A God Who Hears

I am participating in Five minute Friday with Gypsy Mama. Today in five minutes or less I will write to you about the awesome God who hears us.

Spring has arrived!  Yeah!  We did not think it would as the 30 degree temperatures lingered in our corner of the world.  But Spring has come with April showers and bursts of warm sunshine.  This of course is the perfect combination needed for May flowers AND grass to come alive and flourish.

Last year I told myself, "I am hiring a lawn care company to take on this task next year." With perfect, complete affirmation I made that promise to myself as I battled with the weed whacker yet again (the THIRD version I believe).  Now let me explain.  My husband does not "DO" yard work.  End of that point.  I am the one with the green thumb, the artist landscaper's eye, the flower lover, gardener, and herbalist.  So everything short of cutting down trees, the outside of our property has always been my domain of responsibility.  Oh, another piece of information repertoire is that we do not live on a rectangular suburb parcel of grass which would be easy for any twelve year old with even a push mower to take of.  Our property is a very large square made up of about one hundred little puzzle pieces and with all different curves and angles.  Many of which can only be reached with a weed whacker.  Thus, the antagonist of my whole story.

The weed whacker.  I have been instructed.  I have tried and succeeded few times.  But more than not I cannot keep that little thing going!!!  I have used gas ones and electric- no difference. Then if I CAN keep the little blade eater working, that plastic string (which is actually its very efficient "blade") always brakes.  So my neighbors can see me handling this thing with motor running as I am continually banging it on the concrete or pavement to let it out more.  Usually it just gets stuck.  So then I turn the motor off (remember how hard it is for me to get it running?) then untangle, unscroll, unscrew the compartment holding all of that good plastic blade and release it.  Only to start the process all over in about another 90 seconds.  Last Fall ws the last time I told myself.

I hope that I have not lost your interest...and I can hear you wondering, "What does this have to do with a God Who hears?"  Just stay with me please a few moments more.  I had to explain my frustration to serve the desire of my prayer request.

So....last Fall I decided- I am hiring a landscape company do to my lawn care.  This decision follows in with my motto for 2011 "to De-STRESS as much as possible".  Yes, that is my WORD for the year, but that is for another blog to explain.

Lawn care company?  I know the perfect one!  My intuition told me to choose this particular company that I had seen working here and there around my side of town. The crew is directed my what I ascertained as a very hard-laboring woman.  Their service was always sharp and very professional.  But not having a NAME printed on any of their vehicles , I did not know who THEY were.  I waited till I noticed a distant neighbor outside when I was driving by.  She told me the name of the company but did not have their phone number with her.  Yes, they did a great job for a reasonable rate.  "My intuition is right!", I thought.

That same day I went home in search of this phone number.  Two phone books, yellow pages, white pages, Google, and newspaper did not produce any information!  Meanwhile the earth continued to open to the rain, the sun keeps shining, and the grass is still growing.  By now my surrounding neighbors have all cut THEIR grass which only makes OUR grass look like a soon to be jungle!

So- I PRAY.  "Father would you cause me to discover this lawn care company working somewhere so that I may stop and ask them of their services and phone number?" I had not actually seen them this Spring only the fruits of their labors from the one neighbor that I had told you about.  

That was it.  A little trusting prayer.

A few days go by and the grass is still growing.  "Wonder if we have any gas in our lawn mower from last year?  I could give it a quick hack job."

THEN- last night my husbands joyfully tells me.  "I saw Theresa!  and I got her number!"  I tell him that he is a conduit to an actual PRAYER.  We are both happy.  As soon as this black sky with singing birds becomes light I will call Theresa to salvage my yard for the season with her gifted skills with the weed whacker and other such stuff.

I am amazed-  my Father heard, cared to answer, DID answer my request!  Is that not awesome?  Really.  Think about it.

The Creator of the Universe MOVED on MY behalf!  To me that is a miracle in the same genre as resurrecting Lazarus.  Neither was HARD for Him.  He DID it!  He heard me.

Is there anything too small for Him?  I will answer "No." as I enjoy my pedicured carpet of green.

Is there something that you could, should, trust into His care?  Will you take some moments and give it to Him?

Sorry, Gypsy Mama I could not get it done in five minutes nor without using spell check!  Maybe I will do better next Friday.



Who Is the Filler of Your Soul?

Who is the filler of your soul? (This is a rewrite of a previous post.)

It has been many years since I have learned the life-changing truth that my husband cannot meet all of my needs...The need for happiness, security, purpose, value, peace, and contentment. I have learned and continue to experience, "My God shall supply all (my) needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Not only food and clothing but the needs of my SOUL....answers for my existence, a purpose to live for, a passion to dive into, joy, and all of the other secret desires of my heart.

He is the perfect Lover of my soul.

Relieving my husband of this role changed my marriage. I began to ENJOY my husband not focusing on his short comings in meeting my needs. I had set him up to fulfill a task that was impossible for him to actualize.  He is human full of shortcomings so why was I expecting my happiness to be met in a man?  I had fallen for the Prince Charming promise.  Or rather I misplaced my expectations on the wrong prince.  I have two Princes but only One is the complete Lover of my Soul.

When reading The Love Dare I became aware of the desires that I had for my husband to fulfill. I want more- more depth of love in our relationship, more intimacy, more camaraderie. Are these desires wrong or misplaced? In speaking of marriage, I do not think so. I did not endeavor to take the "Dare" because my marriage was bad or falling apart. Rather, I wanted more! to have the ultimate marriage experience on this earth and I would do my utmost to make that happen! I felt a push to strive to have an exceptional marriage as a testimony of God's handiwork and for my pleasure and satisfaction!

