Yesterday

Yesterday I wrote a post about a book that I am going to write.  On the post there is a poem that I wrote in 2005.  I wrote it while looking at a picture of my childhood home.  I remember that the memories flooded my soul like a kaleidoscope.  Memories screamed through my mind in all colors and in no particular order but those memories left me longing for yesterday.

Yesterday seemed so perfect and today seemed so imperfect.  Why was I in such a hurry to grow up and leave that perfect world??  Then I remembered.  Yesterday was not perfect, it was full of flaws just as my current life was and still is.  Memories do seem to have a way of leaving out the bad, the ugly and the indifferent.  At least mine do.  I did realize that day that my yesterdays, todays and tomorrows would be full of flaws but that those flaws can cause growth.  I am who I am because of the good, the bad, the ugly and the indifferent that has happened in my life.

It is those things in my life that remind me that no matter what happens there is a God.  He is there in the good, the bad, the ugly and the indifferent times of my life.  He is the one that picks up the pieces and puts them back together and this process is how I have become who I am today! I am a sinner, saved by grace with God's hand on my life.  I find that now I sometimes long for tomorrow.  The tomorrow that will put me face to face with my Savior!

What about you?  What do you long for?

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

New International Version (NIV)

⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

The Heart of a Wellston Tiger, 1

Just thought that I would clarify what had I posted about my writings that will eventually become books.  All, some, most or none of my words on any given post may or may not make it into the books, plus they have to be accepted by a publisher. I just thought that if I put the words out there and you guys  give me feedback then hopefully I will know which direction to write.

With that being said, alot of you know that I was born in Oklahoma City but moved with the rest of my family to Wellston, Oklahoma, when I was a year old.  We actually lived at Rt.1, Wellston.  I believe that this was the best thing that could have happened to me.  I grew up roaming 160 acres, had neighbors that felt like family, they certainly were allowed to discipline me if needed. We had cows, horses, chickens, roosters, vegetables out of the garden, pecan trees and a creek bed that was a delight to explore.  Then there was the town.  It housed the school, the drug store, the Y drive in, laundry mat, a church on every corner and if someone didn't know your name, they knew where you belonged.  I am hoping my writings will become a book filled with memories, mostly wonderful but a few sad, of growing up in the sixties and seventies in a town that I loved and embraced.

I did a book signing at the (new) Wellston elementary school in 2008.  This was not long after my first children's book was released and I had a wonderful time.  I told stories to each class about things that had happened to me when I was in their same grade and one boy told me that I needed to write a book about growing up in Wellston. It was an idea that grew and will not quit until I make it a reality.  I am hoping that it will be a book that children as well as adults will read.

I wrote this poem in the fall of 2005 after looking at a picture that showed the house, the pine trees, the fields and my dad and it will be either in the forward or on the last page of the book.


                                   Picture of My Childhood Home
                                   
                                   Standing afar but looking in
                                   Rolling down the hill like a kaleidoscope
                                   Touching the pine trees that stand like sentinels
                                   Guarding swaying, keeping us in

                                   Crawling to the house I try to stand
                                    I want to peek but
                                   Windows like secrets forbid my gaze

                                    Reaching out to touch, shivers flood my soul
                                    Turning to go sorrow mounts, till
                                    Whispers like angels give reprieve as
                                     I hear my name

Feel free to give me feedback and if you are from Wellston, give me your memories and if they fit with mine they just might make it into the book!

Writings to be done

I am going to be doing some post under the heading of 'The Heart of a Wellston Tiger' and 'The Long and Whiny Road'.  These are both titles of books that I am going to be writing and what you see posted will be in the books.   I would love any feedback that you would be willing to give me on these.  I have also had several people ask me and tell me that I should publish a book about Richard.  The posts about him started with 'The Journey, the Pain and the Blessing of Cancer' and then continued under 'The Journey Continues'.  Then there are the children's books.  I need to finish the stuttering snake one and have an idea for a deaf cheetah and I am stuck on the Malachi and the Magic Glasses.  Brain block!

Feel free to follow or subscribe to the blog, leave comments and suggestions, and remind me of things that need to go in these books.  Some of you guys know me better than I know myself!

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Journey Continues: Very quick update

Several people have been asking about Richard again.  He seems to be doing very well!!  A few weeks ago his white counts were down and he had to do blood work twice a week again.  The nurse called last Friday and said that his counts were all really good and that he can do blood work once a week and that depending on his counts this week he may be able to go off of two more medicines.  He is walking with Sarah most evenings and  still seems to have energy.

Thanks to everybody praying for Richard!!!

Psalm 54:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Hear my prayer, O God;
   listen to the words of my mouth.

Fund Raiser and Update on Brantley Jacobs

Brantley Jacobs is the baby that was born eight weeks early in December and he was diagnosed with Klippel-Trenaunay and Cloves Syndrome.  He was in OU Childrens and then Arkansas Childrens before he was able to go home in March.  Since then Brantley and his parents have been to Boston to confer with Doctors there.  They were told that Brantley would have to have his leg amputated but the doctors would like to wait until he is a year old.  Brantley will still have many doctors appointments.  He still will have to endure pain, infections and bleeding.  This family has many expenses and I am doing a fund raiser for Brantley's medical fund, travel and time off from work expenses.

