FILLED UP WITH JOY

THE LORD HAS FILLED MY HEART UP TO OVERFLOWING OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS. TIME SPENT AT ANCHOR CHURCH WITH 83 WOMEN! A PRECIOUS TIME OF FOCUSING ON CHRIST, MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS, FABULOUS FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND DOING PINTREST PROJECTS TOGETHER. WOW!!!!! A CHRISTMAS DATE WITH KATE. CHINESE LUNCH AT CHIN CHIN. HOT PINK AND GLITTER NAIL POLISH ADDED SOME FUN EXCITMENT! KATE LOVES TO GO TO THE NAIL SALON!!! AND A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON WATCHING THE NUTCRACKER. I AM BLESSED.

FALLING IN LOVE EVERYDAY

FALLING IN LOVE OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH MY PRECIOUS HUSBAND AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE TOOK THIS SPONTANEOUS PICTURE, NO FIXING UP IN OUR SUNDAY BEST.....JUST DRESSED IN FALL LEAVES. WHAT FUN TO RAKE AND JUMP AND ROLL AROUND TOGETHER. THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERY SEASON. FOR EVERY DAY OF YOUR BLESSINGS THAT CONTINUE TO FALL OVER US AND COVER US WITH YOUR LOVE. HELP US SEE YOU IN ALL THINGS AND TO HELP OUR GRANDCHILDREN SEE YOU TOO.

A STABLE EXPERIENCE

A FEW MONTHS AGO A FRIEND FROM ANCHOR CHURCH IN GRAYSON, GEORGIA CALLED TO ASK ME TO COME AND SHARE AT THE LADIES CHRISTMAS EVENT. AFTER PRAYER, AND WITH TREMBLING, I SAID YES. I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED AS I PREPARE FOR THIS EVENT. "A STABLE EXPERIENCE.PREPARING YOUR HEART AND YOUR HOME FOR CHRISTMAS." HE KNEW JUST WHAT I NEEDED IN THIS SEASON OF MY LIFE TO KEEP ME FOCUSED ON HIM. THIS ASSIGNMENT HAS BEEN A GIFT FROM GOD TO MY HEART. THIS IS NOT JUST A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE, IT HAS BECOME A DAILY PRESCRIPTION FOR KEEPING CHRIST AS THE CENTER OF MY EVERYDAY. THANK YOU ANCHOR CHURCH LADIES FOR THIS GIFT FROM GOD TO ME. I PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL HELP ME POUR A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT AND FUN INTO THIS EVENT WITH YOU. CAN'T WAIT TO BE WITH EACH OF YOU DECEMBER 1ST.

STEADFAST LOVE

"YET DAY BY DAY THE LORD ALSO POURS OUT HIS STEADFAST LOVE UPON ME, AND THROUGH THE NIGHT I SING HIS SONGS AND PRAY TO GOD WHO GIVES ME LIFE." PSALM 42:8 THE LIVING BIBLE. THREE YEARS AGO, WE WERE WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF A DIAGNOSIS OF COLON CANCER IN BOB'S BODY. TODAY, WE CELEBRATE EACH DAY OF GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE. HE BROUGHT US THROUGH SURGERY AND CHEMOTHERAPY. OUR LOVE GROWS DEEPER EACH YEAR. WE DO NOT TAKE A SINGLE DAY FOR GRANTED. WE JUST CELEBRATED BOB'S 50 YEAR CLASS REUNION. THIS IS A PICTURE TAKEN THAT DAY. IF WE LOOK HAPPY, IT IS BECAUSE WE ARE. BLESSED. THANKFUL FOR LIFE AND FOR EACH OTHER. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. MY LITTLE SCRIPTURE PICTURE OF PSALM 42:8!

NEW ADDRESS

Where do you dwell? One of the first questions you ask someone when you meet them is, “Where do you live?” I think I am going to start rephrasing this question. My person may live at 265 Lake Coweta Trail, Newnan, Ga. but my real home is not here. I may start asking, “Where do you dwell?” This morning I was reading Psalm 90 and my heart was moved to dwell on this Psalm for a good while. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born Or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Yesterday, I was obsessing about something that was troubling me and my wise daughter said, “Stop it momma. Stop right now. Don’t go there.” She is correct. I need to fix my eyes and thoughts on the Lord and let Him be my dwelling place. I may change my address today. When asked, “Where do you live?” I may just answer 265 Faithful Lane, Everlasting. People may wonder if I am really mixed up. I will not care. My heart will be at rest in this new dwelling place!

MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS

WE GOT HOME LAST NIGHT FROM A WONDERFUL TRIP TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY. WELL, IT STARTED OFF PRETTY ROUGH....A FLAT TIRE (AND BY THE WAY, IT WAS A NEW TIRE,)IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. HAD TO WAIT FOR 2 HOURS FOR THE AAA TO COME, THEN A 2 HOUR ADVENTURE TO WALMART FOR A NEW TIRE. WE WERE THANKFUL TO FIND A PLACE TO PURCHASE A TIRE ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON. WE GOT SO VERY LOST TRYING TO FIND THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY FROM BREVARD. DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS SO DIFFICULT THIS TIME, BUT WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE MT. PISGAH INN ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY. WOKE UP TO CLOUDS NESTLED IN MOUNTAIN VALLEYS AND COOL WEATHER.

WE TRAVELED (GETTING LOST AGAIN)OFF THE PARKWAY TO TRY AND MAKE IT TO BOONE, NC. OUR BRAKES WERE SMOKING ON THE MOUNTAIN GRADES SO WE DECIDED TO TRY AND FIND A ROUTE THAT WAS A LITTLE LESS HILLY! ALMOST OUT OF GAS, WE WERE THANKFUL TO FIND ANOTHER WALMART IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE IN A DESOLATE PART OF NORTH CAROLINA THIS TIME. THANK YOU WALMART. ALSO, SEVERAL KIND PEOPLE GAVE US DIRECTIONS. "YOU GO TO THE TRAILER PARK WITH THE BEAUTY PARLOR NEXT TO IT AND TAKE A RIGHT. REALLY!!!! NEVER FOUND THAT LANDMARK, BUT DID FIND THE DUMP WHERE A COUPLE OF GOOD OLD BOYS RESCUED US. THEY ACTUALLY TOOK US SEVERAL MILES TO A TURN OFF TO TAKE US TO A HIGHWAY THAT WAS TO LEAD US TO BOONE....OH, YES, A TINY LOGGING ROAD!!!!! WOKE UP IN BOONE AND HEADED TO BREAKFAST AT STICK BOY BREAD COMPANY. I THINK THIS WAS A DREAM AND I WISH I COULD WAKE UP THERE AGAIN TOMORROW. DELICIOUS BREADS AND PASTRIES. YUMMY COFFEE. (BROUGHT HOME LOTS OF THINGS FROM THERE TO THE GRANDS!)

THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP WAS A VISIT WITH BUDDY AND BEV PRICE, CAROL ST. CLAIR'S DEAR PARENTS AND HER SISTER, SUSAN AND HER HUSBAND CARL. THEY LIVE IN BANNER ELK, N.C. CARL IS THE PASTOR OF BANNER ELK CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. BOTH COUPLES ARE EQUALLY AMAZING. THEY INSPIRE ME TO PERSEVERE AND LIVE FOR GOD'S GLORY.

THE PRICE'S AND CLAWSON'S LIVE ACROSS THE PARKING LOT FROM THE CHURCH. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH AND THE STORY OF GOD'S PROVISIONS FOR THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH IS QUITE A STORY. I HAVE MANY SPECIAL MEMORIES OF TIMES SPENT AT THE PRICE HOME. THEY HAVE ADOPTED US AS PART OF THE FAMILY.

BOB AND I WERE BLESSED FROM OUR TRIP. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN LAUGHING AS WE KEPT GETTING LOST. WE RELIVED MEMORIES WITH CAROL AND THE PRICE FAMILY. WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOW THE LORD HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL AS OUR PROVIDER OVER THE YEARS. THE LAST PICTURE IS A REPRESENTATION OF HOW GOD SUPPIES ALL OUR NEEDS, AND SOMETIMES IN WAYS WE COULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED. LOOK HOW HE FEEDS THESE BIRDS!!THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT THE FARMER'S MARKET IN ASHEVILLE, NC. THOSE BIRDS WERE HELPING THEMSELVES TO THE CORN DISPLAYS!!

I LOVE THE PICTURE OF THE PATH UP TO ONE OF THE LOOKOUT SPOTS ON THE PARKWAY. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT NO MATTER WHAT PATH WE WALK, THE LORD IS FAITHFUL AND HE WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO THIS RICHES IN GLORY.

