::oh boy::

To start off this post, I must say that Christmas was wonderful.  It was very low-key but it was good.  To start on Christmas Eve, we went downtown for dinner.  Then Christmas morning, I sleeeeeeeeept iiiiiiiiiiiiiin.  We are not an "early bird" family but we also don't sleep in much.  I was pleasantly surprised that no one had woke me up by 9:45am.  So I was the last one up.  We had devotions together, ate breakfast, opened our gifts, and got ready to go see my little Granny.  By this time, it was after 1pm.  We spent time there, had dinner at 4:30 and then just chilled.  It was great.

Yesterday, was my first day off in I-can't-remember-when.  If I'm not cleaning in the morning, I still have my nanny job. Well, I didn't have to work at all yesterday.  So I decided to finish making a second pillow to match the one I already had.  Well, a very, very long story made so very, very short is that I got a new sewing machine yesterday.  I used my Christmas money and an early birthday present from my parents.  [Very early.....squeak....we're weird like that!]

I didn't know a sewing machine could be so a-mazing.  As I left the quaint, little shop, the proprietor said, "Happy Sewing!"  I didn't know that was possible!  So I am thanking the Lord for His direction yesterday and praying for new opportunities to open!

::the whole she-bang::

 ::buttons::

 ::more buttons::

Happy Tuesday!

::Merry Christmas::

::can I really believe it::

This little "work-cation" happened so quickly for me there was little time for anticipation. Literally, Wednesday night at rehearsal practice for the Christmas concert this Tuesday, I was making a list of people to contact in regards to changing my schedule and filling a list of things to do. I am a list-maker. It suites my A-type personality well.



The weather people have been calling for snow for over a week now and we've only been rewarded with a dusting. Today, it sounds like it has been a blizzard and the public school kids have a two-hour delay [at present] for Monday morning school. Maybe it will turn into a snow day on Monday.



I just want to LAND in Chicago on Tuesday and get to WORK Tuesday afternoon. I'm a bit sad that I am missing the snow delay with Mr. Max and Miss Rachel tomorrow. Oh well, I'll have to hope for another snow day before the winter season is gone.



So to prove that this has been a "work-cation", here's a list:

--house cleaned from top to bottom

--except for the windows [hopefully Monday...]

--grocery shopping

--two different types of cookies made

--a 30 minute workout

--a book read cover to cover in one day [hasn't happened in a while]

--chiropractor visit tomorrow for my dear, aching Opa

AND

--maybe I'll get the car cleaned [bonus points]



I'll be back in the snowy Midwest Tuesday, Lord willing...

Rebecca

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

::blogging from the tarmac::

Yes, I am in Florida. It happened this quick.

With a Boom! and a Snap!

I had tickets to use up but they were going to cost an extreme amount to switch so my Dad got me free tickets with his frequent flier miles. It cost $5 and $25 for my checked bag. Not bad.

This is really a working vacation. I'm here to help my grandparents get settled for their 3 week stay down here between my grandma's radiation and chemo treatments.

Well, once I get off this plane and away from the OBNOXIOUS, gum-chewing 10 year old sitting next to me, this will be a fantastic Friday morning.

Later peeps,
Rebecca
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

::maybe you have already seen this online::

I just had to post this. I am so hoping this happens downtown Chicago somewhere and that I am present. Large, random singing groups in public places is becoming quite the popular thing to do. Did get the chills watching this? Oh my goodnes...I did!! Last year at our church's Christmas concert, the orchestra director gave the story behind the "Hallelujah Chorus" and the tradition that people stand for the singing of the song. The congregation stood while we played. It was amazing. Anyways, I just had to share this video with you this morning. I hope it makes your morning great!



PS...you'll notice that the people involved are wearing buttons.

::it is coming::

{sing-song-y-voice}

It's going to snow.

{When I say sing-song-y voice, I have in my mind a particular radio show host who imitates Oprah and her sing-song-y voice.}

If the snow is particularly catastrophic, I'll post pictures.

yeessssssssssss..........

::growing::

I've read two posts already tonight about blogging that hurts.  Being truthful and being real.

So to begin I want to say that I am not currently discouraged or melancholy but this is what has been on my heart for a few days.  It's intensifying and I know the Heavenly Father is working on me.

