Trying to relax....

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,

even as we put our hope in you.

--Psalm 33:21-22

Wow. What a week of trials. If you're a regular, or if you're passing thru and feel like it, I'd sure appreciate some prayer support! I honestly believe God's using this blog for His work, and Satan doesn't like it. It's kind of obvious! :) I'm trusting that He 's going to take care of everyting, but it sure doesn't do my glucose levels any good! :) I'm trying to be like my favorite polar bear, here, and just kick back and rest in Him. Prayer's still a good thing.... ;D

How are you doing today? What's God been saying to you this week? I'm so glad you've come into my life! He's been showing me that He wants to use me - ONLINE!!!! It's amazing to me - I've been seeking my niche at church, and really haven't found anything that's ME. I do lots of things there, trust me, but my heart is for women who need encouragement and support, and this blog has allowed me to be in touch with lots of you who do - and who return the blessing. :D THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I cannot WAIT to see what God has in store for all of us as we walk this road together. :)

Kenn and I are double-dating with our dear friends Angela and Chris tonight; we're going to see Johnny Depp in SWEENY TODD and then out to dinner. (We go for MONTHS and don't get to go out, and this week we'll have been to two movies! :D) Tomorrow, Mom and I are going to the Goodwill half-price sale in the early morning, then my open house for my Stampin' Up!® business is from 10 - 12, then I have a birthday party to attend, and Sunday is Sunday school and church and a baby shower I'm in charge of. PHEW. It's going to be a busy weekend!! Either tomorrow or Monday will start the flooring project in MY BEDROOM, which will be the very last of the projects for this time. I'll be SO GLAD to have my peace & quiet back again! :)

What are you doing this weekend? Tell you what. Let's make Mondays "What I learned at church" days. Tuesdays will be "How I'm doing on my goals" days. Wednesdays will be "Introduction days" - those of you who don't mind will send me a picture and a "bio", so we can get to know each other better. I've already got one for this coming week - you'll be meeting my dear friend, Karen. :) I can't wait! Then we'll see how the rest of the days shape up! :)

Have a wonderful day, dear one. Know God LOVES you, and HE IS GOOD - no matter what circumstances around you are. :) (Can you tell I'm preaching to myself, here???) I MAY post one more time today, to do a Show & Tell. :) ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!!!! I'll post as I'm able....

See? I told you I'd be back!

This is Maggie. Isn't she beautiful? She's the reason I didn't have time earlier to blog. Maggie just turned 1, and this is one of her "I'm ONE!" photos. We took a LOT, but I just LOVED the look on her face in this one. You know what she did right after she looked at me like this? She turned around, pulled that coupon out of the top of the magazine, and took a bite of it. I was the ONLY one watching her, and she was checking to see if I was going to stop her from doing something she suspected wasn't proper. :D

Just a QUICK thought here - don't we do the same thing with God often???

OK. :) On to what I really want to talk about today: the movie we saw. The four of us went to see THE GREAT DEBATERS, with Denzel Washington in the lead role. WOW, what a powerful movie - and a powerful performance. I truly enjoyed it; it was about a black college's tiny debate team in the 1930s, and the racial tension they had to overcome. This is the kind of role Denzel should do more often, in my opinion - uplifting, challenging one's thinking and moral stand. He not only starred in it, he directed it - BRAVO, Denzel!! The movie did an incredible job of making you FEEL that racial tension, not SEEING the actual violence for the most part, but seeing the aftermath of it.

I applaud this movie on two fronts. First, as a person who passionately loves words, and the use of them - my degree's in communications, minor in English lit :D - I say BRAVO for a movie that shows the POWER of the spoken word to change opinions, challenge viewpoints, and alter people's lives for the better.

Second, this movie was about more than just racial injustice. It was about the act of civil disobedience. I won't tell you my second absolutely favorite scene of the movie, because it's the highpoint of the movie :D, but I'm HIGHLY recommending this movie for anyone who's not afraid to THINK! :) STRONG support for all thought in the movie, and not just secular support - Wiley College is a Methodist college!

If you go see it, let me know what you think. I'd be very interested!

Goal check! MammyT and Judy have checked in with me this week. Becky? Deby? Let's see. My goals so far: I'm up-to-date with my reading, I've got my Y bag all ready to go Tuesday morning, and I'm being able to spend more time with my family and friends this week already. Of course, that's also partly because I haven't been able to get creative in my studio, but.... :D I think so far, so good!

Gosh, I could go on and on!!!! Girls, do you want me to keep questions about your individual goals between you and me, or post here?

Most of you don't know me before this blog, really, which is great - I'm SO glad God's brought new friends into my life! - but one of the things Kenn and I do is an *almost*-daily devotional "thought for the day". I'm posting today's picture here, but I really want to invite you to email me or leave me a comment and let me know that you'd like to receive the emails we send. I'll put you on the list, and then you can take yourself off it any time you decide! I just feel like it would bless you - God speaks through others a lot, and what we do is take photos of His creation, and allow those photos and His Word - and, most of the time, a hint or two from us :D - to speak to you. Just let me know! :)

OK. I'm going to go put on my PJs. It's been a long day, and I have lots of work to do. :) THANK YOU for reading my book today. LOL!!! I'm SO enjoying sharing with you!

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

Just a quickie for today! :D

Of course, I MAY be back later today to talk your ear off! LOL!

It's been a busy day already today, and we're on our way to the movies with my parents. I'm still waiting for some of you to send me your goals.... :)

I've got to run - we had a photo shoot this morning, so that's why I'm out of time. Enjoy this B&W of our dogwood tree, and I'll be back later! Have a BLESSED day!