The Welcome mat is out and Daisy says to come on in. . . Welcome to our Daisy's new Sunday post. She moved over from Saturday because we decided since Sunday is family day that she would write about being a family pet. And write about her friends that are family pets. Because all our animals have very special places in our hearts we wanted to share with everyone how special an animal can be. Daisy has had many job descriptions since she has been with us. And one of them is "Missionary Dog". She has gone with us to the mission and licked(kissed), and loved on the kids. And now she goes with us to the food pantry to pick up the food. She loves it. She patiently sits in the truck at the dock and watches all the people come and go and watches the staff load the food. She is a faithful companion to me. I wrote about how she came to be with us on my Sunday post last week. Please go and read it. (Sorry I don't know how to link to it yet) But I have figured out BoldItalics isn't that cool. Oh I am sorry. Daisy is nudging my arm trying to let me know this post was supposed to be about her new friend Happy. Here is a pretty picture of Happy.
Do you see why we said "pretty"? Look at that beautiful hair. I bet her mom brushes her everyday. Oh btw she did get a hair cut recently and she is just so cute. She is so much fun to play with we can tell by reading her moms blog. And the coolest thing is she told us about the neatest blog. It is called Dogs on Thursday. or DOT it is so cool. It is when everyone writes about their dogs. Come back on Thursday because my mom promises to write something special about me. There is a cute button on the sidebar and mom already wrote on it Daisy's Meme Isn't that cool I have a special meme of my own. Mom says we have to go now. Oh and another job title I have is Ranch Dog Because I go out everyday and take care of the horses. I am really busy so I have to go for now. Please go over and visit Happy and her mom at thier blog. Serendipitypark.blogspot.com
My soul is happy this morning and I hope yours is too. Every Saturday I participate in Then Sings my Soul. Here is the song I want to share today. This song has been on my mind all week. I chose this version because it includes the lyrics.
These lyrics have spoken to me so much this week. Because I stumble I face heartache sometimes I am bitter. Fort the last 5 years God has Blessed me and Cowboy to be able to serve him fulltime in ministry. And through these years I have faced these emotions and many more. I/we have faced rejection,hurt,anger,sadness because people that we have trusted and have depended on have come and gone or let us down. Or out right administered hurt. We have faced financial ruin in our personal lives.
But we are called by God to this minsitry. And through all this We will not be moved It is during the times of all the pain and hurt and through many other emotions; that we see that; we must be doing it right because when your right with God many times everything else blows up around you. We have supporters that tell us that we are making the evil one "mad". That is when we face all the struggles. The more difference we make in lives of disadvantage teens. The more we are attacked.
And as We are not moved we try to face these attacks with strength throug Christ we lean on Phillipians 4:13 for strength and on Proverbs 3:5&6 for patience and understanding.
I am grateful for Amy Wyatt over at signsmiraclesandonders.blogspot.com because of her wonderful idea for Then Sings My Soul. It is amazing and fun and a great way to meet bloggers and find some new friends.
If you read my blog you'll know I am not too savy and don't know how to link. But I know how to google. Just go to google and type: Then Sings My Soul Saturday you'll get a whole list. Just click on anyone of the posts. Now when you find one it might not be the current post. Here's how to get to todays. Go back up to your address bar at the top. You'll want to then go to your delete button. Starting at the right end of that address delete everything all the numbers and letters till you get to the end of .com stop don't delete the m or anything else. Thenk hit enter and Easey,Peasey you'll be at a wonderful post.
Go over and check out all the other amazing songs that the others are posting. And thanks so much for coming over today. I hope that my resolve to Trust in the Lord and answer his call in some way ministers to someone else. And if your struggle with anything similar remember he is with you.
Welcome to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Kelli at Theres No Place Like Home.
I hope you enjoy my Show and Tell today.
And then when you done go over and check out Kelli and the others.
Today my S&T is part of something I have been wanting to show for a while.
Because I have had camera difficulties I have been able to take any photo's.
And so I have resorted to be resourceful.
Before I share my S&T please let me tell you about my new best friend it is my printer/scanner.
It now ranks with duck tape,zip lock bags and Dr. Pepper. The following S&T photo's aren't great but they are here compliments of my scanner.
So without further ado here's my Show and Tell...
First is part of a birthday present my sister gave me last year. It was a
set of dishes. Here is one plate. They are 8 matching plates. A cowboy hat shaped dip and chip bowl and two other boot shape serving pieces.
I have set my table with 4 plates and some pretty candles and glasses and a centerpiece that I like.
Here is a photo of the napkins at each place setting.
There are two lacey napkins and two that are really old white linen or cotton I am not sure which. They have some tatting (I think) on the edge. I just think they are pretty.
I walk by the table everyday and I get to see them. We don't actually use the ones with the tatting because they are really old and fragile. I wash every know and then.