HE KEEPS ME DANCING!!!! p.s. GLAD TO BE HOME TO MY PRECIOUS GRANDBABIES NOW!!!!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

I can remember the day I really packed up my heart to run away. I was a young mom with a 10 year old son and a four year old daughter and the wife of a hard working, gone a lot, husband. I just couldn’t do “it” anymore. I did not really know what “it” was supposed to look like but I sure had been searching. I remember writing a letter to my husband about apathy, a new word in my vocabulary, but one that was being spoken often to my thoughts. I did not know where I was headed, but I remember just wanted to run away somewhere, anywhere! I actually was physically packing for my church’s lady’s retreat that was being held in the North Georgia mountains. I do not remember the exact location of the event. I do know that in my running away from home and all the frustrations there, I found the roadmap that would help me on my pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to the heart of God. So, because the Lord keeps showing me the word “path” in my daily life, I am going to follow His leading. Seems like every day in my daily devotional and scripture readings, my “visual” learning process is being nudged. Doodling drawings, paintings, words on paper, photography……here I go. No longer running away, but walking beside the Lord, holding His righteous right hand. Can’t wait to see where He is leading me. On the road again. Xxoo 8/23/12

FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS

I am doing the book study this summer, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. Meeting with about 11 women in our neighborhood. All ages...all kinds of circumstances going on in each of our lives. All reading the same truths about our constantly faithful Father. I have a dear friend walking through a hard time with her daughter. As I was doing my morning reading from A Confident Heart, I felt the Lord gave me this life application from my life right now to share with her. This is my God moment today. Focus on today and face the LIGHT. Here is my little story.....true and made me think about you (dear friend and you know who you are) and your circumstances surrounding your lives right now. I got new lenses for my old frames yesterday. The doctor said my vision had drastically changed in my right eye. I have been experiencing paralysis in my eyelids when I woke in the darkness. My left eyelid opened fine, but my right eyelid would not open. A strange feeling. I had to force it open to be able to see clearly. Well, I thought the new prescription would take care of my problem. Hummmm! Not so. Well, not yet but now I have an even more frustrating problem. I used to be able to read everything far off with no problem at all. Clear as a bell. Now, everything far off is not clear at all....just can't get my eyes to focus. I bet I move my glasses up and down a hundred times to try and fix the problem. They told me it would take me awhile to adjust to the new prescription. I am not sure. Time will tell. For now....I am just trying to focus on what is right in front of me. Don't worry about what is far off. Praying time will take care of the far off. The Lord, the Light, the step you are on is the same Lord in the FAR OFF. Focus on HIM. He will lead you and your family to the next step. DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF HIM. FOCUS ON HIM. THE LIGHT.....NOT THE SHADOWS.

GOD CAN USE ALL THINGS

Hot, hot weather.  My car thermometer read 111 degrees on Sunday.

My garden is almost done!  Dried up mostly except for the okra.

So, I have neglected it.  Didn't think there would be much to the harvest and not worth my time.

I went out early this morning after I finished doing a little quiet time drawing.

I had painted two sunflowers.  One downcast, old and tired.  (Hmmmmm!  Kind of like how I have been feeling.)  The other one standing tall and looking joyful and full of hope.

The drawing really was blah and I laid it down and headed outside to pick the garden before it got too hot.

I harvested a few almost stewed tomatoes and lots of okra.  Sadly, much of the okra was too old.  Not cut in it's prime.  Hard and not useful for anything.  So I thought.  The Lord gave me an idea.

Cut it up and paint with it. 

So, I did.

Used the old, hard, no good okra to make my picture really happy!!!!

God promises to use everything for His glory.  We are never unusable, not valuable to Him.

Just ask Him to use your life, no matter how old you are, what trouble you have walked through, mistakes you have made.  He loves us unconditionally and eternally.

Thank you Lord.

A happy painting and okra and tomatoes for dinner!!!!!  I am going to post that in my One Thousand Gifts journal for today.

