Happy New Years

I am not a big fan of New Years Eve, partying, drinking, and driving where you know others have been drinking is not my cup of tea. I have told my kids for years to stay wherever they are on New Years Eve.   However. I do love New Years Day. The first day of the year gives you a fresh start.  A new year, where you can start over and do better and be better than ever. I love early mornings, before you get out of bed , knowing that you have not sinned today .......yet..  I  try to start every  day by saying,"good  morning  Lord, thank you for this day, please  help me  to do your will , and to bless some one today.  I love the beginning of the month, when I gert a new journal, fresh new, clean white pages, no mistakes.  When we play tennis we say fresh before each new game.  Maybe it is like the Bible say, " Forgetting the past, I press toward the mark of the high calling of Jesus Christ my Savior."

Have a great year

Proverbs 31 the last one of the month

Here we are at the last day of the month and I am reading about the virtuous women.  I know that I have a long way to go to come close to the way she is described.  I take comfort in the fact that God does require me to be like her or any one else.  He just wants me to be the best Connie that I can be. So, for next year and the rest of my life I am going to strive to do just that, nothing more and nothing less.  Stop comparing yourself to others. or you may become vain or develop a complex according to who you choose.


Have a happy and save New years eve.  We will be sitting here by our campfire until late.....really late like maybe even 10:15 or 10:30.

My week by the numbers

Christmas is over and we really enjoyed having the family together for the Holidays.  It is great having Drew back home but he is a big boy and has his own agenda.  So, about the  time Sara left home, heading  to a party and then to Atlanta, we were packed and on the road again.

This is our week by the numbers
5 days and 5 nights in the same camp ground in a state forest in  central Florida
3 camping neighbor the first 3 nights....so quiet
33 camping neighbors for this weekend...looks like tent city around here
20 miles hiked so far this week
2 times we have been lost in the woods (don't tell the kids)
2 flea markets, so far, another one tomorrow morning  and more next week
2 Auctions..bought box deals and table deals.....Mark just found another for 3 p.m. tomorrow
9 boxes that we donated to a thrift store after sorting and pricing
8 hours that it took to price stuff today
37 christian books that I bought to read and to share with Mom and her friends
5 camp fires..every night
14 meals eaten outside on picnic tables
10 days to go on this working vacation.

Proverbs 30 favor from an awesome God

Proverbs 30 :4-5 describes our one and only God who is worthy of praise and worship. He is our creator and  and He is in control.  His name is way beyond every other name. His every word  is true and pure.  He protectors and shields  all who put their trust in him...

Proverbs 30: 7-9   Two favors I ask of God before I die..
1) remove from vanity , falsehood and lying
2)give me neither poverty or riches
give me just enough to satisfy my needs
Lest I be full and deny thee or
be poor and steal and violate God's name

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable  and perfect will of God  Romans 12:2

I really enjoyed Brother Wayne's message on Christmas day. He talked about the power of the good news to transform lives.  I have been thinking about that this week and this verse in Romans  came to mind. I can not think of a better way to transform my life than to transform my mind through the word.  That  is going to take more studying  of  His word  and applying it to my live daily. This happens to be another resolution that I plan to work on this year.

Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore brethen, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

David Jeremiah  said that our inward and outer man is important because our physical effects the spiritual  and the spiritual effects the physical.  Our body is important because it is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and is a gift of God that He uses to do his will. Therefore we should take care of our body.  He said that we can choose to wear out, rust out or live out daily.  He suggest 3 rules for health and stress release.  Seems so simple.
1) regular exercise  walk daily.... in biblical times that was the major way of getting around.
2)eating right and no fad diets..there are dietary laws in the Bible that still work today.  Find what works for you
3) relaxation and escape...aka hobbies, sports, playtime, reading or what ever helps you chill out.  Nature happens to have two very good places to relax,  the beach and the mountains.  Get outside and rediscover nature.  This happens to be one of the resolutions that I have chosen for this year. Thanks to David Jeremiah's radio sermon and apology for any quotes or misquotes. I was listening while I was driving to Florida.

