How I spent my Sunday afternoon. Love my little man.
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| watching me work |
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| or napping...I can't tell |
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| such a good boy! |
Have a great week!! :)
Showing posts with label Sunday thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Sunday thoughts and snail mail
I almost let Sunday get away from me! If I don't do this first thing in the morning, it probably isn't going to happen most days. I just let myself get too distracted by other things and before I know it, it's time to start another day! But since I am participating in the 31 Days Challenge, I thought I better make the effort! :)
Today was actually a pretty good day, I woke up to cooler temperatures thanks to a nice cool front that blew in late the night before. Before church I went out to visit my grandtoy, Becca, and her mommy. Mommy is recovering from gallbladder surgery so she is staying with family until she has the all clear from the doctor to resume full-time baby duty. For me this means some extra snuggling time and I could not pass that up!
Isn't she the cutest thing!
After church I came back home and was very lazy. Well, I did manage to get my laundry done, but that's about it. And all the while I was thinking about this post and how I needed to sit down and do it. Have I mentioned before that I am a master procrastinator?? (They do say the first step to overcoming is admitting that you have a problem...)
It's really a good thing I already had an idea what I wanted to write about today: snail mail. See, two of my favorite bloggers wrote posts this week about the lost art of sending and receiving actual mail. You remember the stuff I'm talking about, right? Paper and pen. Sometime a pretty or funny card. Something personal written inside. That kind of thing. First I saw this post over at "My Antidepressant Life" about Reverse birthday letters. What is a reverse birthday letter? Well, basically instead of sitting around checking her mailbox for birthday cards every year, Jerimi writes letters to people who have touched her life in some way and sends them out on her birthday. One letter for each year of her life. Now, I won't tell you how many letters that is, but it's more than a handful. Needless to say, I was impressed and inspired by her post. And if I am honest, a little grateful my birthday had already passed!
But you want to know the best part? The very same day I read that post I got a letter in the mail from Jerimi! I felt so blessed and special, to think that she would take the time to write to me on her birthday! Later in the week I found another post along the same line at "Cathy's Voice Now". Her post is titled Save an empty mailbox. Cathy to is interested in recapturing the thrill of sending and receiving actual mail. At the end of her post she offered up a challenge to her readers to write a letter or send a card to someone special.
Both these ladies reminded me of a commitment I made at the first of the year to send out snail mail. I even wrote a post about it. And at first I did pretty well. But as with most of my plans, I hit a snag. Life got in the way and I started thinking "I'll do that next week". Well, I think it's next week. And I am going to write and send out some snail mail. What about you? Join the fun and send someone special a note or a card. I guarantee it will make their day!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sunday thoughts
I'm sitting on my couch this afternoon with my headphones on, listening to Pandora Radio (praise and worship) and trying to get into the right mindset. I have all these random thoughts running around in my head and trying to work them into something coherent is turning out to be quite a chore! Nothing wants to settle, to sit still long enough for me to get on the screen. Where should I start?
Hmmmmm.......
Well, let's start with something easy, shall we? How about a recent picture of my precious grandtoy, Becca?
Can you believe she is 2 months old already? She is actually in town this weekend, but I can't see her since I still fighting off a sinus infection. Can't make the baby sick. :(
I have been going through a dry spell lately when it comes to blogging. I just haven't had anything to say that seemed to be of any value. With that in mind, I decided to join the 31 Days Challenge over at The Nesting Place. I'm hoping that this challenge will be a new beginning for me, a way to reconnect with the part of myself that started this blog. The idea of the challenge is to pick a topic and blog about it for 31 days straight. No writing prompts, it's all up to you. I have chosen to spent my 31 days looking at "faithfulness".
There is this voice in my head that is screaming at me "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??? ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!?!" I don't know voice, we will just have to see. "Faithfulness" is my "One Word" for 2013, so I thought it would be a great tie-in. A way to refocus on the things that matter most to me. I hope you will stop by and check it out.