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

REFRESHED. ENCOURAGED. LOVED. FILLED UP TO OVERFLOWING. HAPPY. FULL OF JOY. RESTED. I HAVE BEEN COVERED IN LOVE AND BLESSINGS THE PAST WEEK. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE YOU SENT TO BLESS MY BIRTHDAY WEEK. I STARTED THE WEEK BEING PAMPERED AND SHOWERED WITH LAUGHTER, INCREDIBLE FOOD (DID YOU SEE THE AWESOME CUCUMBER BOWLS MY TALENTED FRIEND JUDY MADE???) AND WITH GIFTS TOO. EDIFYING WORDS ARE PART OF MY LOVE LANGUAGE AND I RECEIVED LOTS OF CARDS AND E-MAILS. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR NUDGING PEOPLE TO SEND ME WORDS OF LOVE. LAST WEDNESDAY, MY DAUGHTER, AMYBETH, GAVE ME A WONDERFUL GIFT. A TRIP TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA. WE MEET UP WITH TWO OF MY "ADOPTED" DAUGHTERS, KATIE GARRETT AND STACY OKLAND. (WHERE WERE YOU GINNY? WE MISSED YOU.) WE SPENT 4 DAYS RECALLING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IN OUR LIVES. STACY AND KATIE HAVE BEEN AMYBETH'S BEST FRIENDS SINCE 5TH GRADE. THE GIRLS LIVE ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES BUT TRY TO GET TOGETHER EVERY YEAR (THAT IS EVERY YEAR THEY ARE NOT HAVING BABIES.) THEY PICK RIGHT UP AS IF THEY SEE EACH OTHER EVERYDAY. THEY SHARE WHAT THE LORD IS DOING IN THEIR LIVES AND ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO PERSEVERE TO BE THE GODLY WOMEN THEY ARE. I AM SO VERY PROUD OF THEM ALL. EACH OF THEM HAVE 3 CHILDREN!!!! PSALM 119:90..."YOUR FAITHFULNESS CONTINUES THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS." WE DID NOT STRAY FAR FROM THE HOTEL. WE FLOATED IN THE LAZY RIVER, SWAM, SLIDE DOWN THE WATER SLIDE...AND I TOOK REFRESHING WATERFALL BATHS IN THE 103 DEGREE WEATHER. I ENJOYED GETTING UP EARLY IN THE MORNING COOLNESS, SITTING OUTSIDE WITH THE RABBITS AND BUNNIES IN THE CACTUS GARDEN, SKETCHING AND DOING LITTLE WATERCOLOR PICTURES. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!! THE GIRLS WOULD JOIN ME FOR COFFEE LATER IN THE MORNING. NO INTERRUPTIONS FOR CHILDCARE....JUST UNINTERRUPTED FELLOWSHIP. WHAT A GIFT LORD! THANK YOU. IT WAS SO PEACEFUL. GROWING OLDER IS DELIGHTFUL. THE LORD REMINDED ME, AS I WAS LOOKING UP AT THE PALM TREES AS I LAID BACK IN MY INNER TUBE AND FLOATED PEACEFULLY ALONG! PSALM 92:12-14....SAYS IN A PERSONALIZED WAY, KATIE, YOU WILL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE...FLOURISHING IN THE COURTS OF GOD, AND STILL BEARING FRUIT IN OLD AGE! HOW ENCOURAGING IS THAT? I AM THANKFUL FOR MY GOOD HEALTH. FOR BOB'S GOOD HEALTH. FOR LIVING CLOSE TO MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. MY SON,ROB, MY GOURMET CHEF, SMOKED SOME DELICIOUS BAR-B-QUE AND BROUGHT IT TO NEWNAN ON SUNDAY, AFTER WE GOT HOME. HE ALSO MADE A SPECIAL TRIP TO GET PETIT-FORS(SP) FOR ME....YUM. HE MADE ME A DARLING WATERING CAN FILLED WITH HERBS AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS POURING OUT WATER (REALLY RECYCLED FISHING LINE!!!) HE IS VERY CREATIVE AND TALENTED. ALSO, THE MOST THOUGHTFUL GIFT GIVER I KNOW. BOB ALSO GOT ME A CAKE WITH DAISIES ON TOP....MY FAVORITE FLOWER. SUGAR OVERLOAD!!! I AM JUST FILLED UP TO OVERFLOWING!!!! THANK YOU LORD FOR EACH DAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE YOU POURED OUT ON ME THROUGH YOUR CREATION. THROUGH THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE. I AM TRULY BLESSED. I AM TRULY AT REST. PSALM 116:7 "BE AT REST ONCE MORE, O MY SOUL, FOR THE LORD HAS BEEN GOOD TO YOU."

