The Weaver by Grand Colfax Tullar

My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who chose to walk with Him.

Clear the Decks

I read this article yesterday and it really convicted me.  The true story shared in this article is just mind boggling to me.  Take the time to read it and meditate on it as we begin a new year.

The challenge:

As you think about your own life, look for every opportunity to get rid of clutter - and perhaps even big, important things that have become obstacles - in order to be available for action and opportunity in God's kingdom.  Whatever it is that might be holding you back, be willing to trust God's commands as the captain of your ship.  You never know what adventures are ahead when he calls out to you, "Clear the decks!"

JOY

I've been thinking of what my focus, plans and goals will be for 2013.  God's been teaching me that true joy comes when my priorities and focus are on the right things.  
When I was in middle school we had a guest speaker at chapel and several things he mentioned I wrote in the front of my Bible.  One of the things I wrote down was:

   Jesus

    Others

You

I have learned that when my focus is upside down and my eyes are on me and my circumstances the joy in my life fades away.

This coming year I want to be more intentional about focusing on others, showing love and blessing others.

Matthew 22:37-39 ~ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Mark 12:30-31 ~ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  There is no other commandment greater than these..

John 13:34-35 ~ A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Who Is He In Yonder Stall

Mary Did You Know

O Holy Night

TSMSS ~ Hark the Herald Angels Sing

TSMSS ~ Breath of Heaven

Happenings ~ Continued

I think I might have found a way to share pictures of what's been happening in my life lately.  Atleast this is a workaround until I figure this issue out.  I am going to share links of pictures I posted on Facebook and I hope the links will work for everyone.

• Kathy had a party for Paul's 37th birthday.  She rented out the room in the back of our favorite pizza place and after church on December 2nd we all gathered to enjoy some fabulous food and fellowship.
• I had the LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together) activity at the house so the ladies from church came over.  Kathy and I had made lots of Praying for you, Thinking of You, and Just Because cards, so I had each lady pick out 52 cards to take home with them and I challenged them to mail out one card each week to encourage someone in the church.
• Our church as a Christmas banquet each year, not only to celebrate our Savior's birth but also to celebrate the anniversary of our church.  We celebrate 3 years as a church!
• Had some ladies over to make cards.  Hope to do this on a more regular basis next year.
• We had a cookie exchange party.  Our neighbor even came over and joined in on the fun.

Happenings

I havent forgotten all you who read and I would love to continue to post my Project 365 pictures but two weeks ago I was getting my post ready and my blog doesn't allow me to upload any more pictures. I get an error telling me I have used all my space up.  The problem is, I have no idea what I am doing and I would be willing to go through the stored pictures and delete but I dont even know where to go to  do that.  So until I sit down and figure this blog stuff out, you will not see me very much on my blog.  I will try to post in words what's going on in life but I am a picture person so it's hard for me to post and not have pictures.

Hang in there with me, more posts to come.

TSMSS ~ I Believe

Thankfulness

30 days of Thankfulness

Day 30 ~ Thankful for a loving and caring God!

Day 29 ~ Thankful for Christmas lights

Day 28 ~ Thankful for friends to stamp and make cards with

Day 27 ~ Thankful that I only gained 0.4 pounds after a month away from WW

Day 26 ~ Thankful to be back at Weight Watchers

Day 25 ~ Thankful for good health

Day 24 ~ Thankful for Christian parents

Day 23 ~ Thankful for a 4 day weekend

Day 22 ~ Thankful for Kathy and Paul opening up their house to me

Day 21 ~ Thankful for my new camera... say cheese!  :-)

Day 20 ~ Thankful that I'm forgiven!

Day 19 ~ Thankful for coffee

Day 18 ~ Thankful for the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

Day 17 ~ Thankful for friends who listen.

Day 16 ~ Thankful for a hot shower.

Day 15 ~ Thankful for my comfy bed!

Day 14 ~ Thankful for a fun filled day!

Day 13 ~ Thankful for the Bible!

Day 12 ~ Thankful for a day to hang out with my sister!

Day 11 ~ To all the Men & Women who served or are serving our Country. Thank you for your service, and for your families sacrifice in Keeping our country free.

Day 10 ~ Thankful for cooler weather!

Day 9 ~ Thankful for God's sufficient grace!

Day 8 ~ so thankful for all the memories I made with Mike!

Day 7 ~ thankful for God's beauty!

Day 6 ~ thankful for the opportunity to vote.

Day 5 ~ thankful for music!

Day 4 ~ thankful for a loving church family that is such a blessing to me!

Day 3 ~ thankful for a bounty of healthy food ... fruits and veggies.

Day 2 ~ thankful for a family who is always there for you!