Speaking of checking things out, I was taking a little time this morning to catch up on my blog reading and I stumbled across this gem over at Julie's Musings. It is titled "A Lousy Dilemma". Julie spoke to my heart with this one. She starts out telling a little story about a mom trying in vain to treat a persistent case of head lice that her daughter has and being embarrassed to ask for help. But then Julie turns our attention to the "spiritual lice" that we all try to hide. I have a calling to prayer and manage 2 prayer groups, one on Facebook and one at work. And yet I too find myself hiding my deepest worries and concerns from my prayer partners. Why? Embarrassment, the fear of being judged? Yes. Absolutely. But are those good reasons? No, not really. We are not called to walk this road alone. We are called to lift each other up, to support each other. And the best support we can give is to pray, sincerely and honestly for others. And to allow them to pray for us. Julie's post illustrates this point simply and beautifully. I hope you will click on the link and read it for yourself.
Well, I seem to have run out of things to say....
I guess that means I am done for today. Check back tomorrow for the first day of my 31 days. Yes, I know tomorrow is the 30th, but due to time zones and what not the challenge starts tomorrow night. So, I guess technically it is 32 days, huh?
Have a great week!
Hmmmmm.......
Well, let's start with something easy, shall we? How about a recent picture of my precious grandtoy, Becca?
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| toes!!!!! |
I have been going through a dry spell lately when it comes to blogging. I just haven't had anything to say that seemed to be of any value. With that in mind, I decided to join the 31 Days Challenge over at The Nesting Place. I'm hoping that this challenge will be a new beginning for me, a way to reconnect with the part of myself that started this blog. The idea of the challenge is to pick a topic and blog about it for 31 days straight. No writing prompts, it's all up to you. I have chosen to spent my 31 days looking at "faithfulness".
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| My button was made for me by my friend Jerimi. |
There is this voice in my head that is screaming at me "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??? ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!?!" I don't know voice, we will just have to see. "Faithfulness" is my "One Word" for 2013, so I thought it would be a great tie-in. A way to refocus on the things that matter most to me. I hope you will stop by and check it out.
Speaking of checking things out, I was taking a little time this morning to catch up on my blog reading and I stumbled across this gem over at Julie's Musings. It is titled "A Lousy Dilemma". Julie spoke to my heart with this one. She starts out telling a little story about a mom trying in vain to treat a persistent case of head lice that her daughter has and being embarrassed to ask for help. But then Julie turns our attention to the "spiritual lice" that we all try to hide. I have a calling to prayer and manage 2 prayer groups, one on Facebook and one at work. And yet I too find myself hiding my deepest worries and concerns from my prayer partners. Why? Embarrassment, the fear of being judged? Yes. Absolutely. But are those good reasons? No, not really. We are not called to walk this road alone. We are called to lift each other up, to support each other. And the best support we can give is to pray, sincerely and honestly for others. And to allow them to pray for us. Julie's post illustrates this point simply and beautifully. I hope you will click on the link and read it for yourself.
Well, I seem to have run out of things to say....
I guess that means I am done for today. Check back tomorrow for the first day of my 31 days. Yes, I know tomorrow is the 30th, but due to time zones and what not the challenge starts tomorrow night. So, I guess technically it is 32 days, huh?
Have a great week!
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| Random inspiration |
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday Thoughts
It's late and I'm really tired. It's been a good weekend, nice and quiet. Spent my time napping, reading, swimming, watching TV with the hubby, and (of course) working on a scrapbook for a friend.
I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about tonight. I prayed, seeking some divine inspiration, some spiritual light to guide me. A little later, when I was feeding my Facebook addiction, I saw this:
Of course, my first thought was my marriage and how these words apply to me. Kind of an "oh, that's the truth!" moment. And it is the truth. But maybe, just maybe there is a deeper truth.
You hear it said all the time, God is love. And love really is about hanging on, even when the road is rough, even when you don't understand. When bad things happen and people ask "Why?" I don't have the answer. I don't know why. But I do know that God loves us. He truly does. I don't understand, sometimes I get discouraged or even angry. Sometimes I ask "WHY?". And yet, He never let's go of my hand. He loves me, imperfect, shallow and weak child that I am. So, no matter what happens, no matter how confusing life is or how unclear the path before me becomes I am going to hold on to His hand. I am going to trust Him and let His unending love be my guide.
