No Physical Presence

UPDATE to the following post: Wednesday night---I got an e-mail from my friend Mary Ellen in Australlia. She tried to call me ,but I was at church. She is fine. Her area is not yet affected, but both she and her husband 's jobs are closed until further notice.

I am reminded today, as I wait to hear from my dear friend Mary Ellen in Australia, of how little physical presence has to do with loving someone. Mary Ellen is my daughter's age. I have never met my dear pen pal (of about a decade)physically, but I just love her to pieces!

Mary Ellen lives in a area that is now being devastated by epic flooding.I am worried. My stomach is in knots. I want to know that she is okay, and in no danger.I read about the increasing flooding today,now in her city, and shot her an e-mail insisting that she let me know if she and her husband are okay.So now....I wait.

Why I am I so knotted up about a person I have never physically met? How can you care about someone you have written and talked on the phone with ,yet never met? The answer is....WE HAVE MET....in spirit. WE have commonalities.WE are both Christians.We are both teachers, and have stories we could tell,believe me! We both struggle with weight. I love her Aussie accent,and she loves my southern drawl.I don't have to say to anyone that she does exist. I have her letters..(and several gifts.......)I talk to her, so no one can convince me that there is no little aussie girl who is dear to me.

She is not my daughter, but there is a part of me that for some strange reason I can't explain,feels that we are related. We both express heartfelt wishes to meet someday. I'm the old lady, so she needs to come to the states...grinning...She will come to me.If I ever hear she is coming I would do every thing I could to make her trip inviting.I think she would instantly feel at home.

Which brings me to my point.Thinking about Mary Ellen led way to thinking about the Lord. I love my Lord with all of my heart. Have I ever seen him? No. I FEEL Him in my spirit. I don't have to see or touch Him to know that He exists.I have his letters.That is how we really got aquainted!

He loves me.WE are related. I am His child.We talk all the time. Therefore,no one can tell me that there is no Lord Jesus making ready for me to come home!I don't have to physically see and touch Him to believe, and long for the day I see Him.
In the twinkling of an eye! Think of that! But I will GO TO HIM.....and I will be home!

Blessed is he who has not seen, yet has believed!

FLOOD NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/12/3110943.htm?section=justin

Y'all have a great week!
Jackie/Louisiana Bayou Lady

P.S. I got my toenail cut off yesterday after a seven week infection that would not heal,even after 20 days of antibiotics.(Because of my lymph systemm disorder..)Hopefully It will heal now.Say a little prayer for me, and a big one for Mary Ellen!

AS always,thanks for dropping by!~~~~Jackie~~~

To Me,from Me! Ho,Ho,Ho!

Well,ho,ho,ho, and Merry Christmas to me! I bought myself a recliner yesterday. It's my Christmas gift from me,to me! I have needed one for so long.I have lymphedema  ,mostly in both legs. I am supposed to sit with both legs up as much as possible when seated. I could afford one, so I spent $20.00 on a small ottomon instead.

Yesterday, I went to a local chain furniture store to buy my daughter (who lives with me) a new mattress for her main Christmas gift. Her other one was a goner.

While there,the saleslady (a friend of my daughter)told me that she had the recliner chair that I had previously almost bought back in stock. Additionally,it was on sale,at the very low price of $200.00! So I dipped into my emergency fund and bought it right then and there. I am usually not so impulsive, but I need it and loved the sage/taupe color.  So now, I'm sitting in a recliner with my legs way up, and feeling great. Ho,ho,ho!  Compare one of my bad days(mostly) with one of my good days. Good days take a lot of sitting, with elevated legs. I have to wear compression hose every day. You can seee why I am excited about something as mundane as a recliner!!!!!You can also understand why spending time on the computer helps me pass the time.~~~~~Jackie~~~~~~

Glorius October!

My favorite season is here! I love fall, and today it finally feels like fall. I woke up yesterday at 8:00 a.m. The air was crisp, and leaves crushed under my little dog Sweetie's feet. I got on my riding lawn mower and happily cruised around the big ole yard, singing and just taking in the beauty of the day. After I mowed the front and my back yard(left the sides for today)I was give out, but only because of the lymphedema in my legs.Just a beautiful day! Boring, but that is how I roll!

Daughter Lisa and I had  sauteed chicken and onions over a bed of crisp spinach for supper. For dessert, a yogurt fruit smoothie.
Recipe for Sauteed Chicken Over Spinach Salad
Procedure:
~Cut 2 raw skin-off chicken breast filets into small pieces.
~Cover the bottom of a cast iron skillet with olive oil and heat.
~Place chicken in the cast iron skillet which has been covered with olive oil.Use a medium heat.
~ Stir chicken in the oil frequently .
~When the chicken is about half-way done, add 1/2 cup of chopped onions and cook until done.
~Sprinkle with a little salt and Mrs. Dash (liberally), or your favorite seasonings.
~ Remove chicken from heat and cover for 10 minutes.

Using (washed ,chopped , and drained )spinach, green onions, two chopped boiled eggs, and 1/2 cup (or more) of shredded Montery Jack (jalepeno) cheese, toss your salad .
Divide the salad  into individual salad bowls. Arrange Chicken and onions on top of salad, and provide favorite dressing. We use ranch dressing.
This salad is also delicious with a handful of dried cranberries added.Lip smacking good!