Girls

My pastor's wife friend and former co-worker, Jeannie, asked me to speak at
a retreat for her ladies.  That was months ago.  The day finally arrived
this past Friday and I was on my way.

I had prayed and God had told me to share...

• About women
• About what He's been doing in me
• A challenge

On the way there, I began to second guess myself... "I don't know these girls - maybe
this is not what I should share!"..."Lord! Give me something - a verse, anything!".  But
of course, I got nothing (He had already given it to me.).  I finally thought - this is what
I have and this is what I'm sharing.

I arrived and supper was almost on the table.  We sat down and began to visit and eat,
share and eat, laugh and eat...(did I mention eat?). 

After supper, we did the Lawnmower Song...just to work off our healthy meal
and have fun!

The time came for me to share my heart.

It's an amazing thing to share God's Word and His principles...how the Holy Spirit brings
things to mind that you haven't planned: verses, stories, illustrations.  And these girls, had
already become my friends.







That's another amazing thing.  Girls can share things with each other that they can't
share with men, not even their husbands, simply because we're girls.  God made us that
way.  He instructed the older girls to teach the younger girls.  It just works.

I got to share about the calling God has given to me...and what He's been up to in
my life and my heart.  What a privilege to be a co-laborer together with Him!

And then...I was able to challenge them to find God's calling for themselves...and to seek
Him with all their hearts...to listen and hear Him.

Amazing.

Raindrops on roses...

These are a few of my favorite things...  so the song goes.

I am sharing my newest favorite things first...

Last night we came home with this!

Yes, it's a Yamaha! 

But it is not a mower, or a 4-wheeler, or a motorbike, or one of the

gazillion other things they manufacture...

It's a....

Keyboard!
88 keys!
Yay!!!!!







(and yes - it is on my counter in the kitchen at present, but I do have a stand,
see it in the background?)

The first thing I did this morning?  Yep, you got it...played the keyboard.  Last
thing last night..oh, yeah...played the keyboard.  I do love it.  It is going to
greatly enhance my service to my Lord!

Next, please!

                                                               

My dear friend, Kellie, gave me this!
She did my life verse, for which this blog is
entitled, in calligraphy and framed it.
It's beautiful...it's perfect...I love it.
I hope to use it in my blog header in the very
near future.






And my last favorite thing for this episode...

Handpainted cabinet knobs...with leopard
accents to complement my leopard shower
curtain (which I love but did not photograph.)







Oops!  I found more!

This is my mom's living room, newly painted -

Color?  Bleached wheat - she loves it.


And now, a new recipe...

Lemon Shortbread
(secret ingredient - cornmeal!)






The end.

Blessings!

Exactly What We Need

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for me.  God has been giving me a new assignment - one that challenges me to my very core...one that allows me to use my giftedness in a new way...one that forces me to lean on Him completely. 

It's been a wonderful, terrifying, anxious, joyous, roller coaster ride.  When God calls us to something...Satan begin his attacks - to discourage us and make us doubt.  He uses unsuspecting people...good people...even God's people to do his dirty work.

Where am I going with this?  To this wonderful, amazing truth...God knows exactly what we need.

Everytime I've desperately needed direction...God has given it.
Everytime I've needed affirmation and encouragement...God has supplied it.
Everytime I've been tempted to quit...God has reminded me of His calling and promise to be with me.

This past week for 3 days I got to keep these 2 precious grandbabies...

Millie Elizabeth...8 months

                                                            

Jackson Luke - 2 years 7 months

God knew that is what I needed.  I really doubted my ability to take care of these two - at my age? It's been so long...can I do this?  But before bedtime the first day...I was back in "mom" mode and everything was under control.  It was a needed break from things that were beyond my control...things that were filling me with anxiety.  It was busy...full of laughter and kisses and hugs and dirty diapers and potty training and a new appreciation for Jello (Jackson's new favorite thing).  I got to build my relationship with two of my grandchildren - precious! It was wonderfully tiring - and I was so glad we were able to help Cary and Sara have a little time away and alone.

They went home last night and it was very quiet here.  And you know what?  All the challenges and anxieties came back in full force.  Today, I've been oppressed and heavy in spirit and nauseated in body.  I've read scripture and I've prayed...

And on my way home from work...God gave me the answer.

When I got home...God sent me encouragement and afffirmation through a most unexpected source.

He reminded me AGAIN of His call on my life and His ability!

And then God gave me this week's resources...done! 

It reminds me of a Brooklyn Tabernacle song entitled How Many Times...

How many times must I prove how much I love you?

How many ways must my love for you I show.
How many times must I rescue you from trouble,
For to know just how much I love you?


How many days must I build a fence all around you?
How many nights must I wipe your tears away.
How many storms must I bring you safely through
For you to know just how much I love you?

Didn't I wake you up this morning,
clothed in your right mind?
When you walked up on a problem,
Didn't I step right in on time.
When you were weak along life's journey,
My angels carried you,
So you would know just how much I love you.

Didn't I put food on your table,
Show up when the bills were due?
When the pains were wracking your body,
Didn't I send healing down to you?
When you were lost in sin and sorrow,
I died to set you free.
So you would know just how much I love you.
 
God always knows exactly what we need and He is SO able and willing to supply -
Praise His Holy Name!
 
Blessings!