Don't go to the ballpark!!!!

Sorry for the delay in posts! Things have been hectic in our world, i.e.-graduation, senior things, softball, baseball, school, work & etc. But on to this post.

DON'T GO TO THE BALLPARK!!!!!!!! If you don't want to see smoking at a public park, don't go! If you don't want to hear foul language, don't go! If you don't want to see your family, friends, fellow christians sacrifice their witness, DON'T GO!!!!!! I love baseball & several other sports but I continue to be amazed every year when I go to sporting events! It appears to me that once people get there or maybe even on the way to the event --- their brains fall out of their heads!!! Sporting events bring out the worst in people!?!?!?!? WHY???? Maybe I'm to logical but I don't understand it. People want to hurt other people that normally they get along with or are at least cordial to. Sporting events cause someone you think is normal to act like a TOTAL MORON or WORSE!!!!! And people instigate problems, i.e. making smart comments (I guess to make them look cute) NEWSFLASH: It just makes you look like a bigger IDIOT!!!!! They scream at umpires, referees, other coaches, even parents screaming at other parents! Does this not sound pathetic???? IT'S JUST A BALLGAME!!!!!!
Here's how I look at it: The umpires, referees are human & they will make bad calls! (Hopefully if they are prejudice against one team or the other, the person in charge of the park/event will do their job & fix it------I am aware that this is not usually the case!) If they don't you have to move on!!!!! Winning at all costs is UNACCEPTABLE! It needs to be a fair win or its not really a win!! (Think about it for a moment!) Coaches want their team to shine not only for the players but for themselves too! (OUCH!!!-a little selfish-yes but they have put their time & effort into it, so some of that is acceptable!) Its just that it becomes an obession! I understand men/boys are competitive but when did being competitive mean being stupid?????? The thing that most people need to realize is when you act like your world (marriage, spouse, children, health, home, job, cars or etc.) hinges on the outcome of a ballgame you have lost ALL PERSPECTIVE!!!!!!!!!! If your marriage were falling apart, if you, your spouse, your children, your parents or another loved one were dying......would that INSIGNIFICANT sporting event even matter.....would you even give it a second thought! OR Would you be so thankful, grateful, and appreciative of every moment that is left??????

For Heaven's Sake: SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE!!!! IT'S JUST A GAME!!! By the way, isn't it supposed to be fun. According to Webster's the definition of game is amusement, play. Well, the players are playing & the rest of you are REALLY AMUSING!

Does sportsmanship not play a role in organized sports any more??? Let me refresh everyone's memory on the definition of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship: fair play, respect for opponents, & gracious behavior in winning or losing. Maybe that definition needs to be posted on a sign at all parks or stadiums? The sad part it would probably be ignored just like the existing signs.

Your on display every day. Your testimony is out there whether you realize it or not. What is it saying about you??????? HMMMM!

OK I will step down from my soapbox now. I do hope this was eye opening for some of you or at least makes you stop & think about the people around you - especially at sporting events! I would ask that you pray for them & for yourself that these events don't cause you or anyone else to sacrifice their witness. We are called to be different. A light to a dark & dying world. Just something to think about! Love y'all!

How Is Your Tuesday?

Today is Tuesday & I'm trying to catch up on everything that has fallen by the wayside due to other more important things (i.e. time w/HD, sick children, plant sale, work, meals, medicines & etc.)! Laundry is a never ending battle!!! I know that y'all can relate!! I vow (with HD's help) to be victorious over it every day! FYI - I hate stinky dirty clothes! Dirty dishes need to go in the dishwasher! Floors need to be vaccumed &/or mopped. Furniture needs to be dusted & polished. But guess what? Most of those things won't get done today!! Not a good thing or bad thing-just reality! Gary is working 12-14 hours a day all this week (INVENTORY)! I will be working, ball games & practice (maybe-weather permitting), groceries, meals (two down & one to go), beds to make, 5 dogs to handle, & follow-up on several misc items! The GREAT thing about today even though I won't get everything done today that needs to be done---------HD LOVES ME!!! He sees my efforts, knows my heart & I spent time with him this morning. He gave me peace to start my day!!! He doesn't want me to stress or have anxiety over all the things that need to be accomplished today! Enjoy the day, EVEN THE RAIN or STORMS! The storms today are similar to the ones we face in life. You can sit back & watch. You can allow HD to give you strength by walking through them. OR You can be anxious & stress yourself & everyone around you out over them? Enjoy today --- ALL of it! Let me know how Tuesday turns out for you! Love to y'all! Joannie

