What tomorrow holds, and where is your hope?

That's just the thing, we don't know what tomorrow holds. I have been vividly reminded of this truth this

week.

-Sunday we visited a friend, whose wife didn't wake up from surgery. What was supposed to be a 3 day hospital stay after surgery, has turned into 7 months, with set backs and small bits of improvement. Where is his hope?

He is very clear, his hope is in the Lord.

-My daughter and sweet Judah visited unexpectedly Sunday evening. Her UC has flared up again with infection. She needed some help and Mom encouragement. She has battled with this for 10 years. Where is my hope for her?

It is in the Lord, our sustainer and Great Physician.



-I found out my Dad has been diagnosed with something called myodisplasia , a blood disease causing chronic anemia.

Our hope is still in the Lord.

-Wednesday morning my Sunday school teacher's husband was attacked and shot during an armed robbery attempt at the bank he manages. He received a head injury, shoulder injury  and gun shot wounds in each leg. Thankfully these injuries were not life threatening and he is recovering. The suspect has not been caught. Where is their hope?

It is in the Lord, the God of all comfort and peace.

Today I am grateful for my Lord and Saviour. Everything I face will be sifted through His loving hands. He is the one I can trust." He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God."

Have you been reminded of God's truths this week?

I'd love to hear how.

Have a blessed weekend.

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains:

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who has made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip

He who keeps you will not slumber."

Psalm 121:1-3

RADICAL

I've just finished reading this.

This was not just another "christian " book, with information that we have heard before. Actually we have heard this before, in the Bible.

 Here is an excerpt from the book:

"The reality is, we need community in order to follow Christ radically. I am convinced that one reason may of us have not taken radical steps in our giving, for example, may not be so much because we love our possessions as it is because we fear isolation.

If the radical, simple living we see Jesus talking about were more common in the church, it would be much easier for us to live simply as well.

But we look around, and everyone else has nice cars, nice homes, and lifestyles characterized by luxuries, so we accept that this must be the norm for Christians.

We may get convicted about our way of living when we look at the Bible, but when we look at one another, we assume it must be okay because everyone else lives this way." pgs. 205-206 Radical

This statement rung true for me. Radical lays out challenges that may not be comfortable. It will challenge you to think differently from what we have accepted as norms among the christian community. In short, it will challenge you, to  live a lifestyle for the glory of God, radical living by today's christian standards.

I was interested to learn more about David Platt, and how the Brook Hills Church was living this out. For more go here. For more on Radical the experiment go here.

Have you read it? if so, what are your thoughts?

Have a blessed weekend.

Grandmother's Things

A few weeks ago my Mom called to see if I would like anything from my great grandmother's house. Relatives that were living in the house would be moving, and having to clear some things out. It was so odd, how I could remember certain things and where they were located, actually thinking that they were probably no longer there.

This sideboard was always in the large entry way of way of her house. We used to go over the day before Christmas eve, her birthday, to celebrate with a huge dinner with all of the family. All o fthe kids used to take off our shoes and skate in the hallway on her hardwood floors, where this piece sat. It was still there.

This dresser was in her bedroom, and since Ansley was needing a dresser for Judah's room, I asked for it if it was still there. It was still in Grandmother's room.  

There was this little old wooden high chair that was hidden away in the attic. My mother mentioned it, and I thought it would be the perfect high chair when Judah visits.

Paint or Stain? What do you think? 

 

This rocking chair, that will have to lose the flame stitch cover. I hope to be rocking Judah in this chair soon!The projects are piling up around here, so I have got to get busy! Have a wonderful week.!

Fall

I have said so many times before, that FALL is my favorite time of year! Right now I am wishing for those cooler fall days. We had a little tease a couple of weeks ago, and now the AC is running again! Along with fall comes the opportunity to bring out a few decorations. We are not into Halloween at all, so I prefer all of my decor to remain simple and natural. I picked up this old fashioned pumpkin this afternoon. I have another for the kitchen table (as soon as I get it cleaned off. I have a few artificial pumpkins, and I may or may not pull these out. Right now I am just into plain and simple.

How about you, how are you decorating for fall?

A Little Blue

We are feeling a little blue around here. This sweet girl is missing her Mama and baby once again. She hasn't had a chance to really figure out all of this baby stuff. I am keeping her until her Mama, can tend to her and baby.

This sweet boy and his Mama were here for several days, and my boy came to see his little nephew for the first time. They were all here, and left yesterday, so it's just me and the girls . It gets really quiet when everybody leaves, so I will be trying to make some progress with the closet, and getting ready to do some painting around here. Have a blessed week.

Thrifting with Purpose

Is the great "deal" you find this week always a great deal?

As I embrace the idea of "less is more" the answer to this question, for me, is "NO
Here are a few examples:

Solid oak drop leaf table. Great for the right space!

Problem: I don't have the right space.

Lots of cute clothes!

Problem: I am not wearing them.

Shoes and purses

I only pay full price for running shoes, and it doesn't take long to accumulate cute shoes!
Too Many!!!

Problem: Not enough shelf space, and I am not wearing many of these either.

Lets face it, we all have our favorites!

From here on out, I will be "thrifting with purpose". I don't know where or how I am going to use it, I don't need to bring it home, no matter how great the "deal" is. The "great deals" have become burdens when they are simply taking up space, time, and energy to maintain.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about your "stuff". Do you have any habits like mine that need to change?

Off Topic

Is anyone else having problem with loading pictures in the new editor on blogger. I have not been able to load anything directly from my camera for over a week! It is getting rather aggravating. Am I the only one?

Less Is More!

First of all let me thank all of you who have been praying for Ansley. She has gotten more rest. Judah now seems to have a touch of colic or not adjusting well to the formula. They are just working and loving through the  fussy spells. I have been of little help since I was fortunate not to have that with either of my babies. Again he is the cutest little thing ever, and by the way I did go back and get lots of sweet time with the little one.

Now on to the topic at hand. A common theme that seems to be coming up lately is, "Less Is More". If I want to be real honest, I need to admit that I have just accumulated too much STUFF!

The question I have asked myself is, WHY?

Can I learn to be content with what I have as opposed to looking at what others have, and wanting what they've got? Seeing a new trend and going for it, always something a little prettier, or so we think. The fact is there will always be newer, bigger, better, prettier, etc. to see. Yes, my house is long overdue for some updates, and we are beginning to tackle this.

I am beginning to take a closer look at some habits(of mine) that need to be addressed. Don't get me wrong, I love some thrifty shopping, and good junk, but the accumulation is beginning to weigh me down! My STUFF seems to be managing me, rather than the other way around.

My recent closet clean up came to a halt when the stomach virus hit, then Judah decided to make his arrival a bit earlier than expected(what a joy!),and  I subbed today, so it is still unfinished. However, tomorrow, I will be back at it, clearing the clutter! Getting rid of STUFF!

So how would you answer the following questions:

How much is enough?

Are my belongings a burden or a blessing?

How much time should I spend managing what I own?

I will be sharing some of my answer to these questions in upcoming posts, and show you the progress that I am making.

I will leave you with these pictures of some simple fall decorating that we did at my daughter's house.

The garland was made from fabric that I had on hand, another idea to help clear the clutter. Share with someone else.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on "Less is More".

Blessings!