(Home Sanctuary challenge in August...wash linens...see Rachel at Company girls)
Oh the napkin rings. I almost forgot. Can you see them in the photo? They are cowboy hats. I just love them and to tell you the truth I don't remember where I got them. I think maybe a friend gave them too me. I am ashamed I don't remember.
I hope you have enjoyed this resourceful Show and Tell and please drop in anytime. The table is always set.
Come by tomorrow and hear a song I have planned to share for Then Sings My Soul and
don't forget my guest writer Daisywill be sharing about another new friend. I know you will be Happy to meet Daisy's friend.
Blogger doesn't seem to want to upload photos nowPlease check back tomorrow hopefully I can add the photo's.
We just found the coolest new meme for all of us dog lovers and dogs. And so Daisy and I are joining the crowd and inviting everyone over to meet Daisy. When we got her almost 3 years ago she was already named. She came from the local pound. If you go to my Sunday post you can read all about when I got her.
She is "our" dog now. Not just "my" dog.
My Wednesday post tells all about how my Cowboy thinks of Daisy even when I don't. It is totally funny because he didn't want to get another dog.
Recently he suggested that we change her name to Always because she is always with me.
Here is another photo of Daisy which shows how she is always with me. No matter where I am Daisy is there. Usually right under my feet or with me. This is a photo taken in my sewing room on an old couch from my parents that hopefully someday soon I will recover and repaint to look shabby chic. Right now it is just shabby!
I hope you all have enjoyed meeting Daisy. Please come by on Sunday's and see the posts that she hosts. And meet some of her Doggie friends.
Have a happy Friday and come back and see our show and tell. Smiles, Sherry and Daisy
DuhOk. I have figured this out. I was typing these tags now I realize that I can click on them. I am trying to figure out the link thing. So here goes again. I tried it this morning and it didn't work. But we'll see now. I think the bold letters and the italics will work. I get that but I just can't figure out the linking thing. Here goes. Oh before I try notice the label... updated after first attempt... OK...It just won't work on the link. I am realizing that I do forget to add a space sometimes after a bold or italics word. Sorry. I am back to the tutorials again. I swear I am going to get this. Oh BTW...the Decluttering is coming along nicely. I am doing that while cooking dinner. I will give an update on how many spoons etc. that I am donating to charity. Back to the tutorials. BTW thanks everyone for stopping in to see Amy today. I know she appreciated it. I read the comments and they were all so sweet.
I posted this photo late last night after going over to Amy's to see the rest of the WFW posts. Amy had written asking for prayer for her and the family. They lost the family dog yesterday. Please go over and give her a hug today. If you don't know Amy she does the amazing Wordfilled Wednesday meme. Just type Wordfilled Wednesday in google and the160acreawood.com will pop up or just type the160acrewood.com it should work.
My thankful list begins with Special Friends like Amy at The160acrewood.comsorry this still isn't a link I did try what a couple of people suggested last night and it didn't work. This post will be in my dummies at blogging label for sure!
I am thankful for Blogging because it is through blogging that I have found some new friends. Girls that encourage me. Girls that God speaks through. If you guys do not know it; you rock in many ways but especially by allowing God to speak through you. Together we can change the world one little blog at a time!
I am thankful for my printer/scannerI know that sounds silly. But come by tomorrow for Show and Tell hosted by Kelli to see why I am so thankful for my printer/scanner.
I am thankful that God is so loving and caring and so smart. You know; wow when you just think of what all he has done and is doing. And he is just in the middle of all we do. Even when things are crazy he is in control. And if we just take the time to look at his word he will speak to us and calm all the craziness. All I can say is wow.
And another reason that I am thankful for God is because he is the one that brings us all together here. That is just cool. We all get together and get to know one another because we all are so Thankful for the amazing things he is doing for us and in us.
I am thankful too that he gives me opportunities to see his love and he continues to provide for us and the ministry.
I am thankful for Marcia and Beth that came up with the idea of August DeClutter Challenge and so that being said here is what I am decluttering today.
My kitchen cooking utensils. How many wooden spoons,plastic spoons and knives do you have in the drawer probably by the stove? Well I have too many. So today I am going to purge that drawer and get rid of the ones I haven't used in I don't know how long. I caught myself last night tearing the kitchen apart it seemed looking for one specific item. Tongs. Not just any pair of tongs. The Tongsso why do I have 3 pairs. When I only like one of them? So after today The Tongs little buddies will be finding new homes hopefully someone will appreciate them more than me.
And tomorrow my project is going to be condimentsHow many condiments do you have?
