More than a friend. . .

Welcome to the first More than a friend Wednesday.
And don't forget also to visit one of my favorite friends Amy for wonderful Wordfilled Wednesday illustrations of God's word.

I hope that you will join us and write today about your friends. Whether they are blogging friends or not. I know that you will agree with me that God has a way of giving us certain friends just when we need them.

Sometimes they are for a season. Sometimes they are for a lifetime.
I have had many friends come and go. There are many friends that come to mind when I hear the song I have on my playlist. Many friends that have meant so much to me.

And over the last few months I have met some great ladies through this wonderful venue of blogging.

One of those friends is Peggy. She has been having some trouble for the last few days with her cable and hasn't been able to post and comment. But today she wrote a post about friends and included a cool button. I checked out her source and came up with this.


Myspace Comments




It was my intention to put up Mr. Linky for today and invite you all to link up and write your post about friends. But I couldn't get Mr. Linky to work. I hope though that you will go ahead and write about your special friends. It would mean so much to me if you would.

Do you have a friend that when your together you feel like you've been with God?
Someone that just brings you joy? Someone that listens to your hurts? Someone that just lets you be you? Maybe someone that just shows you God's love.

Please go ahead and take the photo and write a post about your friends and leave me a comment, and of course let your friends know that you have written about them.


Maybe that special friend needs to feel God's love today.

Maybe today you feel alone. Maybe you are thinking that you don't have anyone that you can really call "friend". Sister, I know how you feel because I feel the same way. I really don't have anyone here that I can call friend. Anyone that I can call and say "I really had a bad day." And that does happen. There are days that I am so scared and frustrated that I don't know what to do. And, those are the days that I realize What a friend I have in Jesus those are the days that I can only lean and trust in his grace and compassion. But those are also the days that I spend some time reading blogs and someone says something that just makes me smile. Something that just lifts my spirit and reminds me that God is in control. That even when I feel lost and alone that God is there to comfort me.

Dear one, if you need God's comfort I urge you to reach out to him. He is there he is waiting. He is waiting. He is offering to be More than a friend he is offering to be father . . .he is offering to be daddy. He is waiting with open arms; because he loves you more than you'll ever know.

It is my prayer that you will reach out to him and accept his love. It is my prayer that something I have written today makes you smile.

Thank you dear friends for sharing your life and your heart. Thank you for sharing God's love.

Thanks so much for coming by. Please leave me a comment and please grab the button and share it with your special friend.

Then Sings my Soul Saturday

Dear Then Sings My Soul Friends,
I am reposting my Wednesday post. This song has really touched me this week as I think about all the people that are important to me. And through this blogging world I meet new friends almost daily. I didn't do a video today but the song should begin playing when my page opens.
I really hope you enjoy this song as much as I did this week. It has been one of my favorites for a long time.
And please take the little button that I made and put it on your blog. Please come back on Wednesday and link up so we can all meet your wonderful friends too.

I am off to take my halfway house girls to the Unveiled Conference. I hope to post some photo's tonight. Many Blessing all and have a great day.

Welcome Friends. I hope you like the new look. I have been so Blessed since I
started blogging. And I have met some great people that have become friends.
Today I wanted to share a few with you and give you all something special.
I tried to figure out how to make a pretty button but that is beyond this newbie.
(Maybe one of my friends will make one. hint.hint.)



Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

The song playing is one that I ran across a few years ago. I just love Watermark.
I hope you enjoy the song. (I am leaving the lyrics at the bottom)

In the order of how they came to mind Amy She hosts wordfilled Wednesday each week. And I depend on her for my posts on Wednesday. Amy has been so amazing that she has allowed me to use her wonderful photography and illustrations of God's words in our ministry. Each week we provide groceries to teenagers and their families. Thank you Amy for being my friend and helping me share God with the disadvantaged.

Then there is Kelli our amazing hostess for Show and Tell Friday. Which btw is one of my favorite days. I suspect Kelli is my longest blogging friend I found her shortly after I started blogging.
She has given me wonderful inspiration. She has the best decorating ideas. I just love stopping in to see her everyday. She is a true inspiration and a sweet friend and encourager.

Rachel just flat makes me smile and encourages me everyday. I love her Simple Things projects/challenges. She is an amazing and entertaining writer. She really helps me remember the job that God has given me to do.

