He is Not a Tame Lion

From the Word:
Click and Read Isaiah 55:6-11

Key Verse:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. -Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

Yesterday, I went on a field trip to the zoo with my daughter's Kindergarten class. The highlight of the trip for me was seeing this guy:

My friend, Daiquiri, took this picture with a simple digital camera and no zoom lens. We were literally this close to him, the only thing separating us was a sheet of glass. It was surreal to be so close to a lion. Awe inspiring, really.

Mildly curious, but undisturbed by the strange humans oohing and awing over him, he lounged right by the front of the cage the entire time we were in front of him. He almost appeared cuddly, like I could reach out and pat his furry mane or snuggle up next to him for a nap. But then I saw the scars on his face and realized, this guy is for real. He's not some play thing or a pet. He's dangerous and unsafe. Thank goodness for that glass between us!

The adults seemed to have a healthy respect for him, but the kids were clueless of how dangerous he was as they climbed on the outside of the exhibit and pounded on the glass. Many grew bored with it all and wanted to move on, while their parents stood and stared.

"How often do we see God this way?" I wondered. As clueless little children, forgetting His majesty and power, expecting Him to be "cuddly" and "safe" and to do our own bidding, according to our own will?

C.S. Lewis wove a similar theme throughout his Chronicles of Narnia series. In the books, Aslan the Lion represents Christ. Often the characters are reminded that Aslan is "not a tame Lion." He is powerful, merciful, loving, kind, and trustworthy, but he is not tame, predictable, controllable, or even safe.

I love this quote from Lewis' novel, The Last Battle:

Do you think I keep him in my wallet, fools?" said Tirian. "Who am I that I could make Aslan appear at my bidding? He's not a tame lion."

I enjoyed watching Disney's movie version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, where this concept appeared again through this scene:

Mr. Tumnus: [of Aslan] He's not a tame lion.

Lucy Pevensie: No... but he is good.

What a MIGHTY God we serve! How worthy of our worship! How strong on our behalf! Thank God that He is not safe, not a puppet who dances at our whims, nor a small thing to be contained in the box of our limited understanding. He is HUGE, MAJESTIC, AWESOME, and not at all tame.

Yet, He loves me. He always acts in my defense and on my behalf. All that He does is good, even when I don't understand it. How safe that makes me feel!

And He loves you. Even when He isn't doing what you think He should. Even when His ways are incomprehensible to you, when it feels like He is doing it all wrong, remember that He isn't tame, but He is GOOD.

Personal Application:
Are there circumstances in your life where God isn't acting as you think He should? Take time to confess your desire to control and tame Him. Ask His forgiveness and worship Him despite the circumstances.

I'm not sure who said this, but it fits, "If God were small enough to understand, He wouldn't be big enough to worship." God is worthy of our worship. AND He is knowable. We can snuggle up to Him and feel safe and protected, unlike the lion at the zoo. We just can't expect to control Him.

Father, I worship You. Your ways are not my ways. I submit to Your perfect will. Forgive me for the times I have been more concerned about my own will than Yours and expected you to do my bidding. Thank you for your forgiveness and patience with me. Thank you that in the midst of your majesty and power, you love me, and know me, and have my best interest at heart. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen

More of God's Word:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. - Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

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Guest Blogger: Clothespin Cowgirl

Oldest Princess asked me if she could do a guest post today. So here she is to tell you all about her latest hobby.

I'm writing about clothespin dolls. And here's how I will tell you how to do it. I think clothespin dolls are good because you don't have to have anything but a clothespin, yarn, and material. That's how they used to make dolls in the olden days.

The video will show you how with my latest clothespin doll, a cowgirl one. Watch the video and it will show you:

Did you like it?

Here's a picture of my cowgirl:

The End!

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It Isn't Perfect, But Who Cares?

So, I know you are already WAY sick of me talking about Nester at The Nesting Place, but could you bear with me one more time? : )

I just can't believe how much I've been freed from perfectionism lately, and I owe it to Nester's philosophy of decorating: It Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful. For some reason, that simple sentence broke through my perfectionistic little mind and is changing my thinking in ways beyond decorating my house. I really feel liberated.

Today, I spent the day with my buddies sewing sundresses for my girls, and guess what? WE DIDN'T USE PATTERNS. We just made them up as we went along. Don't tell my mom, but I used the sewing machine to hem the dresses instead of hemming it by hand. Oh the horror!

No wait a minute...Oh the fun! Oh the creativity!

