Manicotti's November

Snuggly boy
Always wanting love
Pillow-Snatcher
Cuddle-Monster Extraordinaire!!

Walking and Praying . .

Sometimes I just need. . . I really need to go back the woods . . get grounded . . breathe the sweet aroma of moss and leaves . . listen to a crick. . .
And pray . . yes, spend precious time in the woods with my Savior . . just walking together and chatting (or me learning to listen) while enjoying His creation.
Ahh . .

Why Upside Down?

Matt and I noticed this symbol on a grave in Woodlawn Cemetery and were perplexed.

The meaning is pretty kool!

The upside down torch signifies the end of a life.

*normally an upside down torch goes out*

The torch still lit represents everlasting life/going to heaven.

How kool is that?!!

Glad King David Wasn't Perfect!!

Roman's 3:23, 6:23
John 3:16-17
God used David, a man who lusted after and had an affair with another man's wife (Bathsheba) then had that man murdered so he could marry her himself!!
And God made him a king and a mighty leader!!!
   Aren't you glad God loves us in our imperfect mess?!! 💖
   Imagine if He required us to be perfect. . I, personally, would be laying in a ditch somewhere . . seriously. Before Jesus jumped in, sent my church to stand across the street from the dumpy apartments I was living in and preach to us, I was a lost hot mess going under further and further every day. My life was out of control and I could feel it but couldn't figure out how to stop it. It was really really scary bad.
But Jesus saw a future for me. He sent my church (not my church at the time as I was no longer going to church) to my corner (510 Eastern Ave, Toledo) to reach me. He cared enough about me . . saw my plight . . heard me crying out . . and He sent help!
He didn't stop and say, "Ooo, not her. . she's not good enough, holy enough, thin enough . . she has too much baggage, history, too many issues . ."  . No, Jesus called to me right in the middle of my personally designed disaster!
He saw where I was, BUT He also saw who I could be in Him and He moved on that potential.
I am so forever grateful to God for seeing the good/hope/love/potential in me and sending a rescue vessel.
Imagine this world if He didn't forgive us and rescue us?
Imagine if he'd not forgiven David?
Where would we all be now?!!

Thinking Ahead about Matt's Future!

Hey there . . so I am looking ahead a bit to when Matt graduates high school and gets his own apartment. . and, as him not going to college simply wasn't an acceptable option (yup, that was his plan), I did something about it . . I had him take a serious shower and get ready to go have fun . . then, without his previous knowledge (aka no opportunity to let me know he didn't want to . . or time to get a serious attitude before we arrived) I took him to University of Toledo.

We arrived at the campus and found a spot to park . . not an easy feat! Then we followed the signs to admissions for new students and found that they were having a free tour in 15 minutes (that unplanned "coincidence" was purely God stepping in!!)!!! Matt filled out a contact card so they can keep him up-to-date and we settled in to watch a brief orientation program. After that we began a student-led tour of the campus.

The water slide in the recreation center . .

The lap pool . .

Rocket Stadium!!

Falcon-proof wall . . nice!!

Dorm room . .

So . . after the tour Matt was 100% addicted/sold on going to UT!! Yes, mission accomplished!! We headed to the campus bookstore and bought him a UT hat and lanyard which he wears every day . .
In 1 1/2 years Matt will graduate high school so we need to make sure he is set up correctly to succeed. He's going to check with his counselor to make sure he's taking the necessary classes as well as either ACT or SAT testing (test results are needed for the application to be processed). Then he has to watch his grades and study habits as well as practical living skills (laundry, cooking, etc).
We have a busy yet exciting tine ahead!! ✏✒📝📖📚

Quick Confession . .

I love to learn . . 📚📖
I love to write . . 📝✒✏

🌳#whatif Prompt for 11.3.18

Today's prompt:

Fun things to do in a tree . .

Feel free to respond in your favorite way whether it be a poem, short story, photo, video . . however you best relate to the prompt. Simply post your ideas, create a ping-back and use the hashtag #whatif.

Why Upside Down?