FORCED OUTSIDE

WHEN WE GOT HOME FROM CHURCH YESTERDAY, THE HOUSE SEEMED WARM. YES, IT WAS IN THE MID 90’S OUTSIDE, BUT WE HAD THE THERMOSTAT SET ON 78 IN THE HOUSE. HUM!!!! YES. OUR AIR IS OUT. NO AIRCONDITIONING AND I HAVE INVITED ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD LADIES TO DROP BY TOMORROW NIGHT FOR FELLOWSHIP AND TO INTRODUCE A NEW BIBLE STUDY FOR THE SUMMER. INSTEAD OF PANICKING…..THE LORD HAS FORCED ME OUTSIDE. OUTSIDE IN THE EARLY MORNING LIGHT OF HIS CREATION. I SIT HERE LISTENING TO THE MOST SOOTHING BREEZE, FEELING THE EFFECTS CALM MY HEART. LISTENING TO THE CHOIR OF BIRDS PRAISING THE CREATOR. WATCHING THE MORNING SUN WAKE UP OUR GARDEN. I AM TAKING PICTURES AS I HAVE MY QUIET WORSHIP OUTSIDE. THE LIGHT LANDS ON SPOTS AND I CLICK. YOU HAVE TO BE QUICK BECAUSE IT MOVES RAPIDLY…..FIRST SPOTLIGHTING A FLOWER, THEN MOVING ON TO A BIRDHOUSE (WHERE WE ARE BLESSED TO WATCH LITTLE BLUEBIRDS GROWING UP!) BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING I REALIZED THIS MORNING IS MY FAVORITE THING TO ADMIRE IN THE GARDEN, IS NOT FROM THE WORK OF MY HANDS….AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING AND WORKING IN THE GARDEN…. THE SUNFLOWERS ARE BEGINNING TO BLOOM!!!! I DID NOT PLANT THEM. GOD HAD THE BIRDS DO ALL THE WORK. I THOUGHT I WAS FEEDING THE BIRDS AS I FILLED THE BIRDFEEDERS EVERY FEW DAYS. THE BIRDS DROPPED SEEDS AS THEY WERE FEASTING AND NOW THE FEEDERS ARE SURROUNDED BY GLORIOUS SUNFLOWERS. BY JUST DOING DAY TO DAY LIFE…..SEEDS ARE PLANTED. GOD BRINGS THE HARVEST, THE GROWTH AND ALL THE GLORY. LORD, HELP ME REST THIS MORNING…..NOT OBCESSING ABOUT BROKEN AIRCONDITIONERS BUT TRUSTING IN YOU. HELP ME MAKE MY HOME BE INVITING BECAUSE OF THE WARMTH OF JESUS’S WELCOME…NOT ANY OF MY DOINGS…BUT JUST FROM RESTING IN YOUR PRESENCE. THANK YOU FOR FORCING ME OUTSIDE TO FOCUS ON YOU AND YOUR CREATION.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

IT IS RAINING AND MY HEART IS FULL OF PEACE AND REST THIS MORNING. OPENING THE PORCH DOOR TO SIT AND LISTEN TO THE SOFT LANDING OF THE DROPS ON BRIGHT GREEN LEAVES AND WATCH THE LITTLE BIRDS PERCH IN MY WINDOW FEEDER AND TRY AND FEED THEMSELVES AND HAVE A FEW SECONDS OF SHELTER FROM THE RAIN. HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THE SAME.....BE STILL, LISTEN, FILL UP AND REST. I AM FULL OF JOY. I AM A MOTHER AND A GRANDMOTHER. WHAT A BLESSING. OFF TO FILL UP MY CUP.....WITH THE WORD AND SOME MORE PEET'S.

BEACH TRIP PICTURES AND CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH BIRTHDAY OF MY DEAR FRIEND, JULIE WHITE TO COME SOON....JUST BEING STILL AND REFLECTING THIS MORNING. AHHHHH!!!!! LOVE THE STILL DAYS.

TOO MUCH ON MY PLATE

Woke up this morning feeling stuffed, overwhelmed, and unfocused.
There is too much on my plate. Good stuff and all healthy. I just don't think I can get it all in.

How do I accomplish "my" to do list? Where do I start attacking my plate? I want it all. What do I need to do?

Instead of pulling the covers up over my head and feeling defeated, I pulled out my journal and started a morning doodle and time of talking to the Lord.

Leave it on the plate, Katie, and take time to digest the WORD first! Then, you will be able to proceed with the day.

Lord, Increase the moments of my day to see Your will and accomplish Your purpose for my life and Your glory.

AS GOOD AS IT'S GONNA GET!

AS GOOD AS IT’S GONNA GET!
The Lord blessed me in so many ways when we moved to Newnan almost six years ago.
Last blog I took you down our little dirt road and showed you the creek that flows over our little dirt road.

This week I want to take you down a path of friendship and show you where two dear friends worshipped our Creator with me this week. Callaway Gardens.

I have introduced you to my friend Linda Dennis before. I have been to her place near Callaway several times with my family for R & R…Refreshing and Refocusing. This week, she took me and another sister in the Lord, Judy Snell, for a get away. They pampered my creativity by driving down back roads searching for treasure. Treasure of seeing the Lord in His Creation and looking for Him in visual blessings.

