Leigh's Blankies

About 9 months ago, a friend of mine from high school who lives back East sent me an email asking if I had heard of this man's story because they are a local Christian family who lost his wife; his three children's mother in a car accident.

I sat and read his blog for a very long time that day, with tears streaming down my face. It was so raw and so real and just so possible for any one of us to experience. I went to church that week and asked for prayer for this family. They were always on my heart and my mind.

Fast forward a few months later, and I saw on the blog that Leigh Ann's best friend Andra started up an awesome organization called "Leigh's Blankies". You can read all about her story here

One Saturday recently, my husband and the kids and I were out and about and stopped by a yard sale in our neighborhood. I hopped out of the car really quick to take a peak and saw a sign talking about "Leigh's Blankies". I spoke out loud my thoughts and low and behold, I was meeting the sweet woman who started this! 

(an orphanage in Haiti just received 20 new blankets!)

This same yard sale raised $750.00 for Leigh's Blankies. This week, Andra got a request in for an order of 70 xl boys' blankets. The cost to make these blankets? 756.00! Totally God! 

God is using them to do great and mighty things for children around the world by providing blankets and spreading His love! It is exciting! They are in need of donations, Sewers (they have kits that can be picked up and completed at home and brought back!) and any help you would like to give. PLEASE "like" their facebook! I can not wait to get involved in this God-led group helping others out and I am so excited to see what God has in store!

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Let It Rain

Last night,  the kids and I were driving and a song came on that asks God to "let it rain" and to "open the flood gates of Heaven".

 My oldest asked me why would we sing a song to ask God for it to rain? It boggled his mind why we would want it to rain if we don't need it.  I explained to him that when we sing that song, we are asking God to show us His love, and that its to "pour down on us" of how much He loves us, and that we feel it. I explained to him that opening the flood gates would be a rushing out of love, like water running really fast.

Today, God answered a prayer, one that has been on my mind for two years at least. Sometimes, I feel like when I pray for something, when it's not answered right away, or the way I want it to be, that it gets discouraging. Last night, I wrote a journal entry in a book I have that was almost two years to the date of a previous entry dealing with the same problem. I prayed about it, seeking to find an answer. I woke up this morning, praying, thinking, seeking. God always sends a message at the right time, because during a conversation today, He gave me an answer on how to deal with it. Although I still don't know what He is trying to teach me through this, I learned one important thing that I think we don't realize. Just because God says to give it to Him and He will help us through, does not mean at that point dealing with the problem is easy! Maybe this is just totally obvious to you, but it was a giant light bulb to me. I always think, "Well, I gave it to God. Why am I still dealing with it? He didn't answer that prayer." Then, like the song, I saw His glory. I felt His love. The problem won't go away over night, but thank You, Lord for helping me through it. Today, I felt You rain down Your love, and I felt the flood gates open. 






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Kitchen door words of wisdom

Taken with my camera phone.

I love that when you leave, its the last thing you see!

(PS, Galatians is spelled wrong in the picture. I fixed it :) and I also felt pretty dumb when my husband pointed it out. haha)

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Love for the Father

Hi guys! I just wanted to post this written by my husband. Really stops and makes you think.

I saw a video today that flat messed me up man...had me working really hard to not let the people around me know that I was flat out sobbing!

A few years ago, I don't think that a video like that would have really affected me, probably because I'm getting old and soft...and because I have kids now. The video is of soldiers coming home to their kids and loved ones and surprising them. Some of the reactions are absolutely priceless...raw...just real...

It makes me think about my kids and how (most of the time) they are happy to see me when I get home from work and I'm only gone for hours. I can't imagine what the people who have been away from home for long extended periods of time must feel!

Why do I or those people in the video feel that way? Cause we love our kids or family members and they love us. I know this because I had my wife ask my boys if they love me. My youngest son said "he loves me because he wants to fight me". nice (you'd have to know jj) and the oldest said he loves me because I'm the best builder (recently built them a new loft bed). Not exactly the perfect illustration I was looking for, but at least they didn't say no right?

