Your Hands.....

When it is out of our hands.......it is never out of His....




Hugs,

Struggle...

I have wanted to be uplifting on this blog....not fall into being whiny even when there were things that "bugged" me.  And I have tried.

I haven't written much recently as I was trying to find the words to express what is going on.

I have been here before....

And I really hate this part...those seasons and times of upheaval and change...

but I feel it coming on....

and I struggle.

Even places of comfort are uncomfortable....

Attending a church I love this morning, with people I love and care about....for the first time in a long time I felt totally alone.....

It is not a fun place to be....it makes me want to pull the covers over my head and try to wait it out.

But I know that this is just part of the birthing of something new in my life....

its never easy or pain free....

it just is.

I didn't want to write this, to admit to feeling this way....

but I recalled that one of my favorite blogs is about her journey,

the mountain tops and the valleys...

because we all go through it in one way or another....

and sometimes it just helps to know that someone else has been there...

and survived....

and found joy again.....

and found their road home again....

Love to you all.......prayers for each of you on your journeys......  He is with you and me....

So What About Halloween???

Several years ago ( boy, I hate to really think how long ago it was!!! LOL), my son was small and I was trying to decide how we were going to handle Halloween.  As a Christian, you got the whole array of advice from "it's no big deal" to "how can you be a Christian and participate in it?"....yeah, lots of help there!

But during that time, I went to assist at a women's retreat for pastor's wives.  I was working at a salon that went there to pamper those women on one of their evenings there.  As I was giving a hand/arm massage to one of the women who was very pregnant and shared that she had 3 other children at home....I asked her the question, "What do you do with Halloween?"  And she gave me the best advice that I have ever heard on this subject.

She shared with me that she and her husband had prayed about this and wanted to do something that would reflect something positive on this holiday.  She asked me, "What other holiday do people line up to come to your home to visit?"  This was so different than when you hand out tracts or go on visitation....people actually wanted to come to you.  So why not do something positive with that.

Each year they decide on a theme and the family dresses up in something fun and uplifting (no scary/horror stuff).  That year I remember that her daughters wanted to be princesses....and that she would dress as the queen and her husband as King.  Her husband was taking refrigerator boxes to make a castle for the front yard.  They purchased candy.....the best they could afford.....because as you do unto others, you do as unto Christ.....and what would they buy for His visit???  They made hot cocoa and apple cider to serve.  They made this something special and would have the opportunity to visit with friends, neighbors and strangers that would come to their door.  They found simple children's tracts to include in the children's treat bags. 

Who wouldn't want to visit them?  And what a positive message......and how open would people be to them sharing at some point about their faith.....or an invitation to church.......

So who would you be open to the darken cold house or the one that welcomed with warmth, friendship and joy?

Just some food for thought...... 

Can I Stand For You?

I was wanting to get something up on the blog.....and after a beautiful southern weekend, I was planning on posting pictures and info on our weekend.  But things change......

Sitting down this afternoon to do homework, I started flipping through some television shows that I had recorded and wanted to sift through to see if there were any I wanted to watch. There was a program about women vets.....I was astonished at how many of our women veterans are homeless, have had their children taken from them, and return to.....silence from us.

One of the vets shared how people will show up from miles around to attend the funeral of a returning soldier...but not show up for the ones that return to months in the hospital or needing other care.  As a woman and as a widow of a veteran, I hurt for these women.

There was a woman on the show that had lost both legs in an explosion.....she was in the hospital in excruciating pain and felt she was going to die.  She watched the clock, willing herself to make it through 60 seconds at a time.....even though she had been transfered back to the US, her hair was matted with blood, she was still covered  with dirt and sand from the combat area.  A soldier entered the room, took off her arm, and looked at her.  She told her she knew she was hurting and understood that, but she was going to make it....and could she "stand for her"?  This soldier washed the woman's hair...and for 5 days --through all her pain--when she looked around, this woman was there..."standing for her". 

The veteran situation needs our prayers and our voices....and action.

But it also made me think.....how many women do we come across in our lives that need someone just to "stand for her"......  There are women who are harshly judged and we don't know their stories....there are women who are angry and spew such ugliness, but we don't know their story.....how would their lives have been different if someone was willing to "stand for her"?  We have women who have lost....homes, husbands, children...health....and after the intial shock when people begin to drift away.....they just need to know that someone will "stand for them".

