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.

The Help

Happy Saturday Night.

Well, with my husband out of town the country and the boys tucked in their beds, it seems I couldn't come up with anything better to do, so I watched a movie.  Just flippin through the channels I came across the movie "The Help."

There are few "words" in the movie.  **I don't know why they have to put language in movies.  Drives me nuts.**  Despite this I must say I have throughly enjoyed the movie. 

The movie is so well done.  One minute you're crying and the next laughing.  Anything I can say wouldn't do it justice.  This is not a christian movie.  There was no Bible lesson, no teaching, preaching or scripture reading.  There was however one BIG valuable lesson to be learned.  And that is LOVE.

Can't say anymore.  Just go see it.

Watching and waiting.

I received a hummingbird feeder for Christmas this past year and have been waiting to use it.  Well, after doing a little research I learned that it is now time to put it up.

My Grandparents (both in heaven now) lived in Wisconsin, and used to feed hummingbirds and I loved watching the little creatures come and drink right outside their windows.

They made their own nectar to feed them.  So, I knew I could do it too.  First, I had to find a pitcher to store it.

Found this baby yesterday at the local thrift store.  I decided to label it, well, because...funny story here...This past summer while in WI I drank some hummingbird juice.  Not because I wanted to, but because it was placed on the counter at a family gathering for a selection of drinks.  Apparently everyone (out there) knows that that particular pitcher held the nectar.  We, on the east coast, did not know.  So, I poured it thinking it was water and boy did I get a surprise!!  No wonder the birds keep coming back.  That stuff is sweet.  : }

So, I made my nectar and hung my feeder.

So, now I just watch and wait. 

View from my kitchen window.



Here's hoping!!

Happy Wednesday.



Spring has sprung!!

It has been so beautiful here the past week or so.

I don't know about you but I am certainly not ready to see it come to an end.

Tonight we had the priveledge of seeing both of our boys perform in a school program.  The theme of the program was a jungle.  It was quite cute.  Well, one of the songs was about the animals giving praise to God through their sounds.

It struck me in that even the animals know to Whom the praise is due.  That is amazing.  All of it just makes this creation so much more beautiful.  If that is possible.

We mowed the lawn for the first time today.  I love the sound of the mower and the smell, oh, the smell of fresh cut grass.  Don't you?  Nothing says summertime like the sound of the mower.

One thing I have learned is to enjoy each season as it comes.  Not to constantly be looking for the next season.  So, I wasn't quite ready for spring to come.  I wanted to soak up as much of winter as I could.  Especially since we didn't have one this year.  But, I must admit, now that we have had this taste of summer, I am afraid there is no going back.  I don't want the cold to return.  But if it does I will try my hardest to just enjoy it.  No. Matter. What.

And remember to Whom the praise is due!!

Special Delivery

We had a great weekend.  God has truly been blessing us with beautiful weather.  What a gift.  We spent a lot of time on Saturday working in our yard.  The previous owners planted several beautiful trees and plants and shrubs, but they did it right in the middle of our yard.  Beautiful, but not practical.  So, out it came.  Well, some of it.  There are still some things remaining.  Eventually we will get it to where we want it.

We were just about done working for the day when the doorbell rang.  It was our neighbor with a dump truck load of wood.  FREE WOOD!!  A whole tree!!!!

To some this may not be exciting, but it certainly was to us.  One of the reasons we liked this house was because it has a fireplace.

The other benefit of our house is that it is one-story.  We installed a wood burning stove shortly after we moved in and because of that we are able to heat our entire house using the wood stove.

So, you can imagine how thrilled we were when our neighbor approached us about this tree.  Did I mention it was FREE?  How often can you heat your home for free?

There was so much it was rolling down the hill onto the street.  HA!  I guess we made a spectacle of ourselves as passers by stopped to watch.  :]

You may wonder why I chose to share this.  Well, the answer is that I know this was truly a gift.  One we didn't even ask for.  A need that God chose to fill through the kindness of a neighbor.

