This is a slogan where I work. Our goal is to make the guests (customers) feel at home and that they come first. We are graded on how well we follow these guidelines.

I found another acronym for the letters F-A-S-T! They are, "For Answers Seek The Lord!" I know this is one that I really need to look into myself. Ever since I found out that I might lose the largest part of my income, I have not been handling it very well.

There is nothing that I can do about this. Whatever is going to happen, is going to happen! There is nothing I can do to stop or change this. I am not willing to try to prove that I am still really sick just to keep the money. I can't do that. But, I have been stressing and worrying about it. Please don't send me mail telling me I shouldn't do that. I know that!

I read somewhere once that you should "tell God how you feel about things, because He knows about it anyway"! So, this morning I told God how I felt about all of this. I was blunt honest about it. And, yes, I do feel a bit better.

Whatever God decides is the best thing, because He can see the future and I can't. The things that I am holding onto today, mean nothing in the whole scheme of things. I remember back in 1998 when my kids were taken away from me and I lost my car and my house within a few days of each other. I thought I would die! I didn't! I learned allot from that, and I grew from it. My kids were given back to me eight days later, and not long after that I had another place to live. It took allot longer to get another car, but I did. And, I lived through it. I didn't die from shame, embarrasment, stress or drown in tears.

A long time ago, God asked me to run this ministry. He asked me to share what I know about this illness, with people that need to hear this message. I am trying to do that. I will continue to do that. God has not forgotten me, and He will never forget me! I will not drown, he won't let me. "O afflicted one, storm tossed, and not comforted, Behold, I will set your stones in antimony. And your foundations I will lay in saphires". Isaiah 54:11. Antimony is a very hard substance. That sounds pretty solid to me.

OK Lord, whatever it is you want me to do. I will do it. I admit that I will probably act human at some point during this process. I will cry and feel sorry for myself, becasue that is my nature. But then, I will open my eyes and see your face and know that you have not forgotten me. And, I will grow from it. For Answers I will Seek The Lord! Amen

Danni

OK, I admit it. I am a big fan of the Comedian Johnny Carson. And if you exist somewhere in the USA and probably the world, you know that he passed away recently. He was a much loved, and very well known man. He will be missed greatly.

As I was sitting here watching the tribute to Johnny Carson, I thought to myself. If I died tomorrow, what would I be remembered for? Have I done everything that I can for the Kingdom of heaven? Have I helped heal the wounded? Have I fed the hungry whether with real food or spiritually? Am I doing what God wants me to be doing?

Those are the questions I asked myself. It is not so much that the world will remember me, but, will the story of good news be spread throughout the world. And, what has God asked me to do with my life. Am I doing what God asked me to do? Do I know what it is that God has asked me to do?

Johnny will be well remembered and deeply loved. But, in twenty years will his memory begin to fade? His work will be stored in archives somewhere on NBC's lot? Store your treasures in heaven where they will not rust. It is OK to be a great man, but it is great to be a man of God! And, I'm sure you know that I mean man or woman!

Danni

I live next door to my son and daughter in law. Frequently she comes knocking on my door about ten or eleven at night. She knows that I will be awake and will stop what I am doing just to talk to her. Sure, why wouldn't I? I enjoy her company! We talk about all kinds of different things. The kids, her family, my family, our family, and anything that might be bugging her, or me for that matter.

She knows that she is welcome here. This reminds me of Jesus. We can go knock on his door anytime we want! He is watching and waiting for each of us to simply knock. I can talk about anything with Him. And, he stops whatever he is doing just to talk to me!

Isn't that an awesome feeling to know that no matter what I need, day or night! Jesus is there for me. He is there for you too. You are one of God's kids and he loves you. So, go ahead! Knock on his door, he wants to spend time with you!

Danni

Several days ago a friend of mine asked me to help her with her paper route. I got up at 2:30 in the morning and she was there by 3:00 AM. We got the newspapers, and went off on the route. She warned me that I might get sick to my stomach. But, I had no idea!!

After thirty minutes of start stop, start stop, and rolling newspapers I was definitely sick to my stomach. This was nothing like what I had expected. I was so sick that I had to ask her to pull over while I added a layer to one of her custmers trash cans. I felt terrible, and I felt bad for a couple of days afterward.

Delivering newspapers seemed like a good idea at the time, but I really don't think I'm the type. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. But, in the end, I had no idea and ended up in a bad situation. I don't think I'll be doing that again. Delivering newspapers is not a bad thing, I just don't think that is what God wants me to be doing right now.

