Expectations

Have you ever had something in your life that you were excited about and when it finally came, it ended up being...not what you expected?

It seems that has been the case for me lately.  It has had me wondering though.  Are my expectations too high?  Should I plan for things to only be ho-hum, so I won't be disappointed?  I don't know which is worse, planning for something exicting and being disappointed, or not even having the excitement in the planning. 

One thing I thought of today was this.  When it comes to eternity and spending it in heaven with Jesus Christ, I can have high expectations and get excited and I know I won't be disappointed.  Quite the opposite actually.  I don't think I can even plan for just how wonderful it will be.  

So tell me, what should I do?  What do you do?  Do you plan for something exciting and just accept it when it doesn't go according to plan?  Do you set low expectations so you won't be disappointed?  I need a little help with this one.

Out of the ashes

Today was a (pause while I think of the right word)  different, interesting, no, maybe the best word to use would be blessed.  Today was a day of blessings.  I had to work today and due to different circumstances I happened to be working out on the floor with customers.  I work for a local christian book store, which is a blessing in itself.  Most days at work are just sort of average, if you know what I mean.  But today...today was different.  There was a certain spirit in the air.  Maybe it was the beautiful weather, I'm not sure.  No wait, I am sure.  Today was the kind of day that you just "knew" the Lord had sent each and every person through our doors for a purpose.

It started with a woman.  She seemed a bit bewildered, like she was just waiting for someone to rescue her.  Although at first glance one might not have noticed.  Once we discovered her it was as if she just dropped all of the "baggage" she had right there on the floor.  A long breath just released.  You know what I mean.  Its like finding a place of refuge in the midst of turmoil.

You see, this woman was in our store today to buy a Bible.  A Bible she needed because she did not have one and she needed to be close to the Lord.  To read his words.  She shared with us that just 3 weeks ago she lost her home and all she owned in a house fire.  Everything.  Up in smoke.  She is very thankful to have gotten out alive.  But once the smoke clears and the dust settles, you realize you have nothing.  Nothing.

But there, right in the middle of the store, she found a safe haven, a refuge, a solace, a warm hug.  Tears were shed and not just hers.  There were customers shopping right at that moment that the Lord knew she needed.  Other women to help her grasp the loss she was grieving.  To let her know that it's okay to grieve for "things" we have lost.  I'm sure she appreciated her home, was thankful for all that God had given her.  I'm sure she didn't need to have it all taken away to realize her gratitude.  God had allowed it all to be taken away in an instant.  Yet, who did she turn to?  God.

I don't really know where I am going with this except maybe to say that I am so thankful that I had the priveledge of being part of the joy that was shared.  Thankful that I am blessed enough to work in a place where at any time of the day we can stop what we are doing and lift a fellow sister up in prayer to the Lord. Blessed to know that despite some of the difficult days at work, we really do have the best customers in the world.  People who weren't afraid to come over when they heard a woman sobbing, giving up their time to help someone with a need.

What are the words to that song?  I believe it is:  "Out of the ashes, beauty will rise." 

Just Popping In

I have had such a splendid weekend celebrating Easter.  The weather was perfect for part of the weekend and I just love getting outside and getting the winter "stink" blown off me.  We had a very nice easter dinner with family and extended family from out of town.

With all of the beauty taking place outside and this Easter celebration I am reminded of Christ's love and goodness to me.  I just wanted to share one of my favorite verses with you today.  I hope it's a good reminder to you as it is to me.

Waiting for Spring

I don't know about you, but this gal is ready for some spring.  A couple of years ago while in the middle of a debilitating battle of anxiety, I learned to really just enjoy life during whatever "season" I'm in.  An appreciation of life...sort of.  Well, this winter has proved challenging to me.  Normally I enjoy the winter, but for some reason I am more than ready to see winter go away.

I am trying to decide if it is truly the weather, or more the "season" of life I am in right now.  Don't get me wrong, my life is great.  Just busy.  And not busy by somes standards, just busy by my own standards.  Quite frankly I don't like it.  It is only temporary.  This too shall pass.

Sometimes life feels a little stale.  I don't want to complain about that.  Really.  I just think sometimes we are ready for a little change.  Excitement.  Life.  Color.  So, I'm hoping that maybe when spring finally rolls in it will bring with it some of these things.

