Just a little something....

I saw someone post "what a difference a year makes" the other day. How very true! In my case it's been a year of some of the biggest blessings of my life and some of the biggest challenges I've ever faced. But in the end, God is just so very faithful and always, ALWAYS, good.

We are in our new home that you saw pictures of earlier.....clearing trees and making the foundation. I will take some new and updated photos when I get my good digital camera back (hopefully this coming week). Nothing is really decorated or anything yet, but that will come with time.

It seems like we moved in, unpacked boxes (still a few to go), got settled, tilled the soil and planted lawns, planted two flower gardens and a little veggie garden, began building a pole barn (for all the stuff we had in the barn at the farm), had our youngest graduate high school and celebrated with an open house and so on. It's literally been one thing after another. All good though!

So there will be time to decorate later. And after we are in the house a bit and knowing exactly where we want things, right?

But we've had lots of fun in there too! Lots of evenings on the deck having dinner or dessert......or both........with friends. Lots of crafting days with friends (and through the evening and night). :) I've done more crafting in the last two months than all of last year. So what have I done?

Okay, well I admit first of all that I am no Carin or Renee, but I did make a little something that I think turned out pretty cute! Lyn gave me a link to this website ( http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/2008/01/30/magic-boxes-a-life-as-lou-online-class/ ) and I printed these instructions.......and there they sat. Until the last 24 hours. Then I just HAD to do something (you know when you get like that)...and this was that something:

I'm using this as a birthday card/gift box for my niece. I will fill it with little candies, stickers, do-dads and a gift card. All I need to do is add a birthday tag to the top, that she can remove so she can use her box for whatever she wants.

Well thanks for sticking with me. I guess there wasn't much to stick with over the past 10 months. I can't say that I am a faithful blogger, but hopefully a faithful friend makes up for it. That's more important anyway. :)

Waiting...

I find myself in a place of waiting on God. That doesn't mean that I sit twiddling my thumbs doing nothing, it just means that I'm waiting for answers...direction maybe...from God. I know He hears me. I know He answers. So is He saying something and I'm not hearing?

I've been seeking Him and searching His word. Sometimes I wonder how so much "stuff" could seem to come against me all at once. Other times I am just so thankful that God has blessed me so much. What I realize is that I am truly blessed--there is always someone struggling with far more.

It's a freezing cold morning today, literally. It gets light a bit later each day. The view from the chair where I love to drink my coffee and read my devotions and spend time in God's word is usually a window with blinds that are down, but open...waiting for the sun to arise, but still dark as night behind them.

Today I am home and the view is the sunrise. Not a full on view of the actual sun, but a view of what the sun is casting. A view of the product of that sun--the golden light over my frosted front lawn. And of a rosebush that is in front of my window. One last branch I didn't trim a while ago because it had buds on it.

Two days ago in the wind that branch seemed to screech across the window as the thorns made a noisy ride across the glass. I remember thinking I should just go out and trim that branch back. It was annoying to say the least.

But today I am so happy that I didn't! In the still of the morning there are rosebuds ready to burst forth. Beauty as everything else around it is dead. LIFE. HOPE. Flowers that are so close to the way they are supposed to be at their peak.

Today I thank God so much for knowing exactly what I needed and when I would need it. His timing is so perfect!

I leave you with some verses from Psalm 33:20-22

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

~

The Message Bible puts it this way:

We're depending on God;

he's everything we need.

What's more, our hearts brim with joy

since we've taken for our own his holy name.

Love us, God, with all you've got---

that's what we're depending on.

He is My Everything

I'm not one to really get 'down' so to speak. Even with life's struggles, God continually shows himself to me and blesses me in ways that I never could've scripted in my wildest dreams.

How would I have planned life if God had given me a blank book and asked me to write every dream, every desire that I have for myself or my family? Would I have been able to contain the words and pictures to a single volume? I think not.