I feel tugged in so many different directions: God, family, work, church/ministries, cello.  Obviously, as a single girl, God is my main focus [I Corinthians 7:34].  Family is a very all-encompassing word.  It includes my responsibilities as a daughter, sister, and granddaughter.  Work sweeps through several spheres: being a nanny, cleaning houses, and my online shop + time to grow the shop [i.e. blogging and growing my crafting and sewing skills]. Church ministries include: the bus route [decorating, visuals, games], Junior church [different responsibilities from week to week], Master's Club [bulletin boards, lesson], and extra [flowers--helping a sweet saint maintain the flowers around the church property].  Cello--what can I say.  I love playing so much but how can I grow as a cellist if I don't practice daily?

I'm not writing this post to garner sympathy, I'm just being honest.  Of course, I realize that my "busy" is different than that of a student [thank goodness] or a mother.  But what do I put in order for my day?  Besides my personal time with the Heavenly Father, everything else seems to be on a level playing field.  I obviously have to work but if my needs are provided for [Philippians 4:19] then I can spend time doing work for the Lord [read I Corinthians 7:34 again].  But I don't want to live at home forever so obviously growing my online business and crafting skills is needful.

Rachel wrote a great post on what she does in Africa.  She said something that made me nod my head in agreement:

First, let me say that I am NOT at home just sitting around. There are a lot of negative connotation that can come with the term stay-at-home-daughter. Whatever your view on that (that is another whole post right there!), I can guarantee that I am not a stay-at-home-daughter that is just twiddling her thumbs waiting for the closest thing to a Prince Charming to come.

I'm not either.  Just because I don't have a regular 9 to 5'er job doesn't mean that I'm painting my nails and primping my hair twice a day.  Far from it!!

I am so thankful for this time of growth.  I just know that when my head hits the pillow at night and I review my day, I often ask the Lord for forgiveness in not managing my time properly [bang head against my pillow].  I resolve to do better the next day.  I awake and commit the day to Him but I am not perfect so of course I fail.

So, I chuckle to myself and thank the Heavenly Father for a reminder that my day is His and not mine.  I will strive to do my best and see each interruption, delay, and inconvenience as an appointment from Him.  I will seek His will and not my own.  I will follow the Holy Spirit as He leads me through my day.  I can obey.  Obedience to Him will lead me properly through my day and I will grow.  The Heavenly Father wants me to grow.  He wants me to be perfect.

endless gifts {401}

This week, I am thankful for people. I will not list them all by name because I know there are a lot of people who know me IRL [in real life] and go to my church at the same time. I don't want to embarrass anyone or offend anyone by leaving them out. But there are so many people that have made a difference in my life. They may not even know it. But they matter to me. God has used them to bless me, encourage me, and help me develop into a stronger Christian.

The Heavenly Father knows who they are because I thank Him for them.

So #401 in my endless gifts list is an all-encompassing one -- PEOPLE.

The greatest feats of love are performed by those who have had much practice in performing daily acts of kindness. -Anonymous-

::I need one of those arm-band thingies::

Tonight, while running on the treadmill.

Wait.  Get back here.  Yes, you are reading Rebecca' blog.

Ok.

Tonight, while running on the treadmill, my ipod fell of it's perch and got pulled underneath the track.  I thought all was doomed but I was able to recover it without anyone's help.

So I am on night #2 [in a row] of running.

One of my things to do before I turn 30 is to run a half-marathon and there is no time like the present to become accustomed to running.

I have this strange abhorrence [yet infatuation] with running.  I grew up running, practicing all summer for our school's annual Cross Country.  When I crossed the great divide into 7th grade, I was assigned to one of the intramural girls' teams at my school.  It was the Panthers.  A few of my fellow Panthers read here [hello Andrea, Sharon, and Hannah....and maybe my coach, too???]

So I don't know what their remembrance of me and running is but I will tell you what my remembrance is.  I disliked it.  Christians aren't supposed to hate so I can't say that I hate running.  But I disliked it.  Greatly.  I love being active.  I love playing volleyball.  But I just disliked running.