But what about just having a "good marriage" to a "good man"? What is wrong with that? Is that not enough? My husband is thoughtful, loving, a great provider, friend, and a wonderful father.

I sense the Holy Spirit leading me to gain a new perspective. To not put expectations on my husband to be responsible for my happiness, purpose, and contentment.  A heart that confidently knows that all of my needs are met through Christ Jesus.  A woman who enjoys her marriage completely at this moment and accepts her husband right now with all of his flaws and shortcomings.

Who are you looking to right now to fulfill the longings of your heart?

Are you allowing Jesus to romance you?

"My beloved speaks and says to me,

'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.'"

-Song of Solomon 2:10 Ampl.

He wants you to come away with Him.  Will you meet Him today?

What Does Jesus Mean to You right now?

This Easter season I ask myself, "What does Jesus mean to me right now in my life?"  The first thoughts that come to mind are that I am forgiven from my sins.  But that answer came remotely as though I was answering a Sunday school question (if I went to Sunday school) or a foundational lesson that I want to teach my girls.

Not belittling that most awesome fact- that my sins are taken away- nor to make light of what it took for that to happen- nor to be unthankful to our Father's most gracious HEART- nor to say that THAT answer so foundational and simple should be a more elaborate one so that I may sound more "spiritual".  (For that is the beauty of the gospel is it not?  So simple and  full of LOVE.)  But I was posing this inquiry to myself searching for an honest response answering the questions, "What have you been thinking about concerning your life in Christ?  What does Jesus mean to me right now in my life?"

And after pondering a few quiet moments I think my answer to myself is that He gives my life PURPOSE.

In my humanness I cannot keep present in my mind ALL of the vast benefits of His salvation and the depth of their meaings simultaneously in my conscious.  Maybe you are more (or less) human than I... Right now in this period of my life when I wonder, "What difference is MY life in the scheme of all existence?"  I concur with the Spirit that my life has meaning only when it is hidden in HIS.  And so thankfully it is.

He has redeemed my life.  And it is I that no longer live but Him through me.  That does sound heady.  But when I put to death my desire for self preservation, I find my purpose in HIM. My life has been redeemed; I have a purpose TO my life because of Him and FOR Him.  And this is the way that makes me feel this Easter as I ponder about His death and Resurrection.

a desire to worship-

freedom-

joy-

PEACE-

bliss

What does Jesus mean to you this Easter season?  Please share with me.

Whining or Weaned?

I have been fussy lately.

Easily annoyed.  Irritable.

Mouthing my complaints.

Squawking....

She lay here.  Me on my left side- my favorite side on which to sleep.  Her back up against my belly.  All cuddled and close.  I love it.  Her smooth, soft skin touching mine.  Her silky hair tickling my arm.  You do not need to write to me about the wrongs of having children sleep with you.  It does not happen that much.  Well, not really.  I was so cold last night that I did request that she dream alongside me so that I could warm myself like one warms hands over a fire.  But too soon the fire burns too hot and I kick off half of my covers.  Half because if I kick them all off then I wake from the cold and the process is repeated.  But if I just use half of them then the half HOT and half COLD balance to an overall warm.  That is the plan anyway but it does not always work.

Right now I lay awake.  The room is dark.  My body temperature seems fine  (one of  few specific, predictable reasons that I awaken mid-sleep) but my mind is full of one thousand things flying through it like a jet taking off for Chicago.  My thoughts of anger, worry, fear.  They come at my mind like the harsh cries of an infant.  Think about the cry of a baby. Babies do not whimper as when a child scuffs his knee; they WAIL until they get what they want. If they do not get gratification; they WAIL LOUDER!



Then I feel her warmth again, the smoothness of her body, the softness.  My thoughts hone in on her body lying next to mine.  She has put on a little winter weight and her belly is almost as soft as Mama's beside her. I love these moments.  Yes, I love to cuddle.  But I also love that she is QUIET.  Still.  Peaceful.  So content lying in my embrace.

For she is not usually like that.  In moments of awakeness she is my high-spirited child with the disposition of a drill sergeant stuffed in a three-foot body.  Very trying.  Very demanding.  Is it temperament or parental error?  I concede that it is probably some of both.  But NOW she is resting so smug and serene.

"Nicol...."  The Voice speaks softly.

"Yes?"

"THAT is how I want you to be with Me- like a weaned child lying in my embrace." 

"Oh, yes.  Of course, Daddy."  My tantrums flutter in my mind.  My disheveled peace that has been riding the waves of my emotions.  The images of "cry baby", "whining baby", selfish woman who needs to get a new perspective...are leaving.

"Rest in Him," I tell myself. 

"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;

Like a weaned child rests against his mother,

 My soul is like a weaned child within me."   ~Psalm 131:2

I purpose to not voice my baby cries.  I purpose not to have them in the first place.  Instead of squalling as a nursing baby until I am satisfied I shall rest in His embrace as I put my trust and hope in Him.

My Daddy and I have known each other for a while now.  I am a big girl.  And I love that I can still bare my back to Him in an intimate embrace.  He knows that I am a woman, but to Him I am still His little girl. 

I am weaned.

I can trust Him.

