Random Thoughts of a Great-Granny Grandma

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

2012-01-09T22:19:00.000-05:00

Many, many years ago I worked as a programmer on an IBM 360. It was a giant of a computer that required it's own little room, and as I stood there feeding it data on keypunched cards I would wish that some day somebody would invent a computer small enough that I could have one at home.

Who would have thought back then that that day would really come, and that when it did, technology would slowly start to snowball?

Who would have thought that I would one day find myself living in a high tech world where even my youngest grandson is more tech savvy than me?

NEW PHOTO BLOG

2012-01-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

I have started a new photo blog, The Splendor of God's Brushstrokes in My Little Corner of the World. Please stop by to visit.

HAPPY NEW YEAR -- 2012

2012-01-01T00:15:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, dear bloggy friends and readers! I wish you peace, joy, good health, and many blessings. I've also been wanting to share this devotional by Ron Hutchcraft, entitled "Going Not Knowing," and this seemed like the perfect time to do so.
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Going Not Knowing

Mystery rides were part of growing up at our house. Usually it was a Sunday afternoon, and I'd pile our three kids, who were little then and never will be again, into our car for a ride. I think we explored every corner of our area. And as we did, we discovered over the years, a lot of great things. But I've got one son who's a lot like me. He wants to know the plan before we leave.

"Hey, Dad, where are we going? Where are we going to eat? What are we going to eat? What are we going to do while we're there? How long will we be there? What time are we going to get home?" He would pump me with questions; I felt like I was being interrogated by a police sergeant. Sometimes I knew it was better not to explain where we were going. Oh, we've done things that would have sounded boring if I had told about them, but they turned out to be exciting and I knew they would. Plus surprises are fun anyway. So, my kids got used to hearing two words when we were about to begin a mystery trip, "Trust me." I don't think I let them down. It was good training for journeys with their other Father.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Going Not Knowing."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from the life of the Apostle Paul; he's still Saul of Tarsus here. Acts 9 - he's on his way to wipe out Christians. He missed some in Jerusalem. So he said, "I'll get them in Damascus. They all went there; I'll find them in Syria." We begin in verse 3: "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Well, who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 'Now, get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"

Now, it's interesting that Saul's training for his whole life in Christ began immediately with a mystery trip. Yeah, did you notice that? He has just opened up to Jesus, and the Lord says, "Go into the city and you will be told." "Lord, what do you want me to do there? Who am I going to meet there? How am I even going to be able to see; I'm blind right now?" The Lord says, "Go and you will be told." Well, he spent the rest of his life living like that.

In Acts 20 , when he was on his way to Jerusalem as the great Apostle Paul and his friends were trying to discourage him, he said, "Compelled by the Spirit, I am going not knowing." See, you have a heavenly Father who often takes His children on mystery trips. Maybe you're on one of His mystery trips right now. There's a good destination He's got in mind, but right now He's telling you just the next step. In essence, He's saying to you as He did to Saul, "Go, and you will be told as you are on the way."

It may well be that you're in the middle of one of those times right now, and the tendency is to say, "Now, Lord, if you'll just give me all the information, give me all the facts, I'll start going that direction." And the Lord says, "No, you start moving in that direction I've told you to go, and you'll get more information as you go."

Now, maybe you're waiting to have all your questions answered before you move, and right now there are more question marks than there are periods or exclamation points for sure. Can you almost hear your Father saying as He bundles you into His car, "Trust Me, let's start traveling together."

Hey, He died for you. Is He ever going to do you wrong? God's mystery trips always lead to a destination that is selected with you in mind for your good. So, why not settle back, enjoy the trip, and let Him drive. Trust your Father and don't be afraid of going not knowing.

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-12-26T08:47:00.001-05:00

And the winner of the MyMemories Suite V3 Digital Scrapbooking Software (selected by Random Integer Generator) is -- (drum roll, please) -- # 2 - Marie from A Year From Oak Cottage.

Congratulations, Marie! (I will e-mail you instructions.)

There is something for the rest of you too. Everyone can get $20 in coupons (a $10 discount off the purchase of the software, and a $10 coupon you can use in the My Memories store). Just enter the promo code -- STMMMS22511.

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY -- My Memories Suite V3 Digital Scrapbooking Software.

2011-12-11T23:16:00.281-05:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

When My Memories recently contacted me and asked if I would like to try out their award winning software and host a giveaway, I was eager to check it out.

To my great surprise and delight, I discovered you can do way more than just scrapbooking with it. You can make calendars, photo books, videos, blog headers and buttons, and even add music and/or narration to your creations. How cool is that!

**In order to enter this giveaway, you need to visit My Memories, and then leave me a comment telling me what your favorite digital paper pack or layout is.**

The giveaway will remain open until midnight, December 25th (EST). The winner will be drawn on December 26th, using Random Integer Generator.

Even though only one reader can win the software (a $40 value), everybody can get $20 in coupons (a $10 discount off the purchase of the software, and a $10 coupon you can use in the My Memories store). Just enter the promo code -- STMMMS22511.

CREATION CALLS

2011-11-01T10:08:00.002-04:00

REBELS WITH A CAUSE

2011-10-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

Just wanting to share another one of Ron Hutchcraft's blog posts that gave me much to think about.
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Shades of the '60s. Lots of angry, discontented young people, occupying public places, trying to call attention to their cause. I think we've seen this before.

The '60s demonstrations were about a war, and they turned more violent. The 2011 crowds are occupying high-profile public areas - like Wall Street, for example - around the world. And with a different cause. They claim they're protesting about jobs, corporate greed, concentrated wealth and economic injustice. Only time will tell whether this will be a game-changer or a loud blip on the screen.

While the real goals and agenda of the "Occupy" demonstrators may be debatable, one thing isn't. Once again, the world is watching the power of young people fighting for a cause. We've seen it in passionate revolutions against dictators. And a lot of brokers and traders are seeing it every day on their way to work in the financial epicenters of the world.

But one day the world is going to be rocked by the greatest youth revolution in the history of the planet. But it won't be about bombs or billionaires. It will be about bringing back the King of all kings.

The Jewish prophet Joel said it first, then Simon Peter thought it was worth repeating at Pentecost - the day the Church was born. "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams'" (Acts 2:17 ).

The most powerful Jesus-movement in history will happen just before He comes back. And apparently, young people will be the point of the spear! Their fervent young passions will be poured into the greatest Cause there is - saturating this planet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. They will help birth and lead a bold vision that will touch "all people." A young army, backed by older people who share the dream, committed to taking back what the enemy has stolen.

That may seem far-fetched if you're used to seeing church kids who are bored, apathetic and unengaged. But that's unnatural for young people. They're instinctively fired up, full of energy, restless to change things. So maybe some - or most - of this counterintuitive complacency is our fault. Maybe they're just rising to the level of our expectations. And we haven't expected much.

Today's Christian young people are overentertained and underchallenged. We give them bread and circuses instead of mobilizing them to make a difference. If you've known me for long, you know what I told my kids every day when they left for school. I challenged them to "Go MAD!" - Go Make A Difference. That's what being salt and light is all about. What do salt and light have in common? Not much - except for one thing. They both change their environment!

That's what our young people can be doing! Not just going to one youth event after another where we try to keep them entertained and interested. Not just parroting the same old four or five "can't go wrong" answers to every spiritual question. Not just more pizza and parties and playdates.

They need a mission. Something to do with all that Christian stuff they know. There are senior citizens whose lives could be illuminated by a teenager who listens to their stories and shows them love. There are kids who struggle in school who could be given a future by a young person who would take time to tutor and nurture them. There's that rescue mission downtown...those homeless people...those children in your own church who look up to a teenager and who need one who will show them Jesus. There's the Christian drama team or band or choir they could put together to move out into the community. Above all, there's a whole generation in your town who will go to hell unless someone figures out a way to attract them to Jesus. Their best hope? People just like them - except with Christ in their heart.

Have you ever seen what happens to a church young person on a missions trip? The guy who never prays is suddenly praying. The ones who never read their Bible are out on a rock every morning with their Bible open. The yawners who seem forever bored are suddenly asking questions. Why? Because they're doing something, not just learning something. Suddenly, they need what they know. Because it's not all about "me" anymore. It's all about some people who need me. Who need my Jesus. So a truly life-changing youth ministry won't just be meetings to go to - it will be a year-round missions trip! To meet needs all around us in our own area.

So before the wake-up call reaches our young people, we have to wake up first. To how we've failed to challenge them, to believe in them, to show them what God sees when He looks at them. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12 ).

And who knows - we just might be recruiting warriors for that young army who will one day bring back the King.

STORM CLOUDS BREWING

2011-09-27T00:58:00.002-04:00

Are they brewing or dispersing? I'm not sure. I thought they heralded a storm, but after a few sprinkles the sun came out. Any nephologists out there?

SCARY TIMES

2011-09-22T23:43:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to share this very timely devotional by Ron Hutchcraft that I received by e-mail. I hope you'll take the time to read it.

Scary Times - #6385

You know, I'm just not used to news reporters referencing the Book of Revelation. But, I've heard some of them doing it fairly recently. These aren't ordinary times. These people have been referring to statements in the Bible about things like earthquakes and disasters; references to what the Bible calls "the last days." I mean, you think about what's been going on in our world, and in nature, and in governments, and you can understand why people are starting to think Bible a little bit. You know, the Bible talks about these last days--the last days of human history--the days before the personal return of Jesus Christ who will change things forever.

I mean, within little more than a year, there's been a massive earthquake in Japan, Chile and New Zealand. I just saw on TV a map of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," which is the part of the world where most major quakes erupt. It shows Japan on the northwest corner, New Zealand on the southwest corner, Chile on the southeast corner. And then if you go up the West Coast of the United States, the final corner in the northeast. Well, you can guess what the headline was, "Is California next?"

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You about "Scary Times."

Now of course, there's an additional concern in the aftermath of a natural disaster. We saw in Japan the specter of possible nuclear meltdowns, and that had people imagining some "apocalyptic" scenarios. The former Speaker of the House even called it "beyond biblical" what we were seeing. And then there's all those revolutions that are popping up on our news, it seems like almost daily sometimes. It seems like the whole world is shaking sometimes.

In our word for today from the Word of God, Jesus said that would happen. In Luke 21:11 He said "...there will be great earthquakes...in various places and fearful events." Of course there have been earthquakes for thousands of years, but apparently they're going to get bigger and more frequent before Jesus comes.

Jesus also said there would be "wars and revolutions" (Luke 21:11) and "nation (and that original word means ethnic groups) will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom...on the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity" (Luke 21:11). I couldn't help but think of that as I watch long-entrenched governments quaking with tidal waves of protests and revolution.

Then the Lord of the future, Jesus, went on to say that "...men will...be apprehensive of what is coming in the world" (Luke 21:11). There'll be upheaval in nature; there'll be upheaval in nations, and unrest in our souls. And then the drum roll! Here we go! "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:11).

As the tsunami was racing across the Pacific, I saw this cable news banner: "People are urged to take urgent action to protect lives." Our potentially "apocalyptic" world seems to be calling us to one of two spiritual responses, or "urgent action." If you belong to Jesus, act urgently to tell people you love about Him - no more excuses, no more stalling. And if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, act urgently to give yourself to Him. That's how you'll be forever safe, no matter what shakes you, no matter what swamps you.

He is, after all, the Rescuer who died for your sins. He's the Conqueror who beat death on Easter Morning; He's alive. He can come into your life. And He's the King who will write the final chapter not only of human history, but of your history.

If you don't belong to Him, if there's never been a time you've given yourself to Him, let this be the day. These are urgent times. These are times to make sure you are anchored to the Lord of the future. Just tell Him, "Jesus, I'm done running my own life. I believe You died for my sin. I believe You're alive today and I'm Yours starting today."

Let me encourage you to go to our website and check out there some information we've put there. You can watch it, you can listen to it, and you can read it. But there are several forms where you can find out how to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It's YoursForLife.net.

Listen to this promise from the Bible, "Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...the Lord Almighty is with us" (Luke 21:11). You know, as they say in those earthquake drills, "Hold onto something heavy." That's Jesus.

BOOK NOW AVAILABLE

2011-08-05T11:54:00.000-04:00

Just posting to let you know that my book is now available. To purchase a copy, click here.

CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING FUDGE

2011-05-26T15:06:00.000-04:00

Last night, I went to the store to pick up some snacks for our trip to NJ tomorrow. While there, my eyes lit upon a display of 100% Pure Pleasure Tradition St-Julie Cream Fudge. I could not resist purchasing a package.

As soon as I got home, I tasted a piece. And then, in an act very reminiscent of my very first post to this blog, I tasted another, and then another. I'm hoping that by posting this confession, I'll feel empowered to keep my hands off the last five pieces.

UPWARD SUN RAYS?

2011-04-10T23:19:00.000-04:00

I've never seen the sun's rays flowing upwards before, have you? I thought they only flowed downwards and sideways.

SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT

2011-04-07T09:37:00.000-04:00

Just finished reading this message on Ron Hutchcraft's blog this morning, and thought it well worth sharing. It's called SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT: SOULS IN THE CABIN.

"If you've been flying commercially recently, it's probably best if you were too busy to watch the news. Let's see - there's the plane that suddenly had a hole in the roof - and the ones where they've found cracks since then. Oh yeah, and the plane with the bullet hole in it.

Today I heard about a flight where the cockpit began to fill with smoke, followed by a shutdown of the plane's electrical systems. Systems that power critical systems. Uh-oh. They played the cockpit recording of a pilot radioing the emergency to the tower. He sounded amazingly calm and unafraid. And he brought everyone in safely. I couldn't help but notice his description of the people he was carrying. He told the flight controller that "we have 106 souls on board." Not passengers. Souls.

I first heard that perspective when our family was flying across Alaska with a missionary pilot. As we sat on the runway, waiting to be cleared for takeoff, he said, "Six souls aboard." We weren't passengers. We were souls.

You know, after all is said and done, a "soul" is what we are It's wrapped in an "earth suit" that we need for our relatively brief journey on this planet. Like an astronaut with his "moon suit" - needed for a short time to survive in an environment that requires it But it's temporary. The real person's inside - even after they take off that suit they had to wear.

We spend so much time buffing, beautifying or gratifying our earth suit. And, too often, neglecting the real person inside. Our soul. The Bible's Creation account says, "The Lord God formed the man...and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul" (Genesis 1:7 ). Jesus revealed how much one soul is worth when He asked that haunting question, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" (Mark 8:36 ). Cruising for a little while. Lost for all eternity. Because you neglect the one part of you that will be around forever. Your soul.

I'm looking through God's glasses when I look at the people around me and see souls. Not just neighbors or coworkers or teammates, family members or friends. I want to look past the superficial "packaging" and see who they really are - they're ever-living, never-dying souls. People who are future inhabitants of eternity in a place God calls heaven or a place God calls hell.

And we have nothing more important to do with these few earth-years than to prepare for eternity. To make sure our soul is right with God. In fact, it's not. The Bible delivers the bad news that "the soul who sins is the one who will die" (Ezekiel 18:5 ). That's "die" as in being separated from God forever. The problem is that "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory" (Romans 3:23 ). Even us religious folks - our soul is headed for an unthinkable future.

But God gave us good news that's "gooder" than the bad news. Speaking of Jesus, He says, "Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name" (Acts 10:43 ). Jesus did the dying for my sinning. So at the moment I put all my trust in Him, my soul is, in God's words, "saved." The alternative? As Jesus said, "losing my soul."

When you've turned the controls of your life over to Jesus, you're flying with the Pilot who will always bring you in safely. When Jesus counts the souls on board, I hope you'll be with Him."

MORE CLOUDS

2011-03-25T14:38:00.000-04:00

Twice I pulled my car over this morning to take these shots. I seem to have caught the click and shoot bug, and it's making me late for Bible study, prayer meetings, and all sorts of things. What's a compulsive picture-taking great-granny like me supposed to do? Keep driving and make it on time, or miss capturing a moment I might never be able to capture again? It's becoming more and more of a dilemma.

INTERESTING CLOUDS

2011-03-15T23:12:00.000-04:00

The clouds in my neck of the woods have been just amazing lately. Maybe they always have been and I just never noticed before? Maybe not. But this batch, in particular, made me think of a verse in 1 Corinthians 13:12--"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

OH TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS...

2011-03-11T14:14:00.000-05:00

...who when He was betrayed and Peter tried to defend him by striking the servant of the high priest and cutting off his ear said, "Put your sword in its place. ...do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus (Matthew 26:52-54)?" And so "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:7)."

The incident that caused me such indignity and outrage today was minor by comparison, and yet if I had had even a fraction of a legion of angels at my disposal, I would surely have called them down and wreaked havoc in that store, whose name I will not mention. Since I couldn't do that, I threatened to write a letter to the local paper. I would have done anything in my power to inflict some pain.

Of course my outburst did nothing except get me all riled up. The owner told me to go head and write the letter, and even gave me his name to include, which only enraged me further. And my question as to whether community minded meant you are all gracious and smiley to customers until you get their money, and then you don't give two hoots about how they're going to get the merchandise out of the store didn't seem to phase him at all either.

I stomped out with one final retort. "I hope you sleep well tonight and like what you see when you look at your face in the mirror in the morning." Then I raged all the way home, promising myself I would never set foot in that store again, and composing a letter in my head to the editor of the local paper, an article exposing them on FaceBook, and a post on our Mayor's wall, all intended to make the community aware of what truly lay in the hearts of these supposedly civic-minded folks .

Of course, by the time I got home I had cooled down and decided to limit myself to just this one blog post in which I wouldn't mention any names. I thought of an e-mail our Bible study teacher, Barb, had sent out to us this morning on humility and how Christ gave up the right to his rights as God when He became man and was willing to assume all the indignity, hurt, and rejection of the world. He was the only man who ever lived who didn't have to die, and yet He did. Instead of giving up or walking away from us, He willingly chose to suffer death on the cross to pay for our sins. Then Barb ended her e-mail by asking us to consider this when we are tempted to withdraw from other Christians.

I wonder if that store owner is a Christian. He surely didn't act like one. But then, neither did I. Just saying.

SINCERELY WRONG

2011-03-07T01:31:00.000-05:00

"For false christs and false prophets will
rise and show great signs and wonders
to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
(Matthew 24:24)

Growing up I desperately wanted to be accepted, to be one of the crowd. I hated feeling 'different,' and as though I was always on the outside looking in. I hated being made fun of and being picked last for teams. I hated not having the kind of family everybody else seemed to have.

Later, in my teens, I dreamed of falling in love and getting married to someone I would grow old with. I dreamed of having a solid, close-knit family that enjoyed each other's company and did things together. And I did fall in love and get married and have a family, but my husband and I did not grow old together, and the many mistakes I made as a single mom pretty much killed any chance for the strong, bonded family I had yearned for.

After my husband passed away, I went through a time of searching for roots, for something that would make me feel grounded, that would give me a sense of purpose. Long story short, I discovered New Age and the occult and felt as though I had finally come home. Astrology, metaphysics, the concept of karma and reincarnation, opened up a whole new world that seemed to provide all the answers that had heretofore eluded me. I had finally found my roots, and what I sincerely believed to be truth. My days of searching were over.

I embraced these new ideologies with a passion and eventually became a numerologist. As such, I started doing readings for folks and was even published, which brought me the acceptance I had so craved in my early years. Now, all of a sudden, I was seen as an expert. People were actually seeking me out to tell them what the future had in store.

How I got from there to here is not really what this post is about. If you are interested in that part, you can check out the My Testimony link on my sidebar or click here. This post is about how my vulnerability led to my believing a lie, and how that led to my misleading other people and getting them to buy into that lie too. I was not consciously deceiving anyone, I was just sincerely wrong, and if I can reach even one person through this post who is living under the same kind of deception I was back then and help you see the light, then baring my soul like this will have been worthwhile.

If I were to see you headed towards some imminent danger, such as a gaping hole in the sidewalk ahead of you, it would be unconscionable of me not to warn you of what lay ahead, and I would not hesitate to do so--even yanking you aside if necessary. So why the hesitation when the danger is spiritual, and therefore invisible? I guess, in my case, it's fear of rejection, of being judged, all the things I struggled with at the beginning of my life, but I know that I can't let those things stop me any longer. There's too much at stake.

Don't be deceived, as I was, into thinking that there are many paths to God, or that we get to Heaven by being 'good.' Although we were created to have fellowship with God, Adam and Eve's sin caused us to be born into a fallen world. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and "The wages of sin is death." Because of sin there is a great gulf that separates us from God, and there is no way we can cross it through our own efforts. There is only one path that can lead us to eternal life, and that is Jesus, "the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through [Him]" (John 14:6).

The good news is that "God so loved the world (you and me included) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). In fact, God loves you so much that even if you were the only person on this Earth, He would still have sent Jesus to die for your sins so you could be set free.

This gift of salvation that is being handed to you can only be received by grace, through faith. It cannot be earned by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). And as much as it is not God's will for anyone to perish, He will not impose His will on you or force you to accept it. The choice is yours.

Jesus stands at the door of your heart, knocking and waiting for you to answer (Revelation 3:20). I pray that you would open the door before it is too late, and accept His invitation to enter your life, forgive your sins, and make you a new creation.

DO YOU KNOW?

2011-03-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

At first I thought these were unusual cloud formations I hadn't noticed before, but then I realized they were not clouds at all. They are long streaks of smoke(?) trailing behind planes that spend hours flying back and forth across the skies in my neck of the woods.

Back in the day when I was young, there were planes called skywriters that used to do that too, but they would write stuff in the sky--not just create thin white lines that start looking like clouds as they start to disperse.

Do any of you know what the purpose of these planes might be today? It must be pretty boring doing nothing but draw line after line all day every day. But then who am I to say?

A CLOUDY FEBRUARY SUNDAY MORN

2011-03-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness for digital cameras. I think I'd be broke and in debt by now if I were still having to buy film. ☺

A REMINDER TO ME (AND TO YOU TOO IF YOU NEED IT)

2011-02-25T20:15:00.000-05:00

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made... Your eyes saw my
substance, being yet unformed, And in
your book they all were written, The days
fashioned for me, When as yet there were
none of them." - (Psalm139:14a, 16)

This blog will be celebrating its four-year anniversary in March, and as the date approaches, I find myself wondering why I keep it alive. This question has led to a steady stream of thoughts, mostly negative, which I know are not from the Lord.

There were several reasons I started blogging. Some personal, but it was also my hope that in some way I could brighten at least one person's day, or perhaps offer encouragement to another. Lately, though, there's this little voice in my head that keeps saying, "What's so special about you that makes you feel you have something to offer? What do you have to say that hasn't already been said by someone else, and said better?" At the same time, there's a warning light flashing off and on: BEWARE OF FALLING INTO THE TRAP OF COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS.

To confirm above warning, I came upon this very timely devotional during my quiet time this morning. It happens to be a January devotion, which I would not have seen on this particular February day, except that it's in a book, Streams in the Desert, I just purchased a few days ago and decided to start reading from the beginning. No such thing as coincidence!

Anyway, this particular devotional tells the story of a king who goes into his garden one morning and finds everything withered and dying. He starts asking the plants what the problem is. The oak says it doesn't want to live any more because it's not tall and beautiful like the pine tree, the pine tree is upset because it can't bear grapes like the grapevine, the grapevine bemoans the fact that that it doesn't produce fruit as large as the peaches on the peach tree, the geranium is disheartened because it's not tall and fragrant like the lilac, and so on it goes throughout the garden until the king gets to the little violet and and comments on how happy he is to see at least one flower bright and perky. To which the violet responds, "I know I'm small, yet I thought if you wanted an oak or a pine or a peach tree or even a lilac, you would have planted one. Since I knew you wanted a violet, I'm determined to be the best little violet I can be."

What a great reminder that God loves me just as I am, and that I'm a Divine original (which you are too) created for a special purpose that no one else can fulfill. Summed up so beautifully in the little poem at the end of the devotional:

   Others may do a greater work,
   But you have your part to do;
   And no one in all God's family
   Can do it as well as you.

THUNDER SNOWSTORM

2011-01-27T20:46:00.001-05:00

Thundersnow, the weatherman called it. Heavy snow falling fast and furious, weighing down the trees. I had never seen or heard anything like this before. Apparently there was lightening too, but since I wasn't looking out my window, I missed it.

