Suzanne's Blatherings

Charity

2012-01-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

What is Charity? In our society, the word is most often used to describe giving to a non-profit organization or to people less fortunate than ourselves. While that is a good example of what charity does, it doesn't convey the full meaning of the word. In the Bible, the word "charity" is used to denote a Christ-like love, the Greek word "agape". Nowadays, the word "love" is vastly overused. We "

New Years

2012-01-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realize that New Years Day was four days ago, but today is my New Years Day, as it is my BIRTHDAY!!! Being as close as it is to New Years, I wait until my birthday to make any new years resolutions I feel might be necessary. This year, I resolve to be much more mindful of God's blessings in my life. Over the past few months, I admit that I somewhat lost sight of God's blessings. Sam was

Mononucleosis

2011-12-14T17:12:00.000-08:00

Sam is finally feeling better. He still gets tired easily, but he's definitely more like his old self now. I can't help but think that he would have started feeling better much sooner if the doctors had diagnosed him properly in the beginning. It took them over a month to decide to test him for mono. By that time, he was so worn down, it's no wonder it has taken him forever to recover. He ended

Update on Sam

2011-12-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers for Sam's recovery. He's still extremely weak, but the doctor is confident that it's just because he had an extra-bad case of mono. Next week is the last week of school before Christmas, and he is restricted to half-days still. We're hoping that he will be able to regain his strength over Christmas break and be able to make it for full days at

Long-Overdue Update

2011-12-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted on here in over two months, because Sam has been sick for a LONG time. He started out with a terrible sinus infection that resisted four different rounds of antibiotics. That weakened his immune system so that he ended up with mono. He has missed over five weeks of school (four consecutive weeks), and although he has been back to school for over three weeks now, he is still

Dad

2011-09-30T08:18:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Anonymity

2011-09-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Borrowed from my friend Jim Duggan's twitter: I am not a fan of cowards who hide behind the mask of anonymity. Thankfully, our Omniscient God knows who you are and will deal with you. Everyone is welcome to leave comments on my blog, but don't expect them to be published if you aren't truthful enough to leave you name. Interestingly, with modern technology, IP addresses make it very easy to

Sam Is Sick

2011-09-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

Those of you who are my friends on facebook have undoubtedly seen my recent posts about Sam. He has been quite sick. He complained about his sinuses for over a week before I had a chance to get him to the doctor last Thursday. He was diagnosed with acute sinusitis and started on an antibiotic. The next day, he returned to school but probably shouldn't have. Over the weekend, he started running a

Appreciating Mom

2011-09-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

While perusing status updates on facebook, I came across this post by one of my friends: Your Mom is YOUR MOM. Nobody can replace her. Nobody should replace her. Nobody can do half the things she does or has done for you. Nobody can compare to her. Only God can love you more than she does. She’s only one person, but she’s the person that matters the most. REPOST IF YOU LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOUR

48 Hours

2011-09-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

What if the doctor informed you that you had only 48 hours (or one week, or one month) to live? What would you do with that time? Who would you call or go see? What amends would you make so that your heart would be clear as you entered eternity? In the Bible (James 4:14 KJV), it says, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for

Games People Play

2011-09-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

I like games ... board games, card games, computer games ... you name it! I love Scrabble, and I've been playing it against my computer for quite a while. I can do pretty well as long as it's set on Intermediate or lower, but I struggle on the higher levels of difficulty. Well, I recently discovered Words With Friends on Facebook, and now I'm addicted to it, especially since I've downloaded the

Every Day

2011-09-23T19:21:00.001-07:00

For the last 18 years:

Young Love

2011-09-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

Sam has a girlfriend, and I'm almost as happy about it as he is. Sarah is beautiful (or in Sam's words "so hot!") and as sweet as she is pretty. She is a good Christian girl who wanted a good Christian boyfriend. I must say, I couldn't be more pleased. Here is a picture of Sam and Sarah taken in the kitchen at church.

Mom

2011-09-15T05:57:00.001-07:00

Lately, I have been missing my mom a lot. There are times when I think of her and miss her more than at other times, and this is one of those times. Usually, when I'm overwhelmed with thoughts of her, it's a time that has special significance to her - her birthday, the anniversary of her death, Christmas (her favorite holiday), etc. Right now, it's not a specifically significant day. There are

Iced Coffee

2011-08-24T21:50:00.001-07:00

If you know me much at all, you probably know of my love for iced coffees. In fact, I think I just might be addicted to them, even though I don't have an addictive personality, rarely becoming addicted to anything. It all started when I bought one at McDonald's. Then, I discovered the iced mochas at Burger King...mmmmm, are they ever good!! I've had iced coffees from just about every restaurant

What I've Learned

2011-08-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

It may have taken me a while, but I've finally learned not to waste my time thinking about someone who doesn't spend any of his time thinking about me.

Financial Enhancement, LLC

2011-08-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

I'm telling everyone I know about a new business started by one of my best friends. The name is Financial Enhancement, LLC, and that's what it's all about ... enhancing your finances. For a limited time, he is offering a FREE financial assessment and credit repair. Head over to Financial Enhancement, LLC today. What have you got to lose?

Pandora

2011-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Have you tried Pandora internet radio? I've heard about it for quite a while, and Sam has been using it for two or three years now. I guess I'm just behind the times, but I just recently downloaded the app on my iPhone, and I.LOVE.IT! I had it cranking while I was in there washing dishes earlier, and it made the task not seem so horrible. Here are a couple songs I especially enjoyed singing

Proud Mama

2011-08-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

I'm sure my mom is sitting in Heaven beaming down in pride for my son, her youngest grandchild. She was a very influential part of his formative years. (He still talks about things she taught him many years ago.) This past Sunday night, Sam informed the church that he had surrendered to preach. I've been proud of him on many occasions but never more than at that moment! He has always had a

What a Night!

2011-07-26T05:33:00.001-07:00

I'm so glad last night is over and done with! I had a good day yesterday and was hopeful that my evening would continue in the same mode, but it was not to be! When I got to work, I was given a note with instructions from my department manager. It seemed to me that it was probably a little more work than I could get done in my four-and-a-half-hour shift, but I was determined to give it my best

Back to the ER with Sam

2011-07-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in here in quite a while because I've been much too busy. Last night, after I got off work, I had to take Sam to the ER for a leg injury. He was wrestling with a friend Monday and fell on some steps. His right leg hit the edges of one of the steps. Then, he walked in a parade, which was probably the worst thing he could have done. It was very swollen and bruised, but I thought

Love Without End

2011-06-20T09:04:00.002-07:00

The words of this song so accurately describe the never-ending love of my heavenly Father. My earthly father, not so much.

True Christianity

2011-06-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Are you a true Christian? Or are you just hoping that you'll somehow make it into Heaven one day? These are the most serious questions you'll ever face. Candace Cameron Buré (DJ from "Full House") talks about this important subject in a way that is very easy to understand. Please take the time to watch this video and heed what she says.

Missing Sam

2011-06-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that I miss Sam? The house is quiet, TOO quiet. Tomorrow night, when he is back home, I may be wishing for the quiet again; but I will be so glad to have my boy back home. He will be bursting at the seams, eager to tell me all about his trip and the roller coasters and everything that went on while he was gone. I guess I'll savor the quietness for this one last night and then

Quietness

2011-06-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

Friday morning, I dropped Sam off at the church for the youth group's mission trip. It has been blissfully quiet at the house, but I must admit that I miss him! So, this has been my opportunity to get out and have a little fun without having to worry about Sam. Unfortunately, I've either had to work, or I've been lying in bed in pain. I was hurting all over so badly on Saturday that I had to call