I don't know if that was divine inspiration of sleep deprivation, I will let you decide. I'm going to bed. :)
I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about tonight. I prayed, seeking some divine inspiration, some spiritual light to guide me. A little later, when I was feeding my Facebook addiction, I saw this:
Of course, my first thought was my marriage and how these words apply to me. Kind of an "oh, that's the truth!" moment. And it is the truth. But maybe, just maybe there is a deeper truth.
You hear it said all the time, God is love. And love really is about hanging on, even when the road is rough, even when you don't understand. When bad things happen and people ask "Why?" I don't have the answer. I don't know why. But I do know that God loves us. He truly does. I don't understand, sometimes I get discouraged or even angry. Sometimes I ask "WHY?". And yet, He never let's go of my hand. He loves me, imperfect, shallow and weak child that I am. So, no matter what happens, no matter how confusing life is or how unclear the path before me becomes I am going to hold on to His hand. I am going to trust Him and let His unending love be my guide.
_______________________
I don't know if that was divine inspiration of sleep deprivation, I will let you decide. I'm going to bed. :)
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Sunday Thoughts and pictures
I read an interesting and enlightening post this week over at my friend Jerimi's blog "My Antidepressant Life". It was titled Mental Health Club and it really hit home. In her post Jerimi talks about coming to the realization that in order to ensure good mental health we have to be willing to work at it everyday. Ugh.
Can I just say that at this very moment my inner child is kicking and screaming... I. DON'T. WANT. TO. I just don't. Don't get me wrong, I want to feel good, but I want it to be easy. I don't want to have to work at it. Jerimi's thoughts don't just apply to mental health either. They apply to all areas of my life (DANG IT!). I struggle with my weight and diabetes and frankly a large part of that struggle is making the right choices in food and exercise. I am an emotional eater. I take comfort from food, always have. But, the foods I crave are not ones that lead to emotional or physical well being. I have to make better choices. I have to be faithful to my body and my mind. And I have to make sure these choices are things I can stick with over the long haul. They have to be sustainable. I'll say it again. UGH.
If I am being completely honest with myself I have to admit one other area of my life where I need to apply some sustainable life choices. That would be my relationship with God. Let's face it, I am a lazy Christian. I treat God the same way I treat myself. I want things to be easy. I want Him to be available to me when I need Him, to answer my prayers and provide for me and my loved ones. But I don't want to do my part. I don't spend time reading His word. I don't spend time talking to Him, I mean really talking, not just asking for stuff. I am no better than a 4 year old with a Christmas list (I want this, I want that, give me-give me-give me!!!).
I need to make some changes. Changes I can live with, changes that will help me grow in my walk as a person of faith. Something tells me that if I make those changes a priority that God will guide me in the other changes I need to make to improve my mental and physical health.Oh, I am going to have to give this a lot more thought. Thanks Jerimi! ;-)
Okay, that's enough introspection for now, how would you like some pictures?
My first 2 pics I want to dedicate to Jerimi, who is a fan of the Sunflower, just like me. I took these with my phone, so the quality isn't the best it could be, but I like them! :)
This pretty girl is my own Maggie Mayhem, named for a character from my favorite TV show, Falling Skies. Originally she was simply Maggie May, but as her personality developed the "hem" was inevitable!
Next we have a lovely cactus bloom. This is from my mom's house, my cactus is growing like crazy but not blooming at all.
This one is one of my current favorites because it makes me think of my step dad, Ken. Lone Star Sign Co. was the name of the sign company he owned when he met my mom. My hubby found a box of these old pencils in Ken's old workshop. They have to be at least 35 years old!! Of course, I had to have a few as keepsakes, but the rest will be put to good use, just as he would want!
My honeysuckle bush is finally starting to take off. It has struggled the last 2 years with the drought we have had, but this year it is busting out all over!
And finally we have me. Every now and then when I am having a decent hair day I try to grab a self portrait. I am not a huge fan of my own face as a rule and I am trying to get over that!
Okay, that's all I have for this evening! I hope you had a great weekend and are getting geared up for the week ahead.
Can I just say that at this very moment my inner child is kicking and screaming... I. DON'T. WANT. TO. I just don't. Don't get me wrong, I want to feel good, but I want it to be easy. I don't want to have to work at it. Jerimi's thoughts don't just apply to mental health either. They apply to all areas of my life (DANG IT!). I struggle with my weight and diabetes and frankly a large part of that struggle is making the right choices in food and exercise. I am an emotional eater. I take comfort from food, always have. But, the foods I crave are not ones that lead to emotional or physical well being. I have to make better choices. I have to be faithful to my body and my mind. And I have to make sure these choices are things I can stick with over the long haul. They have to be sustainable. I'll say it again. UGH.