So I "still" and "quiet" my soul.  I do this by the Stong's Concordance definition of composing myself.  I gain a new perspective.  I level my thoughts and emotions so that they are not tossing to and fro; I equalize them by casting down vain imaginations that would exalt themselves above what I know to be TRUE.  (2Corinthians 10:5) I leave that place of "My Whiny World" and escape to the shore of a calm child. 

And I fall asleep.

Are you whining or weaned?

A Reason to Write

Quiet.

The Quiet.  How delightful!  "What should I do?  How can I use this time?  I do not want to waste it!"

All four of my children gone out of the house.  They are playing, shopping, dancing, outside of these four walls called home.  Mama left alone.  Delightful.

..."hmmm....what should I do?  Isn't this what I always dream of- some QUIET, UNINTERRUPTED TIME?" 

"read a magazine....yes, nonchalantly, as though I have not a care in the world, I should grab a cup of tea and skim the pages of a magazine that I never have time to read.  But I should post on my blog.  Don't I always desire more time to write?"

Yet what should I write about?  ordinary events have been happening.  Rain pitter-patters on the earth.  My Golden Retriever gazes at me with a bored look in her eyes.  Usual stresses of Life to deal with.  Laundry piles.  Arguing siblings.  Light bulbs that need changed.  Those things that you are probably experiencing right now.

Why do I even have a BLOG?  There are so many women out there in the gargantuan cyber community that have better things to say and more attractive ways to say it?

Oh, no.  Not this conversation with myself again.

Then I see my penned handwriting on already aged paper. The date read October 10, 2006.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise... from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and this very occasion?"

~Esther 4:14, Amp.

Those words the Strong yet ever so Patient and Gentle Voice gave to me after much prayer and contemplation about the birth of the Ladies Of Virtue ministry site years ago.  I do not think that I have read them since and here they are tucked into a binder.

The words on this yellowing page continue.

"I had just prayed that the Lord would bring women needing encouragement to this media outlet...that He would give me wisdom, a keen style of writing and eloquence in my speech.  Most of all a deep love for Him, His Word, and those that He would cross my path with."

Today, I suppose that He knew that I needed that reassurance again.

That One voice CAN make a difference.

to YOU.

to ME.

my words, though they be feeble attempts to capture His workings of my soul, can speak healing to YOUR soul.

So I place my fingers to this keyboard and write.

For if I write for only ONE then I do His will.

If I write for only one-  then I prayerfully concede that you are blessed.
You are encouraged.
You are strengthened in this journey sometimes dark.

Are you that one?  for which I write?

For I am here.  You are here.  And He IS.

"Two are better than one and a three fold cord will not be quickly broken."  ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Do you know that you have something to speak about?
That you have been ordained for this very moment to share?
That YOU have been brought to the kingdom for this very thing?

Is it the words to your co-worker?
a sister?
a neighbor?

Speak His words.
Write His words.
Share His words.

The string of letters that you string together may be just the wisdom of jewels that will enrich the feeble soul.  Or the chain of pearls that beautify the worn and weary heart.

I will string together my letters.  Will you too?

for I may be that ONE that needs them.



Would you like to apply for the She Speaks scholarship?  Visit http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/how-christians-create-art-she-speaks-scholarship/

Hope While Answers Tarry

A few weeks ago I took these pictures and thought they would make great visuals for a blog entry titled "Hope".  See the vibrant green peeking out from the frozen earth?  Hope that new life is ready to burst forth.

I have heard that in Kentucky the ladies are already planting their gardens!  But here in Pa that is not typical until Memorial Day!  So March is an unpredictable month of warm teases of the sun and blistering snow storms.

April cannot come soon enough for me- the calendar guarantee that Spring is here.  I love the snowy winters here, truly, but this winter seems to have dragged.  I am so ready for Spring with new life, new opportunities, dreams to be realized.

And you know what?  Yesterday the gray sky opened and huge,white, wet flakes descended heavily upon my world.  I was not happy about it!  "Wait!  It is supposed to be 60 degrees!  I will even take 50 degrees with sunshine!"  Instead my daffodil greens got blanketed with ice.

I could not help but feeling that Nature was a parallel picture of my soul....HOPE DEFERRED.

Seems that my hopeful, happy expectancies of a few weeks ago are running dry.  No answer to my prayers.  No change in circumstance...the same cold wind and icy ground.

I took this picture yesterday.

Instead of breathing hope- the sign was mocking me.  "Spring Returns..."  Not yet! Winter drags...........and then snows again.

But thankfully the gentle Voice spoke to me,
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  (See Romans 15:13 NIV)

"Yes, Lord.  Though answers tarry.  YOU are Hope. The Stirrer of dreams.  The One who makes the flowers rise out of the frozen earth.  I will believe You and Your promises and patiently wait."

Beloved, what are you hoping for? a loved one to know salvation?  work for your husband?  circumstance to change?  HOPE in God. Trust.  Believe.  Your soul will be put at peace and filled with JOY as you expect. Even as the answer tarries.

Today I look at the same flag outside my front door.  TODAY it reads-  "Yes, Spring Returns- It is on its way!"

Enjoying the "Good" Land

Dear Ladies Of Virtue!


Recently it seems that in my conversations with others, the subject of very dysfunctional homes and families has been the topic over and over again. These horror stories are very real lives that surround us in our community.  Hearing these pathetic, sad stories makes my heart break.  The turmoil and consequences of bad choices and sin.  But I am also reminded of God's grace to my family...be we FAR from perfect, I see the Master's molding and shaping everywhere.  I am so thankful for the Potter's hand on our lives.  Even if His blows are hard sometimes, I am comforted that we will remain for this lifetime on His wheel.  This security is a fortress of strength and a balm of succor.