And a few more really sweet friends. These 'sista's are all new friends and the biggest encourager's I have ever met. There is Peggy in Mexico. Nancie in Singapore and home girl Debra in Florida and Carla and Sandra. All these ladies have begun to visit me regularly and leave sweet comments and words of encouragement. Thank you girls.

Have you met wonderful friends and encourager's through blogging?
I would love to hear from you. Please come back next Wednesday and join me. I'll be putting Mr. Linky up late on Tuesday night. Please join me each Wednesday and celebrate friends. I have lots more to add and so if I didn't mention you today please don't be offended. I only had so much time before running out to the food bank. And I needed to save some for next week! Don't forget to come back by; and while your here. Check out Amy's wonderful illustration each week.
Many Blessings,



p.s. Here are the lyrics
(I got these at Christianonline.com)

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...
CHORUS:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...
You have carried me
You have taken upon a burden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold, oh yeah...
A hundredfold, oh yeah

Show and Tell Friday

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Kelli
Today I am sharing one of my favorite things in my kitchen. This is a vintage
hand towel.

This towel was made by mother many years ago. It is actually hand applique. I don't think my mother ever did anything like this again. She was never a quilter.
And stopped sewing when I was in elementary school. She began working full time.
I began cooking the evening meal at our house when I was in 5th grade. My mother worked at Montgomery Wards at night. She would cook the meat and leave in the oven and I was responsible for the rest. I was even allowed to choose the vegtables.
Which BTW was rather funny because once I learned to cook frozen peas and liked them I cooked them a couple of times a week!
Here is another towel that I purchased on Ebay
Can you guess why? Yes the donkey. I love anything that has donkeys on it. I love both of these towels. They are displayed on my kitchen counter. They are called "no no" towels. Cowboy isn't allowed to touch! Do you have a man that spills tomato sauce and grabs a white towel to clean it up? I mean this man drives me crazy there can be a red towel and a white towel on the counter and what does he do? I'll just leave it to your imagination. Have a Blessed Day

Thank you for coming over to see my Show and Tell this morning.

Thankful Thursday

I put the Welcome mat out so come on in and enjoy the day. I have so many favorite days all because of some wonderfully amazing friends that I have found through this fun thing called blogging! I have some sweet tea made and always Dr. Peppers so pour a glass and rest awhile and you know while your here why don't you read my Wednesday post. I am beginning my own meme next Wednesday and I want to invite everyone. Read my post and check it out. And grab the little button I made. It isn't too pretty but it functions! Please pass it on to a friend. It is meant to share.
I am so sorry I got off track as usual...today is one of my favorites because this
is what we do on Thursday
Hosted by the sweet Iris who shared this amazing verse today.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossions 3:16

Today I wish to be Thankful I am praying that God will show me all the many Blessings he has given me and help me to have a more Thankful spirit.

The number one thing that I am thankful for today is like Iri's in fact I am going to steal her words. Iris is thankful for a spring in her step and joy in her heart...I totally understood her post the other day about the sadness and depression she felt when encountering "empty nest". I was there for over a year. It wasn't so much empty nest it was that we were estranged from our wonderful daughter. Because of circumstances totally out of my control we did not see or hear from her for over 6 months at one point. And then in frequently after that for another 9 months. I did not know where she lived. I knew the address and location but I was never allowed to come over.
Like Iris I was empty. I was sad. I cried and I prayed. And I prayed and I cried.
I asked God to take away the saddness and just let me have peace. And there were times that he did give me so peace.
I clung to Psalms 34:18 The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. My heart was broken. My spirit was crushed. And I began to loose faith. You see all this heart ache and saddness was brought on by a conflict within our ministry.
And so I began having to cling to this verse 2 Corinthians 5:7 Live by faith not by sight. I knew in my head that God had a plan and that things would eventually work out. In his timing. But my heart was broken.
Finally afte way longer than I wanted today things are totally back to normal.
And today I am thankful that I see my daughter or talk to her almost everyday.
I even get to babysit the grandbaby.

And starting this week they have gotten into a good routine and she is bringing the baby to my house instead of me going there. So that is a huge thank you God. I can keep the baby and get things done here at home too.

I am also thankful for the friends that I have found through blogging. Friends like Iris,Kelli,Debra,Sandra and many more I wrote about all of them on my Wednesday post.

I am very thankful that last week God provided provision for us through an award that the ministry received. So this week all our bills are paid through November and I have t.v. and inter-net and phone. I could almost do without the t.v. but it is a package deal. And well there are a few shows I like to watch.

