Good Morning! What a lovely day it is here! The temperature is about 45, and there is a brisk breeze in the air. Today is my hubby's 48th birthday, and we are celebrating with or family and friends with a small get together tonight. The menu is very simple: ham, potato salad, turnips, collards, corn bread, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, and a few condiments, crescent rolls, and biscuits. Nothing fancy, just a good old country meal, shared with love, and joy for the day.
I have also made his favorite cake, a deep dark chocolate, with orange coconut glaze, and some german chocolate cupcakes for the kiddos. I just hope the cake doesn't burst into flame with all of the candles! LOL! He'd just laugh if he knew I said that, the old darling.
As we celebrate his birthday, we will also be taking some time to share a list of blessings that the Lord has given us this year, not the least of which is the chance to just be together. Being a nurse, it is seldom that I get a night off to be at home, so for me, this year is extra special. I am looking forward to it, and when we give thanks tonight, I will be adding some very special people that I have met on this site to my list of blessings.
God bless you on this day, and may it be filled with joy, and the happiness of a grateful heart.
Today, I just want to take a moment to pray for the members of this site, and the guests who happen by:
Heavenly Father,
Bless all who enter here. Draw them close to You. May the members here continue to pray for each other,and give us a heart to serve You. May this site continue blessing all who enter, and may each member be blessed in mind, body and spirit. Thank You Lord for each person that reads, and each that posts, and shares glimpses of their lives with us. May this site always be a place of home.
In Jesus' name, Amen
Have a wonderful day, Homesteaders. God fill your moments with peace and joy!
beverly
God bless the men and women with the courage to protect our country! May the families be comforted by the knowledge that their sacrifices are not in vain. Please, Father, bring them home soon!It is not yet Thanksgiving, but many of us are already thinking ahead to making gifts for the Christmas holiday. I know I certainally am. With a brood as large as mine, you either start early, or you wind up in a major panic a couple of weeks before the big day! Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles, cousins, not to mention my own children, grandchildren and hubby must all receive a token of love. My co-workers are also on my ever-lengthening list. Yet, how do you make a budget stretch to find the perfect gift for everyone? For me, the answer is simple...homemade
So, where to start? This year, I am having a "Vicorian" theme, for my tree, and centerpieces, so I thought, why not have presents for everyone that echo that sentiment? I spent some time going through some wonderful articles that I found concerning gift-giving during the 1800's, and have found lovely gift ideas that are simple to make and lovely to receive.
Read on...and happy gift-giving!
Gifts for the Discerning Lady:
Handmade Handkerchefs
Shawls
Nosegays, and sachets
Scarves
Gifts for the Elegant Gentlemen
Embroidered Handkerchefs
Quills and Desk Blotters
Woolen Scarves
Eyeglass Cases
These are but a few of the ideas that leapt to the forefront! I have includes the directions for each. All are simple to do, and each cost less than three dollars to make. Yet, they are priceless in terms of the effort and love that goes into the preperation. With each that I complete, I say a special prayer for the receiver, and include a Bible verse, with a lovely Victorian theme, printed on glossy cardstock and suitable for framing.
Handkerchefs, men and ladies: (Makes nine)
3 yards (36x45) fine-spun white linen, laundered and pressed, lightly starched. There will be abut 1/2 yard left over if you are making nine handkerchefs, but hold onto it, we will make good use of it later! The linen runs about $4.00 a yard.
Cut out 3 19"x19" square peices from each yard of linen. (Be sure to launder and press before doing so, to prevent puckering of the seams) Hem 1/2 inch on each side, folding edges under, and either blind stich with your machine, of loop stich by hand. Be careful that the tension remains eased, so that the seams are flat, and even. After hemming, have some fun!!! Try different laces and trims for different looks. I am using a spool of lovely pale pink Battenberg lace that I found at Wal-mart for two dollars, for three of mine, but for the other nine I will be making, I am trimming with crochet lace and some lovely silk ribbon flowers, ($2.00 a yard in most craft departments).
