January Crafting

I have fretted, literally, since we stored away the Christmas decorations, because my front door has been NAKED!  I put up a "fall" wreath before we ever got to move in - and then, of course the Christmas wreath. But what does a January, or winter wreath look like????

After looking and looking, I decided to go ahead to Valentine's Day.  I found the decoration on Pinterest that I loved - but it has taken me two weeks to get the supplies (our town is very small, and even the one nearest us - had nothing).  Finally got everything yesterday and last night I went to work.

Voila!

(Notice my turquoise mailbox?  It used to be black - I love the pop of color!)



Here is the close-up - I love the ruffly look and the way it feels...

It's not perfect - but it's exactly what I wanted.

Will share my other weekend craft next time!

Blessings!

Listening to the Thunder

As usual, I just woke up...I've fallen asleep in the recliner...missed the ending of Chopped...who won?
Never mind - it really doesn't matter.

It's raining (pouring) outside and as I sit here, I can hear the train whistle in the distance.  It's thundering...that slow, distant rumble...and at times, that crackle that tells you  there is lightning somewhere too.  Do sounds bring back memories to you?  They do to me. 

Thunder makes me think of...

• My kids coming and crawling into bed with us (when they were small) 
• Lying in bed at my Grandmother McMahan's (Ma)...in the hot summertime...it was SO dark...crickets (or was it frogs?)chirping...going to the dreaded storm cellar
• Watching the night sky for tornadoes when we lived in Denmark, AR
• Just loving a steady summer rain
• The 12" snow we got in Batesville the year Cary was born...how it thundered!
• It's the "angels bowling"...it is "God giving us water"...all the things I used to tell my children when they were afraid...singing Philippians 4:8

Listening to the thunder, I'm reminded of those who have no home...or who are cold and wet...or hungry...or in despair...or lonely.  I am so blessed.

Christmas Musings

Just some thoughts as Christmas comes to an end:

This was one of the best ever.  All our children and grandchildren were here - spent the night too!  Alex said, "I bet it's been 25 years since everyone was here overnight."  He's right.

The Lord gave us a bigger house - and everyone has been so excited to be able to come to Granny and Papa's for the first time in 4 years.  Thanksgiving was wonderful - and Christmas was even better. We had every couch full, all the little kids' cots, the daybed and trundle, 3 blow-up beds, and even some of the recliners - then the 4 biggest grandsons slept on the living room rug after having an xbox marathon until 3 a.m.

Jill noticed that Chris was trying to win an IPad and asked if we would like to all go together and surprise him with one.  Of course, we did and we could all hardly wait until we could watch him open it.  Priceless.  He was "blown away". 

Homemade waffles for breakfast (except Jackson and Millie who ate Fruity Pebbles). Warmed up left-overs for lunch. Then everyone stayed as long as they could and one by one left during the day.  Made the usual "let-down" after Christmas so much less!

Our friend and in-law...Gerry's dad, Gerald, went home to be with Jesus Christmas morning.  How our hearts ache for Gerry, Sheila, Chad and Wendy - and all the family.  Our grandsons were somber when they first arrived and red-eyed.  We know they are all heartbroken... but Gerald?  He is whole, happy and rejoicing with all those in heaven.  Again, someone will be meeting our little April before we do.  I get teary every time I think on it all.

There are many things we cannot understand, but this I know - God is good.  He is faithful.  His Word stands forever.  We are counting on it!

And two months later...

Here I am again.  I don't know where the past two months have gone.  That's one thing about time...it passes...and then it's forever gone.  Our life is kind of on hiatus right now. Everything has come to a little bit of a standstill.  Jay had 5 bypasses in his heart 2 weeks ago today.  He is doing so well, and I have become his nurse.  It's a privilege to do so.  I can tell how he is by what he focuses on.  At first, he was in so much pain - he didn't focus on anything else, naturally.  Now, his leg has begun to get some of his attention.  I know his boredom will be next!

God is so good.  We are trying to listen and see what He wants to show us about Himself during this "down" time.

One blessing in all this is that we've gotten to see our children and grandchildren a whole lot MORE!  I have laughed more in the past two weeks than in a long time.  Our youngest grandchildren are 2, 2 and almost 4 and what a hoot! So funny...a delight.  Our children are awesome.  I've always known it, and they just prove it over and over again.  They are showing their parents how much they love us...and "requiting" us above and beyond their raising, believe me.