I have to clean up all of my mess before I can blog about the sewing day today, but that post is coming soon. I figured out how to make the easiest sundress ever! I can't wait to share.

And in my quest to spruce things up a bit around here, I found a valance I started sewing for my girls' bedroom when they were 1 and 2 years old. I was only two steps away from finishing, when I wadded it up in frustration and stuffed it in a cupboard. It wasn't perfect. The seams weren't straight enough. So, I gave up.

Now, years later, I found it. Took 15 minutes to finish it and hung it up. Guess what? It isn't perfect, but it is adorable! The girls love it. Littlest Princess woke up this morning, sat up on her top bunk, and said, "Mommy, you are such a good sewer."

So here is the not at all perfect valance who lived in a cupboard for 5 years instead of hanging up in my girls' room making them happy all because I am a perfectionist who needed be let out of my own cupboard.

Hanging in all its crooked imperfect glory.

This not being perfect thing is getting fun. : )

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Time for More Gratitude

I haven't updated my Gratitude List in awhile. I better keep going if I'm going to make it to 1000. : )

(Special Grandma alert: There' s grandkid video for you in this post)

(Have to keep Grandma happy, you know) : )



And the list continues.....

40. These blues and this fog are distant memories. I'm feeling alive again and happy.


41. The resources to decorate this room. I had so much fun and love my green wall.





42. Pretty flowers Mom helped me plant when she was visiting. I love my morning ritual of going outside in the morning air to water them.



43. An idea that is blossoming into a possible novel? I'm excited about this and so thankful for the fun of trying to create this story. We'll see...

44. Supportive friends who dream with me and make me believe the impossible is possible.

45. This big boy! (Please excuse the goofy mom and grandma voices. He brings that out in us, somehow)

46. The way Littlest Princess always remembers to stop halfway down the sidewalk on her way to the school bus every morning, to turn around and yell, "I love you, Mama!"

47. My newly discovered love of running. That time of freedom, of being able to turn off, to pray, and have solitude. Every time I get done with a jog, I think "What a gift that time was!" I can't wait to recover so I can get back to it.

48. The sense of accomplishment I felt running across the finish line at the 5K race I did last week.

49. The beauty of the greenbelt, the river, and the perfect weather that day.

50. I still can't believe I'm going here:

51. Watching Prince Charming scoot/crawl and explore the world around him. (I'll post video soon, Grandma) He's got a funny system down.

52. My husband's great job with the contract that allows him to stay home for the next two weeks while I need help. I can't lift over 10 pounds and Prince Charming weighs 19, which is a problem. They didn't warn me about that before the surgery, so it was so great that he can be here.

53. King Charming's selflessness. I'll spare you the gory details, but the day after my surgery he definitely won the Husband of the Year award. He put into practice the "worst" part of "for better or for worse" without complaining and said, "If that's the worst it gets, I'm a lucky man." I'm the lucky one.

56. As the school year is wrapping up, I'm so thankful that I love our girls' school. It is so nice to feel content and not worried about the education choices we've made for them.

57. The freedom I have being an American. Today, I'm remembering the very great sacrifices made for that freedom.

Life is good.

God is great!

I am thankful!

More to come later on my way to 1000 gifts.

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Her BEST Friend

Littlest Princess and I had an opportunity to go shopping just the two of us last week. She needed a swimsuit and summer clothes, so we took off for Target.

We had such a special time together. She has grown up so much this year, and I got to really see that on this trip. For five years, she has been the baby of the family, but she has graciously given up that role and become such a sweet big sister.

No shopping trip would be complete without a Dutch Brothers stop for Mommy's coffee, and Littlest Princess bought her OWN smoothie with her OWN money. She was very proud.

While we were driving, her favorite song, "I Don't Want to Go Through the Motions" by Matthew West, came on the radio. I cranked the radio and we sang together at the top of our lungs. After it was over, she asked, "What does that song mean, Mommy?"

I told her that it is easy to get comfortable being a Christian and doing Christian things like going to church, we can forget to be in love with Jesus, and end up secret Christian, where other people don't even know we believe in Him.

She said, "I do. I love Jesus."

At Target, the swimsuit shopping made me giggle and gave me a glimpse of teenage years to come. She wanted a two piece swimsuit so badly, and I told her as long as it was "ladylike" I'd think about it. So she kept holding up swimming suits for me to see, asking in a loud voice, "Is this one ladylike, Mama?" We got some smiles from old ladies for that one.

Trying clothes on in the dressing room was her favorite part. I usually just grab her sizes and go, so taking the time to try on clothes really made her feel grown up.