After you have hemmed, trimmed and competed the handkerfhefs, simplly decide how to package, being sure to use acid-free tissue paper. And Viola, you have a lovely gift for three ladies!
For the men, follow the same directions, but do not trim. Add their initials with a simple emdroidery stich, and wrap. So easy, but made with love, they will be cherished.
Shawls for Ladies: ( Makes three)
To make each, you will need 1 yard of the fabric of your choice, and try to find the 45" length, as it will give you a wider base for your shawl. I chose a lovely satin, with swirls of lavender and blue. I found it at the Fabric Warehouse for $2.75 a yard! (It is always a good idea to keep an eye out for potential savings on material any time you are shopping. Then, when you are ready to make gifts, you have a variety of choices) Wash and dry on delicate, and steam wrinkles, but be careful! Satin will melt if the heat is too high! Cut each satin yard into a "V" shape, fold edges under and allow 1/2 inch for each hem. Trim, or not as you desire. I often use a ribbon trim, in a contrasting color, or a very subtle lace. I have made several of these for myself and my daughters over the years. They also look lovely draped over an end table, or the back of the sofa...the posibilities are endless! Save the scrap fabric!
Woolen Scarves for the Gentlemen:
3 yards of good quality woolen material. I usually choose a brown, navy or grey. Avoid black, it fades easily, and shows every little peice of lint. Cut each yrd of fabic into two equal width and length peices, and hem with 1/2 inch allowance. As always, launder, and press, but with wool, be sure to use a good fabric softener, and use a lint brush to keep nap of fabric in line. I do not trim the scarves for men.
Scarves for Ladies: ( Makes eight)
4 yards of broadcloth of choice, in whatever color. or print, you desire. Cut each yard into two even width and length squares. As always, launder and press, then hem the scarves with 1 inch seam allowance, folding under edges. Unless you are a very skilled needle-worker, avoid silk, and jersey materal, they have a tendency to roll and pucker. After hemming, you may trim with a lace, or leave plain. I personally do not trim scarves. I find that it make them difficult to knot, and keep in place. I do on occasion, use a ribbon edging, but if you do, be sure ribbon is eased to allow a little "play" in the material.
Now, what about all those little scraps we had left over from the linen and satin? We are about to put them to good use! You should have about half a yard of linen, and a third of satin left. Let's talk about sachets, shall we?
Sachets for the linen closet: (Makes six)
Every person has a scent that they love. For myself, I prefer light perfumes, with fresh citrus and pine, or a very light rose. Some prefer the heavier scents of jasmine, or cedar. But no matter which you enjoy, a fresh sachet hanging from a small hook in the closet or linen closet, are a lovely and freshening addition to the home. Sachets are simple to make, and they can be used time and again.
Take the linen scraps and cut into even peices of about 6"x6", and hem with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. After sewing, fill with a non-oily potpourri mix, and tie edges together with a pretty ribbon. Simple, elegant, and a thoughtful gift for the home and lady. Include an extra bag of already mixed potpourri, and watch the smiles light up your loved one's faces! I often place an inexpensive candle and voitive holder with the bags, and a small version of a wreath, suitable for hanging on cabinet doors. They are simple to make, and in my next post, I will try to include directions for them.
Now, what about the satin? We are going to use those scraps to wrap the dried nosgays.
Using pinking shears, cut the satin into a "v" shape. You should have six peices left over from making shawls. Since we are using a decorative cut on the ends of the fabric, there is no need to hem, (How easy is that!). Fill each peice of satin wth dried flowers, cut to six inch length, and simply wrap, and tie with a beautiful scrap of lace or ribbon. Take a hot glue gun, and after folding materail over, dab a small spot of glue, and place the materal fold onto it. When tieing ribbon, make sure the bow will face the front and peek out from under flowers. You can add a small floral pick, or a simple card, printed with a special verse, or a sweet "Victorian" witticism. They are lovely on a bedside table, and will last for years.