Today- SEE the blessings of your family and home. Do not let guilt of not being the "perfect" family or wife cause waves of despair to sway in your heart.

Below I am attaching a devotional written by a dear Lady Of Virtue who is "far Above Rubies"...please thoughtfully read.

Above Rubies

Women's Email Devotional

FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY! Part 1

"The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey" Numbers 14:7.

Although I live in the great country of USA, I actually dwell on a parcel of land in the woods of Tennessee. But the land where I really live every day and night is in the "land" of my family life. This is the real down-to-earth land where each one of us lives our lives. What is our "land" like?

We get a glimpse of what God wants it to be like when we read about the land He promised to His people, Israel. Although these promises are literally for Israel, for God gave the land to them for an everlasting covenant,* they are also a type of how He wants us to live. Let's see how God describes His land.

IT IS A GOOD LAND (Exodus 3:8)

It is a "good" land. In fact, Numbers 14:7 tells us that it is "an exceeding good land." Tov is a common Hebrew word but it has a big meaning. The Lexicon in my Bible says it means, "pleasant, beautiful, excellent, bountiful, lovely, delightful, joyful, fruitful, precious, sound, cheerful, kind, sweet, correct and righteous." ** Read these words over again and say them out loud. Do they describe the good land of your home?

God intends your home to be a good land. He intends your marriage to be a good land. Motherhood is an exceeding good land. It is where you are meant to dwell, enjoying the blessings of God--your husband, children and the security of your home.

God instructs the older women to teach the younger women "good" things--how to love their husbands, love their children and to be keepers and home etc. These are the "good" things of the land (Titus 2:3-5).

IT IS A DELIGHTFUL LAND (Psalm 106:24)

Not only is it a good land, but a delightful land. God uses many descriptions to describe the land He chose for His people. .

"The most beautiful inheritance of the nations" (Jeremiah 3:19).

"The glory of all lands" (Ezekiel 20:6, 15). Did you know that motherhood is the glory of the nation? When God judged Ephraim He took away their glory. What was their glory? Conception, pregnancy and birth. Hosea 9:11 says, "As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird--no birth, no pregnancy and no conception!" The Hebrew word is tsvi and means "beautiful, prominence, splendor, pleasant." It is translated "the beautiful land" in Daniel 8:9 and 11:16 41.

"The pleasant land" (Psalm 106:24; Jeremiah 3:19 and Zechariah 7:14). The Hebrew word for "pleasant" is chemdah and means "delightful, precious."

"A delightful land" (Malachi 3:12). Chephets is a different Hebrew word and means "pleasure or delight." God gave marriage and motherhood for our pleasure. Of course we all experience many challenges and heartaches along the way, but as we embrace them as our Promised Land, our attitude changes and we begin to experience pleasures and delights galore.

The first home was called a delight. This is the meaning of "the garden of Eden." It was the prototype of all future homes. This is one of your great priorities--to make your home a delight for your children, for your husband when he comes home each evening, for folk who come into your home, and even for yourself. Make your home a place where you delight to be--your favorite place in the world.

Psalm 106:24-25 tells us that even though God gave this delightful land to His people, they didn't believe in its goodness. In fact, "they despised the pleasant land, they believed not His word. But murmured in their tents, and harkened not unto the voice of the Lord."

There are many women who despise motherhood, often because they have been indoctrinated by society to despise it. They are told that it is demeaning and they can do a lot better with their lives. They despise God's way for marriage. They are taught that they must keep their independence and live their own life. They groan and complain about motherhood in their home. They criticize and whine about their husbands. Consequently they don't enjoy their marriage, or motherhood. It's not a good land to them! All because of their attitude. All because they have been indoctrinated with deceitful lies from the enemy. If only they would open their eyes to behold God's plan, they would see all the good things. Motherhood would become pleasant to them. Their marriage relationship would become delightful.

May the "land" where you live become a delightful land to you.

Love from Nancy Campbell

http://www.aboverubies.org/

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, please save me from despising the good land you have given to me. Thank you for choosing this land for me. Unfold your truth to me so that I can walk in all the blessings you have planned. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I'm embracing the good land of motherhood. It's my Promised Land.

Sundays (and every day) are for WORSHIP

 This is my new favorite song-  "Our God Is Greater".  You probably know it. 

The other day after purchasing the CD I played it in my car during a "down" moment I was having.  Immediately my heart was lifted.  I pressed "play" a second time after increasing the bass to the Bose sound system to the highest level. I love the sub-woofer effect when it is with my music.  I was singing with wild abandon.  If a fellow driver had been witnessing me (and they might have) they probably thought I was jamming to the "Hot Red Chili Peppers" instead of a worship song.

The whole experience of listening to it fills my soul. 

Today I play it again in my kitchen.  My heart swells and my mind zones to God's greatness.  My eight-year-old catches my fervor and excitedly starts twirling till she is dizzy. I am reminded that God inhabits the praise of His people. (Read Psalm 22:3.)

The word "Praise" in this passage means laudation or more concretely a hymn.  The kind of hymn that shines clear, boasts.  This praise is to be clamorously foolish (as quoted from Strong's concordance), to rave, to stultify, to celebrate.