And yet, God has to be looking at me sometimes and think, "My daughter, I have SO much more planned for you. And it's so much better than anything you could possibly think of." And He smiles. And He waits for my gaze to rest back on Him. And He takes my hand and we move forward once again.

To be honest, I'm in the middle of some struggles. I know God has a plan. I absolutely know it! And no matter the 'circumstances', I see God everywhere I look. In huge ways!

Being a Christian woman is the most interesting life possible. I have to say that I find JOY everyday. When life doesn't go according to my plan (which of course is always happy, pain free, conflict free, sickness free....you get the picture), I can honestly be filled with JOY.

And it isn't fake either. Most people in my life would have no idea that I struggle at times. But it isn't fake, it's because my eyes are set on Jesus and He's everything to me. He's so much more than Savior. He's my Peace, Joy & Righteousness here on earth! And I am so blessed! It's because of where I am focused and whom I am focused on.

Some people think Christians are fake and phony. That simply isn't true of a follower of Christ....one who is in relationship with Jesus and not just a part of 'religion'. It doesn't mean that my life is perfect or without struggles. But I have the perfect Father to see me through. Who allows me to find JOY amidst the difficult things of life. Who brings peace to the situation. It means I don't have all the answers....but I know who does.

I am not, but I know "I AM".....

Where are you looking today?

A song that's had a lot of Christian radio play is Matthew West's "You Are Everything," but it's more than a great song. It's really a great testimony. The words are:

I’m the one with two left feet
Standing on a lonely street I can’t even walk a straight line
And every time you look at me I’m spinning like an autumn leaf
Bound to hit bottom sometime
Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won’t let me fall

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
'Cause You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart

I’m the one with big mistakes
Big regrets and bigger breaks
Than I'd ever care to confess
Oh but, You’re the one who looks at me
And sees what I was meant to be
More than just a beautiful mess

Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won’t let me fall

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
'Cause You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart

You’re everything good in my life
Everything honest and true
And all of those stars hanging up in the sky
Could never shine brighter than You

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
'Cause You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart
You are
Oh You are
Jesus, You are
You are everything

You can listen to it on his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/matthewwest

Soccer

It's that time of the year again.......I time I absolutely love! We have cool nights and warm days........just perfect for soccer games. I must admit that next year at this time I will probably be a bit depressed. This is the beginning of my 'lasts' for me. It's Wes' last year of soccer. *sigh* He's a senior. *sigh* We still haven't taken senior photos. *sigh* I love that he's growing up.........and I hate it at the same time.

So I am just going to enjoy this soccer season to it's fullest! It hasn't been a stellar year for the team, but Wes has done well! So far only one other kid has scored this season, but Wes has done pretty well. His best game so far was last friday night (Dave's birthday too, so it was a great little present). He had 3 goals in the first 20 minutes (if you aren't a soccer fan.....gasp!!!, there are two 40 minute halves), then followed up with 2 later in the game. So out of 6 goals, he had 5 of them! Way to go WES! :)

I had the camera and got quite a few shots, but nothing really great...until my friend asked to take a couple photos of her son as goalie. "I don't care if he's just standing there, I'd just like a picture of him in the goal." I wandered down the field, the action came to that end, I snapped 4 photos and two absolutely captured the moment! Too bad I couldn't get great shots of my son. Oh well, we have lots of season left. :)

Ch-ch-ch-changes........

Now I have to admit, these changes have happened over the course of a couple weeks, but since I haven't updated in a while I thought I'd just give you the Reader's Digest version. Nice, eh?

Here's our walkout basement. Doesn't look like much yet, but they are forming the poured cement walls.

Now it's starting to take a nice turn..........look at that smoooooooth cement floor! It's really not wet, although it looks like it. But it's sealed, so it's kinda shiny.

Just another view...........don't you *love* that big tree to the left? I do too!!!

Here's the approach to our garage. Don't worry...the excavator comes tomorrow to move the dirt around.

