My Favorite Projects

We snapped a few pictures after church today. The older the kids get the harder it is to get a picture. Actually, it is Jeff that makes photos hard to do. His personality is so easy going...except for taking pictures, you'd think you were asking him for blood or something! His parents tell me when he was a kid he would cry and throw things at the camera. When Josh was little he hated pictures too, although he didn't throw things, he'd just cry or go hide...now here he is, slap in the center! :o) He was also setting the timer on the camera today and running into place. :o)

Those that know me well, know I usually have a half a dozen projects going at one time. I have 2 baby blankets in the basket next to the recliner, about 5 quilts cut out...but not put together yet, several sewing patterns waiting to be cut, I started a jute/beaded necklace about 2 weeks ago...and the list goes on... :o/ BUT I do get things done, just not as fast as I start them. :o)

As much as I like to make things, I'd have to say that my family, especially my husband, are my favorite projects. They are my life long project that I want to pour my whole life into. They are the project that God himself gave me. Unlike finishing a quilt or catering a wedding reception, I will never see the complete project of my family, because it is God that is responsible for the results, and hopefully these results will carry on for generations. When I finish a quilt, a cake, or whatever... I can take a step back and look at it. I can see my mistakes and wish I would have done some things differently, and that is how I feel about being a wife and mother. Jeff and I just celebrated our 21st anniversary. There are many things I wish I would have done differently, but then again, those things make up who we are. God uses all those things for our good and His glory. What a mess things would be if it were all up to us!!!

I am so thankful that God gave me this special project, this calling (mission) in life, to be a wife and mother. I am even more thankful that I am God's chosen project, and that He has promised to FINISH ME (unlike my boxes of unfinished projects). When I am done doing the things He has for me to do, He will bring me home...HOME to enjoy Him forever! Until then may I be clay in the Potter's hands.

The BEST dog in the world!

My Favorite Scene

OK, so I drive my family a little nuts always taking pictures...of EVERYTHING! But one day they will be glad they have thousands and thousands of pictures to look back on. The other night I snook up behind Jeff and took this picture. This is my absolute favorite scene to see in my home, my husband feasting on God's word. You can give me a one room shack and it would be OK as long as I have a husband that loves the Lord!

Yesterday, Olivia and I were out for our walk and we walked past a house of a friend of ours that recently died. Olivia commented on how sad it was that he was always working on that house, making it so nice, and now it just sits there empty and neglected. I reminded her what is even more sad is that he spent all of his time working on that house, but he did not build his spiritual house. This earthly house will one day be ashes, it is our spiritual house that is everlasting.

And how guilty I am of doing the same thing, getting distracted doing THINGS, and not spending enough time at the feet of the Lord.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Mathew 6:19-21

The Love and Faithfulness of a Woman

A couple of weeks ago I watched the dedication of the Billy Graham Library on TV. Being the parent of a prodigal it brought comfort to me to watch Franklin Graham. I was reminded of how this son went astray and how God brought him home and now he lives a life of service for the Lord. Sometimes us weary moms just need a reminder that 'this too shall pass'.

I was brought to tears as I listened to Rev. Graham speak with a frail voice of his wife and his love for her. He told how she had been bedridden for 6 months and how he goes into talk with her several times a day. What he said was brief, but it was full of love and dedication for his Lord and for his wife.

That caused me to think about Ruth more. How she lived a long and faithful life, faithful to God and her husband. She no doubt had suffered her own struggles and endured them with grace that only God gives. She has walked though the valley of a Rebel Son and God was faithful.

When she died last week I was so overwhelmed with doubts of my own faithfulness. When my life ends will it be a life of perseverance? Seeking to be a God pleaser? There is a beautiful video clip, pictures and comments from family here:

http://www.billygraham.org/RBG_FuneralService.asp


What a beautiful woman, she simply glowed with glory. She found her service to the Lord, her purpose, in being Billy's helpmeet. She cared for all 5 children when he was gone for months at a time. Isn't a glorious thing to have earthly examples of Godly women that embraced their calling as a woman. Her fulfillment was in Christ as she stood by her husband, was a keeper of their home, and a mother to more than their five children. Could Rev. Graham been able to do all that he has done without such a strong, humble woman at his side? I believe her crown in glory will be just as magnificent as his.

The greatest love on this earth is the love
an old man has for his old woman.
~Paul Harvey

I dare not say that my life is near as holy as Ruth Graham, nor Jeff's as Billy Grams, but when I look at all those photos of them together, I see the same love Jeff and I share. I hope the Lord will give us 64 years together.

Am I a Bad Sport?

My husband takes his work and providing for his family very seriously, as he should. :o) One of his short comings in life is that he does not play enough. I've tried to change that about him for over 20 years, but I think he is pretty much settled in his ways. But what I don't get is that he is GOOD at everything he plays. Not only is he good, but he is humble about it all. He never makes a big deal about winning, but it's almost like he can't loose. To me it is no fun to play pool, golf, horseshoes, cards, chess, bowling, badmitten, etc... who wants to play a game knowing you'll loose each time? Does that make me a bad sport? ;o)

Tonight the girls, Jeff and I were outside playing badmitten. Now you have to know how Jeff is, he treats me like I am some sort of royalty, so when we are on opposing teams he will take it easy on me, and when we were on the same team he will run circles around me so I don't have to do much of anything. lol... The girls did not find this very amusing, but on the other hand, they are use to it. I hope they have husbands that love them so dearly!

btw, one game that I CAN beat him at is Pictionary...guess what we never get to play?

The Gift of Faithfulness

Have you been to Walmart the last couple of days? If so you know the card and flowers areas are covered up with people searching for a Valentine goodie. I love Valentine's Day, not the commercialism of it, but just the fun of doing something extra special for those you love. It adds a cheerful day to the dull drums of winter! I miss the days of our kids making their own Valentines.

This year I bought the girls a mug and candy rings,
and Josh a bag of red hots.
I wrote them each a little message.
I had this on the table this morning when they got up!

The funny thing is I'll buy a couple of little things for the kids and maybe a card for our parents, but I usually don't BUY much of anything for Jeff, and I EXPECT nothing from him, not because he's not high on my priority list, but because EVERY DAY is Valentine's Day for us. I am so secure in his love, and he in mine that Valentine's Day, Christmas, Anniversaries, and so on really aren't big deals. Jeff treats me like a Queen EVERY DAY, so how can that be out done? :o)

I haven't always been this way. I use to be very selfish, expecting grand expressions of his affections, but after 20 years of marriage I have learned the simple fact that he is FAITHFUL and always kind is the GRANDEST expression of love. I don't need flowers or anything else. All I need is to know that his heart is mine and mine his!

May God receive all the glory for our marriage.

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