Moments

When I first started blogging I had intended it to be a means of communication for a number of reasons. My reasons have changed.
Over the past few months I've struggled with some health issues none of which I could ever imagined. I've been stopped in my tracks. Daily chores, running a house hold, and even painting have become difficult tasks. Most days require a fighting spirit and some days I just don't have much of one.
Amazingly God is still in control. He knows each day before I rise, he knows every breathe, every tear and joy He carries us through each struggle.
My husband and I are watching a series of videos (can't remember the name)
The speaker talks about these difficult times that life brings us basically warning us that these struggles will come and we need to be prepared and cling to the cross of Jesus.
Life isn't about us, it is simple about God. He gets the glory.

Are you prepared? Trouble is coming...maybe not today or even tomorrow, but someday.....do you have the faith?

Humbled

Tonight I humbly asked for prayer from the elders of our church. This has been a rough road over the last few months, I hope one day to share the details. As we called on God and cried out to Him I felt so humbled. I felt like a little child clinging to hope. After our time of prayer someone said you should feel "flattered" that God has chosen you to go through this experience. Honestly I never thought of it like that....."chosen". He knew I was going to experience this, He planned it perfectly, not to say that He wants us to suffer, but in suffering we are made stronger.
I love this verse.

Consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Wow.....I'm still working on the "joy" part.

May you too, find a deep joy in all your trials.

Our pastor has a daily blog that walks through the Bible.
This mornings passage really spoke to me so I thought I'd post it.

Blessings


Why does God love us so much? Why does our Lord put up with all of our shenanigans? Why? Why? Why? God is merciful and full of grace—praise His name!
Joel 2:12-13 (MSG)
12 But there's also this, it's not too late— God's personal Message!— "Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!"
13 Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.
It is not too late. Here we are in the bottom of the ninth, two outs and a full count, but God says come on home. Come back to your maker and savior. The noose is around our necks and the trap door is about to open and God says just change and turn to me and I will catch you. Maybe someone is reading this today and they need to believe that God is still full of mercy and grace. Maybe, just maybe, you need to stop trusting yourself and put your faith and trust in the God who really loves you with an extravagant love. What is your soul craving? It is God who has made you and it is He who can fill you, and it is only Him who can fill you!! Come on home.

Paul was placed in the barracks for his own safety, Just as the Jewish leaders had killed Jesus, they wanted to kill the apostle Paul.
Acts 23:11 (MSG)
11 That night the Master appeared to Paul: "It's going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best. You've been a good witness for me here in Jerusalem. Now you're going to be my witness in Rome!"
Jesus was not through with His servant Paul. There was a day that Paul was done, but today was not that day. God used Paul’s nephew to help Paul get out safely. Sometimes God uses angels and sometimes he uses our sister’s son who happened to be in the right place at the right time. If you are alive and I assume you are since you are reading this, then God is not finished with you either. Let God speak to your heart. Let God use you in your remaining time on this earth.

Free Paint

This is a fantastic offer totally free!
Check it out here is the link.

https://www.glidden.com/promotions/free-paint-giveaway.do

Down & Out

That's me, or at least the way I've been feeling! A couple of weeks ago I had fairly minor surgery, needless to say I've experience a bunch of complications along the way. Such fun! I now have developed a lovely infection so I still may be "out" for a couple more days, hopefully not weeks.

So if you're wondering when my shop will reopen, I can only hope to say soon!
:)

Recently one of my customers contacted me to make a frame for a friend of hers. She was about to have baby #4. She proceeded to tell me the baby's daddy was serving along side her husband in Iraq. Kinda took my breath away as I thought about how difficult it must be to bring a new little one into the world with a husband/daddy so far away.
I decided to make two frames one for the new mom and another for my customer as she has a little daughter as well.








Here is the message I received this morning from this little girl's mom:

"We absolutely LOVE the frame. I put a picture of Maggie and her dad in it, and it sits on her nightstand. She kisses it before she goes to bed at night. It goes perfectly with her room. Thank you again for thinking of us!"

As I choked back the tears and thanked the Lord for allowing me to touch this little life, even in a very small way. These are the kind of emails that make me so grateful for the gift of painting. And, how fitting to receive this email on Memorial Day.
God Bless!

Memorial Day

As I sit here recovering from surgery I've had some time to think. Why I schedule my surgery for the long weekend, I'll never know!
Being from Canada and moving to the United States 7 years ago I've had my eyes opened. One thing that struck me was the deep gratitude and appreciation that Americans have for those who have chosen to serve this country. The fact that ordinary citizens step up to the call of service is beyond comprehension to me. Thank you to those who have chosen to keep this country safe and have gone beyond the call of duty. God Bless America!