And while we are praising God what is He doing?

Inhabiting- He sits down in quiet, dwells, and remains amongst us.  He is so intimately close He "marries" us; He remains, He settles down with us.

How awesome is that?  My joy in Him causes Him to stop and dwell intimately with me. 

This outrageous praise reminds me of the adulation that David gave when the ark of the covenant was finally returning to its proper place.  David was so full; he danced unabashedly and wearing only his underwear (sounds clamorously foolish!) before God in the sight of all the people. 

What did his wife think?   She "despised" him in her heart.  God struck Michal with bareness.  I think perhaps this story is recorded for us to show us that her heart response is diametrically opposed to His when we praise Him.  He loves it; He enjoys it- He is enjoying US enjoying HIM. 

I love that about Him.

So I listen to my new favorite song.  I listen to these words- my mind quickens, my heart swells, my body moves.

Everything in me- body, soul, and spirit rise to give praise to the ONE- the ONLY One- worthy who bears these attributes.

I feel like this-                                                                                                                                                             

and this-

and this-

worries melt, fear dies, stress fades away-

I am filled to overflowing with peace and joy.

My soul sails. My heart flies.  May be I will even be translated to Heaven like Enoch in this moment.

Visit this sound and lift you heart in worship yourself.  Maybe even turn up your sub-woofer. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc

I am ADDICTED!!!!!!

OK- I admit it...I will not deny it anymore.


I totally admit it.


I am completely, utterly addicted to buying books! It is a truth that I do not think that I will ever change. I love everything about them.... The beautiful pictures or illustrations, the feel of the pages (I LOVE holding and caressing a book! I do not think I will ever be a Kindle customer), even the smell of a new book or an old one.



I go into the bookstore for a Starbucks White Chocolate Latte with whipped cream. After grabbing my Joe, I decide to take the LONG way around to the book counter where my intention is to purchase a gift card for my niece. Strolling along I see their recently added "Irish" display for upcoming St. Patrick's Day. I know that it is recent not just because of the calendar because I was just in this store five days ago?



Of course the first thing that I notice- the same as everyone else- is a book's COVER. And YES; I DO judge a book by its cover...If the cover is visually beautiful or interesting I am magnetized. These books below are covers that grabbed my attention and yelled to me, "Come look at me, pick me up, stroke my pages!"



The first two are of the Irish theme. I try to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (and every holiday for that matter) with an authentic meal- last year's menu included corned beef, cabbage, and as always green mashed potatoes. "Irish Pub Cooking"- what a great book to add some more recipes to my Irish repertoire. The "Leek & Potato Soup" looks scrumptious and it is green. Maybe I will even get brave and try the Irish Soda bread recipe. My sister visited Ireland last year, too, she will enjoy my meal; another reason to buy the book!


And the "Bargain Price" is another attraction.





This next book is so visually darling and tactile! It has one of those smooth hard covers that I just so enjoying holding. Inside contains an Irish fable with a moral to "alter the perspective in our hearts and perhaps render a change in the world". Wow, that little book can do that. Another reason why I just love books. And beyond that and the dreamy photographs of the Irish country side, and the colorful illustrations, and prettily bordered pages, there are little envelopes glued to the pages containing little pieces of paper that I can extract from their mysterious folder, and lift-up flaps of die-cuts. The one I am looking at now is of a pie. When you lift up the crust the recipe for Shepherd's pie is inside. Think adult version, just right for the addicted book type woman version of a toddler's "Lift and Touch" book. I just love it! I realize that my visual and tactile senses are getting completely satisfied! And I am a visual, hands-on learner. Suddenly it is all making sense to me- this infatuation.

The next two books have such beautiful covers; I had to book them up. Historical fiction of the Regency and Victorian era! Well, I am sold. (And of course the "Bargain Price" seals the deal.

Now I said that I most certainly judge a book by its cover. At least initially. However, I have made the mistake of buying books with beautiful covers that even though the story line seemed interesting, I was disappointed. Hopefully this will not be the case.

Now remember my intention of going to the book store? Besides to get my delicious caffeine elixir? I forgot it. So excited with these new treasures. I had to back track to purchase the gift card!

Now where does the guilt come in? (Inevitably it does with any addiction, because the very definition of addiction connotes a negativity with it.) I have a shelf (maybe shelves?) of books who after my first meeting are awaiting patiently to have more connection with me.

Happily though I am engaging in the books pictured below. They are lying beside my night stand. I do not read every one every day- maybe a few pages here and there (except for the last one which I am devouring!). If you notice most of them have to do with shaping perspective. My essence for living a lovely life. This particular clump of books are a family of ideas helping me traverse my way through what I consider to be a mid-life crisis that I am experiencing. (We can talk more about THAT later.)

But each these offers a fresh sense of beauty, fun, or thought that my soul currently needs. So important to my psyche that I will no longer say that I am addicted to books, but a COLLECTOR of books.

or am I still simply in denial?

What are you passionate about? What would you use your children's milk money to purchase?

Sweet Cookies!! Yummy treats!

HAAAAPPPPPYYYY Valentine's Day!

LOVE, chocolate, and kisses and hugs!

What a GREAT day to celebrate!

My sweets are opening their sweets as I write. This is my mothery attempt at heart-shaped pancakes....with chocolate chips- yummy!