CAPTURING THE GOLDS

2011-01-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

Pictures of some of the golds that eluded me on my last sunset photo shoot. This time around I was traveling on a country road with no traffic, so I could easily pull over and capture them before they eluded me yet again.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2011

2011-01-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

Dear Blog Friends -- May the New Year be a time of peace, joy, good health, and prosperity in every area of your life. Praying that the Lord would shower you with His blessings and open your eyes to his abundant love and grace.

I also have a New Years card for you, but couldn't figure out how to embed it in this post, so you'll need to click on this link to see it.

A DECEMBER SKY IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS

2010-12-28T13:56:00.000-05:00

This was the view on my way home from my daughter's house yesterday evening, and I couldn't resist the urge to pull over and take some pictures. Sadly though, by the time I found a safe spot to do that, most of the golds and oranges were gone.

Even though the sky was still breathtakingly gorgeous, it left me wishing I had someone to chauffer me around so all I would have to do is point and click. (SMILE)

Emjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS - 2010

2010-12-21T21:28:00.000-05:00

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THANKSGIVING, 2010

2010-11-19T10:16:00.000-05:00

"For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies,
... Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of
grateful praise." - Folliott S. Pierpoint

We are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in my part of the world, and as I sit by the window thinking of the many things I'm grateful for, I have to include the unexpected events that led to my being transplanted to this awesomely beautiful little neck of the woods. No matter the season, I never fail to be mesmerized by the view.

About a week ago I had gone on a picture-taking walk around the neighborhood, expecting to be disappointed by what I would see, given the strong winds that came early this year, blowing many of the colorful leaves away before trees had much of a chance to display their splendor. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised. So much so, I couldn't stop pointing and clicking until my camera signaled it's memory was full (over 80 pictures later).

If you'd like to see some of my favorites along the route, click here. But in this post I'm sharing the ones that made me stop and wonder at how differently the trees had reacted to the same gusts. Whereas several stood completely bare, Some were only partially so, and yet others seemed not to have been affected at all. Hmm. Somewhere in here there seems to be a lesson to be learned.

It makes me think of the way our perceptions color the way we react to the things we are presented with in life, how what causes one person to get all bent out of shape, may have no effect on another at all. But then again, it also reminds me of the parable of the wise man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27).

AN AHA MOMENT

2010-11-03T11:54:00.000-04:00

I've been reading a book entitled A More Excellent Way, by Henry W. Wright, and it was what he had to say about faith and fear that suddenly triggered this aha moment for me. Not that it was an original concept or something I hadn't already heard many times before from a variety of sources, but until last night, it never actually hit home in a way that set all the lightbulbs to flashing.

There really is no such thing as a lack of faith. We all have faith in something. It's just a matter of what we choose to believe. Will it be the truth as found in the Word of God, or will it be the lies of the enemy?

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Well, so is fear the evidence of things not seen, but instead of it being the substance of things hoped for, it is the substance of things we don't want to have happen to us, the substance of the things we don't hope for at all. Light and darkness, faith and fear, two sides of the same coin.

When we have faith, we put our trust in what the Word says about God's plan for our future. Fear, on the other hand, is believing the lies of Satan (which usually have some element of truth mixed in so as to make it easier for him to deceive us). When we do this, we give him the power to destroy our faith, and ultimately, the future God had planned for us.

I don't know about you, but this surely has created an urgency in me to delve deeper into the word so I won't be deceived by half truths.

IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER

2010-10-31T23:04:00.000-04:00

This spring I planted a vegetable garden on my balcony--green beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and radishes. At first, everything seemed to be going great. By the beginning of summer, the eggplant was covered in purple flowers, the green beans were starting to grow, tiny cucumbers were starting to sprout, as were a couple of tiny peppers and tomatoes. I was so excited at the prospect of the bountiful harvest to come, the thought of anything going wrong didn't even cross my mind.

However, after a handful of beans had been picked, a couple of peppers, and my first cucumber, something peculiar started happening. Despite the beautifully flowering plants, and no lack of bees to pollinate them, the harvest seemed to have prematurely ended. No baby eggplants ever appeared, the few tomatoes that grew looked as though the juice had been sucked out of them, and all those little cucumbers that had started to sprout just shriveled up and died. It was all very puzzling.

I could see there were a great deal of stink bugs around (they seem to be a plague in my neck of the woods) but I thought they were just a harmless annoyance, certainly no threat to my plants. By the time I discovered they were actually killing them, the damage had been done.

After that, I went after them with a vengeance. Early in the morning and at dusk I would launch my attack, vacuuming them out of pots, off the trellises, and even off the leaves of the plants they had attached themselves to.

Before I knew it, fall was officially here, and even though all hope of seeing more veggies was long gone, I still kept vacuuming up those stink bugs. It had become a ritual of sorts, I guess.

One day, much to my surprise, I noticed some beans in the pot, and a couple of nice, firm toamtoes that had started to grow. I got to feeling so emotional, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Two thoughts started playing in my mind. (1) It's not over 'til it's over, and (2) 1 Peter 5:8 - somewhere in the midst of this whole stink bug experience lies an important lesson about not lowering your guard in the face of something that seems harmless enough, lest you be taken by surprise when the enemy gains a stronghold in your life and you fall into his trap (my paraphrase).

I felt sure it was not over for those tomatoes, and that they would mature just as the new beans had, but days passed and turned into weeks, and still they showed no sign of ripening. And now it's almost November, and the winds are blowing, and night-time frost has been in the forecast for days. Sadly I decided I had been mistaken, plucked them, and tossed them into a brown paper bag.

Yesterday I looked at the beautiful view from my balcony, and even while admiring it, couldn't help feeling a tad disappointed that there would be no post entitled IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER. A bright red tomato growing in November would have made for an awesome testimony. But then maybe this was the Lord's way of gently reminding me that He didn't need my help creating testimonies?

Anyway, it was time to start pulling the dead leaves out of the pots and start emptying them. My granddaughter and her boyfriend will soon be coming over to help me with that task. Why, Lord, I wondered, did you plant a title in my mind if you weren't going to manifest it? I was so sure it had been you, and now I feel let down. Two tomatoes artificially ripening in a brown paper bag don't count.

And then as I disentangled one of the pots and pulled it towards me, I saw it. The Lord had not let me down after all. He just chose to make it a surprise.

CHANGING COLORS - 2010

2010-10-25T16:58:00.000-04:00

"...since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes are clearly seen, being understood
by the things that are made..."
(Romans 1:20)

View from my window and parking lot. Enjoy!

IT'S ONLY A TEST

2010-09-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

"He who has no sense of self-importance cannot

be offended or defeated." -- W. Phillip Keller

This has been an interesting summer, to say the least. It started with what felt like a crash course in Spiritual Warfare 101. Lots of role play and pop quizzes to show me how easily my buttons can still be pushed. Ouch! Not what I expected at all. And not much sympathy from some folks either, which got me to thinking how unsympathetic I can be too when I see someone reacting all out of proportion to something I don't see any reason to get upset about.

Lest I keep failing my quizzes, I'd best remember they are only tests. The battle for our souls is very real and we are caught up in the midst of it. There is a very real enemy out there who knows our weaknesses and tries to trip us up by using our senses and our intellect to blind and deceive us from the truth.

The good news is that the God who created the universe and everything in it, has not left us defenseless. The whole battle plan is mapped out in His Book, along with detailed warnings and instructions so we won't be caught off guard, and if you don't know where in the Bible to look, click on the picture of the notebook on my sidebar under PROMISES BY CATEGORY. It contains a whole section on spiritual warfare. (If you're a skeptic, think product manual troubleshooting guide. Who better knows a product than the person who created it?)

My victory is in the Lord, when I keep my focus on Him and walk by faith, not by sight, when I remember who the real enemy is, and don't buy into his lies, no matter how real they may seem. When he tries to use an unsuspecting loved one to try to push my buttons so he can drive a wedge between us, an image that helps me keep things in perspective (when I remember to use it) is that of the magician who saws a lady in half. It may look as real as real can be, but the truth is that it's only an illusion.

When we walk in the flesh, the way we interpret the things we hear and see tends to be colored by our past experiences and it is so easy to take offense where none was intended, or to feel threatened where there is no threat, to jump to conclusions, and to experience a whole gamut of emotions as the enemy has a great time pushing our buttons and causing division and strife.

On the other hand, when we walk by faith with our focus on the Word, and we manage to remain unmoved by what we see, hear, feel, or think, we will enjoy stability, joy, and peace that surpasses all understanding--no matter what our circumstances may be. I know it works for me.

My buttons still get pushed, but it's getting less and less, and I am increasingly amazed at how a change in perception can so alter the way you experience the things you are presented with. If you don't believe me, try it and see. Next time you feel slighted, hurt, or offended by something someone says or does, pretend you're playing a push the button game where you score points by not letting your buttons get pushed. You may find it turns what could have been a painfully negative event into a pleasant game of wits instead.

THERE'S A BIGGER WORLD OUT THERE

2010-08-16T17:27:00.005-04:00

Lured by the promise of an ice cream social to follow, I joined a pretty big crowd who showed up at church last night for an evening of testimonies by members of our short-term missions teams recently returned from Haiti, China, Kentucky, and Slovakia. These folks had given up vacation time and the comforts of home to minister to the needs of people living under very different circumstances--in some cases, devastation, poverty and squalor--and couldn't wait to do it again.

All the testimonies were awesome, but what touched me the most were the the teens who shared how they went expecting one thing, and came home with a whole different outlook on life. How their perspectives were transformed as the Lord opened up their eyes and hearts to see things in ways they had never considered before.

One of the teens who had gone to Haiti shared her amazement at how people who had nothing could still be happy and uncomplaining. It convicted her of the things she finds fault with back home and gave her an overwhelming gratitude for the blessings taken for granted. Another teen choked up as he shared some of the words in a song by Matthew West, entitled My Own Little World.

When I got home I looked up the song so I could hear the rest of the words. As I listened, I thought of the many things I too take for granted, and felt convicted by some of the stuff I tend to focus on or be offended by. In the face of the bigger picture, it all seems so petty. It really is not about me at all.

My Own Little World (Slideshow With Lyrics)

matthew west | MySpace Video

JAMES 3: A STORY

2010-08-03T19:01:00.000-04:00

This is a video clip I took from Mrs. Parunak's blog -- Pursuing Titus 2. The message created an ouch moment for me too.
.

TRIBUTE TO THE YOUNG AT HEART

2010-07-18T10:52:00.000-04:00

If I make it to the ripe old age of 87, hope I'm as fit and spry as my good friend and neighbor, Gladys. Here's to an awesome lady!

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SUMMER IN MY CORNER OF THE WOODS

2010-07-16T22:17:00.000-04:00

FLOSSIE

2010-06-20T13:02:00.001-04:00

Thank you so much, Marie, for my Flossie. It was exciting to have been picked as the lucky winner in your One Heart One World giveaway.

As you can see, she arrived none the worse for wear--despite her long trip across the ocean.

These pictures were taken in her new home. Does she look like a happy camper or what? For sure she brings smiles to my face.

Your whimsical little card brought a smile to my face too, and I only wish the picture I took could have done it more justice. It fails to capture all those extra little details like the sparkles and raised border.

I hope you don't mind my adding the link to your etsy shop to this post so my bloggie friends can check it out.

SOMETIMES MY EYES DECEIVE ME

2010-05-23T20:31:00.000-04:00

Every year when spring rolls around, I look forward to feasting my eyes on the beautiful purple blossoms of the Red Bud trees and wish they didn't have to turn green so fast.

I've also wondered why a tree with purple flowers would be called a Red bud. Well this year, as I roamed around with digital camera in hand, I discoverd some things I had never noticed before.

Before these trees start to bloom, they are covered with buds that are, indeed, red. And not all Red Bud leaves turn green.

The leaves of the Forest Pansy Redbud in my parking lot turn dark red.

And now I'm beginning to think my eyes have deceived me and those lovely flowers I always thought were purple are actually a shade of pink.

Who would have thought!

JUST CAN"T STOP POINTING AND CLICKING

2010-04-20T20:56:00.000-04:00

Lord bless the person who invented digital cameras that enable me to take zillions of pictures without having to waste a ton of money on film in the process.

