A Good Day

            Well it was a good day and I think we all benefitted from it.  My friends.... Cathy, Gloria, Charity and kids, and Dave... all came over this afternoon.  It would've been 'perfect', if the wind had died down but hey it's good to be outside for a change.
          Some highlights include......  Vance getting out of the car and saying.... 'Angie's.. I love Angie.'  Maggie fell on the driveway but my Dad got plain bandaids and drew smiley faces on them to cheer her up.  The bigger girls rode my old bike and gave each other handlebar rides.  Visiting together with all the adults is always a good time of sharing and swapping experiences.
          My friends are angels who lift me up when I need it most... this includes both those who were here today and those that were not.
          [Cliffhanger..... I'm saving the pictures for Foto Friday.....stay tuned]

Brighten Someone's Day

           Well it is a BEAUTIFUL warm day today.  As much as we've all awaited more days like this, it doesn't provide all the light to one's life that is needed.  In this world, there is still pain, grief and suffering even on a gorgeous day.  We are meant and sent to encourage and love one another.
          Hebrews 3; 12-14  ''See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.''
          Sometimes the trials meant to make us stronger in our faith can make us angry and doubt God's purpose in our lives.  That's when we as believers need to encourage each other the most.  'Tell the people around you what they could be with the strengths that are there, even if you only see a little bit of it. Because by naming it, you can nurture it.'
         You never know what battle some people are fighting so just be the Light to their darkness.

Who's Is It?

         
              Yes, April 15th is fast approaching.  If you're getting a refund then you've probably already finished your taxes.  If you owe, then you're probably postponing the inevitable till the last day.  As they say, there are two guaranteed things in life.....death and taxes.  It does seem like the chunk the IRS takes out is too large of a portion, huh?  Especially when Congress is so wasteful in their spending of it.
             All of what we have is God's, before it is ours. Leviticus 27;30  ''A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.''  We have temporary custody but it can all be taken from us at anytime.  We are to give freely and with the right spirit with what we are blessed with to further the Kingdom.  ''Jesus said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
             Our support of things includes both our verbal affirmation and our financial response.  We are blessed when we bless others by paying our blessings forward.

Walk With Me

      'Trust in God’s presence and know that He is with you every second.'  No matter if you feel alone or crowded, God is with you.  Dwell on that thought and feel blessed.  Sometimes the journey seems long and full of trials but just look forward to the trouble free eternity that awaits believers.  God is as close as you allow Him to be in your life.  'Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.'

Foto Friday

A surprise visit from Eliana

Our better shot...  we've known each other
since her daughter and I were in 6th grade.
We go way back.

TCBY ... good to the
last drop

 

Karla's drive to work

A good long stretch

Let this be it!

Squirrel under my bird feeder

Renew

      Well this is definitely a verse that we can all turn to and relate with.  Who's with me?  We all know the worn out feeling of exhaustion.  Who hasn't said.... 'just give me five minutes'?  Even God needed a day of rest on the seventh day after creating everything into existence.
      We do get tired in more ways than just physically.  We are warned not to grow tired in doing good. Sometimes we get tired of our efforts not being appreciated but we are told to do things as unto the Lord, not for man.
     Our bodies are not sustainable forever and sometimes we are renewed in strength by the help of others.  As in Exodus 17;12..........''When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.''  We must not let pride stand in the way of how God uses others to help us.  I know for myself, I preserve the energy God gives me for the things that are of benefit to me and Him most.
    I asked my doctor once...'can you give me something for energy?'  He recommended just a Flintstone vitamin but I'm going to add this verse to my daily regimen too.

Move Forward

        Well I know some stubborn people, and I admit that I am one of them.  Sometimes we pray for God to make our situation better and yet we don't want any form of change. ''Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.'' When we hit rock bottom, there we can find our Rock upon which we can stand up against anything.
       God closes doors that no man can open but He also opens doors that no man can close.  Are you following His leading down your path or your own?  It takes courage to go where He leads but faith takes the first step to climb up that unseen staircase.
      We like familiarity and to be in our comfort zone but they aren't always a good thing.  Breaking the bad cycles of life and not repeating them are God's push to move you to better things.

Beautiful?

         What do you consider 'beautiful' in a person?  Is it the flesh, the attitude, the will or the reputation?  I think beauty is making the most out of what God gave you and using it for His glory, not just for your own pleasure.
         Have you ever thought of Mother Theresa as a 'supermodel'?  Probably not, but as this caption describes then she was one of the most beautiful people to have walked the earth.  'People' magazine does a 'Most Beautiful' issue every year but it is mostly just eye candy.  A good looking person can become 'ugly' in a brief second when they display their true heart by their words or actions.
        Are you beautiful to the ones who see you daily in all your forms?   'Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee'.  May we use all the parts of our bodies in a beautiful way that strengthens and helps others

Snow?

         Hey, I'm over it too!  I've done my part to get spring here by getting my spring decor of bunnies out. There's no need to get violent.  'This too shall pass', so let's try a little patience till we thaw out in a day or two.  Just be thankful that your power is on to heat your home.
       Phillipians 2;14-16  ''Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.''
      It's hard not to grumble when our routines get changed by things we cannot change, like the weather.  As with our eternal future, we can look forward to better days ahead because they are coming.