Eyeglass case for Men:
You will need leather scraps, a punch and awl for these. If you do not have them readily available, you can follow directions with cloth, leather sting, ribbon needle, and a good hole punch.
Cut the leather, or cloth into six inch pieces, and punch holes at 1/4 length interval down sides and bottom of leather with the punch, and awl. (If you are using cloth, you can try the hole punch, but unless it is very sharp it will not work. But, do not dispair, we will get back to it.) Draw leather string through the holes with ribbon needle. and cinch tightly, but do not allow leather to pucker. Leave top of completed case open about 1/4 inch at top and trim with pinking shears. Tie ends of leather string into small bow, and dap a small spot of hot glue in center to hold in place. Each one takes about an hour, after you get the hang of it, but they are vey nice, and I have used my own for seversl years now.
If you are using cloth, be sure to get one that does not ravel easily, such as a quited material. Each peice must be hemmed, and make sure inner seams have no threads that are loose, as they can catch on glasses' frames. Then to finish, simply hem. join pieces together with loop stiches of leather string through holes you have made with the hole punch. Tie ends with a small bow, and a drop of hot glue to hold center. All done! If you can not make the holes with the hole punch, simply sew together sides and bottom, and loop stich string with an embroidery needle. It doesn't look as finished, but the gift is still quite lovely.
Now, on to the quill and blotter set. Obviously, no one uses quills anymore, but they do make a wonderful addition to a hubby's, or dad's desk. A blotter is always useful, as it protects the wood finish from such things as scraches.
Blotter:
1 18"x24" of good quality cardboard. 2 yards of leather or quilted material., 45" length. Very simple. Cover the back of the cardbaord first, and leave 4" of material open to each side. Cut another peice of material, and cover front of cardboard. Use hot glue to attach material. Take a peice of rbbon, and glue onto ends of seams of material you have glued onto back, then simply fold over and glue again onto inside facing of same. Fold materail over, glue into a "pocket" shape, folding corners to the inside, and you are done. Be sure to allow time to dry, recheck seams and reglue any loose ends. If you place a heavy book on top of the blotter for a week or two before wrapping, it will place enough pressure to "iron out" any puckers.
Quills:
There are two ways to have quills, make them or buy them. For the more intrepid, if you raise turkeys, or geese, you have a ready supply. Simply pluck a long feather and sharpen the end of it with a whittling knife until the edge is sharp and pointed. One small problem, unles the bird has already become the choice for dinner, you probably aren't going to be very successful at getting one plucked!!! My suggestion....Wal-mart, and many craft store carry feathers for crafts. Buy a package of three peacock feathers, and have done with it, LOL! I picked up a pack for around $5:00, at Michaels. You may use any type of small decorative glass for the holder. I like the square candle holders, myself. Simply add some glass beads, or marbles to fill the glass, and you are done.
This idea is also lovely for ladies. Choose a floral quilted fabric and follow the above directions.
I hope you all enjoy these ideas, and as time goes by, I will try to post more. Each season has something we may utilize for the Holidays. In Summer gather the flowers for the nosgays, and dry them with silica gel, or tie in bunches, and hang by stems from a convient rafter. In Fall, gather the seed pods, and grasses you will need for potpourri. In the Spring, look for 'white sales', and after Winter sales, and stock up on great gift ideas for the next Christmas season. That way, when time draws near, you will be at peace, and be able to enjoy making and giving the gifts to those you love!
Happy Crafting!!!
Blessings everyone! Whew, what a morning!
As the holiday's loom closer, I am endeavoring to get some last minute cleaning and re-organizing done. In that spirit, I tackled the old freezer this morning. I had forgotten the aggrevation in cleaning it out last year...or I would have left well enough alone...I think.
