Saturday, October 31, 2009

Where have I been? LOL

I feel like I've disappeared from Blog Land! I've been so busy this past week that I just haven't had any time to get online and read blogs, or type any of my own. I have started drafting my next edition of "Love Story", but it's still not finished yet...I thought it would be the last one, but I may have to make it into 2 more. :)

We are getting ready to go on vacation for a week, so you won't hear from me for at least that long. We won't have much availability to the internet,...we'll be in the mountains, enjoying some cooler weather, and HOPEFULLY some pretty leaf color (though I fear we have missed it already). We'll be doing some hiking and relaxing. I plan to take some projects with me, sewing, crafting, books to read - I'm looking forward to a break from the heat we've been enduring here.

(Random picture...isn't she just adorable?)

I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back, I'll need to find out what everyone has been doing in Blog Land...I'd really better get packing! :)

Have a beautiful week my friends!


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Love Story Part 7,...we're almost there...

Well, here it is,...the long awaited final part to my sweet Love Story. Well,...it was SUPPOSED to be the final part. I'm long winded, so you still have one more after this (do I sound like a broken record?).




If you haven't read any of my Love Story posts, please start here...Love Story. Just scroll to the bottom and work your way up. :)



"So close and yet so far...After I came to Christ, Mike and I were attending the same church, but we just didn't know eachother yet."



I had been a Chrisitian for a few years, I was learning, growing, and loving the new life that Christ had poured into me. I had been blessed, too, with a good job working as a Secretary with a small company. As a single Mom, it was a great blessing to have a steady job, healthcare, and paid vacation, without a college education, it was definitely the hand of God caring for me, He always saw that my needs were met. Though I was happy in my life, I still desired to have a godly man to share my life with, someone who would be a good role model for my son, someone who loved the Lord with all his heart.




Mike had been growing as well, he dove into God's Word with all that he had, he began Bible College, as he wanted to be sure that he understood scripture and how to apply to all of life. He had come to a place in his life where he was happy single. He felt that perhaps that was what God had intended for him - single for the Lord. It wasn't that he didn't want a relationship, it was just that he didn't want all the drama and pain that can come with it - he would rather focus on what God wanted for his life....little did he know that included me! :)



Mike had always had a heart for kids, and loved being an Uncle to his many neices and nephews, so when he decided to become a volunteer at church, Sunday School seemed the perfect place. He was given the 3rd and 4th grade classes. As our church began to rapidly grow (and volunteers didn't) his classes were sometimes filled with up to 50 children at a time!




There was a little boy in his class that caught his attention, not really in a GOOD way. This little guy, Cris, was a bit roudy, didn't like to sit still and talked out of turn. Mike got the feeling that he was from a single parent home and his heart went out to him. However, while he felt sorry for the kid, he couldn't have him distrupting the class, especially not one that large, so he called for a conference with the parent....God does have a sense of humor doesn't He? :)



Meanwhile, I was attending church and serving in other areas. During service there was a certain guy that caught my eye. I vividly remember him sitting 2 rows in front of me, and slightly to the left...or should I say, I usually found a seat 2 rows behind him, and slightly to the right. :) It was a nice view, I liked his profile, I liked his long eyelashes, I liked the peaceful way he praised the Lord, I liked the way he paid attention so deeply to the sermons....pang of guilt, apparantly I was paying more attention to him than the pastor - yikes!



Don't get me wrong. I paid attention in church, I was learning God's Word and growing in leaps and bounds, but I couldn't help but notice this man. He had the most beautiful eyes and well, let's just say he caught my attention - he was a hunk! But the funny thing is, what attracted me the MOST was his passion for God's word. I see almost feel it in the way he took notes, turned his pages and listened so intently to the pastor; he never chatted or passed mints to friends, and I couldn't help but peek at him during praise and worship,...it was almost like I could feel his heart, his love for his Lord. There was something in his strong, silent demeanor that drew me to him. Well, I was a pretty shy gal (yes, it's true), and I figured unless God threw him in my lap I would never get to even know his name...




Then,...I had a dream. Oh gracious, I know, ya'll are sitting on the edge of your seats now, "Oh, she had a DREAM"....now hold your horses, this was a very nice, clean, sweet dream. I was so simple and it really WOWED me....here's how it went...