Wouldn't it be nice if things that were bad for us, or were not going to work out had big warning lights on them. Then it would save me allot of grief. But, instead, I have to take the hard road, and learn the hard way. Am I the only hard headed one out there who does that? Probably not!

God leaves me to make my own decisions. I can consult him if I want to, that is my choice. It is better if I do, but I don't always do it! I will choose the path that I will take. And based on my own stubbornness or my own willingness to listen to what God wants in my life, it will determine how many times I mess up, and how many times I end up leaning over the trash can, so sick I can barely move! It is up to you!

Danni

One of the main parts of my job at the fabric store that I work at, is to unload the truck when it brings freight. After that I take it out of the boxes and put it out on the shelves and display areas so that our guests will have something to buy.

I enjoy working the truck. But, I enjoy putting the freight out on the floor the most. When my hand was hurt, this is the part I could not do, and I missed it.

Today as I was doing the display for the Easter items I came across some window stickies that interested me. Amongst all of the easter bunnies, the eggs and the chicks. I found a window sticky set that had the cross on it. It said "Jesus is Lord", and many more Christian slogans on it.

I gave those window stickies a prominent part of my display. And, I was very glad to see that they were actually even there. I didn't expect them to be. Amongst all of the hullaballoo of the Easter Holiday. Someone remembered that the real reason for this season is Christ Jesus and what he did on the cross for you and me.

The store designers didn't put the cross first, but at least they didn't forget it. I put them in the front of the display, so all could see. I would like to see these stickies in someones window somewhere.

Seek first the kingdom of God. I am glad, that somewhere in the design department at JAS Fabrics, someone thought of him. Seek him first, and ALWAYS think of Him. You will be glad you did. I am!

Danni

(c)copyright 2005

I dropped may daughter off at her house this afternoon after work. She still does not have her car fixed, so I give her rides as much as I can.

I turned right and headed across town. I needed to go to Wal-Mart. I was listening to one of my favorite radio stations. One of the DJ's there is the Director of Passion Play, and I heard his voice on the radio. I thought to myself, "I really need to call him". I was supposed to have called him yesterday!

Before I knew it, I was turning left and heading for the radio station. I figured that I would just go talk to him instead. I have been to this station many times before, but the lady at the front desk was new, and wanted to announce my arrival. I smiled and waited for her to let me go back. She did! I told her thanks and called her by name, as I went to High School with her.

I talked to my friend about Passion Play business, costumes and all of that. Then we began to talk about what God has been doing in our lives lately. He shared his last trip to Denver and it made me cry. A woman h ad come up to him and said "you don't know me, but fourteen years ago I came to this play". She had thought it was about illicit sex because of the title "Passion Play". She soon learned the true story and had given her heart to the Lord. To date, so has her husband and all of her children. She thanked my friend for the work that Passion Play does.

I needed to hear that. I know that Passion Play is important, yet it's hard to feel the importance when I don't really see it much. I do costuming, and it's an important job, but very much behind the scenes.

I told my friend how I had gotten into Passion Play. I told him how much I felt at home here. There were big tears in his eyes, and I was having a hard time even talking.

Our conversation continued, but I was still having a hard time speaking. There was a lump in my throat. My friend thanked me for the work that I do and it meant allot to me.

These words, they were not empty words. My friend and I both needed this visit. We had both been feeling overwhelmed and a bit on edge. It moves my heart so much. My car had been headed east. But, it turned and headed back west. Why? Because I needed to hear this story about the lady in Denver. I needed the conversation and sharing with God's people.

I went on my way, and as I drove back across town to Wal-Mart, tears rolled down my face. Not tears of sadness, but tears of thankfulness. I never planned to go to the radio station today. I turned around and drove over there without even making a conscious thought to do so. I think God wanted me there.

Danni

Have you ever felt like it is just one thing after another and that you have been left to hurt all alone? The pain never stops? And, you don't know if you can take one more second of this? I do, I know exactly how this feels! For the last six months I have been in pain with my knee, my ankle and my hand. Plus teeth problems. I got the teeth taken care of, and the hand has quit hurting. So now, the teeth flare up again. And, they hurt far more than they have in a long time!

I hate whining. I really do! And, I believe that this too shall pass. Sooner or later the pain will go away. NO matter if it is emotional pain, physical pain or spiritual pain. It will go away. It will be healed! Will something else come along to replace it? Yeah, probably!.

I know that I hurt less when I am NOT working on this book and my projects. Does that mean that God is punishing me? No, I believe that Satan does not want me to work on my book or any of these projects. Satan doesn't want me to write these messages to you either. No, he would rather I hurt so much that I forgot all about it.