I am very thankful and Blessed that God allows me to work in ministry.

I am thankful that God opened doors and provided a new program that begins tomorrow. We will be working at our local food bank with the girls from our Halfway House program.

I am thankful that the weather is beautiful outside and that fall is here. I think it is my favorite season. Living in Texas some of the other seasons are rather extreme.

And I am thankful too that God is patient with me.

And one last thing. I am thankful for my new grandson. That is presently peacefully sleeping! I am off to try and pull some lunch together. Here is a photo collage of just the sweetest baby. At least in my world.



I hope that you enjoyed my Thankful list. And I hope that you have a Blessed Day.
Please come back and visit and don't forget to check out my Wednesday post and pass on the button to your friends.

My New project w/ Kelli

Kelli is hosting a paper crafts project each Thursday. Here are the paper crafts I have been working on this week.

First are bookmarks that I have created to send to the volunteers that work in our ministry.
I used colorful cardstock and calendars with quilts. I cut the quilt photo's into strips and glued onto the cardstock. These bookmarks remind our volunteers to pray for our girls ministry.

Next are place cards for an event that our ministry is hosting next Thursday night at the girls halfway house. I have recruited volunteers to mentor the 20 girls in residence and help the girls have a great holiday time this year. Next Thursday kicks off the 3 month program. These place cards will be at each girls place setting for the dinner.

And last is the new paper art journal that I am writing. I have seen these on other blogs and read about them and decided this week to begin my own. I feel like that writing my thoughts and journaling them and adding the photo illustrations is a legacy for me to leave to my children and grandchildren. They can get a glimpse of
some of the things that are important to me. Things that I like or love but maybe not actually ever accomplish. It is a journal into my heart and soul. And a journal of my dreams.

Thanks for visiting today. And please come back soon. The welcome mat is always out.
And, I really love comments.
Blessings,

Something brought you to my mind . . . Wednesday

Welcome Friends. I hope you like the new look. I have been so Blessed since I
started blogging. And I have met some great people that have become friends.
Today I wanted to share a few with you and give you all something special.
I tried to figure out how to make a pretty button but that is beyond this newbie.
(Maybe one of my friends will make one. hint.hint.)



Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

The song playing is one that I ran across a few years ago. I just love Watermark.
I hope you enjoy the song. (I am leaving the lyrics at the bottom)

In the order of how they came to mind Amy She hosts wordfilled Wednesday each week. And I depend on her for my posts on Wednesday. Amy has been so amazing that she has allowed me to use her wonderful photography and illustrations of God's words in our ministry. Each week we provide groceries to teenagers and thier families. Thank you Amy for being my friend and helping me share God with the disadvantaged.

Then there is Kelli our amazing hostess for Show and Tell Friday. Which btw is one of my favorite days. I suspect Kelli is my longest blogging friend I found her shortly after I started blogging.
She has given me wonderful inspiration. She has the best decorating ideas. I just love stopping in to see her everyday. She is a true inspiration and a sweet friend and encourager.

Rachel just flat makes me smile and encourages me everyday. I love her Simple Things projects/challenges. She is an amazing and entertaining writer. She really helps me remember the job that God has given me to do.

And a few more really sweet friends. These 'sista's are all new friends and the biggest encouragers I have ever met. There is Peggy in Mexico. Nancie in Singapore and home girl Debra in Florida and Carla and Sandra. All these ladies have begun to visit me regularly and leave sweet comments and words of encouragement. Thank you girls.

Have you met wonderful friends and encouragers through blogging?
I would love to hear from you. Please come back next Wednesday and join me. I'll be putting Mr. Linky up late on Tuesday night. Please join me each Wednesday and celebrate friends. I have lots more to add and so if I didn't mention you today please don't be offended. I only had so much time before running out to the food bank. And I needed to save some for next week! Don't forget to come back by; and while your here. Check out Amy's wonderful illustration each week.
Many Blessings,



p.s. Here are the lyrics
(I got these at Christianonline.com)

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...
CHORUS:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...
You have carried me
You have taken upon a burden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold, oh yeah...
A hundredfold, oh yeah

Word Filled Wednesday

Welcome to a beautiful Wednesday. Amy reminds us how beautiful God's word is. Below is her illustration.

The New Fall Look

I found a new look here
I just love the new look. Do you? I found Lena over at someone else blog today. I am sorry I don't remember where I was. She is drawing tomorrow for a free custom template and I really hope I win. Wouldn't it be cool for the new shop?