Think

Thinks about your thoughts...see if they are worth thinking....If not, don't dwell on them..instead think about something more positive.

Philippians 4:8  Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just. whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ; if there be any virtue  and if there be any praise,  think on these things

Christmas day at FBC

We really enjoyed  the Christmas morning  service at First Baptist Church this year.  We had our two youngest adult kids  home and we were surrounded by families that I watched grow up here. Having the babies and children in the service was a bonus.

I took Brother Wayne's message , the Bass boys song,  the Bible and 4 radio  messages that I heard  on the way to central Florida  and wrote out 5 personal resolutions for 2012.

Happy New Years

Proverbs 28: paraphrase

When there is moral rot in  a nation, it's government is easy to topple.  But with honest, sensible leaders with integrity, wisdom, and discernment there is stability in the land.  Pray for our nation in 2012.

Hiking in central Florida

Woke up and decided to take a little hike.  When it was over, we had hiked 9.3 miles.  The first 3.3 miles in the sugar sands of Florida looking for the trail.  When Mark decides for us to start back hiking, he does not mess around.  We should sleep good tonight.

God bless America

God bless America is more than a song, it is my prayer for our country.  Pray that we turn back to God and trust Him to lead us.  Let us  follow the motto that is on our money,  In God we trust.

Knowledge

Temper your knowledge of the Word  with love, showing His love more than your knowledge..

Good news

Proverbs 25:25
-As cold water to a weary, thirsty, soul, so is Good News from a far country.

Good News

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be on His shoulder:  and His name shall be Wonderful,  Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father , the  Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Celebrate the Good News today

Merry Christmas

Proverbs 24 Home

Home is the launching pad for children to become the adult that God wants them to be.

Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house (home)  is built and by  understanding,  it is established.
Proverbs 24:4 By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance....there is victory

It takes wisdom and understanding to turn a house into a home.  It takes love and knowledge to fill the rooms with the precious and pleasant memories, which is better than riches.

Have a wonderful Christmas full of love, laughter and great memories.

Dec 23 Family Love

Through a series of events this  season, I am reminded of  two things.
1)  Nothing can separate us from the love of God
2) Nothing can separate us from the love of our family

Fleetwood Christmas Wednesday 12/21/11

I love my family.  Sara got home about 2:30 and the festivities began.  She, Becca and Riley and myself started making cookies as soon as she wrapped and put gifts under the tree. Soon, Carrie and Phillip got here  and joined in the cookie show.  Olivia wakes and starts making cookies with Uncle Phillip.  Then,  Mark wakes up to a very loud cooking  kitchen.  Later, Drew is helping Olivia. Clint and Anna get here and take pictures of Olivia helping in the kitchen. Before, the last  cookies came out of the oven, Carrie and Sara started our Indian Supper.  The guys were sitting at the table making Lamb Ka bobs, kids were running in and out and Mark was building a fire in the pit.  It was wonderful chaos.  I was a little concerned about the girls' supper plans, ,but it turned out great.  Olivia and I even enjoyed our first lamb.   Finally time to give the kitchen a rest.  It had been working since early this morning.  We gathered in the den where I read "One Solitary Life" that Durwood reads to our Sunday School class every year.  Then, we all joined Olivia as she sang happy birthday to Jesus.  Time to open the gifts and laugh.  Becca and Riley handed out the gifts one at a time and we watched as each sibling "got the joke" that was their gift.  Years ago the adult kids realized  that none of needed anything. So, they decided to have fun for Christmas with  the  Dollar store being the store of choice. Every gift had a family story behind it, with each trying to buy the best/worst gift. Mark and I buy random stuff all year from all of our festivals and trips and I put them in a basket for all of the adult children. Drew is back home and we are thrilled.   His gift pulled at my heart string and made me laugh and then cry, .  It was so sweet.  Leaving a mess in the den, we all go out to pit and sit around the fire until the rain runs us in. We stayed  up too late.  I really enjoyed watching our kids enjoy each other. We hope that all of your families have a merry Christmas.