As a Christian, love should take on many different meanings for us...it should be central to everything we do and who we are. Jesus said love God with all that you are...and love your neighbor...

Paul said that the love of Christ "compeled" them...some translations say "controls" them...later in the text it talks about being a new creation...the idea that everything they did as a Christian was because the love that Jesus showed them...not because it was "the Christian thing to do" or because they were afraid of judgement (there is no fear in love 1 john 4:18). I had to ask myself is this how I live my life? Does the love of Christ compel me?

2 Cor 5:14 ‘For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.’ ¹⁵and he died for all,^V)">(V) that those who live might no longer live for themselves but^W)">(W) for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Do I live as an actual child of God? Is that a mindset, something I know, or just some type of metaphor to me?

Do I live my life everyday realizing the love that God has for me that He showed me through Jesus?

Do I live my life for myself?

Do (live like) I know that there is no greater love?

Do (live like) I know that Jesus loves me as much as He loves The Father?

Do (live like) I know that The Father loves me as much as He loves His Son?

Do I live like He's coming back?

Ephesians 5:1-2 [1] Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:9-10 ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.’

John 17:23 ‘I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’

John 14:2,3 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

I read this question in a book and it sticks with me:

“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”

yikes...

so to get back to that video that I mentioned in the beginning...would I have that same type of real, crazy emotion in my heart if I saw Jesus...if I got to heaven and saw Him...and could just run up to Him with a huge bear hug, or have my emotions just start pouring out...would that be my first reaction?

Here's the video... http://www.godtube.com/featured/video/part-2-soldiers-surprising-their-loved-ones

Peace.

(much love to all the service members out there...)

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What are you doing?

As Americans, for the most part, we have a lot. Even those that don't have a lot really do have a lot. Lately, its been on both my husband's and my own heart to do more. We are told to do more. James 1:27 tells us  ^{"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."}

I'm not going to lie, money is tight right now.  But at the end of the day, we have a home, two vehicles, we have food to feed our children, food for ourselves and we have clothes. God always provides for us. Sometimes, something as simple as the air conditioner or getting water from the fridge makes me stop and just thank God for blessing us. Healthy children are something else we just can't take for granted. 

I encourage you to watch this video. I guarantee you will be moved. It is a long video, so I would let it load and then start watching it at 3:45 minutes in. 

Then, check out this. I am excited to do this with Jaden.  Jaden will be able to grow up helping someone his own age from another place. Hopefully Jackson will in a couple of years, and then Ellie.  Because as tight as money is right now, there is a way for us to do what we are told as Christians. God always provides.

My grandfather did this, faithful in sponsoring, even when my grandma doubted it was legitimate. After he passed, my grandma still continues to do this, and together they have done this for a child for 13 years. She still regulary gets mail froom her and she is about 18 years old now. How neat to be able to watch her grow up like that, while helping her too!

Just something to think about.

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Don't Push My Buttons! -guest post

My husband, Micah, wrote something this morning after being asked an interesting question. So, he is "guest posting" today with his answer to "What do you do when someone is pushing your buttons?"

DONT PUSH MY BUTTONS!!

Someone recently asked me, "does anyone ever push my buttons or what do i do if they push my buttons".  I said "they don't" and then laughed cause we all know, that's not a very likely answer.  I didn't really get a chance to answer the question and it's been in my head...what do I do?

I used to let this happen to me A LOT.  I used to be a different person, too though.  How I dealt with it and the thinking behind the response are two different issues, I think.  First, depending on how hard you pushed my buttons, a couple of different things would happen.  I can share a few different examples (unfortunately). 

When I used to play ball all the time and someone would try to get me, I would start playing extremely hard.  Do everything I could to score, or stop someone from scoring...start playing rough and fouling...start talking a lot of trash. 

If someone was just trying to mess with me in a general setting, I would have most likely gone off in one of two possible ways (equally as nasty).  A) You would have probably gotten an ugly little string of expletives running right at you in a who do you think you are sense... or B) An all out verbal assault of put downs and insults flying at you like a rabid cat on crack.  Both of which unfortunatly could just flow right out of my nasty little mouth all too naturally.