I have an intrinsic need for everythng to be sparkling clean when we have company for the holidays. So, I generally spend the weeks prior to Thanksgiving and Christmas in a whirlwind of activity. Cleaning, dusting, and scouring every last surface, making this old house groan under the barrage of the new and improved cleaning tips that I have found in the most recent issue of BHG.
Well, everything was going along swimmingly, until I got out of bed, that is! I had my agenda for the day planned and perfected. First, wash a load of clothes, start supper, and give DD her first assignment for schoolwork. Then, while she was working, laundry was washing, and supper bubbling gently in the slow cooker, I would clean and re-organize the freezer. Sounds easy, right? Wrong, wrong, and wrong again!
DD was rather a grump this morning, despite the fact that I had fixed her favorite choclate chip pancakes. Lessons would have to wait intil she was a bit more receptive, I thought to myself. Instead of starting with her schooling, I began to seperate clothing for the washer. Unfortunately for me, I forgot to get boraz at the store yesterday, so that had to wait too. I completed the sorting anyway, and put the three loads aside until I could run out to get what I needed from the store. Already a wee bit put out with DD's less than receptive attitude, I was becoming a bit of a grump myself. So, to occupy DD, and hopefully give her a boost in joy, I allowed her to watch one of her favorite American Heritage DVDs. She settled into the comfy old chair, and nestled up with Rabbie, a stuffed muslin rabbit I had made her for her third birthday. I settled into "clean and conquer" mode.
I made quick work of throwing the chicken, mushrooms, and tomatoes into the slow cooker for the planned menu of chicken caccatori for our dinner. Then, I, being the brave soul that I am, girded my loins, and went to the laundry room to tackle our freezer. First I have to tell you the freezer we have is a relic from the sixties. It still runs like a dream, but it is a true torture to defrost, and clean. Those were the days when an ice pick was the constant companion of the happy homemaker, and self-defrosting freezers only a dream. But, it was a gift, and a blessing to two intrepid souls, starting married life with little more than the clothes on their back. Despite it's constant humming, it has become a fixture in our home, and one that will remain...maybe...but at this point, it is up to debate!
The first thing I did was open the freezer door, and glance about in sheer horror at the disorganized mess. Did I mention that my DH always puts everything in the old ice box, because I have to stand on a step stool to reach inside? Well, anyway, I stood there on my little stool, trying to formulate the right way to clean, when our old collie, Belle, decided it was time mommy took her for her romp. She promptly jumped on my legs, and I promptly began the slow dance of twirling arms, and twisting torso, that are indicative of a mighty fall. In slow motion, I fell, rather gracefully I thought, to the cold, cold floor. I did not go gently...no not me! I yelped and howled, and when I hit the floor, I lay there, mortified, and in pain, waiting for the breath to return, and thought of how grand it would be to take a torch to dear old Whirlpool.
Well, needless to say, the freezer has not been cleaned. Supper still simmers, and the clothes finally made it into the washer, after a quick trip to town. DD is now engrossed in fractions...but me...I am just a cranky old bovine, with a lovely new bruising pattern appearing on my backside that greatly resembles a map of Italy.
Hmmm...I wonder how much gasoline it takes to burn a freezer? LOL!!!
Have a great day!
As I sit here, at was once my Father's desk, and write this new post, I take a moment to reflect upon the beauty that surrounds this old house. Graceful old Water Oaks line the driveway, and each small breeze is rendolent with the last of the Tea Olive blossem's fragrence. What a glorious day! I also take a moment or two to remember the blessings of this day.
This morning as my DD and I began our day, we decided to take a walk in the brisk early dawn. The temperature was about fifty, just cool enough to need a light jacket. We bundled into warm sweaters, and I took a thermos of hot cocoa for the walk, and a bag of crunchy granola. Closing the door, we left the old home for a romp with nature.