Whenever I look out my kitchen window I can see our wood pile.  Ever shrinking, ever growing.  But it always reminds me that God provides.  Sometimes we have to do our part and search it out, other times it just comes knocking.  It also reminds me how much I love my home.  Another gift.

I just found out about this.

Woo Hoo!!  I'm excited about this.  I've been searching for a photo editing sight and found this.  Thanks to Becky at Farmgirl Paints.  I have had so much fun playing with this.  Take a look at one of my creations.

This is the before.  Kind of dull, lacking a little color.

So, I played around a little and this is what I came up with.

Not exactly perfect, but definately less dull.

I must warn you, if you go to their sight, you might not leave for hours.  It's too much fun.

Just wanted to share it with ya.

Happy Monday.

I would like you to meet...

I want to introduce you to a couple of "things."  First is Buddy.

This is Buddy.  My Mom and Dad just adopted him last week.  He is stinkin cute.  And all puppy.  Loves to chew and nip and jump.  I love him.

It's been a long time since we have had a new puppy in the family, so we are all enjoying him.  Well, except for my nephew.  He is more afraid of Buddy than anything else.

That's me and Buddy just hanging out on the couch.  (He's not supposed to be on the couch, so don't tell anyone.)  :]

He was "captured" and put in "jail."  In other words, he was being naughty.  :[  Poor little guy.

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Okay, before I post waaay too many pictures of the dog I better move on and introduce you to something else.  This is...

Doug!  Yes, I named a plant Doug.  I'm a little embarassed to admit this, but it just sort of happened.  This very large plant was given to me as a "remembrance" of my former boss, Doug.  You see, it used to belong to him and he was unable to take it with him during his move, so it now has a new home.

I am really not mental even though it may come across that way.  This is by no means a "shrine" or anything weird like that.  It's just a beautiful plant that happened to need a name.  Well, I think the name fits.  How bout you, do you like the name or are you calling in the institution to reserve me a room?

:]



Just checking in

Boy, I'm a little disappointed in myself.  I've spent more time reading blogs than actually writing a blog.  I'm sure it has to do with the fact that I have no life.  Yep, I said NO life.  Just kids, school, work, cleaning, housework, more housework, sicknesses, laundry, church, and well...life.

I wish I had something super important to share, but at this point I'm just happy to be "living."  I've gone through some changes in life and have just been busy trying to adjust.

Valentine's day came and went already.  I received a delicious bouquet of roses from hubby.  I wanted to share a picture of them with you, but I missed my opportunity as now they are starting to droop.  But boy, were they beautious.  I hope you received a little love for v-day.

One thing I want to say and I won't get into it in this post (maybe another day), is that there are a lot of lonely people in this world.  God has really been showing this to me and I hope to really start spreading the love.

Love to those who need it.  And believe me, e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. needs it.  I have found that most of the women I know feel like they don't have friends.  Sad isn't it?  Well, I am one of them.  Women whom I thought were loaded in the friends department feel as if they have no-one.  Well, not no-one, just that one true friend to call up and share their life with.

Well, I'm gonna do it.  I'm gonna put myself out there and be their friend.  Let the walls come down, open myself up for hurt, rejection, gossip, and (hopefully) support, guidance, wisdom and ultimately love!!

One thing I have found is that I don't really know how to be a friend.  You know, the more than just an acquaintace "how are you doing?", "what's new with you?" kind of friend.  I am going to have to figure it out as I go.  I guess I have nothing to lose right?

Well, we'll see.  Thanks for letting me share.

The bathroom of all places

Just what you wanted to see.  A post about the bathroom.  Well, truth be told, I spent some one-on-one time with the "throne" this weekend.  Caught the stomach bug.  Ugh.