All in all, it was such a sweet time with my little girl. But the highlight of the trip for me was the conversation she had with the cashier. Littlest Princess was in a VERY chatty mood and was filling in the cashier on her entire life.

Here was my favorite part of the conversation:

Cashier: So are all these clothes for you?

LP: Some of them are for my sissy, too. She and I are almost like twins.

Cashier: Oh, is she your best friend?

Me: Yeah, they are really good friends. It's nice.

LP: Yeah, but I have another best friend, too.

Cashier: Oh, who's your best friend?

LP: JESUS!!!!!

Cashier: (a little surprised by that answer) Oh. Yeah. Well that's a great friend to have isn't it? He's always there.

LP: (smiling) Yep.

As we walked out of the store, I reminded her of our conversation about the song on the drive to the store. "Remember how we talked about how sometimes we can forget to be in love with Jesus? Not you! You love Jesus and you let everyone know it. I'm so proud of you!"

Then she looked at me confused and said, "But, He IS my best friend." It was kind of a "duh, Mommy" tone of voice. Then she raced me to the car and that was the end of that conversation.

Loving Jesus and letting the whole world know just comes so naturally to her. I want to be more like my little big girl.

Littlest Princess' Favorite Song:

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Coffee Winners

Wow! When I picked the title of this little blog carnival, I never knew how appropriate "Wow" would be.

I cannot believe how much we accomplished in one week's time. Awesome job ladies! : )

I'm so thankful I finished my project before my surgery. Now I'm recuperating and enjoying my pretty living room while I'm laying around in it.

I keep wondering if you all love me while you are doing these projects or if you are secretly cursing me because you are working so hard. Ha Ha.

I know that some of you were not able to accomplish all you wanted to get done in the week, but THAT'S OK!!! You have more done on this project than you did last week, right? Be nice to yourself. And YES your spouses, friends, family, can help!

Are you ready to hear who won the Starbucks card?

Random. org determined that first prize goes to #7, Angie - my beloved sister-in-law, who I know ADORES Starbucks!

Ang, you worked so hard on your office this week. You deserve a coffee break. And I know you'll be excited about who won the second prize.

Random.org decided second prize should go to #1, who just happens to be Angie's buddy, Kimberly, from Life Together! You two are going to have fun going out to coffee together! I wish I lived close enough to go out with you. (I promise I didn't rig this!)

Rest up and then plan to join us June 17 - 24 for the next Within One Week Challenge. If you haven't played along in the past, I hope you will this time!

Speaking of coffee....I need some right now!

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W.O.W. Results- Ready to See My Green Wall?

Phew! I just finished putting the final touches on my Within One Week project. You all are slave drivers! Ha Ha.

Here's Before:



Here's After:

Rite Aid is having a great sale on potting supplies. Everything is 50% off. I got these pots for $3 each and the potting soil was buy one for $3 and get the other bag free. These plants were gifts for Mother's Day and for once I haven't killed them yet! There are now officially three living plants in my house! It's a miracle!



This project was all about overcoming fear in decorating. I've had a commitment issue, lack of confidence thing holding me back. Plus the need to stay on a budget and huge guilt any time I spend any money. But I think the $30 can of paint and the $15 dollars vinyl wall art were well worth the change they made around here.

I've had this paver from Southern Living since the day we moved in with the hope of hanging it on the wall, but it's heavy and I didn't know how to do it. So on the floor it sat for 5 years! It is such a sense of accomplishment to get it up there. I drilled holes in the wall and then used hooks with anchors that were the same size.




I know now where some of my fear issues come from. Mom is visiting this week and has been a great cheerleader until she saw I was going to drill holes in my wall WITHOUT THE HELP OF MY HUSBAND! She chewed her nails watching me and said, "I always make your dad drill the holes in the wall. Then it won't be my fault if it's wrong." She was so relieved and proud of me when it worked.

Of course there was also the fear of standing on a rickety ladder to reach all the way up here:


But I survived!

So, within one week, I took all of your advice and painted that wall and used vinyl wall art. Thank you so much for your cheerleading and inspiration. My wall art is probably a little on the small side for the scale of the wall, but it will do for now. I'm tired!

How did you all do? I can't wait to see!

Leave a link to your results post below or tell us how you did in my comments section. I will be drawing two winners some time this weekend. First prize is a $10 Starbucks (or your place of choice) card and Second Prize is a $5 card. Yeah for us!