Proverbs 22....A good name

Proverbs 22:17,18,19 in the Living Bible

Listen to this wise advice-follow it closely-for it will do you good and you can pass it on to others.
Trust in the Lord........


Read
 Proverbs   22  A good name...........

Today is "grannies" Christmas

I  celebrate Christmas when I can get all of my family home.  This year, it looked like it was not going to happen. I am happy to say that it worked out for Sara to get home today before Carrie and her family leave tommorrow. So, today is Christmas at the Fleetwood house.  Which, according to Becca and Riley made last night Grannies'  Christmas Eve. Yesterday we picked all three red heads  to spend the night,  to give the parental units the night off,  to shop, pack or have a date night.  It was a beautiful day, so we played outside and took a walk and road around to look at Christmas lights at dusk after an early supper. We sang Christmas carols in the jeep with Olivia leading Jingle Bells.  Of course, we had to go see Miss Barbara on Annie Mcgee road.  She has the best display and a donation box to support Hospice.  When Becca was little, I would walk across the front yard and each display would tell the story of Jesus.  Last night, she took Olivia around and told her the story of Jesus using the same displays from yesteryear. We came home for apple cider and pop corn and early bed  because Granny and Olivia were tired.

This morning we got up early  and started making Christmas snacks for the day and to share with others.  Becca and Olivia made the Brownies with no help from Granny,  I made marshmellow treats using Peebles cereal because the look more like Christmas.  We made sausage and cheeseballs, a favorite with the guys. Olivia made sausage cylinders every shape and size.  I made up three batches of cookie dough using Mama Gibbs recipe to put in the fridge. They will be ready for Sara to make and decorate cookies with the red heads when she gets home...any time now. Mark cooked beef stroganoff  for lunch that we ate outside.  Then Mark, Olivia, Drew and I took an early nap.  My work is over.  The adult children are in charge of supper tonight.  Every year, we pick a different country for our Christmas supper. This year Carrie and Sara picked Indian. Perfect for two vegetarians to cook. After supper we will open silly gifts that they chose for each other to represent childhood memories. We plan to read "One Solitary life" that Durwood  Dominy  reads to our  Sunday school class every year. Got to go, Sara should be here in minute followed by all of her siblings. Have a Merry Christmas when ever you get to celebrate with your family

Happy and blessed

Proverbs 21:3 ,8b ,21...... God is more pleased  when we are just and fair than when we give him gifts.
He who pursues righteousness, kindness and mercy will find life and honor.
The conduct of the pure is right.

Matthew 5:6,7,8,.....Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

Do you want to be happy during this season and all year long?  Our instruction books tells us how.  Read the  the beatitudes, which is the sermon on the mount by Jesus found in Matthew chapter 5. Replace the word blessed with the word happy as some versions do and you will have your life lesson on happiness and how to have a blessed life

Proverbs 20.......integrity

Proverbs 20:7-It is a wonderful heritage to children to have a just, honest father with integrity.
Proverbs 20:10-The a Lord hates every kind of cheating.
Proverbs 20:11-Even a child is known by doing, whether he is pure and right. (character counts)
Proverbs 20:13-Do not be overfond of sleep, lest you come to poverty.
Proverbs 20:14-Utterly worthless, says the buyer as he haggles over the price and then he brags about his bargain.
Proverbs 20:15-Good sense, knowledge and understanding is more valuable than precious jewels.
Proverbs 20:16-It is risky to make loans to strangers.
Proverbs 20:17-Some men enjoy cheating, but the cake they but with ill-gotten gain will turn to gravel in their mouth.
Proverbs 20:18-Every plan should begin with good advice and council.
Proverbs 20:21-A fortune gained quickly (by cheating) will not be blessed.
Proverbs 20:22-Do not repay evil for evil...let the Lord take care of the matter.
Proverbs 20:23-The Lord loathes all cheating and dishonesty.
Proverbs 20:24-Since the lord directs our steps, you do not have to understand everything along the way.
Proverbs 20:25-It is foolish  and rash to make a promise to the Lord
Proverbs 20:27- A man's conscience (Spirit) is the Lord's search light exposing his hidden motives.
Proverbs 20:29-The glory of the young man is his strength, the beauty and attractiveness of the old man is his grey hair and experience.
Proverbs 20:30- Punishment that hurts, chases evil from the heart.