I really do like this new look. I am still working on getting everything put back on because I lost some stuff when it changed over. So, I guess I'll be putting this in that category of dummies at blogging!
Please, please leave me a comment and let me know how you like it!
Thanks for stopping in.
Smiles,
Sherry

The Simple Womans Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...Bright sunshine. I love to wake up in the morning and just thank God for anoter beautiful day. I love to see the sun up. I don't think it is morning if the sun is not shinning. You early morning ladies are better woman than I! LOL

I am thinking...I have a million things that I wish to get done today but I have a smile on my face because the sun is shinning and some of the things I want to do are getting done.

From the learning rooms...Still working on the family blog. We are all in agreement on doing the Bible memory together. Our daughter even suggested a weekly three way call so we can all recite to each other. It makes me smile to see thier enthusiasm. Our son the intellectual one wanted to know if the blog allowed comments so he could write a commentary. I had to slow him down a little and tell him to focus on his sons learning first then once we are all doing well with the memory verses we can dig deeper!

I am thankful for...the provision that God provided last week for us and the ministry. And for the new freezer that was donated to the ministry and for the meat and vegtables donated to us!

From the kitchen...not ground venison. That is all we have been having because that
was all that there was in the freezer but we had chicken last night and brocolli.
God provided.

I am wearing...the denim shorts I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Mine are frayed on the hem too. How does that happen on a pair of shorts? But they are comfy especially since I can wear them again. A red thin t-shirt that I wear when it is hot and brown Clarks slides that I wear around the house and outside which I shouldn't but they need to be polished anyway.

I am reading...research material for the ministry

I am hoping...that our daughter can find God's solution to her job search. I am also praying about this because none of us really know God's plan here. Basically it affects us all since I keep the baby.

I am creating...an online fabric shop. I missed my goal of opening today but hopefully by the end of the week. The distraction...I was recruited to sew a curtain for the babies room. At least I created something. Hopeful to post pic's soon.


I am hearing...the dishwasher and a bird outside. I love living in the country.
Last night we listened to someone doing target practise. Cowboy loved it. Men are weird.

Around the house...still organizing and moving furniture. Just about the time we got settled in new (to us) furniture arrives. We got the crib a couple of weeks ago so had to re-arrange. Then last week an old friend gave them a desk and shelf. And when we went to pick up found out there were two desks. So both came home. I can't wait till they buy a house! They plan to move in March so I'll be moving things around again.

One of my favorite things...Cowboy left a few minutes ago to do a bunch of errands that will last most of the day. I love being in the house alone. I seem to get more done. A busy day I will have!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Meetings and working. We are busy with our fall ministry programs. And making plans and working on budgets etc. for 2009 programs. God continues to affirm this work. I pray for patience and strength to get through the rough parts.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



We received this award last week from Peggy
I wrote all about it on my Sunday post check it out!

Have a great Simple week.

Daisy received an Award!

Do you think your dog is The Best Dog in the World? I am sure all of us dog lovers would probably be able to say that and probably get into some strong discussions on the topic. But I really do think that my dog is the best and here's why!


Because she is so patient with her inept at photography and computers owner for 1!

I learned the other day how to do a collage and of course used Daisy while learning.
Sorry for the bad cropping on the one photo and showing the same photo twice. I am learning and when I get time I'll go back and play with it again and bore you with more photo's of my dear Daisy.

On Sunday I have been letting Daisy write the post and introduce all of our friends to new friends that we have found during the week. But this week was so busy we didn't spend much time visiting the other blogs. We were so busy that we didn't even realize that we received an award! Wow how busy is that? But here it is



O.K. but now your wondering 'What is she talking about? This award is for Dog Lovers' Well duh....It is because my dog is The Best Dog in the World is why I love her so well I think it works and so I give the award to Daisy.

Here are the top ten reasons why I think Daisy is The Best Dog in the World.

1. She loves to ride in the car/truck or any vehicle with wheels. And she is sweet and kind and patient and only whimpers when she sees any other animal worth barking at.

2. She is gentle with the baby and smaller dogs.

3. She is patient with older dogs and doesn't play rough.

4. She is patient when we arrive home late and she doesn't get fed exactly at her special time of day. And she doesn't try to steal the cat's food while they are eating.

5. She does not tear into the trash when I forget and leave it in the kitchen floor and go somewhere and leave her home alone.

