Five Minute Friday--Messenger

Joining Lisa Jo and her flash mob of bloggers.  Writing on a topic for 5 minues. 
Here goes . . .
Start. . . Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ-Romans 10:17
Messenger,I didn't marry a Preacher.  I married a loving Christian man that really didn't know how to show love.  Although he grew up in church and accepted Christ as his savior as a teenager her struggled/s with showing love.  He didn't learn it at home.  His father was saved shortly before his death.  As a couple we've always gone to church.  We tried to absorb the message and become Christ Followers.  But, my husband continued to struggle with how to express himself and show love.  He worked in the corporate world.  He was actually nicknamed 'hatchet man' on one of his jobs because he was so drivin' and expected so much from others.  Other supervisors actually asked him to supervise their staff when they had problems.  He was a hard worker.   He was a hard worker for the Lord too even while he was in the corporate world. We went to Sunday School.  We planned parties for our class.  We went to visitation on Tuesday night. 
He enjoyed working and was so driving that he tended to neglect the family.  That father influence breaking through again. 
A few years ago he was asked to go on a mission trip to Ghana. I didn't think much about it because we had gone on mission trips together to Mexico several times. 
But,  there was something different.  He came back a changed man.  To this day I don't know what exactly changed him.  I know who but not what or how.  I remember when he came back that I knew God was changing our world.  And I actually prayed that he wouldn't send us to Alaska.  He answered my prayer.  He sent us back to Texas.  And my Cowboy the man that can't show love has learned through God how to share His love to teenage boys that are in prison. 
I am married to a Preacher.  He is a Messenger of God's word. 

Linking with Lisa Jo.  Click Here to  visit/join Five Minute Friday.
                                       Happy Trails
                                  

 

                                   Sherry

Don't Fence Me In part 2

I found this great linky at RunaRound Ranch.  I love it.  I love anything horse or Cowboy related. 
Over at RunARound Ranch they love fences.  Here's a few . . .

 Ride with Pride in Southlake, Texas is where our daughter and son first took lessons . . .

Nothing better the American Flag and a horse! 

I just had to add this one taken at Slant J. Horsemanship Camp
in Weatherford,Texas . . .

I guess sometimes being fenced in is ok!
Check our a few more fences at The Good Fences linky.
Click here to visit.

Thanks for visiting.

                             Happy Trails
                                      

                                                                                

 

Sherry

Alphabet Thursday--Letter D

Since I began teaching Preschool I have become intrigued with the Alphabet.  I see my ABC's everywhere . . .

I love Vintage . . .

 

I would love to have some printed

And then of course couldn't do a "D" post

without . . .  

 

The only t.v. show that the Cowboy and I watch.   Always good for a laugh.

And of course since I teach preschool I had to add a couple of
crafts . . .

Of course "D" is for Dog .    And . . .

 

Yummy!

                Opp's I mean Do nut!                 

Linking with Jenny for Alphabet Thursday.  Click Here.

 

Happy Trails

Sherry

Photo Scavenger Hunt with Ashley

Scavenger Hunt Sunday with Ashley . . .

Light . . .

Watch . . .

Perspective . . .

My daughter teaches Horse back riding.  For a short time she worked at a barn that taught disabled children that had to be put in a sling to be placed on the horse.   Seeing their perspective.


Fuel . . .

The fuel I need.

It's not to late to join.  Click here to visit Ashley.

                                          Happy Trails
                                                      

 

                                                                         Sherry

Wednesday Filled With Words-- Big Deal?

This post is a follow up to Sundays post.  To read it Click Here.
In case your limited on time . . . Sundays post was about the message from our Sunday service.  My Cowboy is the Chaplain/Pastor at a boys juvenile prison.

So on Sunday my Cowboy was sharing the message in our church service.  It was a message about God's plan concerning marriage. 

He got my attention . . .

He was sharing with the young men about finding a Godly wife.

                                                 Source
Almost every week he includes personal stories the guys love to hear them. 

So this week he shared the first story . . .
Years ago. Many, many years ago when we were first married we
hung out with another couple (friends of mine from high school).
The guys were into hunting but we were all poor young newlyweds so the guys tended to go to the local grasslands.  An area of parks and woods where in certain areas you can hunt for free.   So as the story goes . . . the guys had been gone all afternoon and as usual it was after dark as they were heading back.  I was used to this so wasn't too worried.  I also knew that My Cowboy is a prankster so when he called and said to me "Honey.  Everythings ok but we're in jail we were driving a little too fast and we got pulled over.  They saw all the guns and now we're in jail.  I need you . . . "  He didn't finish the sentence.  I interrupted and said. "If your stupid enough to get thrown in jail then you deserve to be there."  And I hung up.  I kind a was a little worried but when he called right back I answered.  "I thought you only get one phone call in jail?"  He answered. "You hung up!  You actually hung up on me. "  It all was a big joke later.
The funny part and the part that he loves to tell about is when our friends husband called his wife she didn't respond the same way.
She got all worried and asked what she could do etc.  
. . . Of course Cowboy used the story to tell them about how you need a wife that would respond the way I did.  If you do something stupid to land in jail you don't need someone that will enable you.