We were laying in a bed next to eachother (it was TOTALLY innocent, so keep reading), and facing eachother,...all I could see in my dream was our faces. He looked into my eyes and said "I love you,...I really love you"....and that was it. Well, I woke up in the morning and grabbed my journal and starting writing God a HUGE letter...what is that all about? Who is this guy? Why am I dreaming about him? Is he gonna be my gift???? Woo-Hooooooo! :)



Next thing you know, I am asked to meet with my son's Sunday School teacher...you know it's bad when you have a parent/teacher conference AT CHURCH! Oh my. Well, as it should be, there was another person present during our meeting. Now this may sound strange, if you go to a smallish church, or even if you go to a large church and have decent size classes, you probably know your childs teacher. However, in the early stages of our church, the classes were so large that the teacher was in the class "settling" things, while the assistant was at the door signing kids in. The parents didn't even go in the room, it would be too crazy and crowded. So I actually didn't KNOW who his teacher was! So, the meeting began, and ended...I couldn't tell you what was said, I COULD, however, tell you that his teacher had some long lush eyelashes and gorgeous eyes!!! Yes, I promised to discuss with my son his behavior...then I floated home on a pink fluffy cloud made of cotton candy....



A week or so later, I was chatting with my friend Jo Ellen near the lobby entrance at church...my back was toward the lobby and she said to me,..."Now, THERE'S a guy you should be 'going for'"...I turned around and can you guess who was in the lobby playing around with my son? Yup, Capt. Eyelashes himself! :) I almost passed out, but instead I told her about my dream! :)



One day on a Sunday afternoon, I decided to pull out some craft items. I sat at my table when I felt like God had literally spoken to me...hard to explain, but I completely felt like He said to me to make a painted craft with this verse..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own undertanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6 ~ THEN the Lord 'said' that I was to take it to church that night and give it to Mike....whom I HARDLY knew!!! By now, (after the conference), we had even acquaintance to say 'hi' in passing, chat in a group of 'singles', etc...but it had never really gone further than that - so I wasn't feeling too comfy with this whole situation.




BUT, being the obedient (and love struck) girl that I was, I painted the little wooden plaque, wrapped it in tissue paper, tucked it into my purse and then layed out a fleece for my Lord. Knowing FULL well that I wouldn't be afforded this opportunity, I said to my Lord..."The only way I can give this to him is if I find myself completely alone with him" - gutsy eh? Who do I think I am testing God like that? I KNEW that couldn't happen. It had never happened before, why would it happen now????......




Ok, I think that's MORE than enough to leave you hangin' for today, LOL...I PROMISE to have the rest up tomorrow! Promise - that's a strong word!!!




I hope you are enjoying my true love story...I am enjoying re-living it with you all!




Have a beautiful day!











Saturday, October 24, 2009

Fall Giveaway Winner and Award Time!

I KNOW you've been waiting ALL day to find out who won my Fall Wreath giveaway. I sense you've been sitting at your computer hitting "refresh", and wondering why I haven't yet posted my winner, since I SAID I was gonna do it on Saturday!!!

Well, let's just say the brain doesn't work quite like it use to and I (for some unknown reason), THOUGHT I was supposed to pick my winner tonight and announce it on Sunday!!! Suddenly I had a revelation (OK, I re-read my blog post), and realized I was supposed to have my winner picked already!!!! Yikes! I quickly phoned my best friend Kim, because she needed to be on the phone with me. What if she won? I won her giveaway just a few days ago and we've both been concerned that it would look pretty fishy if she won mine too!!!! Oh the guilt we felt when I won her's, I almost forfitted! Then we both decided that was silly, I won fair and square and by golly I want that Snickers bar! LOL...So, once I secured Kim on the phone, I popped over to Random.org and plugged in my numbers and guess who won????



IT WASN'T KIM! ~ YES, SHE'S SHOCKED!





I know you are just busting at the seams, waiting to find out who won...but you must hear this very important message first...



It's Award Time!



Don't scroll down and bypass this award...what if you're in there????




My dearest friend Kim has given me this award...Thank you Kim.




