Moving

I'm moving my blog to

http://blog.heavensentdesigns.com

Moving

My blog is moving! You can find it at

http://blog.heavensentdesigns.com/

Have Wings, Will Fly

Let it not be said that we settle for long in sameness. Oh we get comfortable for a time, but then the restlessness sets in, its not a dissatisfaction with life necessarily, but more of a desire to try something new, or improve upon a method. Acutally, as I think back, its been in the times of greatest upheaval that our faith has grown the most. Its easy to just float along, never rocking the boat of life, weathering out the little storms. Problem is though, that by living that way, one tends to depend more on themselves than on God. Oh sure, He has given us resources to do many things, make changes, and be adventuresome and I think its a good thing to take advantage of those things. I have a friend who for years complained of his living situation, but never would do anything about....he kept saying he didn't have any direction from God to move....yet his life was parrallized and in many ways plain old stagnant because he would not take some initiative and move forward. Finally after many years he did, and I believe he is much happier and able to do more with his resources than ever before. But when you get to my age, ( not that its that old) you either get careless and make ill informed choices, or you get very very cautious and afraid to venture out of that old comfort zone. The familiar is safe....its what you know.....its even dependable in many ways. I think God calls us to be more that status quo, excersize our faith, take a risk. This is scarry and thrilling at the same time......I think we are on the edge of jumping off again... actually, the girls are great examples to me, as they have both been "jumping off" for awhile now....did I teach them that? Its been awhile since I've had air under my feet.....perhaps its time to fly again. I hear there are eagles in Fl. Maybe they'd like some company. Isaiah 40:31

Thread Blessings

This morning was overcast, grey and a little hazy. Driving to work, it seemed like the only colors I saw were concrete grey, dirty cream, dull dark and tired green, and occassionaly a splat of highway or school bus yellow. Made me think of how this is the way probably alot of people view every day (I'm not talking about our color challenged friends),those who are depressed, lonely, sad, etc. Sometimes I look at the scenery or lack thereof and wonder how I would paint it as a picture. There was a time when Tia ( in her melodramatic stage) would think this kind of day could only be improved upon by the addition of a slow steady rain. Now that she has 4 children, and knows the absurdity of keeping them amused in a 1000 sq.ft. appt. on a rainy day, I don't think she thinks of rain the same way.

Yesterday I got my much anticipated Madeira thread chest. This is a collection of just about every color and style of embroidery thread Madiera makes. The chest is well built and has 3 drawers that has all the thread organized by color and style. Most of the thread is rayon, so the colors are beyond gorgeous with the sheen and luster. For months I have debated on purchasing this item, and now that I have it, I find myself opening the drawers and gazing at the wonderful colors, imagining what glorious things I can make with them. To my mind came the thought that God created each of these colors and so many more.

Observing our natural surroundings on any given day, can yield more colors than can be counted, even one that is gloomy . What if each color represented a moment of our life, or an event. If I only look at the dark browns and greys in the chest, while each can be appealing on its own, they could be as the mundane and ordinary things of my day. If I look at the whole drawer with such a vast variety of colors, those dark colors are enhanced and complimented by the brights and jewel tones. Such is each day.....too bad we often only concentrate on the ordinary or mundane parts of our day.....instead of taking in the whole mix of events.....for the child of God I believe that every day has moments of red, yellow, blue, turquoise, purple, and every thing in between, but we get so stuck in the grey and brown, we miss the blessings of the others. As I think back on the drive this morning, I did notice a splash of a bright blue awning, and some red on a sign.

How was my day? Well pretty routine, but then I did find an exquisite piece of gold patterned brocade at the fabric store, and the vegetables I fixed for supper where colorful and tasted especially good. And Erin started her blog, and has a beautiful dark green woodsy picture on the header.....reminded me of a little of Michigan. Just little bits of color, or shall I say blessings. We even celebrated a birthday at the shop and had a red velvet cake.

I think I will go look at my threads again and count the blessings of the day. This blessed child of God likes to live in "living color".

Window Prints

Today was one of those days, that even though you may be only 1 or 2 places all day, a variety of things happen that never quite connect.

