Surprises

I have been wanting an embroidery machine for several years. I have researched and asked fellow sewers, what, how and prices. Done my homework so to speak. I went to the local sewing shop and asked for demo and pricing...OUCH!!I realized this was going to take some time and planning(budget wherefore aret thou?!?). I mentioned to hubby that I wanted one, but couldnt figure out how to get one on my budget...well I could sell one child and still have 3 but that seemed a little extreme even for me :) I kinda put it on the back burner..I didnt really think it was a big enough thing to pray about. But My heavenly father knew the desires of my heart...even the secret ones. He set R up with a couple that not only supplied him with work for several months, but who also "just happened" to have a top of the line embroidery machine they wanted to sell, since she had upgraded. I was excited, then searched on-line and realized even this would take some time and saving...WELL...today R asked me to come out to the job and meet the couple and see their newly remodeled kitchen (read a little jealousy here) and she showed me the machine...when we were ready to leave, R said "Well, take your machine and lets go home"...YEAH GOD...smooch hubby :)

Homesick

I finally feel I have something worth saying..so here goes.
I see daily and hear so much about how evil and how bad the times are. I agree it seems hopeless. But my friend we are not without hope. Our hope is in the one who created the world with a spoken word. Do you not trust HIM to handle it?
The reason we are so uncomfortable and feel so squeezed, we are supposed to be. We do NOT fit here, or at least we shouldn't, and we should stand out and be pressured.
This is not our home, we do not belong here. We belong to HIM and the home HE has created for us. The reason we are not there? We have work to do... there are those who are not ready. Let's get the job done so we can go home... It is 4:30 and the final whistle is about to blow..who comes to your mind in this instant who isn't ready to have their time card cancelled. RUN, GO, TELL !!!
As the words I heard in a song recently "I've never been more homesick than now!!!"
CYA here, there or in the air!!!

Marching orders.

Don't you wish GOD would just say..."Okay now right turn in 50 feet, then proceed 25 miles to... Instead He promises to guide our STEPS..I would just like a little further notice than that..what lies beyond the next curve? Am I going in the RIGHT direction? Is there a drop off or bump ahead? But No, He directs one STEP at a time. Hmmm isn't that called FAITH when you just feel blindfolded and led or directed..did you ever play that game as a child or with your grandkids?..SHUT your eyes, now take my hand..Do you trust and just walk or do you flail your arms about trying not to bump into things? How does that make them feel? Do you trust me? DO you walk or do you try to find your own path? Guess GOD is still teaching in parables...I hope and pray that this time around the mountain I learn the lesson..my sandals are starting to show some wear.
I know I am not talking to anyone else out there...just needed to see/hear myself talk this one out too... :) Marching on.

Monday Morning Blues

Anything you did even for the least of my people here, you did also for me.” Matthew 25:40
What is the sign of the saved? Their scholarship? Their willingness to go to foreign lands? Their ability to amass an audience and preach? Their skillful pens and hope-filled volumes? . . . No.The sign of the saved is their love for the least . . .
No fanfare. No hoopla. No media coverage. Just good people doing good things. For when we do good things to others we do good things to God. by Max Lucado
Thank you LORD for this gentle reminder of things to come... I spent Sunday with Kristi,Verna and friends at Homeless Outreach..This was one of the harder outreaches for me to date. Seems there was bickering among those there to receive. Ungratefulness, not sure how to put it into words, but just general unrest... It was hard..and I was discouraged, You know, WHY are we here, What good are we doing? Then this morning in my inbox, a GOD message... I am sure when Max wrote this in a book years ago he wasnt thinking about me, and my Monday morning blues. BUT the lover of my soul was, and he had it penned just for me...THANK YOU LORD...for your words 2 thousand years ago, that would be used to encourage and uplift and remind me TODAY... I LOVE YOU. And now, back to work.. :)

Loaves and fishes...Or Hotdogs and chips for all...

I have been away from the 'puter for awhile. I was on vacation..Yeh for vacation.
While on vacation, I was blessed to be a part of a wonderful ministry my daughter does in downtown Austin. I know most of you who read this know all about it...but I just need to hear myself say these things out loud. I was expecting to go and be a blessing, but ended up being blessed in so many ways. I saw my grandgirls serve and smile without reservations. I saw my children serving in ways I once only dreamed. I saw thankful people enjoying the chance to choose a soda or chips...things I so take for granted. It is hard to explain with mere words, what is so felt in my heart.. I still get weepy thinking of them. GOD is so amazing..He takes what little we can do ADD it to the BIG HE can do and comes up with AWESOME... yeh, yeh I know HE could do it alone, but I am so thankful HE blesses us by letting us be a part of HIS plan. We had EXACTLY the right amount of donations to buy the food and drinks for 250 and that is the number of people we fed. HE supplied (thru willing hands) exactly what we needed. I was hoping to have some seed $ for next month..and HE reminded me that HE is our supply and we are to gather enough for the day...DAILY bread...
Thank you to all who played a part in making this a special 4th for so many. My heart can not begin to say how grateful I am. This is an ongoing ministry. We will be going again on the 25th..on a smaller scale...We discovered hot dogs are easy and inexpensive...chips and sodas, not so much ..If you are interested in being a part of the next outreach contact me or Kristi...we would love to share the blessings. :)

FB or HB

So, I was thinking... Facebook..the place where people let others see the part of themselves that they want others to see.. Am I like that? Do I present to others a Face I want them to like, or do I let them see my heart..The real ME.. the part, that after 50+ years of growing-thru, I still am a work in progress.. I think we should have a HB- heartbook..where you can show/tell others the you they SHOULD know.. the part that is growing and expanding and learning and.. and...and...That is what a testimony is..what GOD is doing in your life right now .. this minute, this day ...your past is your history..your story-not your testimony..
SO what is GOD telling you today? Where is HE leading you? What area is HE expanding or decreasing? Do you feel growing pains or just groaning pains? What part of you is HE killing today? It is never easy to grow-thru these... but the end result is so worth it.. The new you will be AMAZING!!!

thinking out loud again !!

Do you ever step back and stand in awe of GOD? Some days even more than others it seems. Today is one of those... HE IS AMAZING... the people, the timing HE crosses our paths. When HE prompts you to call someone or drop them an email, do not hesitate...LISTEN with your heart...You never know when or how HE is using you to be HIS hands or arms for someone. Just a little obedience on your part can really be a thing in someone-elses life. I'm just sayin'....