More than anything I hope it brings a fresh perspective.  One reason I love the change of seasons is that in some ways I feel like I get a fresh start with each new season.  That's what I'm hoping for this spring.  How about you?  Are you ready for spring?

A Friday Night

I just wanted to show you what a typical Friday night might look like around our house.  I happen to love Friday nights.  It seems to be the only night of the week we can stay up as late as we want.  Here it is 10:45 and guess what?  I'm the only one up.  Andy fell asleep long ago and I made the boys go to bed just after 10.  So, here I sit.  Me and my computer (and you).

I love it when we make no plans and can just stay home. 

We worked on a puzzle, had ice cream, watched a movie and played games.  Even the dog got a treat.  My house is a disaster, but hey, this is life.  Right?

Bathroom Reveal

Well, several months back my husband and I decided to re-do our bathroom.  It was time.  See for yourself.

The floor was dirty and disgusting and beyond the point that you could clean it.  The color of the tiles and the tub, can you say ugly?  The sink was scratched and dirty.  Don't get me started on the heater.  I've mentioned it here.  Let's not go there today, okay?

We tried to work with it and made a few minor adjustments.

It helped, but not with the floor problem.  Underneath one of the rugs we were missing floor tiles, so needless to say, when the time was right we tore it apart.

Sadly, we said good-bye to the old cast iron turqoisey-aqua tub, tiles and floor.  Okay, it wasn't sad.  However, living without a bathroom is never pleasant.  Especially if it's the "girls" bathroom of the home and during construction all girls have to use the "boys" bathroom.  Use your imagination on that one.

So, after several months, it is finally completed.  Can I get a woo-hoo?!!!!  Andy worked on this when his time allowed.  I certainly wish it went faster, but he did the best he could. 

I am very happy with how it turned out.  Instead of replacing the drywall where the old tile was, we decided to use a bead-board to cover over it.

It's so fresh and clean.  I would still like to add to this wall a picture of some sort and possibly a towel rack.  It's just so nice and crisp that I'm not in a big hurry to put holes in the wall.

Here is my sparkly white brand new tub.

I've already had the privelege of a good soak.  I'm enjoying it immensely.

I love taking showers now.  No more sharing the boys shower.

We had quite a time trying to find a vanity that would work in this space.  We actually wanted a smaller one in length than what was previously there.  It did not allow a lot of space between the toilet and vanity.  Andy finally found a used one on Craigslist.  It wasn't exactly what I was looking for but the price was right.

We just topped it with a one-piece granite top from Lowe's.

This shows you just how much space we have now between the vanity and sink.

Much better.  And oh, did you notice the new heater?  No more rust and pee stains.  Hallelujah.  I decided to add a little more storage space and was quite pleased when I found this at my favorite little primitive shop in town.  And, for only $25.

While the bathroom was under construction, we had the mirror resting in the hallway.  Well, with 2 boys running around you can imagine what happened.  It broke.  It turned out to be ok.  We ended up having to cut it to fit with the new size vanity.  Andy built a frame for it, and we painted it to match the vanity and storage cabinet.

I think it looks great.  We just recycled the old light, but unfortunately had to replace the glass shades because somebody (I won't mention who) managed to break one.  That turned out to be the biggest fiasco of the whole project.  I won't tell you how many trips I took to Lowe's and Home Depot to finally find some that would fit.

One more before and after. 




Before

After

So, what do you think?  Did we do okay?

I'm back!!!

Yay!  I am so excited to tell you that I am back.  Back here at learning as we go.  There are a couple of factors to my decision to return here.  First one being, I had too much trouble getting my new blog working on blogger and didn't really care for blogging at wordpress.  Because of that I sort of lost the desire to continue blogging.  But the truth is, I've missed blogging.  Which leads me to my second reason...I miss writing.  Or is this talking?  Journaling?  Typing random thoughts?  Whatever it is I have missed it.  And for whatever reason this feels like home.  This little special blog of mine. 
So, here I am.  I'm back and hopefully here to stay.  There will be posts coming, so please, if I haven't lost you yet, come on back.  Soon.  I think I've officially lost it.  : )