I may not know how to link yet but I am getting pretty good at Bolddon't ya think? HeHe
I dropped back in at Amy's tonight because I wanted to visit the other WFW posts. She had a really sad post this evening. The family dog was accidentally killed today. Please go over to Amy's and offer her condolences. She was a little sad about feeling so sad over this loss. I know she would appreciate your thoughtfulness. I am going to try and leave a link here it is. Hopefully this works. If not google The 160 acre wood or try Word Filled Wednesday it should work. To Amy...Your are absolutely amazing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and the new sweet babies. Love, Sherry and Daisy
I love these really cool meme's. I have been doing the August De-clutter challenge with Marcia and Beth and today's challenge was actually inspired by Racheal over at Home Sanctuary. (another cool blog) Racheal has a daily challenge. Go over and check her out for some cool ideas and cool songs to go with each challenge. She is amazing. He challenge was dealing with paper. And she used the song "Under a Paper Moon". Well I was inspired to begin another paper project. I think this is the week for paper. The last couple of days I worked on my Cowboys receipts. Today I tackled my own clutter. Interestingly I ran across a labeled filedthat contained receipts from our Wyoming and South Dakota vacation. The trip was taken to go antique shopping. I was really glad that I had found the receipts and glad that I had kept them. We have some things that we are holding onto and want the kids to know thier value. So I am going to copy all the receipts to keep in a file and store the originals with the items. I want the kids to be able to have an easier time putting a value on these things if they need to. I have a lot of files sometimes the family makes fun of me because my files or so big but they came in handy just a few weeks ago when our daughter was writing a resume about her horse experience. I happened to have receipts,programs and lists of all the seminars and training shows she had been to. So these things really came in handy for her while compiling that resume. I am still working on my files but at least I have a huge start. I hope that more sorting and de-cluttering inspires someone to take the time and do some things like this for the kids. You never know when things like receipts and programs will become important. I had a great day visiting the WFW posts. I hope everyone else did too. Smiles, Sherry
Please visit Amy at The160acrewood.comFor a wonderful Blessing.
Amy hosts Word Filled Wednesday and there are some amazing ladies that participate. The above is not a link because I still can't figure out how to do that. If you can't get there from the above just google it. I just love google. But you might also try goodsearch. There is a link on my sidebar. I use Goodsearch because our ministry can get money from them for searching. Check them out please and speaking of my ministry. If your interested email me and I'll tell you about how you can help our ministry through goodsearching.
This is what I am doing today and why I usually don't post on Wednesday. Besides Amy does a marvelous job.
Actually this is a poster for a food drive. Every Wednesday I go to our local food bank to purchase food that our ministry distributes. Every week we fill 25 groceries sacks and distribute them to 25 different families that have teenagers that are on parole in our city. I am not a math person but if you do the #'s that is a lot of people. I don't say that to toot my own horn at all. I make the point only so you will notice how much need there is. And how many kids there are out there that are in trouble.
So today while your surfing and visiting all the WFW blogs and seeing all the amazing scripture that is illustrated would you think about me and the ministry and all the kids that we are trying to reach.
Have a Blessed day. Oh and come back later for the August De-clutter challenge. Smiles, Sherry
updated Tues. afternoon:My De-Clutter Project is below A dog; a Cowboy and a peach. . . ...what do these things have in common you wonder? Sunday after church we stopped at the grocery store to pick up something for lunch. As we walk through the produce Cowboy asks me to get him a peach. I am thinking this is strange. He said he wanted something healthy so I got him one thinking all along that God is working on him and answering my prayers about eating better etc. You know what I mean. I have the man that wants meat and potatos. So I pick out the peach put it in the cart and tell him that I hope it is ripe. I don't care much for fruit myself. The fruit I eat you don't have to worry too much about ripeness. Watermelon and strawberries,grapes and an apple now and then cut up in a salad. It isn't just Cowboy that isn't too much into the fruit. Anyway I am sorry back to the story. Don't get bored because it is funny. I know you are already guessing. The dog ate the peach. Your right well Cowboy ate it but Daisy ate half. Now here is the funny part. Your thinking we offered it to her to Seeif she would eat it. Wrong we knew she would eat it. One day we were driving home and stopped at a fruit/vegtable stand. I was buying lettuce and Cowboy bought a peach and was eating it while driving. He knows how to buy a peach. It was juicy and he was slurping peach juice and Daisy sitting in the back set kept coming to the front wanting the peach! We ended up giving her a couple of bites.
Now here is the totally crazy part. If you have not read my Sunday post about Daisy plese Stopnow and read it then come back.
Ok....are you back....Here's the funny part. Cowboy bought the peach on Sunday for Daisy Amazing.... I am tackling some de-cluttering again today. I hope you all have a wonderful day. I hope my story made you smile. And if not go over to Amy's 160acreawood.com she's the wonderful hostess of Wordfilled Wednesday he Monday post will make you smile. If not go back to bed and get up on the other side. Here is a photo of the De-clutter project I am stillworking on from yesterday. I am having the most fun with Marcia and Beth doing the August De-Clutter challenge. For me it is a little different than most of you guys. I am not only de-cluttering our house but I have files and inventory from our mission that are now are our home. These are the files I am dealing with right now. We moved into a house that has less extra storage space so fitting it all in is definately a challenge. My Cowboy never throughs anything away, and never files anything. I regularly find receipts waded up in the console of the truck,in the dresser drawer of bathroom drawer. You name it I find receipts. He is an accountants nightmare. And currently I am the accountant! I have to resolve to have a cheerful attitude. I have to lean on God to get me through some of the tasks! So I am thrilled when I find fun ways like the August De-Clutter challenge! Thanks girls for this wonderful meme and thanks for the giveaway too! Smiles to All, Sherry
updated 6:48 p.m. Adding my de-clutter project of the day. Update #2 Tuesday afternoon I added the photo's for my de-clutter project.