Messy cooks are the best ones, right? My little Sarah just may be a bakery chef in the making. We create these sugar cookies for almost every holiday-Christmas trees, Valentine hearts, St. Patrick shamrocks, Easter eggs, etc. ~a colorful treat to eat and it is a good time with the kids playing with the dough and decorating. I want to share the recipe with you at the end if you would like to join in the fun.








I love the colors! This time I added silvery white sprinkles (to my assortment of ephemera, remember?) that looked so pretty on the white iced cookies, like shimmering snow.


Sarah is proud of her heart.

Here is the recipe. I have tried many but I love the tasty "spark" that the lemon juice gives when combined with the sweet icing. As well, I prefer an icing that hardens, nicer for storage and these cookies remind me of Eat-N-Park's.

Mrs. Claus' Sugar Cookies

4 sticks (or 2 cups) of butter
1 cup white sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 T of vanilla
Beat and whip these ingredients together.

Combine in another bowl-
5 cups of flour
1/2 t salt
2 t baking powder

Add slowly to wet ingredients mixing continuously.
Than add-1 T lemon juice

Chill for one hour or longer.

Roll balls of dough onto floured board and use favorite cut-outs.
Bake at 350 degrees or till very light brown.
Cool.

ICING~
Beat one egg WHITE with 1/2 t cream of tartar till VERY stiff.
Add slowly 3 and 1/2 cups of confection sugar.
Also adding about 1 T of milk,
just enough for the icing to become thick and creamy.
Add drops of food coloring for desired color.
When cookies are completely cool, use the back of a spoon
to apply about one tablespooon of icing per cookie.
Add all of the candied ephemra that you want!
This recipe makes approximately 3 dozen- 3 inch cut-out cookies.
ENJOY!!!!


"Love and you shall be loved." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Makin' Valentine's

Originally posted February 12, 2011.  We plan on doing the same this Saturday.

My daughters and I spent a sunny, cold afternoon creating Valentine's for our sweet ones.



This is our breakfast room. If you look closely you can see my sweet, shy daughter hiding from the lens behind a book. The table is nice and neat awaiting all of the ephemera (I am always looking for ways to use that neat word. I just "googled" it and discovered that there is actually an Ephemera Society! interesting...well, if you need a little help with its definition the dictionary says that ephemeron {the plural} is transitory written or printed material not intended for long time use such as postcards or tickets...the etymology is the Greek meaning "mayfly" {have you ever seen one of THOSE?}....interesting ...well. since we DO want our Valentine's to be preserved, remembered, and cherished may be this is not the correct context for this word. However, since little decorative things for scrapbooking like stickers are culturally described as "ephemera" {see all of the internet scrap book with "ephemra" in their name} then I will still use it. Also, ephemera such as notes and cards are now considered collectible- though completely contradictory to the very definition of being temporary- then there is another confirmation that I can indeed express that the breakfast room table was waiting to be covered with ephemera- otherwise known as colorful paper, stickers, ribbons, bobbles and such. Did I loose most of you? I am trying to write as goes the conversation in my head....may be that the general populace cannot follow my sporadic thoughts? But I DID get to use the word about 5 times!

Here the girls are creatively concentrating.

Between taking pictures I read Little Town on the Prairie. Presently we read about Laura's autograph book that she shared with her friends and the rage of calling cards. Even then pretty ephemera was exchanged and appreciated. This is a poem that Laura's friend wrote in her autograph book. We thought that it was perfect for inside a Valentine.

                                    "The rose of the valley may wither,

The pleasures of youth pass away,

But friendship will blossom forever

While all other flowers decay."

Isn't that sweet?

Here is my "little" one happy with her creation.

So if you have some ephemera lying around your house, maybe you can gather it together, sit and relax, and make some collectible ephemera for your loved ones.

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Massages and Smiles

Last night as part of my husband and my Valentine celebration night out, we went to see the Chinese masseuses (is that the plural?).

Now if you have never had the pleasure of receiving a massage, I feel for you! My husband and I receive a massage regularly by the same woman. But a visit to the Chinese people, well, that is a special treat. Now if you are what I call a "martyr"Christian and do not "believe" in such "self pleasures" then please do not comment to me on the sin of self indulgence. Not only is a massage one of life's great joys but considered a commodity to physical and mental health by my husband and I.

So we walked the mall briskly with determination to find our pleasure makers. Soon we find the Chinese man (unusually large in stature for a Chinese man, thus I nick-named him the Chinese man with the big hands) smiling brightly to us. "You like a massa-?" Ireply, "Is there just one of you tonight?" See, I had envisioned my husband and I relaxing side by side. Well, table beside table. He looks at me blankly and I can tell that I am not being understood. I point to my husband and I and say, "Two of us." He looks out into the mall in search of what I understand to be his partner. "Bathroom." I continue trying to communicate about hitting certain problems areas, but pointing to the areas is enough. Past experience in my attempts to engage him in small talk proved no more fruition except toothy smiles on his part. So with the three of us understanding that the "two" of us want a 45 minute massage, my husband lies down.

I have mentioned this Chinese man with the big hands before on Facebook. I have been his visitor a few times having been left with a spectacular experience of relaxation. This time I sacrificed my own satisfaction and "let" my husband go to him. He has chronic neck and back problems and I wanted him to experience a body massage with the big strong hands making my husband's physique into pliable putty! I was in no less hands as I was lying at the table next to him getting massaged by a Chinese woman.