I'm having a minor, "too personal to blog about but need to get an annoying little problem fixed" surgery tomorrow that I'm freaking out about. (Sorry if that is TMI) Nothing to worry about, but it will knock me out for a day or two. It will probably take me until Saturday or Sunday to announce the winners. I'm sorry if it takes longer. I know you are all anxious for your caffeine. : )

Please pray for me tomorrow if you think of me. Pray for peace and quick recovery. And that I won't chicken out. : )

Love,

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What I've Been Training For

Cross posted at Counting the Cost

From the Word

Click and read >Hebrews 12:1-12

Key Verse:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. -Hebrews 12:1

Bright and early Saturday morning, I ran a 5K to help raise money for the YMCA. It was a special moment for me. The weather was absolutely perfect. The greenbelt was beautiful. And I was surprised by how easily I was able to run the three miles.

I have been training for this race for the last 10 weeks, following a plan called 'From Your Couch to a 5K" Ten weeks ago, I was only running for 60 second spurts followed by 90 seconds of walking for a total of about 15 minutes. Saturday, I ran 30 minutes straight without a need to stop and rest. My training paid off.

Friday night before the race, I went to pick up my number, timing chip and course map. While I was there I was so impressed by the people I considered the real runners, those who planned to run the 1/2 marathon and marathon races.

Marathon runners train for something called "Hitting the Wall." It is common to run out of glycogen stores in your muscles and liver somewhere around the 20 mile mark. They have to train to persevere through that crash of energy, when the race feels unbearable. I saw some runners this weekend that must have hit that point in their race when I passed them. One lady was sobbing, others looked in physical pain.

It made me think of the spiritual implications of running the marathon race of this life. Walking faithfully with Christ, remaining faithful to him through persecution, heartache, and overwhelming trials of this fallen world, is the ultimate endurance run. Thankfully, we do not have to rely on our own strength. When our "glycogen" stores run out, we rely on His strength and energy to keep us going, and we put our faith into practice. When burdens feel unbearable and our strength is gone, we must remind ourselves that "this is what I have been training for," this test of my faith will make me stronger. Press on! Don't quit! Run with perseverance that race marked out for you.

At the end of my race on Saturday, I hit a point where I wondered how far I had already run and how much farther I had to go. Then all of a sudden, on my left through the trees, and over the river, I caught glimpses of the finish line. There were hundreds of people celebrating with loud music, cheering on the runners as they came in. My speed picked up, my hope increased, and I ran faster than I knew I could just to get to that party! As I ran across the finish line I was huffing and puffing but I felt so much joy and victory. I did it! I was "home free."

I was surprised by how much it helped to know the end was near, to get those little glimpses of the finish line through the trees, and to know what was waiting for me. That's what the hope of Heaven is intended to do for us. As that day draws ever nearer, as we look up in anticipation, we can run faster toward the prize waiting for us. We can remember that our faith is strong enough to carry us home because we've been training for this. Don't lose hope! Just like the crowd was cheering for me during the race, I'm cheering for you, "Keep going! You are doing awesome! You're almost there!"

Personal Application:

Are there areas of your life where you can see your faith being tested? Have you "hit the wall" in the race of life? Pray for God to strengthen you to push on, to persevere, and to remember that you are almost there.

Father,

Thank you for training my faith, making it grow and increase. Thank you for equipping me with the strength I need to endure this marathon of life. Please keep reminding me of the prize that awaits. My very great reward on the other side of the finish line is You! During this time of trial and struggle, please give me your grace and help to persevere.

In Jesus' Name I pray,

Amen

More of God's Word:

1. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:4

2. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything -James 1:4

3. Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. -James 5:7

4. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14

When We All Get to Heaven

Eliza E. Hewitt, 1898

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.

Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold.


Pressing on with you!

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Real Love

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There's Green Paint on my Wall (and in my hair)

So I'm committed. There is green on the wall, and I love it! I was up until after 12:30 in the morning finishing the first coat. I couldn't stop until I saw what it was all going to look like. I am so happy with the color, and know I'll like it even better once the second coat is added. I can't wait to see the living room all put back together and pictures on the wall. Now I've got the painting bug though, and I'm looking around my house wanting to paint EVERYTHING!

Here's a sneak peak of the beginning stages.




That tall ladder freaked me out a little bit, but I stayed on it. : )

You have to wait until Wednesday to see any more. I still have more to do and want it to be a surprise.

Would you do me a favor? Would you stop by the blogs that are working on projects and cheer them on for me? Especially, Daiquiri. She's grumpy about having to do some work. Ha Ha. : )

There are links to their blogs at the bottom of my last post. Just click on their name and leave them a comment encouraging them. You all are awesome and I know they'll appreciate the support.

