Everyday Blessings...

Change is constant. Normal changes are the everyday things like children growing and job changes, etc. These can be hard or traumatic but not like the big stuff. Most of the time we don't let our minds go to the time when big changing-life altering things might happen.  When big change or pain hits us and we are not ready for it, having not had much forethought about it, we are torn apart.  Life can be very hard as some of you have experienced having dealt with loosing people you love or tragedies of some kind. I am so thankful to say that as I watch the faith of my Mom as she goes through the serious diagnosis of lymphoma cancer,  there is no heart stopping fear, only peace.  As she was about to go through surgery to remove an enlarged lymph gland,  the doctor said that the worst case scenario was going to be lymphoma. She made the comment, "It's a win win situation.  Staying here with the peo...

We are so excited about our (probably too big for us to maintain and get a grip on) backyard. Can't wait to get back there and plant some color and hopefully by next spring have a start on a big garden. The former owners already have it looking pretty good. Hoping to keep the plantings alive and growing.  I dream of lots of color... Whimsical garden settings with old chairs and birdhouses... This photo and the one below are from: http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/  Don't you love this porch. Dreamy...  Hopefully somewhere in our garden we will have some Purple Sage. One of my favorites...  And a swing in some quiet corner of the yard...  A fire pit for roasting marshmallows over in the fall and winter... Hummingbirds on a feeder...  A cool pallet table...  A fountain and pool. Oops, that is not in the budget unfortunately. Sigh...Maybe a fountain.  Oh, there it is...a happy gurgling fountai...

I saw this cute little craft a week or so ago. Someone gave a friend of mine one for their graduation gift. So easy to do. If I can do it anyone can. All you need is batting, a frame, tape, scissors and a small section of fabric. Waa La! Just cover the glass with batting and tape down, then cover the batting with the material and tape. Pop the glass back into the frame and put back the back on. Gather up your earrings and hang them on. Easy to see, easy to use. I like it. Have a great day! Blessings. Amy

A broken child. Scared and alone. Last night my husband found this sad little baby dove in the yard. It went from back yard to front limping and dragging a wing. I stood and watched and wondered how to fix a broken wing on a little bird. I wondered where her mama was. I wondered if she would make it through the night without some stalking cat making a meal of her. I tried to mother her. I tried to put her in a box but she would not let me. I woke this morning and wondered what I would find. Feathers... and breath gone or a baby still fighting for life. I found a mama protecting and loving her child. I am watching to see what happens in this bird saga of life and death and protection. Will this mama protect no matter what? Will she fly when it becomes dangerous to stay and protect? I think she will stay. I think she will stay no matter what. You and I as Mother's of precious children will stay and stand no matter what. Being a Mom brings the meaning of ...

Acts 2:38- Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Surrender. No longer your own. Rejoicing of the Saints. Luke 15:10 (NCV) In the same way, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life." This young man was baptized at Camp Blue Haven last week.  His cabin of friends all jumped in the river after he gave up his life to rejoice with him. Awesome moment. Life saving moment. Spirit filling moment. Most important decision of his life moment. Thank you God.

Do you ever feel that way? Like there is just so much going on or things are just so discombobulated (I've wanted to use that word for a while) that you can't quite think straight?  I really have a lot of things I want to share with you but can't seem to get it together in my mind very well. Reasons that I am brain dead that I am falling back on- We are living in a rent house with most of our "things" in storage. We are trying to make new friends...this makes me a little nervous and tired and makes me contemplate closing myself up in the house like a hermit. Just kidding- a little. We are trying to close on a house. We have a new job- a tad bit stressful, but the wonderful of outweighs the stressful. The new job requires working out of the house which requires the use of the dining room table which means we eat meals in front of the tv with the coffee table as a food table. What? We have never done that. So- we eat out quite a lot which means my...

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. Abraham Lincoln    America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms,  it will be because we destroyed ourselves. Abraham Lincoln Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. Abraham Lincoln Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. Abraham Lincoln God bless America and I pray that America will bless God.

I heard a great talk about shoes and our faith walk at the Encampment a week or so ago.  My sweet friend Kerri Jacobs gave this inspiring lesson. She was a super speaker. Thankful I was blessed to hear her talk about her faith. (Forgive me Kerri if I word some of this different than you said it.) House shoe faith: If we have house shoe faith we stay  in where it is safe and we don't really want to do anything.  We think that we have served our time or we are afraid to step out in our faith. We stay where it is safe and comfy. We have to take courage and get out there out of our comfort zone. Experience the blessing and thrill of being involved and making a difference for the Kingdom. Flats Faith: We have a little bit of a lazy faith and we lack action or follow through. We are out and about but are not really engaged. James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if so...

 Here is what these two did... Happy Anniversary Brad and Debra!! Blessings! Amy