I don't know if you are like me, but I tend to do some of my best thinking while in the bathroom.  It happens to be the one place we can close the door and lock out life.  Even if it is for just a quick moment.  Well, I decided that I didn't want to "waste" (no pun intended) the time.  I want to be surrounded by scripture and what better place than the bathroom, since we do spend a lot of time in there.

I recently picked up some quick reads, words of encouragement, and scripture to read while I have a minute.  I've already been putting them to use.

I read some of Boomerang Joy while in the tub the other night.  It's an older book, but I highly recommend it.  One can't hear enough about joy in this day and age.

I guess the irony I noticed is that we clean ourselves on the outside while in the bathroom, so why not clean our insides as well.

I realize this is not a new concept.  Not even new to myself.  It's just that I spent a lot of time doing nothing while being sick that my mind tended to wander.  And, my time spent in the bathroom brought a lot of these thoughts to the forefront of my mind.

How much time do spend getting ourselves ready to go for the day.  We shower.   Spend a long time finding just the right outfit.  Style our hair.  Apply our make-up, jewelry and accessories.  But how much time do we really spend getting our hearts and minds ready for the day?

So, how about you?  Do you need some new reading material for your bathroom?  You never know when you might be spending some time in there!.  ;}



Happy February One!

If it is February 1st, then someone better tell the weatherman!!  This must be the warmest February I can ever remember.

Here's hoping you've enjoyed this weather.  If not, I'll send you some warmth through these pictures!!

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On another note, I just have to mention one of my frustrations.

Has this ever happened to you?...
You hear your cell phone ringing and you can't find it.  Or, you hear it ring and you know it's in your purse, but you have to dig through the bottomless pit to find it only to finally grab it and miss the call?!  Aaah!!!  That has been happening to me A. LOT. lately.  Drives me crazy!!

Why is it that we carry everything but the kitchen sink in our purse?  I don't know about you, but I am definately thinking about downsizing.  I know that as soon as that happens inevitably I will need something and will no longer have it because of my downsizing.

Sigh.

What's a girl to do?

Don't get me started on finding my keys in the bottomless pit!!  ;]

Adjusting

It's been a tough week.  I don't know why.  All is well.  I have much to give thanks for.  I guess it comes down to embracing the changes.  I had no idea when I set out to embrace that opportunities would arise so quickly.  I also didn't know it would be so hard.

Work has been very much the same, but yet very different.  I'm already missing my "old" boss.  He was the reason I've stayed so long.  Already things are changing.  Procedures are done differently.  If you know me, you know I don't adapt well to change.  I went head-on to embrace this "newness" at work, but I've failed miserably.  I've almost broken down in tears several times.  I miss him.



Things at home aren't much better.  I think it's me.  It's true that the woman of the home sets the tone.  I'm afraid I haven't been doing a great job at that either.  I will not be winning mother/wife of the year this year.  Maybe next year.

We have been having some battles with our 11 year old son.  It's difficult for me because I'm completely opposite of him.  I love him so much.  I'm just disappointed in the decisions he is making.  None of them are life altering by any means, it just shows where his heart is at.  Kids are different today than they were when I was a kid.  Try as I may I will likely never be able to embrace this post-modern way of thinking.  And that is o.k.  Unfortunately as a parent that might be difficult. 

We try so hard to teach our children how to behave and what is right and wrong.  But it seems that out in the world (and even in Christian school) they try to persuade them otherwise.  What's cool to "them" is not acceptable to us.  And on and on it goes.  It's hard trying to imagine what the world is like through the eyes of an 11 year old.  Should I be more accepting of these decisions or continue to fight it?  It seems the more we fight it, the farther he is slipping away.  He's only 11.  How can this be?

I'm sorry for the "downer" of a post today.  I'm just being real.  Embracing the fact that I am a wife/mother who makes mistakes.  I'll never be the perfect parent.  Oh, I'll strive to be but I will fall short.  That is a hard thing to admit.  I really am just learning it as I go.  God-willing my boys will turn out to be Godly men who love God and seek Him.  I only hope I have what it takes to teach them.



