Sanctuary vs. survival

I know Jill has been talking about creating a sanctuary at her home, but right now I think this fall will just be survival mode for us due to several changes (albeit temporary) in our lives. While I spent the last week working at our churches preschool (it went quite well), my husband started ripping off our roof today for an addition we've been planning. Yeah! So, he will be pretty busy in his free time and I'm not having all the free time I thought I would. Now, I am not complaining. I am glad to help my friend by filling in for her, and of course, I am not complaining about the addition. It's just that I think my sanctuary ideas will be put on hold for a while. In the meantime, I still hope to create as much of a calm atmosphere amidst the construction chaos around us.

Personally, I always find it much easier to have this calm in the fall and winter, especially when it starts getting dark early. The kids will be in the house, and if we're home, we can actually do more activities together as a family than it seems we do in the summer. I love having each of just read our own books with some quiet time, or play a game together, or watch our favorite family show, The Waltons.

Directing my paths...

My life is taking a new direction temporarily... something I certainly didn't plan.... something out of my league and comfort level...but, nevertheless I have accepted the challenge...

As of this post, I am the fill in preschool director at our church. Our current director, who I worked with prior in a classroom, is on a leave of absence. Her daughter, Ana, is in a hospital two hours away with kidney failure caused by of all things a bad case of flu! She is doing better each day, and they expect a full recovery, but this could take a couple weeks to a few months. So, of course, please pray for a quick recovery for this little girl.

And please pray for me as I fill in. I must say I love it when God works in our lives in ways we never would imagine. While I thought I would have "free time" this fall, the wonderful Lord had other plans for me. Of course, I never would have wanted someone's suffering to turn into my employment, but I am glad I can help at this time. Had this been last year it wouldn't have been possible, but since my youngest will be in first grade, it will be do-able.

This all just reminds me of my life verse, in my sidebar, Proverbs 3:5-6. And I believe with God's strength, I can do whatever He calls me to.

Praise!!!

I have a praise!!!
Today we parked our van up the street hoping someone would see it as they were looking for yard sales. This is how Ginger sold her van...at her own yard sale, so I thought we'd copy although we didn't have a yard sale. Anywho, we got a call at 4:50 this afternoon from someone wanting to test drive it. Ten minutes later, my husband was taking this family for a test drive and they wanted to buy!!! We did come down in price, but I just didn't want to take any chance at not selling it soon. Thank you Jesus!

Delaney's Room

Delaney's room before:































And after:














Since it seems redecorating children's rooms is a common theme recently, I thought I'd post before and after pictures of my daughter's room. Her "old" room was a two tone blue/white with pink hearts at the top for a border and a Cinderella I painted using a transparency. As you can imagine, at age 12, Cinderella has lost all appeal for my daughter. She was ready for a more grown up room. She and I were both happy with the results, and I hope it will last for the next 6 years at least!!!

things heavy on my heart

Ok, I've hesitated posting this, but I really could use your prayers. I've looked at some of your blogs and I know you need prayers too, as there seems to be tough situations everywhere. I do not mean to minimize them. In fact, as I read, I thought maybe I shouldn't post this because my problems seem to be minor or less important than others, but still I have my needs and requests. And if you all don't care, then who would? You are, after all, my friends and sisters, so here goes.

We have had one thing after another happening the last four months. Mostly, with our minivan, but also with our house, and my husband's broken foot. I have tried real hard not to complain, but to be thankful that at least Jesus has provided through each of the situations/problems. Well, here we go again. The van is once again messed up!!! As I write, my husband is out trying to figure out what to do with it as it is stuck at the Wal-mart parking lot. Really, he needs prayer as he is getting real discouraged. And that is not like him. It's more like me. Thankfully, we both aren't in the dumps together! I know God will again provide as always, just as he promised. I keep reminding myself that He will take care of my needs each day, and of the verses where Paul said he would rather have just what he needs, nothing less and nothing more. Maybe that's the lesson in all this. Things would be going fantastic if it weren't for all the repairs we've had to pay for lately. Anyway, would you just pray for my husband and myself that the van gets fixed(without a big expense) and that we won't be discouraged? It would be greatly appreciated. ~ I will remember to pray for those requests you have as well.

My take on "it's not fair!"

Okay, so I haven't blogged for a while now, a whole month in fact! But, I have had this one brewing for some time so here it is.

I know you can relate to an almost nonstop, daily dose of the "it's not fair" whine, at least that's how it seems sometimes. My kids do say thank you and appreciate most of what happens in their lives, but it seems the "fair monster" does like to pay frequent visits to our house and disrupt our peaceful lives.

Well, last year at school as I was picking up the girls, was one of those times. As we were waiting our turn to leave the parking lot, the complaints began...This time I thought of a new come back. My usual (from Lori) "the fair's in August" and one from when I was a kid "who said life was fair" were losing their power (did it ever work anyway? hmmm) Anyway, I was looking out my van window and saw all the parents picking up their kids in wheelchairs. Our school has a new class of kindergartners with special needs. These are mostly kids who probably will never walk, among other difficulties. A light bulb went off in my head as I thought, hey this is a great teachable moment. I decided to seize the moment, and tell my kids "Ya know, you're right. Life is not fair...it's not fair that those children out our window can't walk, it's not fair that some people are blind, it's not fair that other kids have lost their parents in tragic accidents." You know it helped me too, to take my mind off how my life isn't fair (because it doesn't go my way all the time - I mean isn't that why we say it anyway, we just aren't getting our way) and appreciate all the blessings God has given me. Fair really might not be that great after all, so I don't know if I want fair... I much rather prefer God's mercy and grace to fair anyday. Besides, often times my life isn't fair, it's much better than that!

Something blog worthy

Something really cool happened to me today. I was at the grocery store at the check out, when the cashier, a guy, started a conversation with me. He told me how he'd been out on the floor working earlier and just wasn't really having a good time. (I'm thinking to myself...okay, what's the point - maybe he's just being friendly, I don't know) Anyway, he then tells me he noticed my shirt (the one that says Faith, Hope, Love on the front), while he was working in the store and I must have walked by him. I hadn't noticed him. He said that it really was an encouragement to him and put his perspective back in the right place. He shared how he was just caught up in himself, which he admitted is not so great, and that the words on my shirt snapped him out of it. Cool, huh? We talked for a minute while I paid for the groceries and he told me to have a blessed day. I left the store smiling thinking how cool God is to use such simple things as my shirt with God's words on it and then to cause me to get in that checker's line so he could end up encouraging me. I mean, this guy had already been blessed by the words whether I knew it or not, but then me getting in his line allowed me to be blessed!!! God is so awesome!!!