July 31st. Half the year over. Gone. Done. Yikes. This has been a most challenging, wonderful, hard, marvelous, frustrating, confusing, stressful, hopeful year so far. This morning, as I look back not only on the past five years, but the past two weeks, I turn to My God for support, understanding, help and love.
From my little prayer book entitled Praying Through the Tough Times, by Lloyd James Ogilvie, I read this a few minutes ago:
When I Am Weary.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.
PSALM: 42:11
Almighty God, reign supreme as sovereign Lord in my life today. Enter my mind and heart and show me the way. May I be given supernatural insight and wisdom to discern Your guidance each step of the way through this challenging day. Break deadlocks with people, enable creative compromises, and inspire a spirit of unity. Overcome the weariness of hard work. Give me a second wind to press on.
When there is nowhere else to turn in my human dilemma and difficulties, it is time to return to You. When things don’t work out, I must ask You to twork out things. When my burdens make me downcast, I cast my burdens on You. If You could create the universe and uphold it with Your providential care, You can solve my most complex problems.
Dear Father, I want to know You so well, trust You so completely, seek Your wisdom so urgently, and receive Your inspiration so intentionally that I will be a person totally available for the influence of Your Spirit. Help me to be just as receptive to Your direction. Alarm me with disquiet in my soul if what I plan is less than Your best. With equal force confirm any conviction thar will move forward what You think is best for me. Remind me that You are with me and will guide mr. You are Jehovah-Shammah: You will be there!
Amen.
May you each be blessed today with creative compromises and a spirit of unity!
I hope Y’all have a Wonderful Wednesday! For TLC and me, August will hold Our Favourite Things! We hope you’ll join us...
Hugs and Smooches,
ELC
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Sunday, July 28, 2019
the BIG...
...REVEAL!
I finally have “before and after” pictures of our bathroom remodel. The pictures on the left are the “before.” We love it so much. We have a bit more art to acquire. I’m just waiting on the perfect pieces. Other than that, it’s DONE. Hallelujah.
I finally have “before and after” pictures of our bathroom remodel. The pictures on the left are the “before.” We love it so much. We have a bit more art to acquire. I’m just waiting on the perfect pieces. Other than that, it’s DONE. Hallelujah.
The vanity pictured is actually my husband’s. I don’t have a “before” of mine but will share an “after” (including the beautiful “cactus picture” Little Leighton drew for me!). My Hubby built both of our vanities! It was truly a labor of love. We also painted the walls, ceiling, trim and doors ourselves. While it’s certainly not my favourite thing to do, we actually make a pretty good “painting posse,” and we knocked it out. Go, us!
I hope y’all have had a wonderful weekend! I made a super yummy “berry crisp” this afternoon. ELC and I are doing some fun “favourites” posts in August, and I’ll share it then! Teeheehee. I know you’re on pins and needles.
Happy Monday Eve!
Thursday, July 25, 2019
...tangled...
I cherish my Charles Stanly bible. And this devotional:
Every Day in His Presence
From July 23rd:
Call Out to Him
O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection...I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:1-2 NLT
Are there obstacles or difficulties that seem to block you from fulfilling God’s purposes for your life? Perhaps you’ve worried, planned, and toiled but have ultimately failed to achieve what you desire, and despair is beginning to settle in. If so, it is time for you to stop doing and begin asking.
Friend, the Lord your God is sovereign. He can soften hearts that you could never touch, change circumstances beyond your control, provide resources you can’t even dream of attaining, and untangle messes that seem unredeemable. And He is waiting for you to cry out to Him for deliverance.
Friend, it is sheer pride that keeps you relying on yourself rather than depending on and obeying Your heavenly Father, who wants to be your strength, your life, and your all. Stop trying to figure everything out. Kneel before Him and leave all that concerns you in His hands. He will not fail you.
Lord, You are my only hope and help. I count on You, Father. Lead me in the way I should go, amen.
The devotions Dr. Stanley writes always—ALWAYS—speak to my heart and soul. Every one I read. Every day.
I pray each of you has a wonderful Thursday—wherever in this World you are! I pray your heart is softened and messes in your life get untangled. (I’ve got a few of my own. Sigh.)
Hugs,
ELC
Every Day in His Presence
From July 23rd:
Call Out to Him
O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection...I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:1-2 NLT
Are there obstacles or difficulties that seem to block you from fulfilling God’s purposes for your life? Perhaps you’ve worried, planned, and toiled but have ultimately failed to achieve what you desire, and despair is beginning to settle in. If so, it is time for you to stop doing and begin asking.
