Why is choosing paint colors so hard????

Why?  Why can't they come up with a way to show you exactly what paint will look like on your wall? I am far from being color-blind.  I can tell the variations of color quite well.  I even know what I want on my wall. But somewhere between what is in my head...and what is on that color chip - there's a definite disconnect.


Somehow what is on that chip, doesn't end up in the can.  And what is in the can, doesn't end up on the wall. What's the deal?

The person who can solve this dilemma - might become a millionaire - strike that - a billionaire!

Continuing the Journey

Who would have ever thought we would see 2011?  It seems only yesterday that we were about to enter the world of 2000 and everyone was terrified of what might happen...computers might not work...food must be hoarded...funny stuff now.  Yet here we are.

For me, 2010 had some major happenings...

• My Daddy went home with the Lord - February
• Cary's family moved to New Madrid, only 1 hour away - April
• God called me to lead worship - May
• My brother and I discovered a new relationship built on Christ and His Word - all year
• God allowed us to buy a house - a "fixer-upper" - November
• Living Bethlehem 2010, Jesus Saves! - December

My Daddy was a rock...he was there if I needed him.  It already seems as if he's been

gone for years and it hasn't been one full year yet.   Whenever I am surprised by a picture of him, it takes my breath away - I think, "There's Daddy!" and immediately, "He's gone."

We'd spent 2 years here, at least 3 hours from most of our children and grandchildren.  Then God placed Cary in New Madrid, Missouri.  Now we have someone close by...and we get to see them pretty often. It hasn't made me miss our other 5 children and their families any less, but it has removed a little of the loneliness of our family being away from us. 

Probably the most impacting event of all...God called me to lead worship.  Not something I've dreamed of doing...not something I'm particularly comfortable doing...yet - what I was made to do.  I am still not skilled at it...I am still growing and developing...I still struggle to stay close, closer, closest to Him knowing I cannot do it.  But hearing Him call me...priceless.  I still can't believe it - me?  now?  here?  It is probably without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever attempted to do.

Then there's my brother - Dear Kevin (with wife, Sandi) - what an amazing person!  I can't begin to tell you how he has grown in the Lord this year.  Proof positive that we can know the Lord as well as we want to! He has become a spiritual giant in a few short months...well versed in scripture...wise in the truth...willing to follow the Lord into ministry...my strong support and encourager. What a blessing!

Then, this is most likely the most trying while most exciting thing - a house!  We had very little time in December to work on it, so that has started in earnest in 2011. I am a mass of aching muscles and stiff, sore hands - what a "wuss"! It is a typical remodel so far - everything that can go wrong, has - and everytime we think we've found the last problem, another one arises!  I will share more as we go along on this adventure God has given to us.

 And lastly on this particular list - Living Bethlehem 2010, Jesus Saves!  I am continually amazed at what God can do when His people come together.  Men who work against all odds to make fireworks come off at an exact moment in time (while keeping fields from catching on fire - LOL)...couples who haul animals back and forth every night...folks who brave extreme cold for hours 3 nights in a row, in order to share the love and salvation offered by Jesus Christ...ladies who sew for months and months, taking to heart every single costume...those who built (and re-built) the village,  put together gifts,  mix up hot cocoa, bake cookies, pretzels, and bread...those who register and serve and park cars...who hand out candy canes...it is a never ending list.  How my heart is changed from this one event.

My Encouragement for Today talked about the 30 some odd parables told by our Lord.  She talked about how His stories depicted everyday life...everyday happenings.  You know  - death...children moving...new areas of ministry...all the feelings we have, the people in our lives - those are all ordinary and everyday things. 

The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, "We come to realize that it is in the everyday world of sowing and eating and dealing with family members that people make the great spiritual decisions and that God's grace works."

Stephen Covey, "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, but spiritual beings on a human journey."

I've only listed a few things here.  There is no way to recount every wonderful thing of this past year...my wonderful praise team...my family...my mom...my friends.

One of my brother's  favorite sayings is, "Loving the journey", as he experiences walking with the Lord and trusting Him in every area.