For Today...My declutter project follows
Outside my Window...are tiny,sprigs of grass coming up in the pasture(from the rain last week) and no leaves on the porch I swept last night. And fresh cut grass in the yard it is still green.
I am thinking...of all the things on my list to do this. All the de-clutter projects,the ministry projects and paperwork and babysitting.
From the learning rooms...Notice the bold on each entry. I am learning more about how to make my blog pretty. I am praying for all the home schoolers including my son and daughter in love and my grandson starting the second grade. I am working on making lap books for him. Any pointers?
I am thankful for...That God reminds me he is there and that he allows me to work in Hisministry.
From the kitchen...more bread baking today. Cleaning and plans for "Family Smorgasbord Sunday" This is something we did with our kids on Sunday night after church. I/we would make fun appitizer type food and sit in the living room and eat. The kids loved it. I tried new recipes. Now our daughter and son in love have asked to start the tradition again. I'll be getting ideas this week for what we will eat. Since they aren't kids anymore it'll be fun doing grown up type things.
I am wearing...Oh I love this part today!I am wearing dark green corduroy shorts from Old Navy....here's the best part. I didn't wear them last year! They fit again. I just love them! And I am wearing a red t-shirt from Lands End. It has a star on the front and says 'We the people'. I probably won't wear it all day because it is kind of a heavy knit.
I am reading...grant guidelines from foundations and other funders for our ministry and I am going to start reading the book of Titus.
I am hoping...to see God's provision. And that I won't succomb to the sin of worry.
I am creating...greating cards for my churches card ministry. And I am writing a card a week to someone in our Sunday School class. (personal goal)
I am hearing...the barn cat tap the window to go outside this morning. He is mad. We found evidence of coyotes so he has to stay in at night.
Around the house...More de-cluttering. Will it ever end? And more organizing my house. Will it ever end? Although my house is pretty big there isn't as much closet space as I have had before. And only one living area. And there is no garage and no barn so I am struggling to find places to store some of that type stuff. And down size many items.
One of my favorite things...Being busy. I am always doing something. Even when I am watching t.v. I am usually handsewing or something else creative.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Prayer. There are some ministry projects that I am working on and need to be bathed in prayer. And I am praying about where God wants me to go with my blogging as a tool for ministry.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... My grandson showing off the snake skin he found. I had a report over the weekend that he caught 35 grasshoppers for his dad to go fishing with. The fishing netted 4 fish. My daughter in love says that was better than the last 7 hour trip that harvested zero fish! While my son was fishing grandson found another huge grasshopper. He saved it to disect for science. I pray for everyone to have a happy Home School year and enjoy the science classes!
Update...here's my de-clutter project.
I have been spending the day going through my husbands files for his ministry program. He is the worst about keeping track of receipts etc. We are needing some banking info. and other info. for a grant we're writing so I had to give up the grant project and organize his files. I have a photo to add but blogger isn't cooperating. But just imagine what it must be like. I have spent most of the day. Between reading other daybook entries and laundry. I must take a break from the dreaded task once in a while. And I am so glad I did because I found the neatest comment on this post! I won part of the August De-Clutter challenge! I'll write more tomorrow about that. But go over to my sidebar and find the button to find out about the de-cluttering challenge. I am sorry I haven't figured out yet how to link in a post!
Sometimes I just try and close my eyes and ask God to reach out and touch me. Reach out to me and let me know that he is there and that he does hear my cries for help. Those times when I am so lost, broken or hurt that I don't know how to put into words all the pain. That is when the scripture says that the Holy Spirit steps in and is able to go to the father for me and let him know the groaning of my heart.
A couple of years ago I was in actually that spot. The place when I was so hurt, sad and broken that nothing seemed to help.
I caution you when you read this I don't know where you stand with God. I don't know how you perceive his love or how he shows his love to you. I don't know how you perceive coincidence.
I do know that I believe in God. I believe in his word. I believe that he loves me and that he will show me if I only look. I believe that he can and use people and circumstances.
It was through circumstances that he showed me that he is with me and that he will nor forsake me. If I was really scholarly I would be able to put a verse with each point I make. I know the verses. They are in my head. I know bits and pieces but not enough to remember right now to share with you. I am ashamed at that.
But I know that I can share with you a testimony. A testimony of how God showed me he loved me and taught me that I should have patience. When I feel like the whole world is against me. He is there.