Here I am in my scrap room. You are going to have to work with me on this one. Picture it now....the Pink Flip Flop girls around the large table/desk in the center of the room (with great lighting above it, of course), two 6 foot closets at one end, counter top along one wall with cupboards above, and my two large cabinet/hutches. I hope I have enough storage! *wink*

A view from the back..........with stud walls.

Another view from the back.......this is the walk out.

And lastly, this will be my main floor. I know, not terribly exciting, but it will be shaping up soon!

Thanks for sharing my excitement with me! The last few were taken at dusk....but we had a soccer game and it got late. ;)

First Day of School

Okay, so it's been a while since "I've" had a first day of school...but I was talking about this the other day with friends. One of my favorite days of the year was the first day of school when I was growing up. I did also love the LAST day of school, but there was something tremendously exciting thinking about the first day of school.

Maybe it was the fresh start. Every year you had another chance to do your very best, starting right at equal ground with everyone.

Maybe it was the new outfit! I didn't get a lot of new things growing up, but a new school outfit was always in order. Sometimes even two! I remember vividly laying it out the night before and being so excited to wear it the next day.

Maybe it was the new school supplies. Oh I still love the office supply aisle! I remember always getting a new pencil box for my desk. The old cardboard ones that were printed on the outside. Does anyone else remember those? If you were lucky, you'd find a really cool themed one!

Today after church I needed to go to Walmart to pick up a few groceries. But since I was by myself and not needing to rush, I began to wander the aisles. The air had a bit of 'fall weather' today and so I found myself picking up a cute tunic top and leggings, just for fun. And before I knew it, I had some of my favorite pens in the cart too! It was just like school shopping all over again! :)

Off to brew a fresh pot of coffee.....hope you are having a great day!

LIFE

It's been a while since I have posted. Some of it was due to the busyness of life. I was able to travel out to see Andrew in Iowa with my parents (kind of unexpectedly).....which was really nice! And then my Grandpa took a turn health wise.

The past couple of weeks he struggled with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He was in ICU for 4 days, then put in Hospice care. Last Friday he went to be with the Lord. And while it's very sad, as they said at the funeral: He's been promoted to Glory! It really is a huge step up for him. I vividly remember Mom telling Grandma that he's now dancing and has both legs back. Then on Sunday our first two worship songs were about dancing before the Lord....it was awesome!

As I surveyed the room at his service, I realized how many lives Grandpa had affected. All the stories people told me about how he helped with this and that, both in the community and with individuals. And how tenacious he was and that he didn't take "no" for an answer. He had vision and he was a leader! But things were never about him. He wasn't one to take glory or bask in recognition. He simply moved on to the next thing he saw that needed done.

The visitation and service were really nice, with full changing of the guard by his casket. The Pastor and my mom gave great messages about how Grandpa had gone to church when he was younger, but didn't really accept Jesus into his heart until he was 89 years old. Praise God he was given a long life! We don't all get that long to decide. The service ended with a Fireman's 3 bells over the city radio system. And the processional to the cemetery was led by firetrucks draped with black and several police cars in front, beside us and behind us.

It was so interesting as we drove to the cemetery, people came running from houses and businesses to check it out..........as though it were a parade they hadn't heard was coming. One boy about 12 years old didn't even take the time to get both shoes on. I chuckled at that.

All traffic stopped. All intersections blocked. And then as we passed one intersection I noticed a lady at a car wash alongside the street. She had one of those giant hoses to vacuum her car and was wrestling it to her car...........and she didn't even glance up. Life truly goes on all around us. People glance for a moment, and then they move on.

And we all should move on. Even with our sadness of missing one we love, it's really all about LIFE. What it should make us do, is make sure every single moment of our lives counts.

What are you doing today that makes life better for someone? Did you invite your friend, neighbor or waitress to church? Did you offer someone a ride to the store? Did you send a handwritten note card reminding someone how much you care and are thankful for them? Did you call someone you haven't seen in forever, just to say hello? Did you clean your closet and take the excess to charity so that someone in need can also have something nice and affordable?

Change a LIFE around you today! :) And please leave me a comment on what you did. Or are planning to do.