Christmas Challenge

My name is Glynis and I often go by just "g". So I'm challenging myself this Christmas to think of words that start with g and work on making them part of me.

I want to be more:

gracious

generous

gentle

gregarious

giving

good

Make your own list this year, my gift to you.

peace.

Another Year

It amazes me how quickly time passes these days. I watched the children sing at church yesterday and remember vividly when my angels were up there, too. Seems like yesterday, not yesteryear. 

I'm getting better about treasuring the moments, noting in my heart and mind what is really important. I'm looking forward to being with my children this weekend. Does my heart good. 


I hope for you and yours a very, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Treasure the moments, they're the only treasures that count.

peace.

Manage Me

“Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback. And the point of biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns. God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.”
― John Piper, A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God

Manage me, God.

peace.

At your age...

I think I may hate this phrase, At your age....

Oh well, moving on. At any age, skin can be dry when the weather starts turning cold. I have the solution.

I know I've talked about this lotion before, but the good people at Carmex sent me another goodie box so I'm going to talk about it again. (They aren't paying me, they just sent me the goodies. Keep reading, good news.)

I LOVE these products! The Healing Lotion and Healing Cream. Non-greasy, not too Carmexy smelling, they ROCK!!

If you'd like some, leave a comment. They told me I could give a goodie box to you, too. But just one of you, so randomizer it is. One comment per person please, winner announced November 15th, 2011.

Lotion up folks, the cold weather is a-comin!

peace.

The call of the ocean

Ok, that may be a wee bit dramatic, but I do love the ocean. I can literally sit for hours listening to the surf and the birds. It is the most relaxing thing I can think of. Lakes come close, but there is nothing like the ocean.

We spent last weekend in Monterey Bay, CA. Beachside condo, it was wonderful! We got to see whales, sea lions, porpoise, otters, pelicans, and gulls.

Some day, I will live near the ocean. I hope. :-)

peace.

He is or He isn't

I had a long conversation with a dear friend this week and I challenged her to decide whether God is who he says he is or he isn't. That nothing else could really be dealt with until that was settled.

Is God who he says he is?

My answer, a resounding yes. Of course he is! And yet, do I live my every day life like I believe this?

For the most part, this truth is buried deep in my heart. I do believe God is exactly who he says he is. He has proven it to me over and over. But in those moments of pain, anger, reaction, etc. I don't always behave like I believe it. I want to...

I want to live my life in the shadow of Psalm 139.


O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139 ESV)

peace.

Pat Robertson is Wrong.

I've been hearing about this story and all I have to say is Pat Robertson is wrong.

This is not Biblical. No debate.

I also pray he never has to deal with a loved one with Alzheimer's.

I was given the gift of 5 years with my dad during his journey with Alzheimer's. It was not always easy, happy, and joyful. It was hard to watch him disappear a little at a time. It was hard to make decisions for him that he couldn't make for himself. It was hard to watch him struggle and eventually succumb to this horrible disease.

But I would not trade that time for anything.

It was a gift from God at the end of a rocky road. There were moments of laughter, moments of tears, moments of unfiltered love and I'm the better for having walked that road.

Dad is in heaven, enjoying his rewards. And I'm here, enjoying my memories of him.

This blog just spurred me on today.

peace.

My New Tattoo

I don't have it yet and don't know when I will, but I know what it will be.

This last year has been difficult in many ways. Lots of waiting (my favorite!) and lots of blessing. Looking back, I see God's hand in everything and I know He was watching me the whole time. I was never alone.

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. So that's what my next tattoo will be. A sparrow.

Inspired by this.

But more like this.

peace.

Oktoberfest in Choctaw

This about sums it up.

The best

The worst

peace.

Decisions of a Lifetime

Decisions, decisions.

Cut my hair off or let it grow? Concrete counters or granite? Comfortable shoes or cute ones?

I've discovered that most of the decisions I make in my life are so temporary. In the light of eternity, who really cares? Who will it really impact?

But there is one decision I made when I was 7 I will always remember, has shaped the person I am, and has forever changed me. I decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.

And I'm forever glad I did.

Have you?

peace.

Let's Play Catch Up

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Between interviews, unexpected offers, car issues, family events, etc. I'm finally catching my breath.

MOM: Is doing great! She is recovering very well, at a nice, steady pace. For those of you who may not know what happened, it's all here.

