ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-FRIENDS

Is it really so that during your lifetime you will only have a handful of true friends? That's what I've heard. As I muse back over my lifetime, that sounds about right------------------------

Let's see:

There was Helen through middle and high school-we both married right out of school, her husband was in the service and they were stationed states away. I visited in their home once and she and her family in mine once. It has been almost 50 years since we have had contact. 

- feisty little Ruby who told you in a New York minute what she thought but she was as honest as the day is long. She raised 3 daughters on her own having sometimes 2 or 3 part time jobs along with a full time job. Our lives were as different as night and day but we encouraged  each other in the 30 some odd years we knew each other before she passed a few years ago. She was always a breath of fresh air. 

-Jan-another spunky little gal who had raised her 3 children on her own. She had been abused by her first husband but you wouldn't know it unless you were around her long enough to gain her confidence . She would do anything she could for you. Always fun to be with, always encouraging-she and Ruby were part of our close knit group before she died on the first day of 1992 of cancer. Jan, Ruby and I were the same age. 

-Mary. We met at church when Len and I moved to Indiana in 2000. I made that little country church my home church from my first visit. We became hard and fast friends with so much in common-we sewed, we shopped, we sewed, we prayed, we sewed, we canned, did I mention we sewed. She learned and became as addicted as I am to quilting even through all her protests that she would never quilt.

-Jennifer. She also attended that little country church, sings so beautifully and took up sewing/quilting with Mary and me. We've taught Bible School together, attended quilt shows, Sunday church dinners and when a call goes out for Prayer, she is one to count on. Jennifer has been battling breast cancer for several years now also.

-Valarie. We met at a presentation Mary and I did to start a quilting class and she also became hooked on quilting and joined Jennifer, Mary and me in our quilting ventures. Valarie's standing order to me is: "if you need anything, call me, I will be there!" She and husband, Ken, have transferred to Texas but she has already sent a photo of her new home with an invite and I haven't seen Texas so who knows-I'll bet they have quilt shows and fabric shops down there.

-Doris. Again, another friend at church. She and her husband were part of my Sunday School class in our former church. She and I both became widows over 2 years ago. You can see some of the encouraging things that arrive so timely she has made and sent in my post: "Little Things Mean A Lot" @ cwainscott.blogspot.com/2014/10/little-things-mean-lot .  We attend Bible study together, lunch together and she is one of those prayer warriors I can count on, she is a true sister in Christ.

-Betty. The Energizer Bunny-that's our Betty. She has chronic lung disease but keeps on going and going and going. Has been on oxygen for years and she also became a widow several years ago but doesn't let any of that stop her from teaching Bible studies and sending encouraging emails that arrive at just the right time. Another long time church friend, another prayer partner, another encourager, another ray of sunshine.

Here is my handful of good friends-outside my family, that is and that is another post altogether. I've had few good friends outside my family because of such great friends in my family but that is another post.
------------------
Then there are these two precious people, Ralph and Mildred

They are 92 years old. Their 68th wedding anniversary is December 7. My sisters, Jackie and Shirley,  and I had the privilege of lunch with them yesterday in their home. We got to be with them last week for the first time since our mother died over 2 years ago. Mom, Mildred and Ralph grew up together and went to school together in Kentucky. They have remained in constant contact in all those years. They watched us grow up. Talk about lifetime, longtime friends-this is it-true friendship.
---------------------
What about your good friends? Think on them-not on those who have disappointed you or the times even your good friends may have come up short.

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.
Phil 4:8 

May God bless and keep you and all yours today
Carolyn Wainscott

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE- TODAY'S SUNDRY THINGS

This is the view of my backyard outside my bedroom window this morning. The snow is beautiful, is't it? The first snowfall of the season-early, mid November-schools are closed, roads are hazardous and electricity is out in spots. 