Well, I am stubborn, and I know that God loves me. God is bigger than Satan ever thought about being. He can take away the pain that Satan has created! Just ask him too. He will!

Danni

Did you hear the news? Prince Charles is marrying his long time "friend", Camilla Parker Bowles. Now, that comes as a huge surprise! Well, not really!

I am sure that Camilla is a nice person and all that, but I never really cared much for His Charmingness. But, I also like Princess Diana, so you could say I'm a bit biased.

The words, "til' death do us part"! Are not just a good idea. Those vows are said in front of God and everyone else. And, I believe in them so much more than just a good idea. They are a must! No matter what happens in a relationship, running out is never a good idea. The Bible says to love each other even as Jesus loved the church. If you each focus on making the other one happy. You can't help but be in a win win situation.

Congratulations are in order for Charles and Camilla. I do hope the best for them. For the Lord says the things he does for a good reason. Life is much simpler when you don't have to remember who knows what, and try to cover up what you are doing.

Danni

As I walked into Passion Play last night, I looked around for my assistant. She was not there yet. I must admit I was a shade bit annoyed. I had a total agenda of things I wanted to get done tonight. I had to stay on my schedule after all! The man who is doing the Roman Soldiers costumes was supposed to be here soon, and I wanted to have time to talk to him.

I sat down and went over my notes. Still no assistant! As we finished with praise and worship I waited for the director to make my announcements so I could get started. No announcements! All cast members headed next door to start the evenings practice. I was becoming increasingly annoyed. How was I supposed to get anything done this way? Still no assistant.

Frustrated I went over to the gym to see if I could corner anyone and at least get a few of the measurements I needed. When I opened the doors, the lights were down and they were rehearsing the sceen of Mary hovering over Jesus at the cross. I stayed and watched that scene. No matter how many times I've seen it, it still moves me to tears.

I left and went back to the sanctuary. I was not sure why. There sat a very close friend of mine. We started talking, as we always do, and I started pouring my heart out to him. I told him everything that was going on in my life. We talked for a long time, and then he prayed with me.

I got absolutely nothing done that I had wanted to do last night. Not one single thing!! The guy who was making the Roman costumes didn't even show up! But, I got some really great fellowship time with a good friend. Some prayer time. Oh, and my assistant. I called her today to make sure everything was ok. She was painting her living room and didn't want to quit, as she was almost done. Then we had this great conversation on the phone. I don't blame her for not wanting to quit paiting. I hate washing out paint brushes, just to have to do it again tomorrow. I totally understand!

Oh and the man who is doing the Roman Soldiers costumes? Well, he was snowbound on the other side of the pass up in Colorado. He got in this afternoon, and they called me. I got to meet him and his wife, and had some great one on one time with them. I don't think that I could've talked to him much with 100 other people around. God is awesome!

Danni

A couple of days ago there was a story on the news about a family who was traveling up Red Mountain Pass in Colorado. This is a treacherous pass on a good day! Well, to make a long story short, it was snow packed and icy and the van went over the side of the road. Rolling, rolling and finally after 400 feet, it stopped at the bottom of a ravine.

The miraculous part of this story is that the people inside that van all survived! All six of them! That is amazing! Not too many people have gone off the side of Red Mountain Pass and survived.

So, why did this particular family survive? God was watching over them? Well, yeah I think that is a given! Why did God choose to save all of them, instead of just a few of them or none at all? He is the one who understands this part of the Bible. I don't understand it, and I don't pretend to .

Just know this! God is in control, and no matter what happens, he see's the future! And, I am thankful of that too!

Danni

I keep thinking that there is something insie of me that needs to be gotten out. You know! Down on paper! As I go from couch to bathroom, and back to the couch again. I really think that somewhere in this down time, called sick leave, there is something to be learned here.

For those of you who don't know, I've been sick for about 9 days now. It started out with a toothache and has escalated to the worst pain I've ever felt except for childbirth, excepte its in my face. And then of course there are other flu like symptoms. I haven't been this sick in years!!

So, what can I learn from this? What profound message is there that I need to learn. I can tell you that I have prayed allot in the last few days. Oh, and I've also learned that nothing really matters much when you are sick. The house is a wreck and I really don't care. I have things to do at work, and I don't care who does them. JoAnn Fabrics is going to go on and on without me. And, I really don't care!

I have learned who really cares about me when I am here on the couch at my absolute worst. My kids are awesome. My Mom is too, and yes I have a couple of friends who really care and show it. This does matter to me!

Who can you really count on when you are at your worst? We all have that handful of people that really care. Those are the people that need to matter most in your life. The ones that you need to take the greatest care of. Who will be there for you? Be there for them!