Still

This morning was really interesting.  The boys and I walked to the bus stop and while waiting for the bus to come I noticed the air was completely still.  Not a tree brach was moving.  No leaves were rustling.  Just absolute stillness.  It was almost breathtaking.

That moment was about as still as this day got.  I've learned from the book I've been reading, that in order to slow time you must first give thanks.  (I am really butchering what Ann says, but I hope you understand.)

So, today (tonight rather), I give thanks to God for that moment when everything in the world was still.  Isn't it just amazing how God can just stop everything in its tracks?

Back to life again.

I am finally feeling like things are settling back into normal now.  Christmas is two weeks past and things are less frantic and busy.

It's been a good weekend so far.  Last night we spent with some friends from church.  Pizza, chips, dessert, laughter.  It was all good.

Today I had the pleasure of attending a ahem...(whisper) thirty-one gifts product premier. 

Check out the line.  We are serious about our products!!

I met some new people and got to know some acquaintances better.  It was sooooo much fun.

Wait until you see the new products.  AH!  They are fabulous!!!!

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I enjoy clipping coupons.  Or is it that I love getting a really good deal and saving money?  Well, I haven't had too much time lately to clip, so tonight I cleaned out my book and started clipping again.

The pile at the top is of the coupons I had to throw away.  Ugh!  Until I can jump in with both feet again I decided to do a modified amount of coupons.  So, the small pile with the scissors on top are the few I clipped this time around.

More to be thrown away!  :{

But, they are all in their place now and I'm ready for the newspapers to come tomorrow, so I can keep filling it up and using them.  I can't wait to get my stock pile filled again.  Now, before you think I'm crazy, my stock pile is rather on the small side.  I wouldn't consider myself an extreme couponer by any stretch of the imagination.  It's just nice to go to the basement and pick up a few things than having to go to the store.

So, how about you?  Do you clip coupons?

On the hunt

A couple years back on a trip to Lancaster, I purchased small block letters to spell my boys' name for their bedrooms.  Well, some time ago the letter "N" disappeared from my son Collin's name.  His shelf looked like this.

Not a big deal I know, but yet everytime I was in there and looked at it, it bugged me.

This past Saturday I headed to Lancaster with my girlfriends and I was bound and determined to find a letter N from the store I had purchased them at.  I located them in the store and to my dismay they did not have the letter N. What?  Really?  Literally every letter was in stock through the letter M.  Everything after M was either limited or they had none at all. :{  My friends stood and laughed, and after the shock wore off, I joined in.  However, I was slightly bummed.  My son Collin would have to remain Colli until I got out to that store again. Likley in another year.  Ugh!
Well, we continued our day shopping at other stores buying things we absolutely didn't need, but wanted to buy anyway.  It was all fun. 
We decided to hit one last store before we went to the outlets and voila there were the block letters.  (insert loud trumpet music here)  I searched and searched as quick as I could.  Sweat beginning to form on my brow as I reached the area where the N should be.  My heart was racing and I think I might have stopped breathing for a few seconds.  :) 
And like a light shining from the sky there it was!!!

I grabbed my N and ran to the counter to pay for it, before it got away.  The one thing I needed and couldn't find, I finally had in my hands.  I asked the cashier not to bag it, so I could show it off to my friends waiting in the car.  I think she thought I was nuts.  I think I am.  :}  I was soooo excited.  Do you know the block only cost $.80?  Why is that something so inexpensive could bring such a burst of joy?  It's the little things. :} 
Collin was happy, but not near as happy as me!  That's okay.  I can now go in his room and not have that empty spot staring at me.  I honestly think it stuck it's tongue out at me once.  I could hear it say "nanner nanner boo boo! 
Well, not anymore!

The letter N...$.80

Gloves for Christmas...$6.00

Lunch with the gals...$10.00

Laughter with my friends...Priceless!