WOW!

On a recent visit my surrogate brother came bearing gifts.  He ordered me not to make a big deal over him, so I will not post his picture.  Now, my brother loves to cook and he has every kitchen gadget under the sun.  He gives me stuff for my kitchen too.  So he comes in with this big ole' box.  In the box there are many other boxes.  I got a rice cooker, a pressure cooker, a knife set, food thermometer, and knife sharpener.  I also got this blenderfoodprocesser like thing called the Ninja-  my brother was like "...you never heard of the ninja...where have you been?"  Let me just say...that thing is a beast!  I love it.  He had already instructed me to "...open this box last..."  When I opened the box it was a notebookipadtablet thingy!!!!  Wow!  See I have a desktop and usually haul craft supplies in my office to work on a project while watching USTREAM shows. Now I can  watch craft videos in my craft room or when I am really sick and have to stay in bed.  What a thoughtful and helpful gift.

I was also instructed not to cry, but I snuck off into the office and let out tears of joy.  What did I ever do to deserve such kindness.  The best gift was him telling me "..I just wanted to pour into you sometimes since you spend a lot of time pouring into others..."  Talk about give me my flowers while I am living.

I love all my gifts.  I love my brother...words cannot say how much. I do not love him because he looks out for me and gives me cool gifts, but I love him just because. 

And on top of that: while I was in the office I checked the e-mail and discovered that SOMEONE had paid my fee to attend an online class.  I am most grateful to the secret service giver (lol).  The tears of joy and thankfulness started to flow all over again.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Feeling the blues today

This picture doesn't begin to capture all the cards I received after my mother's sudden death.  I stopped counting at 150 I placed all the cards on my long coffee table.  It was very comforting to walk pass the living room and see all the expressions of sympathy and support.  Some of the cards were from online friends who I have never met before.  Today I took them all down and wrote thank you cards for each one. 

I wish there was a guidebook for grief (LOL)  My weepy, crying moments come at the weirdest times.  Like when I am in the shower at the YMCA.  If I am not careful I will end up with a shower stall full of naked praying women (LOL)  Well I think I am babbling...Those who know the LORD please pray for my strength.  Thank you for all the support.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Joy in the Morning

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."  Psalm 30:5b   Although this scripture is specifically talking about God's wrath, it really helps during any time of sadness.  Not only does joy come in the morning, God can give PEACE and joy in the midst of our mourning.

Right now I feel like this, but...

Joy in the Morning

Tina Riley © 1998

Family, I can see that it is mourning time for you

So mourn, my heart does too

But with each tear that falls

I will say a prayer for you all

That one day you will see your loved one there

And that Jesus- your sorrow will bear

We are told to rejoice when life passes away

But that is harder to do than to say

So, take your time- all you need

Jesus will comfort you, for you are his beloved seed.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Low down saggy and soggy and blue...

Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh sang this song.  I may have gotten the words wrong, but that is what I remember and lately I have been feeling that way. Just a blue haze. 

Right now, I am overwhelmed with all that is on my plate (health, finances, relationships, work etc.)   Today I am escaping by doing things around the house.  I am borderline compulsive (lol) so my house is kinda neat, but lived in too.  But I can always ORGANIZE!!!!!  I am reorganizing my craft room. Yes, again!   I am constantly reorganizing.  I think it is a disease.  See, I am one of those strange people that likes to be surrounded by order.  However, there is this other side of me that lets things get messy sometimes.  Then when 'I've had all that I can stand and I can't stands no more' (Popeye)-I reorganize (LOL).  Messiness steals my motivation and organizing the mess takes time away from the creative process.  Having these two things in one body doesn't always work as I have not mastered having balance yet.  There are times when I just spin my wheels and very little gets done.  Then are times when I just breathe and go with the flow.  Thanks to God for not allowing me to stay in this blue funk.

So, no craft project today.  Just...uhhhh...life

In spite of what I feel I am going to praise God in the midst of my crazy circumstances.  After all this is only a light affliction.

II Corinthians 4:17 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.


This too shall pass...so my make melody in your heart song for today is "SMILE" by Kirk Franklin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_FZ-HIcygI

Please be patient with me...

I figured I'd better start a blog before my gal pals threatened to stop accepting my really long e-mails. I guess I enjoy talking and writing. The only obstacle is that I am so technology challenged. So be prepared to see some cut off, fuzzy or upside down photos. I am new to blogging, but I am excited about what I will learn and who I will meet.

I decided to start by sharing the pages in my 6x6 mini album. These pages are a part of a Scripture Challenge. I noticed from reading other blogs that folks usually list what products, quantity, measurements etc. that were used to create the crafts they display. I have not done that so far. Actually, I never really thought to do that. As I create; I may be inspired by something that I see, but if I want to make it I usually put my own spin on it. I hardly ever make recipes or anything, for that matter, according to directions. I like to wing it except for baking measurement of course. Perhaps I am a rebel. I am going to think that God gave me an additional teaspoon of creativity...yeah that sounds good. That's my story and I am sticking with that. At any rate, I will try in the future to post products, measurements etc.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my journey.