6. She takes her "job" of taking care of the horses very seriously. She is always ready to go out and check on them or feed or water them.

7. She always waits very patiently for us if we go somewhere and we don't take her.

8. She is very sweet to everyone and sits up sweetly and waits to be petted and doesn't jump on people (only me)

9. She turned Cowboys heart around and sometimes I wonder if she is turning into his dog. Because like his human daughter she has him wrapped around her little paw!

10. She loves me. This I know because no matter how much she loves her Daddy because he gives her treats that I don't and lets her do things that I don't she loves me more. Because she is always where I am. If I am in the kitchen she is laying down waiting till I finish. Not begging for food but patiently waiting for me. If I am on the computer she is patiently waiting at my feel till I finish taping away at the keys. She has even been known to pass up popcorn from Cowboy if I am leaving the room.

And so dear friends. I really do think that My Dog is the Best Dog in the World at least in my little world!

Thanks for visiting but before I go I want to invite you to visit our friend Peggy and all her doggies: Chiquitita,Toby,Chispita and Chimi they graciously gave us this sweet award. Peggy is a true friend and encourager. Thanks Peggy.

And don't forget to stop over at Dogs on Thursday and meet some of friends.

Please come by everyday because we always try to write something and share a little bit about what God is doing in our lives and maybe entertain a bit. Please leave a comment. We love sweet notes of encouragement and awards too!

Have a Blessed Week.

Then Sings my Soul Saturday

I haven't posted on Then Sings My Soul the last couple of weeks. I have just been so busy with tackling life and ministry that I haven't had a chance to listen to much music.

And, honestly it has been one of those times when you rely on the Holy Spirit. That is what I have been doing. I have felt that I am praying about the same thing over and over. And I am. So I get to the point where I don't know how to pray.

But I do know that God is where I need to put my trust. I do know that the anxiety and worry that I face is not of him. And if you are a believer also you know where that comes from. There have been days that I have had to resolve to cast those thoughts away and I have had to just lean and rest, depend and trust.

This song by Third Day speaks of how I have been feeling. I have felt alone, broken and afraid. In my head I know that God is in control but circumstances dictate our feelings.



I do know that I should lean and trust God and he has always provided. In the last five years it has always been at the last minute or the 11th hour but he provides.
This week he did that. Today on the 27th of the month we are paying our rent.

This week our ministry received an award that included $5,000.00 prize. Of course the majority of this money is already spent on bills but it allows us to keep going.

And it brings more attention to the ministry and gives God the glory. God continues to show us even when things seem bleak that we can't give up. Because if we do we are giving up on him. And he has brought us this far he will take us the rest of the way.

If you are feeling worried and afraid don't do as I do (lol) do as I say trust in God turn it over to him and be not afraid because he is there. Even when you feel afraid or broken just lean on him and rest.

Friday Fave 5

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
I went over tonight to check to see what she was up to and found this.
I thought it really looked like fun so I am joining in the group.
You can read more and find out the rules etc. over at Susanne's
Choosing Five things that were special or Favorite things to me this week.

#1 Of course babysitting my grandbaby. It is just so much fun seeing him almost everyday.

#2 Watching my daughter be a mommy. I am so happy for her and proud of her and of course my son in love.

#3 Working in ministry. I am so, so, happy that we got approval to work with the girls from the halfway house every Friday again. Because of a lack of funding we lost our building last fall and we haven't had as much opportunity to work directly with the girls. We start again next Friday. It just makes me happy and Blesses me Big time

#4 My blog and my blogging friends like Sandra that shared this cool meme with me!

#5 Last but not least. I love fall. The cool weather is so nice. Getting to spend more time outside and not using the a/c. I changing color of the leaves. And decorating too. Fall is a favorite season. And I love Show and Tell Friday too.

This was a really fun meme. Thanks Susanne for this wonderful new idea.
I hope everyone has a Blessed week. And welcome new friends. Please leave a comment.

Show and Tell

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Kelli
Today I want to show you part of my collection.

I love hearts. These are my little hearts that I display at Valentines and some during the year in various places. I will collect them from around the house and group together for Valentines Day.
I was thinking about how happy I am to be able to babysit my grandson and that it fills my heart with joy so I thought this was fitting.
What fills your heart with joy? I am thankful that God allows my to see him and my daughter almost everyday now. God has been so gracious to us. Seeing God's work and hand in all the circumstances make me joyful sometimes when things are rough it is God's lovingkindess that is the only thing that keeps me going.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my heart collection today. Please go visit Kelli.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris I always enjoy going over and visiting her on Thursday...today she spoke of change. Here is what she had to say.