Explanation of Absence

Hey Friends!
Its been a Roller Coaster at our house recently. This information is explained in detail on my other blog: joannie-wordstoponder.blogspot.com Catch up on the Spates family & our recent struggles. The good news is that HD has not given up on us & we are having our faith stretched as we grow & experience new things to share with others later on. Be back regularly soon--maybe after Spring Break! Enjoy this awesome weather & play outdoors, plant things & soak up some rays for us!!! Love to y'all! Joannie

A Day of Catching Up!

Good Morning Friends!
It has been a very busy week for our family. I want to apologize for not giving an update on how everything went at the VA with my Dad Tuesday. He saw the specialist who still can't give a definite diagnosis either but he feels that the current treatment plan may be working. (I don't understand how that works ...but...) He wants to see my Dad back in a month to see if things are still the same. The bright spot was they are going to slowly take him off some of the meds(which he is taking 5 different ones at 2 hour intervals). This has made it hard for my Momma to get any complete rest!!! I do want to THANK each of you for your prayers & please continue to remember them!!!
We had two softball games this week for Kirsten & a team meeting for Douglas' team. He starts baseball practice next week. There was church Wednesday night. Thursday was spent at Montevallo with Kirsten for a day of ART! She got to go to two free art workshops (they let me tag along too)! It was a very fun Mother/Daughter day. We don't get many of those anymore & I enjoyed laughing & talking with her. When your children are teenagers, sometimes it seems that you are fussing with them more than talking. I know that its just the age & their fight for independence! But let me just say that it was nice to have a day that I could spend with my daughter & not that independent fighter that I usually deal with! She is awesome in so many ways & yes I'm proud of her as I am ALL my children. They each have different strengths & abilities & its been a real blessing to be their Momma!!!! We also got to see Montevallo where Kirsten will be going to school in the fall. I really liked it. We even met some of the Art teachers & they were extremely nice too. After our Montevallo visit, we went to see Joseph & Emily. Joseph was off from the police department & was working for his landscaping business. Emily only worked a half day due to having to travel out of town on Friday. It was great to get to see them & all the things that they've done to the new house! It was beautiful!!!! We then went for a great lunch at O'Charley's (I miss not having them on 280)! It would have been perfect if Gary & Douglas could have been there too -- but there was school & work!

I was reading a verse this morning that touched me but only after I read it in the Message bible.
The NIV Psalms 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
The MSG Psalms 34:7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
I'm praying that your weekend is enjoyable even if its busy, that you get to spend quality time with your loved ones, & that through your prayers HD's protection is around you & your family.

Remember to top off your weekend with a trip to your church for Sunday services! See you there!
Love to y'all!
Joannie

Request

Good Morning!
I have a request this morning of my fellow bloggers. Please pray for my Daddy, my Momma & myself today. My Daddy has to go back to the VA hospital today. This will be our 5th trip in 3 weeks. They are having a hard time diagnosing & treating him. He has a deep infection in his eye that he's seeing another specialist about today. He has the early stages of dementia also besides just being old, set in his ways & most days just stubborn. Don't get me wrong---I LOVE MY DADDY! The problem is the man he is now is not my Daddy. Its been extremely hard on my Momma. They have been married going on 61 years!! She definitely loves him!!! He has numerous other health issues going on other than the ones I listed. Please pray that today I can REALLY have my Heavenly Daddy's love shining through in all I say or do. I run out of patience very quickly with my Dad. I hurt for my Momma & all she goes through with him. The days when I have to take them to Drs appointments are hard for me & sometimes it seems almost impossible keep a positive attitude. Ask HD to help me focus on the fact that I still have them in my life!!!! I'm praying that HD blesses each of you today with just what you need to be a light to others! Thanks for the prayers!! Love to y'all!

