My cup of tea

So...It's Monday morning and in an hour from now I'll be leaving to teach my women's Bible study. I thought I'd have a calming cup of tea and perhaps lose my headache somewhere between now and then.

On Friday I purchased several sample tea bags from a little store in an an adjacent town. I wish I had thought to take a photo of the store - but alas, I did not. The Happy Egglant is our new favorite store, one in which Brillo Man and I visit almost every Friday during our "date day." There we have discovered, among other things, some amazingly flavorful Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. The glass flasks are refillable and the oil is imported directly from Italy. Being of Italian descent, I have a slight affection for anything Italian. Not to mention that it's the best olive oil that I have had.

But I digress. I started out talking about tea... The Pomi-Berry Tea Sachet from Two Leaves and a Bud just may be my new favorite! The description on their website reads:

"Pomi-Berry might be the Goldilocks of herbal berry tea. With a combination of calming chamomile, zippy forest berries and fruity strawberry, it doesn't hit you over the head with berry flavor, and it isn't too herbal. It's just right."

It is a very good tea. And I'm thrilled that it didn't hit me over the head with berry flavor because, after all, I do have a headache...

Anybody Need a Chair?

I was SURE that long ago I posted something about Brillo Man's amazing auction win. 63 Filing Cabinets....Does that ring a bell with anyone? I can't locate the post - so perhaps I didn't post it...but I was sure I did.

Anyway...to recap...he was absolutely thrilled to have won an auction of 63 government surplus filing cabinets. Then he had to rent a HUGE U-Haul to bring them home - and then rent a storage space for three months to house them while he decided where he would put them.... He then bought a very expensive shed to house them - so he could store "stuff" in them. ??!

Yesterday he arrived home with these:



Goverment surplus chairs....
We are NOT buying another shed.

The Queen of MisMatch

As part of Red Ribbon "Say No to Drugs" Week at school, Olivia was encouraged to dress all Mismatched today. Her teacher said that "she won!" - For sure she is a kaleidoscope of color and patterns!



We even mismatched her hair!

Not Enough Time

I have come to the conclusion that there simply are not enough hours in my day. And how is it that I've come to this earth-shattering conclusion?...it's 10:33pm as I'm typing this and I still have a bazillion blogs I would like to read and a dozen things I need to do before I turn in for the night....not to mention that since we had church tonight, I didn't get the dishes done... I also neglected to help Olivia choose her outfit for mismatched day at school tomorrow. Which means we will probably be rushed in the morning and she won't be nearly as mismatched as she could have been had we chosen her outfit earlier.

I spent over an hour today trying to get through the next level of Angry Birds. Who invented that horrible time-sucking game anyway??!! And why could it not have been me??!

One hour was spent in preparation for our youth group lesson - we gave the teens a spiritual gifts test. OH!...what fun we had...not to mention the interesting things we learned about our small group of teens!

One hour spent overseeing Olivia's homework progress. She did fairly well on her own - which was good (because I was preoccupied trying to solve ANGRY BIRDS!)

Ten minutes was spent on the phone with the bank begging for mercy in hopes that they'll reverse the THREE overdraft charges that hit today when I realized that I paid bills out of THE WRONG ACCOUNT!!! What was I (NOT!) thinking! (Pray for favor please...they will let me know tomorrow if they are able to forgive any of those charges...) Ugh.

I know one thing upon which I didn't spend enough time ....eating. It's official - I'm hungry. My stomach is growling. I think I need to go heat up a bowl of that ham and cabbage soup Brillo Man made yesterday...

Yummy Deliciousness!

I returned home after a long day...led a Bible study this morning - then spent some time encouraging a friend during a long, extended lunch - then picked up Olivia from school - went to the bank....thought I would have to cook dinner when I returned since I knew that Brillo Man was gone all day... only to find that Brillo Man wasn't gone all day! Change of plans! Yahoo...and he made dinner! Have I mentioned lately that I love my husband?

