Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Friday, January 30, 2015

Dear Teen-Age Self. . .

 I came across this great blog one day and found the author had written a wonderful book for teen girls. . .
 
 
  Her book was written to help young teen girls realize the beauty of God’s grace. She tells them they don't have to be all, do all, appear all. All you need is Jesus, and this book is a gentle reminder to teen girls to rest-rest-rest in Jesus’ love.
 
And so in her blog this day, she asked people to write letters to their teen-age self and tell themselves things, give advice, whatever is on their heart.  Sounded interesting to me, so I gave it a try.
 
 
  
 

Dear Teen-Age Me. . .

Thought I would give you some advice I wish I had heard back then with you. . .SO, better late than never right?

Hear it goes Sweetie,

Don't be scared, fear is from the enemy. God is with you always.

God is bigger than any circumstance.

Don't be afraid to be you.

You don't have to be like everyone else.

Learn to laugh at yourself, it makes life so much easier.

 Appreciate the thick, curly, frizzy hair God gave you. Grown women spend BIG money to get the body of hair God naturally gave you.

And when you blow out those birthday candles with your long pigtails hanging down. . .pull them up before leaning over to blow. Hair torches very quickly and doesn't smell good.

When Mom cuts off your waist length hair into a pixie, don't cry.  Our hair grows really quick.

If people laugh, it's their problem, not yours.

When you grow into the Farrah Fawcett feathers, remember they do not have to be perfect.  Throw on a headband and give the hairspray can a break every now and then.

When you and your friend decide to dress up for costume day at school, just remember you have to take a drivers test right afterwards; no time to change
 
Learn to stand strong on your own and not just when your best friend is beside you.
 
Jesus is with you, you're never alone.
 
You are much stronger than you think, don't forget.
 
Talk to people, they really don't bite.
 
Being sensitive can be a wonderful trait, but beware of it letting you get hurt over the littlest of things.

You can't please everyone all the time.

Your Heavenly Father is pleased with you.  Rest in that fact.
 
Don't stay in the box, get out and do adventuresome things. . .it's way more fun. (I know you dressed as a clown and went to school, but be even more adventuresome than that.

Don't waste your time always wishing for that wonderful, perfect boyfriend.  The right one will come along in God's timing and it will be worth it.

Quit daydreaming about Barry Manilow, he's too old for you.

Don't stop playing the violin.  You'll be sorry that you quit.

When you start writing that short story, don't quit.  Take it out of the trash can and keep writing.  You will be glad you did.

Make more friends.  Know that some are just for a season and some will be for a lifetime.  But make them. The more you have the more fun life is.  

I know you love to read, but read more of a variety of writings.  The Nancy Drew Series is wonderful, but the classics and biographies and others are wonderful too and will expand your mind.  Oh, and when you grow up, Winnie the Pooh will still be a favorite of yours.  He is a classic.

Get more involved in church and community activities.  It will make you stronger and more confident.

Look outside of yourself more and onto others.

Don't covet the curves you see the other girls having.  You are special just the way you are.  Learn that now, because the curves never come. . .and it's ok.

Thank your big sister more for the things she did for you.  She'll be even more awesome later.

The enemy loves to lie in your ear.  Don't ever listen.  Listen to that other voice that whispers in your soul.  And learn to kick the other one to the curb.

You are a daughter of the King; hold your head high and be confident in that.

Don't allow your joy to depend on your circumstances or put your happiness on the shoulders of other people. At some point you will be let down.  Put your joy in the Lord always and you will be just fine.
 
You will become more confident in time.
 
  And when people take your picture, quit kissing the guy and look ahead.
 
 
 
Weigh your decisions on God's Word and not on people's opinions.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but life will have more pains, but you can make it through because You have Him who is greater, He who is bigger, and who loves you more than anything.  He will give you strength and courage when you need it.

Life will also have many joys and because of Him, start counting your blessings early and not just the big ones but the little tiny ones too.  Open your eyes to see ALL of them everyday and thank Him for each one.

Look for the lessons He brings your way and learn from them.

You made the most important decision of your life at the tender age of 12.  I'm so proud of you.  It will carry you through the rest of your life.  He, who died for your sins, will carry you into adulthood and give you a great life.  Don't worry and fret. Look forward to it and enjoy each step of the way.  It only gets better.

You are a great gal hon, keep your chin up, your knees knelt in reverance, hands raised in praise, and eyes on the Lord.  Your gonna be just fine.

You are loved!

From your grown up, more secure self,
Kris


What would you tell your teen age self?

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Using My ONE WORD Tonight



My husband is SUCH a dear!  He wanted to help me get started off right this year using my ONE WORD for 2015 which is FUN.  If you want to know why I picked this word, you can read about it here.

I found these in my Christmas stocking last month. . .
 
 
Tonight's the night!
 
I'm thinking of wearing these. How can a girl not have fun in red shoes!
 
 
Someone may even ask me to dance with these babies on.
 
But if not,
 
I'm going to have so much fun
because I'll be out on the town with
my baby, my sweetheart, my hubs.
 
He is so thoughtful. Even when we do nothing, if we're together it's special. After 33 years, I've learned that being with your love is wonderful even if you just sit and do nothing side by side, but throw in a night on the town, something that is rare for us, with lights and music and red shoes. . .
well. . .
you just never know.
 
One Word Fun . . .
Here I come!
 
 
Did you pick a ONE WORD?
Please do share
 
 
 

Friday, January 16, 2015

The Mystery Inside a Purse

You can tell a lot about a woman by her purse.

Age progression shows itself in many ways. Yes, even with purses.

I saw a picture the other day of a little girls purse, it was so cute. Pink with a pink cell (play) phone inside, a pink plastic pony, a plastic necklace and a "my pony" hairbrush. This little girl likes to be a girlie girl, playing with everything pink.

I got to thinking about my purses. The ones I carried as a young mother were BIG, to hold not only my stuff but you would have found boxes of crayons and books and little, plastic dinosaurs ( I had boys). And cars! And books for them to look at and food. This woman is a mother with boys who took whatever would make them happy while out doing whatever. . .mom errands, church, visiting a friend.



Today the boys are grown and she can carry a better, more stylish purse but still big.  You would find in my purse a water bottle, a bottle of Tylenol, a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, Kleenex. . .yes, a purse for the woman sliding down from the top of the hill. . .the one heading towards senior citizenry. Now she carries her medicine cabinet with her. (That's why it's big) If you're ever with me while we're out somewhere and you feel sick. . .I got you covered!



In the next season of my life, senior citizen season, there could be the purse holding a Depend and pictures of grandchildren. Or those fun things you find in grandma purses. . .gum, lifesavers, pen and paper to draw on, change.

 
But no matter what the purse, no matter what season you're in or what purse your carrying, you can always carry a tract to share with others and they make Bibles so thin now they will fit in any purse.
You would be surprised how often I get to pull out that Bible and read a verse. I've even been known to pull out a sandwich or a granola bar because sharing physical food goes well with spiritual food. (remember the dinner that fed 5000? ;)
 
OH, the things you can carry!
What do you carry in your purse?