Monday - Cold yet Warm

Good Morning my fellow bloggers. Its a beautiful day outside --- cold, windy, but with the sun shining anyway. It reminds me of how its supposed to be. We can be in the midst of a storm/problem/etc (the cold & wind) but our Heavenly Daddy (HD) is there to make everything better (the sunshine). He gives us everything we need if will just listen to him & enjoy the love notes that he sends us. Yesterday was beautiful with the postcard/Christmas card scenes with snow. It was a wonderful way to get our attention to stop & look at the beauty he created for us to enjoy! As we go back to our normal routine today, don't forget to look around and enjoy the love notes that HD is sending to us. BTW maybe you could even send up a Thank you prayer! Have a Blessed day & enjoy ALL of it!
Love to y'all! Joannie

Standing Firm in the Midst of your Storms

Earlier today I spoke with a good friend that I don't get to talk with very often. She is going through some things that are very difficult. God gave me a word to share with her & for some reason I feel that maybe some of you could use it also. If it doesn't apply to your life just tuck it away for future use.

Most of you know the NIV of this verse & if you read it in the MSG it gives you a better understanding.
Ephesians 6:11-13 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life or death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.

Sometimes its hard to stand firm against the devil. Its also hard to continue to listen to our Heavenly Daddy's voice during those times. Its like trying to listen to the whisper of Heavenly Daddy (HD) when everyone & everything around you is screaming. These things you may know with your head but you also have to know them with your heart or vice versa. This is not always easy to do. I went through a problem several months back that really left me with hard feelings toward people that were supposed to be brothers & sisters in Christ. I couldn't believe that these people would not have considered how this would not only affect me but my children (Momma claws coming out)! I knew that I had to forgive them but how? God showed me several things through this problem. There are times when all of us are human & we act like it! When we have our stupid moments(and we all do), HD forgives us. Do we want him to hesitate when we need his forgiveness. We can't let those stupid moments steal our joy! Our faith & hope is in HD & not people, so.....don't be surprised if people disappoint us. This is where we have to walk out our faith! Keep our eyes on HD & he will see us through whatever the situation. OK this does not mean that it will be easy by any means or that it will happen overnight but if we keep the faith & keep walking the walk, we will be past the finish line and into a new race before we know it. The main thing that helped me was prayer. Asking God to help me to earnestly forgive & take away any hard feelings for everyone involved.

The great news is HD answers prayer!!! It wasn't overnight by any means but it did happen. I'm very thankful because I really love these people more now because of what we've been through!! I hope that this helped some of you. Have an Awesome Evening! AND A Blessed Friday! Love to y'all! Joannie

Trying to get back on track

Hey Friends! I'm praying this morning that each of you has a blessed Tuesday! Thank you for the prayers concerning the marriage retreat from all I've heard it was great! I am trying to get everything back on track from last week. The weekend (fri.) started off with yuck & continued throughout. This week started off with a bang by taking my parents back to the VA hospital Those days are exhausting, mentally, emotionally, & physically! So I'm saying today is the official beginning to my week. We did have an AWESOME service Sunday!! It is so great to be part of a church where the Spirit of God takes over & the congregation & pastor allows him to move!!!! If you've never been a part of that WOW your missing out!!! Today I'm interceding on your behalf. I don't know the things/problems/situations in your life that your facing but I'm bringing you before the Lord today. Lord, bless each of my friends today. Give them strength for the tasks at hand, wisdom & discernment for the difficult things they are facing, peace to endure & know that whether they feel it or not that you are working in every thing on their behalf. Give them joy in the little things. Let them see the love notes that your sending them. Let people see your love shining through them in everything that they say & do!! Bless my friends Lord & whatever may be going on in their life, use it to draw them closer to you. Thank you for my friends & what they mean to me & others. Thank you for answering this prayer. Let everything we do today be for your glory, honor & praise! In Jesus name, Amen.