Integrity is found all over the pages of proverbs.  Read to learn how we can live a life pleasing to Jesus as a birthday gift to him and so that we can have the abundant life

Lessons from proverbs 19 on kindness

Today , I  learned  couple of lessons from Proverbs 19 and a reminder about the man I married.
For the first 30 years of our marriage, I did most of  the cooking.  After retirement, Mark realized that he really loves to cook  which is great.  But sometimes it causes little disagreements in the kitchen.

Proverbs 19:12- A wise prudent man with good sense , restrains his anger.  It is to his credit that he over- looks an offense.
Mark is a wise man.  He will walk away before he gets angry and says something that hurts. It is to his credit that he over looks offenses

Proverbs 19:13b The quarreling and nagging  of a wife annoys  like a constant drip.
Proverbs  19:14b An prudent understanding wife is a gift from the Lord.
Lord, give me understanding and help me to know when to speak up and when it is better to let it go.

Proverbs 19:20- Hear instructions and be wise.
Proverbs 19:21-Many are the plans in the heart and mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19: 23- Reverence for God gives life, happiness and protection.

I love the fact that God  uses his word to help us in our daily life when we take the time to study it.
I heard a sermon this week that said ,"this too comes from God".  Everything that God allows to come through the filter of his love is for our good and is a life lesson.

Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor, lends to the Lord and he will repay him for benevolent actions.
Proverbs 19:22-Kindness makes a man attractive. What is desired in a man is steadfast love and loyalty.
Ephesians 4:23 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

Kindness was  the first thing that drew me to Mark. I tell girls to find a boyfriend who is kind to their mom and senior ladies, because some day they  will be that lady. I am that lady now and  Mark treats me so well.  I love to watch him as he shows kindness everyday as we travel .  I am so blessed..





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The hayride

Going to Aunt Dot's house for the Christmas hay ride was always one of the highlights of the kids  holiday season.  Yesterday, four generation of family and friends from  ages 2 to 82 gathered up in Adel at the farm. There was always plenty of  food and family, friends and fun.What a delight to see the next generation out in the cotton field together.  Fishing in the fish fed pond where every cast produces a fish,  making everyone a happy successful fisherman , with a little help from Mark and Drew was great.  Boards games came out, as well the same old outdoor games that we played as kids......, hide and seek, playing in the hay and chase.  The circle of hand holding  during the prayer kept growing as we kept finding kids to come to supper.  We all ate way too much great food sitting all over the house.  Then came the main event..  The hayride.  Bundle up, grab all the coats and blankets we can find.  Grab a spot on the tractor pulled hay trailer and settle in and wait for Uncle Virgil to crank up the tractor.  The singing began as he pulled away from the house.  A good singing voice is not required as long as you sing loud and remember some of the words.  There was actually three hay rides. I short one around the lake for the smallest children and a few adults.  The second one, the longest, for the older kids and a few brave adults.  The last one for the rest of the family. A good time was had by all.  We would like to thank Steve and Cyndi  Uncle Virgil and Aunt Dot inviting us to share in this wonderful holiday family tradition.

Virtuous woman example of how to handle the holidays Proverbs

Proverbs 18:22-   He who finds a wife ,finds a good thing.  She is a blessing from the Lord.
Proverbs 12:4--     A virtuous, excellent, woman of valor with strength of character is a joy and crown to her husband,  But she who acts disgracefully is  a shame and corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does.

Some how I knew  that I would not get out of proverbs with out dealing with the virtuous woman found in proverbs 31:10-31.  She is the woman that we would love to hate and hate to love.  She is also our example of how the please God and be a good wife, mom,  daughter, boss, sister and friend.  Well basically,  how to be the virtuous woman that we all strive to be.  Please read Proverbs 31:10-31 when you get a chance.  I just did and thought of my Mom.  She is a close as it gets.