Oh yes, and one last thing. Pick a couple of people who are NOT there for you. And, be there for them too! You might make a friend or two.

Danni

I was surfing the net today and I saw an ad for weight loss. It said "Resolve to make the changes..."! And it made me think of one of the key things that I have learned in learning to live successfully with Bipolar Disorder.

When I was in the worst part of this illness I told everyone about my problems and how bad it was. I wanted everyone to know that this was not my fault, and how bad I had it. I was on a pity party. My brother in law came to visit once. They live out of state, so I don't see them all the time. He was not buying into my pity story. He said something to me that blew my mind. It went like "it is your choice to do something about this, and until YOU CHOOSE to get better, you won't!"

I was pretty mad at him for not "understanding"! But, the more I thought about it I knew he was right. That one comment alone got me to thinking, and was a big part in me getting better. "Resolve to make the changes"! It's up to ME! It's up to me to decide that I am going to do what I have to do. NO matter what! I want to be better, and I want to stay better.

The same is with God. It is up to you and I to make the decision to do what I have to do make time to pray! And to make time for God. He is not going to force himself on me. The day will come when I allow God into my life and things will be so much better. But, I have to make that decision to do the work. Until then, excuses are only that! An excuse!

Danni

Somewhere between midnite tonight, and 12:01 AM is my Mother's birthday. She will be 73 years old if my calculations are correct. We used to kid her about being too young to drive.

Well, last year my Mom had her 18th birthday. Her 18th Leap year birthday anyway. We had so much fun on my Mom's 18th birthday party. We invited all kinds of people to show up and wish her a big and happy birthday. Less than two weeks before she had fallen on the 17th of February and broken her hip. So, she walked in on a walker. But, she was upright and mobile.

Mom is gray headed and looks 73 years old even though she has only had 18 "real" birthdays. In her heart she is still very young, and we want her to stay that way. She is a grand old lady. No one can ever say she is lazy or looks for handouts. Even today she is a very strong, and hard worker.

Somewhere someone decided to add a day every four years as kind of a hiccup to keep the years and days on track. I don't know how they figured that out, but they did. So, she is still 73 years old, no matter what you call it. 73 years is a long time according to you and, but according to God, it is a mere hiccup in time.

God see's the future, he knows the past and he knows what is going on right now. To God Mom's 73 years that seem like such a long time, are nothing. But, he has known her for all of time. God has known who she was at the beginning of time, and he knows her now, and he knows what will happen tomorrow. To God, a thousand years is like a minute. Sounds kind of crazy to you and I, but that's the way things are with God.

Danni

As Director of Costuming for Passion Play it is my job to make sure that everything gets done. New costumes must be made as we are replacing many from prior years. The Temple Guards need new costumes as well because the Roman Soldiers are new and they would look silly in their old costumes. So, I must make new costumes for them.

I have spent a few days trying to find someone to sew them for me. But, people are busy, worn out or saw me coming!

Last night I was praying about this. Asking God how I could find someone to sew these costumes? Slowly it occured to me that I had about four days to do these costumes in, and I could probably simply do them myself instead of trying to find someone else to do it.

This is how it is with life's struggles. So many times we spend so much time trying to blame it on someone else or get someone else to do it for us, that we simply don't see the obvious. It would be so much easier, less time consuming and better for me if I simply did the work myself. I think I will stress less.

I came on here to check my email and write a short note to all of you, and this is what ended up on paper. Many times the most reliable work force is looking me in the mirror! A good Director not only knows how to motivate people, she also knows how to motivate herself. Or himself as the case may be.

Take care, I must get busy now.

Danni

The men who play the Roman Soldiers are pretty rough and tough. Big guys with attitudes to match them. But, somehow, beating on Jesus gets to them. Many times I have seen them come back with tears in their eyes. Tonight was a bit different though. After Jesus dies on the cross, one of the Roman Solders kneels at the cross and says "Truly, this was the son of God"! Then, the other soldiers throw him off stage.

But, tonight, the Roman soldier was sobbing so much he couldn't say his lines. It took him a full minute to compose himself enough to say what he needed to say. And, the other soldiers didn't throw him off, the escorted him off the stage. Why did they only escort him off stage? Because the other soldiers were so broken up they couldn't do their parts either.

What is it like to see one big ol' burly soldier broken down in tears? It is an amazing thing to watch. It is even more emotional to watch when you see eight of these big ol' burly guys so broken up and in tears they cannot speak. Tears flowing down their faces.