"Change… we sometimes don’t like change; I know I am not a fan of change. I also know that even though I might not like the change, I can trust the Lord to see me through the transition…" Iris

Today some changes are going on also in my life. Personally and with the ministry and I guess really they both just kind of meld together so when something goes on in one it affects the other.

I am really thankful today for the Holy Spirit. Because he goes to the father for me. Many times I am too confused or struggling with something and I just don't know how to pray. I just don't know what to say. I think most of the time it is because I feel like I am saying the same thing.

I am thankful for God's grace. Because he forever forgives me when I just keep doing the same thing over and over. Like worrying and fretting.

I am thankful for Jesus Christ because he does give me the strength that I need to deal with frustration and heartache.

I am thankful for Cowboy and his desire to trust God and that he is trying to be what God wants him to be.

And I am thankful that I get to spend so much time right now with our daughter and our grandson. I am thankful that I get to keep him during the day while my son in love and daughter are at work.

I am thankful for my Son in Love and his desire to be a husband and a father.

"What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by going over to Iris's and leaving your link to your blog.

And I am Thankful you stopped by today.

Before you go please let me share with you the change going on in my life. I am opening an online fabric shop. I have mentioned it a couple of times but just in case you missed the posts please keep checking in. I hope to have it all done and pretty and ready over the weekend so on Monday you can just sit in your jammies and shop and buy some awesome fabric for dresses,crafts,quilts or just anything your little heart desires. (oh and btw if you don't have really cute jammies...never fear the first piece of fabric I posted would make the prettiest set of jammies you have ever seen!)
There will be some dressmaker fabric along with some great quilt fabrics from all the famous makers. And because this is a fundraiser for our ministry and because the fabric was donated to us just for this purpose our prices are just so cheap that you won't be able to pass us the deals. Please stop in over the weekend and see the progress at the shop and if you are thinking about doing some stitchin' for the holidays check us out before you go out to the super store!

I'll have some Fall themed fabric up quickly for you. Oh and did I say vintage. Yes there is some vintage. I'll give you a hint. Vintage Marcus Brothers. I don't know exactly how old but possible the '60's. I bet you can't wait to get a glimpse of it!

Come by and visit and don't forget to go by Iris's. Oh one more thankful item.
I didn't get to post yesterday at all because I was crazy busy; but I am thankful
for Amy she hosts Wordfilled Wednesday and I usually use her post while I am off at the food bank. Please drop in and see her fun meme and be Blessed by the great illustrations of God's word.

Here's a photo I want to share today. It made me smile today.

If you have read my blog for a while you know that normally the sight of these does not make me smile. But today I was thinking of seeing the joy on a childs face when he/she sees these and then learns to blow them all across the yard. Only to leave the lovely little seeds...oh forget that part just concentrate on the smiles of a child.
Have a great day!

10 Minute Tuesdays

I found the coolest thing over at Clothed with Scarlet
she was participating in Faithful Chicks 10 Minute Tuesday.
Its a cool meme. She posts a verse in the morning and then everyone studies it and meditates on it and then writes a post.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
Sometimes it is so hard to love the unlovable. But that is what we do everyday through our ministry. In our case the unlovable are teenagers that have been in trouble with the law. They are incarcerated in our states juvenile correctional facility.
Each week we provide groceries to the ones that are on parole and share God's love with them and just give them a little hope. Each week we include a devotional or a scripture in the sack.

The thing that I enjoy most are the 20 girls living in a halfway house in our town. Everyone always asks me if they are "bad". If I have any trouble with them if I take them on a field trip or outing. I honestly have to say "no". They are just so happy to see that someone cares about them. It is interesting because they are little sponges. They absolutely absorb the love and attention we provide. And they are like little children when we talk to them about God and Jesus. They are so anxious to learn. They are anxious to find something. They don't really know that it is God that they need. That God is the one who can fill the hole in their hearts. But they are open and willing to listen.
And so we keep telling them and praying that they will absorb and come to know Christ.
That they will someday be a follower of Jesus and that they will also learn to "love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Tacklin' Life on Tuesday

Post originally writen Monday night....this verse was in my inbox this morning. I had to add it. It fits.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14



But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds. Psalms 73:28

How many things do you need to tackle today? If I were to sit down and write down all the things that need to be done. Things around the house . . . laundry, cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming. The list goes on and on. And in my case there is a ministry that needs . . . financial stability, volunteers and office work, mentoring.

