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!

Monogram

I love monograms...do you?  Monograms are hugely popular right now.  Just go to a baby shower.  You'll see that baby's name or initials or something embroidered on everything from burp rags, to diaper bags, to bloomers.

I have a couple of items with a "W" on them...and one crocheted "Weaver" on the wall.  Recently, I ordered this monogram and applied to the big plain mirror in the living room...

Why do we love monograms?  I think because they make something personal...they show ownership...family spirit or whatever.  It made me think of my Heavenly Father.  I have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.  He tells me that he has me engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16); that I am always in His memory!  He loves me...I belong to Him and He wants me to know it! 

Do you know Him?  Are you engraved on His hands?  All it takes is "A"...admit you are a sinner; "B"...believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins; and "C"...confess Him as your Lord and Savior...and you can have this relationship.  Then you will be engraved on His palms too!  How special that God made a way for everyone to know Him and He left us His Word to tell us that way.  He wants us to know exactly how much He loves His children!

Blessings!

YOU Drive...I'll Ride

I love a good mental picture...words or phrases that you can immediately see in your mind.  Ultimately, we only fully comprehend when we can process with a mental picture.  When someone talks about something I can't even begin to see in my mind...I'm lost...unfocused...clueless.  I don't know what they're talking about.

Years ago a group called FFH (I believe stands for Far From Home) had a song entitled, You Drive...I'll Ride.  This song has a catchy tune and good lyrics...and this is the mental image it brings to my mind:

I never saw this movie, Thelma and Louise, but I've seen bits, clips, and photos.  It's not a movie I recommend, it's the visual...a long, sleek convertible - one driving...the other simply riding.
One is in control...the other trusting.  The driver chooses to drive out over the Grand Canyon...the passenger controls the radio and simply rides.

In You Drive...I'll Ride the singer is relinquishing the steering wheel to God...it's about repentance, submission and yielding to God's will.  That's where I've been for a couple of weeks now...letting God break my heart again so I can yield...so I can hear the still small voice guiding me to His will...

"YOU take the wheel, I will work the radio
YOU take the wheel, we'll go where YOU want to go
YOU take the wheel, take it fast or take it slow
Wherever YOU choose I'm fine...
YOU drive...I'll ride"

Yielding...trusting...following...obeying...
Difficult?  You betcha!  But there is freedom and peace in giving up the steering wheel.
Do I know where I'm going?  Ultimately..."YOU'RE driving me home" -
I'm on a journey...when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior...my destination was settled - forever.

The roadmap however, is another story.  I have no idea where He is leading me...I have to follow...or
"ride along" day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. I've taken back the wheel so many times, and ended up on a side trip...losing my way...but oh, HE is faithful to draw me back...break my heart again...and I yield up the wheel one more time. And I'll confess, lately I feel like I'm soaring off into the Grand Canyon, scared and trembling. I know He is in control and He is Good and His purposes are BEST.

The truth is this...my destination was settled in 1972.  What God is interested in most now...is my journey. He is faithfully transforming me into the image of Christ, bit by bit...experience by experience...relationship by relationship...trauma by trauma...trouble by trouble...grace by grace...when I yield and trust and most of all, cooperate with Him, by handing the steering wheel back to His most capable hands.

So, my prayer today once again is...Lord, YOU drive...I'll ride.

Blessings!

Random Thoughts on Wisdom

This week was the scheduled time to have my wisdom teeth removed.  I opted for the sedation method - I am a chicken when it comes to any type of dentistry.  It went quite well I think.  This is Friday and I feel very much back to my old self.  My sweet Jill has taken very good care of me, allowing her Dad (my Jay) to go back home and take care of business there.

I find the name "wisdom" teeth very thought provoking.  These teeth do not make one wise.  Many people never have any.  There is the old adage, that when one cuts these teeth - one's life is half over.  And although they are named "wise", they are usually not very good teeth and do not last.  At the same time...when you mention wisdom teeth, everyone knows exactly which teeth you are talking about and their removal is felt with commiseration.

I am thankful wisdom is not dependent on a few teeth, aren't you?  Wisdom comes from our Heavenly Father and we must seek her (wisdom is feminine in scripture - Yay!) according to Proverbs and ask for her according to James.  Wisdom can come from experience...a very costly and painful school.  I feel I have gained a lot of wisdom in my 58 years.  On the other hand, sometimes I feel clueless.  It is what my husband would call an "oxymoron" I think.

Almost everyone has wondered why I am having these teeth removed now...am I not a little old?  It's just the way of my life.  Rarely have I done anything the way anyone else does...I always wanted to be different. LOL!  These wise teeth were causing harm to my dental health...and after being told and told for about 5 years that I needed them removed...I did it.  I am either stubborn, hard of hearing, or maybe not so wise after all??? 

It has allowed me some time with Jill and Amelia and Joy and her boys, even Kerri and Kandace came for a visit...time to be lazy and rest and think...hopefully I have even gained a little wisdom.

These are my random thoughts for a week of some pain, some discomfort, and a lot of love and care.  I am truly blessed, and hopefully a little wiser.

The Rest of the Story

This morning I woke at 4:30 and decided I would go ahead and get started on my day. I had my usual breakfast of Greek yogurt and blueberries and my major vice, Diet Dr. Pepper...my Bible study and prayer...and then running through the shower and getting ready for work.

I got my fruit print tablecloth (one of my favorites)...my metal vase and purple flowers...and my gold bird (that all sounds crazy!) and took off for Blytheville.  I went straight to Kroger and got some cokes...fruit napkins...green plates...cups and silverware.  All the time I was praying my co-workers would be late, so I could get everything ready before they got there.  I hurried to make a birthday poster in Publisher.

I managed to get everything ready...and here it is!

They were pleasantly surprised...and said the cake was delicious.  I got ice cream and whipped cream to go with it since the ganache was made with semi-sweet chocolate.  I ate a tiny piece as is and it was really good. 

Here are my co-workers...

Louise...who is a July 4th baby!

and

Romona, whose birthday was the last part of June.

For many years, we always traveled to the churches we ministered in...and we were always the recipients of the hospitality of others.  I desired this particular gift and I began to ask for it.  That is scriptural, Paul said to desire the best gifts.  I think God has finally given it to me.  I absolutely love trying to make others feel loved and special.  The only bummer to me was that the ganache lost its glossy appearance after it set, detracting from the "presentation" but not the taste.  A piddly detail, but there it is.

Blessings!