If I am being completely honest with myself I have to admit one other area of my life where I need to apply some sustainable life choices. That would be my relationship with God. Let's face it, I am a lazy Christian. I treat God the same way I treat myself. I want things to be easy. I want Him to be available to me when I need Him, to answer my prayers and provide for me and my loved ones. But I don't want to do my part. I don't spend time reading His word. I don't spend time talking to Him, I mean really talking, not just asking for stuff. I am no better than a 4 year old with a Christmas list (I want this, I want that, give me-give me-give me!!!).
I need to make some changes. Changes I can live with, changes that will help me grow in my walk as a person of faith. Something tells me that if I make those changes a priority that God will guide me in the other changes I need to make to improve my mental and physical health.Oh, I am going to have to give this a lot more thought. Thanks Jerimi! ;-)
Okay, that's enough introspection for now, how would you like some pictures?
My first 2 pics I want to dedicate to Jerimi, who is a fan of the Sunflower, just like me. I took these with my phone, so the quality isn't the best it could be, but I like them! :)
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| SUNFLOWERS!!! |
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| Beautiful from the back too! |
This pretty girl is my own Maggie Mayhem, named for a character from my favorite TV show, Falling Skies. Originally she was simply Maggie May, but as her personality developed the "hem" was inevitable!
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| My Maggie Mayhem! |
Next we have a lovely cactus bloom. This is from my mom's house, my cactus is growing like crazy but not blooming at all.
This one is one of my current favorites because it makes me think of my step dad, Ken. Lone Star Sign Co. was the name of the sign company he owned when he met my mom. My hubby found a box of these old pencils in Ken's old workshop. They have to be at least 35 years old!! Of course, I had to have a few as keepsakes, but the rest will be put to good use, just as he would want!
My honeysuckle bush is finally starting to take off. It has struggled the last 2 years with the drought we have had, but this year it is busting out all over!
And finally we have me. Every now and then when I am having a decent hair day I try to grab a self portrait. I am not a huge fan of my own face as a rule and I am trying to get over that!
Okay, that's all I have for this evening! I hope you had a great weekend and are getting geared up for the week ahead.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sunday thoughts
I did it again. I forgot to post on Saturday. I think maybe this month of NaBloPoMo is going to be a "no writing Saturday" month.
Honestly, I don't have anything to say now. My well is still dry.......
I will see you guys tomorrow.
Honestly, I don't have anything to say now. My well is still dry.......
I will see you guys tomorrow.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Sunday thoughts
Well, I am off to a terrible start to the NaBloPoMo challenge for June. Yesterday was a pretty busy day and I completely forgot to write a post! Day 1 and I missed it. Oh well, moving on!
This month's NaBloPoMo theme is "Roots". Since I don't know too much about mine I am not at all sure what I am going to write about. This should be FUN!! One of these days I might learn to stop and think before I sign up for a project......but I doubt it!
I am sitting here in my quiet house feeling guilty because I will be missing church this morning (for the 2nd week) and worried about my sweet hubby. When I woke up this morning he was awake (I don't think he has slept at all) because he was in so much pain he couldn't move. I just can't stand the thought of leaving him here all alone, even for just 2 hours. I feel guilty because I sing with our praise and worship group and that group has been really struggling lately too. We are a small congregation and when someone is missing from the platform, it impacts the few who are left. Hence the guilt. I know my pastor and my friends will understand why I need to be here. But the guilt is still there, settling in for the long haul. Being a grown up is not all it's cracked up to be.....
Wow. I am a bundle of sunshine today, aren't I?? Sorry. I am having a moment. A crappy one. It will pass. In the meantime I am going to sign off with something inspirational. I think I need it.
One of my favorite scriptures.....
This month's NaBloPoMo theme is "Roots". Since I don't know too much about mine I am not at all sure what I am going to write about. This should be FUN!! One of these days I might learn to stop and think before I sign up for a project......but I doubt it!