So, why did I tell you this story? Simply because, it is the brokenness that brings us closer to God. I know I can speak for myself on that one. I honestly want the brokenness the Roman Soldiers in my play have felt. I want to be so broken and emotional by what my Lord has done for me, that I cannot even speak. That is what I want.

Danni

When I opened my computer today and logged onto the internet, I was faced with the picture of Terri Schaivo. That has been nothing new the past few weeks. But, today is different. Today, Terri is dead! I could see her as she tried to smile at the person looking at her.

If you don't know who Terri Schaivo is, she is a woman who lives in Florida who had a problem in her brain that left her in a vegatative state about ten years ago. Her husband petitioned the court to have her feeding tube removed. Terri's parents fought this decision with their own appearances in court.

These are not easy decisions. I have been involved personally with a decision to remove life supports. The difference with us was that we knew what he wanted a long time ago. He never wanted to be left like this.

It is not often that I find myself in a position where I am not sure what to say. The only thing that I really know of to say is this! God knows what to do and God knows what to say! What really is a life worth? It is worth so much that Jesus died on the cross for you and I. It is worth so much that God sent his son down here to die for us!

Only God truly knows where Terri's heart and mind were in the months and years before she died. And, only God knows where yours and my hearts are. Thankfully, I do not have to be the judge of that one!

Danni

I had to go by my son's school today to drop off something he had forgotten at home. He really needed it, so I drove out to the school. As I was walking back to my car I looked down and saw a penny on the ground. As usual I reached down and picked it up.

You might thiink that a penny is such a small thing, and why would I stop and pick it up. But, small things add up to big things. I have saved pennies before, you know, the ones that I pick up here and there. I always thought it would be cool to save them all up for a year, and just see how much money I really had. But, I always end up needing milk or bread or something, and I use them.

You might think that a smile, a thank you, or holding the door for someone is a small gesture. But, sooner or later, it adds up too.

Never think that something is too small for you to do. Don't think that it won't matter, because it does! If you do a small thing and it doesn't matter, then thats ok. It was for you, but, you never know when a small thing will be a big thing for someone else.

Danni

A few weeks ago one of the girls at work needed a place to stay, and well, I could use some help with the bills, so she moved in and now I have a roommate. I have never had a roommate before, but it is proving to be interesting.

My roommate likes junk food. Hey, who of us doesn't! I pretty much gave up junk food because I am better off not eating it. It messes with my system too much. One day she wanted a snack and went and got a chocolate covered granola bar out of the cabinet. About half way through the chocolate bar she said "hey this is good, what is it"? I grinned! When I told her what it was, she jokingly accused me of feeding her under cover junk food!! Making something healthy look like junk food.

How many times has something looked one way, and then turned out to be something totally different in your life? You look at a situation in your life, and you think you know what you are getting into, and then it turns out to be something totally different! Sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes it's a bad thing.

Granola bars aren't bad for you, no matter now much my roommate insists they are. But, sin can hurt you if you don't know, or don't want to know what you are biting into. It may look really good on the outside, but when you bite into it, it bites you back. That sweet covering only goes as deep as the first layer! Make sure it's really not undercover trouble!

Danni

More songs, books, poems and greeting cards have been written about it. It describes thoughts, feelings, food, automobiles and just about anything else we like. It is the most misunderstood, yet the most sought after emotion of all time. What is this elusive thing? It is called love!

What is true love? And, what would you do for true love? To me, true love is a selfless, deep caring emotion that cannot be explained. The type of emotion that causes people to not think straight. It is a love that see's the heart, not the face or the outward part of a human being. Love see's the heart. Love see's who that person really is inside. And true love doesn't care what the world thinks.

The world "loves" hamburgers, the latest cars, clothes and jewelry, and of course the world loves Michael Jackson! Of course hamburgers, cars, clothes and jewelry have no heart. So, it is more likely to say that we "like" them! Michael Jackson has a heart down in there somewhere, but he has done many things that aren't very lovable. Yet, there are those who love him even though he isn't very lovable. The world loves him because of what he has done as a pop star. Not who he really is. That is not true love, that is infatuation. I might say, I "love" that guy, whom I just saw across the mall. But, in reality, that is simply lust!

So, what would you do in the name of Love? I am not sure what I would do! But, I know what Jesus did in the name of love. Nobody made him go to the cross and die for you and I. No, he did it on his own. He made that decision because he loved you and I so much that he could not stand aside and let us die from sin. So he died in our place. Now, that is LOVE!! The best part of this story, is that Jesus rose again, sealing our salvation if we choose to accept it! This is what He did out of love for you! What are you going to do out of love for Him?

Danni

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