My Feelings

Do you ever feel like this?
Tired & worn out.
Just blah feeling.
I didn't find the joy I used to have in sewing, crocheting, blogging, etc.
I called my daughters and told them that I was
 even thinking of changing my toe nail polish color!!!
They knew then there was a problem. (smile)
I told "sweet hunter" that I was thinking of getting a dog!
I figured he would say no but he said to do whatever I wanted.
I didn't understand my feelings because I am so blessed.
I have a wonderful husband. Great children. Great Grands. Lots of friends.
But I could not shake that feeling which is so unlike me.

I would have been happy to feel like this plant looks.
But I didn't.
One morning I was home all by myself.
I decided to make some cookies.
I love to cook but didn't even have that desire but did it anyway.
Then I checked my facebook and one of my favorite Christian Women sites
posted this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy68YXttAvw
She said as she was on her treadmill that she was listening to this
so as I baked my cookies I turned this up and realized that
the Lord was talking to me.  This youtube is about 36 min. long and most
of you probably won't listen but it was so worth me slowing down to hear
this message.
When you have time, listen to this message.
You will be paid for your time especially if you feel like that first picture.

After listening to this message I realized that my problem was that I am not in the word
like I should be.  I am not on my knees as much as I could be. I was actually not suppose to
be home that morning but my plans were changed.  I didn't like my plans being changed for me
that morning but now I realize that I needed to spend some quiet time with the Lord.
I needed to BE STILL AND KNOW.

Me & the Lord spent some quiet time together in my home.
Just me & him.
I guess you could say it was a pity party but it was real to me.
Since I have seen where I can move up, I realize that I need to stay in the word
and stay in prayer. It really does make a difference.
I think sometimes we just take things for granted.

Then this little miracle was born a week early.

Oh how blessed we are.

This is our 5th grandchild.

What a gift to our family.

The gift of life.

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

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR .....changed plans.

There is a reason for everything. Little did I know when "my" plans changed

that "HE" had "HIS" own plans for me. And how did I know that a Christian woman named Courtney that

I admire would tell on facebook that while riding her treadmill she listened to this.

And little did I know, that I would take the time to listen to it. It even started out slow and I didn't

think I would like it but it was just for me.

"HE" had made those plans for me.

DO YOU EVER HAVE THOSE DAYS?

'Till The Storm Passes By

We have had a week of sunshine & fun with our family on vacation this week.

It didn't even rain until yesterday.

We were sitting at the beach and the sun was shining so brightly but off in the far distance

you could see a storm brewing.

I heard some say that it would pass over but then it got so dark and the wind started blowing.
Everyone started leaving the beach as the rains started to come in.

As I watched the storm come in and it started raining and we were all headed to the condo, I was thinking to myself that this is just like life. The sun is shining and we are so happy and everything seems to be going our way and then with the blink of an eye it can change.

The storms start brewing and a trial comes our way. We have to find shelter from the storm and then after a while it is over.
Then the sun is shining again and the skies are blue. Life is good. We always have shelter from the storm. The rains came, the winds blew but we made it through. I am so thankful that we have a shelter from the storms that come our way.

I love to have theses little messages from the Lord. I am so glad that I know HIM.


Joy always comes in the morning.
This posts is dedicated to anyone who may be going through a trial.

Special Note To Our Daughters:

Shannon (& Bryan): Thank you for a wonderful vacation! You all made it so special for us. We loved it.

Maranda: Thank you for the groceries & for the clean house that was waiting for us. What a nice gift! You are an angel.

Mandy: Thanks for meeting us for supper as we drove in so we could see you & "Little D"! He is a doll & you are such a good Mommy. It meant the world to us. We are so proud of you.

Bittersweet Estate Sale

I had to buy this because my best friend & I have a thing about swings!