I am sitting here in my quiet house feeling guilty because I will be missing church this morning (for the 2nd week) and worried about my sweet hubby. When I woke up this morning he was awake (I don't think he has slept at all) because he was in so much pain he couldn't move. I just can't stand the thought of leaving him here all alone, even for just 2 hours. I feel guilty because I sing with our praise and worship group and that group has been really struggling lately too. We are a small congregation and when someone is missing from the platform, it impacts the few who are left. Hence the guilt. I know my pastor and my friends will understand why I need to be here. But the guilt is still there, settling in for the long haul. Being a grown up is not all it's cracked up to be.....
Wow. I am a bundle of sunshine today, aren't I?? Sorry. I am having a moment. A crappy one. It will pass. In the meantime I am going to sign off with something inspirational. I think I need it.
One of my favorite scriptures.....
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Sunday pictures
I just finished my scrapbook project on Shutterfly. It was really 2 books and I worked on them pretty much all day yesterday and today. Needless to say I am really tired of looking at my computer!
So, how about some pictures?
I hope you enjoyed pictures. I am going to call it a night. I promise to actually write something tomorrow!
So, how about some pictures?
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| Meet my Julio! He is a sweetheart. |
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| Sunflowers, my summertime favorite! |
I hope you enjoyed pictures. I am going to call it a night. I promise to actually write something tomorrow!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Sunday Thoughts
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| Backyard view. Please ignore the hole in the fence, he will get it fixed sooner or later. :) But feel free to notice my Cactus Bed he planted for me last year. |
We have an above ground pool in the back yard, which is not nearly as classy or glamorous as it sounds. But it is mine and I love it! The hubby doesn't enjoy swimming, but he keeps up all the maintenance for me. In fact, over the winter he single handedly replaced the pool liner which had definitely reached the end of it's life after 13+ years (We have been here for 13 and it was here when we moved in). A lot of work goes into taking care of this pool and I don't have to do any of it. Not a bad deal, huh?
Tonight I got in a 20 minute swim, which doesn't sound like much but was more than enough to let me know how out of shape I am.
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| I know, but that's not the shape I have in mind!! |
So, I am embarking on a plan to swim at least 3 times a week. This is not a new plan, it is one I try every year. And every year I fail. One year I got bronchitis and could not go near the pool. For the next 3 years after that I had trouble holding my breath under water for any length of time. And there have been the lazy years and the depressed years. But this year will be different! (I hope) It's not so much about losing weight (though that would be great) but about getting outside and getting some exercise. Taking advantage of all my hubby's hard work and care. After all, it's right there outside the back door, just waiting to be used.
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| Sunset view from the pool (and I didn't drop the phone!). Once again, please ignore the junk. :) |
And this is the place where I run out of thoughts. That little swim wore me out and it's late. And I still have some clothes to put away for I can crawl my lazy butt into bed. So I'm gonna call it a night. I hope you had a wonderful, restful, and blessed weekend.
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| Always makes me smile! |
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| Love this thought. |
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Sunday thoughts and fur babies
I have a confession. We are cat people. And we have too many cats. People ask me from time to time how many we have and I always say "too many", mostly because it is depressing to count them. And because people look at me like I am crazy.
It wasn't always this way. About 6 months before our marriage my hubby brought home this adorable ball of fluff that we named Smokey. A year or 2 later my sweet husband brought home Little Bit and Tigger. And we were a family of 5, 2 humans and 3 felines. Then about a year later he brought home Jonah (are you seeing the pattern?). Five became six and we were officially outnumbered by the felines.
We rocked along with those numbers holding steady for several years until we found an abandoned kitten in our yard during a flash flood. We brought her in and cleaned her up. Her name is Sassy and at this moment she is curled up on the couch next to me, napping with Jonah and Cuddle Bug.
After that we rescued Cricket and Tiny Mite. And things started to get out of control. Years later, Cricket and Tiny are gone (as well as Smokey, Tigger, and Little Bit) and so many more have come and gone. We both have a soft spot for the sick and the injured. We have spent more money on saving (or trying to save) cats that we found in parking lots and fields or that have been dumped near our home.