Probably my most common response is, I would be done with you.  You could expect to not hear from me anymore at all.  I had this strange little tick where I could literally not talk.  For hours, days, weeks...maybe even months, and just shut anyone out.

Here's the one that I am working on right now...and it hurts my feelings to even talk about it.  My kids...  Sometimes, my fuse is way too short.  There are times when anger needs to be shown, so young ones can learn, but this is not always the case.  If one of my boys doesn't listen when I'm asking them to do something I can start yelling, or have been known to grab someone and physically move them into my face so I can "talk" to them.   

Now that my business is out there, let's talk about MY responses and reasons and maybe they can help you a little bit.  WARNING:  I'm writing from a Christian perspective, so if you can't handle Biblical truth and you need help, this might be the time to go find Dr. Phil's blog.

If you look at the underlying common theme, it's pride.  The nasty little beast, kind of like the orange hunger monster from the weight watchers commercials.

Here's how he sounds... 

How dare they treat you like that?  Don't they know who you are?  Do you they think they have the right to hurt your feelings?  Don't they know that you are better than they are and do not have time to be bothered with their nonsense?  That was dumb.  They are just stupid and annoying.  Can you believe they have the audacity to be so lame around you.  They had better listen and respond to you NOW.  You ARE the parent!  Go ahead, LET THEM HAVE IT!  In the words of Maximus "Unleash Hell!"

Yeesh.  How ugly is that right?  But isn't that really what we do when we say someone is -"pushing MY buttons"?  My certain set of conditions and circumstances that you are not allowed to violate? 

What does the Bible say about pride?  Pride goes before the fall?

Yeah, but let's look at the actual scripture: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty (disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant) spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. -Proverbs 16:18-19

Then we try to play it off by saying, no it's not really pride...whatever just bugged me...and we create more cool little sayings, like I just need to blow off some steam and I'm ok.  Go ahead and try justify what you are doing.

The Bible says that God HATES pride Proverbs 8:13 (that's right, look it up).  The danger is that pride can and will keep you away from God.  

The wicked in his pround countence (appearance) does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. -Psalms 10:4

Jesus said humility is what God seeks:  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:3

If you want to know what kind of damage your verbal retaliations are you can read James.

Don't get me wrong...there are times to be upset about things, but I'm guessing most of those don't all under the general "pushing my buttons" heading. 

What I do is pray for patience, and when I start to get upset...instead of the old stand by counting to 10, I count the fruits of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.  If you make it through those and are still upset, you better hit your knees now cause you have a few more issues going on!

Ultimately we need to realize we are nothing apart from God.  All glory in our lives has to go to Him.  If we can make this our focus, our pride will start to shrink, and I think that people pushing our buttons will become less of and then no issue at all.

Peace.

Micah

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Love One Another

Instead of just focusing on the romantic love, take this day to love everyone you come in contact with.

John 13:34-35 (New King James Version)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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Rainy Day Thoughts

Internet was down, life was happening, and posting didn't!

I was looking at scrapbooks with the boys the other day and sharing our past special moments with them, realizing how cool it is to have some of our stories and moments captured. 

This led to me to realize that out of all of the books we have made, I have't shared nearly as many pages on my blog! I will be sharing some of my favorites here and there. Some older maybe not as "hip" pages, but special pages to us.  

In other news, this past week, I have been busy sewing, creating and getting ready for boutiques and etsy shop updates. I can't wait to share!

And ending thoughts: this weekend, as we focus on the Ressurection of Jesus, I am so thankful for our family that God has blessed me with, our health, the roof over our head, the clothes on our back and the food on our table. He provides us with everything we need, including our salvation if we choose to follow Him.  

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Stop and Smell the Roses

Mmm they smell so good! I went and cut a bunch of roses from our bushes this morning after breakfast and arranged them in a jar for our desk. I am sitting here smelling them now.  I love Spring.

There is a lot to get done today and there is a lot of potential to get stressed out over some of the things that need to get done today, but I know that I don't have to. God is in control. 

Psalm 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

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Don't worry!