Well, my sophomore year of college, I had decided that the PE workouts took too long if I wanted to walk for my workouts so I decided to run.  I actually experienced what people call the "runners high."  I truthfully did.  But that didn't last much longer than my sophomore year and I can't even guarantee that I ran my entire sophomore year.

However.  Running a half marathon sounds like a great challenge for me.  I would love to run on a regular basis but have never gotten up the effort to do it on my own.  Hopefully, typing this out will give me the motivation to continue to run knowing that all of you are reading this. 

I think it would be best to run a 5k and then a 10k [one or both, it doesn't matter] before attempting the half-marathon.  I don't even have any races picked out yet.  I'm just running for the present time.

Running.  I'm still trying to convince myself that I'm actually doing this!

::happy Thanksgiving::

happy

happy

happy

happy

happy

THANKSGIVING!

i am beyond excited...we are going up to my grandparents' house in michigan for a short overnight trip.

we will also get to see my aunt and cousin.


we will be eating in a restaurant on Thanksgiving Day.


a FIRST for our family EVER.


i'm not excited JUST to eat in a restaurant.


just thrilled to see extended family.

endless gifts {396-400}

Here I am barely squeaking in my Multitude Monday post.

I am keeping it simple and sweet this week.

I am so thankful for all of the people the Lord has put in my path and allowed me the opportunity to work for these families.

396. the Cohen family [nanny to the children--love, love, love this family]
397. Rusty [cute, sweet, old lady with the most adorable teeny little house]
398. Dana [sweetness]
399. Judy [hilarious; owner of a floral shop in town]
400. Kathy [daughter to the above-mentioned lady; funny]

I am so very blessed.

::six on Saturday::

To carry you over until Monday, I will highlight six things I did today [Saturday].

1. made cute pilgrim hat cookies [idea from here] for Junior Church
2. made peanut butter cookies [remember this post?] for our bus's Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow
3. went around all day without make-up [hello, crummy bummy]
4. made my first fabric rosette
5. had my third peppermint mocha of the season [s-p-l-u-r-g-e]
6. listened to Christmas music [I'm an early bird]

Until Monday, folks, have a very blessed Sunday!

::magical::

I don't post very many recipes on my blog because I do not consider myself an expert.  I love to cook and bake, though.  Last night, I made this batch of peanut butter cookies from one of Paula Deen's cookbooks.  It is truly magical because it is so easy and delicious!

Magical Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a large baking sheet.  Combine all four ingredients and stir well with a spoon.  Roll the dough into balls the size of walnuts.  Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.  With a fork, press a crisscross design on each cookie.  Bake for 12 minutes, remove from the oven, and sprinkle the cookies with sugar.  Cool slightly before removing from pan.

Easy.  Easy.  Easy.

Next time, I will press Hershey Kisses into the top.  Peanut butter + chocolate = my favorite!

::link love::

So this is for someone who reads my blog very faithfully [you know who you are!].

Link love to some of my favorite fabric designers!

#1 favorite...Anna Maria Horner:

You can find her blog here.

Her website is here where you can find her fabric.

#2...Amy Butler

Her website is here.

#3...Heather Bailey [recently found her products]

Website is here.

endless gifts {386-395}

386. stellar parents
387. my grandma came through surgery successfully
388. my Mom's health [The older I get, the more I am thankful for my Mom's health. She is going in for a routine check up today. This December 7th will be 12 years since she was initially diagnosed with AML. She told me today that she never thought she would live this long. Wow. God is so good!]
389. forgiveness
390. encouragement from others
391. music that lifts my soul
392. Sunday school
393. the people I work with in my ministries
394. the Holy Spirit and His working in my life
395. the family I work for

Post-edit:

I must add...
396. Andrea
and
397. Sharon

A personal side-note. These two ladies are incredible. I grew up with them. I've had a few email exchanges or comment exchanges {blog to blog} with them recently. Their mother is someone who had a profound influence on my life. I was able to help out in her Sunday school class the year and a half before the Lord took her home. She also had it arranged my freshman year for "town girls" to come to nightly devotions at the college girls dorm while I was in college. I can still hear some of her "devos" and words of admonition and encouragement. I miss her so much. And the love of the Lord that shone through her life has been passed on to her daughters. They are a Biblical example of love and friendship!

