My (few) thoughts...

Okay, so I hope I don't explode whilst all the smoke rolls out my ears as I think... *everybody watch carefully, get out a fire extinguisher*

The course of this day hasn't been all carnations and other happy flowers for me. I expressed my opinion about the membership changes, got into an argument, got mangled, got re-assembled, got frustrated by myself thinking about it, tried to distract myself with school work, did some daydreaming to distract myself, nothing worked. So, my solution is to just 'type it out', subject myself to whatever response I get, and deal with it. So if you're up for a battle, please close this thread. I'm making some personal "changes".

I found out this afternoon that somebody anonymously paid my way for the year here. To whomever that is, thank you, and may God Bless you for your kindness. I've got a renewed thankfulness for the kindess bestowed on me by others. Here's why I was hesitant to ask for help...

I was raised to "do it yourself". My parents raised me without help and struggled. But I turned out just great. I learned by watching them. Nights of hot dogs and macaroni and cheese teach a child to enjoy what she's got. My mom (sledder, fyi) and dad taught me to take care of me. I am stubborn beyond human belief when it comes to accepting gifts. It almost makes me feel like I want everyone to "feel sorry for me", and that's not the case. I don't want to be a pity case. I want to be me.

Here's who I am. I'm a graduate student getting my master's in chemistry. I love what I'm doing, or I wouldn't be working so hard. I want to work someday in water quality, whether in drinking water or natural water. I love the environment, and hate to see it go to waste by ignorance. Right now, I do live on nearly nothing. I won't give details. If you're curious, email me, we'll talk about it. I've been thru medical problems that taught me "trust God, He's going to be there". So I've learned that He and I will get it done - together.

As of now, I refuse to debate politics, religion, or wage in non-gardening battles. I refuse. It's over. No matter how hard someone might try to irritate me, good luck trying. I will no longer respond to a post about politics, religion, or anything else that stirs up a battle. I am demanding of myself to live Christ-like through example, not through pointing out others' faults. I don't have enough time in my day to pick out every little thing that someone else screws up.

I do not have an outdoor garden, but might someday, when there's actually grass outside my windows. For now, it's me, the aquarium fish, and some houseplants. So I'll read the other forums, and try to post what I know in the houseplants forum.

Again, thank you to whomever reminded me how generous some folks in the world can be.

Saved only by His love,
But showing it through my actions,
-Jennifer

And she lives up to her name today! :}

it wasn't me, but can I hug you anyway?? ((((Jennifer))))

Thanks tiG...

God has a way of blessing us when we least expect it! What a great post, Jennifer (love your screen name)!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I was so angry before. And she was saved by His grace. She makes me a proud mom. Jenn, you are my Angel!!

WOW!!! That made me cry. What a beautiful young lady you are. I know your parents are proud of you! Good Luck and God Bless........vic

ps....I didn't read the posts you're talking about, I do my best to stay away from the bad ones.

Think of it not as a gift, but kindhearterness, that is what we all need, I always tip $150 at at restaurant after the meal to people who appreciate, I was taught that! And i was taught to help people and generate compassion and think of other people so don't take it too hard, you ARE your own person, we just like yoooooou!

((tiG is thinking she needs to go back into waitressing in Hagerstown))
now back to our regularly scheduled thread.

AngelSong(((HUGS)))) You said that very well. I too can be very stubborn when it comes to accepting gifts. Someone once told me that it was a gift from God. What could I say to that and how could I turn down such a gift, so accepted it with great honor. So, you to, my friend,think of it as a gift from God, for you have been truly blessed.
Good to have you around here, on Dave's Garden.

Blessings to you, AngelSong
CoCo

waitressing in Hagerstown would be a good move lol I am not kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AngelSong
Your post almost made me cry too. I majored in chemistry, but wasn't brave enough to go for a masters degree.
Cala

I hope this thread has 1000 views and that we all can take to heart what she's said about not getting sucked in arguements. Discussions, yes, but not heated debates.
I know I took it to heart.

tiG I take it to heart, but what are discussions if not controversy, we can't be all on one side, but i love ya and i disagree with a lot, but we all have to get along and appreciate what is said - argue, I don't have time for that debate; okay let's go, let's help our brothers at this time and figure out who they are!

I agree, I guess I was thinking of a lot of the threads in the past couple of weeks:) I for one will take a deep breath and come back and post after I've thought a bit:)

And she sings too!! :) **giggle**

Someone with a name like AngelSong just had to be a singer. I bet she has a great voice as well.