As I think of all I need to do and as I try really hard to make time to sit down and talk to God and ask him what I need to do today. What is his plan. I have to stop and realize that sometimes I get so absorbed with family, life, ministry. I get so into what is good that I sacrifice the best

I have a huge list of good things to do. But do I sacrifice God in my attempt at being and doing good? Do I put God in a box of all the good things I am doing and sacrifice really sitting and talking and listening to what he wants me to do?

Possibly an even bigger list of things that I need to do. Things that I need to tackle. But I realize too that I have a huge desire to please God and to know what he wants me to do today, tomorrow and next week.

And so I sit, I wait and I ask God to show me his plan, to direct my steps; today, tomorrow and next week.

Today with God's help I will tackle today,tomorrow and next week.

Simple Woman's Day Book

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

Today Peggy at The Simple Woman hosts the Monday meme The Simple Woman's Daybook.
Here's my entry for today.

Outside My Window...horses munching on grain. We have been worried about our old horse he is loosing so much weight. So much that people have stopped and even called the sheriff. He is 27 years old. Very old in horse years. Even our daughters riding instructor (who btw is married to a vet) told us that all the horses that were from the school and all her friends horses have already died. I am sorry I am venting here. But it is annoying when you get a knock on the door to see the sheriff and there is a round bale outside, a full tank of water etc. Anyway we went to the feed store oh I forgot to mention the grain the horse was eating was recommended by the vet. Anyway we went to the feed store and talked to the owner who we have known for 10 years or more. He suggested another kind of feed. That was two weeks ago. Well this morning the horse was trotting around and almost knocking me down. So much so I had to make Daisy stay out of the pasture! Now this is the polite horse that always minds. But it made me smile to see him so frisky.

I am thinking... that was a lot to write in one little entry. Sorry.
I am thankful for... for the above and that Buck is feeling friskier. I am thankful that I get to see our grandson almost everyday. I am thankful that he gets to go to church.
From the kitchen... gosh haven't even thought about that yet. I think I will try biscuits again. I'll have to definitely write a post about that one. Maybe Friday some people write funny things then! today it is funny. The story I'll share later wasn't so funny when it happened! I'll give you a hint
flat biscuits and a smart aleck husband.
I am wearing... a lovely little ensemble..(hehe I must be as frisky as the horse!) sorry. Navy capri workout pants with red and white stripe (bought for our one and only cruise) and a red t-shirt and white socks. Already lost the shoes I wore outside. Which btw were not boots. Don't do as I do
I am creating... A blog for our grandsons. And I am preparing to sell fabric on my other blog. So if you are a seamstress please stay tuned. I'll have dressmaker fabric, craft fabric and quilting fabric. Yardage and kits.
I am going... I am going to pick up a desk and a canoe bookshelf for our grandson. It is a hand me down from one of my daughters riding students.
I think the shelf will go in Texas Grandpa's(Cowboy) "man/boy" room. The desk will go in the master next to the crib to use as a changing table. It is getting harded and harder to change the baby in the livingroom on the ottoman. So this should work better especially when the house is full of people.
I am reading... The same book I was last week.
I am hoping... that my daughter gets the job she applied for.
That is why I didn't read much I spent most of last week keeping the baby while she either went looking or sat on the computer looking for a job. She found one and has applied. It is with our state in the juvenile corrections part. And the Blessing would be she would be working with us. It is at the office where we take the sacks of groceries.
I am hearing... the news on the t.v. talking about evacuee's leaving North Texas to return to Galveston. If you have been watching the news it is not really as they let us think. I spoke to one of our mentee's last night who I haven't talked to in too many days. The roof in her apartment collapsed on Fri. night she returned from work to find out she couldn't get in. Her Guinea pigs are still there. She is trying to call the humane society today to get them because the apartment would not let her in. She had to go and buy some clothes to wear to work over the weekend. She has been at a friends. She is 19 and her birthday was on the 13th so it was an ordeal for her instead of the party that was planned for her.
There is still much disaster in areas of Houston. Please pray for these people.
Around the house... Chaos. We spent so much time with our daughter last week that I didn't get much cleaning done. I did the bathrooms yesterday so all I have to do today is vacuum and just pick up. And clean off the computer desk. It appears to be a catch all.
One of my favorite things... I wrote about this yesterday after praying about it and confessing to God. But one of my favorite things is my blog and my friends that I have found through blogging. Some of you don't even know how much I enjoy reading your blogs. Now don't think I am a lurker. I do leave comments. But just realize if I leave more than a couple of comments on your blog, then you can count on the fact that you are one of my favorites. See the photo below it is for you.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: normal schedule. But back to my Sunday post. I am working toward getting closer to God. And spending more quiet time.
Being Still time. So that I can rest and find refuge in God's arms. And so that I can seek him and his plans for me.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
I love flowers. I love to have flowers in my home and outside. I want to share this bouquet with you. Please copy it and post on your blog it is my gift to you today.
Thanks for visiting! Have a Blessed week.