Ken came in the shop asking who has natural gas. UMMM let me think about that. He shouldn't have to look far...afterall he is a Sandstrom! Cheryl and I both cracked up. Actually, he is researching what it would take to get a natural gas hook up to the building and if it would save us any money. We have to get the other tennets on board with it to make it work.

Today I made a dumb mistake on a banner.....an error in measuring....problem is tho, is that now I have to start completely over.....lots of LITTLE letters to cut.

Paul the "mole" came up today....we hadn't seen him in a long time. Dad says he has lost his passion for the wood. He made so much money on the pieces he did that he was able to pay off all his equipment and his new truck. Now he doesn't seem to have much incentive to work. Its and shame because he really is a gifted woodworker and we don't want to see him give it up.


On a more positive note...the new banners are coming along nicely...we hope to have 5 new scripture banners, 3 new chapels, 8-9 new 7' names of Jesus, and maybe a new chancel ready to be introduced by Sept. I like this new 3x7' size as it really lends itself to a different design format.

I made the mexican hot dish thing that was the receipe that Erin gave me.....I used chicken instead of beef.....yummmy It is hard to keep dad out of it. He would eat the whole 13x9' pan of it if I let him.

Gigi has to go to the Dr. again,....this time she says she is having a strange pain in her leg.

Jaasper found the loose corner of the wallpaper border over the kitchen counter......you can imagine how much fun that is. He's almost like a little kid.....no fingerprints on the glass, nose prints instead, not picking off loose paint by the toilet but pulling off the wallpaper. Not dumping his glass of milk.....flipping his water bowl instead. Amos goes around here like that old dog food commercial.....I'm a lucky dog oops i mean cat.....I'm a lucky cat...no kids to chase me, just a little orange brat.

I hope to wash some windows on Sat. but I think i will leave one pane in the patio door undone....its got kids prints on it and I'm in no hurry to wash them off.

I leave you with this: Psalm 15 check it out. Its a good pattern for life.

Sundays Are Different

Sundays are different now. Oh we go through the same routines.....church, dinner either with Dan and Earlene, Tom and Carla, or here at home. But now the kids aren't here for dinner and the afternoon....its alot quieter, and I do seem to have a little more time to think about the events of the past week, and what went on at church. I think we feel the absence of the kids more keenly on Sunday. Several of our friends have asked how we are doing.....it helps to know there are others who don't see their grandkids often...we sort of commiserate together. But after a productive afternoon and a short paddle in the pool, both the girls called and I even got to speak to Celia, and Dad got to talk to Andrew. That Wheaton though....he must have a thing about phones.

Its such a wonderful thing to be able to share my heart with both of the girls, and to not only know they understand, but have a way of encouraging me. I marvel at the wisdom both have.....they sure got it at a younger age that I did.....Perhaps the best thing of all is that they hold me accountable in so many areas of my life....it helps me to keep striving toward the goal of being a more godly woman. They are my best friends.

This makes me think of a verse: Prov. 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Keep on Learning

It would be so easy to just go through life from now on just floating along, never trying anything new, never stretching your brain. But how boring is that?! Today, I learned a new trick on my graphics program, tried cooking a roast a new way, went to a new grocery store, and started this blog. With the grandkids gone to TN. and not having to cook that big Sunday dinner, its easy to fall into some pretty bad habits....like working ALL the time, or not cooking for just the two of us.
I have'nt been doing too bad on the cooking part, all though we seem to eat more when I think we will have leftovers for lunch the next day. Maybe I should try serving up our plates and putting the rest in the refrigerator right away.

Speaking of Sunday dinners....we tried a new place last week.....Crispers. Its like a Panera Bread and pretty good.

I made good progress today on the computer with the pics for the new catalog....have a ways to go though before I can actually start the layout process. Thats like another full time job...Did I say anything about working too much?

Problem is my occupation happens to be a good part of my hobby or is it the other way around.
Work is a privilege and I am grateful for it. The alternative is pretty bleak.

Time for me to go.....I leave you with this verse. The Lord is my strength and my sheild; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Ps.28:7a