What a beautiful day! Spring is in the air! We Arizonians are enjoying not having the heat just quite yet (although we were teased with some last week and I couldn't take it anymore and turned the ac on a couple of days in a row). 

One of the things I really struggle with is worrying. Ugh. Worry.  Money, family issues, health. And you turn on the news, and that never helps.

God is so good to us, though!

Matthew 6:25

 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

 ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

One of my favorite flowers are daffodils. There is just something so magical about them.

The other day, I bought two pitiful bunches of daffodils for 1.50 a piece. There were ten in each bunch. They were not stored in water or anything, just cut, bundled and laid in a pile. I thought, "why not." I never buy cut flowers because I prefer them in the pot so they grow grow grow but this was  just too hard to resist. I wanted to see what happened with this sad bunch of daffodils.

I got them home, cut the ends off and stuck them in water, and in just a few hours, they had bloomed. So beautiful!

It's so hard to not worry, because we want to be in control.  But knowing that my God can do something as simple as opening these flowers to show their beauty, I know that I am loved so much more than that. I need to give Him full control. He takes care of everything, even if its not in our time line, even if its not how we want it. He knows best.

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Pray for Baby Stellan

His story has touched me a few months ago before he was born. Please click on the button to read their blog. And pray for this miracle of God!

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While I was focused on the obvious...

This week, I studied John 14-John 16 by a suggestion from my husband. The next day at Bible study, these passages were referenced. I thought to myself, "wow, thats wild!" and tried to dismiss it. Maybe not intentionally....maybe so. Later, when my husband wanted to talk about how Bible study dealt with feelings and thoughts I have had this week, I kind of swept it under the rug. The thoughts and feelings kept coming up, and I kept praying about it.

This afternoon after a long discussion brought about by God no doubt, (certainly not from my own doing) , I came home trying to wrap my mind and heart around everything. Everything I have been feeling, everything that was talked about, everything I am focusing on.

I went outside to think about things (which I don't do minus watching the boys and watering the garden). I went and sat down by my garden. I needed to get outside and away from the housework, the computer, the other stuff that was wanting my attention. I needed to pray.

I started thinking again about what it is I focus on, and what I want my focus to be on. I looked at the garden, and saw what has been growing from seeds. I saw how much they have sprouted just from attention that has been given to them. Then I looked over at my tomato plants. I have three. A very tall one, and two small ones. All this time, I have been focusing on the taller one. Its always had more height and flowers to it. I was told it would produce a lot of fruit. So I watched it, not paying much attention to the smaller plants.

While I was focusing on the tall and obvious one....the one that showed itself more, but yet started to wilt.... the less obvious surprised me with fruit. Three small, but healthy looking fruit.


It took me by surprise. God then guided me back to John 15. Wow.

John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

What do I need to focus on? The answer is simple: God first, my husband and then my children. The rest will follow. I am one who can do 15 things at once. Micah laughs at me because I can sew and iron as the laundry is washing, cook while put dishes away, entertain the boys while sending a text and taking pictures of it all happening at once. I can get a lot done during the day. But I see my focus shifting. And while that might terrify me because of the changes at hand, I know that the less obvious will bear more fruit and become more obvious to me than before. Pin It

Life is but a vapor

First off, today was a convicting day. The sermon from church really struck me, and then we went to a memorial service for a coworker of Micah's this afternoon.  He was only 29. 29 is so young, and so unexpected. It really makes  you think about whats going on in your own life and your own heart, because you just don't know when its your time. Time is so much shorter than we think. 

 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14

...and a picture.... because time really does fly.

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Love Your Enemies

I was dealing with getting my feelings hurt  (come on, we all deal with it) and my husband showed me this video. It has a pretty strong message. 

No matter how "thick skinned" you may seem or feel you are, no matter how much they hurt you, its still one of the hardest things to do when you get your feelings hurt. Love your enemies. And lets face it. Everyone gets hurt by someone. It may only happen once in awhile, or it may happen a lot, but no matter what the case may be, love your enemies. 