God is Good

We had a great weekend. I worshiped on Saturday at my daughters church. Then went to Sunday School today at ours.
I have been so busy lately having a difficult time getting everything done I need to and want to.
I have been having a difficult time finding time to spend with God and well that really makes me sad and a bunch of different emotions.
Our class director shared this verse today and it spoke to me

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God
my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works. Psalms 43:28

The last week I have taken a break from my blog. Not actually intentional life just crept in. I realized I had been spending too much time not on it but on surfing around but I really tried to ignore that little voice. I prayed about it today and and confessed that sin. I asked God to forgive me for not being productive but also for putting him on the backburner so to speak.

See that is what our class director was talking about. Having a job "at the church" he is there all the time. And it is easy to allow it to dictate and direct. It is difficult to just worship as just a member.
I really understood what he was talking about because that is what happens with us. Being full time in ministry we tend to allow it to run us.

So if you notice my absence please pray for me as I work things out in my mind and as I pray and ask God to direct my plans.

Daisy does say "hi" to everyone and wants to let all our friends know we love you and we are thinking of you and we might be coming by and saying "hi".

Until we see you we wanted to leave you a present. Below is a bouguet of flowrs for you.
Love, Sherry and Daisy

Thankful Thursdays thinking of Truth

Iris at Sting My Heartthe wonderful Thankful Thursday host was thinking about truth and shared this verse.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:31-32

So today thinking of truth here's my thankful list.

I am thankful for the truth in God's word. That he provides us evidence of himself and his son.

I am thankful for the yearning that he places in my heart to know him more and to be what he wants me to be.

I am thankful for God's extreme patience with me. Aren't you? I mean wow. I am such a dummy sometime. Most of the time. I look around at all that he has given me/us. And I see his faithfulness. Yet I worry. I worry about how we will pay our bills and continue in ministry. And yet I know that God will provide. I have to do my part. Do my job. Not fear. And not worry.

I am thankful that when I am so confused and worried and I don't know how to pray that God provides the Holy Spirit who in our weakness when we don't know how to pray that he intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

I am thankful that God gives us encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for my Sunday School class and our friends that when we least expect it call or email and check to see how we are and ask about the ministry.

I am thankful for my friends new and old in blog land. I am thankful for sweet Debra and your words of encouragement. And I am thankful for Nancie. You always leave a kind word for me and everyone else. And for Peggy who always encourages and
just sends God's love to us all. All of you guys encouraged me yesterday. Thanks for your sweet spirits.

I am thankful for my family. And mostly I am thankful that God has answered my prayers and brought sunshine back into my life. There was a time that personally I was depressed because of a loss. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried. I asked God to change the things that were going on. I waited daily for something. For just a morsel to see that change was coming. It took almost two years but God answered my prayer and I and thankful. I see sunshine everyday now. I am Blessed.

And since I end this post with a smile and thinking of sunshine I will leave you with a photo that I hope makes you smile.

Word Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Wordfilled Wednesday. Amy
is the amazing host. And also my guest writer on Wednesday. Please go see her but before you go enjoy her amazing illustration below.




What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!

Psalms 92:1 ~ The Message

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I love this picture.. My little man here is now 4. Since an early age he inherited his father’s gift for music. He can sing on key and has perfect pitch, (unlike his mother *cough cough*)

… but God loves the songs of our heart! Even if we can’t sing, or play instruments he loves to hear our hearts and voices pour out to him! Join with me today as I sing in my own voice that I know is pleasing to God’s ear!!

I also want to mention how much I appreciate and love your posts! I can’t tell you how much your comments and encouragements mean to me! Thanks for being a part of my bloggy friends! I feel truly blessed.

God Bless! Amy Deanne