ONE POST JUST WASN"T ENOUGH

2010-04-08T17:23:00.000-04:00

"He has made everything beautiful
in its time." - Ecclesiastes 3:11a

A FEW MORE TOUCHES AND VOILA

2010-04-08T00:35:00.000-04:00

Trying to capture some of the awesome beauty of spring. Is God's creation a masterpiece or what?

WHAT A DIFFERENCE 20 DAYS CAN MAKE

2010-03-20T10:22:00.000-04:00

(Twenty days between Beautiful but Dangerous and the first day of Spring)

DID YOU KNOW?

2010-03-16T13:29:00.000-04:00

Did you know that you were not a mistake?
Did you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that the Lord determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live?
Did you know that you are a Divine, one of a kind, original, created for a special purpose no one else can fulfill?
Did you know that you are God's treasured possession, and that He loves you with an evarlasting love?
Did you know that His love for you is so great that even if you were the only person on this earth, He still would have sent Jesus to die for you so that you could be forgiven of your sins and reconciled to Him?
Did you know?

(For Scripture references, click here to read The Father's Love Letter).

BEAUTIFUL BUT DANGEROUS

2010-03-01T11:21:00.003-05:00

20 days 'til Spring!

WHY?

2010-02-16T15:59:00.000-05:00

There are so many things I don't understand, and this morning when I picked up a devotional I had started reading last year but never completed, these words by Marilyn Morgan King spoke right to my heart. I'd like to share them here in case anyone else can relate to my ever questioning mind.

Some hard questions are shrouded in mystery

too deep for human minds to understand;

the hidden answers aren't meant to be unlocked

until the soul is ready to see life whole.

Every good thing has its shadow

and every dark night is the back side

of a new day waiting to dawn.

GIVEAWAY WINNERS--AND A CONSOLATION PRIZE TOO

2010-02-16T10:58:00.001-05:00

The winners of my OHOW giveaways (as picked by Random Integers) are -- drumroll, please -- Jill from Bailliwick Studio and Kathy from Life in New Jersey and Elsewhere. Then I started feeling sad for the rest of my visitors who did not win anything, and came up with an idea for a consolation prize.

My memory does not always serve me well, especially when I'm unexpectedly hit with scary symptoms, or when I'm in a funk, and so several years ago I came up with some tools to help me through these difficult times. My favorite is a little tabbed notebook I started, each section dealing with an issue I struggle with in my own personal life--anger, fear, health, discouragement, spiritual warfare, who I am in the Lord, etc.--and every time I find a verse that speaks to my heart, I write it down in the appropriate section.

This little book has come to my rescue on more than one occasion when I'm trying to think of a particular Scripture but my mind draws a blank. I have it all copied on my computer too, so if you click on the picture of the notebook, you will be able to either read it or print it out.

Once again, thank you all for stopping by to visit on your magic carpet ride, and I hope you had as much fun meeting new people as I did. .

GREAT-GRANNY GRANDMA BUILDS HER FIRST SNOWMAN

2010-02-07T14:13:00.001-05:00

Yay! I built my very first snowman ever today. On my balcony, where 23 inches had accumulated. (The accumulation on the ground below totaled 36 inches, I have been told.)

Not bad, if I do say so myself. I guess it's never too late to try new things.

TIME IS LIKE A JIGSAW PUZZLE

2010-02-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

As long as I can remember, there's always been a jigsaw puzzle in process somewhere in my home. I love doing jigsaw puzzles.

My latest effort has 3,000 pieces. I found it at a yard sale and couldn't resist buying it since I've never seen anything over 1,000 pieces before. It has been a bit of a challenge though.

First I had to put several large pieces of cardboard together to create a surface large enough for it to fit on, and even then, there was no room to dump all the pieces. So there were pieces all along the sides, in the middle, on top of the parts of the puzzle that have already been completed, and a whole bunch still in the box because there was nowhere else left to squeeze them in..

This is something that has never ceased to amaze me, how in the beginning there is no place for all the pieces, and yet the more of the puzzle you get done, the more space there is, and when the whole thing is completed, all the pieces fit together perfectly, and there is plenty of space all around. Well, while working on my current colossal project, I was suddenly struck by an aha moment. Time resembles a jigsaw puzzle.

I'm always so overwhelmed by the things I'd like to squeeze into my day, and frustrated by how much is left undone at the end of it. It has even led to sleep deprivation as I try to cram more in. I've gone to time management seminars, and even used a planner for a while, but never really consistently because I didn't truly believe that it could make a difference. Maybe it was time to give it another shot.

First I made a list of major projects I've been neglecting (such as putting stacks of pictures in albums, and backing up files on my computer), with an estimate of how long each one would take if I just devote a half hour or an hour a day to tackling them. And then I made another list of things, like work, exercise, quiet time, that absolutely need to be included every day.

With these two lists in hand, I make it a point to fill out my daily planner page the night before. Now I'm astounded at how nicely the pieces fit in when I follow the schedule. Instead of frittering away half my day on blogs and e-mails, for example, I stop after the allotted time and move on to the next thing. It's amazing how much more gets accomplished and how much less overwhelming it all seems..

BLIZZARD OF 2010

2010-02-07T09:59:00.000-05:00

ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY 2010

2010-01-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

ONE WORLD ONE HEART was created by Lisa Swifka as a venue to bring bloggers from around the world together who may never have ordinarily met. Not only do we get to visit with new and wonderful people, but we even have a chance to win some prizes along the way.

Last year we toured on a wagon, but this year we'll be soaring above the rooftops on a magic carpet. It's so fun, and I'm glad the trip is not restricted to artists and folks with handmade giveaways, because I would not want to miss it for anything.

This year I have picked two gifts for my give away. The winners will be picked by Random Number Generator at Midnight (EST) on February 15th, and I will announce them on my blog on February 16th.

If you would like to be entered into the drawing, please leave a comment at the end of this post, and make sure to include a link or an e-mail so I can contact you if you are a winner.

My first gift, the Inspiration Promise Book, is a devotional containing God's promises (taken from the Bible) concerning all aspects of our lives. I have found it be a wonderful help when praying for the needs of my family and friends. It has a beautiful cover I can only describe as being beveled, and so soft to the touch it almost feels like suede.

The second gift is a dark green, vintage looking, heart shaped ornament that opens up so you can insert a small gift or trinket.Thanks for stopping by, and if you would like to know more about OWOH, see who else is offering giveaways, or want info on how you can take part in the event, just click on the logo at the top of my post or on my sidebar..

Hope you've enjoyed your visit, and that you'll be back again.

SERENITY PRAYER

2010-01-22T23:30:00.020-05:00

Oh the frustrations of dealing with organizations that have no mercy!

THE LOST HORSE

2010-01-19T15:21:00.000-05:00

THE LOST HORSE is an old Chinese folk story that explains the meaning of a blessing in disguise. It is the tale of a wise old horse breeder who can see the silver lining in a dark cloud, and who recognizes the hazards that can lurk behind a stroke of seeming good fortune.

In a nutshell, one of the old man's horses runs away one day. When the neighbors commiserate with him over his misfortune, he asks them, "How do you know this is not really good luck?" A few days later the horse returns, bringing another horse with it. When his neighbors congratulate him on his good luck, he says, "How do you know this is really good luck?" Sure enough, some while later the old man's son falls while riding the horse and breaks his leg. This turns out to be a strke of good fortune when all the young men of the village are ordered to join the Emperor's army, but the old man's son doesn't have to go since he has a broken leg.

Moral of the story: Things are comparitive; the good comes with the bad. You should not lose your will to continue if an unlucky event happens, nor should you be too overjoyed or feel too self-satisfied because of a lucky event, or because something that you desire comes very easily to you.

This parable came to mind this week as I butted my head against what seemed like a brick wall. Circumstances that had at first seemed positive had turned negative, and I was powerless to do anything about it. All that butting just gave me a very big headache.

Now I do not believe in fate or luck, but in a God who is in total control, and from whose hands all blessings flow. I know in my heart that even when my senses scream at me that everything going on in my life appears to be contradicting His promises, and my prayers are going unheard, it's because I tend to focus on one small piece of the puzzle instead of being patient and trusting Him to work things out according to His perfect timing and plan. I tend to forget that, unlike me, He sees the whole picture, and is working things out for my ultimate good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).

So once again, I lay my burdens at the foot of the Cross and put my trust in Him who gave His life for me (and for you too) so that we could be reconciled with the Father and enjoy eternal life.

A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA

2010-01-15T13:25:00.006-05:00

I came across this photo while looking for something to post on Facebook for Way Back Week, and no, it's not the one that got picked, but it did create a nostalgic moment.

Could anyone have imagined--even in their wildest dreams--that the path would lead from there to here?

A CALL TO ANGUISH

2010-01-05T09:39:00.006-05:00

Feeling convicted by this video clip I saw on the blog of a 15-year-old, and thinking what a great testimony that even in today's world there are young people out there who are not ashamed to be sold out for Jesus and who have the boldness and courage to follow the narrow path instead of trying to fit in with the crowd.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2010

2009-12-31T15:15:00.003-05:00

Today is New Year's Eve Day, and as I get ready to ring out the old year and welcome in the new, I am busy filling in calendars with important dates, putting away decorations, figuring out the 2010 budget, and setting up new planners and journals. It has become a tradition that I thoroughly enjoy.

As I go about my preparations, hope, anticipation, and excitement. start to build. It's the same magical feeling I experience every time I get ready to write something in a brand new notebook full of fresh, blank pages just waiting to be filled.

2009's slate will soon be wiped clean. What does 2010 hold in store? My wish for you is that it will be a year of peace, health, joy, prosperity, blessings, and many awesome surprises.

Happy New Year, dear bloggy friends!

OFFSHORE OUTSOURCING -- A CHUCKLE FOR YOU

2009-12-31T10:17:00.008-05:00

A few months ago, one of my virtual jobs got what promised to be a fantastic contract that would ensure plenty of work for all on an ongoing versus temporary basis They even hired a bunch of new agents to help with the expected overflow. We had to take a special training to qualify, and were excited to see there really was a flood of work coming in. Quite a contrast to the previous drought we had been experiencing.

We all contentedly settled in to a work schedule soon taken for granted. Our fortunes had taken a turn for the better, and 2010 was looking good as far as our pocketbooks were concerned. Little did anyone suspect that this was all about to change.

When I turned on my computer yesterday morning, all ready for a full day's work, I was greeted by a most apologetic e-mail from our manager, telling us we had lost the contract.

Surprisingly, I felt a perfect peace in the face of this potentially devastating news. I even got a second chuckle out of this video clip one of the other agents had posted on our Bulletin Board a while back, and that immediately came to mind. It seemed so appropriate, I dug it out of my saved favorites and have posted it here for you to enjoy too (just click on the link, and then on the play button arrow at the bottom of the screen).

Offshore Outsourcing

THE WAY IT WAS

2009-12-29T14:28:00.003-05:00

IN GOD WE STILL TRUST

The words to this song used to ring true, but these days they seem less and less so. How tragic!

Post edited on 12/30/09

BEYOND THE PARTY

2009-12-23T10:58:00.003-05:00

This excerpt from one of Ron Hutchcraft's Christmas Moments says it so much better than I ever could.

They called it a Christmas miracle. A California dad drove into a Sierra forest, parked his truck and went looking for a Christmas tree with his three teenage children. Then the snowstorms came. They were lost and they were unprepared. After searchers looked for three days, two pilots finally saw the word “HELP” stamped in the snow and a man waving. For that lost family, Christmas meant rescue.

And that is really what Christmas is about for every one of us. Behind the big party called Christmas is a mission as serious as life-or-death—yours and mine. That first Christmas, God announced Jesus was coming to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). He didn’t come to start a religion or be a good example. He came here to rescue people who would die otherwise forever, because our sin carries a forever death penalty that He paid with His life on the cross.

This Christmas season, He wants to make you a Christmas miracle, if you’ll grab His outstretched hand as your Rescuer from your sin. Don’t miss what He came for. If you’re ready for His rescue, call us at 888-NEED HIM.

WHERE'S THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?

2009-12-22T14:13:00.007-05:00

"Where's the Line to See Jesus?"