 

FAMILY: My nephew graduated from High School, enrolled in college and has enlisted in the Air Force Reserves. He is following in a long line of kinfolk who have served. In just 3 generations of our immediate family, there have been 15 men serve in the Armed Services. He is joining a proud tradition and I'm so grateful for his bravery, sacrifice and commitment. As I am for all US Military. Thank You!

JOB: I have a new job! I'm still with Reaching Souls International but now I am the US Director of Children in Need. It is the orphan ministry for RSI and where my heart beats.

Orphans are identified, matched with families, and supported through givers. Not in orphanages or centers, but in a home with a family. $25 a month provides food for the family and school fees for the orphan. They are an asset to the family, they are monitored through the local church and it's a win-win for all involved.

I could not be more blessed, excited, overwhelmed, grateful, humbled, excited...oh, I said that already. !!!  :-)

Just $25 a month changes a life. If you want to support and orphan(s), let me know!

CARS: Here's the challenge of the last 4 weeks. We've had car ISSUES! Jim's car is currently having it's engine replaced. Now, I can't complain too much about that because it did have over 180,000 miles on it and it's been a great car. And I would complain about the $4000 car bill to do so, but God is so gracious! Someone, we don't know who, dropped $2500 by the mechanic and told them to apply it to our bill. Thank you, God!! In our effort to be debt free, this was such an amazing blessing. My car has had several headaches, of course not all at the same time, which ended in one day all three of our cars being in the shop. Oh boy!

BOTTOM LINE: I am so blessed. His eye in on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

peace.

Congratulations!

Using random.org, my #2 commenter is the winner! So Sherrie, be looking for an email and looking forward to some Carmex goodies!

peace.

Only Until Friday

Carmex has once again sent me some sneak peek items. One I love, one I'm kind of meh about.

So here they are. The Carmex Vanilla Stick and the Carmex Lime Twist Stick. I've been trying them out for a couple of weeks and I must say the Vanilla is ok, more carmexy than vanillay. But the LIME, oh honey, it is really fresh and I love it!! 

Both are still great lip goodies, after all, it is Carmex. But the lime is my winner for this race.

Speaking of winners, I didn't forget you. :-)

Carmex will send one of my readers a cute little picnic blanket (See it here) and some lip goodies, too! All you have to do is leave a comment here by Friday, August 26th. I'll use a random picker method and announce the winner on Monday, August 29th.

In your comment, please leave your email address so I can get in touch. No email, no win. 

Bonus entries? Why, yes! If you want to Twitter about it or Facebook about it, just leave me an additional comment saying you did.  Share this link with your friends and thank you! That makes 3 entries per person possible. 

peace.

Legal Stuff: Other than the free goodies I was sent, I have not been compensated by Carmex.  

This could be yours...

Cutest picnic blanket and some lip goodies...stay tuned.

peace

Curveball

You know that moment you think you know, that moment you have a plan, that very moment you lift your foot to take the next step and WHAM!!?? I had one of those this week.

I've been waiting on the Lord to show me His plan. He gave me Exodus 14:14 as an encouragement to know he was at work on my behalf. It says "The Lord will fight for you and you have only to be silent." So I have been, until now.

Before you worry, it's all good. It's all God.

I have a new job. Not the one I thought I'd have on Tuesday, the one I interviewed for. But a new one with Reaching Souls that before yesterday, didn't exist.

They made is just for me. God made it just for me.

I am now the Director of Children in Need, the orphan ministry of Reaching Souls. This ministry has been in existence since 1996, but until yesterday, it wasn't a primary focus.

Now, that's all changing. Reaching Souls will still be focused on National Missionaries, but I will be focused on Children in Need.

Children in Need places orphans in homes with families. Not orphanages, not centers, but homes with a parent or parents, to grow up with siblings. Monitored through the local church, these kids are cared for, fed, educated and a member of a family.

God is so good and I am excited!

peace.

It's Hot, have a cup of Joe.

Seems like that is all anyone is talking about recently. We are seeing records broken for hottest days, longest stretch of hottest days, longest time without rain....and then I think of those who are not sitting in air conditioned cars, not living is air conditioned houses and I stop complaining.

From the soldiers on foreign soil carrying 60 lb. packs over sand in the heat to the homeless in our very own city, I stop to realize how very blessed I am. But for the grace of God go I.

So how can I ease their suffering? For the soldiers, I say thank you every time I see one.

For the homeless, I donate to organizations who are on the ground providing relief to these folks.



Like my friends, John & Jamie. If you can help Joe's Addiction, please do. Get your stuff together in your air conditioned home, put it in your air conditioned car and head down to a place that will bless your socks off!