Remember when I said if 10 people would play along, I'd up the prize. Guess what? We have 9. So if you are on the fence about playing along with us, there is still plenty of time. Just choose a simple project and join in the fun.

Here's who I have playing so far:

Bethany
Angie
Kimberly
Mia
Shiloh
Sandra
Andi
Daiquiri
Heidi

Did I forget anyone?

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Time to W.O.W. Again : )

Are you all ready to W.O.W. again? I hope so!

W.O.W stands for Within One Week. Do you have a project on your to-do list that never gets done because everything else is always a priority? If so, then it is time for you to W.O.W. : )

You can click here to see all my W.O.W. posts to get an idea of what we are doing this week. If you need help figuring out the Mr. Linky down below or how to just link to your W.O.W. post and not your whole blog, let me know.

This W.O.W. contest will run from tomorrow, May 13, until Wednesday May 20th. And the major award is getting better every time we play. This time TWO lucky players will be drawn to receive a Starbucks on me to celebrate your hard work. Our winner from the last contest graciously donated her card to the contest. Thanks Rachel! Both cards will be for $5 each UNLESS more than 10 people play along. In that case there will be a grand prize $10 card and a second place $5 prize. Talk your friends into playing along. The more cheerleaders you have for your project, the more fun you'll have.

So here's what I'm up to this week:

I already told you about my new obsession interest in The Nesting Place and how the Nester has inspired me to add some color to these builder beige walls. Remember all of my paint chips? Well, I have a winner!

I promise I didn't choose it for its name, but it is ironic that the color is called "Bird's Nest." : )

I really had no choice in the matter. Every person who walked into our house looked at the wall and said, "That one." I was really surprised by how much that was the clear favorite. Good thing I like it, too. : ) Actually, my friend, Jen, and I also liked "Picnic Basket" but no one else agreed. They said brown wouldn't count as adding color to the wall. So we were vetoed.

So within one week, color is going on that wall. It's a cathedral ceiling, so I hope a fall off the ladder and a trip to the ER are not also a part of this experiment. Hee Hee. I'll need your cheerleading to keep me from chickening out. My sister-in-law, Angie, has some painting tips for me, so I'm calling her later to get her advice.

What About You? What do you want to get done in one week? Write a blog post and tell us about it and then use Mr. Linky. If you don't have a blog, leave me a comment below and we'll cheer you on through my blog. Have fun. Don't work too hard. Pray I stay on the ladder and don't land on my head. And come back next Wednesday to see my new wall and tell us how you did. : )

Love,

'

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W.O.W. Starts Tomorrow

The next round of W.O.W. starts tomorrow. I'm really hoping we have a lot of participants this time around. I'm still feeling chicken about this whole painting COLOR on my wall thing. What about the ceiling and the corners. Ugh. I am going to need a lot of cheerleaders so I don't chicken out. Nester what have you gotten me into! : )

I'm going to be busy tomorrow morning with Bible Study, so I'm going to try to get the kick-off post up later this afternoon or evening.

There are TWO prizes this time around thanks to Rachel B.'s generosity. More opportunity for Starbucks! : )

Stay Tuned....

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A Six-Year-Old Princess

We just celebrated Littlest Princess' birthday. She was my "baby" for so long, it blows my mind to think of her as six-years-old and almost done with Kindergarten. She's growing up so quickly. I spent yesterday afternoon on a blanket listening to her read to me. I really do believe the older you get the faster time goes.

To celebrate, I brought these treats to her classroom:


Ice cream cone cupcakes have become our favorite treat around here. You pour the batter into the cone and bake.

The challenge is delivering them to school without a domino effect. That's why I made this carrier.

It took forever to cut out the little circles, so I'm keeping this baby so I won't have to reinvent the wheel next year.

I think her classmates liked them. : )

She felt special anyway.

Later that evening, she got to choose the restaurant of her choice. She's pretty smart and picked Chuck E. Cheese and turned dinner into a party. Her daddy whined and complained about it because he hates their pizza, but as you can see he didn't suffer too much:

Do you think she liked her gifts? We have some very generous friends who helped to make it a very special day.

Our gift to her was a hot pink gymnastics unitard and registration to a three-week long gymnastics class here at our local college this summer. If you remember this post, you'll know it was the perfect gift. She was THRILLED to say the least. It was so fun to see her reaction and joy. She checks the calendar daily to see how close she is to her class starting. I can't wait to see how she does. She has Shawn Johnson's picture taped to her wall and wears her unitard around waiting for June 8th to get here SOON!

