Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

Thankful {8/30}

Today I am so super thankful for this wack-a-loon family that is so willing to indulge my crazy Christmas picture ideas. There is always, without a doubt, crazy faces and lots (and I mean LOTS) of laughing. And me trying to run like a crazy lazy and get in the picture without looking like I just ran. Good times. We’re making memories y’all 🙂

Dear Anonymous Commenter

Dear Anonymous Commenter:

For over a year, I’ve sat idly by while you’ve left demeaning, rude comments hidden behind a facade of niceness.  Although the sugar dripping out of your mouth might have fooled others, it never fooled me.  The comments were intentionally left to hurt me, I know it and so do you.  While I could have easily said oh-so-many things in return, I’ve erred on the side of silence.  Until today.

A little info on this little blog of mine. I started this blog in 2006 (wow, it’s been 8 years). It was started as an outlet, a way to share my scrapbook pages and a way to keep in touch with family. But then something happened. As time went on, more and more people started reading.


A while back, I glanced at my site meter. I saw something that was beyond anything I could have imagined. I have readers from Russia, Canada, China, United Kingdom, Germany, Philippines, France and Malaysia. And I realized, in that moment, that this blog was my Ministry. God has done something I never, in a million years, would have imagined this country girl from a tiny town in central Pennsylvania doing. I have actually “went into the world” from my living room.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mark 16:15

Every day I write blog posts to inspire others and make them smile; to share hope, grace and truth; to share my own mistakes and sins; to share my heart; and to share Jesus and His amazing love with others around the world.

I absolutely want my blog to be a happy, positive place. A place where you know, even on your worst day, you can leave it with a smile on your face and feel refreshed. A place where the heart of Jesus shines through.

I know you feel directly connected to some of my posts, especially the ones on friendship.  I can see how many times you read them.  I can see how you go back, time after time, and read once I’ve written nearly two years ago.  I can see how many times you go back and read the comments you’ve left, no doubt hoping to see a response from me.
I’ve decided to give one response for all the past and future comments you’ve made here…
If you can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.
~  Thumper’s Mama

I’m choosing silence rather than allowing my emotions to respond. I know that my responses should always be to reach out in grace and mercy. Even though you may have bad intentions, I should have forgiveness in my heart. It’s simply not necessary for me to publicly ridicule you. And I refuse to do it.

You can feel welcome to continue to read my blog, that’s what it’s here for.  That’s why I write it.  But if you’re leaving comments hoping to receive an unkind response from me, you’re wasting your time.  You won’t find that heart attitude here.

Thankful {7/30}

Today I am thankful for being a country girl. For dirt roads and corn fields. For chicken raising and garden growing.  For the ability to change my own oil, bake up a cake and put shingles on the roof. For learning to drive a 1946 John Deere H when I was 11. For cowboy boots and jeans. For loving to get muddy and spinning out every chance I get. For my mama showing me how to can my own food. For my dad teaching me dirt washes off, how to replace a universal joint, how to mix bondo {which I love the smell of…is that weird?} and how to weld and braze. For being country since the first breath I took, even when it wasn’t cool.  There is no place else I’d rather be than in my little Small Town, USA.