Trunk or Treat

Olivia donned her blonde wig and off we went...to the New Beginnings Church Trunk or Treat Celebration.









Olivia was disguised as Taylor Swift and was elated that most people guessed correctly when she asked them to guess who she was.



She had fun collecting a ton of candy. She painted a pumpkin, went on a hayride and won a Webkinz duck. She was thrilled!






And as the afternoon was winding down, they drew names for some prizes for the adults. I said to myself, 'it sure would be nice to win a gas card,'...and then they drew my name for a $10 gift card for the gas station. God is good!

...and Now I wait...

I have finally taken the steps to do something that the Lord has been calling me to do for a number of years. I will pursue my Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling beginning in January.

All paperwork is complete...now I just wait for a response from the Veterans Administration regarding financial aid (as the wife of a disabled veteran, I qualify for education benefits!) Today I received a letter in the mail stating that they have received my application and due to "a great number of claims, action on mine may be delayed." Fun. Whee. So typical of anything having to do with the VA...ugh. Hopefully, the finances will come through BEFORE the admissions office will require payment for my classes. If not, I'll be taking out a student loan to get me through the interim. At any rate, I'm believing that the Lord will work out all the details. He has called me. I'm trusting He'll equip me.

So for now...I wait.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....

...or so the saying goes.

Our Pastor Marty is an amazing woman of God (Her name is Martha...but most call her Marty.) She is in the midst of an incredible sermon series entitled, "Thy Kingdom Come" and felt inspired to commission me to paint a "coat of arms", if you will, for our church. I am honored to be using the gift that God has given me.

This painting is about so much more than the coat of arms...it goes deeper...the Lord is doing a work in me through it...He is working on the canvas of my heart with each stroke of the brush. When I'm finished with the painting, I may share more about what the Lord is doing in my heart. But for now, just know that God is amazing....and I am a work in progress...just as this painting is a work in progress:

Pencil Drawing Sketch of THY KINGDOM COME
I spent considerable time reading
the scripture references which
Martha has chosen for her series.
And then spent some time in prayer...
and this is what the Lord gave me
(drawing time on the actual sketch: 20 minutes)



Adding a grid so I may transfer it to the canvas



Drawing on the canvas begins (Canvas measures 30"x40")
It took a little more time than 20 minutes
to 'grid off' the canvas
and transfer my drawing to scale



Filling in the background
Randy suggested the color...very good choice


The background complete


The start of the tree


More of the same


The tree complete...for now
Revisions to follow, I'm sure!


The ribbon...


And that's as far as I've gone thus far. I will be painting some more today. Just as this canvas is a work in progress, so is my life. The Lord is painting on the canvas of my heart...changing me, refining me, perfecting me, conforming me into His image. The goal being that I will reflect His character. It's a process. As an artist, I am reminded that at times the design comes easily and the paint flows freely and quickly, but often times, it's a more arduous task to make the painting look like the vision that is in my head. My prayer is that I may not be resistant to the work that He is doing in my life - and that I allow Him to create in me a masterpiece.

...more of the painting in upcoming posts.

Book Review: Stained Glass Hearts

In Stained Glass Hearts, Patsy Clairmont sheds a different perspective on our lives. In showing us how to keep our eyes on Jesus, when the things of life attempt to cloud our view, we may see that the beauty that awaits on the other side of those clouds is well worth the patient wait.

You will laugh (as well you should expect when reading something by Patsy Clairmont!) You will cry. You will definitely be moved to think about your life in a whole new way.

The message is powerful and inspirational. I was especially fond of the fourth chapter, entitled: Enough to Make a Stained Glass Heart Sing. Being a lover of music, I greatly appreciated Ms. Clairmont's ability to "lift my perspective through Creation's music."

The book is filled with marginal quotes from famous people including Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. And there are links to helpful websites as well.

Stop and smell the roses. Be grateful in ALL things. Look at things from a slightly different perspective - and don't be surprised when you see the Light shining through the stained glass!

All in all, this book gets five stars!

Wasted Time?