We have lots of fun laughing and telling stories about our lives as younger women! And of course that leads to the conversation ….(UGH!)….. getting older. We laugh a lot about our forgetfulness and tired, droopy bodies. We say to each other with a big laugh, “Well, this is a good as it’s gonna get!”

Thank you Lord for reminding me this morning how good it actually is! Help me renew my mind in Your TRUTH each day. In Isaiah 40:13 , You promise You will renew my strength so I can run and not be weary. You reminded me this morning that no matter how old I am in years, I am always young in Your Presence.

I saw You all over the paths I walked on this week. I saw where people praise you in little white churches and in Your outdoor sanctuary. I saw you in human vessels that hold friendship and encouragement.

Thank you Lord for sisters in Christ.
Thank you for husbands who encourage us to nurture our hearts in friendships and time away in Your Creation!

A NEW SPRING

It has been quite a while since I have written any thoughts on my blog. Life has been busy. Fun. Full of memories to cherish.

My trip to Disney with the grandchildren was so much fun but it took me over a week to regain my energy. Because my daughter, Amybeth and her husband were at the ChicFilA seminar, I had kept the children several days prior to the trip down to Orlando. They are delightfully exhausting. I also used lots of adrenalin getting them from Newnan to Disney....going through security with all three in my triple stroller and flying by my adult self with them. They were excellent all the way. Note to self.....they have pity on old women going through security with three little ones.

I have been doing lots of painting and really enjoying myself. I feel like the time I spend painting and doing art is like a time of worship to my Creator. I have just in the last 6 years realized God created me to worship Him this way. Sometimes I have a hard time leaving my creative spots and getting back to day to day activities.
If you are an artist, you understand.

I am enjoying watching the Creator show off in my neighborhood too. I love to walk around the lake in the subdivision I am blessed to live in. A little dirt road that winds peacefully around a loop a little over a mile. The trees are budding, the azaleas are beginning to wake up and even the dogwood in my front yard is popping open. Birds are singing their hearts out!!!!!

I am thankful for my day to day life. I am thankful to have a healthy husband this year. It was about 2 years ago he was finishing up a long season of chemo. I see him getting stronger and stronger every day. Like he is opening up with excitement after a debilatating dormant time. He has been cancer free since then, but lately, Bob has a "new spring" to his step.

So, I praise the Lord for a new spring.
Enjoy a picture from the wonderful sanctuary where I am blessed to live. And yes, you have to drive through the creek to get around the lake!!!!
I told you it is wonderful here!

Off to take a walk and maybe take a few pictures I can paint later!

WHAT GOES DOWN IN THE WELL, COMES UP IN THE BUCKET

THE WELL

THE WELL. MY HEART AS THE WELL.
THIS HAS BEEN A REPEATING THEME IN MY READING OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

WHAT IS IN MY WELL? IS IT DRY? IS IT FULL OF CONTAMINATED WATER? DOES IT NEED TO HAVE A FILTER PUT ON IT TO PURIFY WHAT GOES IN AND WHAT COMES OUT TOO?

SO THIS IS THE QUESTION FOR TODAY…..WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WELL RUNS DRY? YOU DIG DEEPER? IS THIS THE ANSWER???? IS IT UP TO ME TO FIX THE EMPTINESS?

I AM DOING A CONFIDENT HEART BIBLE STUDY, BY RENEE SWOPE.
HERE ARE A FEW OF THE QUOTES, ON PAGE 55, THAT KEEP DRAWING ME BACK TO SATURATE MY HEART.

“ HONESTLY, THOUGH, I WONDERED HOW GOD‘S LOVE COULD BE ENOUGH. I WANTED TO BE TRUE BUT DOUBTED HE COULD FILL ALL THE EMPTY PLACES IN MY HEART. OUR FRIEND SAM QUESTIONED JESUS WHEN HE OFFERED HER LIVING WATER THAT COULD SATISFY HER SO MUCH SHE’D NEVER THIRST AGAIN; “YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DRAW WITH AND THE WELL IS DEEP. WHERE CAN YOU GET THIS LIVING WATER.” (JOHN 4:11). LIKE SAM, I KNEW MY NEEDS WERE ENDLESS. THE WELL OF MY HEART WAS DEEP. I WONDERED HOW HE COULD EVEN COME CLOSE TO FILLING IT.
WHAT SAM DIDN’T KNOW WAS THAT JESUS WANTED TO SATISFY A DEEPER THIRST IN HER HEART THAT HE HAD CREATED IN HER. ALL HE NEEDED TO DRAW WITH WAS HIS SPIRIT, FOR IT WOULD DRAW HER NEAR TO HIM. AND AS FAR AS THE DEPTH OF THE WELL, IT WAS HER HEART HE WAS LOOKING INTO, AND SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD STOP HIM FROM REACHING THE PARTS THAT NEEDED HIM MOST.”