He showed me a little over two years ago. It all started one Sat. evening. I happened to be up late couldn't sleep. (this doesn't happen often) I was flipping channels looking for a girly movie. You know one of those flicks that you can watch that just take up a couple of hours of time and just give you the opportunity to just kick back and not think. Well that night there was nothing on. I kept flipping channels and happened on to the local access channel.
The local dog pound happened to be posting photo's of animals that needed to be adopted. I was not shopping for a dog. In fact my Cowboy had already mentioned that he did not want any more animals. At the time we had 3 horses,2 donkeys, 2 cats and 3rabbits. We had recently within the last year and half put down the two dogs that we raised from puppies. None of this entered my mind as I just sat and watched all the kittens and puppies that needed a home. Then I saw Daisy. There was a rolling blinkie on her photo that said "urgent". She had been there for 45 days. They normally only keep dogs for 30 days. I looked at her sweet face and my first thought was I need this dog. My second thought was. I cannot have this dog. On Sunday we went to church and had a normal day. On Monday we had a normal day. I went through regular routine of working in our ministry.
I went through the normal routine for the time of battling a depression that was killing me. You see just over 2 years ago someone that was really,really important in my life pulled away from me. Because of circumstances beyond my control my dear sweet daughter and my wonderful son in love isolated themselves from me and Cowboy. I was lost. I was depressed. I cried. I prayed. I prayed and I cried. I hoped. I asked for help from friends and other family members. They all either ignored my requests for help or just flat didn't know how to help.
I went through the motions everyday of going to the mission and ministering to kids and families. I went through the motions of going to church. I prayed. I was in the word. I was doing God's will.
How could this happen? But it did happen and I was sick and tired and lonely.
I was involved in a Bible study at our church.
On Monday I kept thinking about Daisy. I emailed the city pound and asked if she was still available. She was. I prayed about her.
And on Tuesday morning I threw caution to the wind and I stopped by the pound on my way to Bible study. I saw her. I told the officer that I would think about her and might consider her. But I did ask one important ? does she get along with cats. They were not sure. I said o.k. and left.
I went to Bible study and couldn't keep my mind on the lesson. At the end when our little group of 8 ladies began to pray. I finally broke down and told all of them what was going on with me. The amazing thing is that during the 5 weeks prior I had been the stable person of the group. I led the prayer. I prayed for everyone. I never mentioned to them how hurt I was. That day I let it all out. They all cried with me and prayed for me.
I left. I went to the pound and I picked up Daisy.
I took her home and walked in the door to find Cowboy sitting at the computer in the office. He immediately said. "What is that?" I answered and said. "My dog." I don't normally do things like this so he was totally shocked. He said. "Take it back." I said. "No." He said. "I said I don't want more dogs." I said. "I never agreed. And I am keeping her."
At this point I am sitting in a wing back chair in our office, Daisy is sitting in the floor at my feet and I lean over I put my face in her face and my arms around her neck and I begin to bawl my eyes out.
Cowboy begins to relent and says. "What are you going to do with her when you go to the mission?" I said. "I will take her with me." And I did. Here is a photo of Daisy at the mission. My Cowboy said to me. "I was studying and preparing for today's devotional and for some reason I kept reading in Isaiah a verse that says 'God hates divorce'. I couldn't figure out why I kept going to that verse. But I guess you can keep the dog." Here is a photo of Daisy and Cowboy.
Today Cowboy breaks all my rules. Like no dog in the bed. No feeding people food to dogs. When I say no she doesn't need to "go". He convinces me she should "go".
Today I know that God brought Daisy into my life to show me that he loves me. He brought Daisy to me when I needed to be held and loved I needed to feel his presence.
Today all is back to normal with our family. Today we trust in the Lord. There are still things that we don't understand but we lean and trust in God. And we enjoy our family and we love our dog because she shows us everyday that God is with us and he answers our prayers.
Sometimes I feel like everyone is against me. Sometimes I struggle with faith but I know that God has everything in control. Sometimes it is not easy. Sometimes it is really hard. But I realize that I am not promised it will be easy. I am promised though that my God loves me.
I know I am not alone.
I hope you enjoy this song. I hope that you feel God loving you. And if your ever at a time when you feel unloved or hurt remember that God does love you and that you can trust him no matter what you think. Don't lean on what you understand just open your heart and lean on him.
Then Sings My Soul...
One of my favorite things is worshp and praise music. I listen to the local Christian station whenever I am in the car or in the kitchen. I listen to the music on my cable package.
I think the reason that I enjoy this so much is because many of these songs the lyrics really speak to me and I can see them as a tool in our ministry.
The song I want to share today is Cry out to Jesus from Third Day. Below is a version I found on youtube. (don't forget to turn off my music list at the top of the page. )
This week I was working on a new project for the disadvantaged teen age girls that I work with. While working on a proposal and writing a letter to our supporters I was
reminded of one of the girls that I met last year and of a visit I made to the halfway house at Christimas.
Here's what I wrote in my letter of support for the new project.