As I was on my way to pick up the grandchildren from school this afternoon I saw an ESTATE SALE sign. For some reason my car just takes over driving when it sees one of those signs and I have no control over it. I had a little time before school was out so here I went. As I was following the signs, I realized that this was a familiar area. I turned left and saw all the cars and realized that this was someone's house that I knew. I didn't realize that she had passed away. I actually used to clean her house to make some extra money. She was a precious lady and was so good to me. I have many flowers & ivy in my yard that she has given me. My heart was beating fast and I wondered if I should even go in. She was a very classy woman and loved playing bridge and golfing. She had a lot of antiques that I loved. She had told me the story behind many of her things. When I walked in the front door there was a crowd of people with lots of her precious things in their hands. My heart hurt as I heard them talking about the all of the "junk." I knew that these were treasures, not junk. I can't describe how I felt as I looked around at all the stuff just pulled out of drawers for everyone to see. Her clothes were still hanging in the closets and the doors were open as if to invite everyone into her personal space. All of the bathroom items were took and placed in boxes and priced. Her soap was still in the soap dish. I saw many things that I recognized. I used to dust them. It was the weirdest feeling. And then I saw something that I knew she loved and saw that it said not for sale. It was an antique wooden high chair. I was very happy to see that someone treasured that enough not to sell it. It made me feel better. I didn't think I would be able to purchase anything and then I realized that she would probably be happy if I had something of hers. I felt as though I was saving these things from strangers. I just can't describe what I felt. I have been to many estate sales and felt sad, but knowing the person is a totally different thing. It made me think about our "stuff." "Stuff" is all it is when we are gone. As I started looking around, I found some things that I wanted and I purchased them in honor of my friend. They are treasures to me and I will always think of her when I use them. It might be "junk" to some, but not to me.

Her Handmade apron

Her vaccuum cleaner that I have actually used in her home!

Rotary Dial Phone
This is my favorite thing of all and it works!!!!

My "sweet daughter & grandaughter" checking out my phone!

Another one of her aprons.
I remember her wearing this at Christmas.

How did she know that I have been needing this?

Some serving bowls that they had priced for 50 cents each.

I just couldn't pass them up.

I came home and told my "sweet honey" how I was feeling. He told me that our treasures would be junk to someone else when we are gone. It really made me stop and think. When we buy something we really need to LOVE & ENJOY it because you never know who might end up with your treasures. And then I stopped and realized that our "stuff" is not our real "treasure".

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

HOME

I have received 3 special emails today and each woman has mentioned to me about their home and how much it means to them. It has really got me to thinking about what my home means to me. Home can be anywhere. We have all heard that saying that "Home is where the heart is" and that is so true. It doesn't matter where you live or what you live in. It doesn't matter if you own or rent. It doesn't matter if you work inside or outside the home. Home is where the heart is. You make it whatever you want it to be. I don't have a job that brings a paycheck in and that is our choice. My husband loves for me to be at home. He loves to come home to a home cooked meal and a clean house. I do have my hands in a lot of things, but my favorite times are when I can be at home. Since I have been blogging I have learned so much from other women. I have been encouraged to start sewing again and many other things. I help my husband a lot doing things that he doesn't have the time to do. I help my children by keeping my grandchildren a lot. I am never bored. There is always something to do. I am a very hard working person but yet I don't get a paycheck. My paycheck comes in many different forms. My paycheck is Peace, a simple hug, spending time with my mother, a compliment, cuddling, rocking a baby, grandchildren, being in love, planting a garden, freezing & canning, fishing with my husband, a visit with my granny, burning trash, my "me" time, a phone call from my husband for no reason, sewing, crocheting, a clothesline, the love of a best friend, a warm fire, a grown child asking my advice & taking it, homemade soup on the stove, a smile, blogging friends, sisters, children, the smell of clean sheets, time, my husband opening doors for me, the little things, birds singing, rain, sunshine, kneeling at my bedside, my church, mowing the yard, doing nothing "together", sitting on my porch, taking a long hot bath,cleaning my house in my pajama's, weekends, a honeymoon when you have been married for 30 years, my family and so much more. Home is PEACE to me. Home is HOPE. Home is LOVE. A house is not a home. I have told my husband many times that it doesn't matter where we live, we can make it a home because we have each other. We are blessed. Home is what we make it. I have actually had people put me down because my job is at home. I have been told that I am sheltered & innocent. Maybe I am to a certain extent. I don't know. I hope so. I treasure every minute that I am home. It is a gift. Whether you work outside your home or not, you still have the gift just as I do. I guess that is where the part about "The Heart" comes in. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (My Favorite scripture)

10. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.