Situated in a small store site at our local mall the dimly lighted massage place is still enticing. Yet, one wonders at first how relaxing the experience can be with mall shoppers bustling about yards away. Kids yelling, adults yelling occasionally for that matter. But soon the soothing music being played and as the massaging strokes begin I DO relax and I think that I even enter that Alpha state of complete relaxation. Her hands work like a therapeutic machine in waves and strokes moving over every muscle, even in muscles that I did not know I had. I will not go into more of a pictured description except to say that I could almost feel liquid endorphins flowing through my body. You have to try it.



After 45 minutes my husband and I stood feeling almost as though in another world. We were completely relaxed and gave a big smile and "Thank you" to our two attendants. After all I realized they understood THAT.





So my pondering points for today?





ENJOY the good things life offers.





ENJOY them with the ONE you Love.





And always SMILE- it is the universal welcome and endorphin giver.

Journaling

What have I been up to since my last post?

taking son to get his wisdom teeth out, starting to exercise to my new Zhumba Wii, making lots of roasts with mashed potatoes and gravy, doing bookkeeping for our businesses, writing out lessons for my children, teaching them some, chauffeuring to dance and piano lessons, finishing the new book by Beverly Lewis, bought Ree Drummond's new cookbook and love story (thought that would be a great read over Valentine's Day), washing dishes, taming the never-ending laundry pile, feeding our Golden, going out to dinner with friends, making tea to stay warm, loving the bright snowy outside, doctor appointments, dentist appointments (oh I hope that I do not need a root canal!), hosting football parties, scrap booking with my daughter, visiting my aunt (who is more of a sister), preparing lessons-again, getting my son's portfolio ready for his graduation, more bookkeeping- constant bookkeeping, date with my husband tonight!

The usual daily stuff, LIFE stuff...so I have not been writing....think that I will try something new...I will try journaling something, anything to get myself to blog consistently. Only do not hold me to it! Well, your input probably would motivate me!

I think about writing...but life is happening always and I do not always stop to ponder and cement my thoughts into black-and-white. Well, feeble start this is; but I will try.

Appropriate quote from my daily calendar:

"What you will do maters. All you need is to do it." -Judy Grahn

Glorius Sun

This is a re-post, but still gives encourages me....hope it will you.

I sat early morning meditating, praying, thinking on His majesty. Just then a brilliant beam of gold glow shone through the window over the top of the loveseat where I was sitting and targeted my eyes. I turned to the source to see the sun beaming horizontally toward me from over the crest of the mountains. It was as though He was saying, "Just as My eye is on the sparrow-understand, I SEE you." My prayers presently seemed to travel directly to the throne room. And yet not need to travel at all because He is here.

After writing this I look again outside. The golden glow is rising, now softening its brilliance to meld into the now lightened blue sky. These are the only colors of this wintry palette except for my husband's vintage red Ford truck, adding to the poetry of the scene. The trees, bushes, and houses are all a monochrome color of dark umbers. Everything is coated with fresh white, powdery snow which arrived for a visit last night. The sun beams reflect in a snowflake here and there like shiny crystals in a beach of sand.

It is calm.

It is peaceful.

The silent song resonates to my soul, "I am here watching over you." I eat of this spiritual manna.

I am full and content.
I am ready for this day.

"A Public Day of Thanksgivng"

I am thankful that I live in a country in which its Founding Fathers led the people in the worship and honor of our Creator. Read George Washington's "Proclamation for a National Thanksgiving"....http://wilstar.com/holidays/wash_thanks.html Oh that once again we would experience America's leaders offering unadulterated credence in the One True Christian God. That we would render service to "that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, of that will be".

"Then do not grasp the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life."

~Robert L. Stevenson

I like to grasp for the stars. To aquire beyond myself. To strive after more than just myself. To touch what seems impossible. And yet admittedly....isn't life almost entirely made up of small moments? ordinary tasks, usual routines?

I read the above quote as I was preparing refreshments for our LOV bible study. I thought, "How appropriate!" The smell of pumpkin cookies baking, the creamy texture of the dip, the light of an Autumn colored candle, the sounds of praise coming from a favorite CD, prayers being offered up for the ladies that I would fellowship with later in the evening.

"THIS is the sweetness of life."

What is the common work that you will be laboring at today? the daily duties? Will you be changing dirty diapers? making lunch for your children? ironing shirts for your husband? typing the papers up for your boss? Are you considering the service of those duties as the "sweetness of life"? Content in your moment of NOW?

Words of JOY

Words. They speak to us every which way we look. Shouting announcements of horror, tales of despair, messages of hope and joy. I choose to read the messages of hope and joy.

I love words and their power to transform our minds. That is the reason that I strategically place words in my home- for myself, my family, and visitors. -messages of life and joy. Being a visual person I prefer the words to be placed in a pretty format. When Dayspring offered the attendees at The Relevant conference three of their items if we would only write about them on our blogs, I chose those below.

I am so excited for the month of December; I am poised at the starting lane ready to take off towards the Christmas season as soon as the heralding fire of the day after Thanksgiving blasts! The linens read "Jesus is the gift". How fitting is that? In my kitchen is a shelf on which four baskets sit. Every season I change the tea towels that are covering (the "stuff" in them) with appropriate colored ones. These pretty tea towels and oven mitts will decorate my kitchen perfectly for the Christmas season. My daughter has been writing the scriptures that we are memorizing on the ceramic message board. I love the vintage look and neutral color of it; it will be a permanent fixture in our kitchen.