Day 1 ~ thankful today for a safe flight home.

Lilla Rose Black Friday Sale!

All the profits from my sales help fund my missions trip.  I'm headed to New Mexico July 2013 to help widows and orphans.

P365 ~ Week 46

I've been enjoying working with the little kiddos at church.  I watch the babies and Kathy teaches the little ones.  She does a wonderful job and I always enjoy listening and watching her teach.

Kathy and I had the day off work so along with running errands and getting some clothes shopping done, we also met up with Paul for lunch, which isn't something Kathy gets to do very often since she is normally always working.

Thankful to have the cooler weather so we could enjoy some homemade chili!  yummy!

 One of the local churches was collecting clothes to give to the homeless so I went through my clothes and I was able to get a big trash bag full of clothes together to donate.  Glad to report they were all clothes that were too big on me.  I haven't gotten back on track with Weight Watchers since my trip to Florida but hope to soon.

 We had our LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together) event and along with great food and fellowship we also did a craft.  Everyone made their own banner like the Thankful banner in the picture below. The ladies were very creative and I think everyone had a great time crafting together.

I got to spend a day with a very sweet family from church.  We played games, read books, cleaned house and just had fun together.

 I haven;t had a chance to be in the craft room alot lately but this is a card I made this week.  I am actually going to be making a few more of these to give away.

 My owl flexi clip finally came in the mail.  It was so nice of Lilla Rose to allow us to back order these clips since they were such a big seller in October.

I am actually getting this post done on time.  It's amazing!  Now I am going to head over to Sara's to link up and see how everyone else is doing.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

P365 ~ Week 43 - 45

Somehow I lost a week in all my traveling and of course fell behind in posting and now I am all confused with my Project 365 post.  I am just going to share lots of pictures and hope to get you all caught up.

October has been crazy busy with lots of trips for me but I am so thankful for each trip I made.  I got to spend a week with Mike's family in Florida  It was wonderful getting to spend time with Roger and Megan and building a closer relationship with them.

We carved pumpkins

We went to Sea World

Went to school and ate lunch with them

We went bowling and while we were bowling Roger lost a tooth.

Walked them to their bus stop and helped with homework after school.

Had fun playing with Zoey and had lots of very long days :-)

Enjoyed lots of delicious food!

Made cake pops and empanadas

We joined a food co-op and have really been enjoying it.

Got some pickles canned after getting a crate full of pickling cucumbers.

 Kathy and I are now doing Sunday School for the little kiddos at church.  I watch the babies and she teaches the toddlers.  It's been fun spending time with these little guys!

 Made cauliflower pizza and it was delicious... not sure it was healthy since it uses tons of cheese but I can say it's carb friendly.

 Getting ready for my first Lilla Rose home party so I ordered some flexi clips to have on hand.  

 Made pascualina and had this wonderful couple from church over for dinner. 

 I had the opportunity to bless a family whose husband/father is going through some major medical problems.  This opportunity came about because of my missions trips to New Mexico.  It's amazing how God works!

Being Intentional

I've recently been really convicted about my life and it's lack of direction.  I am going to write this post and hopefully I'll be able to adequately explain what is going on in my heart and mind.

I've never been very good at sharing my heart with people unless specifically asked and to be honest I have lived most of my life being invisible.  It's what got me through public High School and since I am a shy person it's been my way of staying in my comfort zone.  The problem is I look back now and wonder how much glory did my life bring to God?

When Mike passed away I never once questioned God.  I knew God's plan was perfect.  I knew God didn't make mistakes and I knew God was in control.  Did I understand God's plan?  Not at all, but my faith was in my loving, all powerful, all knowing God.

A few months ago I received an email which made me think that maybe I was giving people the wrong impression of my life.  The email was from someone concerned that I had closed my mind and heart to the possibility of remarrying.  I have searched my heart and I believe I am open to remarrying but as a woman I don't believe my role is to actively seek a man; so I am leaving it in the Lord's hands to bring a Godly man into my life, if He so chooses.

Being a young widow is hard.  There really isn't a book out there for going through life as a young widow.  So I find myself feeling lost and without direction in my life.  You see, ever since I can remember, all I have ever wanted to be was a wife and mother.  Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying I am not content in this season of my life but I also can't deny that God made me to be a help meet.  So what lies ahead for me?  What should I be doing with my life?

Well, I don't think I really explained things very well but it's the best I can do right now with all the thoughts in my head.  Please pray for me as I continue to seek God's will for my life.  That I may get clear direction in what He wants me to do next and that I may take each day and live life intentionally for God's glory!

Thank you for letting me share my heart with you and thank you for praying for me.

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A Day at Sea World