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.... Jesus. Matthew 5:44

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Spring Cleaning

Well, thank goodness February is over! February wasn't a bad month or anything, but it was "heavy" feeling. Really heavy. Really hectic. I feel like with this new month means a fresh outlook. A light and happy month. 

My baby turns 2 in 2 and a half weeks. It's so wild to me how fast the last two years...no four years have flown by. My kids speed up time. My husband and I always joke that time goes too fast whenever we are together....so the kids are making it go double time! Wait until we add more to the mix! (Not now.) I spent the evening working on an art piece for our kitchen and enjoyed watching the videos from our children's births, first steps and laughter, and all the other beautiful (and not so beautiful) moments we have captured. 

With Spring comes cleaning and organizing, fresh flowers, orange blossoms, green grass, new garden, the windows open, flip flops and other fun light things. 

Although I accomplished a lot on my goals of February list, this month I am not going to do a list. I am also not going to stress about posting every single day...I still might....I might post a couple of times one day, and other days might get skipped. Don't get me wrong, I will still be me :) Crafting, sewing, baking, photography...just creating. I have a lot on my mind, a lot on my heart, and I need to spring clean. March brings new life and I am going to focus on the life that my God has given me.  

I am focusing on my relationship with Christ, my marriage and my children, my physical health, relationships in my life that are good and not so good and... me. (and I do hope to update the etsy shop more because I have so many fun new sewing projects in mind for it! ;o)). I am seeking answers that I constantly pray about but maybe expect to be solved with a wiggle of a nose, rather than me following through on my end.  So maybe it won't be as light and happy as I hope...but it might! All I know is, I want to Spring Clean.

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Be Still.

Be Still and Know that I Am God

By JASON JACKSON

February 27, 2006 (Christian Courier)

 

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). God’s people are commanded to “be still” in this verse. The imperative gives a solemn duty to those in a covenant relationship with God—Israel in the Old Testament, but today, it is given to Christians (cf.Galatians 3:26-29).

What does it mean when God’s own are commanded to “be still”? The injunction is not given to restrict the mobility of God’s people. The duty represents a spiritual disposition that ought to characterize those to whom God’s unfailing promises have been given.

The word translated “be still” comes from the Hebrew term raphah. This word is found in various forms in the Old Testament, with different shades of meaning. It refers to that which is slack, or to let drop, or in some instances, to be disheartened or weak. When used of a person (as opposed to some inanimate object) it often has a negative connotation.

Interestingly, “be weak” is here commanded. In other contexts, those who let their hands “drop” from work are condemned. Those who are disheartened are commanded to take courage. In contexts where “being still” is condemned, we find that certain obligations were being neglected, and God’s people were admonished to take initiative to fulfill their duties.

Sadly, there are those who are far from “still”; they “do all the work” and give God none of the credit. They believe that by “lifting up their hands” and by “taking courage,” they can survive and thrive by the sweat of their own brow. They can do it all on their own, without any divine dependence.

Here is the irony in this term “be still.” While we must take the initiative to fulfill our responsibilities and live our lives, the uncertainties of living in a world of sin and woe will continually challenge us. Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God (cf. James 4:13-17).

This command—“be still”—forces us to think on two things: that we are finite, and that God is infinite. That being the case, we need to drop our hands, go limp, relax, and “chill out.” Christian people ought to “come, behold the works of Jehovah,” (v. 8) that we may enjoy a calm confidence in him who gave us his Son.

“Shall he not also with him freely give us all things?” Paul reasoned (Romans 8:32). Psalm 46:10 encourages us to reflect on what God can do in the face of what we are unable to do.

Spiritual serenity, the psalmist admits, ought to be cultivated in spite of the shaking mountains and agitated waters (vv. 2-3; i.e., figures for the difficulties we face in life). This spiritual calm, that God commands, does not come from a lack of troubles; it derives from a steady, deep reflection on the ways God has intervened in history on behalf of his people (cf. Romans 15:4).

So as your world crumbles around you, the call from Scripture is: don’t flinch in faith in God. Stand still—not because of a self-made confidence, not because you are the most composed person in the face of disaster, not because “you’ve seen it all.” Be still because of what you know about God.

