The Songs in My Life ~ Thy Word is A Lamp Unto my Feet

 "Thy Word is Lamp Unto My Feet" - (Psalm 119:105)

I have sung this song so often over the years.  It never fails to speak to my heart and declare my love for God and my trust in Him.  (Psalm 119:105)

Photo by daniel petreikis on Unsplash

I spent a while pondering the thought of two lights.  I wondered why there were two lights.  Then one night I was outside and there was a tall light - it was helping me see the entire path ahead of me.  I also had my flashlight to see what was right in front of me and then it hit me.  Two lights!  I get it!

Photo by Julia Florczak on Unsplash

I was so thankful at that moment for a wonderful Heavenly Father that gave us His Word as a "lamp" for our feet and a "light" for our path!

I'll never be the same after that moment.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs In My Life ~ I'll Never Be Lonely Again, Never Again

I'm doing good.  I miss my Bill - a lot - but I'm doing good.

As I walked out of my pantry tonight, I thought, "I'm on my own, but I'm not alone."

Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

I think every Christian that lives a daily life loving God and thankful for what Jesus did for us on the Cross shares this feeling.  I found myself singing an old song - used to sing it as a young child.  It means even more to me now.

Here's the YouTube link and the lyrics are below.  Just as I sang this as a child who loved Jesus with all of her heart - I'm still singing it.  I'll never be lonely again, never again.  You don't have to be either.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swm6Bs1TaQ4

Lonely days and lonely nights,

Filled with despair,

Caused me to long for

Someone to care;

Then I heard Christ say to me;

"This promise I've made:

Lo! I am with you

Now and forever,

Be not afraid."

Chorus

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again,

For I have opened

My heart's door to Him.

So I'll brush away the tears

And forget my

Foolish fears

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again.

If you're longing for a friend,

Loving and true,

Turn to the Savior

He waits for you;

He will do the same for you

As He did for me;

He'll never leave you,

Never forsake you,

Trust Him and see.

Chorus

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again,

For I have opened

My heart's door to Him.

So I'll brush away the tears

And forget my

Foolish fears

I'll never be lonely again,

Never again.

My Husband was a Genius...Logical

I loved having my girls and their families visit after my husband passed.  It was a good reunion and they helped me with a lot of things around the house.  One monstrous thing to deal with was the huge, gigantic desk Bill built for himself.  His favorite saying was..."I could sit on it."  Considering he was 250# that was quite a statement.

I loved something my son-in-law said as he took it apart for me.  He said, "Bill put it together so logically, it was easy to take apart logically."  That made my heart very happy.  Thank you, Bill, for your genius.  You did everything so well and I love you for it.

Thank you, Adam, for getting the huge desk out and giving me a new office to work in and teach in.  Life is good.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Thankful for...Home Hospice

It's been a journey.  In the almost 4 years since Bill found out he had lung cancer, he's had 6 months without any new growth.  Every time he said "I'm not doing a new treatment."  Every time he told the doctor, "I'll give it a try."  The treatments have been rough on him.  He's given more than the old "college try".

Last month he finally said, "I'm tired.  No more treatments."  He wanted to just come home and be.  I told him I wasn't going to be the only "eyes" on him cause I'd have all kinds of things happening to him - all non-existent of course.  I told him I wanted the Hospice company we'd used for mama in 2016.  They were good, caring people.  I think he decided that would be easier on him than me bugging him daily.

We have a wonderful nurse that comes in twice a week now.  He doesn't have to go to Liberty Regional for weekly labs any more and he doesn't have to go for chemo on Thursdays now.

For a bad situation - life is good.  I say that to encourage those who love my Bill.  He's good - he's at peace with himself - he's...at peace and so am I.  I'm not sure how long he'll be on this side of Heaven but we're making the most of his time here.

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash

For any others in this position - I pray for you.  I pray for peace, for time together, for caring people in your life.

Thanks for visiting  ~ Reia

Frugal Living ~ Ibotta, Shopkick, Fetch

"Frugal Living" is my middle name.  I've been a "coupon clipping - rebate mama" for decades.  I've had successes (free trash bags for years to come) and failures (free 2L sodas - didn't know they had expiration dates until they started popping and going everywhere in the garage).