So, I sat down with my laptop - thinking I would very quickly check my Facebook account and then go about getting Olivia ready for a trip to Grandma's house. (A respite for Randy and I...not sure that it's going to be anything like that for my Mom...but OH, how I love her for her willingness to welcome Olivia with open arms for a few days!) Anyway...I found a facebook post from the Women of Faith conference which led me to a review by a fellow booksneeze blogger. And I then became completely enveloped in her words and spent over an hour reading through various posts of her blog, Rare Rocks. Felicity is an amazing writer and drew me right in - I was immediately captured by the story of her precious twin girls, one of whom is now in Heaven with Jesus...oh, how my mother's heart ached as I read the story of Ellery. I was reminded of the struggle Olivia faced being a premature baby. One, which fortunately, she overcame triumphantly. Ellery was not healed on this earth, but rather the Lord chose to take her Home. Her sister, Claire is connected to her emotionally in ways only the Father knows...Such a precious child!

One day, I may be reading Felicity's novel (sshhh..don't tell anyone she's writing a novel...that will be our secret!) but in the meantime, I will be following her blog. Why not stop by and read some of what she has to say...but make sure you have some time, because I guarantee you will be drawn in, just as I was! So now that I've wasted time (not!), I must get Olivia off to Grandma's house!

Book Review: The Final Summit

Although I have not read the prequel to this book, The Traveler's Gift... and a little unsure of this book at first, as I don't claim to be a history buff...the author took me in and held me in his grasp until the end! Andy Andrews is a master story-teller.
David Ponder's wife wife of 28 years is dead. And along with her went his will to live. (This was especially poignant as a friend of mine very recently lost his wife - I found myself seeing my friend in the character of David Ponder. The archangel Gabriel has chosen David Ponder to find the one principle that will save humanity. In the process...he meets travelers..A few of the historical characters include Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc and Eric Erickson. I don't want to spoil the message that finally comes in the end, but I will say that it is quite simple. The book provides so much food for thought that I'm sure will find this to be a book that will challenge as well as entertain, a rare combination. I highly recommend this book...as you perhaps gain some tips to "work out your own salvation."

Yahoo!! Women of Faith Conference - Here I Come!

For several months now, I have been reviewing books on BookSneeze.com. Recently, their site offered a chance to receive a free two-day pass to the nearest Women of Faith Conference. The venue nearest my home is in Pittsburgh, PA in October (which just happens to be the weekend before our sister's reunion in Michigan!) I was thrilled beyond belief to learn that I have been chosen to blog about the Imagine conference! In order to receive the ticket - I am required to post a badge on my blog - (see right) and write a blog post about the event prior to attending and then another after attending.

Having never attended a Women of Faith conference - yet always wanting to attend - I am REALLY looking forward to this time of refreshing and worship and teaching and preaching and fellowship. What more could a Christian girl ask than to spend time in the presence of her King along with thousands of other sisters in the Lord! I do believe it's going to be a glorious event! Why don't you join me? There are dozens of conferences throughout the United States! Find the nearest to you and plan on experiencing God!

Book Review: Max On Life

Love Love Love this book! As anyone who has read anything by Max Lucado knows, he is an awesome author. In Max on Life, author Max Lucado shares his answers to life’s toughest questions. While covering a wide range of topics, everyday situations and questions are answered with not your average answers, but answers backed with God's Word. The questions asked range from very simple to very complex - but his answers are easy to understand. I have always enjoyed Max’s style of writing, and this is no exception. It’s easy to read, and written so that you can open to any page and start reading. Makes a great "on the go" book - or a great "bathroom reader" book (if you're into reading in your "small room.") I guarantee that there are answers to questions you have asked or are asking and I highly recommend this book!

Uninvited Guest

Olivia left the screen door ajar.

Soon I heard a little bit of rustling near the front door.

Lo and behold....



I asked him what he was doing in the house.

He quacked a reply....
but I don't speak duck!



Silly Bird!!!

He was quite the unhappy quacker when I told him he had to go back outside.
I think he had plans to stay for dinner!