Now, Sledder, just what are you giggling about? She does have a voice of an Angel, does she not? I'm so glad she'll be around here in the garden with the rest of us.
The way it looks and sounds like, we have many Garden Angels with us.........how wonderful.

Blessings to one and all

yeah, she sings quite well. I just love to tease her though. It keeps her away from sharp objects if you know what I mean.

Outstanding post, Angel. It's good to have you here.

Ditto!

Removed by member request

Nice post. What would Jesus do? I can second tiG's last post...the past weeks have been so stressful on all of us. We came seeking friendship and comradary( and some plants or seeds;) and because of emotions that usually are much more tempered with the love of God have been stirred to briskly with utter hate. We need each other, especially at this time when the reality of our World is skating on such thin ice, or hanging by a thread! Is this really how we want to live? Christ teaches us to live each say as if it were our last! Life is certainly too short to get all flustered in anger, it ruins our whole days and sometimes even our nights. When we are angry we read too much into things. He saee thing much clearer when we are calm. We could all bennifit from not posting in anger. It's a lot easier to type something than to say it to a human being. Have we forgotten that we are all humans and each of us deserve the same respect? Just because it is a computer doesnt mean we all dont have feelings that may be affected differntly by different words.

I can only answer for myself. No, I am guilty for saying things in anger here too. Everyone is entitled to express their opinions. I too trying to be Christ like will offer an appology to anyone I have offended in my anger.

I know in my heart we would all be very different if Sept 11 had been a normal day. But it wasnt. We all need to restain all that anger so that it doesnt consume us! Hey besides, I sitllhave morning glory seeds to share, and we all have plants to take care of. It s time to beging the healing process.

Wow! AngelSong, MomSledder, CoCo, TiG, .... here it is late and I'm so tired and I had to get on tonight to see what the big change was, and then I'm spendig more time catching upon threads and see this one! You all and your outpouring of love, made my evening! What a blessing all of you are! AngelSong, never look back- continue to look upon Him... He will complete the good thing He has started! Sledder, you must truly be a Proverbs 31 woman- your daughter shows it! Stay proud, Mom, you;ve done a good job!!
I'm exhausted getting a new business with my DH started- it opens Monday- and am missing not beig able to post or get on DG much this past week.- But what ablessing this evening!! Now He has energized me seeing your outpouring!!
Thanks! God bless all of you!
- JSS

Here, here, Angelsong! :o) Like I said, skip the Editorial page and head for the Comics and the Home & Garden section! :o)

Im glad your staying. I too have opinions and they are not always popular but dont sweat the small stuff. It sounds like you have to much to sweat already.LOL

I'm with ya Angelsong! I too can be stubborn about taking gifts and know myself that life is a gift from various medical problems that I've been through. My hubby and I are trying to get our own company off the ground and know what it's like eating hot dogs and sandwiches all the time. I believe the same things about the environment and glad someone is trying to make a difference. I do what I can here at home. I'm sure glad I stay away from any threads about politics, religion, etc... It is going to be hard for me to lose Dave's garden but I will manage to get through. I am keeping my chin up, you do the same!

Maybe we're all being taught to ask...

Jesus said, "you do not have because you do not ask" and it was a real blessing to learn that God wants to know what I need from me, He is waiting for us to come to Him as the heavenly Father He is and ask... "Pappa, I need..."

In the same way, if we need something and don't ask the members of the body of Christ, we ROB the people whose gifts are giving and showing mercy from a great opportunity ... and rob them of a blessing.

We grow by exercising our gifts. And allowing others to minister to us. AngelSong, I prayed for you when you wrote your upset post... and this is God's answer!

Praise Him!

I, too, have physical challenges and God is always there, right on time! When we go through the valleys is when we learn to trust Him more.

God bless you AngelSong and Dave's Garden folk. I love you.

Janie
<{{{><

Angel, have you ever thought that maybe God didn't send you a sponsor for YOU? Maybe He sent you the sponsor for US! I'm a "newby" here, but on one of the threads you befriended me....What if you had not BEEN here for ME? Don't think of it as a gift to you, as much as it is a gift to the rest of us. (((((((Angel)))))))) Jo

I'm so glad to have you guys as friends. :o)

Jennifer,
I'm glad that you're here. I too stay away from the controversial threads - I'd much rather read a heartfelt, well written post like yours any day!
Cindy