Quick Craft

I didn't think to take before pictures, but this started with the notebook already covered in the damask print fabric.  I covered with paper and ribbons and then glued on the cross.

And then put on a little finish on the inside.

it's all in the details, darling.

Stinkin' cute. :)

New Post

New in the craft room, I'm working on projects with this stuff.

Ooh, I'm so excited.

And then there this:

fabric

and this chair

and this angel

that is going to be the center piece of a room decoration.  I can't show you this room yet but I will in a few weeks.  It looks good in my head, we'll see.

AND then, 

drum roll please, 

there is this little girl.

awe so cute

and

 her sister

 sweet big sister ... 

danger,  

baby hand approaching hair.

awe, sweet sisters.

iamsecond

This brought me to my knees, it broke me.  I don't know why, not that I ever listened to this man's music but I knew what it was.  Not that I was never blameless, I'm not.  There was plenty in my past to sit in this white chair and tell you "i am second."  

There was just something about what felt like total hopelessness and to listen to how Jesus saved. this. man. and how He keeps saving me.  How i am not but that I know I AM. 

Just as this man testifies God used his child to save him, so that he could save her later on, 

God used my children to save me so that later I could be there for them.  

from one of my favorite books, outside the bible, authored by Louie Gigleo,

     "The skies declare that I AMis huge; but Calvary affirms that I AM has the best interest of every I am not in mind at all times.  Our God is in the heavens and the whole world is under His command, but now because of Christ we can personally know how much He loves us and believe that He is using everything that comes our way for His glory and for our ultimate good.  It is time for you and me to live as those who can never be the same because we have encountered both the great power and the great love if I AM.  

     And in the days to come, when you're questioning, needing, searching, wondering, asking, and struggling, you will find His sufficiency at the end of every desperate prayer.  When you cry out all the things that you are not, you'll know His answer is, "I AM."

i am not but I know I AM.  get it, read it.  

Blessings.

The Weight of the Word

Off the shelf and in my hand, "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan

The author of Crazy Love has done it again.  I drank this one up and it stepped on my toes. 

What follows is not a review on this book but one should come, if only I could sum it up.  I think it's going to take some time for that.  Another reading for sure, more study perhaps.  

Some of you who have been with me awhile know that I am involved in ministry through the Walk to Emmaus.  This week I am working on a written talk and I want to share some scripture that is speaking to  me.

Isaiah 52: 13 - 15

 See, my servant will act wisely

 he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.  

Just as there were many who were appalled at him - 

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man 

and his form marred beyond human likeness - 

so will he sprinkle many nations, 

and kings will shut their mouths because of him.  

For what they were not told, they will see, 

and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53: 5 - 6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, 

 he was crushed for our iniquities;

 the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

 and by his wounds we are healed.

We all like sheep have gone astray, 

each of us has turned to his own way; 

and the LORD has laid on him 

the iniquity of us all.

I marvel at this scripture because of what Christ went through to take the punishment of my sin upon himself.  

In this modern time we are so use to seeing  violence, that it has become almost easy to watch, painless to see.  I feel that we have become desensitized to the weightier matters of life.  And another thing, I have been putting a lot of thought into the words we use to describe things.  I feel that we over use words that should be saved for rare more meaningful times when the weight of their meaning is more appropriate.

"the punishment that was on him ..."  there is a word that describes this "punishment" that Christ went through.  I read in the interview between Lee Strobel and Dr. Alexander Metherall that describes what a Roman flogging was like, what lays behind the word "crucify."  See I didn't really know.  It said the pain associated with crucifixions was so bad that there was no word to describe it, so a new word was invented 

excruciating 

adjective - extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing exceedingly elaborate or intense   

Synonyms: unbearable, insufferable, unendurable, agonizing, racking.  

Origin: to torment, torture, crucify (derivative; of the cross)

I can say I have never experienced excruciating pain for someone else's guilt. 

Cooking on the Ranch

You'd think with a title like that I would have some kind of beautiful photo of a culinary accomplishment here.  

Nope.  

But, I do have an idea.  

Do you read Ree Drummond's posts at the Pioneer Women? If not, you should.  This women amazes me.  She can cook and take photos of her cooking and all the other stuff she does, (I don't want to talk about it).  

But this morning - red potatoes, roasted garlic, evoo, white wine.  That's right.  

My honey is going to think I am brilliant.  

um hmm.  

Brilliant baby.

Seriously, she lives on a ranch, I live on a ranch.  We should know each other.  We should.  

I just hope that when I grow up, I can be more like her.  

Home Sweet Home

I don't think he calls this barrack room home sweet home, but I know he was happy to have his feet back in the USA.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes.  We had a great time together and he is coming home for Thanksgiving AND Christmas this year.  And that is a good thing.  

Next for us is his move to North Carolina's Ft. Bragg  and then he faces Afganistan.  Please keep him and all soldiers in your prayers as well as our leaders of this country.  They have some mighty big decisions to make and . . .  well let's just keep praying for this land -  home of the free because of the brave.

Sorry I haven't been on much lately.  I love you ladies, see ya soon.  :) 

He's Coming Home

We snuck out of town for a few days.  Went down to Mexico to watched the waves hit the shore and do a little snorkeling.  It was great, BUT greater still  . . .  my boy is coming home.  He has been in Iraq for one year and his tour is over.  We received a phone call saying this weekend for sure, so we jumped back on the jet, flew home got in last night around midnight and we are out of here pdq.  I should be hugging him by the morning. 

These two picture were taken when he was home on leave in June.  He is a single guy with no children but all kids love him.


These last three picture were taken one  year ago when I saw him off to Iraq.  The little girl is his Sargent's youngest.  

Thank you to all who have come by.  I will back on next week.  

Blessings to all.