Luke 24:
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

The Ascension 
 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

I was tagged by Charlotte for a meme, and I "snagged" the above picture from her.  Thanks Charlotte.   

Here are the rules.  You share 8 things about yourself that your readers might not know. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going.  Here goes.

1. I was a huge Willie Nelson fan back in the late 70's and early 80's.  He used to do the Illinois State Fair every year and I saw him in concert there 3 times.  I still like his songs. 

2. I barely made it through a very rebellious time in my life from 1975 to about 1980.  I guess that's why I'm so, so grateful for God's grace and forgiveness.     

3. One of the most unusual dates I was ever on was when my boyfriend and one of his friends surprised me and the other guys girlfriend by taking us to an airport where he rented a small plane and we flew to a town miles away, had lunch, then went back.  We did that twice.  That's the only time I've been on an airplane.

4. I met and married my second husband within a 2 month period.  Our marriage didn't last, but I've never regretted any part of it. 

5. My second husband and I packed up all we could in a 1964 Ford Falcon (inside, top, and trunk),  kids, clothes, dishes, etc... (my cat squalled all the way) and we set out to move to California.  That was in 1975.  I'm sure we looked like "The Beverly Hillbillies". We stayed a year then went back, but I don't regret doing that either.  What an adventure for a small town girl from Illinois.

6. In 1978 or 79 one of my friends who knew Randy Owens of the group Alabama got me and 3 other friends back stage passes for a performance in Champaign, IL.  This was fairly early in their career, I think.  We got some great pictures of ourselves and the guys, but I only have 1 left. 

7. In 1985 I left my last husband and everything I had, but my clothes and a few keepsakes and moved, again by car, to Spring, Texas.  I moved in with my sister-in-law and got a job within a week.  Then my husband convinced me to move to Alabama with him and "start over".  BIG mistake. 

8. I went to school to learn how to drive an 18 wheeler in 1986.  I took my first over the road driving job in March of 1987.  I drove alone, 48 states for 3 years after that.  Then in 1990 I met David and we drove together until 1999.

I'd rather not tag anyone, but if you are so inclined, please do this little meme.  It sure brought back some memories for me.

Good morning to all of my dear friends in "blogland".  I got this e-mail from my dear friend, Jan, up in Illinois yesterday.

Hi Rita  I am asking today for prayer for someone in my family . She has breast cancer and is taking treatment, and she does need lots of prayer. She does not want anyone to know however her hair is coming out and she has lost 40 lbs.  I am not sure how long she can keep it quiet.  Because she doesn't want anyone to know I am not giving you a name as I promised her. God knows so that is all that matters . Thank you and I will keep you informed what God is doing for her. The doctors think they got it in time but this is the second time she has had cancer, and beat it three years ago with Gods help. I know he will do it again. She is only 33 and that's too young to die.   So I love you and I will stay in touch.  All Gods Blessings  Jan

I know all of you will step up to the plate for Amy over at Amy's Place.  She recently had to have part of her foot amputated as a result of the affects of diabetes.  She's having complications and is back in the hospital for treatment of deep vein thrombosis.  Please stop by there and offer her your love, encouragement and prayers.

There are changes ahead.  I feel the stirring of the air around me ... and inside ... I feel a reborn excitement and enthusiasm for love and life.  I depend on my God to guide me, shield me, and protect me. 
Am I sounding mysterious?  I guess so...to most people...but I will let you know eventually what is changing in my little world when the changes actually begin.
  
I don't think change is ever really easy, but if we want to reach the highest level of the mountain that we have to climb, then bumps and bruises from grabbing hold of the rocks and scaling the terrain are nothing, absolutely nothing,  in comparison to the joy that we know lies ahead on the mountaintop. 

To Be Posted Very Low on the Refrigerator Door
At Pet Nose Height...

Dear Dogs and Cats:
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food.  Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.  Beating me to the bottom is not the object.  Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed.  I am very sorry about this.  Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.  Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.  It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible.  I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom.  If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine,   meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.  I must exit through the same door I entered.  Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here.  You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it "fur"niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, they are an animal.  To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat Less
2. Don't ask for money.
3. Are easier to train.
4. Normally call when called.
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't smoke or drink
7. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
8. Don't want to wear your clothes
9. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
10. If they get pregnant you can sell their children.

I talked to Sandy yesterday and this is what she said about Rachel.  The surgery was done at St. Judes in Memphis, TN.  to attempt to remove the remainder of the tumor in her brain.  The surgeon was able to remove approximately 70% of what was left, but during the surgery the scalpel touched or damaged a nerve/nerves that control the ability to eat.  So Rachel is now unable to eat and is on a feeding tube or IV.  I don't know if this is permanent or something that will resolve with time.  I'll let you know more when I know.  Please continue to pray for this little girl. 

I sent a prayer request to some of my e-mail buds today, but I want to put the request here too.  It comes from my friend, Sandy, for a little 5 year old girl who is a friend of her neighbor's.  Rachel, the little girl, has a brain tumor.  They did surgery at Vanderbilt and were able to remove part of it and determine that it's benign, but they've taken her to St. Judes in Memphis where she'll be having surgery again tomorrow morning.  (Tuesday, 2/19/08).  The surgeon there believes he can remove 70% of what is left which will cut the chemotherapy required drastically.  Please pray for Rachel. 

Hey, I've been taking so much stuff for this nasty "crud" that my stomach is upset most of the time now.  Actually I think the saline nasal spray is what's getting to my stomach, but that helps keep the head cleared some.   I'm going to get better real soon, right?   Pleeeeeeeeze Lord?????