One of our first stops was right in the back yard, where a little brown wren is nesting. Her fledglings are almost ready to take flight, and she grows a little impatient with their hesitency, I think. She trills at them to "move on, move on", and my little girl smiled at her prodding. I remembered the day I chose to move on too, and shared a thought or two with DD at how God has created us to grow up, and into a closer walk with Him each day. A lovely reminder too, that not even a sparrow falls, that He does not know.
The next stop was at the hay feild to the front of our home. Planted in some grasses that the government is testing as a soil replenisher now, I remember when it was planted in cotton as far as a liitle girl's eyes could see. I told DD about the trips to the gin, and the bales of cotton, wrapped in baling twine and croker sacks, waiting to go to the processing plants in the northern part of the state. I told her also, of the great beauty so inherent in a field filled with soybeans or peanuts. The smell of freshly mown hay, and the brilliant green of clover planted in between row of peanuts to help replace nitrogen depleted from the soil.
A few minutes later we entered the old dirt road that leads to our family's "back fourty". Since we are letting trees grow to maturity there, before the timber company comes in to cut, clean and replant, it has some lovely tall pines and oaks. It was cool and quiet and we sat to take a few sips of the cocoa, and snack on some hastily thrown together granola. The smell of the trees and dappled sunlight were relaxing and helped to release the restive pleasure of God's creation surrounding us.
When we returned home, we spent extra time in devotions, thanking God for giving us such a beautiful day. As we prayed, I took my little daughter's hand, and just gave myself over to the gratefulness in my heart. A busy day of winter preperation, doctor's visits and school laid ahead. But from where I sat, the view was, indeed, beautiful.
I hope your day was filled with the wonders of God's beautiful world too!
This year, I had planned to do some new things in this old farmhouse kitchen. I had wanted a new refigerator, and was also thinking of a new color scheme. My kitchen has been red, white and blue for a very long time, and I was looking forward to trying out some brighter, and lighter colors.
I never took into account that the change might not be so welcome by my family, however! I just figured, if I am tired of it, they must be too! Little did I know what was to come as I tried to change what I thought of as old and worn out.
The first thing I discussed with my hubby had to do with changing colors. He immediately began to tell me that he liked it the way it was. "Let's just repaint it the way it is now, hun, " was the reply I received from him. I tried, in vain...to explain that I was sick of red, white and blue, and that I wanted to go with more earthy colors, sort of a deep green for the baseboards, and a very pale peach for the walls. Well, you would have thought I had said metallic silver and gold with purple trim, when he next spoke. "Green! You know I hate green! And peach...that's not a color...it's a fruit!" I withdrew to sulk in silence, and walked out to the yard to play with the kittens, hoping to stay cool, calm, and collected.
I had no sooner settled into my favorite lawn chair, which is, I might add...Green!, when my oldest DD arrived. She took one look at my face, and said I was in a "pouty" mood. She was right of course, but I sat there sullen, and beginning to get a bit pouty for real, when DH, and the youngest DD, walked out to join us. "Oh she's just mad because I don't want to paint the kitchen in, get this....peach and green," DH said. "MOM...not green. I hate green!" the oldest DD, traitor that she is, declared.
Well, I sat there for a few more moments in silence, then I had a thought, which I belieived to be brilliant. I would soon find out it was not. "Why do you want to keep it the way it is? Why can't we broaden our horizions here?" I asked, fully expecting a shrug, or a simple reply that I could quickly repudiate, and thereby win my grand new scheme. Neither hubby or dear DD replied for a second or two, but my DD, the younger, looked at me and said, very solemnly. "But Mom, if we change it, it won't be our kitchen anymore. It'll just be a kitchen that 's green."
