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.

Today

Today is my husband's 50th birthday.

50!!

How did this happen? How am I married to a 50 year old?

I remember:

~getting married really young
~having a beautiful baby girl
~watching her grow for a couple of years
~having another beautiful baby girl
~watching them both grow up
~go to school
~graduate
~move out
~first baby girl got married
~second baby girl will all too soon

Oh yeah, now I remember...while they were growing up, we did too. And I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank you God for our beautiful life together, I can't wait to see the next 50!!

Happy Birthday Jim!

peace.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Pretty much says it all. Happy Valentine's Day! You are loved.

peace.

Getting Juicy

So I've begun a new project for someone very dear to me. I am taking pictures, but since it's a gift, I won't post them until next week. I know this is a teaser, but I'm excited to be working on a creative project again and I couldn't wait to tell you.

Here's what I can say:

Thank you Dwayne for the source.
Thank you Andrea for the list.
Thank you God for the creativity. (and maybe the snow day to get some extended work done)
Thank you Hobby Lobby for everything else.

peace.

Sneak Peek...kind of, sort of...

Happy Days are here again!

I have so much to be grateful for every day.

I woke up.
I'm breathing.
I'm seeing, hearing, feeling and smelling (with my nose!)
I have a great family, great friends, awesome church...and so much more.

So here's my focus:

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

peace.

Math Problems

So I've decided that if 30% is what is required of my 100% capability, then I'll give 100% to that 30% and everyone will be happy. Right?

So I have 70% to save right now. Investing in the future. Filling that glass back up to the top!

peace.

My glass is temporarily empty

I've found recently that I've had a shortage of ideas. Creative, practical, artistic, fun. It's just been a dry time.

I did a lot of creating before Christmas but I've done nothing since then. Professionally, I took a hard hit in December. My work content, quality and quantity were placed in significant question by my boss. I think it rocked me more than I initially felt. Needless to say, my introspection has been deep. Was his criticism founded? How? Why?

I look back over last year and I see a great deal accomplished. 4 of 5 major projects completed. The 5th was not because it was taken off the table. These projects were on top of my daily work. So how could I be so lacking?

I'm still not sure to be very honest. I have not received any more direction or clarification so the details are out of my reach. I hope this will change, but it is not in my hands.

I guess that is where my hope comes from. It is not in my hands. Being defensive or hurt only impedes me. Although I have found my confidence shaken, my true creativity bruised, I will not let this momentary trouble steal my joy. I will not stop being and start doing because of one man's opinion. I will not build a defense inside my head or heart. I will seek the Lord, I will listen with my whole heart. I will humble myself in his sight and he will lift me up.

I will pray.

Please pray with me. This has been a difficult journey and it's not over. But I am sure of this, "He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it." Phillipians 1:6

I have hope that one day soon, my creative cup will once again over-flow. Until then, I'm drinking lots of water.

peace.

Change is in the air

Last night I fought a mental battle and won. I came home tired, it was cold and all I really wanted to do was be lazy. TV, couch, jammies....ya know.

But I had promised Adrian we would clean out the pantry and go to the gym. She had pulled everything out before I got home.

Here is my internal battle. I was tired, I shouldn't have to do this. I was feeling lazy, I work hard so I deserve my lazy. I hate wearing a bra, sorry...TMI. :-)

But I had promised.

So we cleaned out the pantry. And the spice cabinet. And I sat down. Done, right? Nope. I had also promised to go to the gym remember?

So internal battle begins again. I don't want to, I'm tired, I'm fat, I'm out of shape, what will people think, blah, blah, blah....

But I had promised.

So we made a grocery list, went to the gym, went to the grocery store, read every label, bought only healthy food. And I came home still tired, but feeling like I could beat this thing.

I can be healthy, I can be in better shape, I can be more energized and last night, I proved it to myself. The biggest hurdle of all.

God help me, I will win this battle. I will not be the same when I look back from next year's perch. Today, I will eat healthy and I will move.

Thank you God.

peace.

Something I've Noticed

I saw a 3 year old yell at his mother, "SHUT UP". Mom's response, "Your dad will be home soon and I'll tell him how you've behaved. You don't want that do you?" To which he screamed "NO!!" but not in a fearful way, in a you-better-not way. I saw the same boy hit his mom with a toy bat and run away laughing. I saw him throw things, jump on the couch, scream and yell whenever he felt like it, endanger his younger sister because he was completely out of control. And his mom just shook her head saying "I just can't do anything with him" and continue to eat her dinner.

REALLY???

Call me old fashioned, antiquated, whatever...but I've noticed something. It seems that many parents today are afraid of discipline. Narcissists who are too self-involved or who are afraid that the boundaries they would put up for their children might damage their self-esteem, their sense of self-worth, their aura...

It won't. I promise.

Kids were never meant to raise themselves. They are brought into this world with parents, people that love them like no other and who have, hopefully, lived longer and grown wiser than their 3 year old.

Kids feel safe in boundaries. As they live within them, they have peace and gain the right to be trusted when the boundaries increase. Growing up with a safety net is what a parent is supposed to provide. There are no such things as healthy, free-range children. Fences are good. As your child grows and matures, so does his "range".

One day, the gate will open, the world ahead will open and your child will navigate it well. Self-assured, valued, loved and confident that his tool belt is full of the tools necessary to be a successful adult.

At that point, you can let go. But not until, you've got a job to do.

And it is a job. It requires commitment, structure and a willingness to sacrifice for the good of your child. If it's nap time, don't drag your kid shopping. If it's dinnertime, feed them. If you don't know what time it is, make a schedule and stick to it. Put their needs ahead of yours but not all their wants. Not everything is instant or immediate. Nor should it be. Is it for you?

We live in a narcissistic society, but that is not a kid-friendly place. Raising kids is like almost everything else, you get out of it what you put into it.

If you have questions, watch Super Nanny. Or ask a parent of older children you admire or a mentor. Help is out there, please ask!

peace.

(I have great compassion for parents who have done their absolute best and still have children who make difficult, painful choices. My heart breaks for you. Please read no condemnation in this post, that is not the intent. My intent is to challenge, encourage, and simply share my observations and advice.)