The saying goes, when mama ain't happy, nobody is happy.  This is so true in family situations. We set the tone for the day for our family.  That is one reason that I have always tried to get up early and have a quiet time with the Lord.  Especially  when the kids were little.  Take of yourself the season so that you can take care of your family.  Enjoy your family.

Home for Christmas Proverbs

Christmas is the time that we throw large extended  family into one small house (home) and hope for the best.

Psalms 127:1  Except the  Lord build the house, (home). your labor is in vain.

With all the work that goes into preparing the house (home), remember, that without the Lord being in  the center,  it is all in vain.

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a morsel with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife
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Try to be the vessel for peace and joy and not strife and argument.

Proverbs 17:9, 14
 9-He who forgives an offense , seeks love, but he who brings up a matter and nags about it causes division.
14-It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don;t let it begin.

Forgive offences of the past and enjoy you time together.

Now for the best part of family gatherings

Psalms 127:3- Children are a legacy and heritage, a gift from God.  They are his reward.
Proverbs 17:6-Grandchildren are the crown of old age.

Enjoy your family this Christmas

Christmas plans

Proverbs 16:  1, 2, 9, 33b
1 - We can make plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands
2 - The ways of man is pure in his own eyes, but God weighs the spirit'
9 - A man makes plans, but the Lord directs his steps.
33b It is God who is in control

I have no control over anyone.  I use to think that I was in control when my kids were little.  I never realized  that I was a control freak until I lost control. The last few weeks, I have been trying to get everybody together for Christmas and driving myself and Mark crazy in the process. Finally Mark told me that he did not like the stress that it was causing and that it would only get worse. He told me to just let it happen.   Like the saying goes, let go and let God.

It is all going to work out......with out my help...imagine that.  When am I going to learn?

proverbs for family time during the holiday season Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:1,  2, 4,  26b ,28      A soft answer turns away wrath but harsh words stir up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish gushes forth with foolishness' 
Gentle, soothing,  wholesome words cause health and life, but griping and complaining bring discouragement and breaks the spirit.   The Lords delights in kind words.  The good and righteous heart and mind ponders the answer before speaking..  The mouth of the wicked pours out evil words (that hurt ).

Lord, forgive me for making everyone miserable when I do not get my own way.  Help to think before I speak. Put a guard on my mouth before I hurt the ones that I love.

In this time of family togetherness, stress can cause us to say things that we should not say.  Lord, please help my words be healing and not hurtful.

Proverbs for the season 14th

He who oppresses the poor insults his maker, but he who is kind to the needy, honors God.  Proverbs 14:31
Happy is those who are kind to the poor  Proverbs 14:21b.  In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethen you have done it to me.Matthew 25:40b

In this season of giving gifts let us not forget those who are less fortunate .  It is a great way to give Jesus a birthday gift.

Becca decorated my house

     Last year I finally broke down and bought  "fake Christmas trees".  I am the only one that  liked having the real deal because of my memory of  hunting trees in the woods with family. So, I decided that if I was going to do it , I would go all the way.  I bought a white tree and a small silver tree that changed colors.  Becca called it magical.
     Becca set up the two trees while I looked for the decorations.  All that I could find was the large nativity  and the big white decorations that I bought in North Carolina last week. We put the white decorations on the white tree and red and white candy canes and wrapped it with a red tree scarf. The tree already had a red star on top. Becca went around the house finding angels to put under the tree with a pillow that said "I believe in angels and a glass brick wrapped with red ribbons to look like a present. We loved it.
     Next, we worked on the little silver table top tree. We found Christmas earrings that I bought in bulk and did not find until too late to sell this year.  We put them on the little tree.    Becca put the Nativity under the tree and said that Jesus was the present.  She found her birthday decoration and place it  beside  the tree because it is His birthday.  She put a Santa behind the Nativity because he worships Jesus too. Mark found a drift wood that looked like a cross and she leaned it against the tree trunk.
     Everything she did had a reason behind it and I loved the reason  behind everything she did.  My Christmas decoration look great.  But, more important than that....she gets it.. Jesus IS the reason for the season.  I never did find last years decorations......

