Show & Tell Friday!!!!

It's Show & Tell, sponsored by Kelli! Be sure and go to check out her site - it's a wonderful, warm, welcoming site! :)

It's been one of THOSE days, where nothing *quite* seemed to go right. SO, I'm going to show you a salad that we make a lot around here, especially for company. :D

It's a copycat recipe from Applebee's - I LOVE their Oriental Chicken Salad! I have tweaked MY recipe a bit, but here is a link to the copcat recipe!

The reason I think this qualifies for the Show & Tell? Well, I've made it MY recipe. I'm KNOWN for this salad now. :D And I took this great picture, too. LOL!!! It's coming up to summer, too, and this salad is light and refreshing - and I hope those of you browsing thru the Show & Tell sites will try this, and enjoy it! :)

Have a BLESSED day!!!!!!

The award goes to.... :)

Hello, dear ones!!! My friend Kimmie gave me this award - almost two weeks ago, I'm ashamed to say!!! - and it's MY turn to pass it on.

I would send it right back to Kimmie; she's always so sweet, and encouraging! But since she's already GOT it, well.... :D

Becky, for ALWAYS loving me, no matter what I say, for always encouraging me, and for being an awesome inspiration.

Jamie, for being my friend for a VERY long time, and never giving up on me. :)

Jennifer, for making me laugh no matter what kind of mood I'm in.

Sparrow, for being a great inspiration, and ALWAYS very sweet and uplifting.

Nancy, for ALWAYS caring, ALWAYS checking up on me, and ALWAYS sharing her heart.

Thank you, my dear friends. You BLESS me so much, each and every day!!! Even if you don't hear from me for FOREVER, I hope this will help you know how much I appreciate you!!!!

I'm home!

But it's taking me a while to get into reality again. :D So, while I figure out what the heck I'm doing, here's a quiz to take. It's a FUN one!!!! :D

You Are Bare Feet

You are a true free spirit, and you can't be tied down. Even wearing shoes can be a little too constraining for you at times! You are very comfortable in your own skin. You are one of the most real people around. You don't have anything to hide. Open and accepting, you are willing to discuss or entertain almost any topic. You are a very tolerant person. You are accepting and not judgmental. You should live: Somewhere warm You should work: At your own business, where you can set the rules

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Still gone!

Just wanted to stop in and let you know we're having a wonderful time! We'll be back late tomorrow night, in case you need me, but I wanted to stop in and say hi. Miss you, and can't wait to hear from everyone!

OK, it's Thursday night...

and I'm headed out of town. :) It's been a really busy week! I'm headed to the WOMEN OF JOY conference in Branson, MO, and then Kenn and I are going to take four days and remember what it's like to be a COUPLE. :) So, I'll see you sometime next week - I MIGHT try to post while we're gone, but not sure.

Have a WONDERFUL week! I want to hear all about what you've been up to!!!

Show & Tell Friday!

Good afternoon, everyone! It's Friday, which means Show & Tell, sponsored by Kelli.

This is my contribution for this week! It's actually TWO show & tells in one! :)

The two pots on the ends are ones I threw about 10 years ago. I LOVE throwing, and LOVE doing ceramics - but time and especially FINANCES have contrived to stop me from doing either.

These two are from a class I took at a community college in Florence, Oregon. I make a huge mess when I throw, but I can't tell you how satisfying it is to watch something with a beautiful shape grow out of a lump of clay and some water!!!

The teapot in the middle belonged to my maternal grandmother, who passed away over a year ago. She LOVED having a pot of tea and reading a book - something I also love to do - so I was blessed to receive this. She was a gentle woman who loved to laugh, and I got my love of reading partly from her. My mom reminds me of her - the GOOD points, anyway. :D

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed your visit, and will be back soon! :D

BE BLESSED, you who *are* blessed and highly favored!!!!

Good morning! :)

There's not a lot going on here; I'm still trying to remember what "normal life" is like. :D I got to go socialize with a group of ladies from my church last night, and tonight I get to go out witha group of rebel Red and Purple Hats. :D I have FRIENDS?!?!??! Woah. Haven't seen most of 'em in a LONG time!!! :)

So, since there's not a whole lot going on life-wise, let me tell you what I've decided to do! You know those tiny flower pictures I keep showing you, the ones with verses on them? Well, I'm going to be offering them in some poster sizes, so you can order for yourself or for loved ones as gifts. Also, I'm going to do greeting cards with them. I want to get a few more images together, and determine pricing, before I get the whole gallery set up. But I'll also continue to share them here. :)

Here's one for today. May you have a richly blessed day, fully content in resting in Him while you take care of all the "must-do" things you have!

It's MONDAY!!!!!! :D

Good morning, dear ones!!!!!! The show is OVER. I have to admit, I did get a BIT emotional yesterday - but it's all Trey's fault. :) He's a young man we've worked with before, and he's a joy to be around - very polite, and his mom is simply WONDERFUL, too. :) ANYWAY. He had his mom bring me flowers - and she said it was ALL his idea! :) Such a sweet, THOUGHTFUL thing for a boy to do. They were the only flowers I received!