A story like this gets their attention.  They could relate.     
I've heard Cowboy share this story before. 

But it was what he shared next that got my attention.  He shared a simple story about something I had cooked the other day.  This is how he shared it . . .
. . . I came home Saturday afternoon from work.  My back pockets were draggin'.  It had been a looooong day.  My wife had food waiting for me.  She had made a pizza.  Not the kind out of a box.
She made a homemade pizza.   And it cost $3.00.    That's a good wife.  She found  pizza crust and pepperoni at Dollar Tree for $1.00 each.  And she found shredded cheese marked down at the grocery store.  She is a good shopper.  That's the kind of wife you need.
She could have easily called and had a pizza delivered.  But instead I got a homemade pizza for $3.00!"

As I listened to the end of the story.  I was shocked that he felt like it was such a big deal that I had found such a deal.  I just thought I was being frugal.  I didn't realize until he put it into words how important it was. 

My Cowboy is not real affectionate.  It's rare that he'll initiate a hug.

It's rare that he says something nice to me or compliments me.

And even if it's an accident when he does it is "A Big Deal."

My Trails are Happy.  May you have . . .

                                       Happy Trails
                                   

 

                                    Sherry

Thrifty Tuesday

I love antiqueing.  Don't you.  Today I am sharing one of my
favorite finds . . .

 Many years ago back in the day the Cowboy had a chuck wagon.
This cool piece was part of it.  We salvaged it and used it for a new purpose .
In our house it sat on the fireplace hearth filled books. . .

 

Now adays it's sitting as part of a display on an antique library table

I love using it to store part of my horse/ranching library

Some day all these books and many more will be in a room something like this . . .

or maybe something like this . . .

 
I dream . . . About books and . . .


         Linking with Nifty Thrifty.  Click Here.  
         Linking with Sir Thrift A lot.  Click Here.    
                                    
                                                            Happy Trails

                                                                          
                                               Sherry

Blue Monday--Art Around Town

Welcome to Blue Monday.  My hangout with Sally who is
always Smiling!
Today I am sharing some local art that I see when I visit my mother.

 Each time we visit we get to see The Duke as we stop at this
Red Light . . .

 I never remember to take my camera.  I got this off the towns website.  Not sure exactly where this one is. . .

 We pass Clint Eastwood . . .

 Another website capture . . .

Anyone know who this is? 

All these images found in North Richland Hills, Texas.  I think it's
cool that they paint these big 'ole ugly things on the side of the road. 
And their Blue.  You can see more Blue over at Sally's. Click Here
to visit.

                                         Happy Trails
                                         

And a little more Blue

Have a good day

 

Sherry

Here It On Sunday/Use It On Monday

The message I hear on Sunday is for young men 15-18 years old. 
They are in our states Juvenile Prison.
My Cowboy is the Volunteer Pastor/Chaplain.
Last week the message focused on the Proverbs 31 Woman.  This week he followed up with Samson and Delilah.  

Today the prayer requests touched my heart . . .
They come as little children.  The prayers are innocent . . .

Unedited . .
"God gives me the strength to continue to be faithful and follow him and become a true Christian."
This from a young man whose family are members of a white supremist group.   I was touched.  When I first met him he talked about planning to 'go to the adult' prison.  It's a right of passage.

I cannot imagine what it might be like to be this poor young man.
 "My lord I will like to pray for my family that's in Mexico and hopeful I get to see them soon."
To be in prison in another country with no opportunity to connect and communicate with family it breaks my heart.

 "My lord I acsept you In my hart.  Show me how to live the way
you want me to live.  Thank you I love you."
When you read these words you realize it is worth the effort.

"Pray that my family is ok and more important is that my girlfriend right now is my one and only that im going to spend the rest of my life with her."
And when you realize that they really listened and understood the message.  Your heart is filled . . .
"I pray the lord prepares the best girl for me and the God prepares me. I pray I do the right things, and I help others. In Jesus Name.
Amen."

Sometimes the message doesn't seem to be one that 'applies'.  You might wonder how to 'use it on Monday.'  But for me I think the message today was just a reminder and affirmation that we are where God wants us to be. 

May your week be filled with God's blessing.  Have a good week.
                                              

                                                                        Sherry