Matt and I noticed this symbol on a grave in Woodlawn Cemetery and were perplexed.
The meaning is pretty kool!
The upside down torch signifies the end of a life.
*normally an upside down torch goes out*
The torch still lit represents everlasting life/going to heaven.
How kool is that?!!

Praying and Waiting ..

Yes, I am still praying... Praying and waiting . . I have been doing some serious soul-searching . . where am I really in my prayer life. . . Bible study . . Bible reading . . general day-to-day everything . .? Is there anything that could be holding me back??!? Introspection can be good as long as it's not too harsh. I do need to read my Bible more. . that's for sure . .  . . . could that be gumming up progress? Could not spending at least an hour every day just sitting and reading my Bible for fun be throwing a wrench the size of Boston into the gears?
Honestly, I don't know. I think I'm good on the rest so that must be the issue. . gotta fix that . . gotta find a Bible at home that's easy to just sit and read . . set blank notebook and pen with it (to jot down things I want to study later!!📖😊📚📝). I have several versions of the Bible so I need to start with one (1) and keep at it till I find what I need . .
Ooooo!! 🙏📖🙌

😺Manicotti's November 🐱

Ah . . time to rest and soak up attention!

The Resolution for Women

Yes, I am back in this book. It tends to center and ground me. I'm in part 2, section 1, chapter 3 . . I've only begun this chapter and am appreciating the emphasis on being whole vs perfect. Feeling like I have to be "perfect or else" is something I truly struggle with. Is my praise/worship, body, hairstyle, clothing, etc perfect enough for God to use me . .? While I know He loves me as I am . . well, I still struggle for the approval. . from Him . . and from those in authority. I dream of a life away from judgement where I can praise and worship authentically as me . . wholeheartedly and unashamed. . that will be a glorious day!! 🙏🎶📖🙌

🐛#whatif Prompt for 11.2.18

Today's prompt:

Caterpillar omelettes

Feel free to respond in your favorite way whether it be a poem, short story, photo, video . . however you best relate to the prompt. Simply post your ideas, create a ping-back and use the hashtag #whatif.

🏡#whatif Prompt for 11.1.18🏢

Today's prompt:

Monopoly marathon memories

Feel free to respond in your favorite way whether it be a poem, short story, photo, video . . however you best relate to the prompt. Simply post your ideas, create a ping-back and use the hashtag #whatif.

Roasted Garlic Duck at intergalactic Banquet

 It seems an odd that six  small green ducks were drenched in garlic infused olive oil! Maybe the garlic-scented bones that fell from the sky all across the area were from a special restaurant ship sent to marinate ducks for an intergalactic banquet!!

🌸#whatif Prompt for 10.31.18🌺

Today's prompt:

growling snap dragons

Feel free to respond in your favorite way whether it be a poem, short story, photo, video . . however you best relate to the prompt. Simply post your ideas, create a ping-back and use the hashtag #whatif.

¿Donde esta?

Where is it?
Yes, I'm starting a new series of photos from random places (some current and some past pics). Can you guess where these were taken? Leave your guess in the comments!!

We're Not Prepped

So I sit here reading this post by The Haunted Wordsmith  I was almost as prepped as I could get living in Joliet, IL. I mean we had everything but farm animals. We were set. 

Now we sit in an apartment ..  yes, we still have the skills, but we have no land for a garden  or chickens . . we have no farm tools . . our 2+ year stash of groceries did not make the trip to Ohio . . 

When the economy finally collapses we are in a bad spot. Yes, we do have a place to live, but we re so very far from self sufficient!! 

This has to be addressed ASAP 

Read The Haunted Wordsmith's post here:


https://wp.me/p9SZtX-Uy

🔑#whatif Prompt for 10.30.18

Today's prompt:

key to my success

Feel free to respond in your favorite way whether it be a poem, short story, photo, video . . however you best relate to the prompt. Simply post your ideas, create a ping-back and use the hashtag #whatif.

Hills and Valleys of Wildwood

Roasted Duck at Intergalactic Banquet

It seems odd that six  small green ducks were drenched in garlic infused olive oil! Maybe the garlic-scented bones that fell from the sky all across the area were from a special restaurant ship sent to marinate ducks for an intergalactic banquet!!