I have two books published and I am taking orders for them.  Three dollars from each book sold will go to Brantley's fund.  I am collecting the money first and then will order the books and will send signed books to those that participate.  For those that live close to Enid I will deliver. Shipping may be added to those that are mailed.  Both books do come with a free audio download.

The books are Jungle Friends, Leo the Lion and the Big Bug Dilemma and Jungle Friends, Mack the Missing Monkey.   Leo is $8.00 and Mack is $9.00 but if you purchase both the price will be $16.00.  You can email me at brendasalladay@sbcglobal.net and I can tell you what your total is and if I have to charge for shipping.  You can pay by for the books by paypal using the mentioned email. You can also pay by checks, cash or money order but I would not recommend sending cash in the mail. 

 This link will take you to my author website if you would like to look at it http://leothelionandthebigbugdilemma.webs.com/mackthemissingmack.htm. 

If you would like to read more about Brantley you can read my blog post the Journey of Brantley Jacobs and A story of Birds and thinking about Brantley Jacobs.  You can also google his name and there should be several stories show up.  He has been written about by CNN, the Oklahoman and Channel 4 and 5 from Oklahoma City has reported his story.

Whether you can participate in the fund raiser or not please keep Brantley and his family in your prayers.  Pray that God will keep His hand on them as they travel this journey.

Ephesians 6:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

                  

Have you ever bombed?

My daughter had her third Seiling Music contest on Friday and she called me after her solo and told me that she had bombed!!  She plays the flute and in the past years had always made a 1 or superior.  I really doubted her words of bombing but she said she stopped in the middle because she forgot where she was, that
she breathed in the wrong spot and just played bad.  She even said the band director said she played terrible.

             



Saturday she told me of her nerves, getting sick to her stomach and of trembling hands when facing the judge.  She talked again of the band directors remarks.  I tried to soothe her and told her that the more she faced these situations the easier it should be.  I told her to just play, to do her best, to remember what she knew.  She found out Monday that she made a 1-.  I believe that she will learn from this experience.  I wish I could bomb that bad! LOL

The talk of bombing made me think of how often I do bomb.  My life as a follower of Jesus Christ is full of bombs.  Sometimes I tremble, am scared and don't want to do what I should.  Sometimes I just know that my actions were bad.  Some may have even called me terrible!!

The difference is my Judge is my Lord and Savior.  He woos me and comforts me when I am wrong or things I have done bombed.  He has me covered! He is my strength and refuge! I hope I learn from my bombs!  Just as the band judges gave written comments that should help Sarah I have words to read that will help me.  The Bible!

Have you ever bombed?  Who is your Judge?

Revelation 1:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

² who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

The Journey Continues: Another quick update!

Several people have been asking me about Richard so I thought I would post a quick update.

Richard seems to be doing well.  He has been able to quit taking his anti-rejection drug in the last week, though there are signs to watch for.  He has had to take a shot for low white blood counts and is back on magnesium.  He is now taking about five medicines, which is down from the twenty he was taking when he first came home from the hospital in June.  He was able to skip the IGG infusion the first of April.  He is gaining strength every day but does still come home from work tired most days.  He still takes some naps in the evening. The 17th of April will be his 11 month birthday for his new immune system.  His next Doctor's appointment is in May.

We still appreciate all the prayers!!  We do thank our God for you and your prayers and support!!

1 Corinthians 1:4

New International Version (NIV)

Thanksgiving

 ⁴ I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

The fall.

This last weekend I had the privilege to be part of the Women's Retreat at First Baptist Church. It was awesome and the main speaker was fantastic!!  I stepped out of my comfort zone at this event and was one of the breakout leaders. Some friends from my hometown of Wellston came to the retreat and it was great to see them.

On Saturday morning I was walking down the steps that led into the area where the kitchen and the fellowship hall is and I twisted or turned my ankle.  I felt pain shoot through the ankle as I realized that I was going down.  In what seemed  like slow motion I fell down the last two steps and landed with a thud.  The good news is that no one saw me or if they did they acted like they didn't.  I was thankful for that!  My hand was scrapped and bleeding and my ankle was sore but other than that I was fine. I still had a great day! I did feel bruised and sore over my entire body by the end of the day and took Tylenol.

I was thinking last night about my fall.  It just happened. It wasn't part of my plan for the weekend.   It happened because somehow I twisted my ankle.  I did probably complain a little bit over the weekend about the soreness to my husband but it is getting better and the Tylenol does help.

What I was thinking about last night though was just how small my pain was compared to what Jesus went through.  He took the fall for us!!  He was beat,spit on and mocked on the way to be nailed to the cross.  He went through this for us and it was planned!  He didn't complain and He didn't take medicine for pain.  He did this for me and He did this for you!  Do you know Him?

1 Peter 2:24

New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”