::an applicable Guide Book::

You know, I find it hard to relate to people who have a perfect life. Wait. I'm not saying that anyone has a perfect life [no problems, struggles, or trials] but some peeps [online and in real life] seem to portray their life as such.

I struggle deeply, at times. Thank the Lord for His Word which lights my steps.

Today, I was reading through chapters 3 and 4 of Exodus and it struck me afresh how many times Moses doubted himself. Moses. You know the man who is a patriarch. Okay. So I can relate to doubting myself.

Exodus 3:6...he was afraid to look upon God [God had just revealed Himself in the burning bush].
Exodus 3:11...Moses asks God, "Who am I?"
Exodus 3:13..."And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?"
Exodus 4:1...Moses argues that the Israelites will not believe him.
Exodus 4:3, 6...God turns the rod into a snake and turns Moses' hand into leprosy.
Exodus 4:10...Moses says he is not eloquent.
Exodus 4:14...God's anger was kindled against Moses.

I just love that the Bible is so applicable for each one of us in each of our own personal struggles. It gives us the answers for a victorious life but never promises that we will be perfect or that our lives will be smooth and carefree.  The Bible does command us to be perfect [Matthew 5:48] but doesn't tell us we will be sinless.  It's amazing that a hero of the Bible had struggles similar to my own. 

I don't feel like I have much to say because there is a youth conference going on at our church this week and that is taking up some of my extra time.

I am on my "slow" week of cleaning so I am able to help out in the kitchen at the church in the mornings. The first day, I feel like I am not really a help at all because I know where almost nothing is located in the kitchen. By the second day of my volunteer time, I am better at the location of things. And by the third day [tomorrow], I feel comfortable in the kitchen but it's the last day of the conference. So then I'll start over again next year. Fun times!

Today and tomorrow, the kids that I nanny have early dismissal. Hooray for extra hours at work!

And, in bloggy news...
Anna so graciously linked me today. Thank you!
...Cyndi is hosting a giveaway to Dayspring. Go check it out!

::an amazing day::

Saturday was an amazing day. In this post, I mentioned that I found a store that offered sewing classes.

W-E-L-L.

I went to a class on Saturday.  Out of all my little ventures that I have made the past few years, my instructor on Saturday was the nicest and most helpful.  She started at the very beginning [here is the "on" switch for the sewing machine] but never made one feel silly for asking a question or not knowing how to do the simplest task on the sewing machine.  Awesome.

I bought some cheap-ish fabric hurriedly Friday night at Wal-Mart.  While I was waiting for the class to start, I ended up buying new material for my project.  [I'm so glad I did.]

I'm serious, in my opinion, fabric choice is at least 50% of the success of a project.  This material is incredible.

Okay.  So here's my pillow.  I am not patting myself on the back [yet] because a)_I did this project with a helpful instructor close at hand and b)_the material is fabulous.

After class, I marched right back upstairs and purchased another 1/2 yard of the same fabric which forces me to make another one [and soon]. 

::the bigger picture::

::the zipper--not bad for a beginner::

::an up-close and personal view of the brown bird::

::the perky little corner::

I have never been so excited about sewing in my life.  So we need to get our sewing machine fixed pronto so that I can whip up another pillow before I forget what I learned.  And I plan to take another class there.  Whoop!

endless gifts {376-385}

376. new mercies every morning [if you stop to think about that....Wow!]
377. forgiveness
378. long-suffering
379. godly people in my church
380. failure [if everything goes right in my life, will I ever improve? no...]
381. busyness
382. bus riders that are faithful to church
383. new Christians added to our church
384. friends who spur me on to strengthen my Christian walk
385. provision every week, every need



PS...Another giveaway is happening for a set of cards from my Etsy shop. Please go check it out! I would love if one of ya'll won!!  Contest closes this Friday, November 5th.

::and it's another giveaway::

Another blog is hosting a giveaway for some loot from my Etsy shop.

The giveaway is tomorrow and since I will be busy with church tomorrow [and you probably will be, too], I thought I'd let you know a day early.

The winner will receive one set of cards and a free stand [of course].