Tonight we have a pet taxi in our living room with one of our fur babies in it. It's Pakita and I am pretty sure she has "thrown" a blood clot that has damaged her brain. I have seen this before. In fact, her momma (Tiny Mite) passed away from this exact same thing. I pray I am wrong. That it's an infection or some other treatable problem. But I am afraid it's not. She isn't eating or drinking anything, she is just sitting there with this wide eyed vacant look. It breaks my heart.
I have spoken with the vet and am planning to take her in when they open in the morning. Pakita is about 9 years old, that is considered elderly (strange to me since Jonah is 19 and just starting to slow down) so we have decided not to be too aggressive in treatment. We have to be practical, but it is so hard. It feels like giving up. It feels like I am abandoning my baby girl.
Please pray for us. Pray that we make the right decision for Pakita. Pray that she isn't in pain. Thank you.
It wasn't always this way. About 6 months before our marriage my hubby brought home this adorable ball of fluff that we named Smokey. A year or 2 later my sweet husband brought home Little Bit and Tigger. And we were a family of 5, 2 humans and 3 felines. Then about a year later he brought home Jonah (are you seeing the pattern?). Five became six and we were officially outnumbered by the felines.
We rocked along with those numbers holding steady for several years until we found an abandoned kitten in our yard during a flash flood. We brought her in and cleaned her up. Her name is Sassy and at this moment she is curled up on the couch next to me, napping with Jonah and Cuddle Bug.
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| Cuddles is the black and white one, Sassy is the cream one and Jonah is the fuzzy one. |
After that we rescued Cricket and Tiny Mite. And things started to get out of control. Years later, Cricket and Tiny are gone (as well as Smokey, Tigger, and Little Bit) and so many more have come and gone. We both have a soft spot for the sick and the injured. We have spent more money on saving (or trying to save) cats that we found in parking lots and fields or that have been dumped near our home.
Tonight we have a pet taxi in our living room with one of our fur babies in it. It's Pakita and I am pretty sure she has "thrown" a blood clot that has damaged her brain. I have seen this before. In fact, her momma (Tiny Mite) passed away from this exact same thing. I pray I am wrong. That it's an infection or some other treatable problem. But I am afraid it's not. She isn't eating or drinking anything, she is just sitting there with this wide eyed vacant look. It breaks my heart.
I have spoken with the vet and am planning to take her in when they open in the morning. Pakita is about 9 years old, that is considered elderly (strange to me since Jonah is 19 and just starting to slow down) so we have decided not to be too aggressive in treatment. We have to be practical, but it is so hard. It feels like giving up. It feels like I am abandoning my baby girl.
Please pray for us. Pray that we make the right decision for Pakita. Pray that she isn't in pain. Thank you.
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| My sweet girl during better days |
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sunday thoughts and pictures
It's been a quiet weekend around here. I have done a lot of reading (finished The Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer, you can check out my review on Goodreads) and some house and yard work. Enough to make me feel I have accomplished something anyway. Oh, and I had dinner with my cousin (in law) and bought some cute baby bibs and a onesie for my upcoming grand-baby. I love the fact that my cousin is pregnant with my grand baby! LOL! For those of you shaking your heads in confusion, the mommy-to-be is the daughter of my best friend (who also happened to be my husband's cousin) who died several years ago. I am the honorary Grandma in my dear friend's stead. Our granddaughter's name is Rebecca Leigh and is expected in July. This is the first time I have been able to see Ashley since before Christmas, so it was fun to take her to dinner and spend a little money on the baby. :)
Other than dinner with Ashley I stuck close to the house because the hubby was having a lot of pain and didn't want to do much and I didn't want to leave him. Not that I could really do anything for him, but I hate for him to be alone at times like that. Often I have no choice due to work and other responsibilities, and I know it is hard for him to be alone with only pain to occupy his heart and mind. So, I like to stay close by when I can.
I did manage to take a few pictures of my world this weekend, want to see? :)
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| Cat nap |
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| growing wild |
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| Sunset on a cloudy day. So lovely |
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| I am going to miss spring when it is gone. |
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| On the left is Jonah, the right, Sassy. She is his best friend. Pretty sure she loves him even more than I do! |
Finally I have this thought that I stumbled across in my Facebook feed.