Or leave a comment and I'll come get it. I don't mind and I'm not wearing socks. :-)

peace.

Do your job

Seems pretty simple. Do your job. Whatever it is, do it.

I guess this is what frustrates me about our government. Too many agendas, special interests, lobbyists, blah blah blah...just do your job.

You've been entrusted by the American people to govern OUR country. Voted into office, we've given you the authority to act our behalf....not just yours. Stop listening only to those who line your pockets, stroke your egos, make you promises...listen to US. We, the people, are growing tired of your ambitions, posturing, selfishness getting in the way of what you are in Washington to do, your job. Thank you to the few who are trying, we do notice. You will hear our support on election day.

So let's make this simple. If I don't do my job, I don't get paid or I lose my job. Same for you.

If you'd like to stay in Washington, then do your job. See, it really is simple.

peace.

You Know It's HOT When....

R.I.P. Ice Cream Truck.

peace.

No Complaints

My favorite soldier, nephew & niece....many moons ago. 

I was going to complain about how hot it is... then I realized that at least:

1.) It isn't 115 degrees

2.) I'm not 5,700 miles from home

3.) I'm not dressed in a full BDU uniform and helmet and carrying 70+ lbs.

4.) There is very little chance that anyone will shoot at me or that I might drive over a bomb in the road today.

Thanks to all who serve or have served in our fine military! God bless!!!

peace.

A shift in the atmosphere

Ok, it's not quite that dramatic but I'm feeling the need for a change.

A change of place, pace, purpose...like the alliteration?

place...I don't see this being permanent, we're not moving. But maybe some days away...

pace...taking the time to really take the time to relax, renew, reinvigorate, restore...ok, I'll quit... :-)

purpose...this one is a little harder, but with the help of place and pace, I'm hoping it becomes clearer. Must put the big rocks in first.

peace. :-)

Happy Birthday in the Toilet...

It's not what you think. We actually celebrated my mom's 71st birthday this past Saturday by putting in a new kitchen faucet and buying and installing a new toilet for her.

Party Animals, I know. :-)

Mom lives on Social Security, she can't afford the extras. After the recent heart events, we wanted to celebrate her birthday while keeping it low key for her.

Her toilet was leaking, it was old, so it seemed like a good surprise. She told my daughter this was her best birthday ever. Her heart is strong, her family was around her, her faucet works and she has a new toilet.

Life is good. And sometimes, it is the simple things.

peace.

Thinking on Love

We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
may one day be restored:

And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.

Can you hear it? I remember singing this is my youth group in the '70s. I've been thinking a great deal about love lately. I want my response to be love. I want to sit with the woman at the well and love her. I want to eat with the tax collector and love him. I want to talk to the church people and love them. I want to touch the homeless and sick and love them. 

I want them to know we are Christians by our love.

³¹When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. ³²If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. ³³Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' ³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:31-35


peace.

NBA Lockout is Official

Wow. I love basketball, my mom loves basketball.

But here's where the rubber meets the road. The players being locked out will not suffer. The owners will not suffer. The ticket vendors, janitors, food service workers, security guards, venue employees, etc... will suffer.

My mom has worked most of her adult life. She lost her retirement in the recession. She now lives on Social Security. I think these owners and NBA players need a dose of reality. Grow up folks, it's basketball. It isn't life saving, life changing, benevolent or society building. It isn't feeding the hungry, clothing the naked,  supporting the hurting or giving life to the dying and downtrodden.

Get a grip. Make your money deal, go play ball and entertain your fans.

Yes, you are talented but so are a lot of us. Just not in ways that pay of millions of dollars for hours of playing ball. Thank you players for the good you do, but lots of us do good without applause or recognition. Talk to the City Rescue Mission workers.

I love the excitement and entertainment that NBA basketball brings to our lives. I also know, lockout or no lockout, life will go on. For some, it will be harder because they don't have millions to bide them over. Think of them when you're whining about not getting paid what you're "worth".

peace.

Change

I know I've talked about change before, but I'm looking at it a little differently these days.

On June 16th, I received a call from my mom. She was crying, sounded scared and all she said was, "Will you come look at me?"  I said yes, I'm coming, and I went. Calling my sister, praying the motorcycle cop didn't read my speed and praying for guidance, I got there as quickly as possible. She was pale, shaky, weak and not feeling good. So off to the heart hospital we went.