Now we are on track for today! Love & Blessings to y'all! Joannie

Trying Day

Today should have been a good day it is Friday! It didn't start out very good & felt that it spiraled downward! I woke up early with some stomach thing. YUCK! I got Kirsten & Douglas off to school & then had to lay back down. I slept for a long time. (Also meant I didn't work today-not good if your self-employed!) I got up had my devotion time & was hoping to salvage some of the day but.....it was just not to be! I tried to get a few things done. But that was short lived. Douglas came home on the bus(Kirsten was at ball practice) & he did some things that needed an attitude adjustment! Yea ---- I love being the bad guy----NOT! This took time away from trying to finish dinner. Its also Douglas' weekend at his Dad's! Tear, Sniff, Tear! Kirsten can't go because of a JROTC drill meet. Dinner was late, Kirsten came home tired & irritable (that's always fun), phones ringing, dogs barking, etc. Calgon---take me away!-----------that didn't work! The best part of this day other than the devotion time----right now. The house is quiet, I signed on blogger & got inspiration from a fellow blogger who had a GREAT day & wrote about prayers being answered in her life!!!! It made me stop & thank God for all the stuff that I had to deal with today! You ask why? Because if I didn't have difficult days like today, I would not truly appreciate the Great days when I have them! I am extremely blessed in so many different ways & I don't want to EVER take any of them for granted! So.....My trying day is ending & tomorrow will be better. FYI Prayer Request: Several couples from our church are on a weekend marriage retreat. (Gary had to work so we couldn't go) I would ask each of you to join me & pray for them. Pray that their relationship with the Lord & their spouse would be refreshed, renewed & that their love for each would grow stronger! Thanks! Have a BLESSED weekend & don't forget to spend time with your heavenly Father everyday not just Sunday! Love to y'all! Joannie

New Changes, Staying In Touch!

During my absence from blogging A LOT of things happened! There have been to many to explain in one post but maybe I will share them as we go along. My wonderful husband & I have gone through things recently that have caused us to sit down & reprioritize our lives. We are both committed to God first, family second & then various other things fall in order (ours differ after these). We have prayed about our church involvements & committments. We both feel that we have heard from God as to how we are to proceed. WE LOVE OUR CHURCH & our family there!!! With that being said, God has shown us that sometimes we become so absorbed in doing "good" things/being busy for the Lord that we loose focus of our true priorities! I love being with people & enjoy all the church activities. I hate to admit it, but to be truly honest with y'all, it has caused me to not always have the quiet time with God that I need! My recent quiet time(time out)has allowed God to really minister to me & speak about his plan for me. The devil sure has tried to attack that plan by using people & situations to try to make me want to completely leave church. God has revealed to me that I can have my quiet time with him, bible study, take care of my family & even encourage my friends!!! Its amazing how God works everything out for his glory and honor! I know I shouldn't be surprised but sometimes I am! Here's the vision God has given me. A lot of you want to be involved in bible studies or life groups but can't for all sorts of reasons. These could be work/jobs, family/spouse, & time constraints just to name a few. He's given me the answer: blogger! I know that just brought about more questions for some of you but listen to the plan. I'm going to do a bible study online using blogger!!! Its my journey to a deeper relationship with Jesus that I want to share with each of you. As I share verses & questions & answers that are being revealed to me, I want to hear from all of you as you read & hopefully receive insight or just have words/scriptures to ponder. You don't have to buy any books just use your bible, you get online & read according to your own schedule. Its an answer to prayers that I've been praying for a long time about my calling & purpose. I hope that each of you will want to be a part of it but listen its not mandatory. Don't feel obligated to put something else on your "To Do" list. You can visit & comment as God leads you. I'm just being a facilitator for you to study your bible & hopefully it will be so easy for you that it becomes a habit quickly!! It also gives me the opportunity to keep in touch with friends without infringing on their work time, home time or me time. Your suggestions & comments are always welcome. Have A Blessed Wednesday & remember to talk to God today(thats what prayer is...a converstation)!
The new page is titled joannie-wordstoponder.blogspot.com!!

New Blog Coming

Its almost finalized & ready!

The big reveal is only days away!

It will involve a new blog that hopefully will attract a lot of you to stop by on occasion & add insight/inspiration/wisdom or whatever it may speaking to you!!!! The countdown is on. Stay tuned for the new blogger address & details of how it will work. Enjoy this AWESOME day that God has provided for you! Look around & count your blessings. It should not be hard, let me give you an example. If you have a job and work with difficult people, at least you have a job-----thousands don't! You have your health (even if you are among those of us with sinus issues)! You have a warm home & food to eat, some people are homeless & or don't have food to eat! You obviously have access to a computer if your reading this, some people can't afford a computer! You live in country that allows you to openly worship your Savior! That alone should be enough!! Just take a moment, look around & count all your blessings. After doing this, THANK GOD FOR EACH & EVERY ONE OF THEM!!! FYI: Also pray that you never take any of them for granted, that's when you risk loosing them! Have a GREAT day enjoying all the blessings around you!! Love y'all!

