these things but more importantly, we have more room in the basement and peace in the house.