It was in that moment that I realized that me changing the kitchen was more than a simple paint and appliance change...it was a change of the familiar. The treasured memories that my family had of the old and faded red cushions, blue ginham curtains and tablecloth, and white walls marked with various pencil marks, that showed the growth of each of my precious children would no longer be so easily brought to mind. As I sat there, I remembered sunny summer mornings, with trays of vegitables waiting to be processed into savory soup, and a brightly scrubbed little girl looking up at me with wonder, begging to help "cook", with her little plastic spoon and bowl. I thought of all the laughter, and tears that had been shed at the old farm table. The mountains of school projects, discussion of first dates. How God's grace had filled that space with a wonderful bounty of food each holiday. I also thought of the family gathering around to help make crafts for the church bazzar, and my Pastor, and his lovely wife, drinking iced tea, and telling my husband and myself about the new church they were starting, and how much they wished we would come and visit.
In a few seconds, and just a few words, my darling little girl had reminded me of something so precious, I could not believe that I had forgotten. It is not the beauty of the decor, or the freshness of the paint that make a room beautiful. It is the warmth of the memories shared there, and the love of the familiar, and blessedly simple, that make a room lovely.
This morning, as I sit here, and write this little story about an adventure in learning taught to me by a child, I look at these old walls with a new vision. Gone are the desires for the new and elegant. In it's place are the memories of the trials, and treasures, lived in this old kitchen. And the walls remain a faded, and pencil-marked white, the chair cushions, a faded, and worn red. The gingham blue tablecloth is freshly laundered, pressed, and residing in its place of honor. A genle quietness fills my soul with peace. Memories of a loving family gathered in prayer, fill my eyes with tears of gratitude to a loving God that loves us enough to remind us... sometimes the oldest things are, indeed, the best.
So a lesson is learned, and a treasured old kitchen is still red, white and blue. I am content.
Hello to all, and my goodness have I been missing everyone here! To all who have written and e-mailed, thank you for letting me know you missed me. It means more than I can tell you, and I feel almost guilty it has taken me so long to get back on here!
Yet, my absence has been for a good cause, and one that I truely believe that we, as Christian men and women, need to address. After much consideration, and prayer, I have started a new website for those who have had failed relationships or experienced the loss of a loved one. For reasons that remain very personal to me, I have great empathy for those who have experienced divorce, and do not know where to turn for support and prayer. The address for the site is Jewel's Home
I think it is often true that we do not really know how blessed we are, until we have lost someone we love, or been through some emotional turmoil that changes our viewpoint. How often do we really thank God for our wonderful spouse, and tell them that we treasure them ? It has been a long road that led me to what I am now doing, but I am standing in confidence, and assurance from my loving Heavenly Father, that this is what He would have me pursue. It is my hope that He will lead and guide me to those that will benefit from the prayer, the articles, and those who will intercede for them through this new site. Everything in His time, and for His glory.
After the loss of Pop, I was almost inconsolable. I knew that he was in Heaven with our Father, and I had complete peace that he was free and beyond pain or sorrow. Yet, I had such a void left. I mourned so deeply, and I knew that I was spiraling into depression. There were many other factors that were deeply involved in Pop's death that led me to a site for prayer. I wanted to be annonymous, and have someone intercede for me. I needed hope and I wanted to talk to someone who had no agenda, except to help those who were in need of prayer. So I prayed, and I went to a site where I met a wonderful man who had a heart for those who needed intercession and loved God. Through God's mercy and grace, I began to pull up and out, and found a renewed peace. I have so much to thank Him for, and I want to give to others a chance to be free to tell what is in their heart, and know that the person on the other end will pray, and cry out to God for them. We are called to pray for each other. For some, this may be the only place that they can come, and receive hope, and prayer. And the best part...it cost nothing to those who come, and everything on the site is free. So God made a way, cleared obstacles, and placed a new mission in my heart, all in the space of a few weeks. What a mighty God we serve!
For those who may have questions, let me say a few things. First, I did not make this decision alone. My darling and wonderfully supportive husband of 26 years is right behind me in this, and my family is praying for me. I have no answers to the ills of this world, but I know the One who does, and I am faithful to put those who come to me in His care. I am simply a woman who has learned that God is indeed the Father to the fatherless, and His love is without end.