ANYWAY. I guess you could put that into the "what I learned yesterday" category! :D Thoughtfulness in children ISN'T dead! :D

Kenn & I only went to Sunday school yesterday; we needed to gather things to use for the strike, and we were VERY tired!!! Poor Kenn's been working a LOT, and just hasn't been able to get rested - and he's fighting ANOTHER cold. We are talking about Joseph - as in the Technicolor Dreamcoat :D - for the next few weeks. We talked a lot about communication in families, and how things can affect us for life. We had a great discussion - besides just regular discussion, we have a therapist in our classroom, plus MY specialty is interpersonal communications. :D

Anyway. It is a GLORIOUS day here - and yesterday was, too!! The tulips are simply GORGEOUS. I'm going to leave you with THIS thought today - God is SO good, my friend. HE LOVES YOU. Thank Him for all He IS today!!!

I just HAVE to brag a bit!

We got a great review from a local newspaper, The Lebanon Democrat, last week - but here's one I didn't even know was going to happen! Trudy LOVED our show. :D So, that's TWO people who reviewed it for others. I'm SO thrilled! Go HERE to check this review out!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday! Oh, I said that already, didn't I. :D Well, I meant it! LOL!

This picture was featured in Monday's devotional that Kenn & I send out, so I apologize if it's a repeat for you - but I REALLY liked this shot. :)

Have you heard about the WOMEN OF JOY conference? Well, I'm BLESSED - I get to go to the one in Branson, MO this month!!! Here's the link, if you're interested in finding out a bit more:

http://www.mywomensevents.com/

If you're going to be there, please drop me a note! I'd LOVE to meet up with you!

So, what's everyone up to today? It's the beginning of allergy season here, and I'm starting to pay for it. I've got a wicked sore throat, so I'm taking it easy today - because I have four more days of show, and Sunday's going to be DIFFICULT, with strike and church and show.

Please talk to me! :) I may take a little long to get back to you, but I promise, I will eventually! :) There are a lot of you hurting right now; thank you for trusting me enough to tell me about it. I am praying for you, dear one. God knows your heart! He loves you, and knows the plans He has for you. He knows the desires of your heart - and they're His desires! You've sought after Him, and He loves you, SO MUCH. Rest in Him today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BE BLESSED. You ARE blessed, and highly favored! Now, go BE BLESSED!!!!

It's MONDAY again! :)

Good Monday afternoon!

Life has NOT slowed down one BIT, girls. I'm sooooooooo wiped out!!!! But it's OK; the show is in its final week, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :)

I have to admit, I was SO busy yesterday, even at church, that I didn't have a lot of time to LISTEN. It was Baby Dedication Day at church, and Kenn & I were asked to do the photography. :)

Kenn shot the baptisms, then headed back to set up for the formal photos at the luncheon. I took shots inside the service, but the lighting was AWFUL, so I ended up throwing away a BUNCH of photos because they were too blurry.

But this, dear friends, is Bella. Her mommy and daddy are wonderful young people whose wedding we photographed, as well - and they're moving to Texas in three weeks. I am SO sad to see them go, but pray God's blessings on their family and life!

So, what did YOU learn yesterday?? Did you enjoy a peaceful day? Or did you spend it like we did, rushing from one responsibility to another? :)

I'm praying for EVERYONE who put in a prayer request last week; I hope you'll report back on what's going on, ladies - and that each person will go back and check comments for prayer requests. PLEASE feel free to leave one WHENEVER you need/want!!!!!!! It's an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to bring requests before our Father! :)

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, dear one. You don't have to look too far at all - start from the moment you opened your eyes! KNOW YOU ARE BLESSED, AND HIGHLY FAVORED, BELOVED!

Wow, am I TIRED....

This has been a LONG road! I'm enjoying the last evening free THIS week, and next week we only have TWO nights - we have FOUR SHOWS next weekend. PHEW. But it's been a great experience - and we got a GREAT review from a local newspaper, so I've been beaming all afternoon. :)

I worked hard yesterday, and today it's all I can do to think straight - so I'm trying not to feel guilty for not doing too much! :)

What are YOU girls up to? I know Becky's on vacation with her family, and won't be back for a few days - lucky thing. :)

So, what's God saying to you lately? I have been simply AMAZED this year at how He's brought the world back to life almost overnight! The pear trees blossomed BEFORE the forsythia this year - that's unheard of! The underbrush is getting green quickly, as are the littler trees - we have one little crabapple tree that's leafing, and starting to bloom rather prettily! His handiwork never ceases to amaze me.

What about you? What's going on in your world? Are you being blessed? Or are you walking through a trial right now? May I walk with you? I'd love to pray for you.... Please, share. I care, and it's an honor for me to lift you to the Throne!

Thank you, Nancy! :) It IS a beautiful day in the 'hood!

Nancy gave me my first-ever blog award!!!!!! :) We're celebrating Mr. Rogers' birthday this month, and this is a Good Neighbor's Award. "Just for being you". :D Isn't that awesome????

Fred McFeely Rogers (March 20, 1928 – February 27, 2003) was an American educator, minister, songwriter and television host. Rogers was the host of the internationally acclaimed and highly successful children’s television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, in production from 1968 to 2001. As Mister Rogers, he became an iconic presence to millions of viewers worldwide. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. Throughout his life, he was an advocate for the education and welfare of children.

Of course, I'd grant it right back to her, but I can't do that! So, I'm passing it along to the following people. (Oh, and if anyone can help me figure out why Blogger is insisting on blowing this up and pixilating the picture, I'd REALLY appreciate it! AUGH!!!)

Becky, one of my best friends

Sparrow, who ALWAYS has something nice to say, or a topic to discuss that's interesting. I know we'd be friends IRL. :)

Lysa, because she always says something that inspires me to listen to her message. I hope I'll get the chance to meet her someday IRL.