An original song performed by father and daughter, Steve Haupt and Becky Kelley
Recorded at Shock City Studios, Saint Louis, MO
Produced by Chris Loesch
Video by Robbie Haupt and Greg Haupt

The story behind the song, as told by Steve Haupt, is as follows:

"While at the mall last year, my 4 year old grandson saw kids lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of God's son, with the innocence of a child, he asked his mom, 'Where's the line to see Jesus? If Christmas is Jesus' birthday, why don't we see Him more?'

As his grandpa, I was so happy that little Spencer understood the meaning of Christmas at such a tender age, and then the words for a song were jotted down in just a few minutes. The song was inspired by my grandson, and the message was inspired by my Savior.

Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation and our song will cause people to reflect on the love of Jesus, and the certainty that one day we will all stand in line to see Jesus."

Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas and a very blessed New Year!

Great-Granny Grandma

AFTERMATH OF THE STORM

2009-12-20T08:32:00.015-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me how one day we can be in the midst of a blustery storm, and then the next day the wind has quieted down and the sun is shining. Same thing with the ocean, whose angry waves can wreak havoc of tsunami proportions, only to be followed by stillness and calm.

Yesterday we experienced the worst blizzard in this neck of the woods since the 1990's. Accumulation was close to 24 inches. Today the sun is shining. Nevertheless, I did have to wear my boots just to go out on my balcony to take these photos.

SOME ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS

2009-12-12T12:13:00.004-05:00

Here's another e-mail I'd like to share. Hope it blesses you as much as it did me.

* * * * * * *

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember:

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ (3 times)
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was promiscuous
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too short
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer
AND, Lazarus was dead!

Now, no more excuses! God can use you to your full potential. Besides, you aren't the message. You are just the messenger.

And one more thing:

God wants spiritual fruits, not religious nuts.
When you have a problem, God has the solution.
Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is optional.
There is no key to happiness; the door is always open.
Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
Do some math--count your blessings.
Faith is the ability to not panic.
Laugh every day; it's like inner jogging.
If you worry, you didn't pray; if you pray, don't worry.
As a child of God , prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
The most important things in your house are the people.
When you get tangled up in your problems, be still so God can untangle the knot.
A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
Carrying a grudge is allowing someone to live rent free in your mind.
He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Have a great day!!! The SON is shining and He can certainly use you!

INVITATION TO THE GREATEST PARTY OF ALL

2009-12-12T10:47:00.009-05:00

Am just loving this invitation I found in my e-mail the other day, and would like to pass it along to all of you too. Don't miss out on the greatest party of all.

Beloved;

As you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year they had a real big party for me and it seems like they will again this year. After all, they've been shopping and preparing for it for months now, and there have been announcements and advertisements almost every day about how soon it's coming! They really do go overboard about it, but it's nice to know that at least on one day of the year some people are thinking about me a little.

You know, it's been many years now since they first started celebrating my birthday. Back then they seemed to realize and appreciate how much fun it was for the little children. Just the same, it seems that most folks are missing the point of it all.

Like last year, for example, when my birthday came around they threw a big party, but can you believe it, I wasn't invited? Imagine! The guest of honor, and they forgot all about me. Here they had begun preparing for the festivities two months in advance, but when the big day came I was left out in the cold. And it has happened so many times in recent years, I wasn't even surprised.

Even though I wasn't invited, I thought I'd just quietly slip in anyway. So I came in and stood off to the side. Everyone was drinking, laughing and having a grand time, when all of a sudden, in came this fellow in a bright red suit wearing a phony white beard and shouting "Ho Ho Ho." Everyone cheered. All the children came running over to him, excitedly yelling, "Santa!" You would have thought that he was the guest of honor. Then he began telling them the most ridiculous stories you've ever heard. Finally I had to leave, and walked out the door, but no one even noticed that I had gone.

I'm planning on holding my own party. How about that? It's going to be the biggest, most fantastic feast, you could possibly imagine. I'm not saying the date yet, but I'm sending out invitations now because I hope you'll want to come. There's going to be room for everyone. So hold on to your hat, because when everything is ready, I'm going to spring it as a big surprise and a lot of people are going to be left out in the cold because they didn't respond to my invitation.

Let me know right away if you'd like to come* so I can reserve you a place and write your name in large golden letters in my BIG GUEST BOOK, the LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE!!

Much Love,

JESUS

*To find out how you can begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please visit Yours for Life or call 1-888-966-7325.

THE BIG 7-O

2009-12-11T12:21:00.010-05:00

It wasn't so long ago that I joyfully celebrated the big 7-O. At the time, I didn't give it much thought and enjoyed the festivities. I even felt proud of having reached that milestone. But what was I thinking?

It didn't take long for that bubble to burst. When asked on a survey if I was the 70-year-old female in my household, it came as a shock to realize they were referring to me. It's a shock I still feel every time I see a document with my name and age on it.

True as it may be, I'm having a real problem acknowledging it. Why, I don't know. I have no problem speaking my age out of my mouth, but seeing it with my eyes is another story altogether. Can anybody relate to that, or am I just weird?

I don't feel old and have never really thought about my age. I guess I must have been living in a fantasy world where we stay young forever, because I act as though I were the same age as everyone else I'm with at the time, even if I'm really old enough to be their mother or grandmother.

How did the seasons pass by so fast? I feel like the evergreen in my winter photo, with no age to label me, but a glance in the mirror can quickly dispel that thought. Oh woe is me. Can anyone relate? Or am I truly the most ancient of all my bloggie friends too?

WINTER

2009-12-06T16:07:00.020-05:00

As I balk at accepting the winter of my life, may this view remind me that every season has a beauty of its own.

CREATE YOUR OWN SNOWFLAKE - 2

2009-12-06T14:45:00.002-05:00

Now that it's that time of year again, here's something fun to do. Just click on the picture, and create your own snowflake.

Enjoy!

THANKSGIVING ROSE

2009-11-29T21:22:00.024-05:00

It is now the very end of November and most of the trees are bare, but here and there, beautiful things are still blooming, like these trees in the parking lot behind our library.

I have no idea what they are, but I love the splash of color they add to the wintery backdrop. Sort of like an artist might use to accentuate sections of a grey-toned photo.

And check out this amazing rose my daughter found blooming in her front yard on Thanksgiving.

Is God's creation awesome, or what?"

THE JOURNEY

2009-11-28T09:10:00.006-05:00

This is a copy of a post I recently read on Marie's blog, and which she so graciously gave me permission to post on mine. It really did give me the goose bumps.

THE JOURNEY

Once upon a time there was a man and his son who lived in a tiny village in a country named Japan. They didn't have much to call their own, except for a tiny plot of land that they farmed. Once or twice a year they would load up an old ox drawn cart with vegetables which they had grown and make the long journey into the nearest city to sell them.

With the exception of their last name, and this little plot of land they worked together, the father and son had very little in common. The old man was a 'stop and smell the roses' kind of guy, and the son, well he was more of a 'go-getter,' always in a hurry.

Bright and early one morning, they loaded up their cart, hitched up the ox and began the long journey to the city. The son had it in his mind that if they walked faster and kept going all day and all night, they'd make the market by early morning the next day. So he kept prodding the ox with a wooden stick, urging it to walk faster.

"Take it easy son," the old man remarked, "you'll last longer."

"IF we get to the market ahead of the others," argued the son, " we'll have a better chance of getting good prices."

There was no reply from the father. He simply pulled his hat down over his eyes and went to sleep on his seat next to his son.

Itchy and irritated, the young man kept goading the ox to walk faster and kept getting even more irritated when the ox refused to hasten it's pace.

Four hours and a few miles further down the road, they came to a small house. The father woke up and smiled at his son. "This is your uncle's place," he said. "Let's stop by and say hello."

"But we're running late already," complained the young man.

"Then a few more minutes won't hurt," was his father's reply. "My brother and I get to see each other so seldom."

And so the two older brothers were able to spend an hour together in each other's company, chatting away and laughing whilst the young man sat nearby fuming and grumbling.

Soon enough, they were back on the road again, continuing their journey. As they approached a fork in the road, the father led the ox to the right hand branch. "The left way is shorter," cried the son.

"I know," replied his father, "but this way is so much prettier."

"Have you no respect for time," his son shouted impatiently.

"Oh," his father slowly replied, "I respect it very much. That is why I like to look at beauty and enjoy each moment of my life to the fullest."

The winding road led them through graceful meadows filled with wild flowers and past rippling streams so very beautiful to look at, but all of which the son missed. He was too busy and preoccupied with his misery. He even failed to notice the beautiful sunset.

Twilight found them in what appeared to be a huge colourful garden. The old man stood by breathing in the scent of what seemed to be a million flowers. A babbling brook lay nearby and the gentle sound of it's trickling waters sounded in the air. "We will stay here for the night," said the father.

"This is the last time I am coming on this trip with you," fumed the son. "You waste far too much time smelling flowers and watching sunsets, when we could be in the city already making money."

"Why, that's the nicest thing you have ever said about me," replied the father, and within a few minutes he was snoring away as the son sat there and fumed up at the stars. The night dragged on slowly and the son was quite restless.

Before the sun even rose in the sky the son hurriedly shook his father awake, anxious as he was to get back on the road. Before they had gone too far, they came upon another farmer, a complete stranger, trying to pull his cart out of the ditch it had tumbled into. "We will stop and give him a hand," said the old man. The younger man exploded with rage.

"Relax, son. Don't forget that one day you may be the one in the ditch needing help," his father said. "We must always stop to help others that are in need." The boy looked away in anger.

It was almost eight o'clock in the morning by the time the other cart was on the road. Suddenly a great flash of light split the sky and what sounded like a huge clap of thunder followed. The very ground shook beneath their feet and the sky beyond the hills turned very dark.

"Looks like rain in the big city," said the father.

"If we had hurried," replied the son, grumbling as they went on their way, "we'd be almost sold out by now."

"Take it easy son," said the father. "You'll last a lot longer that way and you'll enjoy your life a whole lot more."

It was late in the afternoon by the time they got to the hill overlooking the city. Both of them stood still in their tracks and stared down at it for a very long time, neither of them speaking a word. Finally the younger man, turned to his father and, putting his hand on his shoulder, said, "I see what you mean father."

They turned their cart around and began to make the journey back to their home, rolling slowly away from what had once been the city of Hiroshima.

***********************

What a great reminder to go with the flow and , as Marie said, take time to smell the roses along the way. That unexpected delay or disruption to our plans could very well be God's way of diverting us from our path for our greater good. Think of the people who have missed a train or plane, and their tardiness wound up saving their lives when it crashed. Or the many folks whose lives were spared on 9/11 because something caused an unexpected change of plans in their usual routine.

So next time things seem to be going all wrong, instead of getting mad or frustrated, consider the fact that the God who is watching over you, and who is the only one who sees the whole picture, may have you exactly where He wants you to be.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, 2009

2009-11-25T08:43:00.005-05:00

NAMES OF GOD

2009-11-20T18:25:00.007-05:00

Today I came across an awesome website with a list of the names of God, and even a video clip at the bottom with the names put to song. I wasn't sure if it was okay to put the video clip in my post, so if you are interested, you'll have to click on the link and go over there to hear it.

God has many names through which He reveals Himself to us, names that show different aspects of His character, His nature, and His care and concern for us. Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals; Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides; El Shaddai, the all sufficient one, and God Almighty; Jehovah Rohi, the Lord our shepherd. Those are just a few, and today I've come up with a new name, but let me not get ahead of myself.

I've been living in my apartment for just over two years now, and have been happy with how most of it looks, except for something about my living room I couldn't quite put my finger on. Was it the color of the sofa, or was it the insufficient lighting? Decorating is not my forte, and I have a hard time visualizing what something will look like until it's actually in my room and I start moving it around.

Well one thing was for sure. I did need to do something about the lighting. Although the room is bright and cheery during the day, the little lamps on the piano and bookshelf definitely did not cut it after dark.

As I was pondering all this, that still small voice within (which I wrote about in my last post) was prompting me to take the crook neck lamp off the piano and donate it to the thrift shop. So I did. But before leaving the store I decided to look around, and wound up buying another lamp that I thought might be a good substitute.