Here's the great thing:  the giveaway will go until next Friday.  So even if you can't get on the computer tomorrow, you have until next Friday to enter.

Please enter!  I would love for one of ya'll to win.

The hilarious thing about Laura is that she won a giveaway from my shop that was hosted on another blog.  I had just agreed to participate in her giveaway week then Boom! she won the giveaway for my shop.  How neat is that?

Don't forget to enter next week and I will remind you, too!

Do you think I should host a giveaway on my blog, too.  Maybe someday...

::agenda::

Tuesday night on my way out the door to cello lessons, I had a rush of to-do's flood my brain. I decided that when I got home, I was going to make a list that said: Tomorrow, You Must:.

Then, I remembered this post I had written at the beginning of August about delays and inconveniences. I thought to myself, "Ha. You had better not write that list because the Lord just may re-arrange your day and you will be upset if things don't go the way you've planned." So I went to sleep without my list. And yesterday was a very spontaneous day.

Thursday and Friday of this week is fall break for the children. The parents decided to take the children to Chicago which will be super fun for them. Therefore, I am not working. That is a major boo-hoo. I was looking forward to spending two whole days with them. When Max wanted to bring out Art Explosion {which screams mess}, I promised him we would do it during fall break. So let's hope he doesn't ask to do Art Explosion on Monday. I'll have to promise to do it during Christmas break.

So on my agenda today {Lord willing} is to create. I get very bogged down doing the same type of "designs" in my etsy shop and I never let myself mess up. This week, I have already messed up one project and that's just fine. We will see what I can do today.

What's on your agenda?

endless gifts {366-375}

366. my family {amazing}
367. hazelnut coffee from DD {good morning, Monday}
368. going to church on Sunday {I love church.}
369. an outing with friends
370. beautiful music
371. early detection
372. good doctors
373. small cancer
374. a goodly heritage
375. His Word {my Guide Book}

Happy Monday, folks!

::autumn worthy::

I so, so, so wanted to have a great post up before I left for work but it won't happen.

I bought some new paper today and developed a new set of cards for thanksgiving.  I'm super excited about that!

I promise {Lord willing} tomorrow, they will see the light of day on my blog and in my shop. 

It's gonna be good.

Can we say, burlap.

endless gifts {356-365}

356. the people I work for
357. increased traffic to my shop
358. new ideas
359. new opportunities
360. encouragement from others
361. Jesus -- I Am the Door {John 10:9}
362. Saturday afternoon -- listening to old Southern Gospel music with my Granny
363. sunshine
364. potted mums
365. beautiful trees {I love the fall}

::oh-oh-oh::

Another giveaway is happening.

It's over at Yellow Songbird.

You have to be a follower of her blog to participate.

But, peoples, this weekend, it's two sets of cards and a stand.

And I would love, love, love to give them to someone I know IRL {in real life} or someone that I have met through my blog.  That means you!

::yesterday::

Yesterday was a phenomenal day.

Phenomenal.

I dropped my phone into my largess glass of sweet tea.  Life couldn't get any better than that for sure. 

While I'm incredibly nervous about the damage done because don't-you-just-know that Blackberrys are exceedingly expensive to replace, the children that I nanny were in an incredible mood.

I'm telling you, it was a phenomenal day to be sure.

The Lord definitely blessed me in the fact that the little sensor inside the phone was not activated to show that it had been dropped in liquid.  Therefore, the kind manager at the Verizon store replaced the phone for free; I just had to purchase a battery.  Sweet.

I'm telling you, they don't call the Blackberry the "Crackberry" for nothing.  It was funny to wake up this morning without any emails buzzing on my phone.  I went to work and worked in silence without my phone buzzing.  Very nice, indeed.

I called the helpful peeps at Verizon this afternoon and got everything ship-shape again.  Relief.

So, if you think I should have your number, you may want to shoot me an email.  I lost all of my contacts through the whole process.

Also, while Googling a topic while on the phone with Verizon, I came across this store.  Since I am as single as the day is long, I may be checking into this.  I've been enamored with sewing for a while.  I would love to do something with sewing as a "career" and maybe I just found a place that will help me get started.  Sweet.

::love::

It is no secret that I love yellow.

Last fall, I was enamored with the colour grey.