Love is louder when we realize that what people think or say about us
doesn't really matter. It's how we use OUR voices and actions that
matters.~from Love Is Louder
Such a simple truth, but one so easily ignored. It is so easy to get wrapped up in what other people think about us. So easy to allow ourselves to become consumed by concerns over what the world may say about our lives and how we live them. None of that really matters. What matters is that we follow our own inner voice and do our best to leave a positive mark on the world around us.
That's all I have for this Sunday evening. It's getting late and I still have a few things to finish before I can go to sleep. I hope you had a wonderful and restful weekend and that tomorrow finds you excited to go out and conquer Monday! God Bless and thank you for stopping by to read my rambles!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sunday thoughts
So, this morning at church I overheard someone say (just teasing, of course) that if they hadn't come to church they would have to be at home doing chores. In other words, church was their escape. That brought back a flood of memories for me, because that is exactly why I started going to church when I was in my teens.
Our home was not a religious one. As far as I am aware my mother has been inside a church less than a dozen times in my lifetime. She is not a joiner, not comfortable in social situations, and I don't even really know if she truly believes in God at all. It is just something she doesn't really want to discuss. My step father was a religious man from his youth through his mid to late 30's, but by the time he married my mom (in his 60's) he had turned his back on church. I never even knew that he had once been an active member of the Catholic faith until after his death. (Side note, isn't it odd how easy it is to share your faith with perfect strangers and yet so impossibly hard to talk to your loved ones? Or is that just me?)
Anyway, in our home we did not attend church. It just wasn't a part of our lives. However, my parents made it clear that if I wanted to go to church, they would make that happen, and they did. When I hit my teens I started to get curious. Most of my friends attended the local Baptist Church and of course I wanted to be part of the group, to fit in. So my parents arranged for me to ride into town to church with a neighbor down the road who attended there. This was a lovely couple who picked me up every Sunday morning and evening, and every Wednesday evening. I was part of everything the church had to offer. I would love to tell you that I had this deep driving need to find God. What I really had was a deep driving need to get out of mowing grass, weeding the garden, cleaning horse stalls, and cleaning house. I swear my parents thought of me as built in slave labor!
Church really was my escape, my refuge from the (seemingly) never ending chores. When I started going I wasn't looking for God. Funny thing, I still found him. Another funny thing, somewhere along the way as I grew older I lost that sense of escape and refuge I went looking for to begin with. Being an adult is hard work. And sometimes I find myself treating my time in God's house as work, rather than the refuge he intends it to be. Overhearing that comment this morning reminded me how I used to feel when I was a kid. I want that feeling again. So, I am going to start trying to be more conscious of my attitude toward not only my time in church, but my overall relationship with God. After all, that is what it is all about, my relationship to my Father. And that should never be taken for granted.
Our home was not a religious one. As far as I am aware my mother has been inside a church less than a dozen times in my lifetime. She is not a joiner, not comfortable in social situations, and I don't even really know if she truly believes in God at all. It is just something she doesn't really want to discuss. My step father was a religious man from his youth through his mid to late 30's, but by the time he married my mom (in his 60's) he had turned his back on church. I never even knew that he had once been an active member of the Catholic faith until after his death. (Side note, isn't it odd how easy it is to share your faith with perfect strangers and yet so impossibly hard to talk to your loved ones? Or is that just me?)
Anyway, in our home we did not attend church. It just wasn't a part of our lives. However, my parents made it clear that if I wanted to go to church, they would make that happen, and they did. When I hit my teens I started to get curious. Most of my friends attended the local Baptist Church and of course I wanted to be part of the group, to fit in. So my parents arranged for me to ride into town to church with a neighbor down the road who attended there. This was a lovely couple who picked me up every Sunday morning and evening, and every Wednesday evening. I was part of everything the church had to offer. I would love to tell you that I had this deep driving need to find God. What I really had was a deep driving need to get out of mowing grass, weeding the garden, cleaning horse stalls, and cleaning house. I swear my parents thought of me as built in slave labor!
Church really was my escape, my refuge from the (seemingly) never ending chores. When I started going I wasn't looking for God. Funny thing, I still found him. Another funny thing, somewhere along the way as I grew older I lost that sense of escape and refuge I went looking for to begin with. Being an adult is hard work. And sometimes I find myself treating my time in God's house as work, rather than the refuge he intends it to be. Overhearing that comment this morning reminded me how I used to feel when I was a kid. I want that feeling again. So, I am going to start trying to be more conscious of my attitude toward not only my time in church, but my overall relationship with God. After all, that is what it is all about, my relationship to my Father. And that should never be taken for granted.