Proverbs for the holidays

     Pride leads to arguments and contention, be humble, take advice and become wise.    Proverbs 13:10 LB  

     Self control means controlling the tongue, a quick retort can ruin everything.  Proverbs 13:3 LB

Remember these two verses while dealing with others during the holiday season.  Have a Merry Christmas.

Officially old

I am officially old. Today I walked into Crystal Pharmacy and behind the counter was Matthew, Robert and Kim. I watched every one of these babies grow and now they are taking care of me.

Veterans at the flea market

We stopped at a booth at a North Carolina flea market and bought some stuff from a Vietnam vet. After we thanked him for what he did for us and our country, we talked to him for a while. He had been in for quite a while and out for 20 years. He told us that he really missed it which surprised us until he said that you got real close to the people that you serve with and that he was still having trouble fitting into the real world. He mentioned getting into the selling antique glass business by mistake with some one that he met "at the place that you go when you get depressed. Soon, he realized that he loved the business and that he was good at it. Just then a WW II Vet walked slowly by and he ran around his counter and shook his hand and said, "now this is really the man". The man quietly told us that he was in Normandy on Omaha beach on D day and that the Lord had been with him that day. He said that he was 18 when he enlisted and that when he was 20 and wanted to marry over there, he had to get permission from the Army....and his mama. We Asked about his family and he had children, grand child and great children and great great grand children. I thought of all the the generations that would not have been born, if he had died that day. I asked if he had told them his story and he said that he had a notebook folder with the newspaper clippings , reports and information that surrounded that day in history. I wish that I had a tape recorder and could talk to him all after noon. Soon another Vietnam vet showed up and shook hands with our older gentleman. showing him all the respect that he deserves, the greatest generation. I told him that I hoped his family listened and understood. He told me that the problem that he sees today is lack the of discipline and respect. He told us that if he had come home and said that he got in trouble at school... after he picked himself off the floor, he would have been told to respect his teacher. He also seemed sad that we do not honor our vets by celebrating Veterans day or Memorial day. Mark and I felt honored being with 3 of our American hero in a flea market in the south. This is why we travel.

Holiday work week

Last Tuesday, Mark and Drew picked me up from bible study and headed to Savannah to take Drew home. We made it back this week just in time for the kids to eat supper Monday night and for me to make it to our last bible study this year. When we are working, we eat in the hotel, the R.v. or the van. We decided that we were taking December off, so this was a holiday-buying trip. We stayed in Myrtle Beach for two nights in resort hotels for unbelievable winter rates. We walked the beach and swam in indoor pools and relaxed in the Jaccuzi We watched the sun rise and set from our 21st floor room and kept the window open to listen to the waves. We tried to go to auctions, but never found a good one. So, we bought a lot of stuff one item at a time. We went to flea markets, thrift store and antique malls and yard sales in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Mark calls this grunging it out. We ate hotel breakfast and shopped right through lunch. Every night we found great places to eat. We ate appetizers in one place and another for our meal. We ate at a local, family own seafood place with a sweet waitress named Lisa. This place great decor including one of those signs with arrows that pointed in every direction including cities,the ocean, heaven and hell and great cook. We ate at a crab shack and then an Italian restaurant with an singer with a pure voice that we really enjoyed. We stopped by a raw oyster bar for Mark to eat raw oysters and sat next to people who knew Moultrie folks. We found a German place and ate what we ate when we were in Germany. We had Chinese food and Japanese sushi and on our last night we met his sister in Statesboro at a Greek restaurant attached to our hotel. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it.

November 30th

When we travel, we seldom know the date of the week or the date or even what city we are in. However last Wednesday, I knew that it was November the 30th when we checked into a South Carolina hotel because it was Clint's birthday. There was a bible open on the table. I picked it up and noticed that it was turned to proverbs 30..so I read it. The next morning, I asked the clerk if they did that on purpose and he said no, it must have just happened. Another God wick from God and a reminder to read proverbs daily according to what day of the week it is.