Together they are beautiful.

I found this in this month's edition of Real Simple.

{click to enlarge}

::an incredible video::

I was able to visit this church in September. Anne, Rachel, and Abbi attend there {and I spotted all of ya'll!}. Without being too much of a sap, this video made me teary. God is so amazing! He has blessed us so much with salvation! Very well done, LVBC!

Who Are We? - Lehigh Valley Baptist Church from LVBaptist on Vimeo.

::75 and sunny::

It is absolutely gorgeous here today.  I was able to roll out 3 new sets of cards, one of which is a brand-new topic.  {So excited about that!}  {Check 'em out here--set one--set two--set three.}

I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and went to my little photo shoot place.

Here's the big picture:

The lovely small thorny bush that put thorns into...

 ...MY SKIRT!

I had to lean way over that rock so steady my elbows.  :)

How's the weather in your area today?  I hope it's as lovely as mine!

::please excuse this political post::

I heard about this guy on Sean Hannity tonight. The way he is being smeared is so typical of fundamental Christians.





And....his website -- if you've read this far.  :)

endless gifts {346-355}

I start this Monday tired.  But it's already promising to be a wonderful day.  The sunshine is streaming in through the window onto my hands as I type.  Heart.

My weekend was overwhelmingly wonderful.  Our church celebrated its 40th anniversary with the same pastor all 40 years.  Incredible.  That seems rarer and rarer {excuse the grammar} to come by.  One of the bummer things about being a helper in a Junior Church class is that I miss out on the morning services during our special fall Sundays.  I miss feeling the presence of God so real in that auditorium.  So much prayer goes into each week and God's presence is clearly evident.  I miss peeking during the invitation to see sinners walk the aisle.  I miss hearing our pastor say, "We need more counselors on my left.  We need more lady counselors on my right."  It's easy to want to be where all the "fun" is but I reminded myself as I stood in front of my darling little Preschoolers that my job is important, too.  Even tucked away upstairs in a little classroom that was freezing cold {thank you for air conditioning}.  None of the children in my class will accept Christ as their personal Saviour while in Preschool but we try oh-so-hard to lay a foundation for the future.

So with a brimming heart, I will give thanks today.




346. cottage prayer meetings
347. improved behavior in some of my little Preschoolers
348. impish smiles
349. answers to the questions are Jesus! {And He's just the same, as His lovely name...}
350. a calm class despite our teacher being pulled away {the presence of God is evidenced even in our Preschool class}
351. How Great Thou Art -- the congregation was able to sing along with the choir & band on the last verse -- amazing!
352. 40 years of our church's history
353. being here for 27 of those years
354. our pastor and his wife
355. souls saved and following the Lord in believer's baptism that same day

How was your weekend?

::something new::

I'm working on jazzing up some of the designs of my cards.  

I love rectangles...but you know....only so much.  

Here is the first, new set.  

I love it!

Check 'em out here in my shop!

This is particularly funny because my Dad flies an extreme amount. Enough that he has a preferred seat in first class. Seat 6b.

I started in chapter two of I Timothy tonight instead of chapter one and saw these verses with completely new eyes.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Even though we have a president and not a king, I think this verse is still applicable.  Even though I am not a fan of our current President, what have my prayers done to change things?  Nothing, if they have not been offered.

Remember when I mentioned that I am advertising on a blog?

It is with sweet Traci over at Beneath My Heart. She is super sweet and so easy to work with. I am so thankful for the opportunity to advertise on her blog!

I promised ya'll that I wouldn't turn my blog into a circus for my shop. However, I did want to give a personal testimonial.

A little-known, undesirable fact about me is that I struggle with fear. I didn't realize how much of a deep-rooted sin it was until last year when one of the assistant pastors preached on the "comfort sin" of fear. Eeeekk. That is me! Then, this past Sunday night, our missionary to Africa {back for a furlough} preached on fear. It was such a fantastic message!

On Friday night, I was worried, fearful about something. I popped out of bed and pulled out a set of my cards entitled Peace: Overcoming Fear. The neat thing about that set of cards is that it was specifically targeted to my current need. Yes, I could have individually looked up those verses. Even reading a large portion of Scripture would have been wonderful. But in that moment, it was like a shot of adrenalin to my spiritual heart to read those verses targeted directly to my soul.