Within 24 hours, we knew she had 2 blockages in her left ventricle artery. Called the widowmaker, it's nasty juju. So her stay was extended and on June 20th, mom had double bypass surgery. In 1 1/2 hours, they took a vein from her leg and bypassed the bad places in her artery. Her heart is healthy, we are grateful.

But now comes the change. She can't lift, push, pull, extend or reach with her arms. Try it. She has to think about how to put her shirt on, shower, pull up her pants, etc... Change.

Mom has to change the way she eats, cooks, shops, etc... Change.

She can't mow, clean, drive, be independent, etc... Change.

She will feel better, live longer, be healthier, etc... Change.

So change isn't all bad, but it does take thought, effort and commitment. This particular change has created in me a sense of responsibility for my own health. Change is here for me, too.

And it will be good.

peace.

Have you heard of the needs in Cashion?

**PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE WITH  ANYONE INTERESTED IN HELPING**

If you want to help, contact Wendy Hanser.

 

Two teams are heading to Cashion this Saturday. Please RSVP if you can help.  Also, see end of email for prayer needs.

 

Team One- Cashion Donation Site MOVE

We need lots of hands to help move all the donations to a new location.

Where: Cashion High School

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

 

Sorting help is still needed prior to Saturday if you are able to help.

 

 

Team Two-- Debris Clean-Up

Clean up continues at the home sites on Cottonwood Hills Road. We have just learned of an older gentleman who lives adjacent to this area that has not had any clean up assistance yet. We would love to have enough people to continue helping on the home site from last week and to start on this gentleman's yard.

 

Where: Crossings Community Church

When:  7 a.m.

 

Bring gloves, wheelbarrow, small tools, sunscreen, bug spray, water.

 

 

Prayer Needs

Many of the families affected by the tornadoes in May have had long-standing struggles with poverty and other related issues long before the tornadoes destroyed their homes. As a core of interested individuals is developing to assist these families, it is clear that building relationships that endure past this disaster will have the most powerful affect upon these families.  Please pray for the following needs:

1. The ministry of Krista and Mitch Houston, who are in a community missions role in Cashion and have a vision for long-term ministry there.

2. Brett and Gigi Burk, who are neighbors providing primary emotional support to many of the families.

3. One of the women in the area has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is not seeking treatment due to a lack of insurance.

4. One recent high school graduate has the opportunity to be the first in her family  to attend college but currently does not have a car to commute to classes.

5. One young woman just gave birth to a baby with a double cleft palate. Surgery has been done and the baby has been released from the hospital but the mom has nowhere to go.

6. Financial resources are needed for each family to restore electricity ($700 per hook up)

7. Many families are in need of cars to replaced those destroyed in the storms.

8. Financial resources and equipment are needed to remove the storm debris.  This will cost tens of thousands of dollars.

We haven't heard a lot about these needs, but they are needs none-the-less. Please pray and help as you can.

peace.

Sometimes Mondays resemble....

peace.

Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'....

Get Your Tickets Here

I just went to see the Celebrity Attractions production of  9 to 5 last night at the Civic Center Music Hall. I must tell you before I begin my review, I LOVE Dolly Parton. Her music, her spirit, her movies, even her hair!! She is the embodiment of joy to me, she just makes me smile. Anyhoo....

I won tickets on Twitter from Celebrity Attractions and I was thrilled! So I took my good friend, Barb, and we got our Dolly on!

The show is fast moving and so much fun! The sets are amazing, always moving and changing. The three leading ladies, Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris and Diana DeGarmo are wonderful, engaging and provide strong, funny performances throughout the production.

Cast of the National Touring Production of 9 to 5: The Musical. Photo credit: Joan Marcus

If you haven't seen a show recently or even if you have, you should go see this one. Lots of laughs, lots of great music and a terrific cast of talented performers. It'll make you forget you have to work 9 to 5!

peace.

The Trouble with Bees

So we've probably all heard about the studies done on honey bees. If not, you can google it, there's a lot of info out there.

Anyway....

The trouble with bees is they are mobile. They fly. When their hive gets crowded, they swarm in search of a new home. Like the knot hole of our Maple tree. Yep, we've got bees in our trees. (OK, just one tree but that doesn't rhyme.)

We weren't home when they swarmed, but our neighbor witnessed it. It didn't take them long to inhabit our tree though and now we're stuck. You see, if we could have called a bee keeper when they were swarming, they would have gladly come to get them.

Swarming bees = good bees to capture and relocate.
Happy bees building a hive in a tree = no one wants them.

