Encouragement

I have been thinking lots about the idea of encouragement.

It's such a vital part of our health, don't you think?

Some folks just go and do and do some more with nobody ever thanking or recognizing out loud how much they appreciate them.

Take a minute and write, email, text, call...whatever your favorite form of communication is. Tell someone how much you appreciate them and why.

You will make their day!

Blessings.

What a Man!

Just in case you've never heard of Sephora, it is a make up "warehouse" that sells many different brands of department store beauty supplies under one roof. They don't sell what Target or Walmart may sell. (although many of my beauty supplies come from there.) And the prices reflect such.

My daughter and I love, love, love Sephora. We can't always spend what we would like, but we love to go browse and smell and try on just the same. My boys despise the "Sephora experience", and we try never to have them with us when we go.

There are a couple things I get there that I can't get anywhere else, (that I know of). Saturday, I was desperate for one of these things before church the next morning, but I had a full-blown headache that barely allowed me to move, much less get completely ready to go out and look half way decent. (We can't go into Sephora looking icky!)

So, after a couple of errands, my sweet husband said, "I'll go get 'it' for you". Wow. Seriously...this is a sacrifice. He had to walk in with empty product in hand, ask where it is located, stand in the "Sephora check out line", and then, here's the biggie...walk through the mall/parking area holding a dainty little black bag with red tissue peeking out.

I love this man!

Happy Monday!

Gotta Say It

I don't typically talk about the "workings" of the church in my blog.

I tend to lean my blog toward the mother and wife side of my life, although the worship minister side of me tends to take up the bulk of my time.

If I were to express all that has happened in recent years, particularly this last year (08), these would have been long, juicy posts...

Sometimes hilarious, often sad, but, consistently "man" trying to do what is best and follow God's lead

However, I chose not to reveal much. If you know us, you know our journey. If not, it felt like airing dirty laundry out for the world...

But today, I'm just going to say it.

I am so very grateful for our new minister.

He is an absolute gift from God.

Very strong. Extremely capable. Proving to be exceedingly wise. . . and, most important . . . a man of God.

To have someone of his caliber to work along side is amazing. God has blessed us in a mighty way.

College Church...hold on. We're in for some exciting times!

A Day Off...

What do you do on a day off?
Do you find "day's off" hard to manage?
I like the routine.
A day off makes me feel "behind".
The only time I really like the "day off", is the night before...
Am I the only one who feels this way?

Valentine Love ~ Friday

We know how much God loves us,
and we have put our trust in His love.

God is love, and all who live in love,
live in God, and God lives in them.

I John 4:16

Valentine Love ~ Thursday

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1,2

Valentine Love ~ Wednesday

"Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love."

Psalm 48:9

Valentine's Love ~ Tuesday

In that book, which is
my memory. . .
On the first page
that is the chapter
when I first met you
appear the words. . .
Here begins a new life.

~Dante Alighieri

Valentine's Love...Monday

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth, and breadth, and height
my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
for the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's
most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use
in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
with my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
smiles, tears of all my life!

And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Friday

Friday happens to be my day off...I love Friday's.


There are different feels to a day off. My boys (Husband and son) work regular M-F weeks, so Saturday we are usually together working on home/cars/yard together. We usually manage to fit in something fun at some point. Sunday, of course, isn't really a day off for anyone in my house. Although it's a wonderful day and we enjoy it together.


But Friday's...oh how I love me some Friday!


It's just me. (and the dog...who at present is curled up asleep beside me)


It's quiet. It's calm. I can do whatever I want. I can read, do laundry, mop a floor, spend quiet time with God, scrub a bathroom, watch a movie, take a nap, cook something yummy...the list goes on.


I believe everyone has their own definition of luxury. For me, Friday is a beautiful luxury.
..........................................................................................

O.k. Completely different subject...anyone following American Idol this season? Did you see when they made Paula's eyes turn red? It really scared me! I pulled the blanket up over my eyes like a 5 year old! It was truly creepy.

I would put something in my contract, if I were her, that kept them from making me look satanic to the American public! You have to draw the line somewhere!

LOVED the group with the teacher who's wife had died recently. Very well directed and a real feeling of unison and harmony...as opposed to most of the other groups.

Definitely no lack of drama so far this season!

Blessings

February!?

Have you ever been driving, and realize you've come quite a distance but don't remember the journey at all? Or walked from one room to the next and, obviously, you walked there...but don't remember doing it?

For me, that's how I see the month of January. Clearly, January occurred, because the calendar now says "February", but for the life of me, I couldn't tell you much about it.

I've been in a deep fog, kind of a dark hole for a couple of months. I'm grateful that today, I've opened the blinds and feel like I can breathe again. It will be a slow "coming out" for me, but at least there is the possibility of surviving today.

Here's the news that you already know...I can look back and see God's hand carrying me through every step of the way. I saw a Christmas Musical happen with great beauty...I watched every Sunday happen whether I was "engaged" or not...ZOE was extraordinary. Through it all, God was here. Working through me when I couldn't do it for myself.

There seems to be lots to tell you, but for now, I'll just say I'm looking forward to walking among the "healthy" again. God is so good to me. His faithfulness is new every morning.

Whew! What a relief!