I don't want to sound too much like a ditz, NOR do I want to sound ungrateful,...but I have no idea what it actually means... Does this mean I need to be sweeter? Does this mean I am from Columbia? Does this mean I can lift a car with just one hand? Well, I have to really toss this one around in my head and figure it out, but meantime, I am to pass it along to the blogs I read daily...

Here are a few...(in no particular order)...I try to get around the blog-o-sphere a bit, when I do, I make an effort to hit these blogs daily. I may not always leave comments if I'm in a hurry, but be sure I'm lurking out there somewhere, LOL...
















Now, if you're in that list, you are a hot cup of strong coffee, or something like that...so go pass it on to some of the places you like to visit each day! :)



Alright, OK, I hear ya! On to our winner...I bet you already scrolled down to see if it was you, didn't you? Uh-huh! Ok, .....drum-roll.....The winner is....






Now, if you go to the Giveaway post and count down to commenter #4, you will find:



Sandy (aka Doris the Great) from Aging Disgracefully.



Pop over to her blog and congratulate her, and while you're there, look around, she always has something on there that makes me just giggle my toes off!

Don't be sad if you didn't win...I'll be having 2 more giveaways before Christmas!!!

Have a beautiful, Jesus filled weekend my friends!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Photo Flashback...

Friday Photo Flashback

Today I'm linking up with my friend Alicia. She created this meme so we could share photos that were taken before the "digital age". :)


This is me and my Dad at a college in England, where we use to go often to feed ducks, geese and swans. I'm around 9 years old in this photo, and I'm wearing my favorite wrap around shirt with mulit-colored squares...oh how I loved that shirt! :)
Have a beautiful, Jesus filled weekend!
Oh, and remember...my giveaway ends tomorrow, so click on the link at the top of my page to enter! :)

Friday Funnies...




I'm joining with my best friend Kim today for her Friday Funnies theme. Since this is Kim's meme, and we have been friends for such a long time, I've decided to share some highlights from our friendship...
Kim and I both like to compete...here are running against eachother...yup, she's in the lead...Wow...look at that tan!
Well, as you all know, winning a marathon will get you on the front of a cereal box! Way to go Kim! :)
Since running just wasn't working out for me, we decided to swim against eachother,...from the look on my face, I'm thinking she won again...

I guess I'll just stick to non-competitive water skiing...don't you just love my swimsuit? :)
Have a laughter filled day!



Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wordful and Wordless Wednesday

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Matthew 5:43-45
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He picked me a flower...I LOVE HIM!

Waited 4 years for this to bloom....worth the wait!

She makes me smile - she's the best dog!



Thank you to the Mom's that lend me their girls for a few hours a week!

Have a Beautiful, Jesus filled day!

Friday, October 16, 2009

FALL WREATH GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Well, it's finally here...FALL! It's been incredibly hot here lately...every day for the past 2 weeks, it's gotten to just over 90! However, today it is soooo crispy and cool ~ it feels like Fall, so I'm taking advantage of this moment (because it won't last long), and having some Fall Fun!
Do you like the wreath I made for my front door? If you don't thats "OK", just don't tell me ~ I'm really sensitive! LOL... BUT, if you do like it,...you can win one just like it!!! WELL,...sort of.

Ok let's all sing-a-long ~
"How much is that doggie on the door step...the one with missing tail...you can't have the doggie on the door step...that sweet little girl ain't for sale!"
~ you don't know that version?

Ok, ok, back to the giveaway!
I have packaged up ALMOST everything you'll need to make this pretty Fall wreath...ribbon to hang it with, flowers, leaves, little orange ball seed thingies, and the sparkly butterfly for a little "bling". I'll also include step-by-step instructions with photos to help you along the way.


Here's what's NOT included...but you're gonna need this stuff...

Hot glue gun (yup, you're gonna need glue sticks too)
Scissors
Wire cutters
Creative Music...
YES, you NEED that! I got this CD at the dollar store, and it "inspired" me to create!
Last but most certainly NOT least, you will need a grapevine wreath ~ I got mine for $5.00 at Old World Pottery. Sorry, I thought packaging that might be a bit challenging!

BUT WAIT...

YOU ALSO GET...
A box of Starbucks Chai Truffles...because who can possibly create something without chocolate???

AND...

