Blessings!

It seems like forever since I've been on here, but really it's just been over a week.

We've been in super busy mode though for awhile now. We've launched our home business & my daughter's jewelry is just amazing! She is so very talented it blows me away. It seems that not only does she have a tremendous capacity for caring for others, she also has a creativity that makes mine look kind of sad. :)

I launched another home business at the same time....crazy I am...but I'm so thrilled with the doors that God has opened for each and every thing we're doing! He literally shoved them wide & is already blessing us abundantly with new friends & opportunities!

Work has finally settled some, even in the midst of summer reading programs, software changes, and many other projects. The garden is trying to grow, but the bugs are trying to prevent it. I have decided that the bugs MUST DIE! They are eating all the leaves off everything....so now it's time for the poison.

Ministry is moving ahead just as fast. God is opening doors here too, and we're going to walk through them as He opens them. I'm amazed at all that He's doing & the way He's doing it! Wowsers!! My daughter's missions trip is right around the corner, & we're thrilled that God provided all the funds & she's set to go! Plus, just after we turned in her check, she was offered a part-time babysitting job....God is just so faithful!

I think sometimes we forget to see our blessings. In fact, I think there are many times where we fall prey to the schemes of the devil & can only see the hard, negative stuff. We overlook the simple blessings right in front of us. Every night before dinner, my husband thanks God that we have food to eat, a table to eat at, a family to eat with, and the time to enjoy it. Aren't these really the things that matter? Maybe there not so little after all?

I don't have a million jobs because I'm crazy or because I fear boredom, or even because I'm still a workaholic. I do all the things I do because I'm passionate about each one. I want to be able to stretch our budget & provide nutritious fruit & veggies for my family; I want to encourage my daughter's creativity & give her a quality education at the same time; I enjoy spending time in my studio being creative & creating useful things; I enjoy girl time & pampering & reminding women to slow down & enjoy; I'm here to use the gifts & abilities God has given me to help Him with whatever He needs - not because He needs my help, but because He enjoys it when I participate.

I'm just thankful for the blessings God has given, the doors He continues to open, and the constant reminder of His faithfulness - if God is for us, who can be against us?!?!

Great Idea!

I saw the most awesome picture of an outdoor vase or lighting option. You take an old milk bottle, wire it for hanging around the rim, and viola' instant outdoor vase! What a great idea!!

I've also seen where they add some oil & a wick through a special top & turned them into lighting for the patio. I have an old, old, milk bottle and think I'm going to try this out. When I get it done, I'll be sure to post a pic or two. If I'm really ambitious, I'll post pics of the whole process. I think I have a old vase that will work as well, when I find 5 minutes to do it, when I don't have a pile of laundry.....

Maybe it's just a great idea that can wait for awhile???? Seems I find great ideas all the time & never the time for the doing of them..... is this a sign??

Character

A friend and I have been discussing life a lot lately. So many that we both know, plus ourselves, seem to be going through a 'something'. So we just keep praying for each other, standing by each other, & holding each other up.

If all these 'somethings' are to produce Godly character, than in each case, regardless of how it seems, so long as we fix our eyes on what we know to be the truth of God's word, it will produce good qualities &  Godly character in us. If we fail to rely on God though it will destroy us. Isn't that what the enemy wants? To destroy us & our faith?

Even a child is known by his actions...i.e. character, choices, behavior, decisions. (Prov. 20:11, paraphrased) This is how we can know if what is happening is indeed creating Godly character in us - what do our decisions, actions, behaviors say about the situation & us? Do we run or do we stand? Do we retaliate or do we forgive? Do we panic or do we trust?

We will all fall down, screw up, make mistakes, trip, stumble, fail, try, etc.... The question begs to be asked though....do we trust God with our lives, our actions, our somethings? When we buy into the lie that we can't get up, God is not to be trusted, we have to rely on ourselves, we can't follow God because He 'obviously' isn't doing His thing, we lose ground & let it eat into the Godly character God is trying to create in us.

We might be able to fool others with our external image. We won't fool God though. We can make the outside look good, but it's what's inside that counts. God looks at a man's heart & sees what's really going on.....even when we don't want to admit it. Does your 'outside' character match your 'inside' character?

Its not always an easy or fun path, but it's totally worth it if we desire to glorify God in our lives. He didn't & doesn't need me to accomplish His purposes or plans, but He wanted me to play a role. Thank you Lord that you have created me on purpose for a purpose & are far more gracious, patient, kind & loving than I can hope to be, and gracious enough to help me on this journey you've called me too!