Transitions and Progress or the lack there of...

I recently found this beautiful blog called Out of the Ordinary. The link is the latest post about her son who is off to college once again and she reflects on her younger children who are in middle and high school.

I can really relate with my oldest in college for the 2nd year and my baby in middle school. A year ago when it was very hard for me with Cayla leaving home and going to college, it happened that I needed to go back to work. I went back to being a bank teller, (after 19 years). I had to work harder to get to my devotionals which I needed more than ever and to make time to read to my youngest who I wasn't home schooling any longer. Lizzy going back to public school presented new challenges for her that were never there before.

Things that are very helpful is  being in a sound church and being a part of that church, really. I mean being that church for Christ when no one is looking. Am I doing that? By trusting in God's word and sovereignty for the future and for the now, for that matter is what has made a difference in my life. Reminding my very forgetful mind regularly by reading the bible has renewed my mind, a greater help has been in memorization.... then when I hear something at work or at the grocery store or on the phone with a friend and there is bad news I can have hope with the heaviness instead of it just feeling despair.

Transitions are hard at times and joyous at others. I want always be there for my girls and husband, as long as God gives me breath to do so. My own progress or regression always seems to be up to me even though, the ugly side of me wants to blame others. Thank God we have a choice and have people in our lives to point that out. Its not what happens, it how we respond to what happens.

Eph 4:25 - 31
²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

School Poster Project

 I helped Lizzy to make a poster for "The Good Dog" project for school.


 The inspiration for this part of the project is from The Artist Woman's blog: How To Make an Acrostic Book We used Tempra paint for the back ground and cut out the "dog" letters with card stock quality paper. The small word cut outs are an idea from her blog as well.

We were inspired by The Mellow Miller's craft project Wall art Dog Collage for Lizzy's malamute centerpiece. We used construction paper and lined filler paper. The blue of the eyes are tempra paint as well over black construction paper. We covered her malamute with clear contact paper because I thought the filler paper was weak in comparison and was concerned about the eyes, nose and mouth being picked off at school by other children if the corners lifted because we used elmers glue.

Providential Dog Walk

The other night I was annoyed to be walking the dog because I thought it was my husband's job. Along the way a little boy of 10 was on his way home and a car was following him. He asked me to walk him home which I did. Pretty quickly my attitude changed. Will God use me when I feel inconvenienced? Would my attitude been different to begin with if I knew I was going to run into a little kid who needed help?

This got me thinking that our effect on others is monumental... can be monumental.God knows our every step and thought. (Proverbs 5:21a) My attitude should have been very different. Its hard to be kind and tenderhearted (Eph 4:32) when my heart isn't right. That night with the lil boy, it wasn't hard to be kind and tenderhearted b/c I clearly saw that he needed help. I don't always see that people around me need anything... I clearly see now. I hope this helps me to be content whether I'm walking the dog or doing something I think my boss shouldn't have asked me to do b/c "it's not my job". Sometimes it just is my job this time, so, why be upset about it, I need to be doing all things as unto the Lord. It's truly a small thing in comparison to what Jesus did for me in dying for my sins on the cross. I was reminded of this daily this week by thecatholic friends I work with had mass everyday leading up to Easter. It really blessed me to hear them explain why we should be grateful for Jesus did for us.

Valentines Box

 

Upside down ice cream tub. You can just make out the blue of the lid on the bottom. :)

With an ice cream bucket, faux fur, foamy, hot glue and notions we made a cute Valentine's Box.