It is “God’s past” that provides calm for “our future.” Know that he is God! Know it, not merely intellectually, but practically, spiritually, and emotionally. He is your God. He is the ruler of kingdoms of this earth and the all-powerful Creator of the Universe.

If you are the last man or woman standing, be still. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth do change” (Psalm 46:1-2a). Hallelujah!

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2009 Plans/Resolutions

I never like to make resolutions because I can never seem to keep them!

I am planning on working on a few things this coming year. Some of these things are (in no particular order)...

• getting in shape
• eating better as a family
  
• working on and continuing our goals of "being green"
• learning to knit
• getting to know my camera better
  
• drawing closer to God
• working on our finances
• being more thrifty

One thing I am excited to be working on is keeping a book for myself for the whole year. Thoughts I have, stories to tell, events I go through, etc. Along with this will be my picture a day goal. Each day I will take one picture that represents the day, my thoughts, whatever is going on in my head! I am hoping it catches on and it is something I can stick with throughout the years. What a neat thing to be able to look back on as we raise our family and live life!

What kind of resolutions or plans do you have? Do you stick with them? Pin It

God's the the TRUE artist!

Just look at this masterpiece! I was out in the garage talking to Micah and saw a very different looking glow over the nieghborhood. I went out back to see what was going on, and saw this!

Completely straight out of the camera. I was afraid I was going to miss it, so I hurried with the shot. No picture could have captured this beauty.

Its something special when both boys wake up from their nap and come out and see this sunset seperately and react all on their own. Between the wonder of a child and this gorgeous light, there is no denying the faithfulness of God!

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Monday Morning Thoughts

This weekend was a difficult one. Sometimes it seems like there is this unknown timeline of when a person should be done grieving. But then it seems like the more we get back into the "regular" routine, the more we grieve.

Yesterday, our very dearest friends lost someone very close to them. She was young, it was extremely unexpected, and now her husband and three children and family and friends are left trying to wrap their heads around everything. Although we didn't know her personally, we see that same face of grief on our friends' faces that we have seen personally for two weeks now.

Did you know grief has a face? A very distinct look. Its hard not to recognize it once you have seen it.

Life can be so ...hard. This is the third loss in the last six weeks of someone close to us. There are so many hurting around me. Unexplained pains and illnesses that doctors can not diagnose. I can count 6 off the top of my head that I know of. 6. in the past three months. 6 illnesses that can not be figured out. Shouldn't doctors have the answers? It doesn't seem possible that this can happen so frequently.

Through the pain, the hurting, the grieving, there is a great Healer. If it wasn't for my faith in God; His comfort, His hope... it would be so impossible to go through these trials. Yet, I know that God can heal the brokenhearted. That we can feel His arms around us. And it gives me peace. Psalm 147:3-5 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."

I know that my blog hasn't been full of crafty fun lately. And for that, I apologize. I have several things going on here that I will be posting soon (and still hoping to launch the Etsy store before Friday). Don't bail on me now! And I have a lot of ideas spinning around in my head. I will talk about Thanksgiving menus, Christmas gifts, my new craft "room" set up, great inspirational emails from friends that thought of me when they read them, and scrapbooking projects, but today, I just want to think about how short our lives really are. How you spend your time is what matters most. What your focus really is.

Thank you friends for being here for me. For your comments you leave me, for the emails you send. For the texts and phone calls, and just for letting me know that you care. You mean so much to me and I appreciate everything. I hope that you know that I am here for each and every one of you if you ever need anything. A shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, prayers lifted up, and an ear to listen. Even if we don't know each other face to face. I am here!

...so, thanks. :)

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My boys really are my "son-shine"-

Today was the funeral... no, thats not the right word for her ...celebration of the life of Grandma Eloise. Now, it seems that our worlds are supposed to resume back to "normal". Our family has to resume back to jobs, homes, and life that was going on before. Normal from last week though is no longer the normal for us.

The boys (Jaden, Jackson and Cousin Deacon) have all been such rays of sunshine through this. Seeing their beautiful smiles and love for life really puts things into a different light.

How can you not smile when you see this guy?

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