Jennifer, because she makes me laugh, and because she's the only other person besides Becky brave enough to actually UTILIZE my Mr. Linky! :D

Jamie, because she's been a dear online friend for many years now. :) Thank you for always caring, Jamie!

Ginny, for caring about others even though she's going through an incredibly long, dark valley herself.

There are more people I'd give it to, but many of them don't have blogs! :)

We're going to skip over the Sunday review, since it was Easter - the Gospel was heard! AMEN!! :)

Have a wonderful day, dear one. Know you are loved beyond measure, beyond comprehension, but not beyond your ability to accept! :D

HAPPY RESURRECTION WEEKEND!!!

God is SO good!! Enjoy your family, your worship, and your celebration of the greatest Gift ever given to man!

Show & Tell Friday!

Good morning! It's Show & Tell Friday, hosted by Kelli - go check out her website. It's a GREAT place - and her Mr. Linky has some great things to share. :)



My Show & Tell today is my flowers from my dear friend, Becky. She sent them to Kenn & I for the opening of our show last night, OUR TOWN - Kenn & I co-directed, and I'm also stage managing it. We've got one show down, nine more to go! It's a wonderful show, and this is probably one of the best times I've had with a show. :)







This is our Professor Willard, played by Daniel Mathews, and our Stage Manager, played by Bobby Daniels. I just LOVE this shot that Kenn grabbed on Wednesday evening. :)

I can't claim THEM as my own, but this show surely is!!!! If you live in the middle TN area, we'd love to have you come see our show! :)

Got to jet - miles to go before we end up at the theater again tonight. :D Have a WONDERFUL, BLESSED DAY!!!!!!!

Good Wednesday morning!

Can it already be Wednesday??!?!?!? Not that I'm complaining - I'll be glad to get the show open TOMORROW NIGHT! :) But my goodness. Life is just JAM-PACKED with things to do, isn't it?

And EASTER. Can you believe Resurrection Sunday is THIS WEEK? I've read an article that says this is the earliest Easter we'll ever encounter in our lifetimes. Interesting!

Do you have special plans? I haven't been able to do much yet, but Mom & Dad are providing steaks and scallops for our main meal - which will be WONDERFUL; with the show and work schedule, Kenn & I haven't had any real meals in I don't know HOW long! We aren't having a show Sunday, so it will actually get to be a day of rest. I can't wait!

Here's a picture to wrap up with today. Did you count your blessings yesterday? Especially the little ones? God is so amazing, so awesome.

Lift up your voice! Praise GOD for those blessings! Make today a day of GRATITUDE!

Good morning!

No words necessary today. GOD IS GOOD! (Click on the image to make it larger. :))

FIND YOUR BLESSINGS!!!

It's MONDAY!

And it's FUNNY - I've gotten more comments on my tag than anything else in weeks! :D I'm glad you like knowing about me - I'm not really that interesting.... :D









So. What did you learn at church yesterday? Our Sunday school was about being faithful thru crises. We talked a little bit about common sense for solving crises - but it's my opinion that we can get trapped in our conventional thinking, if we're not careful. God doesn't always solve our problems the direction we head on our own!





The church service was mostly music - our choir did from the entry into Jerusalem to the cross this week, and next week is from the cross to the resurrection! We had communion, and it was a wonderful time of thanking God for the Gift He gave.







Well, spring is DEFINITELY here. It's going to rush right into summer from here - but aren't the forsythia beautiful? :) The trees in our neighborhood actually started blooming BEFORE the forsythia, which is REALLY unusual!

Please, please pray for me this week. Unless someone earns my undying gratitude today, it looks like I'm going to have to stage manage our show. I really don't want to - I SHOULD be able to relax, at this point, but it's not going to happen that way. By the end of the run, it will be a full THREE MONTHS I've given to this show. My business isn't too bad, but I really want to get back to work! The stress isn't good for my glucose levels, either - I'm bouncing again, and very high in the mornings. So that would be another prayer request! :)

OK, I'm going to go - I have to do some photography business paperwork, then get going on show stuff. A woman's work is never done! :D

Have a wonderful, BLESSED day, dear one. Look for the blessings in your life - it will AMAZE you what God has put into your day!

I've been TAGGED!!

Charlotte tagged me today! :) She was nice enough to email me and let me know. :D Otherwise, I would have gone blindly along with my evening.... LOL!!

So, here are the rules: In the 8 facts about yourself, you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going. So just know, if I've tagged you, I'm just trying to follow the rules. :D

So, here goes....

1. My middle name is Lynn.
2. My parents STILL call me "I SPY", because I have the ability to use inductive and deductive reasoning rather well - and can usually tell them what's been going on by the evidence on the scene. LOL!
3. I was born a month premature, so I can get overloaded by loud sounds and bright lights very quickly.
4. In kindergarten, I got in trouble for standing on a table and shouting, "The teacher said BE QUIET!!!!" :D
5. Junior high and 3/4 of high school was pure torture for me, and I don't really have many GOOD memories of those years.
6. My degree is in speech communications, from the University of TX, El Paso.
7. I love to take bubble baths.
8. My favorite time to go swimming is when it's dark and quiet outside - like after 11 pm. :)

So there! :D You know some more absolutely non-essential stuff about me. :D

My friends to be tagged: Nancy, Kelli, Jamie, Ginny, Jennifer, Constance, Marti, and Jo. PHEW! Lots of work! :D Have fun, friends - and be SURE to check out their wonderful blogs. They're all great, Godly women.

Happy Palm Sunday! :) Enjoy your weekend!!! BE BLESSED, dear sister!