Dayspring is like-minded in my view of words. They have many more beautiful products with that same intention of bringing beauty and words of joy to you and your home. Visit their store and see for yourself. Dayspring.com

Melodic Adulation

Was it just yesterday that I read "the roar of many waters...peals of thunder" praising our God? Last night I had the great pleasure of attending a choir concert performing Handel's "Messiah". The quaint, cozy chapel housing embellished carved wood buttresses and gilded religious embellishments was the perfect setting. I drank in the music like water to a thirsty soul- it was aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual.

Then the melodies, harmonies, and everything in between the weaving notes rose to the apex; it was time for the "Hallelujah" chorus. As per tradition for the last almost 270 years, the audience rose to our feet. The singing parts rolled upon each other as the euphonious sound filled space of the chapel with moving song. It is said that when Handel wrote this chorus heaven itself was opened for his view; I say, "How could it not have been?" That melodic heralding of praise to our Lord invigorates the mind and heart and body; I wanted to shout, "Yes! Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords! And He shall reign forever!".

And this was the sounds from only twenty-five chorus members! I thought of the verse that I read yesterday morning and I imagined throngs of heavenly hosts and throngs of saints gathered around the throne giving adulation as "waves of mighty waters and peals of thunder"! Hallelujah!

These thoughts lift my spirits with hope and expectancy. What a wonderful way for the Christmas season to dawn.

The roar of many waters and peals of thinder....

This morning I read something that stirred my spirit so much I wanted to start shouting and dancing....I want to share it with you too so as you carpool your kids today, wash dirty dishes, and fold clean underwear, your heart and mind will be transpired with lofty dreams of bliss~

"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
'Hallelujah! for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure'- for the linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God." -Revelation 19:6-9

Have you been invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb? Are you an excited betrothed bride waiting expectantly for our Bridegroom? Imagine, Beloved, the day of the Great Feast when we with the multitudes as vast as the grains of sand raise our voices as the roar of many rushing, crashing waves in exultation of our Lord! Blessed be that day which may come sooner than we think. Let us live purposefully and expectantly today...

Lessons for Life

In lessons with my girls (I use the word "lessons" instead of home-schooling) I have them memorizing verses. I choose the verses that form the foundations of our faith or character issues that we need to work on. Considering the attitudes that have been visiting our home when correction is taking place, I chose this verse for this week.

"My son (daughter) despise not the chastening of the Lord;
neither be weary of His correction:
For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth;
even as a father a son in whom he delighteth."
-Proverbs 3:11-12 KJ

"That's so good!", I thought. My children need to understand that I correct them because I love them. I am not "being mean"; I have their best interest at heart- their characters. Immediately I felt the Holy Spirit whisper, "And you need to know that too."

Oh! How I enjoy thinking that I am beyond needing correction! That I am already spiritually mature. How arrogant. My eyes are not focused on my Most Holy God when I have such-self righteous thoughts. But gently, as a Father with his daughter that he delights in, chastens and corrects me. He points me to the right persective.

I revel in the truth that He delights in me!

Yet again as I teach my children I myself am being taught.

Is there something that you are in the place of being the teacher and the student right now? Share it with me....

In the NOW

Hello dear Ladies Of Virtue! The autumn air is cold and crisp. Leaves twirl their last dance to the ground as I am reminded of the fast flipping pages of the calendar. Thanksgiving day is in three short weeks and Christmas- yes, CHRISTMAS- in about seven! (Not soon enough for my girls). With the days whirling by us let us take today and pause in the moment of NOW. Let us therefore live TODAY with purpose of mind and passion of heart. That is the by-line of
Ladies Of Virtue- pursuing biblical femininity with purpose and passion. In the soon future I plan to write more of LOV's heart. For today (I remind myself) focus on the moments, the minutes, the hours, that make today- TODAY- with conscious attention, being present in the now and having the understanding that our most blessed Savior is ever with us. Enjoy your DAY.

Arise from bed

The day after I come home from the Relevant Conference. Can I get out of bed? Can I place my feet on the floor and move towards my life? Why is it so hard for me? "Nicol, people are depending on you. Your family, your children need you to pray the prayers that you utter while everyone else is still asleep."

Faithless thoughts tumble to the forefront of my mind, "But does it matter?"

"Your son drove himself to church yesterday."

"He DID, didn't he?" I have been praying for him and, "Yes!- He went to church yesterday." That is evidence that my Father hears- He really hears! And now that I think of it. Just last week I prayed that God would show me one- just one- sign for good to encourage me. And that was it- a clear sign .

So I do have reason to rise out of bed. I have a necessity to put my feet on the floor. It is imperative that I awaken with purpose in my soul because others are depending on me. Others need my prayers. Others lives are changed because I connect with Holy Spirit on their behalf. And so with these thoughts I push away the warm, cozy covers and rise into the crisp cool air with purpose....

Creating....

I have been thinking that to be authentic I need more alone time. Time to meditate, ponder, time to create...Oh, if I could just get up early (and not need a nap Later)! Father, show me how and when I can make time to create and write...

New Beginnings

Hello Ladies, Today is a great day for "New Beginnings" because this is the day the Lord has made! He makes all things new and all old things are passed away. (1Corinthians 5:17) Today live- in the moment...stop the busy activity and focus on ONE thing at a time-maybe it is the glass that you are washing, the shirt that you are folding, or looking into the eyes of your child while they excitedly express their thoughts to you.

Concerning "Fit for Life"- forget yesterday...and be filled today with God's Holy Spirit.