It's to dangerous, difficult, time-consuming, yadayadayada....to deal with them once they are established. So our options....cut the tree down or kill the bees.

I hate to say it, but bye-bye bees. I love my tree and honestly, if the neighbor behind us weren't so concerned for his son and wife (both highly allergic) we'd let them stay. They are happy bees. They are high enough up in the tree they don't mess with anyone, but the liability of what might happen/could happen means the bees have to go.

Services pending.

peace.

Desks

A lesson that should be taught in all schools and remembered in life.

Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

'Ms.. Cothren, where're our desks?'

She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'

They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'

'No,' she said.

'Maybe it's our behavior.'

She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall... By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned..

Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'

By the way, this is a true story.

Never forget.

peace.

Memorial Day

To all the men and women who have served to protect our country and our freedom, thank you. We remember.

peace.

Wow, What a Week

This week has been a bad country and western song.

The storms hit Joplin and nothing remains,
The storms hit Oklahoma and lots got hurt,
Friends are divorcing and cheating and dying,
a baby was born and the dog died.

I don't think anyone would actually record this, but it keeps playing in my head.

It's been a heart heavy week. I'm thankful for a 3 day weekend to rest, renew, pray and see the sunshine.
Thanking God his mercies are new every morning, we've needed them now especially.

Help if you can, pray regardless and remember, this week some lives changed forever.

peace.

Creative Time

I love doing art in a communal setting. I'm a hippie at heart. The energy and encouragement is awesome but the learning and stretching is my favorite. Seeing what ideas others have, how they implement them, and what we can discover together is just the best.

I was a guinea pig last night for a test class for a friend. She's a talented artist and last night I discovered, a great teacher as well. I'll be a guinea pig for her anytime.

We worked in wax collage. Check it out and take her class, you'll have a blast!!

Thanks Sherry!!

peace.

Help a Non-Profit Out

I've worked for non-profits for years and the one thing they all have in common is needing funds. Whether that be through an individual donor, a corporation or through a fund-raising activity, the work is to ask...plead....beg...whatever.

I once heard a story about an Executive Director who would go to the house of a large donor each year for tea and a donation. At the end of the tea, the donor would throw the check on the floor and watch as the ED bent over to pick it up. He did it every year because he knew what was at stake.

I've been working with Easter Seals of Oklahoma on an event they are having in June. You can learn more about it here. (buy some tickets while you're there :-)

But we need help. We need YOUR help. We need auction items, gift cards, and honestly, butts in seats.
It will be a great party, lots of fun, and for an amazing cause.

Would you consider grabbing some of your friends and spending a night on the town to benefit others?

I thought you would.

Thanks!!!

peace.

P.S. If you would like to donate something, please let me know by leaving a comment. I'll even pick it up!

Blogs I like

Just because I thought you might enjoy them, too!

Design Crush

Good Grief Girdie

Recyclart

Not Martha

Design for Mankind

So inspiring in different ways...and sometimes, they even give away great stuff!! Check them out.

peace.

Bucket List

I've been hearing a lot about bucket lists recently. So I think I'm going to start one.

My Bucket List
Go to Nepal and help Rinzi & Nanni Bette (my daughter's in-laws)
Go to Australia.
Go to Hawaii.
Take a cross-country road trip.
Ride with a storm chaser.
Go to NYC and see a Broadway show I love.
Go to Scotland with my husband and buy him a kilt in his family's tartan.
Take my kids and grandkids (someday) to Disney World as a family.
Perform in a musical.
Write a book.
Ride the train to Ft. Worth.


to be continued...

I'm noticing there is a lot of going on my list. I LIKE it!! It's even better when you include friends. :-)

peace.

Flowers!

I love these! I will be making some soon. 

Thanks not martha for the inspiration.

peace.

Some Days....

Rain by Shel Silverstein

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

peace. :-)

my thoughts today

I was initially excited to hear the news that Osama bin Laden was dead. He could no longer reign in terror on this earth. He could no longer kill in the name of his god. He could no longer put our service men and women in harm's way.

But on the tail of that thought also came the thought of God's grief for him. Osama lived pursuing a god that would reward him in death if he did all the right things. He did not know God who had already given his Son as a sacrifice for Osama's life. He did not know God who loves us so much that while we were yet sinners, He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Osama followed all of his god's rules and yet, he is now with his god separated for eternity from the one, true God and his great love.

My heart is glad and my heart is sad.

peace.

Rescued!

 

So if you haven't heard our news, we are now the proud family of a rescued pooch named Dexter. We think he's a Chiweenie, he's very sweet and we couldn't be more happy with him.