Wow! Yesterday stirred some emotions!

I don't feel like facing all of them today, but suffice it to say I've never been comfortable with all of Easter, either; we tend to forget Passover - it's a FESTIVAL that celebrates that REDEMPTION COMES THROUGH DEATH - Christ's death, and our death to self, TO RESURRECTION. :)

Hope you're having a wonderful day, beloved! The show's in crunch mode, and my brain's totally frizzled. :D Talk again soon!

BACK TO NORMAL!! :D

Hi, everyone! I'm so sorry I've been MIA for so long; last week was difficult, with the family here AND things going on in real life. I am here now, so let's share! :)

Sunday shcool yesterday was about being faithful through hardships, using Jacob as an example. We talked about lessons you learn, etc., when walking through hardships.

Church was AWESOME! We had a Messianic Jewish pastor speak about Passover - his church is in Israel, or I know we'd be attending there! :D It was truly insightful, and he was passionate about Christ. We're getting the CD to listen to, because there was so MUCH meat to chew on we didn't get each piece in the first listening! :) His passage was Luke 12:12-19. If you'd like to read the passage, here's a link. :)

First of all, he said that the label for that passage is incorrect, because some of it has been mistranslated. He talked a bit about the festivals in Leviticus, and about how Passover shows the need for death for redemption. He was VERY scornful of celebrating Easter, because it IS a fertility celebration to Ishtar, the goddess of fertility. It's interesting history of the church - read up on it sometime. (I already knew this. :D) I've always felt that way, too, but part of the thing I see in most contemporary churches is a lack of history of both the church itself and the Jewish heritage.

He also spoke about true worship, and why we are supposed to worship. He did some research: the top 10 churches in America aren't teaching about GOD, they're teaching what God can do for YOU, how to feel better about yourself, and be blessed. TRUE WORSHIP is about worshipping HIM because He's worthy. Not because we're grateful - which is also important - but because HE is worthy of ALL praise, honor, and glory. Period! How long has it been since you worshipped, in spirit and in truth? Sometimes worship is an act of obedience - but out of that act can come TRUE repentance, joy, and a true understanding of our UNworthiness - and even more gratitude for His grace and mercy!

ANYWAY. :D I'm going to have to wait until we get the CD to tell you the direct translation of some of the words - what a benefit to KNOW the languages of the Bible!!!! - but that the cries of the people in verse 12 were greeting Jesus as the person who would throw out the Romans. Here's what REALLY struck me: the rabbi said that if you ask ANY rabbi how many Messiahs there are, they will tell you TWO: the humble servant Messiah, and the triumphant, victorious Messiah - and that they believe that, with prayer and petition from His chosen nation, Israel, God will choose to SKIP sending the servant Messiah!!!!! WOW, talk about walking in blindness. How He must grieve!!!

Jesus's response to their not understanding who He is was to quote back the verse in Zech. 9:9, with ONE twist - and you'd never notice, if you didn't really study BOTH passages!!! JESUS said, "FEAR NOT"! Zechariah says REJOICE GREATLY!!!! Jesus was acknowledging that He came to fulfill Scripture, but at the same time telling them that He was not who THEY wanted him to be, and was NOT coming to defeat the Romans. But they didn't understand it, didn't want to - and the disciples didn't, either.

I'll share more when I get the CD and listen to it again. It's REALLY insightful!!! Such good, basic MEAT of the Word!!!! I don't know about you, but SO OFTEN I wonder what the ORIGINAL word really meant, and what the author REALLY meant. :)

SO. What did YOU learn yesterday?? What is God revealing to YOU???? Share!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE! :D

Have a blessed day, dear one. You are SO precious to Him!!!!! Worship Him! :)

Nope, not gone yet...! :D

Good afternoon, dear friend. Thanks for coming back and checking in. :D

Yes, my family is STILL here. God has a purpose, but sometimes, one just has to wonder.... :D They're SUPPOSED to be staying tonight in their RV if/when my brother-in-law and other niece get here, and taking off without seeing us in the morning. We'll see what God has planned!

Plans. Hopes. Dreams. Aspirations. Some days, I don't think I have any anymore. Sometimes, it feels like it's useless; like they're never going to come to fruition, so why even bother? Today is one of those days. BELIEVING that I am blessed and highly favored on these days is difficult - it's HEAD knowledge, but getting my HEART to know - well, it's a struggle.

Today is a good day for Psalm 42. I will be meditating on it today; I hope you're not in the same struggle I'm in today. But if you are, I pray this will help YOU, too. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. Regardless of my circumstances, my outlook, or my emotions, HE IS.

Psalm 42

1 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go with the multitude,

leading the procession to the house of God,

with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and 6 my God.

My soul is downcast within me;

therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan,

the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,

"Why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,

saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

They are STILL here! :D

Hi, everyone. My family is STILL here. Things have been detoured in Georgia for the past few days, so they're here. It's a houseful, and I think they're tired of being bored. :) It's difficult when everyone doesn't have their own space - but I think it's gone well. God is good. :)

We had a difficult time at Sunday school yesterday; the lesson was on Esau again. It was the stuff going on outside of the lesson that was difficult. I'll write more when I get a chance, and get my own feelings and thoughts sorted out. I ask you to pray for Kenn and for me. I promise to sort of explain later. :)

OK, I'm off. I have a class to go teach tonight, and another workshop tomorrow night. :) Plus show stuff to tend to - life is CERTAINLY busy around here right now. :)

THANK YOU for being faithful! I appreciate you, my friend, and I'm grateful that I can ask you to pray for us. May you be blessed beyond measure today - and may you pass that blessing on!!

