Do you see what I see?

Although today considered a toy, View-Master began it's commercial life in 1939 as a home-entertainment medium intended for adults.

My first experience with a View-Master was the Christmas of my 6th year... Second grade! When I returned from Christmas break, my teacher asked us to do a 'show-and-tell' of something we received for Christmas. I was SO excited! Of course, my View-Master would be the coolest gift anyone got from their family (I already knew there was no Santa, our presents were under a Manger Scene, not a tree).

For Sissy's (my grand-daughter Aliyah) second birthday, Mamaw Mildred and Aunt Karen got her a View-Master with some extra view cards. It was so much fun watching her learn to use the viewer...



My girls talked about playing with View Masters when they were little. Their cousins had one and they really enjoyed flipping through the view cards... oh, the stories that unfolded! I am so glad my kids loved to read, listen to audio stories and play with this type of educational toy.


In life, we see what we want to see. Wouldn't it be nice to only load in the view card that we want to see? We all would like to "weed out" the bad, uncomfortable parts.

I am just asking you today, "Do you see what I see"? Is your heart still open and aware? Don't close yourselves off... even though it hurts, let your heart 'see' the needs around you....

Pop in a new view card everyday... the one called "Real Life". It's ok, even though it may be scary, God is viewing it all with you! :)

My one and only...

Long before the movie phrase came out, "You complete me", my honey and I were living the concept. We are the other "part" of each other. He is my life partner and best friend. I want to introduce you to a very special guy, "my better half", Glenville Paul McBride, Jr.

Glen (Jr) is the cutest, sweetest, most honest, dependable, handsome "hunk" on the planet..... and I can say that because he is MINE! My one and only....



In this day and age, it is very old fashioned to say, but here I go..... we are faithful partners. So when I say, "My one and only", I mean that in EVERY sense of the word.

He "gets' me. He takes into consideration each part of my multi-faceted personality and embraces each one. Believe me, that is no small fete! I can be complex...and that has not scared him off. We have now been married 27 years! As of October 23rd. We are in it for the long haul... no exit options! I only say that because we "mutually" respect each other. Don't get me wrong, if someone is in a abusive or demeaning relationship, saying "goodbye" might be the best option for sanity. I'm just happy that for us, God helps the love and respect remain. A must for longevity in a relationship...

We've come through some tough times. All our days have not been sunny, but we have endured them "together". God's amazing love has been woven into our lives... He will forever be our "thread".

My job had me away on my Anniversary this year...I arrived home at 8 PM that evening. My honey had me some gorgeous roses waiting...



On Sunday, I made dinner at home (Taco Salad and Waldorf Fruit Salad). The day I realized that just "being together" was better than any Anniversary Dinner out or gift, was the day I became a happier person... the greatest joys are shared, not purchased!

Monday was the special day, though.... I came home from work and found my sweetie making HOMEMADE BISCUITS! All this time I thought I was the cook in the family! Just had to take these pictures... how adorable is that?





Through our years together, God has blessed us with two beautiful daughters, two great son-in-laws and a gorgeous grand-daughter. Truly blessed, we are!

Our song is "Just you and I" that was recorded by Eddie Rabbit and Crystal Gayle.

Just you and I sharing our love together
And I know in time we'll build the dreams we treasure
We'll be alright, Just you and I

And I, remember our first embrace
The smile that was on your face
the promises that we made
And now, your love is my reward
And I love you even more, than I ever did before

We made it, YOU AND I



As a young, single girl, I used to worry about finding a life partner. I asked God~ "How will I know? How can I pick a guy who will be with me for the rest of my life?" God let me know that my sweetie was the one... now, looking back, I'm so glad I listened... keep talking Lord, and leading us. We have trusted you this far and will continue to... thanks seems too small a word...

What FAITH can do

Have you ever felt like you have lost your faith?

My first impulsive answer would be "surely not, my faith is the most vital part of my existence"! But in all honesty, it is easy to loose SOME sometimes.... I'm not saying that I had none left during those hard, lonely times. I'm just saying that there are times I have to 'scratch' for my measure of faith! It's there, just hard to find...

A few years back, God really kept reminding me of this scripture:

Luke 18:8
~ Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? ~

Seems like humanity is looking for faith in everything but HIM.

Just a few days ago, a friend (thanks Twila!) recommended a song by KUTLESS, "What faith can do". I quickly went to You Tube and gave a listen.... then went directly to Itunes and purchased it. Now, it is playing non-stop on my play-list.

This song just lets us know that "all is not lost", "all is not over"... "there is hope for tomorrow" and a GOD that is still there. His power is not diminished or weakened.... even though it seems we are.

Make sure your eyes are open to ALL his avenues... sometimes he speaks with authority, sometimes in a small voice, or act of kindness! He knows how to find our soft spots!

Here is the YouTube link and the lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7elxC8LXfzE

What Faith Can Do

Verse 1 (ENDING)
Everybody falls sometimes, You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache, You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
And don't you give up now, The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining

Chorus
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end, Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered, Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Verse 2
It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word, It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death, When they decide to take that step, out on the water
But it'll be all right, Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way if you keep believing

Bridge
Overcome the odds, When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't, It will tell you that it can

CCLI Song No. 5380356
© 2008 Word Music, LLC | Life Of Rhyme Music Publishing | Chips And Salsa Songs | New Spring (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Scott Davis | Scott Krippayne
For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License No. 2925950

If you have "lost your faith" for whatever reason/reasons... I pray that we can hope again, believe again, find our faith... through it all!

Are you struggling with your faith today? You may think you have so many questions in life... well, you are not alone, we all have them... Let's agree together to see "What Faith can do".

Keep me posted...

My Mentor

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed..

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

My Thoughts: This is so true, we just need to know that no matter how hot (bad) things get for us, God is always there He is ALWAYS watching over us and will NEVER give us more than we can handle. He will see us through it all and we will grow in our relationship with Him through hard times! So, just hang on to that and know that no matter what you are going through, God is on your side and He is watching over your every move!

{Inspiration Korner}