HIS UNFAILING LOVE…..HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN PURIFY OUR HEARTS. HE IS THE SOURCE OF LIVING WATER….THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SATISFY OUR HEARTS.

SO, THIS IS THE COINCIDENCE THAT HAPPENED THIS MORNING.. I MEET A NEIGHBOR AS I WAS WALKING LITTLE REID. SHE GAVE ME A BOOK THAT JUST HAPPENDED TO BE IN HER CAR. “NICE GIRLS DON’T CHANGE THE WORLD” BY LYNNE HYBELS. I TOOK IT HOME AND READ IT ALL THIS AFTERNOON. DON’T BE IMPRESSED. IT IS VERY SHORT.


HERE IS A QUOTE FROM LYNNE HYBELS’ BOOK
“WHEREAS IN THE PAST MY CHRISITANITY WAS FOCUSED ON WORK AND EFFORT AND STRIVING, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THE CENTER FROM WHICH MY SPIRITUAL LIFE FLOWS TODAY IS THE TIME I SET ASIDE DAILY TO BE SILENT IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, EMPTYING MY MIND AS BEST I CAN OF WORDS AND THOUGHTS, AND SIMPLY INVITING GOD TO FILL THAT OPEN SPACE. EVERY TIME I DO THIS I FEEL AS IF I FALL INTO A WELL OF LOVE-A LOVE THAT CENTERS ME, CALMS ME, AND HEALS ME ON DEEPER LEVELS THAN MY CONSCIOUS MIND UNDERSTANDS.”
PAGE 42
“NICE GIRLS DON’T CHANGE THE WORLD”
LYNNE HYBELS



SO OFTEN, I THINK ABOUT THE WONDERFUL TRIP WE TOOK TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS IN CANADA. THE WATER IN THE LAKES THERE WAS SO PURE THAT YOU COULD JUST RETREIVE WATER FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKES WITHOUT ADDING IN PURIFICATION TABLETS OR BOILING IT BEFORE YOU DRANK IT. REALLY!!!!!

WHY? IT WAS FAR AWAY FROM POLLUTION! WE SAW NO ONE FOR DAYS AS WE PORTAGED FROM LAKE TO LAKE. WE PADDLED IN QUIET. THE ONLY SOUNDS WE HEARD (BESIDES OUR OWN LAUGHTER AND WORDS TO EACH OTHER AND OUR FRIENDS PADDLING WITH US,) WAS THE PADDLE HITTING THE WATER, LOONS AND OTHER BIRDS, AND A RARE BUGLE OF A MOOSE. WE NEVER SAW THE MOOSE, BUT HEARD HIM IN THE FAR OFF.

JUST AFTER I FINISHED WRITING THE ABOVE, THIS WAS IN AN EMAIL ABOUT A CONFIDENT HEART.

“Our hearts leak and will always end up empty when we find our worth in anything but who we are in Christ. Our value is not measured by what others think of us—but we surely live like it is, don’t we? It’s almost as though we wake up every morning with an empty jar, like Sam, and walk around holding it out to people or things, hoping they will fill us."
A CONFIDENT HEART
by RENEE SWOPE

SO, MY PRAYER FOR TODAY.....
LORD, I AM HOLDING UP MY HEART. FILL THE EMPTY PLACES OF MY HEART O,LORD. SATURATE ME WITH YOUR LOVE

p.s. I think there are more pictures coming from all these ponderings.

LIGHT....AND OUR GOD! TWO DAYS OF FUN CREATIVING WITH HIM

LYRICS FROM THE SONG OUR GOD, BY CHRIS TOMLIN

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

I AM HAVING A DELIGHTFUL TIME. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROJECTS I DID.

THE GIRL SEEKING THE LORD WITH ALL HER HEART IS A JOURNAL. IT HAS LAYERS AND LAYERS OF VINTAGE PAPERS, PAINT, STENCILS DONE WITH MOLDING PASTE, AND MUCH MORE! IT WAS HOMEWORK FOR THE ON LINE COURSE I AM TAKING. LEARNED SO MANY NEW TECHNIQUES.
THE PAPER IS RECYCLED WATERCOLOR PAPER....CAN'T WAIT TO PAINT IN IT NOW.

