Hmmm....Where are the Pictures?

It has been a long time.  I've been here, there and nowhere.  But, I'm back, and, as usual, hope to blog a little bit more.

I actually do miss blogging.  It's a little bit difficult in the household in which I'm living.  My computer is in the living room....my son was sleeping on the couch....daughter's bedroom is right around the corner.  Five people in a small house with one bathroom leads to some cramped quarters and limited access...if you know what I mean!!

So, in the time I've been away:

Lydia has turned three!!  I'm trying to add a picture from my computer, but I just can't seem to figure out this new set-up!!    Hmmm.....this says I should be able to choose a file, which is what I want to do....choose a file from my computer. 

Instead, I'm receiving something that says select file from a url, etc. 

For today, we'll have to go without pictures until this figures itself out!!

Christ-mas has come and gone....New Year's has come and gone.  We've had some snow (again wanted to post a picture!). 

I've made several projects.....and no, they are not unfinished....completed and given away.

There are several projects in the works...just as I'm still and always will be an unfinished project as long as I am on this earth.     (Again....more pictures that I don't know how to upload).

This is the beginning....the beginning of the story of the rest of my life.

Stay tuned.....I'm going to try to be back at least 3 days a week....and hopefully, I'll be able to add some pictures.

If anyone can help me in this, I would appreciate it!!

That's it for today!!

Beth

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Waiting

Sometimes--

Life doesn't flow along

the way

we want it to.

Surprises--

unwanted surprises--

greet us along the

course.

Twists

and

turns--

hills

and

valleys--

All

combine

to

lead

me

to

the place

where

GOD

wants me

to be.

And so,

I wait

patiently

for

HIS

direction--

HIS

Hand upon

my heart and mind.

And the

confusion,

despair,

anxiety....

the

UNKNOWN

will all

clear

with

HIS PURPOSE

and

PLAN

for my life

laid out

before me.



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Seeking Shelter

Monday has rolled around again....

I opened my Bible to the Psalms this morning...randomly...and these verses are what I read:

God is our refuge and our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea....Psalm 46:1-2 NLT

If you've been following along with me, you'll know that I recently had periods of anxiety...anxiety that was so strong that walking through a door--yes, even thinking about walking through that door--brought me legs of rubber, shaking hands, a feeling in my chest that was overwhelming me.

This went on for several weeks.  Then, I met with some friends...we talked....we prayed about this situation....prayed blessings over this place.

Now...

I arrive.  I sit in my car and again pray blessings over this place.  Then, I walk on strong and steady legs to the door.  I put my key in the door but do not turn it.

Close my eyes...hand on the key...and say outloud--

"God, I need You to go before me into this place.  Walk in front of me and I will follow.  Guide me and lead me."

All I can say is--anxiety gone, pressures gone, and a feeling of peace has entered my heart and mind.

Thank You, God, for walking in front of me.  Thank You for leading me and guiding me.  Thank You for the peace that You have instilled in my heart and mind.  Let me be a shining light to others so that they can also experience Your peace.




strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Should I or Shouldn't I?

I said yesterday that I would have pictures today of the baby blanket that I'm working on.  So, here it is:

This is called 'Cables and Lace Baby Blanket', and is one of my very favorite patterns.  Each row in a section is different, so I don't easily become complacent and not pay attention resulting in my making a mistake. 

Yes, this is the very same pattern that I used for Lydia's first blanket--the blanket she carries with her from place to place.

I'm still contemplating whether or not to open a 'shop'...either on Etsy or Artfire....

I've been thinking about this for some time....going back and forth in my mind....which site, should I do this or not, the extra income would be wonderful, is it worth my time and effort.....

I do know this....knitting and the many other handcrafts I do are very relaxing to me.  I love the feel of the yarn in my hands....I love watching a ball of yarn turning into something beautiful.....I love that God has given me this talent....

So, what do you think?  Should I or shouldn't I open a shop?  Any feedback on either sites would be wonderful!!



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Feelings

It has been a long weekend.......