SO much going on, so little time!

Hi, everyone! I'm sorry I've been kind of MIA this week; between the show, and having a houseful of family, I'm a bit busy this week.

Aren't they adorable? These are my nieces and nephew; they are moving from a base in Georgia to one in Oklahoma, and are visiting for a few days. I am so blessed to get a little time with them; we don't get much because of their schedules and our schedules. One of my nieces and my brother-in-law are finishing moving chores, and won't be here until tomorrow night. Phew, what a week it's been - this weekend is a tech weekend, which means painting, sawing, and lots of construction work for the show.

We'll get back to our regular week next week. For today, I want to leave you with this - it arrived in my email box, and blessed me. I hope it does the same for you. :) GOD BLESS YOU, dear one!!!!!!!!!! Please keep leaving comments; Karen, I have them emailed directly to my email, so I DO read them all. Sometimes I just don't have a chance to respond before life takes over. :D

Things That Help Each Day

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are God, then the other people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. (Preach it!)

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

It's MONDAY!!!

Good morning, dear friend! How are you? How was your weekend?? Did you enjoy your time with family and/or friends? I thought our sermon yesterday was fantastic, and have been looking forward to sharing it with you. :)

It was called "Love Secrets" - the pastor was wrapping up a month of love sermons - but I honestly felt like it should be called "LIFE Secrets"; the principles allpy to everyday relationships, not just to "significant others". :)

First, referencing I John 4:16 & John 15:12, HOW TO PUT LOVE FIRST TO MAKE LOVE LAST.

I John 4:16: And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

John 15:12: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Pretty clear, right? :)

Second. WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE SO BECOMES SO. Ref: Proverbs 23:7: for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. I think this was the most unclear point reference for me! :)

Third - emphasis mine!:D - YOUR ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS! Ref: Matthew 17:20: He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Pastor was using this about your marriage: believe that your marriage is good. Don't be looking outside, comparing to other people. Believe YOUR MARRIAGE is everything you need, and it will become so.

Fourth - again, emphasis mine! :D - Happiness is a CHOICE. He used Matthew 5:5-6 as a reference - the Beatitudes - but I don't think that HAPPINESS, per se, if a fruit of the Spirit, and I think it's a secular belief that we have to be HAPPY. I don't see that Scripturally ANYWHERE - and I have a hard time believing some of the Biblical characters we esteem were happy in their circumstances. But we can be BLESSED in any circumstance - because we are BLESSED AND HIGHLY-FAVORED BY GOD! :)

Fifth, THE LOVE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE, YOU LOSE. Ref: Acts 20:35: In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

So. There are days when I don't make the choice to BE blessed and highly favored. This is something God's been speaking to me a lot lately; dear friend, YOU are blessed and highly favored! Dont' accept the LIE that Satan is trying to sell you, that you're not worthy and that no one cares.

We are, indeed, blessed. We ARE highly favored. We are daughters of the everlasting God, Who is all-powerful. God is LOVE.

We are loved.

Have a wonderful day! :) I can't wait to hear from you!

It's SHOW & TELL!!

Good morning, everyone!!! It's Show & Tell Friday, hosted by Kelli - be sure and check out her beautiful website! :) Kelli also is the winner of my giveaway this week; her prize is still sitting here, but I PROMISE it will go out before Sunday. :D

So, here is my newest tradeout acquisition! :)

Yes, once again brought to me by Bobbie Jo & Marti at http://www.livingwaterhandbags.com/, this was specially embroidered just for me. :) It's a cloth bag, and I think I'm going to use it to carry Bible study supplies - or perhaps theater supplies, like my script, pencils, water, etc. :)

I think it's just darling!!! I love having my Living Water purses, because they remind me to walk my talk. I just can't act like a nasty person if I've got the Word with me, you know?

I LOVE Show & Tell - we all visit each other's blogs, and you get to see great things! If you're interested in following along, visit Kelli's blog!

You NEED to go check out Lysa's post from yesterday.

I have Lysa's blog in the link list at the right of the screen, but you simply NEED to go check out her post from yesterday, here.

I have been talking about this to people all week, but Lysa put it SO WELL into words. Please, dear one, go read it. God will touch you. He loves you!

Happy Thursday!!!

Good morning, dear friends! Forgive my absence yesterday; I was just having a ME day. :) Amy and I went out in the morning, and I took care of show business most of the afternoon. Kenn & I went to turn on heat in the theater space - it's FREEZING in there!!! - and then went to get some Chinese food for dinner. I'd been craving it since Monday. LOL!!

Anyway. Here I am! :) Aren't my flowers pretty??? They were left over from a production at the theater last weekend, and I was allowed to bring a few home. They're SO pretty, and smell sooooo good. There's just something luxurious about the way roses smell - and the feel of their petals, too. They've lasted all week - even the dreenery, which usually starts shedding its fronds. :) I've enjoyed them SO much!

Have you had a blessing like this one this week? Something that's small, but that continues to give you joy and/or pleasure? Share with me! :) I can't tell you how important it is to look for those things, dear one. God keeps putting things like this into our lives; it's one of His ways of showing you how MUCH He loves YOU. Have you enjoyed watching the birds at your feeder? Or watching the sun set? How about your child's hearty laughter? You're SURROUNDED by God's saying, "I love you! Take delight in what I've put around you - that's why it's there!"

So. :) There's a website called Fun, Crafts, & Recipes that, every Friday, puts out four food questions. I just found it, and want to start answering the questions! :D Here were last week's:

Here are this week’s four questions.
#1. Steak. Plain, steak sauce, hot sauce, ketchup or something else?

#2. Water. Flavored, plain, carbonated. How do you like it?

#3. What’s your favorite kind of waffle?

#4. If you could have any one new small appliance for your kitchen what would it be and why?

1. I like my steak with some A1 steak sauce. I always put some Worchestershire sauce, salt, & pepper on before we grill them, but I like the extra TANG of the A1. :)

2. Well, actually, I like the flavoring mix sticks you can put into your bottled water. My favorite lately has been Walmart's version of sugar-free Tang, the orange drink. :) I need to pick some more up, as a matter of fact.... :)

3. Gosh! I don't eat a lot of waffles. I love chocolate chip ones, of course. :) Maine blueberries are good, too. I also like IHOP's harvest grain ones. I'm really not picky! :)

4. Wow. Ummm....Maybe a fry daddy? We have a lot of great appliances already; if I didn't have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, THAT would be my choice - but I do. :D

Fun questions! I'm looking forward to the next set, coming out tomorrow. :)

OK, dear ones, I'm going to run. I have lots of work I don't want to do still waiting for me. :D I'll see you soon! PLEASE know you are loved; He's waiting to talk to you today. Have you had your conversation with Him?

It's Tuesday - and we have a WINNER!!!

It's GOAL DAY here on Wannabe!! :) That means we ALL check in with how we're doing on our goals - and if someone doesn't check in, I pull out my folder to check up on you. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!! Accountability works, darn it. :D

But before I do that, we had a giveaway on this blog last week; all anyone had to do was leave a comment. Kenn drew a random number, and the winner is....

Kelli, from THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Congratulations, Kelli! i've already been to Kelli's blog, to ask for her address. :) She has 5 photo cards and 15 handcrafted cards coming to her, as a thank-you for commenting, and reading. But THANK YOU to all of you - you're the reason I'm here! I LOVE YOU!

SO. On to today's business!!!!

My goals: office hours still aren't happening, and I'm becoming a little more OK with that. Our schedule, because of the nature of our businesses, doesn't loan itself to that. So, I do the best I can - and that will be sufficient, because God is. :D

Activity-wise, I'm still not being able to hit water aerobics like I want to - this play thing is starting to hit high gear, so I'm even busier with things! - but I am increasing my daily activities like walking, stair-climbing, etc. According to the experts, every little bit helps! :)

Bible-reading, I've at least started again! I'm still off my schedule, but I am going to catch up eventually. The important thing is that I haven't totally abandoned it - thanks, Damien. :)

SO, ladies! How are YOU doing? Nancy? What's this week's project to work on? Becky, how are things going at your house? I know a lot of your goals and priorities have changed since the beginning of the year.... Rhonda, how is your budget going? I'm VERY proud of you! :) Sheri? Deby? Are you still checking in? Judy? You here? Karen, dear one? I know the emotions have been tough lately. Are you OK?

OK, dear ones. I have a question for you: would it hurt terribly if we changed goal-setting day until another day of the week? Since no one seems to want to be introduced anymore ;), we have Wed., Thurs., and Saturday we could move it to - and that way, I could share pictures from the weekend before I forgot about them. ROFL!!!!

Have a wonderful, blessed, beautiful day. You know, I don't think it's up to me to be blessed, myself; it's up to me to be a BLESSING!!!!!!!!! Bless someone today, dear sister, and be amazed at how God turns it into a blessing for you!

It's MONDAY! :)

Good morning, dear friend!! How was your weekend? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you do something fun, or mostly task-oriented?

What did you do to grow spiritually yesterday? We went to Sunday School, but I've been fighting "female problems" the last week, so Kenn decided we were going to come home after Sunday School - which was fine with me, since dishrags have trouble concentrating. :D

Sunday School was about asking God for guidance, and then following through on the guidance you receive. We talked about the ways that God shows you guidance; one of the best studies I've EVER done was by Priscilla Shirer, DISCERNING THE VOICE OF GOD. It's an incredible Bible study, and I encourage all women's ministries to do it!

In Sunday School, we're also memorizing Scripture together. It's been really fun - when I've not been sick, anyway. :D We memorized all of Psalm 1, then Proverbs 3:5-6, then Hebrews 11:1. This week is Hebrews 11:6.

So, it's your turn to share! :) What did you learn? Tell me anything you want me to know about your weekend, too - I care!!!! :)

Oh, I forgot! Since I didn't get in to remind you, I'll give you until the end of today to comment and win my blog giveaway - a mixture of handmade and photography greeting cards. :) Just leave a comment before MIDNIGHT CENTRAL TIME TONIGHT!

Off to work - I have a class tonight, and need to finish the samples. :D Have a wonderful, BLESSED day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Show & Tell Friday!

Welcome to Show & Tell Friday, sponsored by Kelli! Go drop by her beautiful website - and participate, if you have a blog! It's FUN!

So, today's item is my husband. :D He tells me all the time he's mine, so that's what counts, right? So, when I got up yesterday, I came down and made him cookies in the shape of hearts - he LOVES cookies! - and fresh English Toffee coffee from Kat's Coffees. He was very happy when he came down to cookies and coffee. :) That mug is one I got him a couple of Christmases ago; We've adopted Grumpy as his prepresentative Disney character. :D He posed like this while I was taking pictures of the cookies, and held it until I got the shot - which means he wanted me to take THIS one. :D

Here are the cookies themselves - they spead out a bit more than I thought they were going to, but you could still tell they were hearts, especially if you squinted and looked at them sideways. :D

He's at work today, and I have a LOT of work to do today, so I'm off! Have a BLESSED day, everyone, and be sure and visit Kelli's blog! Oh, and don't forget the blog candy from yesterday - be sure to enter!!!!!