As I just said, I'm not too good at visualizing, and when I got home I could see there was no way that lamp would fit on the piano. So what to do? There was only one thing I could do. Put it on the card table next to the sofa where I have a bunch of plants. It was the only spot in the living room it could go. And guess what? It was perfect. That was the missing link. The room needed something to pull it together, and that did the trick. Now my living room has a look I really, really like.

So what is the new name I can use to praise my God? The God of Interior Design. It gives me goose bumps to think that the Lord God Almighty, Ruler of the Universe, cares enough about me to show me how to decorate my room in a way that is both pleasing and affordable. Nothing concerning me is too small or insignificant for Him. And nothing concerning you is either.

HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD

2009-11-17T17:15:00.005-05:00

"Then He [the Lord] said, 'Go out and stand on
the mountain . . . And behold, the Lord passed
by, and a great and strong wind tore into the
mountains and broke the rocks in pieces . . .
but the Lord was not in the wind; and after
the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not
in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a
fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after
the fire a still small voice."
(1 Kings 19: 11-12)

The Lord has never spoken to me audibly. It's either a still small voice within, a sudden thought out of the blue, a gut feeling, a warning to change course, a forgotten scripture that suddenly pops into mind just when I need it, a gentle nudge to do something other than what I started out to do, an accident that turns out not to be an accident, but rather a way of diverting my attention to something else--like when I hit a wrong key on my computer and a screen or pop-up appears showing me an option to do something I had not been aware I could do before.

Many times the prompt has not made sense to my natural mind and I have questioned whether it really could be the Lord, but when I've let my intellect persuade me to ignore it, it has usually led to regret. I remember once heading out the door to run some errands and suddenly feeling I shouldn't go. I went anyway, and as a result, missed an impromptu visit from a friend I rarely see. Another time that happened, it was a phone call I could have kicked myself for missing. These days I am more prone to obey, figuring better safe than sorry.

This morning I went to my weekly prayer meeting and gave one of my favorite praise and worship CD's to a friend. It was a CD I had been listening to in my car for the last couple of weeks. One day as I was singing along, that friend's name popped into mind and I heard that still small voice within telling me to give it to her. At first I was fine with the idea, but then I started thinking, what if she doesn't like that kind of music? Why give up something I would really like to keep when I don't even know for sure that it would be appreciated? Maybe I could ask her to give it back if it's not her thing? But even while I was thinking these thoughts, I was already writing on a sticky--"For you. Enjoy!"

The meeting had already started when I got there, and so I just put the CD with the sticky on it in front of her as I walked toward my seat. When I sat down and looked across the room, I saw this huge beaming smile spread across her face that just warmed my heart.

As we were leaving, she told me how perfect the timing of the gift had been. That very morning she had been looking for something to play in her car and was exasperated that she couldn't find any music on the radio she liked. This CD absolutely was her favorite kind of music. Her excitement was contagious, but as overjoyed as she was, I think my joy was even greater. I'm so glad I listened and obeyed.

LEARNING TO LOVE

2009-11-16T08:57:00.009-05:00

". . . love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray
for those who spitefully use you and persecute
you . . . For if you love those who love you,
what reward have you? Do not even the tax
collectors do the same? And if you greet
your brethren only, what do you do more
than others?" - (Matthew 5: 44-47)

Learning to love is so hard. Here I think of myself as an easygoing person with a thick skin, and yet this morning I started off my day by snapping at the tech service rep who told me she could not send out a technician to fix my computer until Thursday (four days from now).

I was angry because I depend on my computer to earn my living so I can pay my bills. I was angry because she told me that if I upgraded to a business account (which would cost a great deal more than what I am paying now) they would have sent someone out right away. I was angry because I couldn't reason with her that if they could send someone out right away for people with a business account, obviously there were techs available who could come out to see me sooner. I was angry because the reason she said I needed a tech to come out was because she couldn't find the problem over the phone. I was so angry, that before I hung up I even told her she didn't sound like she knew what she was doing, and even made some threats about switching to another Internet service provider.

Well, after I had stewed for a while and realized it wasn't helping, I grudgingly decided to do what the phone tech had initially said to do (disconnect the modem and reconnect), just so I could prove her wrong. And oh, did I forget to mention that when she had told me to do it, I hadn't actually done it because it didn't make sense to disconnect and reconnect something that I had only just turned on? Well, guess what? When I took that one step of obedience, the problem was instantly resolved, just like she had implied it would be.

I felt so ashamed of my outburst and rebelliousness. I thought of how I had recently asked the Lord to help me learn how to love like Jesus, and whenever I have prayed to learn anything--like patience, strength to stand against the enemy, whatever--the tests and trials start to come. The tech rep incident had just been a test, a test I failed, and a test that showed me how easily my buttons can still be pushed. Next time I need to be more alert to what is happening. And for sure there will be a next time, maybe even sevceral of them, until the lesson is learned.

After I repented and told the Lord I was ready for the next go round, the Scripture I quoted at the top of this post came to mind, in particular the line, "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?" Hmm. I hadn't thought much about that part.

The head property manager of my complex has been rude and unreasonable on several occasions, even to the point of acting unjustly, and since I have been powerless to do anything about it if I want to stay in my apartment (which I do), I have retaliated by ignoring her presence whenever I see her. Although I never consciously thought of it as retaliation, I now see that's exactly what it is. And so who is the one being hurt by this? Has it not just been a way to keep my grievances against her alive?

I thought of how rebellious I had been when the tech told me to disconnect the modem this morning. I was so sure I knew better and it would be a totally annoying and unnecessary step. And yet, when I relented and obeyed, the problem was resolved. So what does that tell me? It's a good idea to obey the instructions of a more knowledgeable person, no matter how petty or insignificant those instructions may seem, and surely the God of the universe who created me and even provided me with a "product manual" to help troubleshoot the problems I encounter in life, is the ultimate authority for fixing what ails me.

God's Word tells me that the best solution for anger is to "pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." And that does not mean pray for revenge, but pray for their good. That may hurt my pride a bit, but when I am willing to give in and just do it, it definitely has a way of softening my heart and taking the sting away like nothing else has been able to do.

BUILD ON THE ROCK

2009-11-12T18:59:00.014-05:00

"He is like a man building a house, who dug
deep and laid the foundation on the rock.
And when the flood arose, the stream beat
vehemently against that house, and could
not shake it, for it was founded on the rock."

(Luke 6:48)

The rains have come and some fierce winds have blown, and most of the magnificent trees in my neighborhood have shed their colorful foliage. There are a few though that still stand intact, so I went out in the morning drizzle to take pictures of this marvel. Amazingly, the colors are just as bright in the rain as when the sun was shining.

GOD'S ART WORK - P.S.

2009-10-29T10:12:00.014-04:00

I knew something didn't look quite right on my previous post, but couldn't put my finger on it until this morning. A couple of pictures I'd intended to include had been left out.

So much beauty. Such a difficult choice. LOL

GOD'S ART WORK

2009-10-28T20:28:00.018-04:00

"...Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory."
(Isaiah 6:3)

Look at the masterpieces God's paint brush has created. Does this not take your breath away? When I look around and see myself surrounded by all this beauty, it sure does mine. I keep taking so many pictures, it was a real challenge trying to decide which ones to include in this post.

FEAR

2009-10-03T14:30:00.002-04:00

A couple of days ago, I celebrated a landmark birthday (though I'm not telling which one. LOL) It was a gorgeous day, perfect weather for walking, and so I took my camera with me.

As I basked in the beauty surrounding me, I felt so blessed, and started thinking of how good the Lord has been to me even though I've been far from deserving. I thought of the awesome things He has done in my life over this last decade, and the unexpected surprises He delighted me with for my birthday--such as a laptop I've been dreaming about for quite some time now, but didn't really expect to materialize. But then fear started to get the upper hand.

With the joy of each birthday surprise came a pang of concern that something bad was about to follow. Can anyone relate to this?

I have to run now, but am planning to write more about it on my other blog--http://atfootofcross.blogspot.com/--when I get back. The post is still ruminating around my mind, but I do have a title picked out--OLD SUPERSTITIONS DIE HARD!

HARBINGERS OF FALL

2009-10-03T12:37:00.040-04:00

Pictures I took while out for a walk—some last blooms of summer and some harbingers of fall. This place is so lovely, I feel blessed to be living in the midst of it.

A RUDE AWAKENING

2009-09-06T19:32:00.002-04:00

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make your paths straight."

Last night I stayed up really late trying to finish an interview I was transcribing, and as I fell exhausted into bed, the Lord spoke eight little words into my mind--you are wound up tighter than a corkscrew. Huh? Me? I never would have thought. And yet, once the words were spoken I suddenly became aware of just how tense and wired up my body really felt. Not to mention the jumble of thoughts tumbling round and around in my head.

The last several months flashed before my eyes. The frustration of trying to cram more into each day than is humanly possible, the rushing from one thing to the next as a result, the inability to achieve balance in my life and letting work take over more and more of my time. Why? I thought I was laid back, I thought my trust was in the Lord and His provision, I thought, I thought, I thought. What a rude awakening to see that what I thought was not fact at all.

If I was really laid back, why was my body all tied up in knots, and if I was trusting in the Lord to provide for all my needs, why was I so fearful that if I didn't work harder and faster, the work would go to someone else? That sounds more like trying to be in control than trusting God and being willing to step outside my comfort zone.

So now I lay it down again, and re-commit my way to the Lord. That means letting Him decide what I need to do, and allowing Him to order my steps and orchestrate my time. He sees the whole picture, and knows what is best. Plus He loves me unconditionally (and you too), and never gives up on us--no matter how many times we fall.

How fitting that I write this as Labor Day draws to a close, harboring the end of one season and the beginning of the next. I feel as though I too am leaving an old way behind and embarking on a new adventure, and I can't wait to see how the next chapter unfolds.

WEDNESDAY ODE TO FITNESS FRIDAY

2009-09-02T13:46:00.001-04:00

Fitness Friday, how I miss you,

And my most encouraging friends.

Though Wii Fit has kept me busy,

Battling pounds never seems to end.

WORTHY TO BE POSTED TWICE

2009-08-24T07:56:00.005-04:00

After I wrote yesterday's post, HOW DO THEY DO IT?,I really did dig up my time management notes and sit down to plan the week ahead, and as I did, a great big lightbulb went off in my head, which led to a post on my other blog, which I am copying here because I really do think it's an insight worthy to be posted twice.

---------------------------------------------

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made."
(Psalm 139:14a)

Did you know that you are a Divine, one of a kind, original, created for a special purpose no one else can fulfill? I lost sight of that for a while, and in my frustration, wrote a post on my other blog which you can read here, if you are interested.

As I wrote, I had a flash of insight. I have been trying to compare apples to oranges. This was confirmed as I sat down to schedule my week in a planner. I really was trying to cram more than what is humanly possible into the 24 hours allotted to me, but because I was comparing my 24 hours to the surgeon's 24 hours and to my daughter's 24 hours, and the 24 hours of my single mom friends who are trying to juggle family and work, I felt I wasn't accomplishing anything.

What a difference a change in perspective can make. I was putting value on what I was getting done by human standards, which are quite different from God's. He did not create me to be a surgeon, or my daughter, or my friends. He created me to be me. If I am faithful to do the things He has called me to do, that is of the greatest value in His sight. That is what will make Him smile and say those glorious words I long to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23)

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

2009-08-23T18:01:00.006-04:00

It's been a long time since I posted on this blog, or have even had a chance to read many of the blogs on my Google Reader. Some people have actually published 20 or 30 posts since that time. How do you do it? I'm amazed.

Now I know we are all allotted the same 24 hours a day, but at the end of mine I don't seem to have accomplished a whole lot. Instead, I feel overwhelmed by all I still have to do and haven't gotten done. What is my problem?

The other day I was at my GYN for a routine visit and she was asking me what I did in the way of exercise. So then I asked her what she did, and she rattled off going to the gym, hiking, playing tennis, biking. And here's a woman who not only spends a full week seeing patients and doing surgery, but who also has a husband and kids to go home to, and an active social life, and I've even bumped into her doing her shopping at Costco. Plus I'm sure she must attend seminars and such to keep updated on all the latest techniques, and who knows what all else. How does she do it?