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

With Smartphones and apps, rebates have evolved and I've evolved with them.  It's actually easier to save money now.  It helps to have a plan.  My daughter, Ginger Alana, is the best at whipping a plan together.  When visiting and "Ibotta" shopping, she went aisle to aisle telling me exactly what to get and we truly scored some good savings.  I'll go shopping with her any time!

Photo by Michael Longmire on Unsplash

So - if you need some saving ideas...my favorites to use are Ibotta, Shopkick and Fetch.  We get to try new things and get some dollars back to help pay for them.  The marketing strategy has worked because I've fallen in love with some products I never would have tried.

More to come.  Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Enneagram 5 ~ the Need to Learn and Possess Knowledge

Finding out that I'm an Enneagram 5 was life changing.  No longer trying to figure out why I am the way I am.  Free to just be me!

Fives are alert, insightful and curious.  Fives are constantly learning and picking up new skills.

No matter what we want to believe about ourselves - we are who we are.  I experienced this a few minutes ago while checking my email.

Don't need that - Delete.  Don't need that - Delete.

Email from allrecipes.com - "Lebanese Fattoush" - don't need that - De.... - Lebanese Fattoush?  I don't even know what that is much less how to make it.

Photo by Taylor Kiser on Unsplash

Click on email link..."lettuce, cabbage, radishes, cucumber, red bell pepper, carrot, sweet corn kernals, tomato, small onion, clove, olive oil, pomegranate seeds and syrup plus pita bread"  Lebanese Fattoush

fattoush

[faˈto͞oSH]

NOUN

1. a Middle Eastern salad consisting of tomatoes, cucumber, and other vegetables together with croutons made from toasted pita bread.

There you have it - an hour in the life of "Reia - Enneagram 5".  Gaining knowledge about things I didn't even know existed.  You're welcome!

Want to know what Enneagram you are?  This is a test my group of Enneagram friends have found useful.  https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs in My Life ~ Madre de la Iglesia

 Anyone remember the kid's song "Bend and stretch - reach for the stars"?  My life reminds me of this song.  If I'd made a list or a Bingo card even, "play for a Spanish service" wouldn't have been on it.  I felt incompetent - I couldn't do that.  I'm one of the whitest females on the planet - can't dance, can't play by ear, just...can't.

Photo by Moritz Mentges on Unsplash

So thankful I always ask for God's "will" - not for what I want but for what God wants.

One of the richest blessings in my life is playing for our weekly Spanish Mass every Sunday.  The people are such a blessing - the music is amazing - the music is fun.  I could go on.

Photo by Ann on Unsplash

Today the song going around in my head and heart is "Madre de la Iglesia".  May is "Mary's month" at our church and we sing a Mary song each week.  I've fallen in love with this song.  It's bilingual.  The link is in Spanish but I'm putting the English words here.  If nothing else, you'll find yourself bee-bopping around with this tune in your head and a smile on your face.

Refrain - Pray for us, O Mary, mother of all nations,

in our hearts forever - hope of our salvation.

Dawning of Christ’s sunlight, our doorway to heaven,

pray for us, O Mary, mother of all nations.

1 – Mother of the nations, star above the ocean,

lead us to Christ Jesus, fill us with his blessings.

Holy Virgin Mother, bearer of Christ’s dawning.

God’s most lowly servant, Queen of all creation.

2 – Grant that we may see you in all your radiant beauty.

Guide us in our journey to God’s holy presence.

Holy Virgin Mary, hope of our salvation,

lead us to Christ Jesus, fill us with his blessings.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Prolonging Life ~ What Does it Mean?

So we're in the stage of "prolonging life".  We called quits on "curing" and now we're "prolonging life".  I thought I'd be a widow much earlier so being in this stage is better than I thought.  I still have today and maybe tomorrow with an incredible man, husband, father and most of all - best friend.

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

I'm not sure where you're at in life.  I hope that you're making the most of every day.  Loving the people in your life and not worrying about the people that don't make your life better.

Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash

Wherever you are - make the most of every day.  Love those that make your life better.  Pray for everyone in your life.  Be thankful for the extra days you didn't think you'd have.  Live!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia