Time Brings Change

I have been reading a book by TD Jakes... "Daddy loves His Girls"
After many days being shrouded in depression The Holy Spirit prompted me to look for this book and read it.
Something I read this morning stood out for me to share.
"....realize that time brings change. Change is not an enemy. It can be God's way of saying enough is enough....
...for the many changes you will face on all levels of life, I recommend Jesus. He does not change. He is an unchanging God in a rapidly changing worls. If you are going to survive you must learn how to accept change....

(this is my favorite part!)
Even in the cold crispness of winter there will be sunny days. Early in the morning when icicles hang from eaves there are still the glowing, glistening rays of morning sun. Though the wind has howled all night, and the gusts beat vehemently against the house, there will be a morning. Expect it in every season of life. Get up every morning and throw aside the curtain of doubt. Brush past the foggy films that would cloud your eyes from seeing what is right in front of you and embrace expectancy. It is the breaking of a new day. It is establishing fresh options. The birds wake up singing in the morning.

Now I know no two days will be the same. they were not designed to be duplicated. Each one is a new expression of a multifaceted God whose being could not be defined in one circumstance. Every day we will behold a new wonder of His glory. A slendor, a splice, a sliver of His radiance will dispel the fear of the future. Now, stop crying and fretting over this and that. You will creat your own rain.
Get up rejoicing in a day that someone missed. While you slept someone gasped a final sigh and slipped from time into eternity without seeing this day. But you are still here. This is God's gift to you. from the god who cares enough to give the very best, He gave you today. Enjoy it. It is yours. There will never be another moment like this one."

Making Choices for Freedom

I have felt so empty.... so tired.... so used up...
I have felt this way for a long time now (as Ryan reminded me last night)
Just like the song I have really learned to love:

The Real Me
Natalie Grant

"Foolish heart, looks like we're here again.
Same old game of plastic smile,
Don't let anybody in.
Hiding my heartache,
Will this glass house break?
How much will they take before I'm empty?
Do I let it show?
Does anybody know?

CHORUS:
But You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I'm loosening my grasp,
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

Painted on, life is behind a mask,
Self-inflicted circus clown.
I'm tired of the song and dance,
Living a charade, always on parade.
What a mess I've made of my existence.
But You love me even now
And still I see somehow...

CHORUS
That You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I'm loosening my grasp,
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When You look at me.
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life
Into a perfect tapestry.
Oh, I just wanna be me,
I wanna be me.

But You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I'm loosening my grasp,
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

and you love me just as I am.
wonderful, beautiful is what you see
when you look at me."



Nobody but The Lord knows the real me... nobody else has cared enough to even try to look.

I have always felt that even after I gave all I had to give it was never enough... I feel that way now... or I did last night.
I have given ALL I have to give to the person who is in my life - and it is not enough.

How many things are going on in my present because of roots in my past?
What have I been holding on to... even from decades ago, that I "thought" I had dealt with?

"The heart is deceitful and utterly wicked. Who can know it?"
Times DOESN't heal all wounds....It only covers and hides them and more gets piled on, if you don't REALLY deal with them.
And those things hold you in bodage... kepp you imprisoned even if you don't "feel" them or know they are there.
Rejection*** Bitternes*** unforgiveness
they all all roots- buried deep- growing longer and longer. Roots don't show on the surface but they grow DEEP, the SPREAD out, BRANCH out under the surface...
They have kept me firmly grounded, planted in a place I "thought" I had left long ago...

NOW is the time.... today is the day of salvation....
ALL things work together for good to those who love the Lord, to those who are called according to HIS purposes.

Yesterday I was faced with part of my past.... a very good thing.... I went searching for that part of my past... not REALLY realizing that I WAS being led by The Holy Spirit.
I had searched before but couldn't find it... Yesterday was the time appointed by the Father for me to face it.

Once finding that part of my past I was overcome with emotion...
I really couldn't figure it out... so many things going through my head-
so many questions- so many thoughts-so many regrets....
being torn between the past and the present...

It was only AFTER I laid down last night... when I CHOSE to REALLY listen... that The Holy Spirit could minister to me---
NOW is the TIME to once and for all be done with the reproach, the shame, of the past...
To deal with the rejection I "once" felt- to deal with the unforgiveness I "thought" I had dealt with but had only neatly packaged away and buried... to deal with the bitterness, so long "forgotten" hiding along with that unforgiveness... Bitterness steming from unfulfilled desires, broken and stolen dreams... from knowing I wasn't good enough to really be loved.

All these things have been buried in this wicked heart... chaining me to the past I thought I had left so long ago... not letting me move on---
I have only been treading water... barely moving with the current... when I "thought" was swimming at least a little.

I learned, or "thought" I had learned, that these things not only hold you in bondage but hold anyone else involved in bondage too.

The Lord used my facing this part of my past to show me other parts of my past I really haven't dealt with. This is ONLY the beginning... and ithas opened the door to much more healing.
And this healing is NOT just for me...

Here is the word the Lord gave me last night....

"Make the right choices to get your heart right before Me, says the Lord. Your desert experience has its roots in rejection, bitterness, and unforgiveness. I tell you truly that you cannot ride out of your desert until you release everyone and everything from the past. This is a time when you can once and for all be done with all injustice and reproach and move ahead in My plans and purposes. You will not regret making choices for freedom -- yours and theirs.
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The Lord has reminded me several times while writing this not only do I need to forgive others... I need to forgive myself... That is always the hardest part of me... forgiving myself for making choices I KNEW were wrong...Choices that in the end only caused me more pain.
But NOW is the time_
The time for "making choices for freedom"

My Livingroom, almost done

I was finally able to get blogger to upload my pics.
Someone asked for pics of what I had done.... wish I could say I was completely done but I have a few more little things to do.
On the wall facing I need to "shabby" some of the dark frames, and I need to paint the curtain rod above the big window. and then I will add vines to the window dressing and a few other areas.
I need to "shabby" the dark frame and arrange it a little different... I also need to replace the vines I had hanging aroun dthe pics before I moved them. I strted painting the dresser in the corner and I just need to finish it when I "get in the mood".
The rug was one of my "freecycle" blessings. My friend gave me the 2 green chairs... I am gonna recover them to match my Sage or olive green.

I painted the plant stand white and added my "shabby" touches to it. but I decided I wanted to put something other than a plant on it.
That is all the pics I am going to post for now... I find it hard to be on the PC very much these days.
I hope you enjoy the pics Debra :-)

If You Can

As I sit... awake at 4:30 am... been awake since 3:30, I decided to check my email. I opened one from Huny and this is one of the nuggets I found... I read it and knew I had to post it because of where I have been emotionally lately. I will put it under what I need to write...
I have been looking at the circumstances, looking at the losses, what is no longer, what has never been and what may never be...grieving those things...
instead of looking at was IS still, instead of looking at the blessings I take way too much for granted, instead of looking at those precious people in my life who are blessings that I take for granted... knowing all to well from painful experience that they can be gone in a heartbeat... INSTEAD of looking at Jesus who IS the AUTHOR and FINISHER of my faith, KNOWING he will NEVER, NO NEVER, leave me nor forsake me... KNOWING that NOTHING I do and anyone else does takes HIM by surprise, KNOWING that HE KNOWS everything about me and LOVES and ACCEPTS me just the way I am... but too much to leave me that way... KNOWING HE is in the fire with me... that HE was waiting here, in the fire, for me...
KNOWING all of this yet still struggling because the KNOWING isn't where it needs to be... it is in my head but soooo far from my heart.... even now that still small voice prompts me to the HOPE that is deeepppppp in my heart, letting me get a glimpse of that hope under all the other junk in there... the HOPE that keeps me going on in this life when all the rest of me says I can't go another step...The HOPE that has kept me breathing thru all of this... the HOPE that has kept me alive, The HOPE of a better tomorrow and a brighter today...the HOPE that does NOT disappoint.... the HOPE that is FROM HIM... not from my circumstances, not from anyone else in my life... but FROM HIM AND ONLY HIM...

Now for the nugget that spoke to me.

"If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than
the million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare, especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand,
hug them or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know. "

After saving this as a draft I just went and finished reading all of her email and couldn't not post these either...

He will do for me all He has planned.

He controls my destiny. Job 23:14

AMEN

and

Father's Love LetterMy Child

~You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book Psalm 139:15-16I

determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father.1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child?John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Don't Shoot The Wounded

After reading Debra's post http://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-guess-ive-had-it.html I had to look up the words to an older song "Don't shoot the wounded" I will post the words after this nugget I found:

http://www.faithman.org/11-02/Dont_shoot_the_wounded.htm
Don’t Shoot the Wounded
By Dr. Larry Ollison
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Over the years I have heard one statement too many times. Just last week I was at a meeting and someone said, “When the church goes to battle, it is the only army that shoots its wounded.” This should never be.
God's plan for the church is rest, recovery and restoration. But all too often we apply this mindset only to those who are currently walking in the things of God. While it is true that Christians should be at rest, recovery and restoration is not solely the benefit of those who are walking in faith.
Many Christians are living outside of God's best. They live their lives daily with stress and pressures and many have hurting hearts. When the pressures come upon these “young in faith” Christians, they do not necessarily react properly. Yes, it is true that a mature Christian who encounters trials in life increases in faith and patience and actually becomes stronger because of the trial. James chapter one, verse two tells us that we should “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” However, the immature Christian does not necessarily react this way.
I wish that all Christians were mature and knew how to withstand the storms of life. However, this does not mean that the church body should ridicule, condemn or exclude immature Christians who react poorly.
It is time for the mature church to stand up and act mature. We have a responsibility to teach, train and show by example the love of God for each other. Jesus said that the way the world would know that we are Christians is by the love that we have for each other. So the conclusion is this. Love the mature Christians and love and train the immature. Rise above the works of the flesh and walk in love. Be an example not only to the world, but also to the young in the church. Let the reputation be that we comfort and restore our wounded instead of shooting them"

Now for the words to the song:

DON'T SHOOT THE WOUNDED
(by Chuck Girard)
Don't shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever.
They need our love no matter what it is they've done.
Sometimes we just condemn them, and don't take time to hear their story.
Don't shoot the wounded, someday you might be one.
It's easy to love the people who are standing hard and fast.
Pressing on to meet that higher calling.
But the ones who might be struggling, we tend to judge too harshly,

and refuse to try and catch them when they're falling.
We put people into boxes and we draw our hard conclusions,

and when they do the things we know they should not do,
we sometimes write them off as hopeless, and we throw them to the dogs.
Our compassion and forgiveness sometimes seem in short supply,

so I say...Don't shoot the wounded!
We can love them and forgive them when their sin does not exceed our own.

For we too have been down bumpy roads
before but when they commit offenses outside the boundaries we have set,

we judge them in a word and we turn them out,
and we close the door. Myself I've been forgiven for so many awful things.

I've been cleansed and washed and bathed so
many times that when I see a brother who has fallen from the way I just can't find the license to convict him of his crimes.
So I say... Don't shoot the wounded!
That doesn't mean we turn our heads when we see a brother sin and pretend that what he's doing is all right.
But we must help him see his error, we must lead him to repent.

Cry with those who cry, but bring their deeds into the light .
For it's the sick that need the doctor, and it's the lame that need the crutch.

It's the prodigal who needs the loving hand.

For a man who's in despair, there should be kindness from his friends.

'Lest he should forsake the fear of Almighty God and turn away from God and man,

So I say...Don't shoot the wounded!
1982 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP

Bolding mine.

Savor This Moment

I haven't blogged for awhile... I haven't felt much like it... not been in a good place mentally and I didn't want everyone knowing it... tho those who know and "love" me will love me anyway.
Still not in a good place but I know that somehow The Lord will bring me out to the other side.

I picked up this book today that I haven't picked up in forever... "Savor This Moment, Embracing the goodness in everyday life" By Karla Dornacher
I opened the book and it opened to "Savor This Moment of Love" below is what it says... I needed this today and I know my Father had me open it:

"Of all the treasures a moment has to offer,
love is the greatest and most priceless jewel of all.
It may sparkel for an instant
in a random act of kindness by a total stranger,
or it may shine for a lifetime
in the golden setting of an intimate relationship.
But above all, it is the most precious gift you can ever receive,
and the most valuable one you can give away.
Unfortuately, our perception of love can so easily become distorted
by rejection, abuse, insensitivity, or unrealistic expectaions.
Somewhere along the way, you may come to believe that love
must be earned rather than simply received.
You may even have days when you feel you're not worth loving.

Take heart! I have good news!Unlike man's love,
God's loveis unconditional, He says you're worth it.
You cannot earn or deserve His love~
You can only open your heart and let it in!
The saying is true:
There is a God shaped hole in your heart that only He can fill.
So let Him fill it...
Every moment of everyday!
Savor His love and then give it away!
And when someone offers the gift to you,
reach out and embrace it with all your heart!"

A Moment of Sadness

It has been a year today since Jose' went to be with Jesus... there is a sadness in my heart... not for him, I know where he is... but for me, for Cassie, and for those of us who love him. He had a great impact on my life... one that I will never forget... He showed me what a real Daddy was... He was a Daddy by choice, but he was Cassie's REAL Daddy and no one can ever take his place in her heart... or in mine... no one.
Jose' I love you and I miss you. I will see you again someday, and I will once again hear your voice and see your smile, see that smirk and once again give you one of those hugs that meant so much to both of us. You are in my heart and there you will always be.
I will never regret any price I paid to fight for you and Cassie... I will never regret letting you be her daddy, You were the Daddy she needed and God gave you to each other... She needed you as you needed her... somehow I knew that... that is why I fought so hard. I will NEVER regret... how can I? My regret is that you didn't have more time together.
I love you Jose'... I wish I would have told you that the night you slipped away from us... "I love you... you were a wonderful Daddy... " not saying that is my other regret.

A Moment of Joy

I haven't seen my Aunt and uncle for so long I can't remember when it was. They were always my favorite ... My fondest memory as a little girl was my Uncle holding me down giving me wisker burn on my belly... I didn't understand until I saw them yesterday that the reason I remembered that with such fondness was because I wished my parents were like my Aunt and Uncle... I wished my Daddy would have played with me like my Uncle did. Don't get me wrong... I love my Dad to this day but we didn't do those kind of things in my home... we didn't have those joy filled, fun moments... not that I can remember anyway.
Cassie had never met my Aunt and Uncle... my other girls wouldn't remember them either because they were so small the last time they seen them... I took Cassie to the hospital with me yesterday so she could meet them... I kept telling her she would really like them but she was concerned... shy... but it didn't take long for my Uncle to wear away all of that and really get to her... and get the joy to come out... they had a blast... And seeing my Uncle holding Cassie down giving her whisker burn brought back so much for me.... a moment of joy from my childhood... and a moment of joy for my daughter... I know you will probley never read this but Aunt Ethel and Uncle Robert... I love you more than you will ever know...
those moments are now new memories, new blessings that came for a very "bad" thing.... If Darrel hadn't have had his stroke then Cassie wouldn't have met them because it will probley be forever before we get to their part of the country...
Darrel is doing wonderful considering he had a massive stroke and I still have that deep peace that I had the first night... He will come through this... no matter what he has to go through he WILL come through this better... stronger. I KNOW that God is in control!
indeed all things work together for good... we don't have to look far for the blessings in the midst of the storm if our eyes are open.

The Architect

I just wanted to share something from my inbox this morning.... From "Grace Mail

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

There are a lot of things that we don't know in life, but here is one thing that we DO know; God has a plan and He knows what He is doing. Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, you can trust His plan for your life.
Centuries ago a great architect was secured to design a magnificent church for the king of Spain's magnificent palace, the Escorial. The name of the church is San Lorenzo.

When this awesome building was being constructed the architect designed a huge arch, one larger than any that had ever been built before. That single arch was supposed to support the entire weight of the church's giant roof. The king, however, was worried that the enormous weight of the roof would be too much for that arch. So he insisted that the architect build a column from the floor all the way up to the center of the arch, to help support it.

The architect took the King's command to build a center column as a tremendous insult and argued loud and long with the king that this was not necessary and that his fears were all groundless. But the king insisted and the column was built. After the building was finished the king worshipped in peace. He could look at that column and feel secure that the column he had added to the architect's design would hold up that enormous roof.

Many years later, after the King's death, the architect revealed that he had left a quarter-inch space between the top of the column and the arch it was supposed to support!

Even now, though hundreds of years have gone by, that ceiling has not sagged even a quarter of an inch! You can go and visit the Escorial today and the tour guides will take you to San Lorenzo Church and they will pass a board between that column and the arch proving that the great architect's plan was sure. He stands vindicated even after all these centuries!

God's plan is this way. His plan for our lives is sure and doesn't need our support. We can trust the work that He is doing in our lives and we can rest in His gracious design. We aren't left in the hands of fate. Lady Luck doesn't control our lives! We are in the hands of a loving God! There is nothing that happens to us which does not dovetail into God's plan for our lives. "

Have a wonderful Day
Hilma

God's Reminder

I just wanted to share this pic of the sunset on my ferry ride to Seattle sunday night to see my cousin... even in the midst of circustances we would change if we could, God still reminds us of His mercy and grace... and that He is always with us... even to the end of the age. And if we will but look we will see the beauty of ALL His creation.

Finished

I finally got one of the chairs done... life happens and changes our plans sometimes but thank God that He is TOTALLY in control of the life... and that no matter what is happening He is our peace and our hope if we let Him be.
My 39 year old cousin decided that he was going to go ocean fishing on his rare day off from working 2 jobs... while on the boat out in the ocean he collapsed, suffering from a massive stroke.
The coast gaurd boat going out to get him broke down but the civilian boat go him to shore... the ambulance took him to the local hospital but were unable to care for him so he was life flighted to our major medical center in Seattle, where he has been since sunday evening... considering what has happened he is doing well mentally... talking, tho slurred, laughing and joking around.
I am TOTALLY at peace that no matter what happens during his recoverery, or how long it takes that the Lord is in control and He knows what He is doing.
Thank you Lord that you are our Peace.

Fabric!

I got the fabric for one of the wingbacks and the footstool.... I am going to have the flowered print as the main color and then the solid sage as the top of the footstool and both sides of the seat cushion. The ONLY problem I have is my sewing machine was "borrowed" months ago and the one who borrowed it hasn't brought it back!... You know who you are..LOL. So I am waiting til she gets in the mood to drive over here and return it. I would go pick it up myself but she has it at a friend of her's house so her husband wouldn't know she was making him a quilt... Did you ever finish that quilt? Don't know if she will ever read this since I never told her I had a blog. Only one of my kids know I have one.. maybe 2 I dunno. Oh well... so.... I am not just sitting and waiting, I started painting my kichen cupboards... but those pics are for another post.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!
Til next time!

Disgust and then Willing

Psalm 31, verses 14-15a, "But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, 'You are my God!' 15 My future is in your hands..."

Sometimes I get really disgusted with myself.... with my attitudes... with how small of a thing I LET take away my joy... I see all the junk in my heart and I hate it....I went to sleep last night after one of my "moments", totally upset with myself, this morning I woke up thinking about it... telling the Lord about it, then got on line and read Debra's posts for today then opened up my inbox... this is what I found...


August 4, 2006: Beloved, I am doing a deep work of cleansing in your heart. Yield to this work that will make you a fit vessel, a vessel of honor to bear My name. My eyes search to and fro throughout the whole earth to find those who are willing to be sanctified for the work of My kingdom. This is a work of My mercy and grace, and all you must do is be willing. It is I who works in you both to will and to do My good pleasure, says the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
Subscribe to Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin

It made me "feel" better knowing it is not me who does the changing but JESUS in me, I just have to be willing.... I think we get so blind to our own stuff that we don't see it is still there until The Lord allows us to see it... and we don't get willing until we get disgusted with it... and THEN and ONLY then, with a willing heart, can we own it and let HIM change us!

The Fire

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1-2 (AMP)

Another verse I needed today.
Sometimes circustances are beyond our control... but NOT beyond HIS control... MANY times we must go through things to get rid of the junk in our own hearts, other times it is just to test us to see where our faith really lies... and other times I think it is just like Job... for reasons just to glorify God and to show the enemy our faithfulness, no matter what.
But no matter the reason we need to remember this verse (among many others) with these promises... remember, when the 3 men went into the fire Jesus showed up there with them...Some say He was ALREADY there, while those on the OUTSIDE perished. when they (The 3 that were IN the fire) came out they didn't even smell of smoke!
I know that the fire scares me, to be honest, most of the time, but IF I really look at this... And look at HIM, well, I guess I would rather be in the fire WITH Jesus, than on the outside WITHOUT Him.
WE will NOT BE DESTROYED usnless we LET IT!

He Simply SPOKE

Psalm 33: 6-9, "The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. 7 He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. 8 Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. 9 For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command."

This is a really good verse to meditate on... The Lord SIMPLY spoke and it WAS! I needed that today!

My WingBack Chairs

YIPPEEEE !!! I got my Wing Back treasures!!!! I LOVE them... and I love the colors, I will still have to change them because they are the colors I used to have... not the ones I have now... but they are still WONDERFUL!!!! Thank you Lord and Thank you Holly! The footstool is a little worn but only the fabric. I need to "Re-do" them, as Cassie puts it, and re-arrange the living room again cuz I want them in here where I can be reminded in a physical way that the Lord listens to even unspoken prayers! I have always tried NOT to ask for anything physical unless it was a NEED because I didn't want to be asking "amiss", but this shows me... along with my other little treasures... that it is OK to ask... IF He wants to bless me with it then He will.. IF He wants to bless someone else with it then that is ok with me too... There are enough blessings to go around with tons left over! He DELIGHTS in giving us the Kingdom!

My First Freecycle Treasures

A little while ago Debra posted a link on her blog to freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) and I joined the local group.. I was sooooo excited when I got my first "treasure" some books... some really good books, And a ROOSTER!!!! I was absolutly blessed!

I am soooooo stoked!!!!I answered a post from freecycle last night for 2 wingback chairs and an ottoman... I have wanted wingback chairs for as long as I can remember... anyway, I answered it thinking someone else would beat me to them... BUT this morning I got an email saying "They are all yours" !!!!! YIPPPEEEE God is soooooo good!!! He gives us the desires of our hearts!!! I pick them up today and will post pics in my blog later...I don't know what they look like and I DON'T care cuz He will have me change them anyway!!! A few weeks ago The Lord said He wanted to give me and Cassie a new beginning, and that is exactly what He is doing... in the spiritual realem and the physical!!! Life is getting "lighter" for lack of a better word... and NOT because of the treasures He is sending in the physical but because of the inward changes HE is bringing about!

My Favorite things

Ok... posting more pics before I head to bed... been a long day but a good one.
I LOVE pics and nicnacs so I have them everywhere in my living room. The first 2 pics are of a "buffet" thing i have in my livingroom... the next thing to either get changed to white or go out my door.


These next 2 pics are of my mantle above my wood stove


and last but not least... the things I have atop my entertainment center.

My Tables

I have such a HARD time uploading pics with blogger!
If you want to see my living room redo please look at my previous post.
But THIS is where it all started... inspired by The Holy Spirit throught Debra's posting (see link in last post)
The top pic is one of my tables before the redoing.
Cassie had to help me and that "still, small voice" told me to let her.... we were making a memory! and THAT is what counts!!! Life is too short not to!
I did the antiquing of the tables... the "cracking"
And the After pic:
I forgot to take a REAL before pic so here is the top of the 2nd table before painting.

