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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Here, There, Not Everywhere....

So, I was going to change the background here.  But, I thought...oh, well...winter will be coming soon.  Maybe when I have a little time, I'll switch to a fall scene.

As for now, the background is the same.

Me...I am the same, yet not the same.  Still living with Cara, Ryan and Lydia.  There are ups, downs and in-betweens, but all and all, a good situation.

I help them, they help me, and well....what can I say...my Lydia creates so much laughter and joy in my life!!

I've had some health issues this summer....a swelling in my neck that comes and goes.  After numerous tests and a biopsy, it was found that I have multiple nodules on my thyroid.  The biopsy of these was, oh, so thankfully, benign!!

But, the swelling is what is known as a thyroglossal cyst...apparently something that developed when I was just an embryo. 

It is now to the point that I have the swelling and pain almost every other week.  The solution for this problem is, of course, removal of the cyst.  This is going to occur next Wednesday, August 22--an outpatient procedure--and I shouldn't be down and out for more than a few days.

I have also transferred from one department to another for my same employer.  I am thoroughly enjoying my new work and my new coworkers.

One of my coworkers quilts with a group of ladies once a week.  Their church host an Apple Festival in October, and the quilt is auctioned off.  All the proceeds are donated to a needy family in the area.  I've been helping out with this as much as I possibly can.

Here's last year's quilt:

I was excited to find this group since quilting is something I've always wanted to learn to do.

Also, I am leading another Small Group through my church with three other women. I feel so blessed to have been selected to participate in this study.  The series is called "Me, Myself and Lies"....about the truths that we believe about ourselves through lies fed into us by others. 

Oh, and before I go....here's my Lydia at the beach this past weekend....how she has grown...talks about everything and anything:

That's all for this evening and I'm going to try my hardest not to stay away for so long!!

Beth



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Picking Up

To pick up where I left off....which was vacation...

We arrived home from the beach safely.  The day after our return, the owner of my home....the home that I love, had been hoping and dreaming of for so long, a dream that had come true.......dropped over for a visit.

He informed me that since he had built a new home of his own and had overextended himself, he had to sell this home.  A buyer was all lined up.  She wanted to move and take possession in approximately two months' time.

I understood his dilemma, but this announcement presented me with my own dilemma...

Where to go?
First month's rent plus a security deposit?

Not to mention all the past memories of moving that came flooding back to me.....times that I had moved because I was leaving a bad situation, times that I had to move because I was financially unable to stay where I was....all the bad memories pouring over me...into me....as though a dam had broken.

I spent two weeks in a kind of 'shocked' mode...unable to progress into what I knew I had to do.

Finally, after days of crying and yes--having a sort of 'pity party' for myself....I start looking for a new place to live. 

Sounds easy, doesn't it?

Just find a place and move in?

Not as easy as you might think....especially when you have a 'past'....most of a 'past' that doesn't really belong to you.....just tags along with you....

The owner then tells me that the moving date has been moved to the end of November....then to the middle of November....then to the beginning of November.

My kids and I spend each evening for a week packing my belonging.

They are being moved to storage for the time being.

Me?  I am staying with my daughters and granddaughter for the time being.  Cara wanted me to stay until at least CHRISTmas.

Here it is now....January 5....I am still here....which has taken some adjusting....again--some good and some not so good....

More again soon....

Beth

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Back Again

It's been quite a while since I've written anything.  A lot has occurred in my life--some for good, some for not so good....

So, I'll start over again....back to September....with our trip to the beach.

This was a most wonderful time.....a time of relaxation, laughter, together with all my children:

I'm happy remembering this time......

And I'll move on with other happenings on another day...

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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Chosen in Faith

I was driving home one day last week, and I heard two songs which greatly touched me....to the point of tears:

Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as He decided long ago....Ephesians 1:11 NLT

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us....James 1:27 NLT

I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself...Psalm 89:2 NIV

Soaking on SONday



strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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