YOU ARE LOVED - pass it on!!! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! To those of you who celebrate it, anyway. I've always been rather disappointed in this day - in college, I refused to celebrate it - until my last senior year, when some friends refused to let me stay home by myself. They brought me flowers, and one of them - a dear Indian guy - fixed me real chicken curry. Ahhh, memories. :D

Anyway! This guy is now my valentine. He was playing a computer game Wednesday night, and I made him smile for me. :D

So, what are you doing today/tonight? Do you have a valentine? Do you even care? LOL!!!

To celebrate having over 1000 hits on my blog - and because why not give away something on Valentine's Day?? - I'm going to give away some BLOG CANDY! That's right, dear ones. I'll take entries - by leaving a comment on the blog - between now and Sunday night, Feb. 17. Then, we'll randomly draw. The prize, you ask? An assortment of hand-stamped and photography cards. You're looking at a prize with a retail value of over $20!

I love blessing people. :) Just be sure, if you leave a comment for it, that I know how to get in touch with you if you win!!!! I've given away blog candy on my other blog, and two of the six winners didn't leave me any way of getting in touch with them! :D

BE BLESSED, dear one. Know you are LOVED, each moment of every day. It doesn't matter what the calendar says; love is yours, each day, each moment, each SECOND. God loves you with an everlasting love!!!!!

It's SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!

I SO love the snow. Right now, most of my enjoyment is coming from watching ALL the birds outside; there are dozens of them!

So. Today is supposed to be when I go to the movie with my friend. I didn't tell you! When we arrived on Friday, the times had been changed for the weekend - and Julia had to be at home for her grandkids as a special time. So, we went to Lifeway Bookstore - the new one in Providence Shopping Center in Mt. Juliet - and then to Panera for lunch. We had a good time - Julia is a wonderful person. :) So, anyway, we're supposed to go to see the movie today, but it's still snowing. I'm not sure if Julia's going to feel comfortable enough driving or not. Regardless, I have an invitation for lunch with another friend if the movie doesn't happen, and I need to go to a customer's home to show her how to do a project she bought the supplies for. Phew! A lot to fit in! :)

Here's another picture, just because I wanted to see if you could spot all 7 birds in it. :D

I wanted to respond to some of your comments, because I haven't done so in a while. Not because I don't CARE, but because things have been kind of wierd.

So. Here we go! :)

This one's from Sparrow - her blog link is to the right. This is the least-spiritual thing she asked me. :D She said, "What crafts will they be making at your church?"

What we do is have a "Craft Night" every second Friday at our church. We all bring our own supplies, and work on whatever we want. Most of us scrap or stamp, but we've had knitters and crocheters, too, and women who just need to get out of the house for some other adult female company come to visit. :) We go for six hours; there are several of us who do it the whole time, but you're free to come and go! If you live in the area, we'd LOVE to have you come - just email me for more details! :) It's FREE!

Nancy - whose blog link is ALSO to the right! :) - said, "Very fun stuff! I think I need some of those shoes. Everyone says they are the epitome of comfort. How are you feeling and how is your glucose level holding?Still praying for that."

I do LOVE my Crocs. I was kind of hesitant at first; Amy gave me my very first pair of Crocs for Christmas a little over a year ago, and they are textured on the bottoms. My feet are VERY sensitive to what I walk on; the wrong kind of socks can bother me! But I LOVE Crocs. I now own three pairs - the two Amy got me, and one pair of black Mary Janes Kenn let me pick out when we were in Oregon last May. I love them - and rarely wear any other kind of shoe!

I'm feeling a little better than I did yesterday; it's that time of the month, and not only do I have the regular mood swings, but it does affect my blood sugars. So you can pray for poor Kenn. :D

My glucose levels are doing really well! I can tell when I haven't done what I know I should, and there are still times when my bod does whatever it wants, but overall, I'm very happy with where I am - as opposed to six weeks ago! :)

Thank you for caring, and for praying!!!!!!!!! That means SO much to me!

One more before I go get busy. :) This one is from my local friend, Lori P. She says, "I really wish I could have heard the sermon but I was helping in the preschool and I really like doing that also. So for me yesterday was learning about Abraham and how he listened to God. It also put a whole new spin on sacrifice. That word is used too loosely. I can tell you that everyday I am in worship I find myself being more and more patient on waiting for God to show me what he has in store for me. For me, that is not easy so it shows me that I grow from hearing the message over and over. I hope that makes sense."

It sure does, Lori. I agree; we do use the word "sacrifice" too loosely. Webster's Dictionary says that a sacrifice (n) is destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. The verb definition: to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, injure, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end. And that's the secular use!

God sacrificed His son for us. We say we sacrifice for Him, but what have we REALLY sacrificed lately? Ourselves should be the answer - but one of my favorite points to make is that living sacrifices tend to crawl off the altar often....

I hope maybe you've found something fun, or interesting, or thought-provoking today. :)

Know I love you! Time to jump in the shower, and get ready to be a social butterfly in one way or another. :)

GOD LOVES YOU!!! Enjoy His blessings today!

Well worth watching!

I recommend you click this link!

http://www.blessyoumovie.com/

Be blessed!