Such a simple, yet powerful thing......knowing someone is standing for you!!!  As Christians....what a powerful, amazing thing to be able to not only stand for someone, but to be able to place their hands into the hands of one that Stood For Them 2000 years ago.  Knowing Christ stood for us on the cross and took our place.....we as Christians are called to "stand"  for those around us.....

"For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son...."

Understand that "standing for" someone doesn't mean that we fix them, offer our opinions on what they could have done differently, how they failed.....it is about loving them, praying for them, reaching out with compassion, and more than that not just lip service but putting feet to our concerns....finding ways to let them know that we truly do care.  For that soldier, the simple act of having someone care to just wash her hair.....it sparked a change in how life looked around her. 

Do you have something that I can "stand with you" for?  Just email me or post your prayer request....  or just your thoughts on this.....

Hugs,

Stop The World

JJ Heller - What Love Really Means (Official Music Video)

It's a God Thing........

It's been busy....no, I mean really, seriously busy.  I can give you lists of all the stuff I have to do, need to do, haven't done yet, need to have done today, or Monday or Tuesday......you get what I mean.  It is the end of the quarter with so much to do.....and sadly the household and laundry fairies haven't shown up for duty in some time.  As you can see....I have a legitimate list of excuses for the "busyness" in my life.

Yesterday some things happened that frankly made me mad.  Mean people can wreck your day, can't they?  The more I thought about it, the more it made me mad.  But you know, having someone do something inconsiderate and harsh....doesn't give us a pass to act the same way in return.  The worst part is if we allow this kind of thing to change who we are......that is on us, not them.

As I thought on this today, I opened my computer to check on my email.  It opened to the internet....and to a page on Lifeway.  Please understand, I don't know when the last time was that I had been on this site, it has been some time ago.  But recently I had decided to do a study online of Beth Moore's Fruit of the Spirit.  I have the book....and apparently (I had forgotten about it)..I had purchased the study to view online on Lifeway.  Remember how BUSY I have been....well, I haven't taken the time to just "be still".  When I thought about it, I realized for the last couple of weeks, one of the big things that had gone by the wayside with everything that has been going on is my quiet time.  Just that time to get away and spend some time in prayer, reading, journaling...and just being with One that guides and leads.  Now, if you aren't spending time with the "Navigator" it is so easy to get off course...and stay there till you get back to the One that knows the way.  Opening my computer and having it be at the Bible Study, ready to view the lesson for that day let me know that God was reminding me of my missed appointments with Him.  Knowing that put the last day into a different perspective.

Some times we will have seasons of busyness....dry spells.....just things off kilter.  Use them as a reminder to get back to the basics.....simply drop all the excuses and make the time to spend with God.  For when it becomes a "chore" or just something else on our to do lists, let's face it--there are deeper things at work. 

Expect hope to be rekindled.

Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.

The dry seasons in life do not last.

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

Hugs to you all.....
Debbie

Wednesday Grats....

Don't want to miss the opportunity to get in on the Wednesday Grats this week!!!  Please know that all are welcome to join in...  Gratitude changes your attitude in so many ways...

1.  Thankful for our new church....a pastor that truly wants to make a difference in people lives.  Starting small but laying great groundwork for the future.

2.  Being close to the end of this quarter!  Great teachers and classes...but this quarter I have struggled with feeling behind so much of the time.  So I am really ready for this quarter to wind up and be behind me.

3. Opening doors!!!  Opportunities for me to sell some of my handmade items in unexpected places.  Love it when those "blessings" sneak up on you.

4.  For dear friends that make me smile and even join the gym to workout with me!!

5.  For my mom who pays attention to the little things (even when I think she isn't) and surprises me with things like "white pumpkins"....thanks mom!!

Hugs to you all!!!
Debbie

Words from Brin......

If you are not familiar with Brin...well you should be. I have loved her blog for some time and always find something there that speaks to me. You can find Brin here.

I love finding strong, insightful, creative, grace filled women on the web...and there are many.
Today, I just wanted to share the current writing of Miss Brin as it spoke to my heart and I hope it will yours.



Don't give up. Keep going. Don't give up.