And take my daughter and friends, some of them single moms, who so adeptly juggle work, homeschooling, serving on committees, preparing meals for the family, chauffeuring the kids to various activities, babysitting grandkids, hosting sleepovers, and still find time to blog, exercise, play games on Facebook, Twitter, read books, go to the movies, and a whole lot more. It exhausts me just to think of the schedules they keep.

So now I have a new goal. After publishing this post and getting caught up on my blog reading, I'm going to look for the notes from the time management seminar I took several years ago, dust it off, and give my planner one last shot. Maybe I'll get it right this time and be able to squeeze a whole lot more into my days too.

RAIN SOUNDS

2009-07-29T20:35:00.001-04:00

This is amazing. (I found it on Annie's blog.) Enjoy!

AN AMAZING WAKE UP CALL

2009-06-29T22:01:00.005-04:00

I was having a hard time getting up this morning, but after falling back asleep twice, the good Lord interceded by having a friend "accidentally" dial my phone number at 6:30 AM.

At first she felt terrible about waking me up, but when I told her I had been unsuccessfully trying to get myself out of bed for the last hour or so, we shared a good, hearty laugh.

The second wake up call came in the afternoon, after I decided to take a short break from the computer and sat down on my bed to read. It wasn't long before I fell into a deep sleep only to be awakened with a start by the loud ringing of the telephone. Was I really awake, I wondered, as I heard a voice telling me I had won a PNC Bank Grocery Giveaway of $365 in Giant gift cards.

Thank you, Lord, for your unexpected blessings, and the ingenious way you provide for my needs. This was truly amazing!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

2009-06-21T17:06:00.003-04:00

When I saw Cate's post today, I remembered having posted something similar over here, so I went back to take a look.

I still wouldn't be able to choose just one phrase, but I've narrowed it down to three.

How did I wind up here
God's agenda proves better than mine
When all else fails, God doesn't

FITNESS FRIDAY: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST

2009-06-12T20:18:00.004-04:00

This week's assignment was to write about our top three (or five) tips for health and fitness. In Brenda's words, "If someone were to remember only these 3 (or 5) things, what would be the most important things for them to know?"

LAUGH: Look for the humor in things and laugh, laugh laugh. God's Word in Proverbs 17:22a tells us that "A merry heart does good, like medicine." Science tells us that a good belly laugh, among other things, massages the internal organs, increases the flow of oxygen, and activates the endorphins (which are the body's natural pain killers). A man by the name of Norman Cousins healed himself of a life threatening disease by watching a steady flow of movies that made him laugh. He wrote about his recovery in a book entitled Anatomy of an Illness.

FORGIVE: Harboring anger, bitterness, and resentments can only hurt you. They poison your system, and have been scientifically proven to be the root of many ailments. Best to follow the exhortation found in Ephesians 4:31-32, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

BE GRATEFUL: Focus on your blessings rather than your disappointments. Look for things to be thankful for. They are all around you if you open your eyes.

STAY ACTIVE: Physical activity makes us strong. Take an example from the past. People walked to where they were going instead of jumping into a car, and physical chores kept them fit without the need for fancy equipment or a membership at the gym.

GET ENOUGH REST: Sleep is really important, because it is while we sleep that the body regenerates itself. We cannot function at our best when we are sleep deprived, and it definitely affects both our physical and emotional health.

Oops. I have used up all my points and still have one thing to add. The importance of putting natural things into our body, like water and unprocessed foods. Learn to read labels and avoid anything that contains ingredients you can't pronounce, or that is processed, loaded with sugar, and/or contains hydrogenated oils.

Now it's not to say that I actually adhere to all these points, but I am trying.

FITNESS FRIDAY: SETTLING IN

2009-06-05T08:57:00.003-04:00

"For it is God who works in you to

will and to act according to his

good purpose." - (Philippians 2:13)

Last week I posted about a very liberating aha moment I had experienced related to this fitness journey we are on, and when I first saw this week's assignment, I was tempted to skip it. After all, what more could I say than what I already had in that last post? However, here I am again.

This week has been pretty uneventful. It's sort of been a time of settling in and becoming more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, rather than trying to do things the way I thought they should be done. Although I didn't start out with any specific goals, I found myself seriously focusing on portion control and drinking more water, and wound up shedding those couple of extra pounds I had gained back the week my walks increased my appetite to ravenous proportions..

I can't wait to see where the path leads next.

FITNESS FRIDAY: JUST A LITTLE THINKING

2009-05-29T13:28:00.012-04:00

"I will give you a new heart and put a

new spirit in you. I will remove from

you your heart of stone and give you

a heart of flesh. And I will put my

Spirit in you and move you to follow

my decrees...and keep my laws."

(Ezekiel 36:26-27)

This week Brenda gave us an open assignment. Since that means we can write about anything, I'm going to share some thoughts--after first praising the Lord once again, for his awesome and unexpected blessing that enabled me to purchase a Wii and a Wii Fit. This is so fun, it will surely keep me moving even on the hottest of days. :-) Now if only I could find something to motivate me to stick to the rest of my goals.

It seems like I've been battling the same old battles week after week, year after year, for almost half a century now, and wondering why it's so hard to break bad habits. Seems like I'm forever setting goals and declaring new beginnings, only to fall short time and time again. I can so relate to what the great apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15--"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." That's me to a tee, and I spent much time this week pondering that very question.

Well, a few days ago I took one of my neighbors to an Alpha course. This week's session was all about the Holy Spirit. Nothing new that I haven't heard or read about before. My mind started to wander a bit, but all of a sudden I was sitting bolt upright in my chair. It was one of those moments when you see something you've seen a zillion times before, but this time it jumps off the page and knocks you right between the eyes.

The Lord brought something to my attention that was so obvious, I couldn't believe it hadn't impacted me before. All along, without realizing it, I have been trying to do what the "Law" proved it was impossible for us to do. I have been trying to transform myself, when the Holy Spirit is the only one who can set me free from my various bondages. Hello!!!

The whole purpose of the law was to show us our need for grace. Nobody was able to keep all the commandments, ever. The old covenant was constantly being broken. However, God promised that one day He would make a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33) and the law would become something inside of us instead of an external thing. Instead of all those rules weighing us down from the outside like a heavy sack of potatoes, we would be energized by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

The moment we come to the foot of the Cross and receive the gift Christ offers us, we receive complete forgiveness of our sins. The barrier between us and God is removed, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, and begin His work of transforming us from the inside out. This takes time. Only rarely does it happen overnight.

Sorry if I've gone off on a tangent here, but it's been an incredible experience to have the light turned on and to finally realize (in my heart rather than my head) that all I have to do is turn everything over to the Holy Spirit and let Him take the lead. Not only is transformation his responsibility, God (through His Spirit) "who works in [me] to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). What ever success I have is a result of His grace and His grace alone.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU LORD

2009-05-17T00:42:00.001-04:00

For several months now I have been dreaming of some day owning a Wii. However, given my downward spiraling financial situation, that hardly seemed like a realistic dream. So imagine my surprise when a certified letter was delivered to my door, and inside the letter was an unexpected check for unpaid royalties long written off, that not only enabled me to catch up on the bills and pay off my overdraft protection loan, but there was even enough left to purchase a Wii and a Wii Fit. How awesome is that?

I have had many incredible experiences of the Lord coming through for me at the 11th hour to meet a pressing need, and I've always been very, very grateful, but what manages to really melt my heart and humble me, is when He chooses to indulge me with a totally unnecessary want.

To add a little extra icing to an already perfect cake, my bloggie friend and sister in the Lord, Valerie Lynn, sent me another beautiful award. Thank you, Valerie, for making the day complete.

FITNESS FRIDAY: THE SERIOUS SIDE

2009-05-14T21:37:00.010-04:00

This week's assignment was to talk about the other motivators for our fitness goals, other than just wanting to look better. Brenda wants to know what we are up against in terms of actual health issues, or potential genetic ones. Mine are high blood pressure, cholesterol, and osteoporosis.

Eating the right foods, taking the right supplements, and getting enough exercise are vital to my keeping them under control without having to resort to prescription drugs, and for the most part, I do eat pretty healthy. It's the portion control that trips me up and keeps the scale from budging. On the positive though, not budging means that the numbers are not going up either, so that's a good thing.

As far as my week's goal to walk instead of drive to wherever I needed to go in town, I am happy to announce that I did meet it. and what a great feeling that was. The only day I took the car locally, was to do my grocery shopping. The weather has been so gorgeous, those walks were real mood boosters. My only challenge has been that all that fresh air really revved up my appetite too. LOL.

FITNESS FRIDAY: HMMM

2009-05-08T08:55:00.012-04:00

Brenda gave us two questions to answer for our assignment this week.

1. Tell us how you sneak exercise in when you can't "get to they gym" or "the treadmill is broken" or whatever. What do you do at work/around the house/etc. to move more?

and

2. Let us know how your week went. Let us know your goals for next week. Not your long-term goals, just your goals for next week.

In response to question 1, I can think of many ways to move more, but in all honesty, I haven't been putting them into practice. Like the town I live in is so small that just about everything is within walking distance, and when I first moved here I would use my feet instead of my car to run errands. Now it seems I'm always in too big of a rush. And as for how I sneak in exercise, that's a big hmmm. Does doing the 10 minute Walk at Home routine on my WW DVD instead of one of the longer ones count?

In answer to question 2, I'll have to say that my week started out great, but things soon fizzled out. You see, I was so psyched up after taking you on my virtual tour last week I was raring to go. However, after one good walk along the path, it started to rain and rain and rain, and it's still raining, even as I write, and sadly, I allowed that rain to put the kebosh on my plans when it didn't really have to.

So next week, weather permitting, my goal is to walk instead of drive to wherever I need to go in town. I have already ordered a bunch of books on tape from the library to keep me motivated. And in case it continues to rain, Plan B is to do the 30 or 45 minute exercise routines instead of the 10 minute ones.

LOVELY BLOG AWARD

2009-05-07T18:06:00.019-04:00

Isn't this a beautiful award? It was given to me by "Together We Save." Thank you so much, TWS. It is truly lovely.

Since this is an award for newly discovered blogs, I would like to pass it on to the following bloggers I've recently met, whose blogs entice me to keep coming back for another visit.

Lisa at A Place to Land

Antique Mommy

April's Mom at Little April Rose

Veronica Lee at OF MICE AND RAMEN

Michelle at Scribbit

You are all very special, and I hope you enjoy the award.

FITNESS FRIDAY: VIRTUAL TOUR

2009-04-30T19:03:00.017-04:00

This week Brenda asked us to "Pick an area of your home or life related to your fitness goals and give us a tour. Let us know what's working for you in this space and what's not working. What dreams do you have for this area of your life?"

I picked my work areas for the tour. I have an outdoor area and an indoor area, and since it's such a beautiful day today, let's start outdoors.

There's a little path leading directly from the parking lot to the bike trail, so we won't have any traffic to contend with, or anything like that. And as you can see from the picture, the path is quite lovely, so I am without excuse for not using it more consistently.

When I first moved here I would walk about two miles on it at least four or five times a week, listening to books on tape as I walked, which was a double blessing because I've always loved to read, but rarely have time to sit down with a book. This week I started walking again, and am hoping to keep it up from here on out.

Let's go inside now to my indoor fitness area, which is the carpet in front of my TV. If you want to see what the actual room looks like, just pop over to my Clean Home Carnival post where I gave it a bit of a makeover..

The picture on the left shows my videos and "equipment," as well as the door of my clothes closet. Nothing very fancy, as you can see. I use that door to do wall push-ups against. I try to do 100 wall push-ups three times a week, and lately I have been pretty consistent about that.

I also use the door to do resistance exercises, using a piece of tubing (that green thing you see dangling there in the top left corner of the picture). I close the door on it to hold it in place, and then I can do things like rowing or arm extensions (as in the picture to your left).

The white pole is actually a plastic broom handle that I use to do stretches that strengthen my shoulder and upper back muscles, as in the picture to your right. (That's not me in the picture though. LOL)

My main indoor workout consists of a routine from either the Sweatin' to the Oldies exercise video which, by the way, really does make me sweat, or from one of the DVDs, and I try to alternate between them for variety. Sad to say, this is another area where I have become totally inconsistent.