So if you're ever wondering how you could use a set of cards {besides displaying them oh-so-nicely on your kitchen sink ledge} think about a set that will help you overcome a besetting sin.

Have a wonderful day...


Post-edit: I am now advertising over at Gussy!

oh--I have a blog!!!

Yes, I do.  And it needs to updated.

Sorry.  Sometimes I don't feel like I have a lot to say.  Well, I do but it's not stuff worth posting about.  And I don't have any cute kiddos to post pics of.  It seems a bit much to continually put photos of myself up -- you're sooooooooo vain.....So I resort to nothing.

Then, I asked a far-flung friend for an idea and she said SCHOOL.  And how appropriate because so many people are going back to school -- just not me. HA and YAY at the same time.  {Well, her suggestion was stories about school experiences in the past and what I have learned.  Good suggestion, by the way.}

Today, I thought I would leave you with a link to an article that I read this weekend in my Sunday paper.  I read a similar article earlier this summer and my interest was once again sparked.

It is very near and dear to my heart for many reasons.  And that is CLOTHING and how LESS is SO MUCH MORE.

I'm telling you, some people think {I know because they have made comments to me} that I have oodles and oodles of clothes.  I mean, after all, I have two closets.  But I don't.  And I have to work on not being proud about that because pride is a dirty rotten sin. 

Well, I also have an easy excuse for not having tons of clothes because I don't have to get dressed up every day.  I basically have dressy clothes {for church} and casual clothes {for work/my life}.  I have very few in-between clothes.

The idea of having less appeals to me because I just believe that Christians in America have way too many things and we are too attached to this world.  And I include myself as #1 in that statement.  I understand that we are blessed by the Lord; we live in America.  But why do we buy things "just because it was on sale" or "because it was $1, $5, etc..."  or "I bought it at Goodwill/garage sale" or "It was on clearance!"  As if that was a justification for the 53rd t-shirt to add to my dresser drawer.

Anyways, I'm not trying to be preachy, but maybe you would find the article interesting.


Here's the link to the article from this weekend: from the Chi. Trib.

Later...

hello, peoples.....

....it is late, very late for me. But I am on song #10 on my "sleeping" playlist on my ipod and I still have not drifted off to dreamland so I thought I'd write you a little update.

Did you know that all of a sudden, I am addicted to going to bed early? Yes. I must be getting old. By 6:30 pm, I'm looking at the clock going--in two more hours, I get to start thinking about going to bed. Weird. Weird. Weird. But this little habit began over two weeks ago when I started my lovely, little nanny job and had to be up and presentable for the entire workday (8am-5pm) before 8am. Yes. So I've morphed into a sort-of morning person. However, since I've been getting over 8 hours of sleep at least 5 out of 7 days a week in the past two weeks + the fact that I drank sweet tea immediately before climbing into the sack, I am still awake.

I also haven't mentioned this because plans were still being finalized but I have a little secret......

My brother and I are going on a

TRIP!

{clues hidden within the word trip}

I am super excited beyond words.

Also, the weather has been fantastically gorgeous. I am getting ready for fall. I am starting to plan some fun things for the fall season and maybe I will get the gumption {and motivation and time} to share them on here.

Also, the children started school today. Like a mother, I say, HOORAY. But their behaviour and obedience has improved dramatically and that is a blessing directly from our Heavenly Father. It is a great burden of mine to be a blessing, example, and Christian witness/testimony to this family. I bought a sing-along Patch CD Sunday night and just playing it in the car for two days had already rubbed off on the children. They were already humming parts to songs. Amazing! Pray that I have opportunities to witness to them.

AND...and...and....while I was waiting to pick up one of the children from the Y, I met a family. The husband is a dr. and he graduated from the school where my Dad works. There were a few interesting connections. Ding! Another opportunity to be a blessing and Christian example/witness. I firmly believe there is a purpose to my life and I have gotten this job for a reason. I'm excited.

And last but not least--I finally paid my dues to a blogger where I will begin to advertise. Super excited about that. {Maybe some of you read her...??}

Signing off--

Way back when....I was on vacation and just-so-happened to check my email and BOOM! found out that I had won a giveaway! Yay!!