And here it is, Monday morning, and I'm now wondering how these two days flew by.  Funny how when I was living in the past two days they seemed to drag on and on, but now looking back they seemed to go so fast. 

To try to take my mind off the anxiety and nervousness feelings I've been having, I started a baby blanket for my cousin's daughter.  She is expecting a little girl in November. 

I thought I would make her something and send it to my cousin as a baby gift.  No pics yet...perhaps tomorrow. 

Keeping my hands busy seemed to keep my mind busy also.  So, the feelings were pushed down for the weekend (for the most part).

Now, Monday is here....I'm sitting here typing....my mind is going 1000 miles per second.....and I can feel it returning.

The anxiety....
The feelings of doom and gloom....
The constant shaking of my foot....
The fear of the unknown.....

I remember these feelings from long ago....

I thought I had dealt with all that was causing this, but obviously I have not.  I need to spend time in prayer with my Father...a deliberate time with Him...taking time not just to talk to Him, but to listen to what He has to say to me, show me....why this is happening, where I am to go from here. 

I know and have all faith that He can relieve this, but I need to be shown the way.  I need to seek Him more and more....let His peace come into my heart and mind....healing the wounds that are causing these feelings within me. 

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Lead Me

Tuesday has arrived.....

For some reason, Tuesday seems to be the busiest day at my work.  I don't know why...thinking that Monday would be busier....but, this doesn't ever seem to happen.

So, I'm preparing myself for the day....giving this day, as all days, over to God--for His guidance and direction...and for me to be able to hear and sense His presence throughout the day over all the noisiness of this world.

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Power Outage

Yesterday was interesting....

I woke up at my usual time....stumbled out to the kitchen to make my coffee....then I stood and waited for enough coffee to drip into the pot so that I could grab my first cup.

There it is....first cup of "wake me up".....and I'm just pouring this into my cup when I was plunged into silence and darkness.

For some reason, the electric source to my house completely died.  Just like that....one minute going through my normal routine, and in a second--gone.

I thought that perhaps this was one of those "on again-off again" power problems.  So, I waited....standing in the kitchen....cup of coffee in hand...in the still and dark of the very early morning.

Nothing happened....no flicker of lights indicating that the electric would be returning....nothing.

I found the matches, made my way to the living room to find a candle, and I lit this.  Then, I went outside....

Yes, every one's house is in darkness and stillness.  I hear my neighbor's generator running, so this is everyone and not just me. 

I sat on the deck....drinking my coffee...savoring the stillness and darkness.  I'm thinking to myself that this probably won't last--I'll be able to start getting ready for work soon.

Time passes....no electric....no ironing of the clothes I am going to wear....no shower...no hair washing or drying.

It is getting late, and I must get ready--electric or no electric.

I find some clothes that aren't too wrinkly, take my candle into the bathroom with me so that I can at least see to brush my hair.  Doesn't look too bad from what I can ascertain from the flickers in the mirror. 

I thought to myself--"Well, they'll just have to take me this way--perhaps a little wrinkled...perhaps my hair doesn't look the greatest...but I'll be there to do my job....just have to take me the way I am."

And then my heart and mind felt the thought..."I love you just the way you are." 

What a wonderful feeling!!  God's love isn't dependent upon my clothing or my hair.  He doesn't immediately 'shut off' His love if I mess something up or have some untouched areas of wrinkles.  No, this isn't my God.  My God loves me regardless...and He loves to take those messed up areas and wrinkles of life and turn them around for His good purposes and glory. 

His love is forever, never changing, unfailing.  He is not like the electric company--a power than can be turned off in a storm--or for no reason whatsoever.  In fact, He does some of His greatest work in storms. 

His power is so much stronger--His strength so much greater--His love never ending. 

We just assume our electricity will be there.  We don't appreciate it until it is gone. 

Sometimes, we need a 'plunge into darkness' in order to see and feel 'The Light of the World'...our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I gather my keys, and start to walk out the door.  As I open the door to leave, the power to my home comes to life.

And I smile, and say, "Thank You for showing me the way through the darkness of this morning."

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