Especially when it's hard. Especially during dry spells. Especially in times of mourning. Especially during times of testing... times of learning... times of questioning.

Find your faith. Put it in your pocket. Remind yourself you have it. Remind yourself it's real. Pull it out when you need to; examine it. Patch it up when it's battered. Ask for more when it's not enough. Then take it and keep going.

What we're doing today matters. Because in due season - tomorrow, next year, eternity- there will be a harvest. Good or bad, there will be a harvest. There will be bounty. Where there were hard times, there will be triumph. Where there was lack, there will be plenty. Where there was sorrow, there will be joy. Where there was weariness, there will be rest.

The harvest is coming. Can't you feel Him stirring even now? Don't you see Him getting His sickle ready?

Don't give up. I'll hang in here with you until then. -Brin

(Also I am sorry to miss my Wednesday grats post....thank you to those of you that are participating!!!  This week just got a bit busy.....but I am thankful for all of you....for grace....and for God who cares about even the "little things" in our lives.)

Hugs to you all,
Debbie 

Wednesday Grats.....

For those of you new to this....I am taking Wednesdays to take some time and refocus for the week.  Look for those things in my life I am grateful for.  Living with a spirit of gratitude, makes you look at your life and the outside world in a different way......truly it allows you to give a bit more grace to those around you.

I am grateful for.....

The new church I am working with.  I am so excited about the possibilities and the people I am working with.  I truly feel there are some wonderful things coming.

Some women's conferences that I am planning on attending in the next few months.  Just a great chance to get away, bond with new friends...and just get recharged.

Love the relationship with my family......that I can count on them, and they just make me laugh.

Getting excited about planning a holiday open house here for the first time.  Working hard to get back into the swing of "crafting"....it's been hard to get back into that creative mode, but I love it.

Great friends......the ones you can call at all hours of the night because you need to talk...and they still answer the phone...LOL

And I am grateful for all of you that show up here......leave your comments.....share your hearts.....and just let me know your here!!!

Hugs to you all!
Debbie

Thursday Thoughts.......

Good Evening All!!
You know, some times God just sneaks up on you.  It is interesting to get that tap on the shoulder that let's you know that something is brewing....then sit back and watch what developes.
In the last few months, I have had the door open to work with developing a woman's ministry for a new church plant.  As that door opened, and I stepped through.....I am amazed at what He has brought my way.
Friends that I had not been in contact with for some time...that had something to share in what I was doing began to contact me...out of the blue.  He just amazes me with the grace He bestows.....the fact that He is in the smallest detail....just that little extra thing that lets you know...yep, it's God.

What is this ministry about?  I was lead to this scripture when I was working on the mission statement.

So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.
Romans 15:7 (NLT)

Accept each other?  Kinda tough when we are busy setting standards that we can't even reach.  I am amazed at the "Perfect Christian Woman" yardstick that I have seen pulled out at times to measure whether we are worthy   But I truly believe each woman desires that acceptance.....that someone believes in her....expects the best.....and wants to cheer her on.

Mission Statement:
To offer a haven of acceptance to women.  To continually work to place their hands in God's and provide the tools for the journey ahead of them...through bible study, fellowship, and shared experiences (small groups, outreaches, gatherings and one-on-one).

My heart is to make this a woman's ministry that speaks to a woman's heart in very real, relevant ways.

So "stay tuned" as this journey begins...and please keep me and the other members of this church plant in your prayers!

Every experience God gives us,
every person He puts in our lives
is the perfect preparation for a future
only He can see.----Corrie Ten Boom

Hugs to you all!!!!!
Debbie

Gratitude Wednesday......

I have always loved the song....it is a reminder to me that things are not always as they seem. It also is a reminder that regardless of how things look...God is still in control.....and there is great peace in that!!!

So what are my grats today....
We have had a rough first year without my husband....but God has faithfully and gracefully walked us through each step of the way. Without faith and knowledge of Him as our Father and source...I don't know what I would have done.

I am grateful for wonderful friends that have been so awesome.

Love that my son put his life on hold for a bit for us to get through this, but is now moving forward with his own.

I am grateful for great books that feed my heart, spirit and mind....

Grateful to be part of a new church family that just makes me smile!!!

Hugs to all of you....I am grateful for each of you.
And if any of you want to join us in our Wednesday Grats...just click below, grab the link and sign up!!!