My goal is to do one of these workouts at least three times a week. This week I picked the Weight Watchers Walk at Home DVD, and so far so good.

If money were no object, I would love to have a Wii. That may not be my greatest need these days, but it is still at the top of my wish list. I would love to have a Wii with Wii Sports and Wii Fit.

My dream is be to be so commited to regular exercise that it becomes second nature, and as a result, I am fit, trim, full of energy, and look good in my clothes.

P.S. Hope you have enjoyed my tour, and if you're having trouble seeing the details in any of the pictures, just double click on them and they will be enlarged.

ISN'T SPRING LOVELY?

2009-04-27T12:44:00.030-04:00

"For since the creation of the
world His invisible attributes
are clearly seen, being
understood by the things
that are made..."
(Romans 1:20)

AWESOMENESS

2009-04-24T20:09:00.000-04:00

This is a P.S. to yesterday's Fitness Friday post. I was so down in the doldrums that I totally misunderstood the assignment, which was supposed to be to post something on what awesomeness makes us think of. So here, in no particular order, is my list as I see it today.

Awesomeness is knowing that each day can be a new beginning, and that I woke up feeling I really had been ejected out of that groove I wrote about being stuck in.

Awesomeness was waking up at 5:30 this morning, raring to go, even though I had only gotten about four hours sleep last night.

Awesomeness was a day of normal sized portions of healthy foods, and nothing sugary except for a handful of jelly beans. (And that was the last of them, so they won't be a temptation anymore.)

Awesomeness was taking a walk on our beautiful bike path for the first time in ages, and actually working up a sweat because of all the water I've been drinking.

Awesomeness has been meeting all of you in our Fitness Friday group, and knowing we're traveling this path together.

Awesomeness is knowing that there are not one, but two groups providing encouragement along the way. My FF buddies in this physical realm, and the large crowd of witnesses in the heavenly realm cheering me on as they watch me run my race (Hebrews 12:102).

Awesomeness is knowing I am a child of the Living God, a divine original, created for a special purpose that no one else can fulfill (Ephesians 2:10)

Awesomeness is knowing that the Creator of the universe has my name engraved on the palm of His hand, saves my tears in a vial, and rejoices over me with singing (Isaiah 49:16, Psalm 56:8, Zephaniah 3:17)

Awesomeness is knowing that I am loved unconditionally by my Heavenly Father, and that He never gives up on me. His mercies are new every morning, and great is His fathfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Oh my word, I'm on a roll and could go on and on, but this seems like a good place to stop.

Since I already posted my original assignment early this morning, I'm not expecting anyone to go back and read this afterthought, but it sure felt AWESOME being able to write it.

ACCOUNTABILITY

2009-04-23T23:26:00.007-04:00

"Two are better than one, Because they have a

good reward for their labor. For if they fall,

one will lift up his companion. But woe to

him who is alone when he falls. For he has

no one to help him up." - (Ecc. 4:9-10)

This week Brenda asked us to pick a theme for our post. I picked accountability, because last week Luanne of I'm hungry for something left me a comment suggesting we hold each other accountable, and I took her up on it, and that's what kept me from throwing in the towel.

Each time I wanted to give up, I thought of Luanne and drank some more water, or did a little exercise. Not a whole lot, but just enough to be able to say I did some. And I went to her blog and read some of her posts, which are full of wonderful insights. She is one very inspiring young lady.

Anyway, Brenda, for sure I was not one of those folks you "knew" were doing AWESOME this week. Quite the contrary. It has been a week of one frustration after another, and feeling totally out of control. And yet I know that's not really an excuse. We always manage to find time for the things we really want to do, and so whether I like it or not, I must admit I've been saying yes to the wrong things.

What makes the whole experience even more frustrating is the realization that I wrote a similar post weeks ago when I first joined FF, and here I am like a broken record, spinning round and round with the needle stuck in the same groove. What is wrong with me? How am I going to get out of this rut?

Tomorrow is a new day, and for the bazillioneth time I'm going to pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again. Dear Lord, please show me how to make it work this time. Please let today be the last time around that same track.

FAMILY REUNION

2009-04-20T16:59:00.005-04:00

About a year or so ago I wrote a post about reconnecting with the past. I wrote about how a chance Google search led me to a book that led me to it's author who led me to a cousin I had never met and who was living on the other side of the world. We connected via e-mail, and did a lot of catching up over the Internet. But the best was yet to come.

My cousin decided to take a trip across the ocean, and her last stop before flying home was in a town that just happened to be near my son. So not only did we get to meet face to face, but she also got to meet my children, most of my grandhcildren, and even one of the great-grands. It was a touching reunion, and I hope she flies home feeling the warmth of family, after so many years of being alone.

A SUPRISE GIFT

2009-04-20T15:25:00.007-04:00

Thank you, Mimi, for these wonderful cards I found in my mailbox today. They are so pretty, I'm almost tempted to frame and keep them instead of giving them away. What a talented lady you are.

P.S. For those of you who are wondering what this is all about, you can check out Mimi's Just Some Smiles post on her Screaming Mimi blog. I was one of the lucky recipients of her generous offer.

GET OUT THE KLEENEX

2009-04-19T19:47:00.010-04:00

Over the weekend I got to see a YouTube video clip of Susan Boyle, an unemployed, middle-aged Scottish lady, singing "I've Got a Dream" on the Britain's Got Talent show. People were discounting her before she even got started. You could see it in their faces, judges and audience alike. But when she opened her mouth, oh my word! Talk about emotional, inspirational, uplifting, and lessons to be learned. Don't judge a book by it's cover, and it's never too late for a dream to come true.

I so wanted to embed the clip in this post, but Youtube has disabled the embed feature. Not to worry, though. You can view it by clicking on this link. Enjoy!

BACK AGAIN

2009-04-16T19:21:00.000-04:00

After taking a break for a while, Fitness Friday is starting up again. Brenda has asked us to introduce ourselves for the benefit of new folks, and to briefly state why we are joining/rejoining.

I am Great-Granny Grandma (a.k.a. Sandy), and as you can probably tell by my name, the most senior member of the group.

As for why I'm rejoining, to say my pants won't zip up would be an understatement. Even though by some unexplainable miracle of mercy and grace I have not gained any pounds since my last post, there is such a large V, it would be impossible to even try to bridge that gap. All I can fit into at this point are my sweats, and a new pair of black pants I broke down and bought to wear to church on Easter Sunday. I know, I know, I know, I can't keep doing what I'm doing and still expect to lose inches or weight.

I'm still allowing myself to be mastered by my flesh instead of the other way around. I know what I need to be doing/not doing but I'm not being consistent. Dear Lord, please help me to have the willingness, commitment, and discipline to fight this battle head on instead of always finding excuses--especially when it comes to exercise. My spirit is so willing, but my flesh is weak. Please help me remember that my body is the temple of your Holy Spirit, and for me to not care for it as I ought is like the sin of rebelliousness.

And now to answer Brenda's last question--"Rank the following in importance to you"--these are my priorities:

Exercise, exercise, exercise. There is a bike trail/walking path right outside my door. It is spring, the weather is perfect, and the colors on the shrubs and trees are magnificent. And if the weather is bad, I have a variety of in-home exercise videos I can choose from. So I am totally without excuse.

Amend my diet by including less cookies and frozen yogurt, and more water. And no more seconds or thirds.

Look better, feel better, and be able to fit into my clothes. All of them!

UBER AMAZING BLOG AWARD

2009-04-09T18:14:00.006-04:00

When I posted about receiving this award, I was so tired I didn't think to pass it on. But now that I've had a couple of good nights sleep, and my brain is functioning once again, I would like to present it to Kim of KIMISTRY 101.

The Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is an award given to sites that inspire you, make you smile or laugh, provide interesting information, are a great read, have an amazing design, and/or any other reasons you can think of that makes them UBER amazing!

I am awarding it to you, Kim, because I just love what you have done with your blog. It is so colorful and creative. Not only that, but it has exposed me to all kinds of fascinating tidbits of information. My visits are always interesting.

AN ENCOURAGING FRIEND

2009-04-07T20:43:00.010-04:00

Last week I was feeling really stressed out, and I don't know if it was the sleep deprivation or what, but I found myself questioning, among other things, why I bother to blog. I wondered whether it was all about ego, or whether what I share does make a difference to anyone. And then, as if in answer to my thoughts, bloggie friend Valerie Lynn sent me this lovely Uber Amazing Blog Award.

Thank you so much, Valerie, for encouraging me to keep on keeping on.

CLEAN HOME CARNIVAL

2009-04-01T19:01:00.001-04:00

Several weeks ago, JulieMom invited us to a Clean Home Carnival. She challenged us to start getting our houses in order by picking one or more rooms or spaces to clean and organize, and then come back on April 1st with before and after pictures to show what we had done.

Well I had all kinds of great plans for what I would accomnplish for this great Show and Tell, but alas, I got bogged down with work (the kind that pays the bills) and was only able to focus on one room--my bedroom/office.

This room doesn't have a real partition in it, but I have accomplished that in a virtual sort of way by having the bedroom part face one wall, and the office part face another. Here are the "before" pictures of each half.

As you can see, lots of clutter. Stuff all over my bed and the floor, under the credenza, and stacked all over the top of it. And my computer desk so full of paper, it was a frustrating eyesore.

The first thing I did was wash the windows and curtains, and vacuum the blinds. Then I decided to focus on the bedroom half of the room. What to do with all these piles of stuff. Bills that needed to be paid, things that needed to be filed, magazines I had started reading, projects I was in the middle of, books and videos I had borrowed from the library, all haphazardly scattered everywhere you looked. So off I went to Costco, to scrounge up some sturdy boxes of varying sizes that could be hidden under my bed, or neatly placed in my giant walk-in closet.

My next step was to sort everything into organized piles, and put each category in a separate box. Now nothing is mixed up anymore, and I can instantly locate what I'm looking for without creating an even bigger mess trying to find it. And, I can also work on one project at a time without creating any more clutter in the process. Oh, and I almost forgot. While I was working on the bedroom cleanup, I ordered myself a new bedspread and pillow shams for a bit of a new look. It arrived just in time to be included in the "after" pictures.

Now that I could actually see my floor again, and the top of the credenza was no longer piled high, I was able to do a thorough dust and vacuum job, including underneath the bed. And in the dusting process, instead of just dumping all the papers on my computer desk someplace else and back again, I took time to put them into the binder and folders they should have been in, in the first place. Such a simple thing, and yet such a huge time saver when I'm trying to put my finger on something I need fast.

The finished product? Voila!

Thank you, JulieMom, for sparking the fire.

TWO MORE AWARDS

2009-03-28T00:08:00.004-04:00

Thank you, Valerie Lynn, for surprising me with these two awards. And what I especially love about them is that they are freely given with no strings attached. I don't have to tag anyone, and I can just give them out if and because I want to.

The first one is the Kreativ Blogger Award, and in no particular order, I'm awarding it to:

Renee at Circling My Head - You come up with such wonderful art for your posts, and I love your Wednesday's Women feature.

Marie at A Year from Oak Cottage - you probably already have this award, but I want you to have it from me too, for your whimsical paintings, and your photos, and the great recipes on your blog.

Sandra at Full Bellies, Happy Kids - You've done a really great job with your recipe blog, and your recipes are just too yummy. The sight of them always makes my mouth water.

Julie at My Life as JulieMom - What an imagination you've been gifted with. I get such a kick out of your Royal Family, and how you think up the things for like your Fitness Friday: Life of Ease Edition post.

Peggy at peggy apl SEEDS - thank you for introducing me to ATCs. Some day when I can slow down and find time for hobbies once again, I know I'm going to have great fun with these, and maybe even get to share that fun with my grandkids too.

Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses - The beautiful colors and arrangements in your posts are such a feast for the eyes. I'm always looking forward to what you'll have for us next.

Kim at Kimistry 101 - I love how you used your name in the design of your blog, and have learned some very interesting things since I found you.

Brenda at The Family Revised - I've learned some very interesting things from your blog too, and you are another creative one. Just loved that post about Moving Day.

And now for award number two. This is the Bear Hug Award, and I'm awarding it to anyone who is in need of a hug. But in particular, I'm awarding it to Renee at Circling My Head , because it's her birthday today. So, Happy Birthday Renee. Hope you have a very special day!