Happy Dance

          This is my HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY frog dance.  I have been burning the candle at both ends lately due to my lack of sleep.  I can tell you that it takes a toll on you and catches up with you real quick.  So I don't know if I just collapsed from exhaustion or just finally had an all night of good sleep last night.  Either way, I am just grateful.
          Sometimes the little things we take for granted become the big things we desire when they're gone.  It's true that God won't bless you with more, if a person doesn't appreciate what God has already given them.
         As a child my prayer used to be...... ''Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray my Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.''  I found a better version that's not so fatalistic for a child or for anyone.  I hope we all sleep well tonight and maybe this can be your prayer......

Foto Friday

Charlene in Oklahoma

 

Two is company, three is a crowd and you want on here
too Angie?

Ran into Belle at the Shoporama in Cabot

Bath n Body Works sale stash

 
 

Not In My Power Alone

"As we face difficulties, others can see that something - some power, some knowledge - enables us to handle them in a way that isn't natural. ANd when they ask, they find out that the difference is God. They see in us HIs grace, and this brings glory to the One who fills the vessel." (From "LOrd, I Give You This Day by Kay Arthur) 




          My friend, Cathy, posted this to me on my facebook page.  What a blessing to me that someone else could see God working in my life.  If there ever was an earthly goal to be met, it would be... 'use me for Your glory Lord.'
          From Spurgeon.....''It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord’s faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father’s countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts his servants to glorify himself, for he is greatly glorified in the graces of his people, which are his own handiwork. When “tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope,” the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified?''
        We would never choose suffering for ourselves but God has to break us in order to build us into who He wants us to be.  I certainly know that my journey has been paved by God's grace, mercy, strength and patience so I hope that my life shines brightly for Him for all to see.

DIY Jewelry Party

Charlene and I

Gloria's necklace n earrings

Karla's necklace n earrings

September's collage pendant

September's pendant and
Grace's necklace n earrings

Betsy's necklace with
her helper, Hank

Me, Gloria, n Grace

Hard at work/fun

             What a fun girl's afternoon we had on Tuesday.  Charlene was generous enough to bring and share her jewelry supplies so we could have a do-it-yourself jewelry making party.  September brought a bag of her jewelry supplies too.  These are some creative ladies.  We enjoyed smoothies and spinach dip while being artistically challenged with the wide assortment of beads and more.  We also enjoyed a good visit with each other.  Good girlfriends in your life are a true blessing and time spent together is a treasured memory.      [For a bigger view, you can click on the individual picture]

More Winter

       Oh how I loved the little taste of spring weather that we got last week.  Old man winter is still alive and well so his return this week is not a big surprise.
      This caption definitely illustrates one thought of mine on winter.  I hate being bundled up because I can't move.  Most people don't consider the weight of layered clothing but just how cute it looks.  I think 'weight' of clothing first dawned on me in junior high.  I wanted a cool leather school coat because everyone seemed to have one.  Well I got one and I hated to wear it.  It weighed probably half as much as I did.  Which is worse.. too cold to move or too weighted down to move?  So if you see me without a coat, I'm risking the former over the latter.
     So there is a time for every season and I'm just glad we're on the tailend of this winter season.

Outlook

     
     Your outlook on life can only be improved by the Great Physician.  When the Holy Spirit is in your life, you will see past yourself and see the need to 'love one another.'
      I am blessed with great eyesight but my vision is really based upon my faith in what is yet unseen.  If you're still holding onto your rose colored glasses, then I encourage you to really see who you are as a sinner and see your need for a Savior.
     When we see things through Christ's perspective, our choices are not based on earthly influences.  The world's views will change but the Bible's instructions never will.
     With biblical glasses to see through, your outlook on this life and your eternity should be filled with hope, joy, love and His promises.  'My future is so bright, I gota wear shades.'

Who's Bed?

           Well it hasn't come to this YET, but if I didn't have a queen size bed, it just might.  The night before last, Tiger got a hold of my second buzzer and rang it twice during the middle of the night.  Last night, she didn't get on the bed at all.  She slept in one of the two pet beds I have for them.  I slept all night for the first time in two months.  My sleeping trouble hasn't been due to Tiger but this picture with all the pillows reminded me of our efforts to comfort me and my hip.
          Since I did get a good night's rest, it did make for a better day and more energy.  I knew this day would come eventually, but sleeping on marshmallows did cross my mind....haha.  

Foto Friday

Baker girls

Maru and me

Charlene, Jessica, Jeshua n me

Maeola and me

Valentine flowers by Betsy

Jack undercover

New spring pillowcase
 made by Charlene

Tiger snoozing on my shoe

My remodeling thought

When We Don't Understand

          Today is just marked by a cloud of sadness.  As many good memories I have of Springfield, Missouri, we are all too often reminded that evil has no limits or boundaries.  Yesterday a 10yr old girl, Hailey Owens, was abducted out of her neighbor's yard and killed by a predator that they have now arrested.  I can't even fathom the pain of the family and how evil can strike out of nowhere into one's own private and personal space.  We can understand the hardship of disease and death of a loved one but when pure evil robs us of a loved one, we are at a total loss.
        'Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.'  Romans 12;19

        We all want justice for those who are innocently wronged in this world.  We would like to hurry up the meeting of the judgement day so the perpetrator could meet their Maker.  As much hurt and anger as one may have, we must leave it to God's timing and punishment.  Yes a lifetime sentence without parole is deserved but God's wrath will be much more fitting.  I hope those who hurt innocent children go to the deepest, darkest places of hell.

        Please remember the Owens family in your prayers because they truly need comfort from the great Comforter and Healer right now.