A container of Sweet Cinnoman Tea from "Boston Tea Party"...because it's Fall and this sounded REALLY good!

Ok, now for the low-down on how you can win this fantabulous most amazing super-duper giveaway...
To Enter:
1. Comment, tell me where you'll put
this wreath if you win!

2. Follow, and comment to let me know
you do!

3. Facebook it, and let me know that
you did!

4. Advertise this giveaway on your
blog (grab my button and put on your sidebar, blog about it, or whatever!) ~ be
sure to let me know you did so you can be entered
again!

That's 4 entries max ladies...those can be pretty good odds! Ok - get on it! I'll take entries until midnight on October 23rd, the winner will be announced next Saturday, October 24th! :)
Have a beautiful crispy, cool, Fall day!
"preach the word; be ready in season
and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and
instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for
themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their
ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."
2 Timothy 4:2-4

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Great In Power!

This is one of my all time favorite praise songs... I hope it blesses you today!

Have a beautiful day!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Love Story, Part 6...Out of the Miry Clay...

..."I began to see light at the end of the dark tunnel I lived in, and soon I would step out from the Darkness and begin walking in the Light of Christ!"...

(If you'd like to read parts 1-5 first, please scroll to the bottom)

I was working at the Deli in Florida. In a dead-end relationship, daily slugging my way through this thing called life. Though it couldn't appear so to me, God had me exactly where He wanted me. Every Sunday afternoon, a group of people would come into the Deli for lunch. Happy, friendly people. There was one woman in particular that took an interest in me. Jo Ellen always remembered my name, she was interested in my life, my son, my situation. She often invited me to come to church with her and her husband, I always declined.


Church wasn't for me. I had grown up going to church every Sunday, nothing was lived out in my home, I didn't see a reason for it. I had a relative that had tried to "force" Christianity down my throat for years and I didn't want a life like hers, it looked fake and painted on ~ lavish buildings with ornate design, expensive clothing, faces caked in make-up and mile high hair, gossipping lips, carnal lives,...it just didn't seem real to me.


However, Jo Ellen wasn't like that and I was intrigued with the real joy that poured from her life. One day I was leaving work, and she followed me out into the parking lot. She told me that she really felt the need to invite me to church that evening. For some reason I said yes. I didn't have a dramatic transformation that night, but I liked what I saw and felt, I loved the way the people all seemed to genuinely care for eachother and even for me, someone they didn't even know. I attended her church for a month, searching, learning ~ I actually understood what the pastor was teaching, it was straight from the Bible and it all made sense.


Jo Ellen, often called me during the week to ask me how I was, she would take me to dinner and talk to me of spiritual things. One evening, after dinner, we were sitting on a bench at the church playground, and while my son played on the swings, I bowed my head and opened my eyes...I finally found the Love that I had been looking for all those years. I put my life into the hands of my Savior, Jesus Christ. All things had been made new!
(Our first Christmas with Christ!!!)


"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the
old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
2 Corinthians 5:17

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has
been approved, he will recieve the crown of life which the Lord has promised to
those who love Him."

James 1:12

When you become a Christian, you begin to learn new things. New things about God's Word, Christ, how to live for him, why we should. We also learn things we wish we didn't, things about hypocrisy and "fake" Christians. Not everything is "good" behind the doors of a church, that's why we need to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and pray for discernment.


Capt. Mike had come to know Christ. He was what I call an "instant" Christian. His eyes were opened to a reality he had never known, and he made an immediate U-Turn. He wasn't yet attending a church, but he made every effort to get his hands on the Word of God. He got a Bible, read, studied, began to listen to Christian music, watched christian programs.


Eventually he met a neighbor who was a Christian. He taught Mike to play the guitar, and he began to praise the Lord with his own voice. Mike and his girlfriend began to attend this new friend's church, where she soon made a profession of faith. However, after a period of time, it became evident that her profession had not been a true heart change. In the end, she ran off with a married man from the Praise and Worship team in that church. Coming to Christ doesn't mean you won't face hurt and hardship, but it does mean that Jesus will walk through your pain with you; He will be your strength and comfort.
(Mike gettting baptized...this is Florida people, we do things a little differently here!) :)



I was not an "instant" Christian, I was more like the "percolated" type...it took some time. I was blessed to have my dear friend Jo Ellen, leading me step by step. It wasn't that I was a rebel, I was just clueless to things that now seem obvious. She carefully taught me about modesty in dressing, clean language and how it reflects the condition of our hearts.