"I remember last Christmas when I visited. One of the girls that is always smiling and cheerful wasn’t smiling. She barely looked up when I walked in. That wasn’t normal…this girl usually got in trouble for calling me over, or for stopping what she was doing and coming to greet me. I watched her for a few minutes while I walked around the room and talked to the other girls. When I finally approached she barely looked at me. I tried to make small talk to get her to open up. When small talk didn’t work I finally flat out asked “What is wrong?” She finally looked at me and said she had tried to call her mom and didn’t have a current phone number. I didn’t know what to say. I reached out and touched her arm and said. “I am sorry.” I waited a moment before I added “I know it isn’t the same but I am here.” For a brief moment she didn’t respond then she looked at me and smiled. Almost her old self but not quite. She just smiled and said. “Thank you for coming to see me.”
This girl became very special to me while I had the opportunity to work with her.
She made a huge decision in her life. The decision to follow Jesus. She learned
that when she trusted Jesus that all the things she had done and that had happened to her she was forgiven. She learned that she can "Cry out to Jesus".
Then Sings my Soul Saturday has come to be a special time for me. Rather than taking away from it's message I have decided to change Daisy's post to Sunday at least for awhile. Since in my head Sunday is all about family and Daisy is so special to us and because the subjests of her posts are either my special family members or someone else's then I think it fitting to allow my guest writer Daisy write her posts on Sunday our "family" day.
If you haven't met Daisy please come back tomorrow for a special post.
We hope your day is Blessed and your Soul is touched. By the way you can read more
Then Sings My Soul posts by clicking here.
I had this wonderful Show and Tell planned. I even mentioned it on Saturday in my post. But the photo's that I wanted to post today I cannot find! It is driving me crazy! Below is a framed drawing that I talked about on Saturday.
I intended to share a photo that is the inspiration for the above. But I cannot find any of the photo's I had set aside! So instead of showing the rest of this collection my Show and Tell will consist of this one lone drawing. My mother bought it for us at a craft shop. The drawing looks a lot like my daughter and her donkeys.
And now for the rest of my day I'll be doing this . . .
My De-cluttering project for today is this. . .
I am going to organize all our photo's again. The rest of the house duties are going to be delayed. No cooking, no cleaning, no t.v.,no blogging,no laundry. Get the idea!
Well all that probably won't happen but I can at least dream. We have to eat so I guess I will cook. And no one else is here to clean or do the laundry except Cowboy and he is still recuperating from surgery.
But I am going to attempt to get this project done if not today then over the weekend. That's three days devoted to organizing photo's and maybe scrapbooking a few and then joining Scrappin' Sunday.
Sounds like a good goal to me. I hope everyone has a great Show and Tell. I'll be checking in on all of you. Please leave me a comment. I so need the encouragement today! Smiles, Sherry
Welcome to my Thankful Thursday post. Thankful Thursday is hosted by the amazing Iris over at Sting My Heart. Please go over and see her post and all the other wonderful ladies that are sharing the things that are on their hearts today things they are thankful about. (clutter project is below)
Here's my thankful list:
God's love yes I see God's love for me everyday and I am thankful that he provides.
Affirmation God is affirming me concerning his purpose for my life. Thank you God for answering my prayers and leading me the way you want me to go.
TimeI am thankful that God gives me the time to be able to help my daughter and son in love by keeping my grandbaby.
Rain we have had an amazing amount of rain. Thank you God for this provision. I love my yard and it is so happy too for the rain. And I know the farmers definately needed it too. We need hay. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a farmer and depend on crops for my living. I am thankful for farmers.
Tutorials Have you noticed how cool my post is this morning. I am thankful for those nice people out there in blog land that teach the rest of us dummies how to do neat things like writing in BOLD Isn't that neat.
My de-clutter project yesterday was my blog. I got a lot done but it isn't finished. I re-arranged somethings. I have some more plans for it I'll be working on tonight. I added a couple of blogs to my list check it out to see if your there. I will be adding some more too. I have lots of favorites that I visit. I love you girls. If you've met me because I leave comments a lot you'll be there. And I am listing Daisy's friends too.
BTW please leave a comment and let me know how you like it. I am trying to make it easier to navigate and pretty too. Let me know if you like the music. I wrote about it yesterday and why I moved it. Let me know what you think please.
I hope everyone has a Blessed day. Whether your thankful for rain,sun,cool breezes or the last warm and sunny day for awhile enjoy your day!
BTW I have learned how to add a pretty signature but don't remember now how to do it. This post will be listed in my Dummies at Blogging Isn't this cool!
Oh I am working on a clutter project...or will be tonight when I get home from keeping the baby. Here's my project. To gather all the gardening stuff, pots,racks,fertilizer and the chairs that are scattered in a couple of different areas of the yard. I plan to get the boxes off the deck. Yes there are some still there and they are wet now. But hopefully Cowboy will feel like getting rid of them today and that part will be done when I get home. I will put all the chairs together on the deck and hopefully hang the window boxes I have been wanting to hang. Now flowers yet but maybe I'll stick some silks in. My yard will be clutter free by tomorrow!