Friend, the Lord your God is sovereign. He can soften hearts that you could never touch, change circumstances beyond your control, provide resources you can’t even dream of attaining, and untangle messes that seem unredeemable. And He is waiting for you to cry out to Him for deliverance.
Friend, it is sheer pride that keeps you relying on yourself rather than depending on and obeying Your heavenly Father, who wants to be your strength, your life, and your all. Stop trying to figure everything out. Kneel before Him and leave all that concerns you in His hands. He will not fail you.
Lord, You are my only hope and help. I count on You, Father. Lead me in the way I should go, amen.
The devotions Dr. Stanley writes always—ALWAYS—speak to my heart and soul. Every one I read. Every day.
I pray each of you has a wonderful Thursday—wherever in this World you are! I pray your heart is softened and messes in your life get untangled. (I’ve got a few of my own. Sigh.)
Hugs,
ELC
Saturday, July 20, 2019
...we will survive...
This week was a rough one.
On Monday and Tuesday, I needed to be a daughter and sister. First and second. Then I could be a wife, mother, grandmother, friend.
Without going into alot of details, Monday, mid-morning, my Dad called me about taking my Mom to an ER. She’s 86. He’s 85. They still live in the home they’ve lived in for 20 years. (About twelve minutes—now—from me and My Sweet Hubby—aka MSH.) It is positively ridiculous. That they have stayed in a home too big for their needs and abilities. It is nuts, frankly. Particularly for my Mom. She is extremely deaf. She has no sight in her right eye. She has some sight in her left eye—but is gradually losing that. She is very feeble. Cannot walk without a cane or walker. She gets dizzy. She needed to be in an assisted living—or nursing—home five years ago. It is sad. Extremely sad. And what most of us will face someday. If we’re lucky enough to live to 86.
I got to their home fairly fast. After talking to her, my Dad and I agreed she didn’t, in fact, need to go to a hospital. Not at that point. But I insisted my Dad begin the process of finding a nursing home for her. On Tuesday, I went back for several hours to help him do the paperwork. I let my brother and two sisters know what was happening via group text. Thank goodness for texts. And emails.
Now we wait on the long-term care company and two doctors who can decide our Mom’s fate. I despise waiting. Will be using all of my strength and patience to keep my sanity. (I actually had a mini-meltdown with my parents Tuesday afternoon—while working on the application. I was not proud of myself. What I said was right. How I said it could have been improved. I apologized. I’ve promised myself I’ll do everything I can to stay chill-ier during the next few weeks. Sigh.)
I spent Tuesday night with My Princesses, Little Leighton (aka Biscuit) and Belle, while TLC had a Moms’ Night Out with dear friends (her Hubby was out of town...). This brought me back to the JOY and laughter I needed.
Wednesday was fairly uneventful. Spent more fabulous time with My Little Gals. Stayed up too late watching Hallmark movies. (Why do I do that? They’re recorded.)
Thursday, TLC and I took Biscuit and Belle to the Kimball Museum in Ft. Worth to see a Monet exhibit. We had a very lovely and quite cultural morning! (Yes—we spent as much time at the museum gift-shop as we did in the actual exhibit. Duh.) Then we ate our gluten-free “car” picnic, prepared by Chef Grammy, on the way home. SPECIAL memories.
MSH had been playing golf. He beat me home. After we talked about the splendid morning we’d both had, we decided to run several errands. He was going to do Costco after he’d dropped me at Target. First, we had to stop at a Sally’s for me to buy hairspray. (Only place I can find it around here.) It took me 5 minutes. MSH was waiting for me. As I walked out and saw where he was parked, I could see him looking down. Clearly on his phone. I started walking towards his car when he looked up and saw me.
Without looking to his left—he put his car in Drive and turned to the right towards me. Running into a SUV he never saw. Completely tearing up the front/end of his 2019 Rav 4 he’s had for less than three months. (He literally pulled the entire front fender off and put it in the back of his car. They don’t make ‘em like they used to, Y’all.)
The doctor he ran into was a truly kind man. Not angry. Calm and nice. (Qualities I cherish in physicians!) His wife was extremely understanding and downright sweet. Thank You, Lord God.
It was a difficult afternoon. Could it have been worse? Yes. Did I cry? Yes. Did MSH get terribly down and discouraged? Yes. He was mad at himself. Embarrassed. Ready to give up his license. Which is, of course, completely unnecessary and silly.
Friday was better. Today has been wonderful!
We’ll be working on our schedules/calendars with care and caution while we share one vehicle (Could be 4-6 weeks before he gets his car back...sniff...sniff...).
We’ll survive this. One of my most treasured friends of forty years died two months ago. Her grandson—who was 20—died last night. Of cancer. I cannot...I cannot even imagine...
A wrecked car? Nothing. Nothing when you look at the BIG picture.
Have a SWEET and SAFE Sunday, Dear Friends...watch where you’re driving. Be thankful for life and breath and blessings...
ELC
On Monday and Tuesday, I needed to be a daughter and sister. First and second. Then I could be a wife, mother, grandmother, friend.
Without going into alot of details, Monday, mid-morning, my Dad called me about taking my Mom to an ER. She’s 86. He’s 85. They still live in the home they’ve lived in for 20 years. (About twelve minutes—now—from me and My Sweet Hubby—aka MSH.) It is positively ridiculous. That they have stayed in a home too big for their needs and abilities. It is nuts, frankly. Particularly for my Mom. She is extremely deaf. She has no sight in her right eye. She has some sight in her left eye—but is gradually losing that. She is very feeble. Cannot walk without a cane or walker. She gets dizzy. She needed to be in an assisted living—or nursing—home five years ago. It is sad. Extremely sad. And what most of us will face someday. If we’re lucky enough to live to 86.
I got to their home fairly fast. After talking to her, my Dad and I agreed she didn’t, in fact, need to go to a hospital. Not at that point. But I insisted my Dad begin the process of finding a nursing home for her. On Tuesday, I went back for several hours to help him do the paperwork. I let my brother and two sisters know what was happening via group text. Thank goodness for texts. And emails.
Now we wait on the long-term care company and two doctors who can decide our Mom’s fate. I despise waiting. Will be using all of my strength and patience to keep my sanity. (I actually had a mini-meltdown with my parents Tuesday afternoon—while working on the application. I was not proud of myself. What I said was right. How I said it could have been improved. I apologized. I’ve promised myself I’ll do everything I can to stay chill-ier during the next few weeks. Sigh.)
I spent Tuesday night with My Princesses, Little Leighton (aka Biscuit) and Belle, while TLC had a Moms’ Night Out with dear friends (her Hubby was out of town...). This brought me back to the JOY and laughter I needed.
Wednesday was fairly uneventful. Spent more fabulous time with My Little Gals. Stayed up too late watching Hallmark movies. (Why do I do that? They’re recorded.)
Thursday, TLC and I took Biscuit and Belle to the Kimball Museum in Ft. Worth to see a Monet exhibit. We had a very lovely and quite cultural morning! (Yes—we spent as much time at the museum gift-shop as we did in the actual exhibit. Duh.) Then we ate our gluten-free “car” picnic, prepared by Chef Grammy, on the way home. SPECIAL memories.
MSH had been playing golf. He beat me home. After we talked about the splendid morning we’d both had, we decided to run several errands. He was going to do Costco after he’d dropped me at Target. First, we had to stop at a Sally’s for me to buy hairspray. (Only place I can find it around here.) It took me 5 minutes. MSH was waiting for me. As I walked out and saw where he was parked, I could see him looking down. Clearly on his phone. I started walking towards his car when he looked up and saw me.
Without looking to his left—he put his car in Drive and turned to the right towards me. Running into a SUV he never saw. Completely tearing up the front/end of his 2019 Rav 4 he’s had for less than three months. (He literally pulled the entire front fender off and put it in the back of his car. They don’t make ‘em like they used to, Y’all.)
The doctor he ran into was a truly kind man. Not angry. Calm and nice. (Qualities I cherish in physicians!) His wife was extremely understanding and downright sweet. Thank You, Lord God.
It was a difficult afternoon. Could it have been worse? Yes. Did I cry? Yes. Did MSH get terribly down and discouraged? Yes. He was mad at himself. Embarrassed. Ready to give up his license. Which is, of course, completely unnecessary and silly.
Friday was better. Today has been wonderful!
We’ll be working on our schedules/calendars with care and caution while we share one vehicle (Could be 4-6 weeks before he gets his car back...sniff...sniff...).
We’ll survive this. One of my most treasured friends of forty years died two months ago. Her grandson—who was 20—died last night. Of cancer. I cannot...I cannot even imagine...
A wrecked car? Nothing. Nothing when you look at the BIG picture.
Have a SWEET and SAFE Sunday, Dear Friends...watch where you’re driving. Be thankful for life and breath and blessings...
ELC
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