Sunday.....

And whatever you do,

Whether in word or deed,

Do it all in the name

of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to

God the Father through

Him.....

Colossians 3:17

Gratitude Blog Hop.....

We have been talking about gratitudes....how they change our focus to the positive things in our lives.  It changes the way we look at our lives, the world in general....and even the way we treat others.

My friend, Kathie, suggested that we use a linky and start sharing our grats through our blogs.  Now I am new to this, so bear with me as I try to set this up.  But what if we take Wednesdays, the middle of our week and share our grats with each other???

Are you in???

If so just grab the link below and add yourself to the linky list...when you go to the site it will explain how to do it.  Looking forward to reading your grats!!!

Hugs, Debbie

Recording The Journey....

I have talked about working on my health and diet stuff.....but I have hit a glitch where the scale just isn't moving (ok, let's not talk about the cheesecake that was delivered to the house on Sunday...oh baby!!!).  In trying to pull back and take a look at what is going on, one of the things I realized that I have slacked off  on is using the "My Food Diary" .  Now you don't have to use this online program to stay on top of what you are doing....but for me it is huge.  It tracks my foods, the types...if I am getting enough fiber, too much sodium...exercise...the works.  And being able to see it, makes a difference for me.  It is amazing how you can get "amnesia" about what you eat when you don't have a record. If only the body would "forget" and not add it to your thighs!!!  smile 

Having this record truly keeps me on track.  It helps me make better decisions...and even if I am going to eat something that may have more sugar or calories than is really good for me...I can work the rest of the day around that to help minimize the damage.  It truly is about the whole accountability thing and having everything in the open to recognize what you are doing.

So why am on I on this whole accountability thing?   Because in reviewing at how far off you can get when you just aren't looking, reminded me of the difference in my life when I am journaling and doing gratitudes and when I am not.

Several years ago, I started through the book Simple Abundance with a group of friends.  One of the big things I got from this book is trying to daily do a list of gratitudes.  With all the junk that goes on in our lives, it is so easy to get pulled into the muck and mire....walking around with a dark cloud hanging over your head.  Even in the worst of times....there are things in our lives to be grateful for.  When we switch our focus to gratitudes instead of gloom and doom....it really affects how we live our lives and how we treat others....and whether anyone wants to be around us!!!   (smile)

And it is not just the grats....journaling to channel my day..the good and the bad.  To write it down and then go back and look at it from fresh eyes can give me insights to the situation that I might not get otherwise.  Journaling is also a record of our growth....in all areas of our lives.  For me it is a record of answered prayers...at how God was resolving something in my life or that of others in ways that I just couldn't see on my own. 

Many years ago, in a group I had we all journaled through a bible study.  We all learned so much for ourselves and had shared that together.  At the end of it, one of the ladies shared that she was going to go back into her journal and "white out" parts of it.  She didn't want her kids to ever read it and think poorly of herself or her hubby.  I was a bit shocked by this...but then I thought...isn't that what we all do?  We like to whitewash our stories a bit so people will not know just how wacky we can be.  But I think the truth is always more powerful.  Frankly, if all the people we meet through the Bible were perfect, I would just throw in the towel.  Knowing that God uses flawed people is such a source of comfort for me....because it tells me that no matter how I screw it up, He still loves me and can use me for His purposes.

(The Message) Isaiah 30:8....  So go now write all this down.  Put it in a book so that the record will be there to instruct the coming generations....

Find a book that appeals to you....it doesn't have to be the regular journal.  I use a sketch book with blank pages...because I can write, draw, glue in articles or pictures....make it something that truly reflects what I am feeling.  Just make it yours.  And if you don't write every single day...it is ok, the earth will not end!!!

Write it down......

Hugs to you all...

Debbie

Freckled Foodies Giveaway......

I don't do a lot of giveaway info here....so when I do, it is something that I am really interested in and want to share with you.  Recently, I discovered Sami at Freckled Foodies Blog....I love her blog, her faith and her sharing of healthy food ideas.  It has become of one my favorite blogs.  Currently, she is hosting a giveaway for:

They are giving away a container of Amazing Meal, she has been bragging about how great this product is.  I have been interested in trying it.....and how better to do it than with a great giveaway????