It was to Birdy Blue Design. {Go check out her cute etsy shop...and if you're on etsy, take the time to HEART her.}

It came very cutely packaged and I am so very appreciative.

 I can't wait to use my adorable little lettered notecards!

Girls,

I dare you not to get teary [or cry -- like me] watching this video. It is a bit long but at least watch the first 3 minutes. Hearing those veterans say, "Welcome home!" and seeing our former President.....sweet!

tonight...

....I get to do one of my most favorite things of the week.

Are you guessing cello lesson?  YOU ARE RIGHT!

To own one of these one day............[sigh].

I'm goin' to practice--later, ya'll...

endless gifts {336-345}

I must count or I will wilt tonight...

336. sleep
337. a day off
338. dead-headed flowers
339. watering cans
340. my church
341. after church pizza and fellowship
342. summer nights
343. crickets
344. old friends
345. sleep

Giving thanks before I go sleep...


ps--get my point?! :)

Peoples!

I have this apparent need to update but it doesn't seem like there is much to say.

How 'bout a list? {I love lists!}

1. Started the nanny job on Tuesday. Love it.
2. It's bakin' hot and humid here. Love it.
3. Crazy busy next week. Love it.
4. School starts for the public schools in a week and a half. Back to my normal scheduling on the 25th. Love it.
5. Saw on old college friend this week. Miss her. Loved getting together!
6. I have had soOoOoOoOoO much sleep this week because I've been going to bed early. Love it.


How's that.

Until next time....

endless gifts {322-335}

322. seeing the dirt {spiritually}
323. seeing the dirt {physically....hello, don't we all want clean houses?!}
324. really, truly funny stories
325. hot weather
326. music, music, music
327. saying YES to nannying and NO to cleaning {a first!!}
328. waking up smiling
329. hymns that run through my head at the most opportune time
330. spending all day with my brother
331. sweet Aunt Sue
332. wonderful cousins
333. incredible grandparents
334. another birthday for my Mom
335. this thought from the sermon last night: Jesus called Judas "friend." Judas. The one who betrayed him. Judas. Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners.......... I really needed that last night even though that was just a bypoint and not even what the sermon was about.

Giving thanks...

cruisin'...

Road trip with an open sun roof is one of the grander, earthly pleasures in life.

Because...

...I KNOW ya'll don't care a bit about all of the thoughts running through my head at the moment. There is so much I want to say and no space to say it. I almost don't have the words. But God is so good to me. I am learning and for every two steps back I take spiritually, the Heavenly Father graciously leads me forward. I am learning, oh so slowly. SO, I leave you with a few thoughts from one of my favorite books.

Taken from the devotional Interruptions, Delays, Inconveniences:

Emily, wife of America's first foreign missionary, Adonairam Judson, wrote home from Moulmein, Burma, in January 1847:  "This taking care of teething babies, and teaching natives to darn stockings and talking English back end foremost...in order to get an eatable dinner, is really a very odd sort of business...But I begin to get reconciled to my minute cares."  She was ambitious for "higher and better things," but was enabled to learn that "the person who would do great things well must practice daily on little ones; and she who would have the assistance of the Almighty in important acts, must be daily and hourly accustomed to consult His will in the minor affairs of life."

The author goes on...

One more quotation-this from an out-of-print book, The Life and Letters of Janet Erskine Stuart.  Says one who was her assistant for some years, "She delighted in seeing her plan upset by unexpected events, saying that it gave her great comfort, and that she looked on such things as an assurance that God was watching over her stewardship, was securing the accomplishment of His will, and working out His own designs.  Whether she traced the secondary causes to the prayer of a child, to the imperfection of an individual, to obstacles arising from misunderstandings, or to interference of outside agencies, she was joyfully and graciously ready to recognize the indication of God's ruling hand, and to allow herself to be guided by it."

What a lesson for a person like me who does NOT like my plans to be upset.

Speaking of plans...
...tomorrow [Lord willing], I will be [sing-song-y voice] driving up to Michigan.  Road trip!  My last hurrah before nannying starts NEXT WEEK. Boo-yah!

Have a lovely week...