I hope that you all will keep me in prayer, and those who are working in this with me. And please say a prayer for those who are coming to me. Some are so broken and disraught, and some just need reassurance that God loves them, no matter what.
I will try to come back here more often, and after this, will leave my mission to my other site. I just wanted to share this with the many kind and loving people that I have met through this wonderful site, and ask for prayer and wisdom, that I might always be an instrument of His peace, and a faithful steward.
To an oldfashionedgirl, thank you so much, and God bless you for your kind and loving heart. You are a true blessing, and I appreciate you more than I can say!
The next time I post, I hope it will be more in line with Homestead!
Blessings to all...Beverly
There are so many people that enter our lives for a short while, and then they are gone on to other places, or to different lives. While we miss them, we accept that life constantly changes, and we go on to pursue what the Lord has for us. And we may see them once in a while, but we know that we were blessed to have them for the time that we did, and we give God our thanks for that. And then, there are those people who God allows to enter our lives who become so precious to us, and change us for the better. This post is about just such a man.
Pop was a quiet man. A simple man. He wasn't given to emotional scenes, or a lot of words. But through his simple, steadfast love for me for 27 years, I learned so much about how God sees me. He does not remember my sin, or hold aught against me. Pop taught me about unconditional love and acceptance. And he loved me for me, not what someone else might have thought I should have been. He spent his life in service to his country, his wife of 55 years, and his children. He chose to love a lost young woman who never deserved such devotion, and he was an inspiration to those who knew him. My own earthly father died several years ago, and I miss him everday. But Pop, well, he was my other father. I am going to miss him more than words can say.
Mr. Robert Bell was 89 when he went on his final journey. He lived a life of integrity and showed Christ's love to all who knew him. What an awesome testimony. Thank you Lord for leting me have this wonderful man in my life, and thank you for letting me see the truth of your love through him.
God was so good to me, I was there to share the last few days and hours of his life. I became a nurse all those years ago, because I wanted to do something to give back all of the love God had shown me. And my constant prayer was that I would be able to make some small difference. God was so gracious He allowed me the honor and priviledge of being able to share the last few days and even the last hour of his life upon this earth. I had the blessing of being able to hold his hand, and pray with him. What a great gift God has given me, and I am so truely thankful.
Rejoice and be glad. For he is not dead, but lives eternally in the grace and perfection of our loving Father's Kingdom. No more tears now. No more sorrow or pain. Just resting in the Father's arms, surrounded by His infinite love.
I miss you Pop, and I'll see you when I get there. I love you.
It seems that everyday I learn something new about the mercy of God. A truely wonderful,and Godly woman that I work with has been facing a battle with her husband's failing health. Yet everday, she comes to work as a nurse, with compassion and mercy. I am a cancer survivor myself and know that uncertainty can sometimes play havoc with our emotions. But as she and I talk, she shares the trials and I share what I experienced with God, faithfulness in my sickness. Somehow, the Lord always gives the right phrase at the proper time, and we bolster each other. It is amazing to me that something that seemed so awful at the time has actually been able to be used as blessing to others. For anyone who may read this, let me just say that I know God still heals. He still loves His children as always and nothing can ever seperate us from that love. We all face things that seem beyond the realm of human endurance, but nothing is impossible with God.
Please bear with me as I try to understand and complete blogs for my page. I am very new to this. I have truely been blessed by many of the blogs that I've read, and would love to be a blessing to others as well.
Isn't it amazing how God can challange us to try new things, to broaden our horizons so that we can glorify Him? God honors those who honor Him. For nothing in life is as vital, as fulfilling, or as invigorating as sharing His love with others. "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee!" Psalm 9;1-2. My prayer today is that I may be "a light that so shines." What about you?May I pray for your need today? For we are all members of one body, and have need of one another. God bless you today!