Who knows what 2011 will bring? We've been placed in this life to live it...by His grace, in His will, through His Holy Spirit.  My new saying is going to be, "Continuing the journey..."

God's Forever Plan

(Painting above by Brian Jekel)

This morning I was reading Luke 2:21-52...the focus was on the faithfulness of Simeon and Anna to wait for the Christ to appear. But the verses that grabbed my attention are part of the blessing given by Simeon:

"For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation

which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people, Israel."

verses 30-32

I am fairly certain the few folks who do read this blog...are Gentiles.  God's forever plan - hallelujah - was to send light to the Gentiles....US!  We were never an afterthought, or something God thought up later on when He saw what a mess we were. 

This may not excite you, but it never fails to thrill my soul!

Thank You, Lord for your forever plan to redeem ALL mankind...every nation, tongue, tribe.

Happy, Holy Christmas to you all!

Jesus Saves

Last year we began presenting a living Bethlehem village, following Mary and Joseph on their journey to the manger.  Our first village was Once Upon a Holy Night...it was an unbelievable experience for our church.  This year we were led to attempt to present Jesus Saves, a song written by Travis Cottrell.

Here are a few highlights...

The village begins to take shape (doesn't look very impressive, does it)...

Jake begins the story and tour...David (soldier on the right) is about to read the decree saying "all the world
must be taxed..."

Our guests "shopping" (everything is free!)...

Joseph pays his taxes...

Turned away at the Inn...

Shepherds at the manger..."humblest hearts adore Him"...

Wise men..."the wisest bow before Him"...

"It is done will shout the cross, Christ has paid redemption's cost..."

"...the empty tomb declaring - Jesus Saves!"

(Angel of the Lord rolling stone away - hard to see the flashing light and fog rolling)

"God is making all things new..."

"all the saints will shout together"..."the redeemed will sing forever!"....

Sky "alive with praise"...

Hebrews says that God inhabits the praise of His people.  All I can say is...when you
exalt the Savior - God is pleased!  We sang Jesus Saves 19 times and it never grew
old.

Our ladies sewed and designed costumes for months...free gifts were made, wrapped, bagged
and prepared and all the items given -  from hot chocolate and cookies, to shop gifts - were
donated by our people.   One couple arranges for our live animals; and then they
transport them back and forth to the village every night.

The men built the village and a storm came through and blew it away.  They went out
the very next day and built it again.  They designed and figured out every technical aspect,
including fireworks this year - which were timed precisely to coordinate with the song.
Amazing.

For months we prayed for moderate temperatures, dry weather, good health - and for
those who would come. While we prayed that others' lives would be touched and changed
after this experience -  we discovered that we are the ones who are most changed every year. 
We receive the greatest blessing.

Living Bethlehem 2010 - Jesus Saves is past. LB 2009 was great and we doubted 2010
could be better...but it was!  Now we are praying and anticipating what God has for us
for Living Bethlehem 2011!

What makes a good blog?

Here it is...someone who consistently blogs.  Simple, huh.  No one wants to read the same old post over and over again.  If one goes to a blog and it hasn't changed in say...weeks or months...one ceases to go there!
So, what do you do when you have nothing to say...or no pictures to illustrate?  I have no answer.
I'm going to try to do better.  It will be my new year's resolution.

Blooming Reminder

My Daddy went home to be with Jesus on February 2 of this year...it seems like years and years ago most of the time.  But I have this...

This African violet was in an arrangement sent to Daddy's funeral.  This is the third time it has bloomed

since February 2nd.  Every time it blooms, I am reminded...

• My Daddy lives....in heaven
• Life goes on
• There is beauty around me all the time
• My heavenly Father loves me enough to give me this sweet reminder
• I will see my Daddy again one day!

I am not a "green thumb" person...I am usually more of a black thumb-er.  Yet, this plant continues

to live and thrive...my personal blooming reminder.

Win a New Blog Design

Take a look see at:

http://www.littlesailordesignblog.blogspot.com/