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| Amen. |
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday thoughts and pictures
It's been a lazy Easter weekend. That is one of the perks of being childless, all my weekends can be lazy. No running around caring for little ones, making sure they get to soccer or ballet or whatever. No Easter egg hunts to prepare for and clean up after. As much as I once wanted a child, I can see now that I really don't have the temperament for them. I enjoy my "me" time too much. :)
Anyway! It's been a quiet, lazy day. I've got almost all my laundry done and I have been cleaning and reorganizing my bedroom since we installed my new bookcase. What? I didn't tell you about my new, handcrafted, custom made bookcase? It's beautiful. Nothing too fancy, because I am not really a fancy girl. Something just perfect for me. My husband built it for me and is at this moment out back in his workshop re-purposing the store bought storage center that used to sit where the bookcase is now so I can use it elsewhere. I do love a handy man! ;)
Isn't it beautiful? He worked so hard on this, measuring and cutting, fussing over each detail. This is only the second piece of furniture he has ever built, can you believe it?? I have been sitting on my bed half the day, just looking at it. I already have visions of the matching shelves that will go around the room and hold my stuffed animal collection (no judging!!).
Besides drooling over my new bookcase and doing housekeeping junk, I did manage to take some pictures this weekend. Of course, you know they are pictures of flowers. But I did manage to get one or two other things as well!
If you are a regular here (hi and thank you!!) you know that on Sunday's I like to share links to other blogs that I have read that have impacted me in some way. This week I have one written by one of my fellow contributing authors over at The Falling Skies Blog, Justin Mathai. Justin is a very talented writer who I am sure has an incredible future ahead of him. This week he posted a haunting short story titled Home. Go read it and if you like it, leave Justin a comment to encourage him in pursuing and honing his gift.
That's all I have for tonight. It's getting late and I still have things to do. I hope you had a beautiful and blessed Easter weekend and are geared up for a great week!
Anyway! It's been a quiet, lazy day. I've got almost all my laundry done and I have been cleaning and reorganizing my bedroom since we installed my new bookcase. What? I didn't tell you about my new, handcrafted, custom made bookcase? It's beautiful. Nothing too fancy, because I am not really a fancy girl. Something just perfect for me. My husband built it for me and is at this moment out back in his workshop re-purposing the store bought storage center that used to sit where the bookcase is now so I can use it elsewhere. I do love a handy man! ;)
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| (I took this picture before I filled it up completely so you could see more of the lovely finish! |
Isn't it beautiful? He worked so hard on this, measuring and cutting, fussing over each detail. This is only the second piece of furniture he has ever built, can you believe it?? I have been sitting on my bed half the day, just looking at it. I already have visions of the matching shelves that will go around the room and hold my stuffed animal collection (no judging!!).
Besides drooling over my new bookcase and doing housekeeping junk, I did manage to take some pictures this weekend. Of course, you know they are pictures of flowers. But I did manage to get one or two other things as well!
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| I never get tired of the simple beauty of a petunia |
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| This is my Pepper. Isn't she pretty?!? |
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| A Rose. |
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| We saw this van on the way home yesterday, sitting outside a local business with a for sale sign. I thought it was cool. :) |
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| My mom got 2 new puppies! They are so much fun! |
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| This is Copper. His sister doesn't have a name yet. Mom is still working on it! |
If you are a regular here (hi and thank you!!) you know that on Sunday's I like to share links to other blogs that I have read that have impacted me in some way. This week I have one written by one of my fellow contributing authors over at The Falling Skies Blog, Justin Mathai. Justin is a very talented writer who I am sure has an incredible future ahead of him. This week he posted a haunting short story titled Home. Go read it and if you like it, leave Justin a comment to encourage him in pursuing and honing his gift.
That's all I have for tonight. It's getting late and I still have things to do. I hope you had a beautiful and blessed Easter weekend and are geared up for a great week!
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| good advice! |
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| I'm heading into this week looking for that new thing God is going to do for me! |
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