Please don't forget to visit me tomorrow for Show and Tell. I know you'll enjoy it.
Amy Dean over at The 160 Acre Wood.com is my wonderful guest every Wednesday. Above is her wonderful illustration and reminder of God's word.
Here are her thoughts . . .
"I’ve currently been reading/working on a study over at Women of the Word. Carmen’s current study is The way of Cain
The study goes through some of the sins that we fall into and this verse captured me last week.. how if I’m not careful sin will try and overpower me. I know we need to press on and choose the right path; and remember that even when we think we are, we mustn’t let down our guard because sin is crouching at our door trying to get us to let it in.
God Bless!"
You can go over and visit Amy and see all the others that join her for Word Filled
Wednesday. And you can add this cute little button to your blog to let others now about this wonderful meme.
I am still continuting my de-cluttering today. I'll be updating this post later this afternoon after I finish the food pantry ministry.
Hope everyone has a Blessed Wednesday.
My de-cluttering progresses I am working on de-cluttering my blog.
My list to do: Move the music (I like the music at the top so if you don't want to hear it then you can turn it off. I think there is nothing more annoying than real loud music. I don't know how to change the vol. it's sort of like when you watching tv which I don't do often but when it's on and a commercial comes on and blasts you!)
Update Homes I visit Labels change
And maybe a couple of other things that are a surprise. Come by please and visit and did you notice my blinky at the top? Please leave a comment.
I tried something new that I just learned. Do you know what it is? I am adding the dummies at blogging label.
And if your wondering how this particular de-clutter task falls under the category of de-cluttering the house well here's my reasoning. My brain is cluttered sometimes when I am writing and trying to navigate my blog and it slows me down and so I figure if it slows me down it does my readers so I am helping everyone spend less time on the blogs and more on making the Home a Sanctuary.
(the above photo isn't a link but if you look really close you can read the blog address. Just type it into your thingy at the top. What is that called?)
I am tackling my Tuesday by continuing the August De-clutter challenge. My project today is to tackling unpacking the rest of my cookbooks. (I just had another thought. I will also tackle working on my sidebar links. I noticed a couple don't work and I have been asked how to get to the De-clutter site. If you can't get there come back tonight I'll work on that when I get home from babysitting. )
Here is a photo of some that are already out and being used.
One of my favorite things is to take vintage items and repurpose them to use in a different way. This little curio type shelf sits on my refrigerator and holds some of my cookbooks.
I don't have a lot of dining room in this house and so all my dishs; (and there are a lot of them) are in kitchen cabinets so there isn't any other space in the kitchen for cookbooks. I tried a few on top of the stove didn't work though no vent a hood. Don't ask.
Since there isn't room in the dining room either I am working on today putting them on the very top shelf in my master closet. I know that sounds weird but remember I like to repurpose. And besides what are you supposed to put up there anyway. Now you have to understand that this is a huge closet!
Before I go to my projects I have one more photo to show. This is an old piece that I sort of repurposed. It holds some of our library and some things that I love to look at. It doesn't look quite like this anymore because a couple of the items found new places to live. The Texas flag is now in my Cowboys man room. I'll share the story behind it in a Show and Tell Friday post soon. So if your interested come by on Friday's to hear the stories.
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 (NASB)
Before I go if you read my recent posts about God's provision I wanted to share what was in my inbox this morning. The above verse reminds me and shows me that God reaffirms me and the decisions that I struggle with. Sometimes I am so confused I don't know what to ask or which way to go he knows.
Have a happy day tackling your projects and de-cluttering.
The Simple Woman's Daybook~18 and De-clutter project (read all the way to the bottom)
For Today...Monday, August 18,2003
Outside my Window...Rain. Yea God! And the cat hanging out acting silly. He was on the window sill so I tried to let him in. He came to the porch jumped on my trunk and stretched. He's still outside!
I am thinking...I will pray about and ponder what the Lord said to me this weekend about trusting him to provide.
I am thankful for...God has provided each time. We received a check last week a day before the truck was finished in the shop. The check was a few dollars more than the exact amount. I am thankful also for the patience God is supplying me so I won't worry.
From the kitchen...Italian herb bread and probably a roast with potatoes and carrots. Yummy.
I am wearing...You don't want to know. My hair is in a pony tail as always. I really would like to get my hair cut really cute. I am tired of this all one length and pull back style.
I am reading...another novel finished the last one it was good really clean compared to most.(lately I have been needing the distraction of a book) But I am planning on reading Titus this week and to dig deeper into Philippians.
I am hoping...that the plans I am working on for the ministry really are God's I am praying also for this. I need discernment.
I am hearing...the rain and a little quiet. Cowboy is snoozing on the couch with no sound on the t.v. (how do they do that) he had a rough night last night with his knee. He over did it yesterday went to church and Sunday school then had the kids over last night. I hear the peaceful sound of his snoring and the ceiling fan.
