Here are the welcome messages from August 1999.

	August 2, 1999
	August 17, 1999
	August 23, 1999
	August 30, 1999

August 2, 1999
Happy Monday!! "What's so happy about it?" you might be asking. I don't have a list of reasons. I am not wealthy, I am not particularly healthy, and I have already encountered some problems and annoyances here this morning. I only have one reason. GOD LOVES ME WITH AN UNENDING, UNCONDITIONAL, TREMENDOUS, AWESOME LOVE!! That's all.
Next Monday I will not be updating this. Let's see, around this time next Monday I will be either sitting in the shade next to the Colorado River with a cup of coffee, sitting in my air-conditioned "castle" (our 1978 Titan motor home) reading my Bible, talking to the Lord and looking out the window at the Colorado River, or maybe I will be floating down the river on an inner tube with only one worry--make sure I keep my feet and rear end from snagging on a submerged branch. Well, enough of that--I've got to get my shopping list done and see what's on sale today and hustle my bustle. (You know, bustle, the things women used to wear under their dresses to make their rear ends look humongous? Never mind....)
Are you asking the Lord to use you? Have you been seeking your portion in the Body of Christ? Do you feel the urgency that I feel in getting busy doing God's business? I believe it is because the time is short and there is much to do!
Link to the 8/2/99 Bible study.

August 17, 1999
Yes, my vacation was wonderful! It was very relaxing! Actually, it was more relaxing than I intended it to be. On Wednesday I did a silly thing. Someone had taken a wake board to the river with them. I tried using it. Now, I know how to water ski on a single ski. I also kneeboard. A wakeboard was totally different. It doesn't point your feet toward the end of the short, stubby board. Your feet point more toward the long side. In order to get up you have to twist your feet, legs, and lower body to get it to go toward the direction the boat pulls you. I must have tried 20 times. I never got up. (We found out later that the boat was going too fast and the rope was too long.) Well, I never got up on the wake board. What I did do is hurt my back and hip. I'm having some trouble sitting today. It's not fun getting old. I think I'll stick with what I know. . .at least for now. ;^)
The worst part about a vacation is coming home. By the time I get everything cleaned and put away I'll need another vacation!!
On the way home we had some trouble with the fuel line. We stalled and were blocking four lanes on a cross street. My first impulse used to be panic. This time I told the Lord that we were totally in His hands and asked Him to take care of getting us out of the road. It worked. He got us out of there before we had any cars wanting to use the road we were blocking! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
Link to the 8/17/99 Bible study.

August 23, 1999
I need another vacation! I have had so many things needing to be done this week that I'm still not done putting things away from my vacation! My back still hurts and I can't stop to let it rest. Well, the good news is that I'm NOT BORED!! Ha ha ha ha ha
God taught me a lesson about putting faith in people. I had some Christian friends that I've known for eleven years. We've fellowshipped together, broken bread together, prayed together, and worshipped together. I have found out that they have chosen to believe things about me that are not true. An incident has been blown out of proportion and twisted and a few people are spreading tales. These people never knew me. I always thought I could go to them when I needed help. I always thought we would be friends. God is the only faithful one. God is the only one who will never leave me or forsake me. He knows me and knows my heart. I should never be surprised by what people do or say. They are people. They don't always do the right thing. They don't always love their neighbor as themselves. They don't always walk in God's will. You see, I already knew that, but I hadn't placed it solidly in my heart. I keep asking God to show me things in my life that don't please Him and He does. With His help I am able to eliminate those things. I pray Hebrews 13:20-21, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make [me] perfect in every good work to do his will, working in [me] that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Forgive me, Lord, for being such a slow learner! Help me to keep my eyes on You. Help me to think, speak, and act in Your will. Help me to make my opinions Your opinions. Help me to love people the way You love them. I want to be a pure and useable vessel. I want people to see You in me.
Link to the 8/23/99 Bible study.

August 30, 1999
Whoo boy! Something's gotta give! I feel like I've been on a treadmill. I've been flying 100 miles per hour and don't feel like I've accomplished anything! School is about to start and so band and football seasons have begun. Since I am a parent volunteer I have been busy with one thing and another! I find myself driving to the high school and then home over and over. Satan is trying to keep my mind on other things! It might be keeping me from sitting down and reading my Bible, but every time I get in the car I get to spend time alone with God! I might be slowed down, but I am not stopped!! I have been finding myself in the position of having many people, both students and parents, having to go past me on their way to register at school, eat lunch, or whatever. I am in the position of being a window through which they can see God. Satan thinks he is just distracting me from my walk with the Lord, but instead he has placed me in a position of witnessing to others through my attitude and through the Christian shirts I wear. Once again I say, "I have not been stopped!"
My son found a kitten in a park the beginning of May. He likes to snuggle every now and then. He particularly likes it when he is just a little drowsy and when I am sitting at the computer. He climbs up to my shoulder and purrs and purrs. He keeps rubbing his head against my face and wanting me to rub his head and kiss his sweet face. As I am typing this he is draped over my shoulder. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to love someone (or an animal) when they are loveable? When they are loving you it is so easy to love them back. Well, I want you to know that God loves you all the time. He is adoring you and His love is being poured out on you. Your portion is only to receive it. His love is UNCONDITIONAL! He loves you in the maximum amount ALL THE TIME! You hear me? ALL THE TIME!
I sure would enjoy hearing from you! Lately I haven't had time to take a deep breath, much less answer all of my email, but it blesses my heart to know that you were here. Please send me email. Thank you!
Link to the 8/30/99 Bible study.