And I am thankful for this? Well, yes-the snow is beautiful and I get to enjoy it from my nice warm home and don't have to go out in it.  I don't need anything but if I did, there are others in the house that could/would handle it

 and 

if I really, really had to go out, my car, even though is nine years old is in good condition and runs great. It has a new set of tires and a full tank of gas that I put in yesterday because of the snow forecast. 

Even though the

 "weather outside is frightful

 but the fire is so delightful

 and since I've no place to go

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

I am thankful for my nice warm home, a good running car and those in my life who take care of things for this old lady that have become beyond my scope of doing and those that I am capable of but they do anyway. 

The view from my front porch. Beautiful. I love my yard, the trees. It is a quiet dead end street.

The light was turned off at the 20 items or less register as I stood in line with my treasure trove of sale yarns scavenged from the sale bin. It was aggravating to think I would have to get into another line behind others but the cashier waved me and the lady behind me on up. 

I had already seen that the cashier had an oxygen apparatus as she rang out the people in front of me so I wouldn't have complained to cause trouble for having to go to another line and as I got closer could tell that she was rather out of breath. She could have been my age, maybe younger or older and did her job cheerfully.

Seeing that cashier about my age reminded me how very blessed I am to be able to walk about breathing freely. Maybe she doesn't have to work because of necessity, maybe she just likes to work and Walmart is good enough to hire her even with her health condition. Whatever the reason, I am thankful that I don't have to work outside my home unless I want. 

My father passed away from emphysema, my brother is dealing with it right now and my friend,  Betty, has chronic lung disease. It is terrible and frightening not to be able to get that next deep breath and I need to be thankful for every breath I can take easily-THANK YOU, LORD!!

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Eph 5:20   

May God  bless and keep you and all yours today, may you stay warm

Carolyn Wainscott

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-FOR ALL GOD ALLOWS ME TO DO

Boredom-that is something completely foreign to me. When the kids tell me they are bored I tell them to do something-get unbored. 

I can sew, crochet, create, design clothing/quilts/crafts, compute, write, surf the internet to a degree- among other things. I feel very blessed to be able to do many things that I can go from one thing to another but with blessings comes responsibilities. I also feel that when God blesses much, He also expects much. Now, I am not bragging and I am surely not complaining.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21  lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matt 25:20-21 

I am privileged to have been allowed to be part of creating praise banners for God's glory:

and to make comfort quilts for those in jeopardy. 

So, yes, I am thankful for being able to do what I can do, for being equipped with all I need and for being able and capable. 

It is Friday morning-Bible study morning-another thing I am thankful for being able to do so I need to finish getting ready.

May God bless and keep you and all yours today

Carolyn Wainscott

  

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-JUST IN GENERAL

In the news this morning is the report of three of our young sailors being attacked by a mob while on shore leave. They were taunted, sprayed painted, plastic bags put over their heads then chased to their ship. Here we are a couple of days past Veterans Day and we are reminded again of the sacrifices the members of our Armed Forces make every day even while on leave. So again, I thank God for them and ask Him to shield and protect them and thank them for their service.

I thank God and our military, again, for being able to sit here with my coffee in front of the little heater that looks like a fireplace with rolling flames. I can sit here in safety and comfort. I can sit here in religious freedom with no fear of someone breaking in my door to take away my Bible. 

Sappy? I don't care-I need to be thankful-I am thankful. I know that I am extremely blessed even though I am a widow, I have adequate income for all my needs and more. I don't know the statistics but I kinda, sorta remember that even on Social Security, I am probably among the richest 10% of the world. 

A question posted in one of the blogs I read was "how does the computer and the internet affect your life?" My reply-I love having my computer and being on the internet. I am self taught on both-they didn't teach computer back in my day-shoot, we didn't even know what a computer was-at that point they were pretty much the figment of someone's imagination and what imagination it was. I can barely slog my way around this world of airwaves being able to send things instantly. My grandchildren think I rode in on a dinosaur. 

Because of all this technology I can design and market my designs, keep up with new products and ideas, meet other designers across the world that I would never have the opportunity-the list goes on and on-

So, yes, I am very thankful for my computer that has enabled me to share with you the love of God. 

As I watched the news this morning, this poem I wrote in 1998 came to mind so I drug out that big notebook with my writings and other saved  witicisms to find it. Maybe one of these days that big notebook can be eliminated  if I will take the time with all my tech knowledge to make a folder [yes, see, I can kind of talk computerese]  that can just be clicked through instead of dragging it out and flipping through page by page-trust me-it is a really big notebook that has  funny, sad, smart, dumb   things that would make you wonder about my intellect. 

-THOUGHTS, AS I PUT AWAY MY LAUNDRY-

I've got to build more closets and it has to be done soon

'cause the next time I go shopping, I won't have any room

 to put that Christmas outfit that will look so good on me 

or all the other things I'll get on that shopping spree.

I also need more cupboard space for all that extra food

 to make those special dishes that my family thinks I should.

The new place settings that were added will make everything so fab

but now I'll need more silverware, the stuff I have is drab.

There's a white jeep at church I wouldn't mind having.

My jeep's ok, but still, it's such a dark old thing.

But then I looked at the next spot and really started thinkin'

"what joy there'd be if I could have that great big, shiny Lincoln."

 Finally, clothes put away, I sat down for a spot o' tea

and trying to catch up on things, turned on the news to see.

Nothing good was told about-just rapes and wars and drugs

and adulteries and aids disease and roaming gangs of thugs.

Then I saw that mother staring with vacant, horrified eyes

at her child she held, having to hear his pitiful hungry cries,

she tried in vain, to cover him for a little dignity

and I thought, but for you, Lord, that poor soul could be me.

I should be thankful, Lord, for never seeing my child in starvation

but most of all for Your Son who came for my salvation. 

Please forgive me, Father, for my wantonness and greed

and help me to remember You are all I really need. 

© 1998-Carolyn Wainscott

May God bless and keep you and all yours today

Carolyn Wainscott

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-MY QUIET MORNING COFFEE

As I was doing my Bible study this morning, sipping my black cup o' joe, it came to me how I relish my quiet mornings

and

how I really love my coffee.

So, as strange as it may seem to anyone else, I am very thankful for that black brew.  I got to sit with my sisters and 2 friends yesterday at Bob Evans around lunch and  a pot of coffee so coffee is associated with good times, friendships, and lots more.

And this morning God and I had coffee together as we do most mornings. 

Then my mind rolled on to being able to go to Bible study on Friday mornings

 to

the bookshelf in the corner with several Bibles? [sometimes I jump from one thing to another]

and to one special Bible that is over 100 years old that was my Granny's

.

 With the prayer she wrote on February 26, 1943 for the safe return of her son, George, as he shipped out for WW11. Her spelling was atrocious but God understood every word she wrote and her prayer was answered with his safe return, 

With this prayer written almost 72 years ago, yesterday being Veterans' Day comes to mind and the sacrifice the men and women in our Armed Forces make and how very thankful we need to be to all of them. 

Yesterday we had the privilege of having lunch with a WW11 veteran, he is 92 years old. It is because of him and his compatriots that I can enjoy my quiet morning coffee. 

So thank you, LORD, for my quiet morning coffee.

 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.

Psalms 75:1 

May God bless and keep you and all yours today

Carolyn Wainscott

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-MY FAMILY

When it comes to family, I am very blessed. I am the oldest of 5 with 2 sisters and 2 brothers and we all enjoy being together and having our families together. No one can poke fun at each other any better than we can-our gatherings are usually laugh sessions except those times we are together in prayer for each other. There have been times we have come together just for that in in heartbreaking circumstances so, no, our lives have not been all a bed of roses.
 We are all grandparents now and great, grandparents. Our Granny lived with us and took care of us while Mom and Dad worked. We always had a roof over our heads and food on the table. My favorite meal to this day is pinto beans, cornbread and fried taters because it seems we had that a lot. Granny had supper ready when Mom and Dad came in from work. You can read about my Granny in my post:
MY HERO

Then when I got married at barely 17, I gained 3 more brothers, a sister-in-law and 3 more sisters and I have loved them as my own brothers and sisters. We have had good times and and bad times, also. My father-in-law, Noah, and mother-in-law, Willena, were super, family centered folks as my own parents and I have always enjoyed being with all of them in these many years since 1957.

Between our families there are beaucoup nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great, grandnieces and nephews. If we all got together, we would have to rent a stadium.

Then there is the center of my world- "All Mine".

All Mine includes the three sons Len had before we were married, the son we have, Jeff,  our three daughters, Kim, Donna, Melinda, and their families [yep, this is a lot]. Circumstances didn't allow me to be much a part of Len's first three sons until we moved to Indiana in 2000 when he retired but they are part of "All Mine" anyway and since that retirement, we have lost all three of them.

Though we don't have Jerry Lee, Rick and Bill any longer, I still have my  daughters-in-law, Pam, Sherry and Helen and they are like my own daughters. Their children and grandchildren are part of "All Mine".

When an edict goes out from The Queen Mamaw, they all get it.

No, this almost 75 years I have been allowed on this earth haven't been a smooth, sunshiny path-there has been much heartache but I am so very, very blessed to have had my family.  I have watched my own in sports and activities, then my grandchildren and now my great, grandchildren.

Here are some of the great, grandchildren 3 years ago. I was in crochet mode and had made each of them an outfit.

Thank you, LORD, for All Mine, for keeping them in safety and health.

May God bless and  keep you and all yours
Carolyn Wainscott

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE-CANCER FREE

My aspirations for a daily "Attitude of Gratitude" post are already out the window. I missed the second and third days-so much for that. That's my life, too many distractions to be thankful for what I have but it seems there is always time to grumble and complain-well, that may not be yours but it is mine.
Forgive me, LORD.

Today, November 10, 2014, let me tell you about more of my "Biggies" that I am so grateful for:
my health and well being.

I will be 75 years old in a couple of months. I don't take any medications except for an occasional Aleve or aspirin for a headache or discomfort from arthritis in my hip but that is very occasional.

Oh, there have been some illnesses in that over 74 years and in September, 2004 I was involved in a wreck that could have put me in a wheelchair for life. If you saw the car you would think I shouldn't be able to walk but I am walking. If the car had jumped into reverse instead of lurching forward, my grandson, Travis, would have been injured seriously or killed. Instead, the car took itself 94' into a tree and totaled itself. My leg was broken and that has led to arthritis over the years and worked itself into my hip but I am thankful to be able to walk. The discomfort is a reminder of how blessed I am that Travis wasn't hurt and I am still on my feet.

In the spring of 1990,  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in its early stages. You can read more about my recovery and the way God helped me work through those months in my post,
MY THERAPY-MY QUILTS~EL TIGRE

Then a few months ago during a pre physical for cataract surgery, breast cancer was found again and again it was in its early stages. The cancer was very small-able to be removed in a lumpectomy. My lymph nodes were all clear and radiation treatments were done for good measure. Even though it was highly recommended by doctors, I have opted not to take a follow up drug for 5 years that is supposed to decrease the chances of cancer returning in the next 10 years. It has side effects I don't want to deal with including ovarian cancer, aches and pains, headaches-I have no aches and pains-why would I want to disturb that? I am trusting God for my future.

If not for having to have the physical, I probably wouldn't have had the mammogram, just didn't want to take the time right then but I did want to see and the cataract had to be removed. God has a way to direct our paths and this was His way for the cancer to be found before it progressed any further. 

So here I am near the end of 2014, with successful cataract surgery-able to see without glasses [which is wonderful by the way] and cancer free after my second bout in almost 25 years. 

I am so very thankful for my health and well being.

May God bless and keep you and all yours.
Carolyn Wainscott