I learned some things on my own too, not all men in the church are what they appear. I was a single young woman, but a very naive and new Christian. A lesson I soon learned (through the Church's singles group) was that many men inside the church aren't that different than the ones outside the church, they are often times just really good at hiding their true selves...discernment is a valuable tool in the Christian life.


So close and yet so far...

Now here are some fun tid-bits to chew on until next time (which will be the last piece to this puzzle)...


**I attended Basic Training one year before Mike. He purchased the "Basic Training Video", which was filmed while I was there. I never actually show up on the video, but all the girls in my group do, so I'm in there "somewhere"...I always think it's neat that years before we met, he had me in his shelf. :)


**Mike came to Christ before I did, and on Sunday afternoons, he would often go with friends (Jo Ellen and Patrick) to a Deli after church ~ the same one that I worked at. It's likely that I took his order, or even made his sandwich. I love the idea that I was making his lunch long before we even knew eachother. :)


**After I came to Christ, Mike and I were attending the same church, but we just didn't know eachother yet. We had a mutual friend, Angela. She introduced us once, but since I was with a boyfriend, I don't remember it. Mike remembers, but since I was "taken", he took no interest in me.


**In another instance, I was at a housewarming party for Angela, when I saw a "hot lookin' guy" walk in...I vividly remember that he was wearing black jeans, and carrying a motorcycle helmet, and his eyes...wow! Years later as we chatted, Mike and I figured out it was him that I was admiring! God just didn't want us to meet yet, we weren't ready for eachother.


The next Love Story post will be the last,...I hope you come back to find out how we finally met and fell head over heels in love! :)


Friday, October 9, 2009

Friday Photo Flashbacks

I'm linking up with my sweet friend, Alicia, today. She started this meme so we could share photos from our "pre-digital" days.

Tody I'm going WAY back...this is a photo of my Great-Grandmother Bunn. This photo was taken in Laredo TX, most likely in the 1920's.

She was a very talented woman who played the piano, wrote music, sang beautifully and danced often. She found that children are more calm, and learn better when there is soft music playing in the background. In her later years, she petitioned the schools to play soft music on the overhead speakers during class.

When I was in school in Texas, we still had soft music playing on the speakers during our classes, I don't know if they do it anymore.

Go dig out some old photos and memories to go along with them!



Friday Funnies! :)



I'm joining in with my Best Friend, Kim, today for her Friday Funnies post. If you've never read the Friday Funnies posts, you need to hop over there and get some good giggles in today! Here is what I have to share today, hopefully it will bring a giggle, or at least a smile...
This note was on the receipt printer at a gas pump....

Um, WOW, I'm so glad I caught this while it was on sale!!!!!!
And last but not least, my unwelcome little friend...I have plenty of grey hair, but my hair is so straight that it WON'T hold a curl. Then this little guy comes along, I call him my "crazy hair" - he's wavy, yup, and right on top of my head too! Such a treasure...sweet...

Have a laughter, smilin', Jesus filled, beautiful day my friends!!!!



Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Tea Cup Tales

I'm linking up today, with my friend Lisa, for her special Teacup Tales post. We are to share a special teacup story. Since I'm not at home right now,...

(see, here I am sitting in a hotel room in Orlando)
...I don't have photos on hand of my pretty tea-cup collectionon to share, so I'll just share the story.

My teacup collection began about 9 1/2 years ago. My friend, Jo Ellen, who so graciously and patiently led me to the foot of the cross, and introduced me to my Savior Jesus Christ, gifted me with my first TeaCup.

Jo Ellen has a lovely tea-cup collection, and one day after lunch at her house, she presented me with a very pretty (I believe Prince Albert) rose teacup and saucer set. That was my first teacup. I've since added 11 others to my collection, one of which was gifted (at her choosing) to my best friend Kim on her birthday just a few months ago. :)

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! If you want to hear more Teacup Tales, pop over to Lisa's, and check out the links.
Have a beautiful, Jesus filled day!
Kathy C.