It was a great day and made me proud of my princess. I love you, Baby Girl.

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New Clothes

Hey Grandma,



I just wanted to let you know that the package has arrived. The new duds you sewed for me look pretty cool.



I really like the tractors on them and the big red star buttons.

Excuse me for a minute while I get distracted by this cool hat.

So, anyway Grandma-

Hats off to you. Thanks for keeping my sisters and me so well dressed.

Mommy thinks I'm pretty darn cute.

Love,

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4 Ever-N-Ever

Yesterday afternoon, I was digging through boxes in the garage searching for memorabilia to frame for our bedroom. During my search I happened to find MY OLD DIARY.

I thought it would be fun to flip through and read. Fun! Ha! More like mortifying! Oh my goodness! I am so, so, so thankful that I am the only one to read that stupid thing. I was under the delusion that I was a pretty mature kid back then. Instead I discovered I was very, very silly and always in love with someone.

In the back of the diary, there was a name of the boy I was "in love" with at the moment with the words "I love him 4 ever-n-ever." His name was Jon and I laughed as I remembered that I never actually SPOKE to Jon. I just loved him from a distance. Then I must have changed my mind because I crossed it out and wrote "Not any more." Then there was a new name with the exact same promise to love him 4 ever-n-ever and then ANOTHER "not anymore" note until I wrote down the name of the one I must have REALLY planned to love forever! It cracked me up!

I'm just thankful that I found King Charming and found my REAL forever and ever.

So here's a warning- Only unpack that old diary if you have a strong stomach! LOL.

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Thank You

Last week, I had two very kind bloggers award me with two blog awards. I was so busy with our W.O.W. contest, I didn't get around to officially accepting the awards and didn't properly thank Heather and Bethany for them.

The first award is from Bethany and is the Kreativ Blogger award.

In order to accept the Kreativ Blogger Award, I have to list 7 things I love and then nominate 7 bloggers I feel are very "Kreativ."

(I decided to be creative and go beyond my obvious answers)

1. Runners High
   


2. Sleep, sleep, sleep, and more sleep (Does that only count as one?)
   


3. Getting lost in great books. (I'm so thankful I'm done with the Twilight Saga so I can get back to real life)
   


4. Sitting around a campfire
   


5. Swimming underwater
   


6. Making other people laugh
   


7. Luke's homemade pizza

And here are 7 blogs I find particularly creative. I hope you enjoy them, too:

Bless Our Nest
A Beautiful Place
Call Her Blessed
Nesting Place
Life at the Circus
Artsy Crafty Babe
Pensieve

The Attitude of Gratitude Award came from both Heather and Bethany. Thank you, ladies! In order to accept this award, I needed to nominate 10 blogs that I feel show an attitude of gratitude and then explain how I came to have an attitude of gratitude. Choosing 10 was such a hard job!

It was tough to narrow down all of my favorite blogs for these awards. I hate to single out any and leave others out. So please know I still love you and your blog even if your name isn't on the list. Oh brother, this is hard for a people pleaser like me, so I'll just spit it out already.

I thought these 10 were a good representation of bloggers really showing gratitude in their lives. These ladies inspire me by the way they are living a life of gratitude. Their stories are different- from dealing with miscarriage, going through adoption journeys, raising twins and a toddler, celebrating as a premie baby girl grows into a healthy beauty, to just learning how to be grateful through everyday life as a Mom. So here are my choices for the Attitude of Gratitude Award:

Mrs. MK's Musings
The Strand Fam
Hilty Sprouts
It's A Wonderful Life
Barnhart Boogie
The Jernigan Family
Riehl Lives
Fellowship
A Planting of the Lord
The Borch Porch

Now another hard part- How I came to have an attitude of gratitude. I guess it is just something I decided was important to me. I truly believe that God is in control, loves me, and is GOOD. Every difficult thing in my life has been allowed by Him for a GOOD purpose even if understading it is beyond me. So I can be thankful during the hard times. And during the wonderful, blessed times like right now, I just look aroud and see that my life is blessed BEYOND MEASURE so it is easy to be thankful.

Here is the official fine print for accepting the Attitude of Gratitude award. As with most awards, there are a few requirements:

* Put the logo on your blog or post
* Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an an attitude of gratitude
* Link to your nominees within your post
* Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award
* Share the love & link to this post & the person who nominated you for the award
* Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

I'm grateful for ALL OF YOU!

Love,

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