He was found at a grocery store on a busy street and although he had a flea collar on, he had no other identification. After days on Craig's list, facebook, twitter and other spots, no calls. We know this little guy was someone's pet, he's too good. But no contact...so he's a member of our family now.

It's quite an adjustment going  from our first dog, Suki, 100 pound akita to Dexter. He's tiny!! Maybe 5 pounds?

Oh, and he's a boy. An un-neutered boy. And that has provided some consternation and some hilarious laughter! We'll be changing this state for him next Tuesday. Along with shots and a microchip. He's a fast little booger and we don't want to lose him like his first family did.

So all in all, an easy transition. If you want to meet him, I recommend post-surgery...he's a little extra-friendly right now. :-)

peace.

So here is the PSA part of the post...Have your animals spayed/neutered and please, get them microchipped. If you need financial help with these services, go here.

You are You

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is more Youer than You.
Dr. Seuss

Just thought I'd share.

This, too.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart," says the Lord.  
God  (Jeremiah 1:5)

You are loved, be you!

peace.

Prayer

Have you ever prayed a prayer and kind of ducked? You know, the kind of prayers that you're pretty sure, tentatively...that you want God to answer?


I've been praying one recently. And you know what, the more I pray it, the more I really do want God to answer. I'm approaching this new way of living with confidence in His goodness and absolute love for me.


Want to know what I've been praying?


Psalm 139:23-24 
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

I love Psalm 139. I have often put my name in there like God was speaking directly to me. Which he is...and to you. Let this wash over you today.

139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

20 They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain!

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

peace.

Listen

Anything can be. I want to live believing this is true.


But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26


peace.

Managing Change

I actually enjoy change. I know weird, right? I don't like being stuck in rut. From my furniture to my hair color (of course, it's natural!!) change is good.

I think that is why I enjoy managing projects so much. You dream, create, start, work on it and finish it. Then you get to do something else. It's a lot like art and you know how I feel about art. :-)

So if your cheese hasn't moved lately, move it!! Throw those tennis shoes around your neck and look forward. You'll enjoy it, I promise. (and if you have no idea what I'm talking about, click here. I have the book, you can borrow it.)

peace.

ART

This weekend we ripped out carpet, tack strips and carpet pad. We bought tile, grout, thinset, and 2 new toilets. Next weekend, down comes the wainscoting and up goes texture and paint. The next weekend, down goes the tile and new toilets.

What does any of this have to do with art?

Absolutely nothing and everything!! It won't hang on my wall or grace a gallery, but I absolutely love the process of color and texture and choice involved with changing things in my house.

I'll get some pictures and share. I promise. Thanks to good friends, the labor will be free! Allowed for the cost of the travertine...I love travertine.

Anyway, once this round of house happenings is done, I'm looking forward to some studio time...and family time...and a Passover Seder or two...

Life is good, I am blessed.

peace.

Praying for Japan

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

peace. 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

In his honor, here are few of my favorite quotes.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." 


"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." 


"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." 


"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." 


"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells."


peace.

Peace

I end every post with this word, peace. I saw this post today and just couldn't resist. 

peace.

A New Journey

God has had me on quite a journey recently. A new friend shared this with me and I love the picture it puts in my head. I hope you enjoy.

This is what I see, isn't she cute? Found her here.

Toddler Princess
by Catherine Mosier

I am your toddler princess
running to your court
with abandon and assurance
that you love me with all your heart.
You stretch your arms to catch me
swing me ‘round with great delight.
We gaze at one another,
in wonder at our mutual sight.

I am your toddler princess.
We laugh in fields of green.
You watch over me protectively
and murmur healing to wounds unseen.
You place me on your shoulders,
and I exult in my new height.
If I run too far You catch me
And my squirming hand is held tight.

I am your toddler princess,
dancing before you in new clothes
that your purchased at great peril
but gave to me for my repose.
With great joy I recompense you
with kisses and with love
that you receive as though I
brought you the stars from up above.

I am your toddler princess.
You teach me of your secret ways
walking through majestic gardens
in the early morning haze.
You show me hidden pathways
and the beautiful displays
of bird songs and of perfumes
the whole world brings my Daddy praise.

I am your toddler princess.
Someday I will wear a crown.
This curly head will rule with you
in queenly wise renown.
You sing to me sweet lullabies
of blessing and destiny
and tuck me into knowing that
my Daddy is King of kings.

peace.