...never a dull moment here in "The State Park!"

Happy Mother's Day....

to all the Moms ....but especially to my Mom.

Mom, you know I've told you many times over how much more I appreciate all that you've done for me ever since I became a Mom myself. The sacrifices you've made, the unconditional love you've shared, the way you've encouraged me and always believed in me...for all of that, I will be forever grateful. You deserve an armful of roses...
I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

The Bathroom Trash is Glowing...

Glowing?

What? I must be seeing things. For after all, it's 2 am and I'm walking around in a dazed stupor - coughing my lungs up - with a horrible cold which is trying its best to turn into bronchitis. ....the bathroom trash can't be glowing! I hadn't turned on the light because I didn't want to assault my eyes in the dark of night. And there was no mistaking the blue glow coming from the black trash bin. I must be dreaming. Either that or I've seen one too many reruns of Close Enounters of the Third Kind and my mind is playing tricks on me. Besides, I'm coughing so much that I'm seeing stars. Must be hallucinating.

I return to bed, only to awaken an hour later - still coughing. Retreating once again to the bathroom so as not to disturb Brillo Man, I see that the bathroom trash is still glowing. This can't be. I go back to the bedside to retrieve my eyeglasses. Yes - even in clear view - there is definitely a blueish glow. Very strange.

Nah! Impossible! I must be seeing things. Wait. What did I discard into that trash bin? I recall it being in the kitchen after Brillo Man emptied it...and I placed some items into it before carrying it into the bathroom....hmmmm? I can't remember. In the morning, I must look.

Morning breaks. The light of day. What is in the trash bin? Oh my gosh --it's a piece of twisted up butcher paper with a plastic bag wrapped inside that had held the contents of last night's dinner: big, thick filets of Orange Roughy.

I immediately went to Google. Aha - my suspicions confirmed. Orange Roughy is among the many species of bioluminescent fish. The fish oil remaining in the bag was glowing through the white butcher paper...a blue glow. I wonder if the remaining filets which are in the refrigerator are glowing even now. I'm thinking I may go carry them into a dark corner and see if they glow...

Mystery solved. Good thing. I would hate to think that we were breeding aliens in the bathroom trash.

Book Review: REGGIE by Reggie Dabbs with John Driver

Reviewing this book for BookSneeze:

Initially, I wasn't sure that this book would be one that would hold my interest as the author is a motivational speaker primarily to teen audiences. However, I have found this book to be delightfully funny and sad all at the same time. Reggie Dabbs shares many stories of his past which I think will bring out many emotions in his readers. Causing them to go deep into their past in order to conquer their future!

Reggie was born to a young, unwed mother who asked the only friend she had in the world, her English teacher, to raise her baby. Reggie was eventually adopted by the English teacher and her husband. He never knew his birth mother. The circumstances of his birth were unsettling to him - but he turned around the negativity of his past.

His book is filled with stories of his life. Some very humorous, some sad, some bittersweet - but all with a lesson. He compels you to look beyond what is in your past (and yes, even your present) and use it, learn from it - in order to make the best of your future. The book is filled with faith - and its transforming power! He gives all the glory to God.

At the end of each chapter are questions which would be perfect to stimulate thought and discussion in a group setting.

Reggie Dabbs is a motivational speaker - primarily to teens. He speaks in schools throughout the country. One day, when our daughter is a teen, I would love her to hear him speak.

I would recommend this book!

Sunday Song

I've been catching up on a lot of reading on our sister's blog and am dedicating this song to all of us...who have been through various trials and tribulations in this life...yet we remain with God. And He, ever faithful, walks with us through the pain.

Sunday Song

How is it possible that an entire week has gone by and I haven't had time to blog?...

Here it is, Sunday again....time to get your worship on with this one:

Sunday Song

This song is in memory of my friend, Cindy. Too short were her days here on this earth...one day, we will meet again...



There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Cindy...I'll be checking in on MattMeister...as you smile down on him from Heaven...