I am creating...a new idea for a blog but it is a surprise just yet.
Around the house...More de-cluttering but haven't decided yet what. The dryer top is clean. I already have the sheets in the washer and I plan to re-arrange again the end of the living room and move an antique table I have in the kitchen to a spot in the living. I wish I had a camera to show you.
One of my favorite things...My house, which is becoming a home. And the rain when it rains like this just a steady drizzle, it is peaceful and useful.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...same as usual but I am taking action on the plans for ministry and the provision of that. That is where I need discernment to know when to act and when to continue resting on faith.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you
Thank you God that I need these today!
Below is my De-clutter project and a pray request at the very end.
Below is part of my De-clutter project for today. I finished the dresser drawers and now I am working on getting all the pictures off and on the walls. I have collected all our small framed art and photo's on the dresser and today is the day they are all going on the walls.
Below is an adorable framed drawing my mother found in a craft mall. It looks like my precious daughter and two of her favorite pets. Please come back on Friday for
Show and Tell for more photo's from this collection. And come by Saturday for a follow up to my Saturday Then Sings my Soul post. This week is all about donkeys.
Before I go I have a pray need. I mentioned alot in my daybook entry about God's provision. And if you go back to my Thankful Thursday post last week you'll see my ramblings about the ministry. I am trying really hard to have faith. And I do but it is the provision part where I stumble. And the worry about the provision. I know in my head or is it my heart I shouldn't worry. But I do. I see a ticking bomb. I see the calendar pages turn everyday. I see the bills that have to be paid this week and there is no money to pay them. There is some but not enough. And so I ask all my old and new friends to pray for me. Please pray for provision. I share this with you for one main reason. I need to trust God. On a side note I ask this of you and share with you because the biggest bill we have this week is the cable bill. And, if it isn't paid there won't be any posts for awhile and we will have no phone either. So my dear friends please lift me up. I pray that if you are reading this you see my heart. I love my blog and I love the friends that I have found. I get encouragement and I really feel God speaks to me through the things that I read and see too through this medium. I also get a Blessing because I believe and I pray that God uses me and the things that I write as a Blessing to others. This is my heart.
Daisy wants to welcome everyone to her Saturday post. This week she doesn't have a doggie friend from the blogworld; because we have spent a bunch of time working on organizing photos and we found this one. It means a lot to us so we wanted to share. (my Then Sings My Soul post is all the way at the bottom. I hope you enjoy it.)
This is our girl with the horse that played "Cisco" in the movie Dances with Wolves. The photo was taken on the best family vacation that we ever took. You can see by the smile on her face how happy she is just hand feed this horse.
Below is a copy of the cover of the book from our family library. As the cowboy family we are this is one of our favorite movies of all times.
Thanks for coming by and visiting I hope that you have enjoyed our 'blast from the past'. BTW the girl child is 26 years old now; married and a mommy. And she still gets the same smile on her faces when she sees a horse.
I'll be sharing more photo's Friday for Kelli's Show and Tell come back for another visit.
When I went to get a song for my Then Sings My Soul post I couldn't help but check out the video's on you tube for the Dances With Wolves music. I found this one. It doesn't seem to load really well but I thought the photo's at the beginning were really pretty and they reminded me of God's Creation. So I am sharing it with you today. Please go over and visit the other Then Sings My Soul posts too. Here's her link. http://signsmiraclesandwonders.blogspot.com/ or you can click on her button over on the sidebar. (The button takes you to an earlier post. The link takes you to the current post.)
Welcome to Show and Tell Friday hosted by the amazing Kelli. Look over at my sidebar and click on her link. There are always wonderful things to find there. Today she showed one of my favorite things a collection of bunnies.
I would like to share a couple of my favorite prints. This one hangs in our living room. It is called "Amazing Grace" We have had it about 15 or more years. It is by a local artist named Randy Souder. He is really amazing and does churches and old houses. I love his work. I love architecture and so I am drawn to this type of work. Also I love churches that look like churches. If you like this type of work you can check out his website.
Below is Rock of Ages. This one unfortunately is in storage at the present time. It was dropped during the recent move and the glass broke. Hopefully someday soon we will be able to restore it.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing my lovely prints. Don't forget to check out Kelli's blog today. And come back later I'll be adding my De-clutter post and tell you what is going on here outside! I have a Praise the Lord I'll share later.
And here is my De-clutter project . . . My laundry room/closet. Are you like me? Does your dryer get clutter with stuff that needs to be put away? It seems I just can't keep it clean. So today I my de-clutter project is to get it cleaned off. It might take me all day. LOL No really it should only take a couple of minutes. Then maybe I can finish my cleaning the dresser job I started yesterday. That yes I didn't finish. I am off to De-clutter and when I am done I'll be visiting Show and Tells. See you soon! I hope!