Again... Cassie helping with another table
The "after" of this table... before the whole living room redo

and the 3rd Table
Before:
and after: without the lampshade:

My Inspiration for the redos

I wanted to link to a post the the Lord used to inspire me to do this in the first place.... If you have some time read some of her posts!
http://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2006/04/to-complain-or-to-create-that-is.html

My Living Room Redo

I have been TRYING and TRYING to make this post but blogger is being a bugger

I haven't posted for awhile... not been in the scrappin or bloggin mood but thought I would post some pics of my living room. I have changed it alot since my Grandma went to be with Jesus. We are coming up on the one year anniversary of Jose going to be with the Lord and it has been hard on Cassie... and in turn on me.
anyway here are some pics of my re-do of the living room.... duh me forgot to take a bunch of before pics but there is one with my book cases and entertainment center (Which I gave away)... after I redid my tables... I took the pic for my table to begin with. Notice the curtains too, I had huntergreen . and no rugs as I gave mine to Brandi and Shana.



now for the redo.... Cassie says I have a bad case of the dreaded "Redos". The "new" entertainment Center was brown walmart put it together yourself I got from my neighbor... I painted part of it and then added contact paper to the rest.Before:



After:


And now for the finshed, well almost, Living room

I now have rugs again.... Purple to match my lampshades... I have beads to put on the bottom of the lamp shades... just haven't done it yet. Those are bed sheets (ones I still had in the package for a long time, but just the right color) on the sliding glass door.



Thanks for looking!

In My Daughter's Eyes

I did this LO for a crop at scrapmommies... I thought I would share the word art I made for it:

The download link is: http://www.sendspace.com/file/nbgtjb

I took this pic at the ocean less than a month after Her Daddy passed away... though we were not together as a couple when he passed both of our hearts were so filled with grief I didn't know if we would make it, but but I knew we both had to go on... I REALLY needed to go on for her...this has become my theme song.The part of verse I scrapped is this:
"This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weakI find reason to believeIn my daughter's eyes"
Mona Minnie: Color Vision Page setFonts:LD Astoria, LD Painter's Hand, LD Grunge, Impact, Mahogany Script

Daddy's Grave, Memorial day 2006

I di dthis LO for a sketch crop at the scrappinggarden... Thought I would share it here since I have been a very bad blogger and haven't uploaded anything to share.

I took Cassie to her Daddy's grave for memorial day, I wasn't sure I wanted tobecause we had such a good weekend, but when I said something to her about going she begged me to go... I am glad we went now.

For his birthday in sept last year (about 2 weeks after he went to be with Jesus) we took him a little motorcycle, we wondered how long it would be before it disappeared... it was WONDERFUL to see that his parents had it embedded in his head stone. It will be right there for many years to come. THANK YOU for doing that!

TFL.

Kit is Kay Miller's

Enjoy the little things

I did a LO for a quote challenge at scrappinnana and thought I would share the word art with you.
I picked this Quote because I have learned all too well that the "little" things truely ARE the BIG things. This is my youngest and her Daddy who went to be with Jesus on Aug 21, 2005.
I have learned also that you can NEVER take too many pictures... I haven't got near enough of Jose.
Here is a link to the LO:
http://scrappinnana.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=lastupby&uid=7

And here is a link to the WA:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/7pgss5
It is DK gray so that you can colorize it to suit your need. Hope you find some use for it!

Gotta take a break

Life is keeping me busy the next couple days.
I have to take my Grandma to a Drs appt half way across the state. I PLAN on being back tomorrow night and Saturday morning I will try and get something uploaded for you.

Freebie Quick Page

Here is a LO I did with the QP available at www.scrappinnana.com

NEW KIT!

available at http://www.scrappinnana.com/homepage.html

Direct link to the kit http://scrappinnana.com/mercantile/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=2&products_id=13

There is also a freebie quick page there too!

http://scrappinnana.com/mercantile/index.php?manufacturers_id=2&main_page=index

Thanks for looking!

Well... first post and first booboo... I inserted the wrong pic... duh! so above is the CORRECT example of the parchment overlay!

I've done it!!!!

I have made the leap to the bloggin world!
Here I will (try) to show previews of things I am making, Los I have created and offer some freebies!
For my first thing to share I will post a link to a free overlay I have made. example is above (I hope). apply overlay to paper and decrease opacicity to achieve desired look.
Here is the link:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/monfsq
hope you will find it of some use!