THIS MORNING I WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PREPARE FOR THE WATERCOLOR DROP CLASS I AM TEACHING NEXT WEEK AND ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT WAS DOING A MELTED CRAYON PICTURE. I GAVE IN TO THE NUDGE AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I REALLY DID NOT HAVE MUCH OF AN IDEA WHERE IT WAS GOING....JUST STARTED CREATING. I LOVE THE OUTCOME. I CALL THIS ONE OUT OF THE DARKNESS......SEEMS LIKE I AM DOING LOTS OF PICTURES ABOUT LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS OR FOLLOWING THE LIGHT.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU WILL SEE THE FRUIT BOWL PICTURE I AM PAINTING NOW IN MY OIL PAINTING CLASS. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE LIGHT SHINING ON THE FRUIT BOWL IN MY KITCHEN LAST YEAR. YOU CAN SEE THE BLOWN UP PICTURE UNDERNEATH THE PAINTING.

WHEN I LOOKED AT THAT PHOTOGRAPH IT MADE ME THINK THIS... OFTEN TIMES WHEN YOUR TIMES ARE HEAVY OR DARK OR SAD, TRUST THE LORD THAT IF YOU KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM AND YOUR HEART CLEAN AND MOTIVES PURE, HE WILL PRODUCE FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE.

ANOTHER OF THE PAINTINGS YOU CAN SEE IS A LITTLE GIRL WALKING ON A PATH TOWARDS THE LIGHT. I DID THIS ONE ON BLACK GESSO COVERED WITH SHEETROCK PLASTER AND THEN CARVED OUT THE DETAILS OF THE PICTURE SO WHEN I PAINTED IT, THE BLACK WOULD SHOW AN OUTLINE AROUND THE IMAGES. IT WAS FUN TOO.

WELL, BACK TO GETTING READY FOR THE WATERCOLOR DROP CLASS NEXT WEEK-END.
I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS FOR THIS. I WANT IT TO BE A SPECIAL TIME OF FELLOWSHIP IN THE LORD AND TEACHING WOMEN HOW TO USE ART TO MAKE CARDS TO BLESS OTHERS.

HAPPY SATURDAY....BURRRRRR BUT SUNNY.

CREATIVITY OR CHAOS? WHAT DO YOU SEE?

CREATIVITY OR CHAOS? WHAT DO YOU SEE?

THIS BLOG IS A TEST?
IF YOU ARE ADD (OR CREATIVE) YOU WILL SEE HAPPINESS AND EXCITEMENT!
IF YOU ARE OCD (ORDERLY AND NEAT) YOU WILL SEE CHAOS AND WANT TO GRAB A PAIR OF RUBBER GLOVES, CLOROX, AND TONS OF HELPERS FROM THE HOARDERS SHOW.

I PULLED OUT ALL MY BOXES OF ART SUPPLIES.
THE SUNROOM IS FULL, THIS PICTURE ONLY SHOWS ONE SIDE OF THE ROOM, YOU KNOW!!!!!

THE REASON?
I HAVE AN EXTREMELY GIFTED PHOTOGRAPHER FRIEND, PAIGE KNUDSEN.IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW HER BLOG, YOU MUST. STOP RIGHT NOW AND GO THERE....http://www.paigeknudsen.blogspot.com/
SHE GAVE ME A GIFT THAT IS REALLY EXCITING MY CREATIVITY. AN E-COURSE CALLED
CREATIVELY MADE BY JEANNE OLIVER. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU PAIGE AND JEANNE.

I HAVE NOT BEEN THIS EXCITED IN A LONG TIME. I AM LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE WAY THE LORD CREATED ME TO CONNECT WITH HIM AND OTHERS.

I AM OFF TO SPEND THE NEXT TWO DAYS WITH THE LORD AND LOTS OF ART SUPPLIES. I HAVE TOLD BOB WE ARE DOING TAKE OUT FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. HE IS WONDERFUL AND SAID OKIE DOKEY....HE TOTALLY GETS HIS WIFE AND SUPPORTS ME AND PUTS UP WITH ALL THE PILES OF CREATIVITY IN OUR HOME. BY THE WAY, HE IS A NEAT AND ORDERLY GUY.....THE LORD KNEW WE NEEDED BALANCE IN OUR MARRIAGE.

PREPARING TO TEACH A LITTLE ART CLASS AT CHURCH AND ANOTHER CLASS FOR SOME OF MY DAUGHTERS FRIENDS. SO MUCH FUN COMING UP!!!!

OFF TO CREATE.....I WILL LET YOU SEE SOME OF THE RESULTS SOON.

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH.