Momma Mindy's Moments

dressing for success

2012-01-26T12:51:00.000-08:00

i looked up on the internet how to dress for success for a trial.

didja' know there are rules?

black pants, white shirt, ties.

even though we both dislike shopping,

we went shopping.

i bought white shirts and ties.

i even made him wear a white t-shirt under his dress shirt.

i even made him wear real grown-up dress socks,

those kind business men wear with the distinguished

tiny pattern that says, "i have class."

because some guy died

the innocent man had nice black italian leather shoes
from a consignment store for his trial.

i ironed and primped and fussed as if his life depended on it.

it was a work only a woman could do

and a work a woman would do,

keeping her hands busy because she can't do anything else.

he looked great.

in the end,

they took away his new white shirt, his new tie,

the italian leather shoes and the dress pants.

they let him keep his white t-shirt

and gave him flip-flops.

i thought of the widow who brought those nice shoes

to the consignment store.

i know she wishes her husband was still there,

even wearing flip-flops behind bars.

in her mind it would probably be better than death.

i'm trying to remember that.

there's also another kinda' footwear the
Innocent Man
is wearing behind bars.

Ephesians 6:15
and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;

he's been faithfully reading his Bible
and sharing Jesus with a few men.

this knowledge slightly eases the pain
of losing his shoes of freedom.
the nice, black italian shoes that came with a shoe horn and extra laces.
those nice shoes that should have been worn for his june wedding.

despite having his good clothes thrown into a property bag,
he's still dressed for success.

Ephesians 6 spiritual success.

returning from war

2012-01-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

in 7th grade i had a homeroom teacher who had just returned from viet nam.

the first day of class,

he said war was so horrible, he didn't want us to ask questions.

very firmly, very politely, he repeated his request.

he told us if he felt like sharing a story,

he would.

i was glad he explained that to me.

for years i had watched war clips on the news.

i hadn't been mature enough to associate

pain, loss and suffering with statistics

and pictures that seemed adventurous to a kid.

occasionally, he would tell a funny story,

like the time some village boys were rubbing their tummies

and licking their lips in anticipation of a delicious

meal they were going to share with the soldiers.

the soldiers noticed the entire bowl of food was moving.

when they drew near,

they saw an entire bowl of caterpillars,

standing up on end,

moving in hairy rhythm.

i'm also thinking about a story i read about a woman

who had grown up with a withdrawn mother.

as she grew up, she faulted her mother for her own struggles in life.

until,

she found out her mother lost her entire family in the Holocaust.

her pain was so great,

she couldn't speak of her loss,

even to her own children.

healing came when the daughter understood and accepted

her mother withdrew to

spare her the pain,

not cause her pain.

the mother's love had been there all the time,

she was trying to live as normally as she could.

today, i'm returning to real life

as a mommy and a gramma.

i have to figure out how to keep living

when part of me died.

i have to figure out when to talk,

and when not to.

i have to learn to endure the pain,

without causing pain.

and i have to learn to refuse those caterpillars,

those waving, hairy beasts in my tummy,

that steal my appetite and my peace.

like my teacher/soldier,

i know they're not nourishment.

eat. sleep. breathe.

2012-01-21T21:46:00.000-08:00

a friend gave my husband some good advice as

we traveled the last few weeks of

the Innocent Man's life before trial.

don't forget to sleep.

don't forget to eat.

don't forget to breathe.

for the past week through the trial i was barely able

to eat or sleep.

if breathing didn't come naturally, i'd be dead.

last night i found the t-shirt he wore his last day of freedom.

as i curled up in my bed at night,

hoping and praying to sleep enough to survive,

i held it to my face,

comforted by his lingering scent.

i grieved the day when the scent would be gone,

and i would have no physical reminder

of his presence.

for hours i lay there in the dark,

exhausted, but unable to sleep.

the sound of silence in my ears

was like the static buzz of a tv off-station.

the heartbeat pounding in my ears

assured me i was still alive.

i've learned, the sound of a breaking heart

can keep you awake.

i was laying broken, lost and alone

in the deep well of my grief.

when i finally awoke from sleep broken

with agony and sorrow, i faced the first day

of life with the Innocent Man behind bars.

after being awake for a few hours,

i was able to eat more than saltines

for the first time in days.

with the queasiness gone,

the first few bites tasted good.

but when i thought about what

the Innocent Man was eating,

i lost my appetite.

i kept eating because i needed to.

i have to survive.

i have to keep living.

but, the rest of my salad

tasted like sorrow.

i'm trying to

sleep.

i'm trying to

eat.

and though gasping sobs often overtake me,

i'm trying to

breath.

it pleased the Lord to bruise him

2012-01-20T12:49:00.000-08:00

the Innocent Man was found guilty

by those 12 strangers

thousands of Christians prayed

thousands of prayers went out

for this dear believer falsely accused of

a horrible crime

we prayed in faith

we prayed in unity

we prayed without ceasing

we prayed believing

we prayed in worship

we prayed, and prayed and prayed

however, we pray,

"not our will, but thine."

this is the Lord's will

and it will take all of the Lord's grace,

mercy, strength and peace

to walk this path.

devastated

"yet though He slay me,

still I will praise Him."

either God is 100% sovereign

or He isn't sovereign at all.

choose

believe

home or handcuffs

2012-01-20T08:12:00.000-08:00

today the jury is back in deliberation.

it was a hard day to get out of bed.

it would have been a great day for the Lord to return.

as we wait for the jury to come back with a decision

we know this,

The Innocent Man go HOME

or he could

leave in HANDCUFFS.

The burden is heavy.

The yoke is easy.

Our hearts are heavy.

thank you for praying......

yesterday, my husband was leaving work

and was alone in the elevator.

he cried out to the Lord,

"I don't even know how to pray."

the Lord told him,

"pray believing."

so, he prayed in faith for a

not guilty verdict.

it would be a great day for a miracle.

12 strangers

2012-01-19T21:25:00.000-08:00

the jury began their deliberation today

and at 8pm, after four hours, decided to go home and finish tomorrow.

it was a relief as we had heard they could have gone on until 11pm,

we that means we have to face yet another day of

Garden of Gethsemene anguish.

it's a hard place to be --

in the hands of 12 strangers.

12 people who have heard a combination of truths and lies,

and have to determine which is which.

12 people who don't know all the underlying details

that weren't or couldn't be shared in testimonies.

12 people who might have personal prejudices and problems

that could affect their ability to hear the truth.

praise God,

those 12 people also have their hearts in the hands of the Lord,

according to

Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,

Like the rivers of water;

He turns it wherever He wishes

He can direct their hearts to see the

innocence of The Innocent Man.

i have to thank you for praying and

beg you to keep praying.

pray for these 12 strangers

who will determine the future of

The Innocent Man

as directed by the Lord.

jury in deliberation

2012-01-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

for those of you praying us through the trial of the Innocent Man

thank you

we are nearing the end

the jury is in deliberation.

we are waiting

waiting

please pray

we desperately need prayer

touched by an angel

2012-01-19T06:21:00.000-08:00

a verse in the old testament tells us that david encouraged himself in the Lord.

we are learning what that means.

each day we wake up and have to face anew that

these circumstances are not out of the Lord's plan.

the Lord is in control

the Lord is sovereign

the Lord loves us

the Lord is gracious and kind

we woke up this morning and faced another day of the trial

choosing to believe that we are walking in His will.

we choose to believe.

we choose to worship.

we choose to have peace.

at a gas station this morning an elderly clerk noticed that i was a little flustered.

"Everything is going to be OK today, honey."

i looked at her in utter surprise and tears began welling up.

she was surprised, but continued her warm encouragement.

"everything is going to be just fine today. everything is going to work out.

God bless you."

I looked up, now weeping and said,

"thank you, i needed to hear that."

she reached across the counter and hugged me.

maybe she was an angel.

maybe she was a kind clerk who just responded to a flustered

woman who was trying to buy a cup of coffee and some cheese sticks.

but whoever she was,

she was a voice

and a touch

from my heavenly Father who chose to

use a human to express His love towards me.

please don't fall asleep in the garden

2012-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

I can't share details,

but we're emotionally and physically spent.

we have 1 or 2 days more

of the Innocent Man's Trial.

We are so needing

your prayers and encouragement.

I was thinking about the Lord Jesus and how

when He was in the Garden of Gethsemene,

His disciples fell asleep.

I know I have fallen asleep instead of praying for others,

and I know I don't deserve your prayers,

but I ask for them anyway.

As this testing of our faith continues,

our physical strength is depleting.

It gets harder to trust the Lord for the outcome,

the closer we draw to the finish line.

I keep saying,

"I either walk in 100% faith, or I don't walk in faith at all.

Either God is 100% sovereign, or He isn't sovereign at all.

I choose to walk in faith and believe that God is sovereign."

Thank you so much for praying.

sleepless. in. seattle.

2012-01-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

sleep can be a luxury when you're undergoing stress.

i'm thankful i've slept well the last few nights.

with my health issues, i don't always sleep well,

so this was an unexpected gift.

last night i fell asleep and was sleeping well.

at 3am i was wide awake,

but i wasn't worried or stressed.

i woke up in the presence of the Lord.

i lay in bed, feeling His love and began to pray

quietly and audibly.

i kept crying out in worship

"My Lord and My God"

and thanking Him for the privilege of coming into His presence

because of the precious blood of Jesus.

i could boldly approach the throne of grace

only because of Jesus.

and when i couldn't pray for a few minutes,

i knew my Savior was interceding with sighs too deep for words.

but the best part of waking up with the Lord,

is knowing that when I fell asleep again,

the Lord wouldn't.

Psalm 121:3-4
He Who keeps you will not slumber,

Behold, He that keeps Israel

shall neither slumber nor sleep.

He would still be awake.

He would still be on the throne.

and, His Son would still be interceding for

the cries of my heart.

next time you wake up during the middle of the night,

don't stress about your lack of sleep.

pray

and enjoy

the Lord's presence

1 Day to Innocent Man's Trial

2012-01-16T20:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for praying.
Your words of encouragement and support
have meant so much to us.

Spiritual warfare is like a boxing match.
We're dancing around lightly on our toes,
holding up our gloves in defense,
and we get punched in the gut.
We fall to our knees and gasp,
but eventually get back up
and start breathing again.

Today we experienced another gut punch,
satan is alive and well,
but we've been encouraging one another to
"Be strong and courageous."

From the beginning we've been praying
the truth would be told,
the truth would be heard,
and the truth would be believed.

Tuesday, January 17th, jury selection begins.
When I studied American history, I thought the jury system was pretty cool.
However, when someone I know and love
will have their future determined by 12 peers,
I'm not so sure of the system.
From the moment the Innocent Man walks into the court room,
some will have already decided his guilt or innocence.
It's human nature.

It makes me thankful that there's one Person
who can control the vote of the jury-
the True Judge, the Righteous Judge.

May these twelve jurors be ministers of justice
and believe the Innocent Man is innocent.

**********
Psalm 1

1. Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3. He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4. The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

**********

Wanna' hear some good news about answered prayer?
Check out my friend Jena's blog.
She and her friends' prayers were
Shockingly Effective.

2 Days to Innocent Man's Trial

2012-01-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

When we got saved and offered the Lord our lives,
we didn't know what He would do with them.

Some envisioned preaching ministries,
others writing ministries.
Others had visions of serving overseas,
others saw needs at home.

Never in our youthful zeal did we ever envision the Lord
calling us to the
ministry of suffering.

We didn't understand that losing a child
could open up doors for ministry.
We didn't understand that going through great illness
could be a vehicle for the Gospel.
We didn't understand that being like Jesus
was to suffer like Jesus.

We might think our tribulations are a mistake~
maybe God wasn't paying attention
or that He doesn't care.

That's what satan says.

Since the wicked one can't steal our salvation,
he tries to steal our joy and confidence in the Lord.

Do not believe the lies from the Liar.

You are exactly where the Lord wants you to be.
He loves you with an everlasting love.
His precious Son is interceding with sighs too deep for words.
His plans are to give you a future and a hope.

As we continue in our countdown to the trial of the
Innocent Man
using the Lord's Psalms,
may you be able to rejoice with us in prayer.

**********

Psalm 2

1. Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing?

2. The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3. “Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.”

4. He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.

5. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6. “Yet I have set My King

On My holy hill of Zion.”

7. “I will declare the decree:

The LORD has said to Me,

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8. Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9. You shall break them with a rod of iron;

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

10. Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear,

And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,

And you perish in the way,

When His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

**********

You dear followers have been so supportive and faithful
through this testing of our faith,
I feel upheld, blessed and so thankful for your lovingkindness.

Those of us close to the Innocent Man have been
encouraging one another to not focus on our sorrows
so much we don't see the suffering and the burdens of others.

I would love to hear what is on your heart.

How can I pray for you?

3 Days to Innocent Man's Trial

2012-01-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

Just like David facing Goliath,
Moses fleeing Pharoah's army,
Gideon fighting the Midianites,
we are not alone,
we are not forsaken
we are not out of the Lord's plan.

Thank you for praying.

Psalm 3

1. LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!

Many are they who rise up against me.

2. Many are they who say of me,

“There is no help for him in God.” Selah

3. But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4. I cried to the LORD with my voice,

And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5. I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

7. Arise, O LORD;

Save me, O my God!

For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8. Salvation belongs to the LORD.

Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

Praying these verses for the trial.
May the Lord's glory shine forth.

4 Days to Innocent Man's Trial

2012-01-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

As we draw nearer and nearer to the trial of the Innocent Man,

we all have mixed emotions.

dread

confidence in the ansered prayer

sorrow

exceeding joy

fear

perfect love that casts out fear

doubt

growing faith

(Click on link to read the Scripture)

For years I've sung the song

Moment By Moment.

It was an encouraging song,

but now

I get it.

When facing an insurmountable trial, you must face it

moment by moment,

step by step.

Looking at a whole day,

a whole week,

a whole month,

or a year is overwhelming.

Since Feb. 14th, we've been living

moment by moment.

All of us are taking our thoughts and making them captive to Christ

so we don't despair and fear.

We remind ourselves over and over

the Lord is in control.

I've started a spiritual countdown to give me courage

as we trudge the final steps of this time of testing.

Please join me.

Where do we go when we're in soul distress?

The Psalms.

Psalm 4

1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O you sons of men,

Will you turn my glory to shame?

How long will you love worthlessness

And seek falsehood? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;

The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin.

Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say,

“Who will show us any good?”

LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

7 You have put gladness in my heart,

More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;

For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I also use YoutTube videos to encourage myself in the Lord.

How do you encourage yourself when you're feeling the heat of the

Refiner's Fire?

Is there someone you call?

A favorite verse you read?

Songs you love?

I'd love to hear how you bring your heart to the Lord

when circumstances could easily cause you to stray.

BLOGGGGGRRRRRR

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

As much as I love blogging,

I have to admit,

Blogger drives me crazy!

I've had several unresolved issues over the years,

and when you go to their "help" site,

it's only other bloggers posting their problems,

and occasionally another blogger with a possible solution.

There is not a Blogger employee to actually solve your problem.

If you're lucky, there will be an answer

in jargon you understand.

Usually, I end up more frustrated,

because a lot of people have the same problem,

and voice frustration because they think Google doesn't care.

I'm not that computer literate,
I don't speak Google or html,

so spend a lot of my time

*frustrated.*

1. One day I wanted to follow a new blog.

It wouldn't let me because I was already following 300.

OK, didn't know there was a limit,

but I knew there were many blogs I could delete.

(Sorry, if you haven't blogged in a year, I need to drop ya'.)

By simply clicking "manage" as I've done for a few years,

I got this error message.

It seems I'm not the only one.

However, since Blogger doesn't have a help department,

all you get is comments from other frustrated bloggers

who have been getting the same error message.

I tried to manage my account again, a few weeks later,

but got a new error message.

Cool.

2. On top of that, that there are still many frustrations

with commenting on blogs.

Even when I'm signed in to Blogger,

I'm not able to comment on some blogs,

so I type in my blogspot url and use anonymous.

If I want to comment on a blog and they don't allow

anonymous comments, I'm toast.

3. On top of that, ever since I changed my background,

my Google Analytics stopped working.

I watched their videos, read comments, watched more videos,

and read articles.

I simply couldn't figger out how to fix it.

4. I write at night and set my blog to launch at 5am Pacific Time.

Often, I wake up to find my blog wasn't posted.

If I don't get to my computer until later in the day, my blog is posted

after most people are already actively involved in their day.

BlogGGGGRRRRR!

If any of you brilliant computer geniuses could offer any advice,

I'll take it.

If ya' just wanna' whine about Blogger,

I'll take that, too.

Longing For a Friend?

2012-01-12T09:48:00.000-08:00

"How are you, my friend?"

The cashier greeted me kindly,

as he always does when I go through his line at the grocery store.

After he handed my receipt, his farewell was just as warm.

"Have a good day, my friend."

It can be a little lonely living in a metropolis with roughly 3.5 million people,

and his greeting always reminds me that not every one of those

roughly 3.5 million people are indifferent.

I love and have learned to use this greeting from

Kelly-Across-the-Street, "How are you, friend?"

The best marriage advice I was ever given:

"Marry a man who is your best friend and then stay friends."

The best advice from my Dad before I went to Bible camp the first time alone,

"To have a friend, you must be a friend."

We all long for deep friendships.

We want to bear our souls to them and know we still have their heart.

We want to fill their ears, knowing it won't all leave through their mouth.

Beautiful songs have been sung about friendship.

"You've Got A Friend"

"Thank You For Being A Friend"

"Lean on Me"

"That's What Friends Are For"

"With a Little Help From My Friends"

Our greatest joys in life come from friendships,

whether with our spouse, friends or people within our family.

Our greatest sorrows in life come from rifts in those friendships,

through church splits, divorce and unresolved conflicts.

A lot of problems are solved just by having a friend in life.

There is something about sharing tears, hugs and laughs

that binds souls together forever.

Now that I have you all nostaligic and sentimental about

friends,

let me remind you something....

The Lord Jesus doesn't consider those who trust in Him

just a servant, although we love serving Him,

He calls us his

friends.

John 15:13 tells us how He made friendship with us possible.

Greater love has no one than this,

than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

It's an amazing concept that our greatest need on earth,

to have a

friend,

was met first and foremost by the One

who purchased our salvation with His blood.

When you're feeling down and troubled

and you need some loving care,

just call His Name,

He's always been there.

We always have a
Friend.

I Shoulda' Asked for World Peace

2012-01-10T23:33:00.000-08:00

When I wrote my

New Year's Resolutions

I realized I shouldn't have been so selfish.

I shoulda' been more civic, patriotic and internationally minded and asked for

something more pageant-girlish like

World Peace.

But to be honest, I'm a realist, and still a bit selfish.
I'd be happy to settle for peace on a much smaller scale,

peace in my small world,
my home.

The commodity sought for by generations of parents who

bark, yell, whine, and fuss for

some

"Peace and Quiet."

Of course, most of the time we never ask
peacefully or quietly,

but it's still in our scope of powers to demand it.

We need it.

Hey, 'member in the Olden Days when we were asked to mind

our P's and Q's?

Do you think they were talking about Peace and Quiet?

Like, mind your own business to bring about

Peace and Quiet?

Just wonderin'.

Anyhoo,

back to the Peace I desire.

I'd be happy to hear the bathroom door shut

without anyone else pounding on the door and hollering,

"Let me in! It's my turn!"

I'd like all annoying bodily noises and the retaliating

noises and punches to be eliminated

in the name of peace.

I'd like to end the wars over

who ate the last cookie,

who didn't flush the toilet,

who borrowed shoes without asking,

whose turn it is to do dishes,

which movie to watch,
who should take out the trash,
where is the remote,

who didn't put away the movies in the right cases,

and who changed the smell in the air.

When I ask someone to do the dishes or clean a bathroom,

I'd love my kids to know

resistence is futile

and respond,
"Yes, Mother, I'd love to!"

So, what's the secret to that peace?

Think of a Sunday School classroom
filled with young, fidgeting children.
When the teacher asks a question, 9 out of 10 times
the kids can answer "Jesus" and be correct.

It's no different for us big kids, didja' know that?

JESUS

First, Jesus helps us make peace with the God of Heaven.

Romans 5:1

"Having been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Then, Jesus helps us make peace with others.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible,
as much as depends on you,
live peaceably with all men.

It doesn't promise peace,
because there are two sides that have to be willing.
But, peace is a goal we seek with the help of the
Lord Jesus Christ.

World peace
will never happen until the Millennial Reign.

But, if I can remember to answer with
Jesus
and not
yelling,
I'll be a step closer to that
Peace and Quiet
I crave.

So, don't mind me,
I'm over here,
minding my
P's and Q's.

Just Keep Praying! Just Keep Praying!

2012-01-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

It's easy to get discouraged when you've prayed for something

for a long time.

Humans love to mark moments, hours, days, and months

on our calendars, schedules and electronic devices.

Clocks metronome time for us, so we can stay on track.

Dominating time means success.

The Lord doesn't measure His work by the

passage of time,

but by the

transformation of a soul.

We want to give up and quit praying

when we think too much time has passed without an answer.

Cleaning out drawers I ran into a random piece of paper.

I covered the last names to protect identity,

but this was found in a drawer a few summers ago at

Story Book Lodge Christian Camp.

Along with random notes the director wanted to share with the counselors

and workers during the morning prayer meeting,

someone had written down the name of three campers that needed extra prayer.

My hubby, Scott, was one of those names.

For several summers, he was one of those names.

He came from a home that wasn't just broken,

it was shattered.

He hadn't lived through one divorce, he'd lived through four.

There wasn't any type of abuse he and his siblings hadn't endured.

Then, after four years of extra prayer,

his name came up as a camper who professed salvation.

He returned the next year, and the next, and the next, bearing fruit.

He became a counselor after a few years.

For the past 14 summers, my husband's name has again been

daily mentioned during the early morning counselor's meetings,

because he's one of the Bible teachers.

Whoever scribbled that note,

and prayed those prayers,

never saw it coming, I'm sure.

They weren't praying,

"Lord, save Scott so he can come back to camp as a preacher."

Some honestly wanted his salvation for their relief.

Others truly longed for a better life for him.

I think few thought their prayers for salvation would be answered.

My family also understands that burden of working with souls.

We'd prayed for the salvation of the Innocent Man for

over 25 years.

In about November 2010 he was gloriously transformed

by the Lord Jesus Christ.

February 14, 2011 he was jailed on false charges,

and we began Project Isaiah 61:1.

The previous trial date was set for October 17, 2011,

but we experienced a Last Minute Miracle

when physical evidence of innocence was found.

I started strong in faith, but lately

I've had moments where I lost hope concerning the jury trial

the Innocent Man will be facing January 17th, 2012.

Instead of 60 years maximum, the prosecutor has lowered it to 15 years,

with about 8 served.

I still can't bear that thought.

Each time I get into despair,

the Lord brings fresh encouragement through believers, His Word or blogs.

I've been shown over and over the work the Lord is doing

in many lives through this testing.

The Gospel has gone forth many times.

Another new believer, saved in January 2011, has grown tremendously.

A godly, older Christian couple I'd never met agreed to house the Innocent Man.

A fellowship of believers he knew only a short time

has supported him immensely.

The other night during family devotions,

we were rejoicing in answered prayer.

It took 25 years,

but our prayers were gloriously answered.

The Innocent Man is a changed man that always

is overflowing with love to the Lord and fresh thoughts from His Word.

We have to believe the Lord is in control with this false accusation.

This is not out of His plan or His care.

This tribulation wouldn't have been our thoughts or our ways

for new believers, but the Lord's thoughts are higher,

the Lord's ways are higher.

Scribble your prayer notes and keep praying.

You don't how how the Lord will answer your prayers,

you just know He will.

It'll just be in His way

and in His timing.

And while you're praying, please pray for

the Innocent Man.

The Lord is about to unveil His plan.

My Life Has No Wordly Value

2012-01-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

I was determined to clean out a junk drawer stuffed with paperwork.

Stuff I'd put off for years.

Really, years.

I'm embarrassed to say there were

unsent wedding and graduation cards,

lists I'd never accomplished,

papers to be filed,

and things procrastinated into irrelevance.

Only one paper didn't nag me about

my inability to get stuff done.

It nagged me about something in my life

that's way beyond my control.

It can't be changed with organization,

diligence or

determination.

(click to enlarge)

Please understand, this isn't a slam to the company,

they're doing their job asa business that needs to make money,

I'm just not a good ROI (return on investment).

They provide good service and do the best they can for their customers.

Getting turned down for life insurance was another reminder

of something I have to wake up to every day~

I have cancer,

and I will never be the same again.

My doctors have assured me repeatedly that

I won't die from the cancer,

I will die with it.

But carrying the cancer burden on my back for the

rest of the journey can be a little wearing.

To my insurance company,

I'm not worth investing in because I'm damaged goods.

It's the punch-in-the-gut reality for many that suffer chronic illness.

I'm so thankful the insurance company isn't determining my value

at the end of my life, the Lord Jesus takes on that job.

In the end I will stand before the Man

whose love for me written is in the palms of His hands,

at the Judgement Seat of Christ,

where believers deeds are judged by fire and rewarded.

The flames of suffering on earth

should be preparing us for the flames of judgement.

Sounds harsh?

It isn't.

Do you think an Olympic gold medalist

earned that reward with a comfortable, self-indulging life?

Trials come to all on earth,

saved and unsaved.

The only difference is that after life on earth,

believers go home to Heaven and be in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

In addition, we get rewarded for our service on earth.

Unbelievers spend the rest of their eternity in torment,

apart from Christ, with no rewards.

That should give us a little better mindset to face our trials.

Since I've been given the fiery trial of cancer on earth,

I don't want the testing fire to reveal wood, hay and stubble.

I want a huge payoff of gold, silver and precious stones,
bigger than the value assigned by my insurance company.

Although He wore a crown of thorns,

He offers glorious crowns for His people.

I'm working for the crown of life for loving Him.

I'd also like the crown of righteousness for loving His appearing

and the crown of glory.

When the flames of trials are lapping at my heels,

and the world has devalued me because of my suffering

I remind myself, that someday,

I'll be rewarded for my cancer,

if I remain faithful.

Sounds like a great ROI to me.

Resolving Some Resolutions

2011-12-31T12:14:00.000-08:00

I know this is the time of year when everybody is making resolutions.

They're all convinced this will be a life changing year for them.

Everyone is sure they're gunna' end up

thinner, sexier, smarter, richer, more organized and nicer than last year.

We all know the truth.

Same 'ol, same 'ol.

SO, since I occasionally cave-in to peer pressure,

especially blogging peer pressure and
the "you have to build a platform to be a writer" pressure,
I decided to git me some of those
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.

1. I Resolve to Eat More

I know you might hate me already, if you resolved to eat less.

Sometimes, I skip breakfast.

I know, shame on me, right?

Wouldn't let the kids get away with that.

Sometimes, I skip lunch.

I can see your lecture finger pointing at me already.

Sometimes, I skip breakfast and lunch.

Eating can be a waste of time, all that chewing and swallowing.

Remember, I'm the girl who wants the Wonka Gum?

I will still always have chocolate hidden in my desk drawer,
but I will try to eat more meals,

or at least not skip two in the same day.

2. I Resolve to Cook More

I'm not really a foodie.

I like to go out to eat,

but I don't drool in the afternoon about some delicious meal

I'm gunna' concoct for dinner.

I don't read cookbooks.

I only subscribe to two food blogs because they're friends

and I've only copied one recipe from a blog.

There's been plenty of good intentions,

but not a lot of follow-through.

As I say each year,

I'm gunna' really try to cook some good food this year.

3. I Resolve to Shop More

I don't like shopping, except at thrift stores and garage sales.

Grocery shopping is OK, but the rising prices are making me crazy.

But, clothes shopping? I despise it.

I guess those circus mirrors and bright lights in the dressing rooms

frustrate me.

Sizes are smaller than they used to be and

fabrics are lighter than they used to be.

While waistlines and necklines go lower,

prices go higher.

I usually have only one good pair of jeans at a time,
and a few good shirts.
Ya' know, the kind you actually want to wear in public?
While other women were dieting from shopping in 2010,
I made myself buy new clothes.
Those new clothes are no longer new.
I need to go a week in each season without doing laundry.
I hafta' shop.
I just hafta'.

4. I Resolve to Drink More

Yea, I nag my kids all the time about drinking water,

like any good parent.

The lecture my Dad gave me is pretty much memorized,

but I have to adapt it a bit.

We grew up in Montana, so Dad would always add,

"We live in a place that's almost a desert, ya' know."

Of course, Washington is more like the tropical rain forest

in a children's museum, but we all still need to drink more water.

I don't like to drink water 'cuz then I have to tinkle.

I'm using that word because I have delicate sensibilities and so do you.

Going tinkle takes time.

It also takes toilet paper.

I don't have a lot of both, living in this house with ten other people.

Ten other people who aren't skilled enough to change the tp roll.

So, ya' happy now?
I resolved some resolutions.

Happy New Year!

I am truly blessed and humbled that you would
use your valuable time to ready my blog.

I am blessed and humbled that you would take time to comment.

I'm even more blessed and humbled that many of you,
strangers in physical life but bloggy friends,
have prayed and inspired me through one of the hardest years of my life.

All joking aside,
I truly love and appreciate all of you.

And may this be the way you find happiness in your new year:

Proverbs 3:13
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding."

What I Really Wanted for Christmas

2011-12-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

As always, my hubby and kids spoiled me with Christmas presents.

My kids are better shoppers than I am
and have this great ability to buy me wonderful things
I didn't know I needed,
and now suddenly I can't live without.
They keep me in style, up-to-date, primped, pampered and smellin' good.

They rose up and blessed me, all righty.

I even received two stockings full of goodies.
My dear Bethany was worried Pops would forget,
as he has occasionally in the past,
but
SHHHHHHH
you didn't hear that from me.

I might sound like an unthankful brat,
but as I thought about Christmas,
I had to admit there were some things I didn't get.

Things I really, really want.

Things I really, really need.

Things I feel like demanding by stomping my feet and raising my voice.
If it works for kids, (not MY kids, though)
it should work for me, right?
Anyway, I kinda' think I deserve these gifts,
and they would make my life
so
much easier.

After all, life is going to be pretty tough
trying to eat up all the chocolate I was given this Christmas.

I decided to publically display my
2012 Christmas Wish List
just in case anybody in my family wants to start shopping now.

What I Really Wanted for Christmas

*Self-Cleaning Fridge
Must also automatically disintegrate leftovers past their prime.

*Automatic-Flush Toilets
Should waft the scent of your choice into the air,
offering an array of scents, like rose, lavender, lilac, cedar and pine.
Any smell except what you usually smell in a bathroom
would be acceptable.

*Boomerang Pens
Will be programmed to automatically return to the site
they were confiscated from.

*Gum
that never loses it flavor and is invisible to kids' eyes.

*Socks and Earrings
that mate for life.

*Books
that remember what page I'm on.

*A Chocolate Bar
that always has one more bite.

*A Roll of Toilet Paper
that always has enough for one more wipe,
especially when I'm the next person in the bathroom.

*Runless Nylons

*A Bottomless Cup of Coffee

*A Bottomless Tank of Gas

*Stealth Scissors
unseen to the eyes of the ~~enemy~~ children.

*A Hand-held Lie Detector Test
Should be able to program in an unlimited number of people
without prior consent. Should read minds clearly even though
cleverly hidden in a shirt pocket or purse.
Can not be used on Parental Units.
Never.
Ever.
Ever.
Amen.

*Vehicular Motion Sensors
Will sound alarm when one offspring has unvaded
another offsrping's territory.
Could also be mounted above bedroom doors.

*Voice Recognition Software
Will quickly interpret needs of child based on pitch, tone, and inflections
and coordinate answer with current bank account balance
and/or Mom's current mood.

So, not to be selfish or anything,
but family,
are you out there?

Are ya' reading my blog?

How 'bout gettin' on that shopping list?

Afterall, you have 361 shopping days to buy me

What I Really Wanted for Christmas.

Parenting Like Joseph

2011-12-28T13:16:00.000-08:00

Joseph was chosen to be the earthly father

of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The child wasn't really his,

in the sense of flesh and blood.

He was only raising the child to fulfill His purpose on earth.

Then the Child would return to His true Father,

His Heavenly Father.

Joseph isn't the exception in parenting,

he's the rule.

Whether we're raising children we birthed

or children birthed in hearts through adoption,

we should have the same mindset.

These children really aren't ours,

they belong to the Heavenly Father.

Our goal in parenting

should be to point our children to Him,

so that they can live with Him eternally.

Jesus already belonged in Heaven,

our children have to make that choice to belong themselves,

by placing their faith in the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness

of their sins.

In our Sunday School program, our little Joseph took his party very seriously.

His eyes rarely strayed from the swaddled baby doll in the manger.

May we parents be like this young man,

who stayed by that manger,

diligently watching the child

who was under his loving care

for

very

short

time.

Angel We Heard On High

2011-12-23T11:11:00.000-08:00

Every child wants to be the angel in the Christmas play.

The wings and halo are just so enticing.

So, when you are the only girl in the Sunday School class

and

your mom writes the play,

being chosen for the coveted role is a done deal.

I realized tradition and Scripture don't always mesh.

The angel in Christmas programs has always been a girl.

Then, my wise daughter asked me,

"Mom, is Gabriel a girl's name?"

I'm thinking to myself,

"Duh, it's a boy name."

So I smartly replied that Gabriel is a boys name for humans,

but our angel was a girl.

What's a mother to do?

Because we wanted to go for a dramatic entrance,

and we didn't have those wires that made Peter Pan fly,

we settled for hiding the angel behind the piano when the adults

were downstairs snacking on Christmas cookies and coffee.

Just as the shepherds were surprised,

so was the audience.

The beautiful blonde angel popped from behind the piano,

the talented piano player shared her bright light for a moment

and the angel shone with glory while proclaiming,

"Fear not!

For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

We actually heard a few gasps from the crowd, so we were delighted.

Audience reaction is so rewarding, isn't it?

"Angel we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the stage."

This beautiful dress was sewn by a friend, Marilyn,

when her daughter was in a wedding years ago.

It's hung in our closet waiting for Rebekah to grow into it.

It was the perfect angel costume.

After spending the Saturday before the play

sewing the other five costumes, I was beat.

But, I still didn't have angel wings.

Scott and I drove to a party store

hoping to find a ready made pair.

It was closed.

We had about 20 minutes before Michael's closed,

so ran through the aisles looking for something that

could quickly and easily be turned into wings.

Super large white chenille stems were found on the clearance aisle.

Score!

A few twists, a few twist ties to hold the twists in place,

a few knots in skinny elastic,

and angel wings were born.

"Good tidings of great joy."

Hmmm..

I'll be honest, not feeling a lot of joy today.

I'm thinking of all I need to do,
all I will never get done,
and how to pull it all together in less than 48 hours.

All I really wanna' do is sit in my pj's and drink coffee.

We've been given good tidings that should bring us great joy.

Not just joy,
great joy.

If there's no joy,
that's our fault,
not heaven's.

He already provided all we need in a manger.

The Wise Shepherd, The Brave Shepherd and the Fearful Shepherd

2011-12-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

This year I wrote a short Christmas play for the kids in our Sunday school.

It had to be short, we only have six students.

Casting was easy, with three boys as shepherds,

one big girl as the angel,

one tiny girl as Mary and one tiny boy as Joseph.

I also made it easy by writing lines appropriate for their personalities.

We rehearsed, but I concentrated on making them remember

the general idea of the line, not expecting word perfect recitation.

If a line was too confusing, I made it shorter.

If they didn't understand it, I changed it.

It had to be easy for them to become the characters.

No Sunday school kid was going to get an ulcer on my watch.

Remember how nervous you were when you performed in the Christmas

program in front of the whole congregation?

I wanted them to have fun and enjoy their first performance.

The Wise Shepherd is instructing his younger helpers on caring for the flock.

He warns them about trouble within the flock;

if a mother abandoned her baby they would have to

become the mommy to the lamb.

He warns them about trouble outside the flock

and the need to guard against lions and bears.

The Brave Shepherd isn't afraid of anything.

He has a sling just like David.

The Fearful Shepherd, the youngest of the group, was afraid of everything...

...lions and bears,

the Caananites in Bethlehem,

sin and the Messiah.

After being informed

"the soul that sinneth it shall die"

he was afraid of dying.

The Wise Shepherd assures him that he doesn't need to be

afraid of dying from his sin,

because the Messiah is coming to save

people from their sin.

When the angel appeared, they were all afraid.

The Fearful Shepherd taunted the Wise Shepherd

for trembling in fear.

After hearing the angel's proclamation,

the Wise Shepherd commanded them to follow him to Bethlehem.

Under protest and confusion,

"You told us to never leave the sheep!"

"Should I bring my slingshot?"

they followed the older, wiser shepherd.

They all worshipped.

Then they rushed out and told the entire congregation about the newborn King.

As the shepherds called the people to come and worship,

we closed by singing,

"O Come All Ye Faithful."

I was thrilled with the students.

They all remembered their lines,

nearly word perfect,

were loud enough to be heard,

and caused the older people to laugh, worship and adore.

It was especially gratifying to hear the first words

out of the kids' mouths after the performance~

"Can we have another play?"

While the thrill of succeeding warms their little hearts,

I'm still thinking about their call to worship.

O come let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

Ponder in Your Heart

2011-12-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things,

and pondered them in her heart.

Without any practice, our little Mary

performed beautifully at our Christmas program on Sunday.

Her thoughtful watch over Baby Jesus was delightful,

and occasionally she would reach down and pat the baby's head.

I kept thinking about this verse in Luke as I watched her.

How amazed Mary must have been to be chosen to carry

the Christ child.

When she heard the shepherds repeating the angel's proclamation

about her Son, she stored them up in her heart.

What a great example we have in Mary.

She first lived out her youth in such faithful devotion

she was chosen for a great service to the Lord.

She fulfilled her duty as the earthly mother to the Lord Jesus,

despite much personal pain as she watched Him

rejected, scourged and crucified.

She only had words

about

the Lord Jesus.

We have Words

from

the Lord Jesus,

the entire inspired New Testament.

Like Mary,

we need to keep things about Jesus,

truths from His Holy Word,

and ponder them in our hearts,

not just during the holiday season.

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things,

and pondered them in her heart.

Who Cut the Cheese?

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Growing up with three brothers,

disgusting body noises and smells were the bane

of my daily existence.

PULL MY FINGER

was their motto.

When

WHO CUT THE CHEESE

came into vogue,

they punctuated this new battle cry with rude armpit noises.

It was a harsh childhood, I tell ya'.

My Gramma Geneva

used the slang of her times to join in our giggles and slang.

When somebody emitted a rude noise from the lower region

of their body, especially if it was accompanied by

a milk-curdling odor,

Gramma would holler out with (wit) a thick (tick) Norwegian (Norvegian) accent,

WHO CUT THE MUSTARD?

(Hoo cut du musTURD)

Then, she'd smile with the same smirk my brothers used

when they'd annihilated the air purity with a SBD.

(For those of you not privileged enough to grow up with

three flatulenting brothers, it means

SILENT BUT DEADLY.)

Notice how I'm not using the actual word you're thinking of?

Yea, when my husband was teaching in a private Christian

school he was reprimanded by the trying-not-to-laugh principal

for using a bad word in the classroom.

Apparently, a parent had called in because in some homes

FART

is a naughty word.

I wonder if they think a FART by any other name

would smell sweeter?

In case you are one who agrees with that philosophy,

I'll elevate my diction and avoid further mention

of that dreadful word.

Back to Gramma's mustard.

I couldn't begin to imagine where her saying came from,

until I heard this song as an older teenager.

I grew up, married and was blessed with six cheese-cutting kids of my own.

Now, I'm the one cutting the cheese.

Literally.

During the holidays there is a constant ebb and flow of activities,

festivities, responsibilities and company.

Sometimes, coming up with a last minute meal or snack can be challenging.

A few years ago I discovered having cheese cut up and ready

makes sandwiches and cracker trays easy to create.

The cheese is layered with waxed paper and the bag labeled.

My other favorite flavors to keep on hand are

dill havarti and smoked gouda.

You haven't had dill havarti?

It's my favorite.

If you love cheese and you love pickles,

Unique Use for a Christmas Tree

2011-12-15T23:12:00.000-08:00

A Christmas tree has many cherished functions during the holiday season.

The lights add a shimmering glow to the room,

matching the expectation of the celebration ahead.

Underneath the tree, presents chosen with love are nestled beneath

the pine scented boughs.

Ornaments rich with memories hang from the branches,

marking Christmases past,

but leaving room for future memories.

The scent, the sights, the feel of a Christmas tree

are deeply etched into our hearts and minds.

My kids added one more cherished function for our Christmas

tree this week.

They simply continue to amaze me.

Remind me to not ask the kids to

"quickly pick up the living room"

ever

during the season of the tree.

Remind me not to ask

when I'm not in the room and

don't specify

how

to pick up the living room.

My Amazing Grace decided each branch worked like a shelf.

The living room was very quickly picked up.

I walked in, rolled my eyes,

grunted in a motherly fashion,

and demanded someone get a picture

while I went down to do yet another load of laundry.

Not sure what happened when I was in the basement,

but the pictures on the camera

told a story their lips didn't.

But, it musta' been funny.

See what a Mom misses when she's always working?

Many years ago, some dear friends of mine shared their

convictions on why they don't have a Christmas tree.

It was a pleasant conversation,

but all I remember is something about

German soldiers hanging guts on a tree.

Maybe I wasn't listening very well.

Anyway, we made our decision to have a tree

based on American tradition,

not our faith.

We understand the tree really doesn't have anything to do

with the Lord Jesus.

But we found a way to let our

love for the American traditions

and our love for the Lord Jesus

live together in our home.

And our dear friends don't know what they're missing.

Not only are they missing that wonderful pine scent,

their kids can't clean up the living room in less than 5 minutes.

Lights, Camera, Decorating Action

2011-12-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

I won't be putting on the magazine Christmas this year.

It just ain't gunna' happen.

But, I plan on enjoying the family,

eating a few sweets that will for sure give me a tummy ache,

sipping a LOT of coffee,

and enjoying my

very, very, very full house.

We'll be blessed with a lot of family celebrating with us.

One of my main objectives when decorating

is to create atmosphere.

What better way than to use lights?

These vintage bells were an after-Christmas find this year

and look great along the top of my buffet.

I was thrilled to discover they blink,

right, left, together, right, left, together, right, left, together.

Do you sit and stare like a cat at lights sometimes?

Yea, me, too.

They're mesmerizing.

In a corner vintage candleabra and plastic greenery.

Ya' know the plastic is so tacky, it's cute.

Kinda' like my elves.

It's washable, not fragile, and can be squished in a box.

I know you're all gunna' be looking for ugly plastic garland

at the thrift stores tomorrow.

At night, it lights up the corner of the dining room.

Remember my decorating has to be fast and furious this year?

Lights set the atmosphere quickly and beauifully.

A bubble-light night light makes even the hallway festive.

Another vintage find last year, a star for the top of the tree.

Y'all think you know where I'm going with the lights.

Yea, yer' right.

John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

“I am the

light of the world.

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,

but have the light of life.”

But, instead of just saying to yerself,

"ya', real original anaology, Momma Mindy,"

I want you to meditate on this for a moment.

Meditate comes from the same root as ruminate.

Ruminate is to chew the cud, like a cow.

If you think about a cow

chewing and

chewing,

you'd agree that we really don't

meditate on the Scriptures.

We're too busy.

We're too preoccupied.

Two or three chews, gulp it down, and we're done.

We wouldn't make very good cows, would we?

So as you chew on this thought,

of Jesus being the light of the world,

think more personally.

How can He be the light of your world?

When/why do you need light?

~when you're afraid

~ to see where you're going

~ to work

~ to read

~to guide someone through the dark

~to look for something that's lost

These are a few of the many instances during the day when you need to

turn on a lamp, use a flashlight, or turn the lights on your car.

These are almost the same instances when you need the

light of Jesus.

Make turning to Him,

through His Word and prayer,

as natural as it is to flip a light switch.

Remember that atmosphere we were talkin' about earlier?

That's what we want all year 'round.

A home filled with

light.

Fast and Furious Christmas Decorating

2011-12-13T23:06:00.000-08:00

This year I was so busy cleaning my garage,

I didn't really have time to decorate for Christmas.

Ya' know, we all have years like that.

Some years we're Martha Stewart on steroids,

other years we're the Red Neck Mommas

who just do enough to Git 'Er Dun.

This year I dun did the Red Neck Thing.

It was the hubby's year to decorate the tree.

We'll talk about that later.

He got that done a few days after Thanksgiving.

I like to decorate a lot.

Meaning, I like it a lot and I use a lot of decorations.

Since I didn't get the Christmas decorations back up into the attic

until this summer, I'm lame I know,

I didn't feel like hauling them all down a few months later.

This year, I gave myself permission to

relax.

I took down the box of vintage decorations,

my faves, of course,

and starting throwing elves around.

I wasn't furious, but it had to be done fast.

This ladder rests against the wall in the dining room.

Usually, I would replace all the vintage fabrics

with vintage Christmas linens.

Not this year.

This year it was more about just adding a few decorations

to areas of the house that already displayed vintage items.

Usually the doll on the top of the ladder sits on top of the tree.

Not this year.

My kids make fun of her, and I don't know why.

She's so ugly, she's cute.

Who needs that traditional star or angel?

This little guy is using my pastry mixer for a swing.

The heavily bearded elf tucks his arthritic knees into my flour sifter.

The coffee pot at the bottom of the ladder

is now home to a mouse.

The only kinda' mouse I want in my house.

When you can't do everything you wanna' do

and still keep the calm and happy attitude,

something has to go.

This year, the decorating had to go,

the happy attitude stayed.

The Lord tells us to be a cheerful giver.

We shouldn't give so much we resent giving,

nor should we give so little we feel guilty.

I think this is a great principle for many things we do.

This year I'm not doing so much I resent the holidays

and all the demands it puts on Mom,

(or all the demands I put on myself)

nor am I doing so little I feel guilty.

I need to accomplish each holiday endeavor

fast and furiously,

without getting furious.

Gotta keep that holiday cheer!

Acts 27:25

Be of good cheer:

for I believe God...

Where Do Dreams Go To Die?

2011-12-12T22:29:00.000-08:00

The garage.

It's the dumping grounds for anything that doesn't fit in the house.

So much stuff has been fit in the garage, the cars don't.

For months, I've been cleaning the garage,

tossing, sorting, recycling, and organizing.

As I hold each item in my hands,

I ask if emotionally I need it,

if physically I need it,

and if financially I can afford to replace it if need be.

The obvious fact is that I save too much stuff.

The inobvious fact is that

I'd been saving some things

for dreams that would never come true.

They were good dreams,

they were God-honoring dreams,

but they were dreams I had to allow to die.

Some dreams had to do with ministries I desired.

Some dreams had to do with plans I had for my kids.

From the time we are very young,

we're fed dream fodder,

"If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

(Eleanor Roosevelt)

Dreaming isn't wrong, it's necessary.

Christians know it isn't only our courage, strength and ambition

that makes our dreams come true.

The power comes from the One who had enough power

to raise from the dead.

As I filled box after box to take to the thrift store,

parting with both hoarded junk and the stuff my dreams were made of,

I wasn't bitter and I wasn't angry.

I just had to face the facts.

It was time for me to deal with these dreams as David did.

David desired to build a temple,

a beautiful monument to honor the Lord,

a place of corporate worship.

Although he had the best intentions and desires,

it wasn't the Lord's plan for David's life.

David had to let his dream die.

The death of a dream isn't always a bad thing.

For the past few weeks,

as I've cried a few tears and been honest before the Lord

about the death of some of my dreams,

this thought was continually in my mind,

"Where do dreams go to die?"

As I pondered this thought over and over,

the Lord gave me a picture of the cross.

Along with everything else we give to the Lord,

our time, money and talents,

dreams are to be offered at the foot of the cross.

We're pleased to offer all to Jesus,

so He can do all He pleases with our offerings.

It isn't a death of gory agony,

it's a death of self, a surrender of dreams.

One day I sat down to rest and read this book to my kids.

Three trees have amazing dreams for their futures.

All three are chosen, cut down and used,

but none of their dreams came true.

This line expressed the state of my heart

so perfectly, I wept.

"Many, many days and nights passed.

The three trees nearly forgot their dreams."

The end renewed my heart with hope.

Each of the trees was used in a way greater than they'd dreamed.

(One became a manger, one a fishing boat, and one became the Cross.)

I haven't buried my dreams in a graveyard of depression and futility,

I've buried them in the fertile soil at the foot of the cross, because

That's Where Dreams Go to Die.

Like the trees,

I'll wait and see how the Lord plans to use me.

Didja' Celebrate Yesterday?

2011-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Just wondering if any of you celebrated the holiday yesterday.

No, not Pearl Harbor Day.

That's a sad day to commemorate, not celebrate.

I'm talking about

National Pop Day.

Don't know what I'm talking about?

I guess those of you not from our crazy family

need to be educated.

It's the day where you buy

lotsa' pop

and drink

lotsa' pop.

This year I also bought vanilla ice cream just to make it

even more sugary deliciousness.

You might be sneering at my choice of beverages.

If I were you reading my blog,

I'd be sneering, too.

Pop isn't good for you.

Pop is expensive.

(That's why I bought the generic brand.)

Pop has no food value.

That's why we celebrate.

Maybe you're like me in this way,

you're concerned about your kids' health and nutrition,

but you have a hubby,

a dear, loving, thoughtful, wonderful hubby,

but a hubby, nonetheless, who would be able to feed the kids

Twinkies for breakfast without any remorse.

Not even a sniggle of remorse.

Not a worry about their blood sugar,

their metabolism,

or the terrors of food dyes on the human body.

Years ago,

I'd stopped buying pop and other such stuff and nonsense

for the kids, aiming to build a healthier, happier family.

Then Daddy went grocery shopping,

but didn't really buy groceries.

It was one of his glorious

"I can buy anything I want 'cuz my mom ain't here"

kinda' trips.

He brought home a lot of pop and taboo snacks,

knowing he would thrill the kids with the variety he'd chosen.

Momma Mindy wasn't too happy.

Momma Mindy grilled Poppa on why he would buy such

poisonous things for their beloved children.

Poppa can think quickly on his feet,

especially when under estrogen attack.

"It's National Pop Day,

didn't you know?"

Then he elaborated some hilarious tale about the

birth of the great holiday and

how we needed to celebrate each year.

Later, when discussing this situation when the kids weren't around,

we tried to figure out how blissfully unite my

quest for health and his quest for snacks in marriage.

We came to the conclusion that both can happily

live in the same house together.

In fact, it provides the check and balance for the home.

If we ate only what I'd read was good for you,

life would end up a little boring.

If we ate only what Daddy bought,

we'd be fat and diabetic, with arteries that needed to be roto-rootered.

Besides, the more you deny, the more they crave.

It's that Romans 7 thing flaring up in their flesh.

It can create more desire.

Moderation is good.

So, during the majority of the year,

I don't buy pop for the kids.

But, on

National Pop Day,

we all raise a toast,

to fun,

family,

and our dear Poppa,

inventor of National Pop Day.

WHAT? Me Deny the Lord?

2011-12-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

As a zealous new believer

reading the account of Peter's denial,

I was aghast.

I was pretty sure I'd never do that.

I was astounded when I read of Sarah's sense of humor,

of Jonah's jolt and the Israelites' indignation in the desert.

I couldn't accept their lack of faith.

I'd been recently delivered, saved, was washed in the blood of the lamb

and I was pretty sure the whiteness of my righteousness would never be so sullied.

I was wrong.

Like Sarah, I have laughed in disbelief at the Lord's promises.

In fact, I've even repeated in my heart what the disciples accused the sleeping Savior,

"Lord, don't you care?"

I've run.

I've been discontent with my circumstances.

Recently, like those children on the sea shore, I'm not believing the sea will part.

I'm quivering with the Egyptians at my back.

We picture denying the Lord as standing before a vicious crowd

to be attacked with a sword or burned at the stake

and crying out in fear, "I recant!"

Denial

is not believing His promises

and not accepting life circumstances.

We don't have the trials mentioned in Hebrews 11, but we daily have tribulation.

We're called to cancer and illness.

We lose children as prodigals or to death.

We follow our husbands to states we might not have chosen ourselves.

We're falsely accused, fired, involved in accidents,

suffer abuse from unbelieving family members.

There's not enough time, enough money, or enough love.

The past haunts us, the present hurts us and the future horrifies us.

Our hearts cry out in this wicked world because

we don't belong.

Like the force of a million tiny raindrops pouding together in gale force wind,

these trials compoud and tear at the body, soul and spirit.

We each have the chance to use these trials to

proclaim our faith

not

deny our Savior.

Peter was wrong.

The capture of Jesus led to Him being the captain of our salvation.

Sarah was wrong.

Her laughter led to a leader whose descendants numbered more than the lights in Heaven.

Jonah was wrong.

The Israelites were wrong.

I'm wrong.

I'm quaking in fear over a few circumstances in my life.

The trials have stretched on for so long, I've begun to lose my grip on faith.

Thirty years later, I admit, I'm just like Peter.

Remember what our gracious heavenly Father said to this dear brother?

He prayed, not parted.

He comforted, not chastised.

He reminded, not rebuked.

Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for you,

that your faith should not fail;

and when you have returned to Me,

strengthen your brethren.”

Remember, in the garden? He prayed for us, too.

So, as I daily live and breath with trials pressed around,

my blogs record the restoration

I've sought with tears and anguish,

gleaning enough faith from His Word for just

one

day.

Even in our denial,

the Lord wants to restore and use us.

He is an amazing God and Father.

Press on, suffering soldiers,

Proclaim

Deny?

What will you choose today?

Why You Should Let Kids In The Kitchen

2011-12-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

Time after time,

I've blogged about the messes my kids made in the kitchen.

I've had burned steaks and

a melted cutting board.

My burner covers have been charcoaled beyond salvation.

I've had spilled spices and

broken eggs.

But, there's

always,

payback

after all the cleanup.

Homemade Krispy Kreme Donuts?

MMM GOOD!

Strawberry Shortcake?

DELICIOUS!

The best pay-off comes at Thanksgiving.

I haven't cooked in years.

In fact,

I don't remember the last time I cooked the entire meal.

In fact,

I don't know if I even have ever cooked the entire meal.

The kids are in the kitchen as soon as those

little hands can grasp the mixer.

Just because a little hair was also wrapped around the mixer,

I didn't banish them from the kitchen.

No sirreee, not me.

This year our 15 year old son, Jon, took charge

of the entire Thanksgiving meal.

Well, let's clarify.

He didn't want to get up early enough to put the turkey in,

so Dad started that for him.

But, the menu and the shopping were up to him,

with a help from the people with wheels and a debit card.

He chose very traditional Thanksgiving foods.

The day before he made

a double-batch of white dinner rolls.

Since we usually eat wheat bread,

he loved having an excuse to use white flour,

'cuz he was in charge, ya' know.

The rolls were amazing.

Jon was great about CAYG,

Clean As You Go.

By the time dinner was served,

the kitchen was clean,

with a little help from big sister.

Since we eat our meal at 2pm,

he even planned and prepared snacks for the evening,

including this delicious salmon dip.

We make our guests help in the kitchen.

Friend Josiah had to ladle the gravy and walk it to the table.

He also helped with the dishes.

Hubby also made the gravy.

Like previous years, I just had to set the table.

Since I'm still recovering from my Thanksgiving last year,

I went very simple.

Thanksgiving Dinner:

Herb Encrusted Turkey

Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

Olives and Pickles

White Dinner Rolls

Spaghetti Squash

Homemade Stuffing

Evening Snacks:

Stuffed Mushrooms

Deviled Eggs

Salmon Dip

Cheese and Crackers

I hope you're a wee bit jealous about my

amazing, handsome, 15 year old chef.

Maybe jealous enough to buy a fire estinguisher

and let your kids in the kitchen,

to spill, drop, break and burn.

There's payback,

I promise.

Someday,

you could be writing about your

amazing, talented kids.

The Only Thing That Gets Better When Broken~

2011-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

~is a Christian.

The other day,

in a pile of random things I can't tolerate to toss,

I found this treasure.

(click to enlarge, you'll want to read this,

maybe more than once)

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

Forgot the broken heart of a romance movie,

brokenness for a believer is much different.

In fact, it's almost the opposite.

Our hearts are romantically broken

when someone we love forsakes us.

Our hearts are spiritually broken

when the God who loves us draws near,

but His holy presence causes conviction.

Our heart is broken when we see our sin

in light of His goodness, and repent.

Back in the day before

computers,

email,

Internet,

Facebook,

blogging,

cell phones,

texting, Tweeting

and all the other modern ways of passing on a message,

an older friend of ours, John,

typed up encouraging excerpts from Christian books, poems,

devotionals and Bible study notes to pass around.

The above well-loved pieces of paper

was one of his offerings of encouragement.

About ten years ago, he gave us his cherished typewriter.

The original receipt is still tucked away in the instruction manual.

Since minimum wage was only $.75 in 1952,

his source of spiritual encouragement wasn't cheap.

It was more like an eternal investment.

My kids loved using it to type up ransom notes,

after kidnapping each other's stuffed animals,

but it always represented spiritual encouragement to me.

Someday, our Internet trail will leave behind memories,

pictures, thoughts, journals, Tweets, status updates and blogs.

Hopefully, our trail will be littered with

broken pieces of self and

marked with this message of hope for those walking behind~

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Because, ya' know,

a Christian is the only thing that gets better when

broken.

Clay Pot Nativity

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last December, I found a box of little clay pots at a thrift store.

Thirty for $1.25!

I didn't need them.

I had no idea of what I would use them for.

But, they were SO tiny and SO cute,

I had to buy them.

A few days later, I found Jennifer's craft

at Kids on the Grand.

Perfect!

To make it easier for my daughter, I glued the beads on the night before.

For Joseph and Mary and I bought the kind with one flat side.

Beka painted the pots and the basin,

then glued moss down.

Baby Jesus just needed a square of fabric,

some cotton,

pretty sure this is from a bottle of Advil,

'cuz I'm thrifty like that,

and one tiny bead.

A little glue, a little folding, and a little more gluing.

The beard was a little scraggly.

Her sister is a cosmetologist, so Beka was very confident

she knew just how to trim a beard.

The finishing touch was to set the family on a slice of wood

I had squirreled away in my craft room.

Do you keep things just because you like them

and you think you might need them some day?

A fun, inexpensive craft, a fun memory, and a holiday

decoration we'll use for years.

Jessica from Craftily Ever After had her own version.

I loved her idea of using burlap.

Janet posted this one at Design Dazzle.

Isn't it adorable?

This craft is a good way to inspire your family

to keep

Christ

Christmas.

Six Month Cancer Check-Up

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

For new readers or readers who have forgotten the details

of my thyroid cancer journey,

(that's OK, it's been over 7 years,

my own family has a hard time keeping track of the details)

I'll give a brief history.

(according to Wikipedia, this is what papillary thyroid cancer looks like)

Living with cancer isn't quiet as pretty.

June 2005 thyroid and lymph nodes removed

August 2005 Radio-active iodine treatment

April 2009 surgery to remove two more tumors

May 2009 three tumors grew back,

RAI and surgery no longer an option,

increased thyroid medication to fight cancer.

I've been HYPERthyroid for awhile.

Doctors often use the line,

"Thyroid cancer is the BEST cancer to have."

Some days I don't believe it.

However, after losing three friends to cancer in the past year,

I started to believe it.

The faith is seasoned with Survivor's Guilt,

but I now believe it.

I've been told I will never be cured,

that I won't die from my cancer,

I will die with it.

Which means, apart from a miracle,

my sure cure will be death.

It makes me so thankful I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!

For those of you who also suffer in your earthly tent

you may be longing, like me, for that new body.

You may be longing to claim that

promise of no more sorrow and no more pain

and to have those final tears wiped away with nail-scarred Hands.

But, today, my tears are of thankfulness and joy.

My six month lab work shows,

for the second time in a row,

no thyroid antibodies in my blood.

When cancer is active,

your body naturally produces antibodies to fight it.

My three tumors haven't grown, according to the previous sonogram,

so things are being held at bay.

Through seven years of cancer, He's never failed me.

I have failed to believe Him,

but He hasn't failed me.

He is faithful.

Light the Fire!

2011-11-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year when the house is getting nippy,

the kids are fussing about being cold,

I'm nagging them to put on sweaters,

and we all love to crank the heat

or light a fire in the fireplace.

There's nothing like sitting in front of a crackling fire,

sipping a cup of hot coffee

and reading a good book.

In our case, usually a school book.

It was a Presto log,

so kinda' a tiny, lame fire,

but was the first fire of the season,

so had to be commemorated with a picture.

We snuggled in front of the meager flame,

enjoying the sound, sight and smell of fire.

When I add logs, huffing and puffing to get the embers to ignite,

I'm reminded of this spiritual admonition:

2 Timothy 1:6

For this reason I remind you to

fan into flame

the gift of God,

which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

I'm also reminded of this song,

a favorite for older campers at Story Book Lodge Christian Camp.

(this isn't our camp, just a youtube video)

Listening to 100+ teenagers sing out with passion for Jesus

every summer does fan my faith into fire.

Reading God's Word is another way to turn smoldering

embers into useful, warming flames.

Cold house?

Cold heart?

The answer is the same.

Light the fire!

What are ways you use to light the fire of faith in your life?

Thanksgiving is Never Really Over

2011-11-28T05:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is never really over.
I don't mean because of the pounds of dry turkey
you'll be eating for months and months and months.

Turkey soup,
turkey sandwiches,
turkey and rice,
turkey cheddar broccoli casserole,
turkey and cranberry casserole
are ways we try to get rid of the poultry.
We should never try to get rid of the
spirit of Thanksgiving
we've been feasting on for the past week.

We've discussed it's the Lord's will that

everything
we

Give Thanks.

Easy to say,

hard to do.

The spirit is willing,

but the flesh is weak.

(Stone from Dutch Mill, Inc.)

As parents, we understand

thank you.

More than a bajillion times in our parenting history

we'll remind, instruct and downright nag our kids to use these

two very lovely words.

They're two words that mean so much.

But giving thanks is more than just vocalizing the right words,

it's to be grateful or to feel thankful.

It's an act that emcompasses body, soul and spirit.

It isn't true thanksgiving without this trinity of our humanity.

When someone has given us a gift that we

couldn't afford,

didn't expect,

don't deserve and

couldn't provide for ourselves,

we feel indebted to them.

In fact, sometimes our words seem lame,

compared to the gratitude welling up within our hearts,

but we say them anyway,

hoping, in our weakness, to convey the depths of our thanksgiving.

The Lord has given us a great gift that we

couldn't afford,

didn't expect,

don't deserve and

couldn't provide for ourselves.

It's right that we feel indebted to Him.

It's right that we go through life

thankful for our beautiful Savior,

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Long after you've eaten the last turkey leftovers,
may you still be consumed with thanksgiving,
because Christians understand thanksgiving isn't a holiday,
it's the Lord's will for our lives.

everything

give

thanks.

'Cuz, ya' know,

thanksgiving is never really over.

2011-11-24T21:44:00.000-08:00

Thankful to the LORD~

1 Chronicles 16:34

O give thanks unto the LORD;

for He is good;

for His mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 97:12

Rejoice in the LORD,

ye righteous;

and give thanks

at the remembrance of His holiness.

Thankful for YOU~

1 Thessalonians 1:2

We give thanks to God always for you

all, making mention of you in our prayers;

May my dear friends, family members

and followers continue to enjoy

the holiday weekend.

Blessings!

Really, Lord? Thankful in EVERYTHING?

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

First, we learned being thankful is the Lord's will.

Then, we learned that we are to give thanks

in the midst, in the middle, in that time.

(Stone from Dutch Mill, Inc.)

The second word of the verse can be just as challenging as the first.

See, we're two words into the verse, and we're under serious conviction.

everything.

Everything?

Everything!

We might doubt the wisdom and expected execution

of our dear Heavenly Father.

Really? Everything?

Christmas is coming up.

If you're like me, you'll make sure there are several gifts

for each family member under the tree.

Do you expect your children to thank you for every gift?

Really?

Even the socks?

Even the underwear?

Even the chia pet from the auntie?

Give thanks for every gift?

If we can expect this of our children,

our Heavenly Father can expect this of us.

Wait a minute, I hear you protesting,

trials aren't the same as gifts!

That's not a fair comparison!

It isn't?

We only think of these situations as trials

because we can't see the Lord's big picture.

We got a flat tire once.

Friday rush hour traffic on I-5.

It was raining.

Bumper to bumper traffic trying to escape Seattle.

We could have complained

and fussed and moaned.

We thanked the Lord and changed the tire.

We missed a 10+ car pile-up.

I know you what know what everything means,

but let's just spell it out anyway.

each

every

any

all

the whole

everyone

all things

It's easy to give thanks to the Lord when we buy a new house,

have a new baby, get our income tax refund back,

make a new friend, get a front row parking place,

enjoy a family vacation.

These good things from the Lord should cause our hearts

to overflow with thanksgiving.

He is the giver of all good gifts.

But, giving thanks in everything has to include cancer.

It has to include losing friends to cancer.

It has to include moving.

It has to include accidents.

It has to include trials.

It has to, because it's the Lord's will.

And if it's the Lord's will,

then it's the right thing to do.

We give thanks in everything

because we don't know every part of God's plan.

We don't know every person He's trying to touch through our situation.

We don't know every blessing the Lord wants to give us.

We can't pick and choose when we want to trust the Lord.

We either trust Him or we don't.

To trust Him it means giving thanks in

everything,

because nothing is out of His care or His plan.

Give Thanks IN...

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Being thankful is not just a suggestion...

not just a holy hint...

not just a good idea for a good life.

Yesterday we learned it's God's will that we're thankful.

(Stone from Dutch Mill, Inc.)

The Lord even gives us a few guidelines for abiding in His will.

Today we're going to talk about one simple word.

Just one.

One eensy, weensy, little word that should cause us all

to quake in our boots.

The verse begins by telling us when to be thankful.

A simple two letter preposition gives serious time parameters.

It means being thankful

"in the midst, in the middle, in that time."

OK, you're waiting for a great revelation

because you know what in means.

Let's talk about what it doesn't mean.

It doesn't mean being thankful underneath the trial,

hiding out from the circumstances in quaking disbelief and fear.

It doesn't mean being thankful beside a situation,

sidestepping spiritual responsibility and the work of the Potter's Hands.

It doesn't mean being thankful after a situation,

when you've seen the outcome and understand God's purpose.

It means being thankful right

the

middle

before you know the outcome, the purpose or the fruit.

Right

that

time

when the flames are the hottest,

the loneliness is the deepest,

the pain is the greatest,

the tears are the saltiest.

That's when we're to give thanks.

Do you believe that whatever you are

the

middle

of God is there?

Do you believe it's His plan for you to be there?

There is a simple way I can test my heart

in the midst of a trial or hardship.

Can I lift my head and heart to the Heavens

and honestly thank the Lord?

Right when I'm

the

middle?

**********

Feel like crafting to show your thankful heart?

There's still a few days left to Thanksgiving.

Summit Street Joy is offering this free printable.

Isn't it perfect?

If you use this, please stop by Lauren's blog

and thank her, since we're talking about being thankful.

I know you'll appreciate her creativity.

Myra at My Blessed Life

is highlighting many beautiful, free printables for Thanksgiving.

Myra also has a wonderful list of fall projects and decorating.

Stop by for some last minute inspiration.

Just remember to

give

thanks.

What's God's Will?

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

(Stone from Dutch Mill, Inc.)

It's easy to sail amiss in our Christian lives,

like ships without rudders,

trying to find the center of God's perfect will for our lives.

We pray, seek counsel, pray, seek more counsel,

but sometimes an evident answer from Heaven isn't heard.

It's never that God isn't listening,

I think we're looking for the wrong thing.

In the Scriptures, God's will is not a carefully architected

blueprint of where we'll go to school,

where we'll live, which car we'll buy or who we'll marry.

Before you think I've gone all apostate on you,

think about this.

Look up some verses.

God's will in the Scriptures is His moral and spiritual will for your life.

It's how he wants you to walk the path of life,

not merely the actually stones in the path.

So, I'm saying God doesn't care about those things?

No, I'm not saying that.

He guides and directs and longs to be the center

of all these decisions.

But, blessing doesn't come from choosing the right college,

although the Lord may bless you at the college you choose.

Blessing comes from obedience.

Joy doesn't come from having the right job,

although there could be joy in your job.

Joy comes from our salvation.

Thanksgiving is not a one day holiday,

nor is it only a nicety of the Christian life.

It's an absolute, expected way of living,

the act of a heart grateful to a holy and mighty God.

It's God's will.

It's that mysterious plan for your life you've been seeking.

If you're seeking answers for decisions in your life,

look at how you're defining God's will.

Once you start living according to God's will,

you might have more answers and guidance from Heaven.

This week we'll be looking more at

giving thanks

because we all want to be in

God's will.

How do I know?

The rest of the verse inscribed on the stone above is

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus for you.

What Are Your INTENTIONS?

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have projects that are

intentions

for so long they begin to be

irritations.

This bag of pinecones has been around for a few years.

I'm surprised they didn't grow into trees down in my craft area.

I just couldn't throw them away.

Wouldn't be frugal.

Yea, I know I could just pick more.

But, I'd never have time to pick more.

These were ready and waiting....

...for years....

They annoyed me because everytime I walked by them,

I would try to talk myself into throwing them out

or finishing the craft.

I usually don't listen to myself very well.

This partially used candle had also been in my craft room

for years...

...longer than the pinecones.

I'm pretty sure it immigrated with me from Minnesota.

I'm pretty sure it moved with me three times.

It just smelled so good, I didn't mind it hanging around

chillin' in the peace of my good intentions.

I had to turn intention into action.

This is my wax kettle.

It's only used for wax projects so I don't have to really,

really, really clean it before I use it again.

I just wipe it out with a paper towel.

I'm lazy like that.

Red Neck Double Boiler.

It works.

DO NOT LEAVE WAX UNATTENDED.

It can go from

"melted wax useful for crafts"

"I just burned the house down"

in minutes.

So many of my craft items are so vintage,

I'm not sure if I wanna use them.

This glitter looks like real gold.

I probably could melt them down and make my own fillings.

The idear was simple.

Dip the pinecones in the wax.

I assumed they'd be very smelly and very lavendar like the candle.

The wax lost some of the color and the smell in melting.

I also assumed this would be pretty easy.

I should have read some blogs first.

I couldn't get the wax spread evenly,

but I was satisfied.

If you dip too many times, you end up melting the wax OFF.

They needed to be dunked about four times.

On the final dunk, I spread glitter.

Remember? All that glitters isn't gourds?

I ended up using some pink glitter, too.

It added more color.

Now that I'm thinking about it,

I'm wondering if I did it all wrong.

Ever dip candles?

They don't let it completely dry between coats,

like I did.

They just dip and dip and dip.

Any opinions?

Any experience out there?

These will be displayed in the ladies restroom at our church

in white pedestal bowls.

We needed an air freshener that didn't need to be refilled or lit.

To enhance the smell,

a chunk of the candle was cut off for each of the bowls.

It will be hidden underneath the pinecones,

for nobody to know,

but everyone to smell.

The worst part about this project?

There's still some candle left.

There's still some pinecones left.

I still can't throw out either one.

They went back in the craft room,

to chill in the peace of my good intentions.

I know I'll think of another project....

...some day.

At least, that's my intention.

Take a Hint Mint!

2011-11-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

A Myntz mint, that is.

I have a new favorite mint.

See the cool tin?

They're better than Altoids tins because the lid is flat.

No embossing that's nice to look at, but hard to cover up.

Delicious mints and useable tins,

what more could a frugal momma want?

A set of die cuts for my Cuttlebug fits perfectly in one tin.

It's not that I'm green and wanting to keep the landfills empty,

remember, I'm frugal.

Also remember, I come from a long line of frugal women?

Ya' get whatcha' pay for.

The cheap $1 spray paint I used to use will never hold up

to this discovery.

One coat of Rust'Oleum 2X is my new favorite spray paint.

As long as I don't miss a spot.

Love this stuff.

The beautiful tin on my Gramma's red and chrome kitchen table.

I love crafting on the table where I know she spent hours

sitting, drinking coffee, visiting and rolling out sugar cookies.

This is the Cuttlebug. It cuts and embosses.

She's da' boss!

So, ya' know those die cuts I needed to store?

What a better way to store them, but in a box

decorated with papers cut from the die cuts within.

Didja' understand that?

Papers were cut and Mod Podge applied.

Four sets of die cuts in four adorable boxes.

I was so pleased with them I wanted to display the boxes

instead of putting them away in the Cuttlebug container.

The flowers would also look cute on stationary.

Maybe I should make another one to keep my mints in?

Wouldn't this be a cute little box for some

stationary and tiny pencils?

I originally bought the button die cut to make pre-school

manipulatives for my granddaughter, Brookelyn,

who is crazy about her Lalaloopsy doll with button eyes.

But, these would be wonderful sewing kits,

doncha' think?

A thin magnet glued on the inside would keep

needles and pins in place.

Magnets on the back would make these tins

stick to a fridge or a locker.

The look of the vintagey black tins

fill me with such anticipation and promise.

I'm dreaming about other uses for them.

Take a hint. You need a Myntz mint.

Then tell me how you'd use that adorable tin.

All That Glitters Isn't Gourd

2011-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

At the end of October,

my daughter and I ran to the Farmers' Market

for simple Fall decorations.

I didn't have the mental capacity

to climb into the attic for things

I'd just have to put back up there.

Maybe I'm still recovering from last Thanksgiving,

when I decorated the whole house.

If you wanna follow the rabbit trail of

sewing, crafting, praying and decorating,

start by reading this blog.

Last Thanksgiving truly was amazing.

I may never be that amazing again.

This year, I'm settling for small touches

as I have inspiration and ambition.

Starting with the pumpkins and gourds,

and adding two packages of fake ones from a clearance bin,

I simply painted them with glitter glue.

That's it. Easy Peasy Puddin' and Pie.

The idea is from a blog I read,

but now I can't remember who gave me this idea.

If you posted this, please leave your name

and the url from your blog so I can direct traffic your way.

Since I need to catch up on the classics,

and couldn't stay awake to read all of Wuthering Heights,

I watched the movie.

I toldja' ~

all that glitters isn't gourds,

my pumpkins are glittering, too.

Sometimes Ya' Gotta Get 'Er Dun

2011-11-14T21:21:00.000-08:00

You might have noticed yesterday,

if you read the bill my daughter gave me for lunch,

there were some spelling errors.

Despite the fact that I 've always taught spelling

and my kids earned A's in spelling,

it didn't guarantee they were

able to spell the words they needed to use.

Follow me over to

Tuesday at hOmE tEaChEd

and find out how

Momma Mindy

got 'er dun and rit her own

Spellen Krickulum.