Update & Prayer Request

Hey Friends! I'm praying that God is richly blessing each of y'all! I wanted to give an update on the new direction of my page. Things are moving right along but with any new endeavor (especially ones geared toward Jesus), Satan wants to step in & destroy it. He is using my parents to attack me.

To explain that statement, they are 82(Dad) & 75(Mom). My Dad's health has been spiraling downhill for a LONG time. My Mom has had various health issues also. Her biggest problem right now though is my Dad. I can not begin to explain this. It has various terms/diagnosis but to sum it up.....he's mean to my Mom & anybody that gets in the way of him being mean to her. My Momma is an AWESOME woman & still loves & tries to care for this mean grizzly bear(her recent nickname for him) even after 60 years of marriage!!!!! I spent 12 hours with them yesterday at the VA hospital. Yes I was exhausted & still feeling the effects of that day. My request is for my Momma that God will continue to grant her the patience & peace to deal with him, wisdom for the doctors to be able to diagnose & treat him, for me & my siblings(there are 5 of us) to be supportive of both of them(we are finding it hard to love my Dad)! Thanks!

But back to the big reveal, it is coming soon just had some minor setbacks. According to my heavenly sources, its going to be something that will be a blessing & I'm really excited about all of it! Got to run now its almost time for church & I don't want to miss it!
Love to y'all!!!!!

You've been forewarned!

To all my fellow bloggers.........I'M BACK!!! OK, now you've been forewarned! The time away has been extremely difficult with conflicts, tests & trials that I couldn't begin to explain. But ANYTHING meant for evil God can use it for his glory & honor!!! (BTW if any of these things/emotions are going on in your life: difficult/annoying/aggravating/infuriating/perplexing/
discouraging/sadness/unrest/stress or etc. -------- do yourself a favor & ask God (thru prayers)to help you handle it so he will receive glory & honor!!! God has opened up things over the last few weeks thats unbelieveable. He's ALWAYS working whether we see or feel it! The interesting part of that is he is doing more than we can even imagine when we don't see or feel him! Its like he wants to surprise us with how AWESOME he really is!! I have two new things going on with my blog for the future but I'm not quite ready to share it with you! I have to work on the big reveal so........let the anticipation build & the drum roll continue until........ Keep watching/reading its coming soon! Love to y'all!!!!

Tag----I'm It!

OK, Amy tagged me. Even though I am going through a quiet time, I was intrigued about which photo would pop up. When I went to look at it, I couldn't resist posting. These are two of my five dogs---Sheena (white) & Cheyenne (brown) when they were puppies. They are sisters and were totally irresistable. We (Kirsten, Douglas & I) were just going to look at them because I love German Shepherds & always wanted one. But we already had 3 dogs (Stormie-mutt, Looka-Rodesian Ridgeback & Sable-Chocolate Lab)! The problem was I love dogs & shouldn't have even gone to look. As soon as I saw Sheena I picked her up & I was done! Kirsten was already holding Cheyenne & she was hooked too. We tried to get Douglas to pick but he couldn't choose. He wanted both of them. Luckily, I married to a wonderful husband who loves me on my good & bad days-------even if I don't always talk over some of the decisions I make!!!!! Now we have 5 dogs instead of 3. The great thing about our pups is that we ALL (Gary included) love them. All 5 of them love Gary move than the rest of us. Probably because he likes to wrestle with them & as you can see they are to big for Kirsten, Douglas or me to wrestle with! The pictures shows how big they are now but they still act like puppies. OK I've been tagged, so now its time for me to tag some people:

I Tag: Kirsten of Kash '09

Shelley of The Davis Family

Suzi of Its Just A Thought

Codie of Colorfully black and white

Tag! Y'all are it! Remember 4th file & 4th photo in that file. Start blogging! Love to ALL! Joannie

P.S. Keep praying, I'll be back soon --- just being still, quiet & listening! J