So run over to Sami's blog... Freckled Foodie and check out all the info.  And stick around, look through her posts, I am sure you will find lots of info you will enoy.

It has been a crazy week....so I will try to get everything together and post tomorrow!!! 
Hugs....now go, run to Freckled Foodie!!!
Debbie

Quiet Day....Down Time Creativity

So the day started out on the crummy side....feeling lousy, deciding to stay home today.  Good day to just crash, try to feel better...
Frankly, I just can't do totally nothing for long....so I started looking for something creative to play around with....ok here is the blank canvas....

Sunday night I am in a G-12 class for our church.  We were in a study about prayer this last week and I wanted to put together a prayer journal to use.  Now I couldn't have a plain one....LOL  So I pulled out some scrap papers, stickers, mod podge and started to play around.  And here is what I ended up with....

TA-DA....my new and improved prayer journal.  Love this one and it kicked off getting several projects in gear.  So from the prayer journal...I pulled out some fabric....

This fabric just said "rice bags" to me....flannels and ribbons......and

Rice, with lavendar flowers....and lavendar oil......ohhhhh such a relaxing scent!!!

Quickly sewed up several muslin bags and filled with the rice/lavendar mixture.  Then I pulled out the flannel to sew up covers for the lavendar bags.....and tie up with pretty ribbons.  Then they are ready for me to put on Etsy or hold for the November Open House. 

Feels good to have some things completed and I am looking forward to pulling out more fabric and patterns. 

Hope you all are having a great start to your week.....

AND I am looking forward to starting the Jonah bible study on the Women's Bible Cafe. 

Sweet Dreams All.....

It's Thursday......

Yes, I will be the first to admit I have been a bit out of the loop lately.  Things are going well.  I am loving school...I have stepped on board a church mission in our area working with their women's ministry.  So there is alot going on.  But as I have stated in the past, I am struggling with this whole "creative" thing that has been lost as bit in the last year.  I am so used to having tons of projects all going on at the same time....shows to get ready for.....booths to fill.....orders to knock out......and all of that is "silent" right now. 

I thought the thing to do was to take a "Big Girl Pill" and just realize that things change, focus shifts, "to everything there is a season"....etc, etc, etc.  But there is still this nagging thing in the back of my mind that I want to jump back in.  I thought about shows, maybe doing one.....about booths as an outlet.  But a friend of ours was talking to me about her cheesecake business and wanted to brainstorm ideas.  I was so excited for her and what she is getting into.  Then in class the other day, my instructor was talking about rice bags and teaching how to make them in class to use in your massages.....they are going to use tube socks....(insert shudder here)....as you know that I was making the muslin bag ones with lavendar flowers and oil...with a nice pillow cover you could wash.  Well, those of you that know me, know that the brain kicked into overdrive...LOL.  So I have decided to have a holiday open house here in November.  It gives me time to prepare and I am inviting my cheesecake friend to be here to and maybe some others.  I think it is a way for me to have something to work toward and test the waters without going off the deepend.  In other words, if it doesn't go well you are all getting rice bags for Christmas!!! LOL

Anyway...things are going well.  I am looking into doing an online study of Jonah with the women on

http://www.womensbiblecafe.com/

It would be great if you would join me in this!!  I found the workbook available at our local Lifeway and will be picking it up tomorrow.  But you can go to their website and download the first chapter to see if it is something that you would like to do.

Thanks for reading....for being a follower....for commenting....for encouragement.  Life is at a really good place right now.  And frankly there have been moments when I had trouble seeing this far down the line.  Your sharing, faith, prayers and friendship have meant so much.

Off to start those rice bags.....and what color did you need????  LOL

Hugs to you all,   Debbie

Standing Knee Deep....

Recently, I started thinking about this song.  I was reminded of it awhile back in a Simple Abundance reading.  There is a lot of truth here on many levels....the people that we take for granted, those things that we always intended to do and think we will have plenty of time for, people in need that we believe someone else will take care of.

We are such a busy people.......racing through life and missing so much.  Standing Knee Deep.....

Just a thought.....
Hugs to you all,

Debbie

Happy Father's Day.....

So thankful as we remember all the wonderful times we had with John in our lives.
For those of you that still have your fathers.....be sure to let them know just how much they mean to you.
Hugs,
Debbie