Author Unknown....

I received this from another friend online, and wanted to share it. If nothing else, I hope it starts you thinking: do you agree? Why or Why Not? :) (She didn't know who authored this; if you know, please let me know so I can acredit him/her!)

5 Reasons God Permits Problems

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you--depending on how YOU respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here are five reasons God may have permitted the problems for
experience in your life:

1. God permits problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God allowing this situation to get your attention? 'Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.' Proverbs 20:30

2. God permits problems to INSPECT you.
People are like tea bags ... If you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God tested your faith by alowing a problem or two into your life? What do problems reveal about you? 'When you have many kinds of troubles, you should b full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.' James 1:2-3

3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something...health, money, a relationship...by losing it. 'It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.' Psalms 119:71-72

4. God permits problems to PROTECT you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem-but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good'... Genesis 50:20

5. God permits problems to PERFECT you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. 'We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.' Romans 5:3-4

** Here's the point: God is at work in your life-even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

Today is TUESDAY!

OK. It's Tuesday. I've been dreading this day all weekend. I am SO totally unmotivated right now. I have no desire to do A THING. I'm behind in my reading, my blogging, my LIFE.

I wish I could go on a vacation!

SO. How are YOU doing on your goals??? Obviously, I'm not going to judge you in any way! LOL!!!!!! Please share; is ANYONE else in my boat this week?????

It's MONDAY! :)

Hi, everyone! SO sorry it's so late for me to be posting; I had doctor appointments this morning, and internet problems this afternoon - and a HUGE class tonight that I have to finish prepping for. So, I'm here on a hit-and-run mission. :)

Today is Monday; it's the day that we share what we learned at church yetserday. If you didn't go to church, what did you do?

Yesterday, our sermon was - once again - on "What Women Want In a Husband". Godly man, good sense of humore, communication, honesty, and a good provider. What do you think? Does that cover it for you?

I'm not sure how I feel. Kenn and I have not had an easy month. I think I need to praise him more when he does things I appreciate; I'm afraid that I get into the "Well, I've done so much for HIM, he SHOULD do whatever". Not good. So the sermon, for ME, was about making sure he knew what I appreciated about him.

Your turn!!! :) I spilled, now it's your turn!!!

Gotta run - I've got to get this class ready for tonight. I'll be back later, if I can find the time to squeeze in a little more blogging. :) I DO love you!!!!!!!!!!! You are VERY important to me, dear one. Please don't take my overactive schedule for anything but what it is! :D

YOU ARE LOVED!

Show & Tell Friday!

Good morning! It's a beautiful, sunny day here again. The birds and squirrels are busy outside, and I'm scurrying around inside, trying to get things done before I take a little time to have fun with friends.

Anyway. :) Today is Show & tell Friday, brought to you by Kelli at http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/. And here is my item!

Isn't it PRETTY? It's by Living Water Creations; Bobbie Jo and Marti are friends of ours, and Kenn did some photography work for them for the website - is still working on some of it, actually. :)

As a result, PART of his payment he took in tradeouts, and this is one of the purses I received - I'm waiting on the other one to be custom-embroidered for me. :) I'm SURE it will make it for Show & Tell when I receive it!

If you go check out their website, and LOVE what you see, and make a purchase, please let them know where you found them! :) Bobbie Jo reads this blog, and I'd love for her and Marti to be blessed by YOU. :)

I use this purse ALL the time now; it happens to match the Crocs that Amy bought me for my birthday last year! :) Let's see - I think I'll go take a picture of them....

Here they are!!!! Yes, that's an Eeyore charm - Amy bought him, too. :D The very first pair of Crocs I owned, she purchased for me, and put a Pooh charm on them. :D She loves me!

OK, enough showing and telling. :) I can't wait to see what other fun, new things people are showing at their blogs today!! :) Be sure and go check it out at Kelli's!

Have a WONDERFUL day, dear one. Find the blessings in your life, and count each one of them!

Phew! I'm BACK! :)

Whew. It seems like it's been a long day! :) I HATE being without the internet - I always wonder what's happening with my business and my friends! LOL!!

Today is one of those days outside where it's sunny, and it's nice, but there's NOTHING interesting going on. :) So, I visited Mr. Rabbit in the side flowerbed. He was busy talking to the stick, however, and wasn't very sociable. The lillies are getting ready to grow already. The poor plants don't have a clue what to do; one day, it's a high of 40; the next, 70!!! Poor things.

I'm really procrastinating. Can you tell? I have lots to do, but I'm just so glad to be back online! I haven't heard from some of you lately, but new friends keep popping in - I'm so glad people stumble across this little testimony to our Big GOD!! :)

What do you have planned for your weekend? I have to work Saturday, and I'm really looking forward to church on Sunday. Tomorrow will be a play day for me; I'm going to the movies with my friend, Julia, and then it's craft night at church - I love to go, but I'm not sure what I'm going to work on again. LOL!!!!

OK, I'm going to quit chattering. Have a WONDERFUL evening, my dear friends, and KNOW GOD LOVES YOU. He is an incredible, AWESOME God, mighty to save, merciful and beautiful! Discover a new facet of Him today!

Please stand by....

I'm having technical difficulties! Since Dad moved his office, I can't get online - the wireless network is giving me FITS! So, I'm on his computer to let you know that he's working on the problem today - and I'll be back to post as soon as I can. In the meantime, check out some of the new blogs I've listed on the right side!!
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!! Pray I keep my temper - I'm going CRAZY.... :D