Yellow is best

This precious lady came into my life in the summer of 1999. She was part of the family that I would soon marry into. A family of a Canadian, a native Texan and a multitude of relatives. In June 2000 she became my mother-in-law.

Her personality reminded of the color yellow--vibrant, sunny, and full of energy. AND her favorite color was yellow--suited her well.

Two years ago to this very month, she was diagnosed with an awful disease--cancer. We were told at that time she would only last about 4 months. However, who are we to tell God when he can call one of his servants home to meet him. He had a greater plan. A greater plan in place that allowed my husband to really get to spend some quality time with his Mom. He created memories that I know will last forever and he will not soon forget. She loved her boys, her Bobby, her grandsons, her friends, and her family with a spirit that showed through every day.

This past month has been a trying one for sure. But during that time, Stewart went every Tuesday and Thursday evenings and some weekends and sat with his Mom while his Dad was at work. What I love the best is that they watched Wheel of Fortune during that biweekly basis. He had the most patient, loving disposition during those times with his mom.

Pat and I both share a huge love for Jesus. We would often talk about Beth Moore and even had an opportunity to do one of her studies together. All across her home you would see yellow sticky notes with Bible references that brought her comfort during this time of suffering. Just last week, we were talking about God's tabernacle and reading a Karen Kingsbury book together.

I am assured to this very day that she is in heaven and out of pain. So while I know she will be greatly missed here on Earth, I am confident she is having a wonderful time in heaven. We are told in John 3 :16 that we are loved so deeply, so unconditionally, that God gave his son for us that we might be assured of a life beyond this earth. A life full of joy--not sorrow and pain. A life spent worshiping our creator.

Pat finished her earthly race today. Well done thy good and faithful servant.

Cave Dweller

I live in a cave.

Yes. I live in a cave (or at least it feels like a cave). My house was built in the mid-70's. It has very few windows, dark oak paneling (the fancier kind of the 70's--wanting to paint it-but that in itself is another post), and very little overhead lighting.

It seems to me that people of that decade were into bell bottom pants (even wore those myself), teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony, crazy fringe on their clothes, and exploring their emotions. I guess the houses built at that time were meant to be secret dark dwellings.

All of this darkness in my home started me thinking about light vs. darkness. This world seems to be growing darker and darker, day by day, and even minute by minute. The news is depressing. The issues of teenagers are way over the top most days. And people in general seem to be more unhappier than ever before. Families that were once functional have now moved on over to the nonfunctioning side. Maybe as I am getting older, I am seeing more and more of these things. Or maybe we are truly nearing the end of our years on this earth.

Whatever the reason or reasons, I know one thing to be true. God has called me to be the salt and the light in this dark world. Just like in my home, I crave natural light. I dream of a bank of windows where the sun shines in. I want people of this world to be able to see Jesus as the Light of this world. I want the SON to shine on their lives.

John 12:46 tells us "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness".

So....what kind of light are you displaying for the world to see? Does it keep people in the dark? Is it a bright light? Or is it only the strength of a night light where people still stumble around? More importantly...are you gonna let it shine?


This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

To see or not to see....

Unfortunately,I am in that "magic" decade where everything physically seems to be turning south...weight, skin, and any other thing you can think of. One of those things just recently is my eyesight. Now I have never had the eagle eye, but I have not been blind either. I have had glasses for several years ( weak by most standards), but none the less--glasses.

Just recently I had to go see the eye doctor to get another pair for two basic reasons. The first being I lost my stinkin' glasses and could not find them anywhere. I searched high and low and up and down and every which way in between. Still no glasses. The second reason is I felt my eye sight slipping away (just like my youth)but was too proud to really admit it.

Much to my surprise my doctor said to me, "Welcome to adulthood. You need bifocals". Huh? Me? I need bifocals? Really?

So I set out on the journey to find the cutest pair of frames ever created. If I was going to venture into the world of "adult" glasses--darn if they weren't going to be cute!

So...I bought myself some cute bifocal glasses.

This whole concept of bifocals got me thinking about focus and the act of focusing itself. You see to really use these bifocals properly, I was told to point my nose at what I wanted to see and the object would come into focus. Sounds easy, right? Not exactly.

This reminds me of how often I lose sight of the things of eternity and begin focusing on the things of earth. Sometimes my focus is downright blurry. The circumstances of life can cause my vision to be totally out of whack--unfocused. Other times, it is merely blurry around the edges. Maybe one eye is on this earth, while one is on eternity.

Now everytime I see these glasses, it reminds me of my purpose here in life. What have I done lately to further the Kingdom of God? How often in the past week have I lost my purpose.

Incidentally, I found my glasses--under the bed where I keep my dust bunnies. One of my dogs thought he needed to focus better. The lenses were covered with dog licks, and the ear piece was chewed off.

Stamp Camp

It is always fun when I get the time ( or make myself take the time) to do something creative. One of the things I really enjoy is makikng cards and scrapbook pages. Here are three that I have recently completed.

Spoiled much?

NOTE: placemat, Texas Tech Glass, and sparkling bottled water.
Only for Samantha~

Wyatt...

Gorgeous Baby Wyatt.

Panting dogs and whipping winds.

Well of course something always happens at the Hueston household.

Last night the storms were T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E. I woke up, sat straight up, and thought I was surely bound for the promised land--the land flowing with milk and honey. But no it wasn't the trumpet of the Lord sounding, but 90 mph hour winds---and yes it does sound like a freight train. Anyway--I grabbed my furry friends and headed for the bathroom---just the room I want to hunker down in, right? As a mater of fact it closely resembles a gas station bathroom.

Anyway--Stewart being the brave man that he is, stayed sitting up in bed.
When the storm passed by (30 long minutes later), we (meaning Stewart) went out side to survey the damage. Did I mention is was 4:00 a.m. and we had no electricity? Anyway--part of our fence was blown down and we had a huge limb that was knocked from our tree and landing in the driveway in front of the garage. I realized then I couldn't get out for work (darn) and went back to bed until the light came streaming in our windows.

At 7:30 we got up and I went down our street in search of a chain saw to saw our way out of the house so we could both get to work ( because you KNOW that is where I wanted to be). Do people own chain saws in the city? I guess not because (now get this picture) when I got back Stewart was sawing the heck out of that tree with a handsaw. We were making head way now folks. I felt like running down to the creek and bringing back those beavers to help poor Stewart out--except that city folks don't keep traps laying around for just that purpose.

Well, Stewart got enough of the tree out of the way so that we could get out of the garage and off to work. I am certain that my make up was perfectly applied since it was down by candlelight. Come to think of it, I may do this by candlelight everyday since my skin seemed to have that oh so beautiful glow that has long since gone with my youth.

Here's the funny part.

Tuesday I came home from work-- got sick--I wore black pants that day---only half a day--they weren't that dirty.

Wednesday--I put back on my black pants and headed off to work--still very hung over from my previous day's drugs.

Thursday---yes folks the same black pants---That is all I had IRONED.
So I am proud to say that I am doing my best to support the educational uniform...black pants and shirt.

And no one noticed. Why? What person doesn't have at least 2 pair of black pants?

But God is our great protector. My next door neighbors had a limb from a tree go through their bedroom roof. Nothing like being woke up to cold rain pounding your face.

Do April showers really bring May flowers? If so, May should be beautiful.