The outpouring of prayer on Jay's behalf has also been amazing.  This is why he is doing so well. Our church family has been so faithful to pray, bring food and send cards...some 3 and 4 times! They are taking care of us.

We praise God for His love...His mercy that is new every morning...His grace that enables us.  How can we keep from praising His Name?  We are SO blessed.

Pour Out

Do you ever feel guilty for talking so much when you are in your prayer time?  I often struggle to listen, I'm so busy talking!  My K-Love verse this morning...

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. 
                                                                                                                            ~ Psalm 62:8, NLT

There it is...straight from the Word.  Pouring out my heart to Him is not a bad thing...in fact, He tells me to do it!  It shows where my trust is...Who I am depending upon...where my refuge is. 

So, just pour out your heart.  He loves to hear us.  He loves to answer us.  He is our refuge.

Thank You, Father!

NO PRAYER

As I drove to work this morning, I listened to K-Love as always - singing
along and praising the Lord.  At the appointed time, the news came on. I
admit I was "hearing", not necessarily "listening", until the newscaster began
sharing about the upcoming 9-11 memorial service to be held in NYC.
She shared that this year, there will be no prayer at the service. Let me
repeat that...NO PRAYER.  Suddenly, my ears perked up and I was
listening.  They do not want to offend any of the participating clergy...so
NO PRAYER this year.  There will be spiritual readings (whatever that
means) but NO PRAYER.

I remember well 9-11.  Have you seen the newspaper ads that ask,
"Where were you on 9-11?"  I'm sure you, like me, can recite exactly
where you were and every detail of that day.  9-11 is what we call a
"life-changing" event.  Everything in our world changed that day.

The Sunday following 9-11, there were strangers in our service at church.
There were scared folks...people wanting us to baptize their babies (we don't
do this by the way)...people seeking comfort, peace, and security.  It is not
strange that they turned to the church...that as a nation we cried out to GOD! 
For a few weeks, maybe months people looked to God.

Another familiar statement you hear and read is, "NEVER FORGET".  This
morning I realized that as a nation, we have forgotten.  We have forgotten
Who our Source is...we have forgotten only God can give us true peace and
security.  We have forgotten how we cried out to Him in our national distress.
We have forgotten the lesson of 9-11.

We are more concerned with offending men, than with offending the God of
the Universe - our Creator - the "one with whom we have to do."  My heart
hurts and is so heavy with this realization.  God may have allowed 9-11 as our
wake-up call...to bring our nation back to Him...our last chance.

We have forgotten.  NO PRAYER.  Sad...sad.

New Things

I didn't look up the reference, but in scripture God says He will do a "new" thing.  Lately, it seems every day or so, I've been struck with the thought or idea of God doing a new thing.  I know God loves variety, He planned individuality.  He has made every person unique and I believe every animal and plant - every living thing has it's own individuality. Even the stars are unique and He calls them by name!  So, I know He likes "different".

We, on the other hand, like "same" - to some degree.  Same means we know what to expect.  Same means no surprises.  Same means comfort and security.  We seem to carry this desire for "same" into everything God does as well.

God is always working - do you believe that?  I do.  Yet, I don't always see or know where He is working.  Maybe one reason I can't see Him, is because He is doing something "NEW"!  What a concept that is. 
When someone believes they are following the Lord's direction and they try to do something "new" - too often the response of those around them is negative.  Why?  I'm not positive, but I fear it is simply because we like "same".

I am beginning to understand that God does new things all the time.  A church is planted and if they experience any measure of success...they write a book and everyone rushes out to do exactly what they did.  What if God is wanting to something "new" in every single church?  Oh my.  That would mean we would have to communicate with Him and listen for His leading.  We might look different...do something different than anyone else in the whole world.  We might have to exercise faith, believe God for something we've never seen before.

We have a new thing happening in our family right now.  Jill and Alex went through infertility and in-vitro to have Amelia 2+ years ago.  Well, this time - God decided to do something "new" - He blessed them with a pregnancy all on their own - quickly - no outside help this time!

I am praying that God will open my eyes...open my ears...help me to hear His leading - I want Him to do something "new" in my life and in my church...I invite Him to use me!

Blessings!  
Belinda